Liftgate Sensor Control for Cargo Fall Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles with automatic liftgates face challenges in opening and closing while the user is not physically present, as cargo inside the vehicle shifts due to road and driving conditions, potentially causing objects to fall out when the liftgate is opened.
Innovation Solution
Equipping the liftgate with sensors and a processor to detect objects within the cargo area, assess if they are banked against the liftgate, and autonomously open it to an intermediate position to prevent objects from falling, while alerting the user and requiring confirmation before fully opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the liftgate is opened automatically without user presence, then user convenience is improved, but cargo safety deteriorates due to objects potentially falling out
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of objects in the cargo area and their banked positions before the liftgate opens. This advance assessment allows the system to prepare appropriate opening actions (full or partial) to prevent objects from falling out while maintaining automatic operation convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect object positions and provides feedback to the control logic. Based on this feedback about whether objects are banked against the liftgate, the system adjusts the liftgate opening behavior dynamically, resolving the contradiction between automatic operation and cargo safety.
2Speed
If the liftgate opens fully automatically, then operation speed is improved, but object stability deteriorates as objects may fall out during opening
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the liftgate opening behavior based on real-time detection of object positions. When objects are detected in banked positions, the system transitions from full automatic opening to partial opening or delayed opening, making the opening process adaptive rather than fixed, thus maintaining both speed and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the opening parameter (opening angle or opening speed) based on detected object conditions. Instead of always opening fully, the system modifies the opening parameter to an intermediate position when objects are at risk, resolving the contradiction between fast operation and object stability.
3Reliability
If sensors and processing logic are added to detect objects, then cargo safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the vehicle's existing liftgate motor and control infrastructure to perform the safety function. The motor that opens the liftgate is also used to position it partially, and the existing control logic is extended rather than completely redesigned, reducing the complexity increase from added safety functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system and control logic serve multiple functions: detecting objects for safety purposes, determining when to open the liftgate, and controlling the opening behavior. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, mitigating the complexity increase.
Data Source
AI summary
Method and apparatus are disclosed for vehicle liftgate control for cargo management. An example vehicle includes a liftgate with a sensor on an inner surface and a processor. The liftgate provides access to a cargo area. The processor, when an object is in the cargo area, detect when the object is banked against the liftgate using measurements from the sensor, and when the object is banked and a command to open the liftgate is received, autonomously opens the liftgate to an intermediate position between fully open and fully closed.