Powered Vehicle Door Closing With Pinch-Point Soft Landing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current powered vehicle doors lack the ability to mirror the operator's intention regarding speed and force of closing, and do not provide a soft closing mechanism when approaching a closed position.

Innovation Solution

A system that includes a controller to monitor door acceleration and position, adjust closing speed based on operator intent, and implement a braking mechanism to prevent hard closure, using a passive or active holding mechanism to maintain the door in an open position until initiated by the operator.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single pre-determined speed is used for powered door closing, then the door achieves reliable powered closure, but the system cannot mirror the operator's intention regarding speed and force of closing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to mirror operator's intentionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The door closing system transitions from a static single-speed mode to a dynamic multi-speed mode. The controller adjusts the door closing speed in real-time based on operator input detected by the accelerometer, allowing the system to adapt to different operator intentions while maintaining reliable closure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses an accelerometer to detect operator input and provides feedback to the controller, which then adjusts the motor speed accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the door to mirror the operator's intended closing speed and force

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If powered closing is maintained at constant speed to the closed position, then the door achieves reliable closure, but hard closure occurs without soft closing mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoft closing capabilityVSAvoidhard closure impact

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The controller detects when the door approaches the closed position and preliminarily reduces motor power or reverses direction slightly to create a soft closing effect. This preliminary action prevents hard closure before it occurs, reducing impact and improving ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies a counter-action by reducing motor power or reversing slightly when the door nears closure, counteracting the momentum that would otherwise cause hard closure. This preliminary anti-action eliminates the harmful impact effect

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Reliability

If the door is passively held in open position, then the holding mechanism is simple, but the door cannot be reliably detected as initiated for closing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection of closing initiationVSAvoidsensor and control complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The accelerometer continuously monitors door acceleration and provides feedback to the controller. When the door is pulled from the open position, the acceleration change is detected and fed back to trigger the powered closing sequence, ensuring reliable detection of closing initiation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces complex mechanical switches or position sensors with an accelerometer-based detection system. The accelerometer detects the mechanical acceleration event when the door is pulled, substituting simpler mechanical detection with a more reliable sensor-based approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system ensures the door closes at a speed that mirrors the operator's intention, preventing hard closure by adjusting speed at a pinch point and allowing a soft closure, enhancing user experience and safety.

Implementation Method 1

monitoring, with the controller via communication with an accelerometer, an acceleration of the door

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcceleration detection: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

monitoring, with the controller via communication with a hall sensor, a position of the door

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field detection: Hall Effect

Implementation Method 3

actuating, with the controller, a motor adapted to move the door from the open position to the closed position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 4

braking movement of the door by actuating, with the controller, a braking mechanism adapted to impede movement of the door

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction braking: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS12577826B2Power door tip to close

Publication Date: 2026.03.17 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A powered door system for a vehicle includes a system controller that is adapted to detect when an operator initiates closing of a door that is being maintained in an open position, a motor in communication with the system controller and adapted to move the door from the open position to a closed position, the system controller further adapted to, upon detection that an operator has initiated closing of the door, maintain a powered closing speed of the door from the open position to a pinch point, slow the closing speed of the door when the door reaches the pinch point, and allow the door to freely move to a closed position.