Vehicle Tailgate Control Device Proximity Sensor Misuse Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control systems with automatically opening and closing flaps consume excessive power and are vulnerable to misuse due to frequent activation of contactless proximity sensors, leading to unnecessary energy consumption and potential unauthorized operation.
Innovation Solution
A control device equipped with a programmable proximity sensor and electronic control unit that counts operator request signals and ignores them after a maximum counter reading is reached, ensuring power conservation and preventing unauthorized operation by requiring additional conditions to be met before activating the flap opening or closing mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the proximity sensor is made freely accessible and contactless for easy operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the vulnerability to misuse and unauthorized operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit monitors and counts actuation signals from the proximity sensor, comparing them against stored reference values. When the count exceeds the reference value indicating potential misuse, the system provides feedback by deactivating the flap control function. This feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of operation for legitimate use while preventing misuse through automatic system response.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its responsiveness to proximity sensor actuations based on the counter value. Initially, the system responds to each actuation signal, but as the counter increases and exceeds the reference value, the system dynamically changes state to ignore further actuation signals. This dynamic behavior allows easy operation under normal conditions while automatically preventing misuse when patterns suggest unauthorized operation.
2Ease of operation
If the flap opens or closes automatically on every proximity sensor actuation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the power consumption increases due to unnecessary activation
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit uses feedback from the counter mechanism to determine whether to activate the flap. By comparing the counter value against a reference value, the system provides feedback control: when the counter is below the threshold, automatic activation occurs for ease of operation; when the counter exceeds the threshold, activation is prevented to conserve power. This resolves the contradiction between automatic activation convenience and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of flap activation based on the counter state. When the counter is low, the activation parameter is set to respond to proximity sensor signals. When the counter exceeds the reference value, the activation parameter changes to deactivate the function. This parameter change strategy enables easy automatic operation when needed while preventing unnecessary power consumption during misuse scenarios.
3Speed
If electrical and electronic components remain active to respond to proximity sensor actuations, then the responsiveness is improved, but the power consumption increases when the vehicle is parked
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically adjusts its operational state based on the counter value from proximity sensor actuations. When the counter is below the reference value, the system remains responsive for quick activation. When misuse is detected (counter exceeds reference), the system dynamically transitions to a low-power state, deactivating electrical and electronic components. This dynamic state adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining responsiveness and reducing power consumption during parked conditions.
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 solution minimizes power consumption by deactivating electrical components when the vehicle is parked and prevents misuse by ensuring that the flap can only be opened or closed under specific authorized conditions, thereby reducing energy wastage and enhancing security.
Implementation Method 1
a programmable operating switch in the form of a proximity sensor (4) which can be actuated without contact at will
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The control device according to the invention relates to a vehicle having an automatically opening and/or automatically closing flap, which comprises at least one programmable operating switch and a programmable electronic control unit, wherein the operating switch is in the form of a proximity sensor and is to be actuated in a randomly non-contact manner. Upon actuation, said switch generates an operating requirement signal, which is the input signal of the control unit. The control unit is programmed such that it outputs a pivot command to a closing mechanism for opening or closing the flap when the operating requirement signal and optionally at least one further condition is present. The control unit and/or the operating switch or proximity sensor are moreover programmed such that the operating requirement signals are counted as long as at least one first defined condition has not yet been met and that when a defined maximum counter reading has been reached, the operating requirement signals are ignored until at least one second defined condition has been met.