Vehicle Drive Assembly With Spring-Sensor Pinch Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle drive systems, particularly Bowden cable arrangements in door locks, face issues with force peaks causing damage and trapping incidents, lacking effective mechanisms for force peak absorption and prevention of such damage in mechanically operated systems.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle drive arrangement with a drive element sensor generating force-dependent sliding sensor signals, evaluated by a control unit to detect pinch and overload conditions, allowing for adaptive control of actuators to prevent damage and trapping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If high forces are transmitted via the Bowden cable arrangement to transfer the door leaf into the main locking position, then the locking function is achieved, but force peaks occur causing damage to elements such as the inside door handle, outside door handle, or closing drive
Solution Approach 1:
A spring element is introduced between the drive element and the abutment to cushion force peaks before they reach sensitive components. The spring absorbs excessive forces during door closing and handle operation, preventing damage to the Bowden cable arrangement, door handles, and closing drive while maintaining sufficient force transmission for reliable locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element acts as an intermediary between the drive element and the abutment, mediating the force transmission. It allows normal operational forces to pass through while intercepting and absorbing abnormal force peaks, thereby protecting the mechanical components from damage.
2Reliability
If minimum tensile forces are used to ensure the main locking position is safely assumed, then locking reliability is improved, but trapping incidents can occur
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor element is introduced to provide feedback on the force applied to the drive element. The control unit monitors the sensor signals and can detect when excessive force is applied, indicating a potential trapping incident. The system can then respond by stopping the closing action or reversing the door movement, preventing damage while maintaining reliable locking under normal conditions.
3Ease of manufacture
If mechanical operation of door locks is used, then cost is reduced compared to purely electrical solutions, but force peaks cause damage and lack of effective absorption mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element provides passive, cost-effective force peak absorption in the mechanical Bowden cable arrangement. This simple mechanical solution is inexpensive to manufacture and integrate, yet effectively protects the mechanical components from damage during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element serves as a simple mechanical intermediary that mediates force transmission in the cost-effective mechanical system. It adds minimal complexity and cost while significantly improving the reliability of the mechanical door locking system.
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 system effectively prevents damage to components and avoids trapping incidents by differentiating between pinch and overload signals, enabling safe operation under varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
at least one spring (6) between the drive element (2, 3) and the abutment (7)
Implementation Method 2
drive element sensor (12, 13) which generates force-dependent sliding sensor signals
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
The invention relates to a motor vehicle drive assembly which is equipped with a drive element (2, 3) and an abutment (7), and also with at least one spring (6) between the drive element (2, 3) and the abutment (7). In addition, there is at least one drive element sensor (12) which, depending on the application of force by the drive element (2, 3) counter to the force of the spring (6) and an associated relative movement between the drive element (2, 3) and the abutment (7), transmits sensor signals to a control unit (16). According to the invention, the drive element sensor (12, 13), depending on the application of force by the drive element (2, 3), generates different force-dependent, sliding sensor signals which are evaluated by the control unit (16), for example to drive an actuating element.