Motor Vehicle Door Latch Multiple Trigger Override
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle door latch systems with electric latches face issues when individual sensor signals are absent or incorrect, leading to misinterpretations by the control unit, which can result in ineffective operation of the electromotor drive and increased design complexity.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a multiple operation mechanism for the trigger sensor that ignores the state of the locking mechanism sensor, allowing the electromotor drive to open the latch if a predetermined number or time window of trigger sensor operations is met, ensuring the latch can be opened even with faulty sensor signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the control unit suppresses electromotor drive action when the locking mechanism sensor reports open state, then the system prevents unnecessary opening operations, but the latch cannot be opened when the sensor provides false or incomplete signals
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically adjusts its response based on the operation count of the trigger sensor. When multiple operations are detected within a time window, the control unit overrides the sensor signal suppression logic, allowing the electromotor drive to operate even when the locking mechanism sensor reports an open state. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by adapting the control logic to operational context.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the trigger sensor operation count to modify the control unit's response to the locking mechanism sensor. The feedback loop detects repeated trigger sensor activations and uses this information to override the normal suppression logic, enabling the latch to open despite false sensor readings. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable operation under faulty sensor conditions.
2Reliability
If the system requires multiple operations of the trigger sensor to override sensor signals, then false operations are reduced, but the complexity of the control logic increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary counting of trigger sensor operations within a defined time window before executing the opening action. This preliminary action filters out accidental or false operations by requiring a minimum number of valid triggers within the time window, thereby improving operational accuracy without requiring complex real-time analysis during the actual opening sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit implements periodic evaluation of the trigger sensor within a time window, counting operations at regular intervals. This periodic action simplifies the control logic by using fixed-time sampling rather than continuous complex monitoring, achieving reliable operation detection through simple counter-based evaluation within each period.
3Productivity
If the locking mechanism sensor is used to control the electromotor drive, then the system operates efficiently under normal conditions, but the system becomes vulnerable to sensor failures and false signals
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit prepares for sensor failures by implementing a redundancy mechanism that allows multiple trigger sensor operations to override a single faulty locking mechanism sensor signal. This beforehand cushioning ensures that if the locking mechanism sensor fails, the system can still respond to legitimate opening requests through repeated trigger operations, maintaining robustness without significantly impacting normal efficient operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit changes the control parameter from relying solely on the locking mechanism sensor state to using a combination of trigger sensor operation count and time window evaluation. This parameter change makes the system more robust to sensor failures by introducing a temporal and quantitative dimension to the control logic, allowing the system to distinguish between normal operation and sensor failures based on the pattern of operations.
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 solution enables reliable operation of the motor vehicle door latch by allowing opening of the locking mechanism regardless of sensor malfunctions, reducing excessive load on the electromotor and optimizing noise behavior without requiring mechanical opening processes.
Implementation Method 1
opening the locking mechanism consisting of a catch and a pawl occurs substantially in an electro-motoric manner, i.e. using an electromotor
Implementation Method 2
having a trigger sensor for opening the locking mechanism in an electro-motoric manner
Implementation Method 3
at least one locking mechanism sensor for determining the closing/opening state of the locking mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A door latch and in particular a motor vehicle door latch, which is equipped with a locking mechanism consisting substantially of a catch and a pawl, further having at least one locking mechanism sensor to determine the closing/opening state of the locking mechanism, further having a control unit for evaluating signals of the locking mechanism sensors, and having a trigger sensor for opening the locking mechanism in an electro-motoric manner. According to the invention, a multiple operation of the trigger sensor regardless of the state of the locking mechanism sensor is implemented for opening the locking mechanism.