Optical Visibility Sensor for Tailgate Collision Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collision protection devices for pivotable vehicle flaps, such as tailgates, face challenges in reliable and cost-effective obstacle detection during opening movements, as separate sensors are costly and inefficient, and multifunctional sensors often fail to detect obstacles in time due to improper alignment.
Innovation Solution
Employing an optical visibility sensor, typically mounted behind the rear light, with a horizontal detection direction perpendicular to the flap, to detect obstacles and control the opening movement automatically, utilizing existing visibility sensors to prevent collisions without additional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate sensors are used exclusively for obstacle detection, then collision protection reliability is improved, but cost and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by using the visibility sensor for dual purposes: detecting optical visibility conditions and detecting obstacles in the pivoting area. This allows the system to achieve reliable collision protection without adding separate dedicated sensors, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining safety reliability.
2Ease of manufacture
If ultrasonic sensors from parking aid are used, then cost is reduced, but detection reliability in pivoting range is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reuses the existing visibility sensor for dual purposes: its original function of detecting optical visibility conditions and an additional function of detecting obstacles in the tailgate pivoting area. This approach reduces cost by avoiding additional sensors while maintaining detection reliability through the sensor's inherent optical capabilities and strategic positioning.
3Reliability
If sensor detection direction is parallel to tailgate plane, then precipitation detection is improved, but obstacle detection distance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric sensor positioning and orientation: the visibility sensor is positioned and angled to create an oblique detection direction relative to the tailgate plane. This asymmetric arrangement enables the sensor to simultaneously detect precipitation on the tailgate surface and measure distances to obstacles in the pivoting area, resolving the contradiction between precipitation detection and obstacle detection range.
4Device complexity
If multifunctional sensor is used, then device complexity is reduced, but obstacle detection timing is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by continuously monitoring the pivoting area with the visibility sensor before the tailgate begins its opening movement. The sensor detects obstacles in advance during the monitoring phase, allowing the control system to prepare for timely intervention and stop the opening movement before collision occurs, thus preventing time loss despite using a multifunctional sensor.
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
Ensures timely and reliable collision prevention by accurately measuring distance to obstacles and automatically controlling the flap's opening movement, reducing costs and installation space while enhancing safety.
Implementation Method 1
at least one sensor (15) for detecting an obstacle in a pivoting area (4) of the flap (2)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a collision protection device for a pivotable hatch (2) of a motor vehicle (1), comprising at least one sensor (15) for detecting an obstacle in a pivoting range (4) of the hatch (2) and a control unit that is designed to output, in dependence on sensor signals from the at least one sensor (15), control commands for stopping an opening movement of the hatch (2). The at least one sensor (15) is an optical visibility sensor designed to detect an optical visibility in an environment (20) of the sensor (15).