Hands-Free Vehicle Closure via Projected Footprint Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure entry systems for motor vehicles require manual gestures or movements, which are difficult or unsafe when carrying bulky or heavy loads, limiting convenience and safety.
Innovation Solution
A hands-free closure entry system using a proximity sensor, projector, and controller to project images on the ground, allowing authorized users to open the vehicle's power-operated closure by stepping into a designated footprint image, eliminating the need for manual gestures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual gestures or button pressing on key fob are required for closure entry, then the system can reliably identify authorized users, but the ease of operation deteriorates when users are carrying bulky or heavy loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical interactions (button pressing, gesture making) with an optical recognition system. The projector displays visual cues on the ground, and the proximity sensor detects the user's approach and position, enabling hands-free closure entry while maintaining authorized user identification through the sensor's detection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary visual interface (projected image on the ground) between the user and the closure system. This intermediary provides clear visual guidance for where to stand and what actions to take, replacing direct manual interaction while maintaining system control and authorization verification.
2Ease of operation
If hands-free operation is implemented using projected images and proximity sensing, then ease of operation improves for users carrying loads, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing components multi-functional: the proximity sensor not only detects authorized users for security purposes but also tracks their position and movement for hands-free operation control. The projector serves both as a visual guide and as part of the interaction interface, reducing the need for separate dedicated components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the user's own presence and movement (detected by the proximity sensor) to trigger the closure entry sequence. The projected image on the ground serves as both instruction and activation zone, eliminating the need for separate control inputs or additional interface components.
Data Source
AI summary
An approach activated closure entry system is provided for a motor vehicle. That system includes a proximity sensor, a projector, a power operated closure and a controller. The controller is configured to project an image onto the ground when the motor vehicle is approached by an authorized user, vary that image when the approach activated closure entry system operation is initiated and open the power operated closure in response to the authorized user stepping into the image for a predetermined period of time.