Hinge-Integrated Door Power Assist With Swing Path Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automotive door power assist systems cannot effectively overcome the momentum to open and close vehicle doors at the hinge location, and they lack the ability to survey the surrounding area for clearance, leading to potential damage from hitting objects during opening.
Innovation Solution
An automated door system with a power assist device coupled to the hinge assembly, featuring a motor-driven drive shaft that provides controlled opening and closing movements, and includes sensors to detect objects in the door's swing path, allowing for slow close functionality and reduced torque requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a power assist device is installed at the hinge location to overcome door momentum, then the door opening and closing capability is improved, but the device complexity and package size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power assist device is integrated with the hinge assembly, merging the power assist function with the existing hinge structure. This combination eliminates the need for a separate power assist mechanism, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the capability to overcome door momentum for opening and closing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge assembly is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides the structural hinge function for door rotation and simultaneously incorporates the power assist mechanism to overcome door momentum. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, thereby reducing device complexity while improving ease of operation.
2Productivity
If the door swings fast to improve egress speed, then the ingress and egress efficiency is improved, but the risk of hitting objects and causing damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that detect objects in the door's swing path and provide feedback to the power assist device. When an object is detected, the power assist device adjusts the door swing speed in real-time, slowing down before contact to prevent damage while maintaining efficient operation during normal conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensors survey the surrounding area in advance of door opening, detecting objects that may be in the swing path. The power assist device then takes preliminary action by reducing door swing speed before contact occurs, preventing harmful collisions while allowing fast operation when the path is clear.
3Reliability
If sensors are added to survey the surrounding area for clearance, then the collision prevention capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensors are integrated into the hinge assembly rather than being separate components. This merging of sensing functionality with the existing hinge structure reduces overall device complexity while maintaining the ability to survey the surrounding area for clearance and prevent collisions.
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 assists in opening and closing vehicle doors while preventing collisions by slowing down the door movement when encountering objects, reducing the torque needed to operate, and ensuring smooth, controlled door closure.
Implementation Method 1
A motor is disposed within the power assist device and configured to drive the drive shaft for providing opening and closing movement of the door
Implementation Method 2
A power assist device is coupled to the hinge assembly and further coupled to the door. The power assist device is configured to slow movement of the door along a door swing path from an initial velocity to a slow close velocity
Data Source
AI summary
An automated door system includes a door pivotally coupled to a vehicle body at a hinge axis defined by at least one hinge assembly. A power assist device is coupled to the hinge assembly and further coupled to the door. The power assist device is configured to slow movement of the door along a door swing path from an initial velocity to a slow close velocity when the initial velocity exceeds a predetermined threshold velocity, thereby providing a slow and controlled close when a user attempts to slam the door. The power assist device is further configured to power opening and closing movement of the door as initiated by a user.