Electronic Door Latch Backup Power for Long-Term Parking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronically controlled door latches in vehicles face challenges in providing energy for long-term parking situations beyond a week and fail to open doors without a main or backup power source, especially after accidents or crashes.
Innovation Solution
An electronically controlled door latch arrangement with an unrechargeable auxiliary battery and a supercapacitor group that is charged by the main power source during normal operation, and by the auxiliary battery during power loss, actuated by an electric motor using PWM control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If an electronically controlled door latch uses only a main power source and a backup supercapacitor, then the system is simple and reliable for short-term backup, but it cannot provide energy for long-term parking situations beyond a week
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into three distinct components: main power source for normal operation, supercapacitor for short-term backup (high power delivery), and auxiliary battery for long-term backup (energy storage). Each component has a specific function and operates in different scenarios, allowing the system to achieve extended backup duration without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple energy storage technologies (supercapacitor and auxiliary battery) into a hybrid power supply system. The supercapacitor handles high-current demands for motor actuation, while the auxiliary battery provides sustained energy for long-term parking, creating a complementary system that leverages the strengths of both technologies.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the door latch system includes an auxiliary battery and supercapacitor group, then long-term parking energy needs are met, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supercapacitor group is pre-charged from the main power source during normal operation, and the auxiliary battery is pre-charged from either the main power source or the supercapacitor. This preliminary charging ensures that energy is available immediately when needed, eliminating the need for complex real-time power management during emergency situations.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that intelligently manages power flow between the main power source, auxiliary battery, and supercapacitor group. It determines when to charge which component and when to discharge, simplifying the overall system architecture by centralizing control logic rather than requiring complex hardware interconnections.
3Device complexity
If no mechanical bowden cable or lever is available for the electronically controlled door latch, then the door cannot be opened without energy, but this provides a more compact design
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses an electric motor to actuate the door latch, eliminating the need for mechanical bowden cables or levers. The motor is controlled by a control unit that can operate from multiple power sources, allowing the system to self-manage door opening without external mechanical assistance, even in power-loss scenarios.
4Reliability
If the supercapacitor group is charged by the auxiliary battery during power loss, then energy availability is improved, but power management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors the state of charge of the supercapacitor group and the auxiliary battery, and automatically activates charging operations when voltage thresholds are met. This feedback-based control ensures optimal power management without requiring complex manual intervention or overly sophisticated power management circuitry.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures reliable door operation during power failures or long-term parking by maintaining energy for the electric motor, allowing door opening without mechanical assistance.
Implementation Method 1
a supercapacitor group (3) configured for being charged by a main supply voltage received from a main power source (6) of the motor vehicle during a normal operating condition or by an auxiliary supply voltage and for providing a backup supply voltage
Implementation Method 2
an electric motor (4) configured for actuating the electronically controlled door latch (1) based on the main supply voltage or on the backup supply voltage
Implementation Method 3
an unrechargeable auxiliary battery (5) configured for supplying an auxiliary supply voltage
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to an electronically controlled door latch arrangement for a motor vehicle (2), the arrangement comprising an auxiliary battery (5) configured for supplying an auxiliary supply voltage, and an electronically controlled door latch (1) comprising a supercapacitor group (3) and an electric motor (4), whereby the supercapacitor group (3) is configured for being charged by a main supply voltage received from a main power source (8) of the motor vehicle (2) during a normal operating condition or by the auxiliary supply voltage and for providing a backup supply voltage during a backup operating condition when the main supply voltage is unavailable, and the electric motor (4) is configured for actuating the door latch (1) based on the main supply voltage or on the backup supply voltage.