Vehicle Actuator Control for Manual Force Detection and Obstacle Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjusting devices for vehicle doors and flaps can be impaired or damaged due to forced actuation, especially when manually operated, leading to inefficiency and potential damage, and lack effective obstacle detection to prevent collision with obstacles during automatic movement.
Innovation Solution
An adjusting device with a control unit that adapts the drive unit's actuation based on movement state signals, incorporating a braking device to prevent gravity-induced movement and an obstacle detection system to deactivate the drive unit when obstacles are detected, allowing for safe and efficient manual or automatic operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the drive unit is continuously actuated to ensure automatic door operation, then the automation functionality is improved, but the drive unit becomes vulnerable to damage from forced manual operation
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit receives movement state signals from sensors monitoring the drive unit's actual movement state, compares it with the target movement state, and adjusts actuation accordingly. This feedback mechanism allows the system to distinguish between automatic operation mode and forced manual operation, preventing damage by deactivating the drive unit when manual forcing is detected.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit dynamically adapts the actuation behavior based on the detected movement state. When the actual movement state deviates from the target state (indicating forced manual operation), the control unit modifies its control strategy to support rather than resist the manual operation, thereby preventing damage while maintaining automation capability.
2Force
If the drive unit provides strong actuation force to overcome gravity and inclines, then the door can be operated on slopes, but the drive unit suffers impairment from forced actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors the movement state signals to detect when the door is being manually operated, even against gravity or incline. Upon detection of forced manual operation, the control unit adapts its actuation to support rather than resist the manual force, preventing impairment while still enabling operation on inclines through normal automatic operation.
3Device complexity
If the drive unit operates without obstacle detection, then the device complexity is reduced, but collisions with obstacles can occur during automatic movement
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit processes movement state signals from sensors to detect abnormal resistance or stopping conditions that indicate obstacle presence. Based on this feedback, the control unit can deactivate the drive unit to prevent collision damage, providing obstacle protection through intelligent analysis of existing movement data without adding complex dedicated obstacle detection hardware.
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 ensures the drive unit is only actuated when necessary, preventing damage from forced manual operation and avoiding collisions by supporting manual actuation and deactivating the drive unit when obstacles are present, thus enhancing efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a motion state sensor (16) for detecting the motion state of the drive unit (14)
Implementation Method 2
a braking device (20) for preventing a movement, in particular a rotation, of the drive unit (14)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an actuating device (10) for a vehicle part (52) movable relative to a body (54) of a vehicle (50), comprising a drive arrangement (12) with a drive unit (14) and a motion state sensor (16), an actuating element (22) displaceable relative to the drive arrangement (12) by means of the drive unit (14), and a control unit (24) for controlling the drive unit (14), wherein the control unit (24) is designed to actuate the drive unit (14) in adaptation to an actual motion state. The invention further relates to a motor vehicle (50) with a body (54) and a vehicle part (52) movable relative to the body (54), which is equipped with an actuating device (10) according to the invention.