Vehicle Door Sensing Panel With Radar Swing-Path Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle door handle systems lack seamless entry solutions and reliable secondary authentication methods, particularly when primary means like Bluetooth fail, and do not effectively prevent door collisions with obstacles during automatic opening.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular access system incorporating a sensing module with capacitive touch sensors, radar sensors, and an electronic control unit that allows for touchless and gesture-based control of door functions, including authentication via Bluetooth, NFC, and visual feedback, while preventing door collisions using radar-based obstacle detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a traditional manual door handle system is used, then the device complexity is low, but seamless entry capability and safety are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing technologies (capacitive touch sensors, radar sensors, Bluetooth, NFC) and authentication mechanisms into a single integrated door handle system. This merging enables seamless entry capabilities while managing complexity through unified system architecture controlled by an ECU that coordinates all components.
Solution Approach 2:
The door handle system is designed to perform multiple functions: authentication (Bluetooth, NFC), obstacle detection (radar sensors), touch sensing (capacitive sensors), and door actuation. This multi-functionality allows a single system to replace multiple separate components, achieving seamless entry while optimizing complexity through consolidation.
2Ease of operation
If automatic door opening is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but collision risk with obstacles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary obstacle detection using radar sensors before the door begins to open. The ECU processes radar data to identify objects in the door's swing path and prevents door actuation if obstacles are detected, thereby eliminating collision risk while maintaining automatic opening convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The radar sensors continuously monitor the door's environment and provide real-time feedback to the ECU during the door opening process. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect obstacles and immediately halt or reverse door movement, preventing collisions while maintaining ease of operation.
3Reliability
If multiple authentication methods are integrated, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication system is segmented into independent modules (Bluetooth authentication module, NFC authentication module, capacitive touch module), each handling a specific authentication method. The ECU coordinates these segmented modules, allowing the system to provide multiple authentication methods with high reliability while managing complexity through modular architecture.
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
Enables seamless vehicle entry and operation of door functions without manual handling, provides reliable secondary authentication, and ensures safe automatic door operation by preventing collisions with obstacles.
Implementation Method 1
at least one capacitive touch sensor for sensing proximity of a user at a touch sensing region of the panel
Implementation Method 2
a radar sensor sensing exterior of the vehicle and capturing sensor data
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular access system includes a sensing panel at a door of a vehicle including a panel, at least one capacitive touch sensor for sensing proximity of a user at a touch sensing region of the panel, and a radar sensor sensing exterior of the vehicle. An electronic control unit (ECU) includes a data processor for processing sensor data captured by the radar sensor to detect presence of objects exterior of the vehicle. At least one indicator visually indicates status of the system. Responsive to receiving an open door command, (i) the at least one indicator illuminates and (ii) the system determines, using the sensor data, whether a detected object is within a swing path of the door. The system, responsive to determining that no object is within the swing path of the door, opens the door.