Vehicle Door Profile Strip Pinching Detection Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle door profile strips with anti-trap protection systems are not sensitive enough to detect pinching events promptly, leading to potential injury and damage, and their designs are vulnerable to vandalism and late detection of lateral clamping forces.

Innovation Solution

A rubber-elastic profile strip with an electrical sensor housed in a flexible receiving space, featuring actuating webs that deflect to trigger the sensor with minimal pressure, ensuring quick detection of pinching and reduced risk of damage from external forces, and incorporating a movable lip and actuating ribs for precise force transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the electrical sensor is located near the base of the profile, then the structure is simpler, but lateral clamping forces are detected very late

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor positioning structureVSAvoiddetection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The profile is divided into multiple functional zones: a front detection zone with the electrical sensor positioned near the front end for early detection, and a rear structural zone with the base for mounting. This segmentation allows the sensor to be optimally positioned for detection sensitivity while maintaining structural integrity through separate functional regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the sealing lip protrudes far from the end face, then sealing contact is improved, but the electrical sensor becomes vulnerable to vandalism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing contactVSAvoidvandalism risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical sensor is nested within the hollow chamber of the profile, positioned recessed from the front end. The sealing lip protrudes from the end face to provide sealing contact, while the sensor remains protected inside the profile structure. This nesting arrangement allows the sealing function to extend outward while the sensitive sensor remains shielded within the profile's internal cavity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the profile strip is made more rigid to prevent deformation, then structural stability is improved, but sensitivity to pinching forces is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidpinching detection sensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The profile exhibits different mechanical properties at different locations: the front end region containing the sensor is designed with lower rigidity to allow deformation under pinching forces, while the rear base region maintains high rigidity for structural stability. This local differentiation enables the profile to be sensitive to pinching where needed while remaining stable overall.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Measurement precision

If the electrical sensor is positioned near the front end of the profile, then pinching detection is more sensitive, but the sensor is exposed to damage from external forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepinching detection sensitivityVSAvoidexternal damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical sensor is nested within the hollow chamber of the profile, positioned recessed from the front end. This nesting arrangement allows the sensor to be optimally positioned for detecting pinching forces while being protected from vandalism and external damage by the profile structure itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

5Manufacturing precision

If the receiving space for the electrical sensor has rigid walls, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the sensor cannot be actuated by profile movements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereceiving space geometryVSAvoidsensor actuation
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving space for the electrical sensor incorporates at least one flexible wall section that can deform under external forces. This flexible wall allows the sensor to be actuated by profile movements during pinching events, while the overall receiving space maintains sufficient geometric precision through controlled flexibility rather than complete rigidity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

The solution enables rapid and sensitive detection of pinching events, allowing for immediate door reversal and reducing the risk of injury and vandalism, while maintaining a long service life and cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

the receiving space of the electrical sensor has, at least in regions, a flexible wall, one region of which is opposite one of the two actuation sides of the electrical sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2174814B1Moulding for a vehicle door with pinching protection
Publication Date: 2014.11.12 MAYSER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2174814B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2174814B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2174814B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The profile bar has a rubber profile strip with a profile foot (2). Two electrical sensors are arranged outside and an electrical sensor is arranged on outside in an intake space in the profile bar. The sensors are actuated by movements of the profile bar. The profile bar has an inner area and a sealing profile for two relatively rigid movable bars (40,48). The movable bars lie laterally or in front, in a reclining manner in relation to the intake space of the electrical sensor.