Swing Door Pressure Wave Switch Integration for Obstacle Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing swing door constructions for buses face challenges with pressure wave switches being stationary relative to the bus, leading to delayed processing and conversion of control signals due to the required space and length of the control cable.

Innovation Solution

The pressure wave switch is fixed to the door leaf and pivotable with it, allowing for low-torsion control cable routing and improved obstacle detection by integrating the switch into the door leaf-side guide mechanism, such as a U-shaped guide rail, which connects to the door frame-side guide mechanism via a movable connecting element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the pressure wave switch is fixed externally to the bus, then the switch can detect obstacles during door closing, but the control cable length increases causing signal delay

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobstacle detection reliabilityVSAvoidsignal processing delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of fixing the switch to the stationary bus structure, the patent inverts the approach by fixing the switch to the moving door leaf. This allows the switch to move with the door, dramatically shortening the control cable routing and eliminating signal delay while maintaining obstacle detection functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a static switch arrangement to a dynamic one where the switch is mounted on the door leaf and moves with it during door operation. This dynamic positioning optimizes the control cable length throughout the door's range of motion, reducing torsion and signal delay.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the pressure wave switch is fixed externally to the bus, then the switch can detect obstacles, but the required space increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobstacle detection capabilityVSAvoidspace required for switch installation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the switch with the door leaf structure, integrating it into the existing door assembly rather than installing it as a separate external component on the bus. This consolidation eliminates the need for additional space on the bus structure while maintaining full obstacle detection functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The switch is relocated from the stationary bus structure to the moving door leaf, inverting the traditional mounting approach. This reduces the space requirements on the bus while enabling the switch to function effectively during door operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Loss of time

If the switch is integrated into the door leaf-side guide mechanism, then control cable routing is optimized, but the guide mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol cable routing efficiencyVSAvoidguide mechanism structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the switch with the door leaf-side guide mechanism, integrating multiple functions into a single assembly. This merger optimizes control cable routing as the switch moves with the guide mechanism, while the complexity is managed through functional integration rather than adding separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The door leaf-side guide mechanism is enhanced to serve dual purposes: guiding the door during operation and housing/mounting the pressure wave switch. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mounting structures and optimizes the overall system layout.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This configuration reduces signal delay and enhances the detection of obstacles during the closing process by shortening the control cable routing and integrating the switch within the guide mechanism, ensuring efficient operation of the swing door construction.

Implementation Method 1

at least one switch (e.g., a detection element) for the door leaf, in particular a pressure wave switch. The pressure wave switch serves to detect whether the door leaf encounters an obstacle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure wave detection: Acoustic Radiation Pressure

Data Source

PatentEP3109388B1Pivoting door structure for a motor vehicle, preferably a bus

Publication Date: 2024.09.04 MAN TRUCK & BUS SE

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a swing door construction (10) for a motor vehicle, preferably a bus. The pivoting door construction 10 comprises at least one pivoting door panel (1), at least one guide mechanism (2, 3) for the door panel (1) and at least one switch (4), preferably a pressure wave switch, for detecting whether the door panel (1) is being opened during a closing process encounters an obstacle. The swing door construction (10) is characterized in particular by the fact that z. B. the switch (4) on the door leaf (1) and is pivotable with the door leaf (1).