Vehicle Entry Touch Pad With Mechanical Emergency Switch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle entry systems with capacitive touch pads face challenges in operating the electronic latch during power failures or sensor malfunctions, as the touch pad requires power to function and cannot reliably command the door to open in emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
A touch pad with a mechanical emergency switch assembly that includes a plurality of pins electrically coupled to the control circuit of the e-latch assembly, allowing the system to operate the e-latch assembly using a backup energy source when the entry input sensor is not operable due to power loss or malfunction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a capacitive touch pad is used to replace traditional mechanical handles/unlock switches, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates in case of power failure or sensor malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The entry system is segmented into two independent operational modes: electronic touch pad operation for normal conditions and mechanical emergency switch operation for emergencies. This segmentation allows each subsystem to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical emergency switch is integrated locally within the touch pad assembly, creating a hybrid component that combines electronic sensing capabilities with mechanical backup functionality. This local quality enhancement ensures that the backup mechanism is readily accessible and functional without requiring separate external components.
2Device complexity
If traditional mechanical handles are completely replaced by electronic sensors, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability worsens during power failures
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical emergency switch assembly is merged with the electronic touch pad structure, combining both systems into a single integrated unit. This merging allows the mechanical backup to be incorporated without adding separate external components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while significantly improving reliability.
3Reliability
If a backup power source is provided for the e-latch, then the reliability is improved during power failures, but the loss of energy increases due to continuous power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical emergency switch provides a passive, non-powered entry method that replaces the need for continuous electronic sensing and backup power supply. By utilizing mechanical contact instead of electronic sensors for emergency operations, the system eliminates continuous energy consumption while maintaining reliability during power failures.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating an entry system of a motor vehicle includes monitoring a battery voltage and the entry system continuously using a control circuit of the latch assembly in a non-emergency mode. Power is provided to the control circuit in the event of a loss of power from a main power source using a backup energy source of the control circuit. The method includes transitioning to an emergency mode in response to determining loss of power from the main power source or failure of the component of the entry system. An actuation group associated with the latch assembly is operated with the control circuit using power from the backup energy source of the control circuit in response to determining that actuation from a plurality of pins of a mechanical emergency switch assembly indicates a command from a user to unlatch the closure member in the emergency mode.