Vehicle Door Locking Control for Cyclist Dooring Avoidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

The frequent occurrence of 'dooring' incidents, where a driver opens a car door into the path of a cyclist, poses a significant risk of accidents, leading cyclists to ride far from parked cars and increasing the likelihood of straying into traffic.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle-mounted system comprising sensors and computer-executable components that determine the proximity of a cyclist, assess the probability of a dooring incident, and prevent the door from opening until the cyclist has safely passed by, using adjustable thresholds based on cyclist age, distraction, and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If cyclists ride close to parked cars to maintain proper lane position, then cycling efficiency and road usage are improved, but the risk of dooring incidents increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecycling efficiencyVSAvoiddooring risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of cyclists in the vicinity of parked vehicles and preemptively prevents door opening before a dooring incident can occur. The door lock control component locks the door based on detected cyclist proximity, eliminating the need for cyclists to ride far from parked cars.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If cyclists ride far from parked cars to avoid dooring, then safety is improved, but cyclists are more likely to stray into vehicle traffic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecyclist safetyVSAvoidtraffic collision risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system detects cyclists approaching parked vehicles and locks the doors before they reach a position where they would need to ride far from the curb. This allows cyclists to maintain their proper lane position close to parked cars without risk of dooring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the door is locked to prevent dooring, then cyclist safety is improved, but occupant accessibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecyclist safetyVSAvoidoccupant accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The door locking system dynamically adjusts its state based on real-time detection of cyclists. The door is locked only when a cyclist is detected in proximity to the vehicle, and unlocked when no cyclist is present, thereby balancing safety with accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the environment for cyclists and provides feedback to the door lock control component. This feedback mechanism ensures the door is locked only when necessary for cyclist safety, maintaining ease of access when cyclists are not present.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20250297497A1Detection and avoidance of car dooring of cyclists

Publication Date: 2025.09.25 VOLVO CAR CORP

AI summary

Various systems and methods are presented regarding utilizing technology onboard a vehicle to minimize road traffic accidents between cyclists and vehicles. A vehicle can be operating in any of an autonomous, partially autonomous, or non-autonomous manner. By utilizing onboard technology/artificial intelligence, the vehicle can detect a cyclist navigating a street proximate to the vehicle, and further determine, if a door of the vehicle was opened, whether a car dooring incident would result involving the cyclist. In response to a determination that a car dooring incident is likely, an onboard system can prevent an occupant from opening a door likely to cause the dooring incident. Accordingly, the vehicle can preemptively adjust available operations to prevent a car dooring incident.