Vehicle Door Torque Compensation on Inclined Roads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle doors on inclined road surfaces require additional force to open or close due to gravitational forces, leading to difficulties in operation and potential injuries or damage, as existing systems fail to compensate for the varying forces effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an actuator and controller that calculates and applies compensating torques to offset gravitational forces acting on the door, allowing it to be opened or closed with the same force as on a flat road surface by determining the vehicle's stop state, gravitational forces, and applying compensating torques when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the door is opened or closed on an inclined road surface without compensation, then the gravitational force acts on the door causing difficulty in operation or excessive speed, but the operating force becomes inconsistent and potentially harmful
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator generates a compensating force that acts as a counterweight to the gravitational force component acting on the door during opening/closing operations on inclined surfaces. The controller calculates the gravitational force component Fg = m×g×sin(θ) and applies an equal and opposite force through the actuator, effectively canceling out the gravitational effect and maintaining consistent operating force regardless of road inclination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the operating parameters (actuator force output) based on the detected road inclination angle θ. By measuring the inclination and adjusting the compensating force accordingly, the system adapts to different operating conditions to maintain safe and consistent door operation characteristics.
2Ease of operation
If no compensation is applied for gravitational force on inclined roads, then the door structure remains simple, but additional force is required to open or close the door
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical compensation mechanisms with an electromechanical system. Instead of using mechanical springs, counterweights, or linkages to compensate for gravitational effects, the system uses an actuator controlled by electronic calculations based on sensor data, simplifying the mechanical structure while achieving the desired compensation effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the sensor (detecting inclination) and the actuator (providing compensation). It processes the inclination data, calculates the required compensating force, and controls the actuator output, thereby mediating the compensation process without requiring direct mechanical coupling between sensing and actuation systems.
3Ease of operation
If the door is opened or closed on an inclined road surface, then the gravitational force acts in the same direction as door movement, but the door may be opened or closed too easily causing injury or damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary counter-action by generating the compensating force before the door movement begins. The controller detects the road inclination and pre-adjusts the actuator to provide opposing force that counteracts the gravitational component, preventing the door from moving too easily or uncontrollably during the opening/closing 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
Enables the door to be opened or closed with consistent force regardless of the road's inclination, preventing injuries and damage by adjusting the operating force based on gravitational influences, thus improving convenience and safety.
Implementation Method 1
gravitational forces acting on the door by a weight of the door and gravity
Data Source
AI summary
A method of compensating for the door operating force on the inclined road surface includes a signal input operation of inputting a sensor signals required for determining the compensating of the operating force of the door to the controller, a stop determination operation of determining, by the controller, whether the vehicle is stopping, a gravitational force determination operation of determining, by the controller, the gravitational forces acting in the transverse direction of the door with the input sensor signals, a compensating torque determination operation of determining, by the controller, the compensating torques to be output from the actuator to offset the gravitational forces, and an operating force compensation operation of compensating for, by the controller, the operating force when the door is opened or closed with the compensating forces.