Vehicle Door Control Unit Automatic Opening Deactivation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In scenarios where automatic door opening is hindered by obstacles or vehicle tilting, passengers face difficulties in manually opening vehicle doors, especially when levers or handles are unknown or hidden, and the door is heavy.
Innovation Solution
A control unit that deactivates the automatic door opening function when predetermined conditions are met, such as obstacles or tilting, and prompts users to perform a specific action, like pressing and holding a button, to reactivate it, allowing for controlled and safer door opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the automatic door opening function is deactivated when obstacles or tilting are detected, then user safety is improved, but door opening operation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an information system as an intermediary between the safety constraint (deactivated automatic door opening) and the user. This system provides instructions and feedback to guide the user through manual door opening procedures, making the operation more intuitive and easier to perform even when automatic opening is disabled due to safety concerns
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the door opening system to guide itself through the deactivation scenario by providing automated instructions to the user. The information system delivers step-by-step guidance for manual door opening, allowing the system to serve itself in managing the transition from automatic to manual operation without requiring external assistance
2Reliability
If manual door opening is required when automatic opening is deactivated, then door opening safety is improved, but the complexity of door opening actions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The information system acts as an intermediary that simplifies the user's interaction with the complex door opening system. It provides clear instructions on which manual controls to use and in what sequence, reducing the perceived complexity for the user while maintaining the safety benefits of manual opening procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for users to figure out complex mechanical door opening procedures with an electronic information system that provides digital instructions. This substitution of mechanical trial-and-error with electronic guidance reduces the effective complexity users must manage
3Ease of operation
If the automatic door opening function is reactivated after deactivation, then user convenience is improved, but the risk of unintentional reactivation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent requires the user to perform a specific preliminary action (pressing and holding the opening button for a predetermined time) before the automatic door opening function can be reactivated. This preliminary action serves as a deliberate confirmation step that distinguishes intentional reactivation from accidental button presses, thereby reducing the risk of unintentional reactivation while maintaining user convenience
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to an arrangement (2) for a vehicle (1). The arrangement comprises a control unit (4) with an automatic door opening function (5), a control (6) in communication with the control unit, by which control a door (7) of the vehicle can be automatically opened by a user of the vehicle, and an information system (8) providing information to the user of the vehicle. The control unit (4) is configured to deactivate the automatic door opening function (5) and prevent the door (7) from being opened by the control (6) when a predetermined condition is fulfilled. Provided that the automatic door opening function (5) is in a deactivated state and the control (6) is operated by the user, the control unit (4) is configured to control the information system (8) to provide a message to the user of the vehicle requesting the user to perform a predetermined action for enabling reactivation of the automatic door opening function (5), and, provided that the requested predetermined action is identified to have been performed, reactivate the automatic door opening function (5) enabling the door (7) to be opened by the control (6).