Sunroof Pinch Protection via Coordinated Panel Reversal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sunroof systems fail to coordinate the movement of sunroof and sunshade panels effectively when one panel encounters a foreign object, leading to potential pinching issues, and do not adequately prevent pinching by the other panel.
Innovation Solution
A sunroof system with a control unit that reverses or holds stationary the movement of one panel when pinching is detected, coordinating the movement of both panels to prevent pinching by the other panel, using pinching information to adjust the operation of the sunroof and sunshade panels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sunshade panel closes ahead of the sunroof panel to detect pinching, then pinching detection capability is improved, but the vehicle operator cannot visually confirm that the sunroof panel is properly closed
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit reverses the sunshade panel when pinching is detected during closing, preventing the panel from completing its closing stroke. This preliminary reversal action allows the operator to see that the sunroof panel is properly closed while still detecting pinching events.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit monitors the load on the sunshade panel drive unit and provides feedback about pinching conditions. When pinching is detected, the system reverses the sunshade panel and notifies the operator, creating a feedback loop that maintains both safety and visual confirmation capability.
2Device complexity
If the sunroof system only monitors pinching of the sunshade panel, then detection complexity is reduced, but pinching by the sunroof panel cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit combines monitoring of both the sunroof panel and sunshade panel into a single integrated system. Pinching detection for either panel triggers coordinated reversal of both panels, providing comprehensive protection without requiring separate detection systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it monitors pinching of the sunroof panel, monitors pinching of the sunshade panel, coordinates reversal of both panels, and provides operator notification. This multi-functional approach expands pinching prevention coverage without proportionally increasing system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sunroof panel and sunshade panel move independently, then operational flexibility is improved, but coordination during pinching events becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically adjusts the operation of both panels based on real-time pinching detection. When pinching is detected in either panel, the system dynamically reverses both panels to their previous positions, ensuring coordinated response while maintaining operational flexibility during normal operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
In a sunroof system including a sunroof panel (4) and a sunshade panel (10) that is configured to avoid pinching a foreign object (60) with the sunroof panel or sunshade panel, when a pinching by one of the panels is detected, the other panel is controlled according to the information on the pinching by the one panel and the condition of the other panel so as to prevent the pinching of the same foreign object by the other panel.