Vehicle Closing Element Gesture Actuation with Environmental Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle closing devices, such as doors and flaps, often experience false triggering due to environmental conditions like rain or high-pressure washing, leading to incorrect actuation.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that automatically actuate closing elements by detecting object movements and comparing them to predefined profiles, adapting to current environmental conditions using sensors and algorithms to reduce false triggering, particularly by adjusting detection parameters and filter quality based on environmental influences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If gesture-based closing devices are used to open and close doors and hatches, then ease of operation is improved, but false triggering occurs under environmental conditions like rain or high-pressure washing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidfalse triggering

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts detection parameters including reference threshold values, evaluation criteria, and filter qualities based on environmental conditions. Rain sensors detect precipitation intensity and modify the capacitance change thresholds accordingly, while car wash detection algorithms adjust parameters when high-pressure water is detected, preventing false triggering while maintaining gesture detection sensitivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors environmental conditions through rain sensors and car wash detection algorithms, using this feedback to adaptively modify detection parameters in real-time. This closed-loop approach allows the system to distinguish between genuine user gestures and environmental disturbances by comparing current conditions against stored profiles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If detection sensitivity is increased to improve movement detection accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but false triggering increases under environmental disturbances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement detection accuracyVSAvoidfalse triggering

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs asymmetric detection profiles that differentiate between legitimate user gestures and environmental disturbances. By creating specific movement patterns for valid operations (e.g., deliberate door opening gestures) versus typical environmental noise (e.g., rain drops or water pressure), the system achieves high precision without increasing false positives

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Reliability

If environmental condition adaptation is implemented to reduce false triggering, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefalse triggering reductionVSAvoiddetection system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a multi-functional control device that combines gesture detection, rain sensing, car wash detection, and adaptive parameter adjustment in a single integrated unit. This universal approach consolidates multiple functions into one device, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable operation across diverse environmental conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the environmental sensing capabilities with the gesture detection system, combining rain sensors, car wash detection algorithms, and movement analysis into a unified detection framework. This integration allows the system to process multiple data streams simultaneously and make coordinated decisions about door actuation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Significantly reduces the probability of false triggering by accurately distinguishing between valid movements and environmental disturbances, ensuring reliable operation under various conditions.

Implementation Method 1

Environmental conditions in an area surrounding the vehicle are recorded by means of a sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnvironmental sensing:

Implementation Method 2

A movement of an object in the area surrounding the vehicle is detected by means of a sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMovement detection:

Data Source

PatentEP2766882B1Method for automatically actuating a closing element of a vehicle, corresponding device, and vehicle

Publication Date: 2015.12.30 VOLKSWAGEN AG

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AI summary

The invention relates to the automatic actuation of a closing element (3) of a vehicle (10). In the method, surrounding conditions in a region surrounding the vehicle (10) and a movement of an object in the region surrounding the vehicle (10) are detected. The detected movement is compared with a specified movement profile. If the detected movement matches the specified movement profile, the closing element (3) is automatically actuated. The movement of the object in the surrounding region is detected and/or the detected movement is compared with the specified movement profile dependent on the detected surrounding conditions.