Vehicle Shutter Failure Detection via Induced Voltage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shutter units for vehicles, exposed to outside air, are prone to failure due to foreign matter attachment, making it difficult to determine shutter faults without a dedicated sensor for position detection.
Innovation Solution
A shutter unit with a rotating machine that converts motive power to electrical power via electromagnetic induction, using induced voltage detection to determine shutter failure without a dedicated sensor, and incorporating assist drive control and vehicle speed-based standby times to ensure accurate failure determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a dedicated sensor is used to directly detect shutter position, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the rotating machine as an intermediary element to detect shutter position indirectly through induced voltage, rather than using a dedicated sensor that directly contacts or measures the shutter position. The rotating machine's induced voltage serves as a mediator that reflects the shutter's movement state without requiring additional detection components.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating machine serves dual functions: it drives the shutter and simultaneously provides position information through its induced voltage. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated sensors, as the existing rotating machine components provide both actuation and detection functions.
2Reliability
If urging means is provided to return shutter to initial position, then reliability is improved by compensating for driving failure, but failure determination becomes difficult without direct position sensing
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit monitors the induced voltage of the rotating machine during the return operation to determine whether the shutter successfully returned to the initial position. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect failures in either the driving means or the urging means by observing whether the expected induced voltage pattern occurs during the return sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit executes a preliminary return operation by stopping power supply to the rotating machine, allowing the urging means to attempt returning the shutter to the initial position before determining failure. This preliminary action provides an opportunity to detect failures early in the return sequence rather than waiting for complete cycle completion.
3Ease of operation
If shutter is exposed to outside air for normal operation, then ease of operation is improved, but foreign matter attachment increases causing sticking and failure
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit executes a preliminary return operation before normal operation to ensure the shutter is in a known good state and to detect any potential failures before they affect normal operation. This beforehand cushioning approach allows the system to identify and respond to foreign matter attachment or mechanical sticking issues before they cause operational failures.
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
Enables reliable failure determination of the shutter unit without a dedicated sensor, simplifying the system and reducing costs, while ensuring accurate detection even under varying vehicle speeds and wind pressures.
Implementation Method 1
a rotating machine configured to be capable of converting input motive power to electrical power, and converting input electrical power to motive power, by electromagnetic induction action
Implementation Method 2
induced voltage-detecting means for detecting a rotating machine induced voltage which is an induced voltage of the rotating machine
Data Source
AI summary
A shutter unit for a vehicle, capable of properly determining failure of a shutter without using a sensor which directly detects a position of the shutter. The shutter unit includes a return spring for returning the shutter to a predetermined initial position by urging the shutter, and a rotating machine configured to be capable of converting input motive power to electrical power and input electrical power to motive power by electromagnetic induction action. The rotating machine drives the shutter by the motive power obtained by conversion. The shutter unit executes return control that stops supply of electric power to the rotating machine to return the shutter to the initial position by urging of the shutter by the return spring, and determines failure of the shutter based on a rotating machine induced voltage of the rotating machine, detected during execution of the return control.