Dual Tailgate Collision Avoidance via Position-Dependent Speed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In motor vehicles with pivotable lower and upper tailgates, collisions can occur unexpectedly when the upper tailgate is opened or closed unintentionally during a closing operation, causing user inconvenience and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system connected to an electronic control unit with a functional module that controls the moving speed and start of both tailgates to prevent collisions by ensuring the upper tailgate passes a defined anti-collision position only when the lower tailgate is completely closed, and allows for delayed or timed movements to avoid intermediate stops, with a lock switch for redundant position verification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the upper tailgate is opened and closed automatically during closing operation, then the tailgate arrangement can be controlled automatically, but collisions between the upper and lower tailgates may occur unexpectedly
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit determines the current positions of both tailgates before initiating closing operation and calculates whether they will collide during closure. If a collision is predicted, the control unit prevents the upper tailgate from closing automatically, thereby avoiding the collision before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system continuously provides feedback on the current positions of both tailgates to the control unit. This real-time position information enables the control unit to monitor the closing operation and detect potential collision risks, allowing it to intervene and prevent collisions while maintaining automatic control.
2Measurement precision
If precise position monitoring is implemented to prevent collisions, then collision detection accuracy is improved, but sensor system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of implementing continuous precise position monitoring throughout the entire tailgate range, the system only performs position checks at critical points where collision risk exists. The control unit determines positions at specific moments during the closing operation to assess collision risk, rather than monitoring positions continuously at all times.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that processes position information from the sensor system and makes collision risk determinations. Rather than requiring complex direct communication between sensors and actuators, the control unit mediates the information flow and decision-making process, simplifying the overall sensor system architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle has a tailgate arrangement consisting of a pivotable lower tailgate and a pivotable upper tailgate, the upper tailgate reaching partially over the lower tailgate in an overlapping region. A sensor system detects the respectively current position of both tailgates in the tailgate arrangement. The sensor system is connected to an electronic control unit for motorized actuation of both tailgates. The control unit has a functional module and in the process prevents a collision of the two tailgates in the overlapping region with consideration of their respectively current positions. The functional module is programmed such that, during closing of both tailgates starting from their respective start positions, their respective moving speed and/or their respective moving start are controlled in such a way that the upper tailgate passes a defined anti-collision position in the closing direction only when the lower tailgate is completely closed. The functional module may be programmed such that, during opening of both tailgates, the lower tailgate is not moved in the opening direction until the upper tailgate has passed the defined anti-collision position in the opening direction. The anti-collision position is a defined point, from which the possibility of geometric superimposition of the pivoting regions just cannot yet exist.