Vehicle Door Control Device with Selective Closing and Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle door control systems require separate operations for closing and locking door members, which can be inconvenient, especially when passengers are boarding or alighting with baggage, and do not provide a unified sense of security during the locking process.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle door control device with a selective instruction portion on the vehicle exterior that allows for concurrent closing and locking of door members, using a single switch operation and distinct sound outputs to differentiate between closing and locking actions, enabling users to lock doors before they are fully closed and enhancing user convenience and security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If separate operations are used for closing and locking door members, then the door control system maintains simple structure and clear operation steps, but the number of operations increases and user convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the closing and locking operations into a single integrated operation. When the operation portion is actuated, the door member is automatically closed and locked in one continuous action, eliminating the need for separate closing and locking operations. This merging of functions directly improves ease of operation while the automated control sequence keeps the system complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs the closing action as a preliminary step before locking. The door member is automatically closed first, and then the locking mechanism is engaged immediately afterward as part of the same operation sequence. This preliminary action ensures that the door is properly positioned before locking, improving operational convenience without requiring additional user actions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If a single operation is used for both closing and locking, then the number of operations is reduced and user friendliness improves, but the ability to provide distinct feedback for different operations becomes challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveoperabilityVSAvoidoperation feedback
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements distinct sound outputs to provide feedback about the operation status. Different sounds are generated to indicate whether the door is being closed, locked, or both simultaneously. This feedback mechanism allows users to understand what the system is doing during the single operation, preventing information loss while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses sound output as a sensory indicator to differentiate between different operation states. By varying the acoustic characteristics (similar to color changes in visual systems), the system provides clear distinction between closing-only, locking-only, and combined operations, ensuring users receive appropriate feedback without adding physical complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Productivity

If door locking is performed after door closing, then the sequence follows logical safety requirements, but the total operation time increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation speedVSAvoidsafety requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs closing as a preliminary action before locking within the same operation cycle. The door member is automatically closed first, then the locking mechanism is engaged immediately afterward without requiring the user to wait for separate operations. This preliminary action sequence maintains safety requirements while reducing total operation time, thereby improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuous useful action by automatically transitioning from closing to locking without interruption or pause. The system maintains the door closing motion continuously until completion, then immediately engages the locking mechanism in an unbroken sequence. This continuous operation eliminates idle time between steps, improving productivity while ensuring safety through proper sequencing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP3369880B1Vehicle door control device
Publication Date: 2020.02.12 MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORP
  • EP3369880B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP3369880B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3369880B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vehicle door control device controls opening/closing of door members provided in entrances of a vehicle. The vehicle door control device includes a selective instruction portion that is provided on a vehicle exterior side of each of the door members and that is configured to selectively issue a closing instruction to close the door members and a closing and locking instruction to close and lock the door members.