Vehicle Door Actuation Using Space Map Collision Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automobile doors and tailgates often collide with surrounding objects when opening or closing due to limited space awareness, as existing systems lack effective sensing and actuation technologies to prevent collisions.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing sensors and cameras to generate a space map around the vehicle, determining safe opening and closing ranges for doors and tailgates, and controlling their actuation to avoid collisions, including powered actuation and remote operation with safety features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If doors or tailgate are designed to open to a fully opened position, then the opening function is complete, but collision with surrounding objects occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the surrounding environment using sensors and cameras before the door opening action is executed. A space map is generated in advance to identify safe opening ranges, allowing the system to prevent collision before it occurs by limiting the door opening angle based on detected obstacles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the environment around the vehicle using sensors and cameras during the door opening process. Based on real-time feedback from the space map and object detection, the system dynamically adjusts the door opening angle to ensure safe operation, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents collision.
2Reliability
If sensors and cameras are added to detect surrounding space, then collision prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a multi-functional integrated approach where sensors and cameras serve multiple purposes: detecting obstacles, mapping surrounding space, and providing data for both door and tailgate control. This universal sensing system reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby managing complexity while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The space map serves as an intermediary data structure that processes and integrates information from multiple sensors and cameras. This intermediate representation simplifies the control logic by providing a unified view of the surrounding environment, making the system easier to manage despite the complexity of multiple sensing components.
3Ease of operation
If powered actuation is implemented for doors, then ease of operation improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The powered actuation system does not always operate at full capacity. Instead, it provides partial assistance based on the detected situation - using full power only when necessary to overcome resistance or complete opening, and minimal power when the door can open easily. This partial action approach reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining ease of operation.
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
Prevents collisions by ensuring doors and tailgates move within safe spaces, reducing damage and injury risks, while allowing for both automatic and manual operation modes.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more sensors can include one or more ultrasonic sensors
Implementation Method 2
The one or more sensors can include one or more proximity sensors
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for power actuation of doors or tailgate of a vehicle uses sensed information from sensors (e.g., ultrasonic sensors, proximity sensors) and cameras to provide a space map around the vehicle and indicate whether or how far the doors and/or tailgate can open (or close) without colliding with objects surrounding the vehicle (e.g., walls, ceiling, garage door, other vehicles, individuals).