Vehicle Door Latch Power Supply With Contactless Emergency Charging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional door latch systems for vehicles are heavy due to redundant mechanical mechanisms, which increase fuel consumption and weight, and fail to efficiently manage power supply when the automotive battery deteriorates or runs out, making it difficult to enter the vehicle for maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A door latch power supply device incorporating an electricity storage unit, charger, discharger, contactless power receiver, input port, output port, and operation signal receiver that switches between external and contactless power sources based on input voltage thresholds to maintain the door latch in an unlatched state, eliminating the need for a mechanical emergency operation mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical emergency operation mechanism is provided to open the door when the battery runs out, then the door can be opened in emergency situations, but the weight of the vehicle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical emergency operation mechanism with an electrical power supply system that uses a secondary battery and switchable circuitry. Instead of mechanical levers and linkages, the system uses electrical switches to redirect power from either the main battery or secondary battery to the door latch actuator, thereby eliminating heavy mechanical emergency components while maintaining door opening capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter from mechanical force transmission to electrical power switching. By using a switchable power supply system that can toggle between two battery sources, the system maintains emergency door opening capability through electrical means rather than mechanical redundancy, reducing overall system weight.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a secondary battery and contactless power receiver are added to enable operation when the main battery is depleted, then the door can be opened in all power conditions, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal power supply system where the secondary battery serves multiple functions: it acts as an emergency power source when the main battery is depleted, and it can also be charged via contactless power reception. The switchable circuitry provides multi-functionality by routing power from either source to the door latch, reducing the need for separate emergency mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a switchable power supply circuit as an intermediary component that manages power flow between the main battery, secondary battery, and door latch actuator. This intermediary switching mechanism simplifies the overall system architecture by providing a unified electrical pathway rather than requiring separate mechanical and electrical emergency systems.
3Reliability
If the charger operates using contactless power receiver when input voltage is low, then the electricity storage unit can be charged in emergency situations, but the power management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management where the charger automatically switches between main battery power and contactless power reception based on real-time voltage conditions. The system dynamically adjusts its power source selection, charging the secondary battery when the main battery voltage drops below a threshold, providing adaptive reliability without requiring complex manual intervention.
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
This configuration reduces the weight of the vehicle by eliminating redundant mechanical components and ensures the door can be opened even when the automotive battery is depleted, allowing for easy maintenance by switching to contactless power supply when necessary.
Implementation Method 1
a contactless power receiver 15 connected to the charger 13 and configured to receive power without contact from the contactless power supply unit 25
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A door latch power supply device includes an electricity storage unit, a charger, a discharger, a contactless power receiver, an input port configured to be connected to an external power supply, an output port configured to be connected to an actuator, and an operation signal receiver configured to receive an operation signal sent in response to an operation for opening a door. While an input voltage input to the input port is higher than or equal to a first input threshold, the charger operates using power supplied from the external power supply so as to cause a storage voltage of the electricity storage unit to become a first storage voltage value, and the discharger outputs power in the electricity storage unit to the output port to place the actuator in the unlatched state in response to the operation signal received by the operation signal receiver. While the input voltage is lower than the first input threshold, the charger operates using power supplied from the contactless power receiver so as to cause the storage voltage to become a second storage voltage value, and then the discharger outputs power in the electricity storage unit to the output port to place the actuator in the unlatched state in response to the operation signal received.