Vehicle Door Sensor Protector with Asymmetric V-Shaped Hollow Part
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing protectors with sensors for sliding doors in vehicles are prone to damage and malfunction when convex objects, such as keys, touch the hollow parts, leading to sensor failure and improper door operation due to insufficient rigidity and sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
A protector with a sensor that features a hollow part with a V-shaped cross section and conductive parts with specific shapes and positions, allowing for increased rigidity and sensitivity while preventing damage from convex objects, ensuring the sensor function remains intact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the hollow part is made with thin walls to improve flexibility and sensor sensitivity, then the sensor can detect objects more accurately, but the structure becomes vulnerable to damage from convex objects like keys
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow part employs an asymmetric V-shaped cross-section where one side has a longer length than the other. This asymmetric design creates different rigidity characteristics on each side, allowing the shorter side to provide enhanced protection against convex objects while the overall structure maintains the flexibility needed for sensor detection functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow part features non-uniform wall thickness distribution, with thicker walls positioned strategically on sides more susceptible to damage from convex objects. This local quality enhancement provides targeted strength where needed while preserving flexibility and sensor sensitivity in other areas of the structure
2Strength
If the hollow part is made more rigid to prevent damage from convex objects, then the structure becomes more durable, but the sensor detection sensitivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow part is divided into multiple sections along its length, with each section having different rigidity characteristics. The segmentation allows certain portions to be more rigid for protection while other portions remain flexible for sensor detection, resolving the contradiction between overall strength and local sensitivity
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the hollow part have locally optimized properties - some sections have thicker walls or reinforced structures for damage resistance, while other sections maintain thinner walls for flexibility and sensor responsiveness. This local quality differentiation enables simultaneous achievement of durability and detection sensitivity
3Ease of manufacture
If the hollow part has a simple cylindrical shape, then the manufacturing is easier, but the rigidity and sensor sensitivity are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow part employs a V-shaped cross-section with curved surfaces instead of sharp angles, and the overall form follows a tapered contour. These curved geometries are achieved through extrusion molding processes, maintaining ease of manufacture while the specific V-shape and curvature provide enhanced rigidity and sensor sensitivity compared to a simple cylinder
4Measurement precision
If the hollow part has a complex shape to improve rigidity and sensitivity, then the sensor performance improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow part features a V-shaped cross-section with smooth curved surfaces and a tapered overall form, which can be efficiently manufactured using extrusion molding. This curved geometry provides enhanced rigidity and sensor sensitivity while remaining compatible with standard manufacturing processes, avoiding the need for complex assembly of multiple parts
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 enhances the protector's ability to detect objects without being damaged by convex substances, maintaining sensor functionality and preventing water infiltration, thus ensuring proper door operation and improved tactile detection sensitivity.
Implementation Method 1
The rubber like elastic bodies (first and second conductive parts) 34, 35 have electric conductivity. When the object is disposed between the sliding door 1 and the opening when the sliding door 1 is moved towards a closed position, and makes contact with a part of the hollow part 12, the rubber like elastic bodies 34, 35 come into contact with each other and the two core wires 31, 32 short-circuit.
Data Source
AI summary
An inner-cabin side part of a hollow part of a protector with a sensor extends between a top end and an inner-cabin side end with an inner-cabin side apex closest to an interior of an automobile body. A distance is shorter between the inner-cabin side apex and the inner-cabin side end than between the top end and the inner-cabin side apex. An outer-cabin side part of the hollow part extends between the top end and an outer-cabin side end with an outer-cabin side apex closest to an exterior of the automobile body. A distance is shorter between the outer-cabin side apex and the outer-cabin side end than between the top end and the outer-cabin side apex. Thicknesses of an outer coat of the hollow part are increased toward the apexes from the top end, and are uniform between the apexes and the inner-cabin side end and the outer-cabin side end.