Power Swinging Door Torque Compensation for Wind and Grade Forces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Power swinging doors in motor vehicles face challenges in efficiently opening and closing due to wind-based and grade-based forces, which can cause increased resistance and require additional energy, and existing systems struggle to differentiate between obstacles and external forces.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a rotary actuator, position sensor, and programmable controller that measures angular position signals to differentiate between wind, grade, and obstacle forces, adjusting the actuator's torque output to compensate for external forces and prevent door obstruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the actuator applies higher torque to overcome wind and grade forces, then the door can open and close more reliably under external forces, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the current threshold based on detected external forces (wind, grade). When external forces are detected through oscillation analysis, the current threshold is increased to allow higher torque output. When no external forces are present, the threshold returns to normal obstacle-detection levels. This dynamic adaptation enables reliable door operation under external forces while minimizing energy consumption during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the electrical current threshold parameter in response to detected conditions. By analyzing oscillation patterns in door position or current signals, the system determines when external forces are acting on the door and adjusts the current threshold accordingly. This parameter change allows the actuator to deliver appropriate torque levels without continuously operating at high power, thus reducing overall energy consumption.
2Reliability
If the system increases current threshold to allow higher torque output, then door operation under external forces is maintained, but obstacle detection capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The current threshold is dynamically adjusted based on detected conditions. When external forces are detected through oscillation analysis, the threshold is temporarily increased to maintain door operation. When no external forces are present, the threshold returns to normal levels for accurate obstacle detection. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by having different threshold levels for different operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from oscillation detection to determine when to adjust the current threshold. By continuously monitoring door position or current oscillations, the system can distinguish between oscillations caused by external forces and those that might indicate obstacles. This feedback mechanism enables accurate differentiation between external forces and obstacles, maintaining both reliable operation and detection accuracy.
3Productivity
If the actuator continuously compensates for external forces, then door motion is smooth and energy efficient, but the system cannot detect obstacles in the swing path
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses oscillation pattern analysis as feedback to distinguish between external forces and obstacles. By analyzing the characteristics of oscillations in door position or current signals, the system can determine whether oscillations are caused by wind/grade forces or by obstacles. This feedback enables the system to compensate for external forces while maintaining the ability to detect obstacles, resolving the contradiction between efficiency and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the current threshold parameter based on oscillation analysis. When oscillations match patterns consistent with external forces, the threshold is increased to enable smooth operation. When oscillations suggest obstacles, the threshold returns to normal detection levels. This conditional parameter change allows the system to optimize for either efficiency or detection based on real-time conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A system controls opening/closing of a power swinging door, e.g., in a vehicle, and includes a rotary actuator, position sensor, and controller. In a controller-executed method, the actuator applies torque to the door in response to control signals. The controller uses a measured raw angular position from the sensor to determine wind- or grade-based external forces acting on the door during opening or closing, and adjusts the actuator torque in response to the external forces. The sensor may be a rotary encoder, with the actuator being an electric motor. Lookup tables contain data relating oscillation to the external forces. The controller may induce door oscillation and to relate oscillation decay to the external forces. An obstacle-based current threshold may be adjusted in response to the external forces.