Vehicle Kick Sensor Interlock for Tailgate and Step Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles with motor-driven occupant steps and tailgates are independently controlled, leading to safety issues such as pinching and the need for external switches to confirm the tailgate's state, which complicates operation.
Innovation Solution
A controller with processing circuitry and a kick sensor that detects specific gestures to interlock or non-interlock the operation of the occupant step and tailgate, using actuators to control their simultaneous or separate operation, and includes features to detect pinching and adjust operation accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the occupant step and tailgate are independently controlled by separate ECUs, then each component can operate autonomously, but safety issues such as pinching occur and operation becomes complex requiring external switches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the control of the occupant step and tailgate into a single ECU that manages both components. This integration allows the system to coordinate their operations, ensuring the occupant step is retracted before the tailgate closes, thereby preventing pinching while simplifying the user interface to a single control point
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the ECU monitors the position and operation state of both the occupant step and tailgate. Based on this feedback, the ECU dynamically adjusts the operation sequence to prevent unsafe conditions, such as detecting when the tailgate is closing and ensuring the occupant step is fully retracted before allowing closure
2Productivity
If the occupant step and tailgate are operated simultaneously without interlocking, then operation speed increases, but pinching hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ECU performs preliminary actions by monitoring and controlling the occupant step retraction before initiating tailgate closure. The system ensures the occupant step is fully retracted to a safe position before the tailgate begins its closing motion, preventing pinching while maintaining efficient operation through coordinated sequencing
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operation sequence based on real-time conditions. The ECU can modify the timing and coordination of the occupant step and tailgate operations depending on detected parameters such as obstacle presence, operational state, and safety conditions, allowing flexible adaptation between speed and safety requirements
Data Source
AI summary
An interlocking occupant step apparatus and method for a vehicle, includes a powered door, a powered occupant step, a kick sensor, and a controller having processing circuitry. While in an interlocking state, the processing circuitry detects a first gesture signal from the kick sensor, for example resulting from a kick, upon detection of the first gesture signal, controls operation of the powered occupant step to move the occupant step to an extended position, and controls operation of the powered door to move to an opened position. The processing circuitry detects a second gesture signal from the kick sensor, for example resulting from a lateral swing, the second gesture signal being for a second gesture different from the first gesture. Upon detection of the second gesture signal, the processing circuitry switches to a non-interlocking state.