Vehicle Lid Force Adjustment via Dynamic Torque Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art systems for operating vehicle lids, such as trunk lids, require preset manual forces that are not adjustable after manufacturing, leading to inconsistent user effort across the lid's movement range due to varying weights, center of gravity, and frictional forces.
Innovation Solution
An operational force support device with a detection unit to measure speed and angle, a determination unit to calculate an armature voltage or amplification factor, and an output unit to adjust the actuator's torque, ensuring consistent manual force application across the lid's movement range by dynamically adjusting the actuator's support based on detected parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If preset manual forces are used in prior art systems, then the system structure remains simple, but the user effort becomes inconsistent across the lid's movement range due to varying weights, center of gravity, and frictional forces
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the actuator's supporting torque based on real-time detection of lid angle and movement speed. The determination unit continuously calculates and modifies the armature voltage according to detected parameters, enabling the actuator to adapt its support force throughout the lid's movement range, thereby ensuring consistent user effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection unit provides real-time feedback on lid angle and movement speed to the determination unit. This feedback loop enables the system to monitor actual operating conditions and adjust the armature voltage accordingly, ensuring that the supporting torque compensates for varying frictional forces, weight distribution, and center of gravity effects across different positions.
2Ease of operation
If the actuator autonomously moves the lid, then the user effort is minimized, but the user loses control over the lid movement
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator provides partial support rather than complete automation. The supporting torque is designed to compensate for difficult portions of the movement (such as overcoming friction and balancing weight at various angles) while leaving the primary driving force to be supplied by the user, thus maintaining user control and intentionality in the operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adjusts the armature voltage parameter dynamically based on detected lid angle and speed. By modulating this electrical parameter, the actuator's torque output is optimized to assist the user without taking over the movement, allowing the user to maintain control while experiencing reduced effort throughout the operation range.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed passive elements like coil springs or brakes are used, then the device complexity is low, but the operational forces cannot be adjusted after manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fixed mechanical passive elements (coil springs, brakes) with an electrically controlled actuator system. The actuator, controlled through electronic detection and determination units, provides adjustable supporting torque that can be modified after manufacturing by changing control parameters, eliminating the need for physical reconfiguration of mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables post-manufacturing adjustment of operational forces by modifying electrical parameters (armature voltage) rather than mechanical configurations. The determination unit can recalculate and apply different voltage levels based on updated detection data, allowing the operational characteristics to be adapted without altering the physical structure of passive elements.
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
Reduces the manual forces required to move the lid by providing a supporting torque that adapts to the lid's angle and speed, ensuring a constant user effort throughout the movement range while preventing the actuator from autonomously moving the lid.
Implementation Method 1
an output unit that is connected to the determination unit and that is adapted to output the armature voltage to the drive unit of the actuator such that the drive unit of the actuator generates a supporting torque depending on the armature voltage
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an operational force support device that is adapted to support a user when operating a lid (10). The invention further relates to a method for adjusting a force (FH) that has to be applied by a user to operate a lid (10). Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer module adapted to output an amplification factor and/or an armature voltage that is/are used in the method according to the invention.