Fluidic Door Swivel Drive Magnetostrictive Sensor Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle door swivel drives face challenges in accurately detecting the closed position and locking status, leading to potential errors in door operation, increased assembly complexity, and wear due to friction, especially when encountering obstacles or during end-position damping.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a magnetostrictive sensor within the fluidic vehicle door swivel drive to directly detect the axial actuating movement of the piston, correlating with both pivoting and lifting movements, allowing for a single sensor to monitor various positions and movements, reducing friction-induced wear and enhancing operational reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a magnetostrictive sensor is integrated into the fluidic vehicle door swivel drive, then measurement precision of piston position is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepiston position detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor integration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetostrictive sensor is integrated directly into the fluidic vehicle door swivel drive mechanism, combining the sensing function with the existing mechanical structure. The sensor detects axial piston position through magnetic field interaction with the piston rod, eliminating the need for separate external sensing systems and reducing overall device complexity despite adding measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetostrictive sensor replaces traditional mechanical position detection methods (such as contact switches or mechanical linkages) with a non-contact magnetic field-based detection system. This substitution provides more precise measurement of piston position without the wear and friction associated with mechanical contact systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If multiple sensors are used to detect different positions and movements, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition and movement detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor quantity and assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetostrictive sensor is designed to perform multiple detection functions simultaneously. By detecting axial piston position throughout its entire range of motion, the single sensor can identify both pivoting positions and lifting positions, as well as detect obstacles and end-position damping conditions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple specialized sensors and reduces assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If traditional mechanical detection methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability decreases due to friction and wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection system simplicityVSAvoidoperational reliability under friction and wear
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetostrictive sensor employs a non-contact magnetic field-based detection method, eliminating mechanical contact between sensing components. This substitution removes friction and wear from the detection system, significantly improving reliability while maintaining simplicity. The sensor detects piston position through magnetic field interaction without physical contact, preventing degradation over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If a non-contact sensor is used, then reliability is improved by reducing friction-induced wear, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear resistance and operational reliabilityVSAvoidnon-contact sensor integration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The non-contact magnetostrictive sensor is integrated directly into the existing fluidic swivel drive structure, combining the sensing function with the mechanical components already present. This integration approach minimizes the additional complexity introduced by the non-contact sensor, as it utilizes existing mounting points and structural elements rather than requiring completely separate sensing systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution provides accurate detection of the vehicle door's position and movement, simplifies assembly, reduces wear, and improves operational reliability by using a non-contact sensor that is insensitive to environmental factors, enabling precise control and monitoring of the door's opening, closing, and locking states.

Implementation Method 1

Integration of a magnetostrictive sensor within the fluidic vehicle door swivel drive to directly detect the axial actuating movement of the piston

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetostriction: Magnetostriction

Data Source

PatentEP2562342B1Vehicle door fluid swivel drive
Publication Date: 2018.01.17 SCHULTE REINHOLD
  • EP2562342B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2562342B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2562342B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a fluidically actuated vehicle door pivot drive (1). This drive has a working cylinder (4) in which an actuating piston (14) is guided for an axial positioning movement (17). Via a coupling mechanism (47), in particular a type of spindle drive, the axial positioning movement (17) of the actuating piston (14) is converted into a pivoting movement (48) of a drive element (33) for the vehicle door. According to the invention, a sensor (59) is integrated into the vehicle door pivot drive (1) which detects the axial positioning movement (17) of the actuating piston (14). Preferably, the sensor (59) is a magnetostrictive sensor, which can be integrated into a guide rod (19). The vehicle door pivot drive (1) according to the invention is particularly suitable for use in vehicles such as buses or trains.