Motorized Vehicle Door Safety System with Obstacle Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motorized vehicle hatches can collide with obstacles, such as people or objects, due to the lack of effective detection systems, potentially causing damage to the obstruction, the hatch, or the hatch motor when activated remotely or through user input without ensuring a clear path.
Innovation Solution
A safety system that includes sensors and processors to detect obstacles in the path of a motorized vehicle door, blocking activation if an obstacle is detected, using a combination of cameras and parking sensors to determine the safety of the path and alerting the user or bystanders through lights and sound.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If motorized door activation is enabled for convenience, then ease of operation is improved, but risk of collision with obstacles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary obstacle detection before allowing door activation. Sensors scan the door's travel path in advance, and the controller prevents activation if obstacles are detected, eliminating collision risk before it can occur while maintaining convenient activation through various input methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the door path using sensors and provides feedback to the controller. When obstacles are detected, the controller receives real-time information and adjusts activation accordingly, creating a closed-loop safety system that maintains convenience while preventing collisions.
2Reliability
If obstacle detection system is added to prevent collisions, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is divided into separate sensor modules positioned at different locations around the door path. Each sensor independently monitors a specific zone, and the controller integrates their signals. This segmentation allows comprehensive coverage while keeping individual components simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system serves multiple functions: detecting obstacles in the door path, providing collision warnings, and enabling various activation modes (manual, automatic, remote). This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems and minimizes overall complexity while maintaining high safety standards.
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
Prevents collisions by ensuring the motorized door does not activate if obstacles are present in its path, enhancing safety for pedestrians and vehicle components by interrupting the door's operation and optionally reversing or re-opening the door if an obstruction is detected during movement.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor configured to detect obstacles within a travel path of the motorized door
Data Source
AI summary
Examples of the disclosure relate to example systems and methods for operating a door opening system for a vehicle. An example system includes a motorized door, and a sensor configured to detect obstacles within a travel path of the motorized door. The system also includes one or more processors configured to receive a door control signal, and in response to the door control signal, determine whether an obstacle had been detected within the travel path of the motorized door. In response to determining that an obstacle has been detected, the one or more processors can block activation of the motorized door.