Vehicle Drive Assembly Force Sensing for Bowden Cable Overload
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle drive assemblies, particularly those using Bowden cable assemblies in connection with door latches, lack effective solutions to absorb force peaks and prevent damage to components like door handles and closing drives.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a drive element sensor that generates force-dependent sliding sensor signals, evaluated by a control unit to manage actuating elements, ensuring safe operation by preventing overloads and trapping incidents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If minimum tensile forces are used to ensure the main ratchet position is safely assumed at all temperatures and functional states, then reliability is improved, but force peaks can still occur causing damage to components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by introducing a force-limiting mechanism that preemptively restricts maximum forces in the Bowden cable assembly. This mechanism limits tensile forces to a predetermined maximum value, preventing force peaks before they can occur and cause damage to door handles or other components, while still ensuring reliable operation of the door latch system
2Ease of manufacture
If purely mechanical solutions are used for door latches, then cost is reduced, but convincing solutions to absorb force peaks and avoid damage have been lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an intermediary approach by introducing a force-limiting mechanism that acts as a mediator between the Bowden cable and the door latch components. This mechanism provides reliable force peak absorption and component protection while maintaining compatibility with cost-effective mechanical door latch systems, avoiding the need for expensive purely electrical solutions
3Reliability
If high forces are transmitted to transfer the door panel into the main ratchet position, then reliability is improved, but trapping incidents can occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by implementing a force-limiting mechanism that preemptively counteracts excessive forces before they can cause trapping incidents. The mechanism ensures that tensile forces remain within safe limits throughout the door panel positioning process, preventing both damage to components and trapping of objects or fingers in the door gap
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
This solution effectively limits forces applied to the drive element, preventing damage and ensuring safe operation by detecting and responding to force thresholds with anti-trap and overload signals.
Implementation Method 1
with at least one spring between the drive element and the abutment
Implementation Method 2
at least one drive element sensor which, depending on the application of force by the drive element counter to the force of the spring and an associated relative movement between the drive element and the abutment, transmits sensor signals to a control unit
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle drive assembly which is equipped with a drive element and an abutment, and also with at least one spring between the drive element and the abutment. In addition, there is at least one drive element sensor which, depending on the application of force by the drive element counter to the force of the spring and an associated relative movement between the drive element and the abutment, transmits sensor signals to a control unites. According to the invention, the drive element sensor, depending on the application of force by the drive element, generates different force-dependent, sliding sensor signals which are evaluated by the control unites, for example to drive an actuating element.