Vehicle Door Lock Control Algorithm for Foreign Object Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle door systems lack effective prevention of accidental door contact with foreign objects, especially when the door is opening or closing, and do not function properly without automation hardware and software, limiting their ability to detect and respond to objects in their path.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle door lock control algorithm that uses proximity sensors and a vehicle controller to detect objects within the door's swing radius and automatically lock the door if an object is approaching, overriding automatic unlock features to prevent impact, and providing user override options for manual operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a proximity sensor system is used to detect objects in the door assembly's path, then object detection capability is improved, but the system only detects objects within the path and does not function with non-automated door assemblies
Solution Approach 1:
The door locking system is designed to perform multiple functions: it can lock the door in response to detected objects (automated function) and can also be manually operated by the user (manual function). This multi-functionality allows the system to work with both automated and non-automated door assemblies, resolving the contradiction between detection capability and adaptability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the door assembly is equipped with protectionary mechanisms like anti-pinch switches, then damage prevention is improved, but the door must be moving and physically contact the object before activation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting objects in the door's path before the door makes contact with them. The controller receives input from proximity sensors and proactively locks the door to prevent potential contact, rather than waiting for physical contact to occur. This eliminates both the damage risk and the delayed response time associated with traditional anti-pinch switches.
3Ease of operation
If automatic door unlock feature is activated when vehicle is shifted into park position, then ease of entry is improved, but the door may open and impact objects in its path
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from proximity sensors to dynamically control the door locking state. When objects are detected in the door's path, the controller receives this feedback and maintains or activates the locked state, overriding the automatic unlock command. This feedback mechanism allows the system to balance ease of entry with safety by conditionally preventing door opening based on real-time environmental conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are foreign object detection systems with control logic for governing use of vehicle door assemblies, and motor vehicles equipped with such FOD systems and logic. Methods are disclosed for regulating operation of a vehicle door locking mechanism. One method includes a vehicle controller determining the operating status of a control protocol that governs use of the locking mechanism. If the operating status is active, the controller receives sensor signals indicative of a location and/or velocity of an object within the sensor's supervision field. If the object is located within a protected door zone and/or the object's velocity is towards the protected zone, the controller determines whether the locking mechanism is locked or unlocked. If the locking mechanism is locked, the controller commands the locking mechanism to maintain the locked state. Conversely, if the locking mechanism is unlocked, the controller commands the locking mechanism to lock and maintain this state.