Swing Door Push-Open Control for Crash-Jammed Vehicle Doors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle swing door arrangements with push-open door mechanisms face challenges in reliably opening doors that are jammed or tilted due to vehicle crashes, requiring higher pushing forces which either reduce the service life or increase manufacturing costs.

Innovation Solution

A motor vehicle swing door arrangement with an electrically actuated door latch and a push-open door mechanism that switches to a higher power mode upon detecting a crash, using a push actuator with increased power to generate a higher pushing force of at least 50% more than the normal operating power, ensuring reliable door opening without increasing the mechanical stability or manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering 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

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor opening reliabilityVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor opening reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing costs
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor opening capabilityVSAvoidmechanical stress
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

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.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The solution provides a reliable and cost-effective push-open door arrangement that generates a higher pushing force during crashes while maintaining lower normal operating power, ensuring safe and efficient door opening without compromising the service life or manufacturing costs.

Implementation Method 1

a push actuator (38) driving the push plunger (35)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

utilizing a door-mounted battery and crash sensor for enhanced reliability and safety

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical energy storage: Battery (electricity)

Data Source

PatentUS20250012121A1Motor vehicle swing door arrangement
Publication Date: 2025.01.09 DR ING H C F PORSCHE AG
  • US20250012121A1 patent drawing

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.