Vehicle Door Powered Latch Controller Logic

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing powered latches in vehicles may inadvertently unlatch during malfunctions or crashes, posing safety risks, and lack robust mechanisms to ensure secure operation under varying electrical and communication conditions.

Innovation Solution

A powered latch system with a controller that requires specific user inputs and communication modes to unlatch, including multiple actuations of an interior unlatch switch or combinations with an unlock switch, and switches to a safer mode if communication with the control module is lost, ensuring secure operation and preventing inadvertent unlatching during crashes or electrical failures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the powered latch is designed to unlatch with a single actuation of the interior unlatch switch for ease of operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates as the latch may inadvertently unlatch during malfunctions or crashes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of door unlatchingVSAvoidsecure operation during malfunctions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The controller preliminarily evaluates multiple conditions (communication status, vehicle speed, brake status, gear position) before executing the unlatch action. This preliminary assessment prevents inadvertent unlatching during crashes or malfunctions while maintaining ease of operation under normal conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters for unlatching based on the evaluated conditions. When communication is lost or unsafe conditions are detected, the system transitions from single-actuation mode to requiring multiple actuations or specific input combinations, thereby adapting the unlatching behavior to maintain reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the controller requires multiple actuations or specific input combinations to unlatch the powered latch, then the reliability is improved by preventing inadvertent unlatching, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure operation during malfunctionsVSAvoidease of door unlatching

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The unlatching mechanism dynamically adjusts its responsiveness based on real-time condition evaluation. Under normal conditions, a single actuation suffices for ease of operation. When unsafe conditions are detected, the system dynamically requires multiple actuations or specific input combinations, balancing reliability with operational ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If the controller communicates with the control module via digital data communication network to detect crash events, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrash event detection accuracyVSAvoidcommunication system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller acts as an intermediary that receives crash detection data from the control module via the digital communication network and translates it into appropriate unlatching control decisions. This intermediary role allows the system to leverage precise crash detection capabilities while maintaining relatively simple control logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If the controller switches to a safer mode when communication with the control module is lost, then the reliability is improved by preventing inadvertent unlatching, but the loss of information occurs regarding crash event detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure operation during communication failuresVSAvoidcrash event detection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system prepares for potential communication failures by implementing a safer mode in advance. When communication is lost, the controller defaults to requiring multiple actuations or specific input combinations for unlatching, providing a cushion of safety against inadvertent unlatching despite the loss of real-time crash detection information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS11466484B2Powered latch system for vehicle doors and control system therefor

Publication Date: 2022.10.11 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

A latch system for vehicle doors includes a powered latch including a powered actuator that is configured to unlatch the powered latch. An interior unlatch input feature such as an unlatch switch can be actuated by a user to provide an unlatch request. The system may include a controller that is operably connected to the powered actuator of the powered latch. The controller is configured such that it does not unlatch the powered latch if a vehicle speed is greater than a predefined value unless the interior latch feature is actuated at least two times according to predefined criteria.