Fail-Safe Latch Control for Preventing Unintended Closure Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle closure systems lack a reliable mechanism to prevent unwanted movement, particularly during high speeds, which can obstruct the driver's view and pose safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A multi-layer redundant system using multiple controllers to monitor and control the state of a latch, including a first controller to detect faults and a second controller to disable the motor in case of a fault, ensuring the closure remains in a safe position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single controller is used to control the latch, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability is insufficient to prevent unwanted movement during high speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple independent controllers (first controller for monitoring latch state, second controller for motor control) that work in parallel. Each controller independently monitors and controls aspects of the latch system, providing redundant safety layers without requiring a completely complex integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements beforehand cushioning by having controllers disable the motor in advance when faults are detected or when vehicle speed exceeds thresholds. This preventive action cushions against potential unwanted latch movement before it can occur, rather than reacting after a failure.
2Reliability
If the motor is always enabled to allow closure operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but safety is compromised during high speeds or faults
Solution Approach 1:
The motor enable/disable state is dynamically adjusted based on real-time conditions. The controllers continuously monitor vehicle speed, latch state, and system faults, enabling the motor when safe and disabling it when risks are detected. This dynamic control balances safety requirements with operational convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the first controller monitoring latch state and vehicle speed to inform the second controller's motor control decisions. When the latch transitions to a closed state or when faults/speed thresholds are exceeded, feedback triggers motor disablement to prevent unsafe operation.
3Reliability
If multiple controllers are used to provide redundant control, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple independent controllers (first controller for monitoring latch state, second controller for motor control) that work in parallel. Each controller independently monitors and controls aspects of the latch system, providing redundant safety layers without requiring a completely complex integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The controllers are designed with multi-functionality, handling multiple tasks such as monitoring latch state, detecting faults, determining vehicle speed, and controlling motor operation. This universality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting complexity growth despite the multi-layer control architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes multiple controllers that provide operation of a closure with multi-layer functionality and redundancy. One controller monitors a state of a latch coupled with the closure, while another controller controls a motor used to actuate the latch. When the controller monitoring the state of the latch detects a fault, the controller communicates the fault to the other controller and the other controller disables the motor, thus preventing further movement of the latch, and in turn, the closure.