Vehicle Sunroof Control Apparatus Preventing Panel Reversal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control apparatuses for opening and closing members, such as sunroofs, often result in a reversal position relation between the movable panel and the sunshade, where the sunshade is ahead of the panel during opening or behind during closing, leading to operational inefficiencies and potential damage due to uncoordinated motor speeds and mechanical variations.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus with detection devices for both the movable panel and sunshade, and a control system that adjusts their operations to maintain a predetermined distance between them, ensuring the sunshade is not ahead of the panel during opening or behind during closing, thereby preventing the reversal position relation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the movable panel and sunshade are operated independently or electrically in conjunction without mechanical linkage, then the device complexity is reduced and downsizing is achieved, but the reliability of coordinated movement deteriorates leading to reversal position relation
Solution Approach 1:
The control device continuously monitors the positions of both the movable panel and sunshade using detection devices, and dynamically adjusts the operation of one component based on the real-time position of the other. This feedback mechanism ensures that the predetermined distance relationship is maintained throughout operation, preventing reversal position relation while maintaining independent motor operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device pre-establishes a predetermined distance relationship between the movable panel and sunshade before operation begins. By setting this distance in advance and using it as a reference for control adjustments, the system ensures proper sequencing without requiring complex mechanical linkages.
2Ease of operation
If the movable panel and sunshade are operated without monitoring their moving status, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates as subsequent positions cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The detection devices automatically monitor the positions of the movable panel and sunshade without requiring user intervention. The system self-regulates by having the control device continuously read position feedback and make necessary adjustments, maintaining reliable coordinated operation while keeping the user interface simple.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sunshade and movable panel are allowed to operate freely without distance control, then the adaptability to user needs is improved, but the object-affected harmful factors increase due to reversal position relation causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts the operation parameters of the movable panel or sunshade based on real-time position feedback. The predetermined distance relationship is maintained flexibly throughout the operation range, allowing independent operation capability while preventing harmful reversal position relations that could cause damage from rain or wind.
Data Source
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AI summary
A control apparatus (20, 30) includes a first drive device (26) driving a movable panel (15), a first detection device (28) detecting a state of the movable panel, a second drive device (36) driving a sunshade (16), a second detection device (38) detecting a state of the sunshade, and a control device (20, 30) controlling one of the first and second drive devices to stop an operation of a succeeding member serving as one of the movable panel and the sunshade configured to be positioned behind a preceding member serving as the other of the movable panel and the sunshade relative to each of the opening position and the closing position, in a case where a distance between the movable panel and the sunshade becomes smaller than a predetermined distance on a basis of a position of the movable panel detected by the first drive device and a position of the sunshade detected by the second drive device.