Drive Controller Switching for Manual Adjustment Braking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drive arrangements for motorized adjustment of motor vehicle components, such as tailgates and side doors, lack a moderate braking mechanism during manual operation, compromising user comfort while maintaining operational safety.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a drive controller with a switching device and detection system that allows the drive motor to work as a generator during manual adjustment, providing a controlled braking effect by switching the supply voltage, and utilizing overvoltage protection to ensure safety during extreme manual actuation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the drive motor is short-circuited for braking during manual adjustment, then operational safety is ensured through overvoltage protection, but user comfort deteriorates due to severe and abrupt deceleration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational safetyVSAvoiduser comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a switching device as an intermediary between the drive motor and the short-circuit braking mechanism. This switching device selectively connects or disconnects the supply voltage to the driver unit based on detected adjustment speed, thereby mediating between the need for safety (short-circuit braking) and comfort (moderate deceleration). When normal manual adjustment is detected, the switching device disconnects the supply voltage, preventing severe braking and ensuring user comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the electrical parameter (supply voltage connection state) of the driver unit based on the detected adjustment speed. By detecting whether the adjustment speed exceeds a threshold, the system dynamically changes the parameter of supply voltage connection through the switching device, transitioning between connected and disconnected states to achieve different braking characteristics and balance safety with comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the supply voltage is switched through to the driver unit during manual adjustment, then moderate braking is achieved improving user comfort, but the risk of overvoltage protection triggering increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser comfortVSAvoidoperational safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The switching device serves as an intermediary that controls the supply voltage connection to the driver unit. By detecting adjustment speed and selectively connecting or disconnecting the supply voltage, the switching device mediates between providing moderate braking (improving comfort) and preventing overvoltage protection triggering (maintaining safety). The detection device monitors adjustment conditions to enable the switching device to make appropriate connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the detection device continuously monitors the adjustment speed and provides information to the switching device. Based on this feedback about whether the adjustment speed exceeds the threshold, the switching device adjusts the supply voltage connection state accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that balances comfort and safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If the drive motor works as a generator on the supply for braking, then moderate deceleration is achieved improving comfort, but the generator voltage may still trigger overvoltage protection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser comfortVSAvoidoperational safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the switching device disconnect the supply voltage from the driver unit before the drive motor can generate excessive voltage that would trigger overvoltage protection. By detecting when manual adjustment exceeds the threshold and proactively disconnecting the supply voltage through the switching device, the system prevents the generator voltage from reaching dangerous levels, thereby maintaining both comfort and safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enhances user comfort by providing a moderate braking effect during manual operation while maintaining operational safety by reducing the likelihood of overvoltage protection triggering and ensuring reliable braking.

Implementation Method 1

the drive motor, as mentioned above, works as a generator on the supply and is braked accordingly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2754236B1Drive assembly for the motorized adjustment of an positiioning element of a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.04.29 BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2754236B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2754236B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2754236B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a drive assembly for the motorized adjustment of an adjusting element (1) of a motor vehicle, wherein at least one drive (2) having an electrical drive motor (3), in particular a direct current motor, and a drive controller (5) associated with said drive (2) and connected to a supply (V), in particular a vehicle battery, having a supply voltage Uv are provided, wherein said drive (2) is designed to not be self-locking, such that the drive motor (3) operates as a generator in the event of a non-motorized adjustment of the adjusting element (1) and creates a generator voltage UG, wherein the drive controller (5) has a drive unit (6) for supplying the at least one drive (2) with electric drive power. According to the invention, the drive controller (5) has a switching device (7) for switching the supply voltage (Uv) through to the driver unit (6) and a detecting device (8) for detecting a non-motorized adjustment of the adjusting element (1), and in the event of a predetermined, non-motorized adjustment of the adjusting element (1) being detected, the drive controller (5) switches the supply voltage (Uv) through to the supply terminals (9, 10) of the driver unit (6) in a switching operation by means of the switching device (7), such that the drive motor (3) acts on the supply (V) as a generator and is accordingly braked.