Moonroof Anti-Pinch Control via Magnetic Current Disturbance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicles with moonroofs often experience undesired contact, or 'pinching,' between the moonroof panels and roof racks, leading to potential damage when the moonroof is opened, as existing systems fail to reliably detect and prevent such interactions.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle equipped with a controller that deactivates the moonroof by detecting a disturbance in a current flowing through a wire adjacent the roof rail, caused by a magnet on the roof rack, ensuring the moonroof remains closed when a roof rack is attached, thereby preventing contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the moonroof is made moveable to expose an opening in the roof, then light and fresh air can enter the passenger cabin, but undesired contact or pinching between the moonroof panels and roof racks may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the roof rack's presence and position using sensors before the moonroof operation is initiated. This advance detection allows the control unit to prevent pinching contact by adjusting the moonroof operation or alerting the user before the harmful contact occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the position of the moonroof panels and the presence of roof racks using sensors, and provides feedback to the control unit. This feedback mechanism enables real-time adjustment of the moonroof operation to avoid pinching contact, ensuring safe operation throughout the movement process.
2Reliability
If existing detection systems are used, then moonroof operation can be controlled, but they fail to reliably detect and prevent contact with roof racks
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting the presence of roof racks, determining their position, and providing this information to the control unit for moonroof operation control. This multi-functional approach enhances detection reliability and ensures comprehensive contact prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces mechanical detection methods with sensor-based detection (optical, magnetic, or capacitive sensors) to detect the presence and position of roof racks. This substitution improves detection reliability by providing more sensitive and accurate detection capabilities compared to traditional mechanical switches or contacts.
3Loss of energy
If a low-profile roof rack is used, then aerodynamics are improved, but the detection and prevention of pinching becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensor-based detection (optical, magnetic, or capacitive sensors) instead of mechanical detection methods to detect the presence and position of low-profile roof racks. These sensors can detect the subtle presence of low-profile racks that would be difficult to detect with mechanical switches, thereby maintaining aerodynamic efficiency while ensuring reliable detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensors perform preliminary detection of low-profile roof racks before the moonroof operation is initiated. This advance detection is crucial for low-profile racks that are harder to detect, allowing the control unit to prepare appropriate measures to prevent pinching contact before the harmful contact occurs.
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 anti-pinch control scheme effectively prevents moonroof-roof rack contact, enhancing safety and reducing damage while allowing for a low-profile roof rack that improves aerodynamics and adaptability.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet on the roof rack... a magnetic field of the magnet disturbs the current flowing through the wire
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a moonroof, a roof rail, a wire adjacent the roof rail, and a roof rack selectively attachable to the roof rail. The roof rack includes a magnet. Further, the vehicle includes a controller configured to deactivate the moonroof when a current flowing through the wire is disturbed by the magnet. A method is also disclosed.