Monostable Valve for Vehicle Door Emergency Manual Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle door systems are complex, error-prone, and difficult to maintain due to their intricate piping and numerous components, with manual operation being suppressed for safety reasons, making them challenging to operate manually in emergencies.
Innovation Solution
A monostable control valve biased into an emergency position, which can be actuated by a switching signal, such as a compressed air supply, allowing for simple and safe manual operation of vehicle doors, featuring a pneumatic self-locking circuit and a solenoid valve for easy activation and inherent safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex piping system and multiple components are used in vehicle door systems, then the door can be operated reliably, but the system becomes difficult to maintain and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple pneumatic components into an integrated control unit that includes the control valve, pneumatic cylinder, and associated piping. This merging of previously separate components reduces overall system complexity while maintaining reliable door operation, directly addressing the contradiction between reliability and piping complexity
2Object-affected harmful factors
If manual operation is suppressed for safety reasons, then passenger safety is improved, but the door cannot be operated manually in emergencies
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between automated operation mode and manual operation mode based on control signals. During normal operation, the door is controlled automatically for safety. In emergency situations, the system can be switched to manual mode where the pneumatic cylinder assists manual door opening, thus resolving the contradiction between safety and manual operation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the door control system based on mode. In normal mode, full pneumatic pressure is applied for automated operation. In emergency mode, the system adjusts parameters to allow manual operation with reduced or controlled pneumatic assistance, balancing safety requirements with emergency accessibility
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components and piping are included in the vehicle door system, then the door function is complete, but the system becomes heavy and space-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the control valve, pneumatic cylinder, and piping into a compact unified assembly, the patent reduces the overall weight and space requirement while maintaining complete door functionality. This merging approach eliminates redundant components and optimizes the arrangement of necessary elements
4Adaptability or versatility
If a complex system with many components is used, then the door can be operated in various modes, but the system becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated design combines multiple components into a modular assembly that maintains operational versatility while simplifying maintenance. The unified structure allows for easier diagnostics and repair compared to distributed components, as the integrated unit can be tested and replaced as a single module
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 simplifies the vehicle door system's design, reduces error likelihood, and facilitates easy maintenance, enabling safe and reliable manual operation during emergencies while being lightweight and space-efficient.
Implementation Method 1
The control valve can include an energy accumulator, such as a spring or a compressed air accumulator.
Implementation Method 2
applying compressed air to the control valve via a compressed air supply line and bringing the control valve from the emergency position into the operating position
Data Source
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AI summary
The vehicle door system (10) is formed for operating vehicle door (14). An activating valve (16) is connected with a door operating device (12) for activating the door operating device. A vehicle door is manually operated such that activating valve of the door operating device activates in an operating position. The activating valve is pre-stressed mono-stably and in distressed position. An independent claim is included for a method for operating a vehicle door system.