Vehicle Power Door Control Using Dual Accelerometer Orientation Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle closure systems using Hall Effect sensors face issues with drift and require recalibration, especially when power is lost during door closing operations, and they do not effectively account for vehicle orientation relative to a reference plane, which can impact door operation safety and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising first and second accelerometers, a motor controller, and an electronic control unit (ECU) that determines the vehicle's orientation and movement relative to a reference plane, allowing the motor controller to adjust door operations, including reversing or stopping the door's power operation, using measurements from 2-axis or 3-axis accelerometers integrated with the ECU.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If Hall Effect sensors are used to control door closing operation, then door position and speed can be determined, but sensor drift occurs requiring recalibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces Hall Effect sensors with accelerometers to measure door position and vehicle movement. Accelerometers provide drift-free measurements by detecting gravitational force and acceleration, eliminating the need for recalibration that plagues Hall Effect sensors. This substitution maintains measurement precision while significantly improving reliability over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The accelerometer-based system automatically compensates for vehicle orientation and movement without requiring external calibration or intervention. The system continuously self-adjusts by comparing accelerometer readings to determine actual door position relative to the vehicle body, providing self-correcting operation that eliminates the recalibration requirement.
2Extent of automation
If Hall Effect sensors are used for door control, then door operation can be automated, but recalibration is required when power is lost
Solution Approach 1:
Replacing Hall Effect sensors with accelerometers eliminates the need for recalibration after power loss. Accelerometers maintain their zero-reference point inherently through gravitational sensing, whereas Hall Effect sensors drift and require re-calibration to establish their reference position. This substitution maintains full automation while eliminating recalibration time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The accelerometer system continuously monitors and tracks door position and vehicle movement in real-time, maintaining an up-to-date model of the system state without requiring periodic recalibration. This continuous preliminary monitoring ensures the system is always ready for accurate operation upon power restoration, eliminating the recalibration delay.
3Ease of operation
If traditional sensor systems are used, then door operation can be controlled, but vehicle orientation relative to reference plane is not accounted for
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses accelerometers to continuously measure vehicle orientation and movement, then feeds this information back to the control algorithm. The controller compensates for vehicle tilt and movement by adjusting the door operation commands based on accelerometer data, maintaining measurement precision and operational accuracy even when the vehicle is on an incline or moving during door operation.
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
Enhances safety and accuracy during vehicle door operations by accounting for vehicle orientation and movement, reducing the need for recalibration after power loss and preventing entrapment, while maintaining efficient door operation.
Implementation Method 1
The ECU may receive a first measurement from the first accelerometer, receive a second measurement from the second accelerometer, determine an orientation of the vehicle relative to a reference plane based on the first measurement and the second measurement
Data Source
AI summary
According to one aspect, vehicle power door operation is described herein. A first accelerometer may be mounted to a first portion of a vehicle and a second accelerometer may be mounted to a second portion of the vehicle. A motor controller may control a power operation of a door of the vehicle. An electronic control unit (ECU) may receive a first measurement from the first accelerometer, receive a second measurement from the second accelerometer, determine an orientation of the vehicle relative to a reference plane based on the first measurement and the second measurement, determine any movement of the vehicle relative to the reference plane based on the first measurement and the second measurement, and adjust the power operation of the power door by the motor controller based on the determined orientation and the determined movement.