Swing Door Push-Open Control for Crash-Jammed Vehicle Doors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle swing door arrangements face challenges in reliably opening doors under unfavorable conditions, such as after a vehicle crash, especially when the door is jammed or tilted, requiring high pushing forces that can reduce the service life or increase manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle swing door arrangement with an electrically actuated door latch and push-open mechanism, featuring a normal and crash operating mode, where the push actuator is supplied with increased power during a crash to generate a higher pushing force, utilizing a door-mounted battery and crash sensor for enhanced reliability and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pushing force is increased to 1000 N to ensure reliable door opening under crash conditions, then the door opening reliability is improved, but the service life of the push-open door arrangement is reduced and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The push actuator's electrical power supply is made dynamic by switching between normal operating power and increased operating power based on crash detection. The door controller activates the increased power mode only when a crash is detected, allowing the system to adapt its pushing force to the actual operational conditions rather than maintaining a constantly high power level.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical power parameter supplied to the push actuator is changed based on the operational mode. During normal operation, the push actuator receives standard power, but upon crash detection, the door controller switches to supplying increased operating power, thereby changing the power parameter to match the emergency conditions.
2Reliability
If the pushing force is increased to 1000 N to ensure reliable door opening under crash conditions, then the door opening reliability is improved, but the manufacturing costs increase due to more stable mechanical design requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the power supply to the push actuator based on crash detection, allowing the mechanical components to be designed for normal operating conditions rather than continuously withstanding maximum crash-level forces. This reduces the mechanical stability requirements and associated manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the electrical power parameter supplied to the push actuator based on operational mode, the mechanical components only need to handle maximum forces temporarily during crashes rather than being continuously overloaded, reducing manufacturing requirements and costs.
3Reliability
If a higher pushing force is continuously applied to handle jammed or tilted doors, then the door opening capability is improved, but the mechanical stress on the push-open door arrangement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between normal and increased power modes based on crash detection, applying high pushing force only when necessary rather than continuously. This reduces the cumulative mechanical stress on the push-open door arrangement while maintaining the capability to handle jammed or tilted doors during emergencies.
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
Ensures reliable door opening under crash conditions with reduced mechanical stress and lower manufacturing costs by using increased power only when needed, maintaining functionality and safety without increasing overall weight or cost.
Implementation Method 1
a push actuator (38) driving the push plunger (35)
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a door-mounted battery and crash sensor for enhanced reliability and safety
Data Source
AI summary
A motor arrangement with a door which can be swung between a closed and open position, including a door locking arrangement having an electrically actuated door latch configured to be moved between a locked and unlocked position, and a push-open arrangement for pushing open the door body from its closed position. The push-open arrangement includes a plunger, an actuator driving the plunger, and a controller configured to unlock the door locking arrangement when an electronic opening request is received and then electrically supply the actuator in a normal mode, such that the swing door is pushed from its closed to open position. The controller is configured to switch to a crash mode and to supply the actuator with an electrical power which is increased by at least 50% compared to the normal power when an opening request is received.