Vehicle Door Latch Sensor Arrangement for Sequencing Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heavy-duty commercial semi-trailer vehicles lack a reliable mechanism to ensure proper sequencing and safety of door closing, latching, and locking processes, which can lead to improper latching and accidental door opening during operation.
Innovation Solution
A door latch sensor arrangement comprising door, latch, and handle sensors, along with a controller, that provide feedback to the operator on the correct positioning and sequencing of the door, latch, and handle, ensuring the door is properly closed and latched before being locked, utilizing proximity sensors like Hall effect sensors and mechanical switches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a door latch system is installed in heavy-duty commercial semi-trailer vehicles, then the door can be secured in a closed position, but there is no reliable mechanism to ensure proper sequencing and safety of door closing, latching, and locking processes
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor arrangement detects the position of the door, latch member, and handle member before final locking occurs. The door sensor detects closed position, the latch sensor detects engaged position, and the handle sensor detects locked position, allowing the controller to verify proper sequencing before completing the locking process.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller receives signals from the door sensor, latch sensor, and handle sensor to provide feedback on whether each component is in the correct position and sequence. This feedback mechanism ensures that the door closing, latching, and locking processes occur in the proper sequence, enhancing reliability without requiring complex mechanical interlocks.
2Reliability
If sensors and controllers are added to monitor door, latch, and handle positions, then proper sequencing can be ensured, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is divided into three independent sensor components: a door sensor to detect closed position, a latch sensor to detect engaged position, and a handle sensor to detect locked position. Each sensor independently monitors a specific aspect of the door system, and the controller integrates these separate signals to determine overall system status and sequencing.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are installed to detect door, latch, and handle positions, then accurate position sensing is achieved, but the cost and complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each sensor is positioned at a specific location to detect a specific condition: the door sensor is positioned to detect when the door reaches closed position, the latch sensor is positioned to detect when the latch member is engaged, and the handle sensor is positioned to detect when the handle member is locked. This localized sensing approach ensures accurate detection of critical positions without requiring complex sensor arrays.
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
Enhances vehicle safety by ensuring the correct sequencing of door closure, latching, and locking, reducing the risk of accidental door opening during operation by providing real-time feedback to the operator.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor arrangement includes a door sensor located proximate the door and configured to sense when the door is in the closed position, a latch sensor located proximate the first latch member and configured to sense when the latch member is in the engaged position, and a handle sensor located proximate the handle member and configured to sense when the handle member is in the locked position
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle door latch safety sensor arrangement includes a vehicle body, a door coupled to the vehicle body, a latch arrangement and a sensor arrangement including a door sensor and configured to sense when the door is in the closed position, a latch sensor configured to sense when a latch member is in the engaged position, and a handle sensor configured to sense when a handle is in the closed position, and a controller operably coupled to the sensors and configured to provide feedback to the operator of at least one of (a) whether the door is in a closed position, the latch member is in an engaged position and the handle member is in a locked position, and (b) whether at least one of the door is in an open position, the latch member is in a disengaged position, and the handle member is in the an unlocked position.