Vehicle Door Motion Control With Accelerometer Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power closure member actuation systems for vehicle doors face challenges in accuracy and operational efficiency due to limitations in sensor calibration and compensation, leading to inconsistencies in door movement and user experience.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates an actuator assembly with an electric motor, an extensible member, and an accelerometer for sensing movement. An actuator controller adjusts accelerometer signals using predetermined compensation factors from a calibration process, ensuring accurate control of the door's opening and closing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If accelerometer signals are used directly without compensation, then the system structure remains simple, but measurement precision deteriorates due to sensor errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary calibration to the accelerometer before installation in the vehicle. Compensation factors are determined through a calibration process that occurs temporally before installation, correcting sensor errors in advance. This preliminary action improves measurement precision without adding complex real-time processing during door operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the accelerometer signal by applying compensation factors to adjust the raw sensor output. These compensation factors modify the acceleration values to account for installation orientation and sensor characteristics, transforming inaccurate raw signals into corrected measurement data.
2Measurement precision
If accelerometer calibration is performed before installation, then measurement precision improves, but the calibration process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration process is performed as a preliminary step during manufacturing or installation preparation, before the accelerometer is mounted in the vehicle. This allows systematic determination of compensation factors under controlled conditions, improving sensor accuracy while containing calibration complexity in a dedicated pre-installation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration process determines compensation factors that are specific to each accelerometer unit and its installation orientation. The system performs self-calibration by measuring the accelerometer output in known orientations and automatically computing the necessary compensation factors, reducing manual intervention complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If compensated accelerometer signals are used, then door movement precision improves, but computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The compensation factors are determined during calibration and then applied as simple parameter adjustments to the accelerometer signals during door operation. This approach achieves precise door movement control through straightforward parameter modification rather than complex real-time computations, minimizing computational power requirements.
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 enhances the accuracy and operational efficiency of the power closure member actuation system by compensating for sensor errors, resulting in smoother and more precise door movement, thereby improving user experience.
Implementation Method 1
an accelerometer configured to sense movement of the closure member and output an accelerometer signal corresponding to the movement sensed
Data Source
AI summary
A system for opening or closing a closure member of a vehicle and an accelerometer calibration method are provided. The system includes an actuator assembly with an electric motor operably coupled to an extensible member for opening or closing the closure member. The system also includes an accelerometer configured to sense movement of the closure member and output an accelerometer signal. An actuator controller is coupled to electric motor and to the accelerometer and is configured to determine an adjusted accelerometer signal as the accelerometer signal adjusted using one of a plurality of predetermined compensation factors determined through an accelerometer calibration process temporally before installation of the accelerometer in the vehicle. The actuator controller then controls the opening or closing of the closure member using the electric motor based on the movement of the closure member as represented by the adjusted accelerometer signal.