Non-Contact 3D Scanning for Vehicle Door Position Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing door system drive technologies face challenges in reliably determining the position and movement of door components not firmly connected to the drive, leading to inaccurate control and requiring complex, costly sensor systems with high maintenance needs.

Innovation Solution

A drive system utilizing a non-contact three-dimensional scanning sensor unit to determine the location and position of door components, eliminating the need for additional sensors and enabling precise control through real-time data, with an evaluation unit regulating the drive based on this data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If position sensors are used to determine the position and movement of door components, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition determination accuracyVSAvoidsensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical position sensors (encoders, potentiometers) with an optical scanning system that uses a sensor unit to scan door components and determine their positions through image processing and coordinate transformation, thereby eliminating the need for complex mechanical sensing devices while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a digital copy of the door component's position and shape through scanning and coordinate transformation, allowing the control system to work with this digital representation rather than requiring direct physical sensors on the moving components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Power

If torque is exceeded and toothed belts slip or jump, then drive power transmission is compromised, but position determination reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrive power transmissionVSAvoidposition determination reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements direct optical feedback by continuously scanning the actual position of door components and comparing it with the commanded position, allowing the control system to detect and correct transmission errors from toothed belt slippage or jumping in real-time, thereby maintaining position determination reliability even when power transmission is compromised

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If sensorless drive systems are used to reduce components, then device complexity is reduced, but position determination reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor system complexityVSAvoidposition determination reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces sensorless estimation methods with direct optical scanning that physically measures the position of door components, providing reliable position determination without requiring complex sensor systems or position calculation algorithms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 provides reliable and precise control of door components, reduces component complexity and maintenance costs, and allows for the inclusion of components not directly connected to the drive, enhancing operational safety and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor unit which scans the door component three-dimensionally without contact and determines location data regarding its movement and respective position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThree-dimensional scanning: LIDAR

Data Source

PatentEP3135846B1Drive system with sensor unit for drive control
Publication Date: 2023.09.27 BODE - DIE TUR GMBH
  • EP3135846B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3135846B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a drive system (20) for a door component of a door system (20) of a vehicle (42) for public transport. This system comprises: - a drive for the door component, - a sensor unit (26) that scans the door component three-dimensionally without contact and determines location data regarding its movement and respective position, and - an evaluation unit that determines the respective position of the door component from the location data obtained by the sensor unit (26) and, based on this, controls the drive of the door component.