Motorized Vehicle Door Control with Electromagnetic Disengagement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motorized control devices for sliding vehicle doors require significant effort to manually open in emergency situations, posing a challenge for easy operation by children or elderly individuals.

Innovation Solution

A motorized control device with an electromagnetic actuator that automatically disengages the motor assembly from the control assembly, allowing manual operation without excessive effort, using a rectilinear movement mechanism and return springs to switch between engagement and disengagement positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a release system with safety handles is provided to enable manual door opening in emergencies, then door safety is improved, but the effort required to operate the release system becomes excessive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor safetyVSAvoideffort to open door
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical release system (requiring manual manipulation of handles and levers) with an electromagnetic actuator system. The electromagnetic actuator uses electrical energy to automatically disengage the motor assembly from the control assembly, converting mechanical effort into electrical actuation. This substitution eliminates the need for users to exert considerable physical force on safety handles, while still ensuring reliable manual door opening capability in emergency situations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If an electromagnetic actuator is used to automatically disengage the motor assembly, then ease of manual operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual door operationVSAvoidengagement assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the electromagnetic actuator with the existing engagement assembly components (movable plate, pinion, toothed wheel) into an integrated unit. The actuator is positioned to directly interact with the engagement assembly, and the movable plate serves dual purposes: as part of the engagement mechanism and as the actuating element for the electromagnetic disengagement. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall structure despite adding electromagnetic functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The engagement assembly components are designed to serve multiple functions. The movable plate not only engages and disengages the pinion from the toothed wheel but also serves as the actuating element for the electromagnetic actuator. The return spring provides both the resetting force for the engagement mechanism and the counterbalance for the electromagnetic actuator. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables easy manual operation of vehicle doors in emergencies, reducing the need for substantial effort and ensuring safe operation even in the event of electric failure.

Implementation Method 1

The engagement assembly is actuated by an electromagnetic actuator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic actuation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

keep it in said disengagement position by means of a return spring when the electromagnetic actuator is not energized

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic potential energy storage: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3765697B1Motorized control device for vehicle doors
Publication Date: 2024.05.22 BONETTO CLAUDIA
  • EP3765697B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3765697B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3765697B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Motorized closure device for vehicle doors, comprising: a motor assembly comprising a control pinion (12) and a gear motor (11) adapted to actuate rotation of the control pinion (12), a control assembly comprising a helical pulley (16), a toothed wheel (15) solidly connected coaxially to said helical pulley (16), and at least one cable (17) wound on the pulley (16) and having at least one end associated with a leaf of a vehicle door for controlling opening and closing of the door, an engagement assembly configured to bring the control pinion (12) of the motor to an engagement position or a disengagement position relative to the toothed wheel (15) of the control assembly, wherein the engagement assembly comprises an electromagnetic actuator (30) and is configured to bring the control pinion (12) of the motor assembly to a disengagement position relative to the toothed wheel (15) of the control assembly and keep it in said disengagement position when the electromagnetic actuator (30) is not energized, and to bring the control pinion (12) of the motor assembly to an engagement position relative to the toothed wheel (15) of the control assembly and keep it in said engagement position when the electromagnetic actuator (30) is energized.