Vehicle Door Detachment Detection for Reliable Component Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle systems face challenges in determining the attachment status of removable doors, which affects the operation of components like seatbelt indicators, as traditional door sensors become inapplicable when doors are detached.
Innovation Solution
A computer system utilizing a camera and radio receiver to determine door attachment status, allowing components to actuate based on door sensor data when attached and without it when detached, using RFID tags for tracking and image recognition for door presence detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional door sensors are used to detect door status, then components can actuate based on door open/closed status when doors are attached, but the system becomes inapplicable and unreliable when doors are detached
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system is designed to perform multiple functions: it detects both door attachment status and door open/closed status. By using a single camera for both detection purposes, the system maintains reliability across different door configurations (attached or detached) while eliminating the need for separate detection mechanisms for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera acts as an intermediary device that indirectly determines door status by capturing images of the door area. Instead of directly sensing door position or attachment, the camera captures visual information that the processor analyzes to infer both attachment status and open/closed status, making the system adaptable to various door configurations.
2Loss of information
If door sensors are used when doors are attached, then accurate door status feedback is provided, but additional hardware is required and functionality is lost when doors are removed
Solution Approach 1:
The existing camera intended for monitoring occupants is repurposed to also detect door attachment and status. This multi-functional use of the camera eliminates the need for additional door-specific sensors while maintaining continuous door status information availability regardless of whether doors are attached or detached.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera system serves itself by using its existing imaging capability to perform door status detection in addition to its primary function of monitoring occupants. The same hardware resource provides multiple services, reducing overall system complexity while preventing information loss about door status.
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
Enables reliable operation of vehicle components, such as seatbelt indicators, regardless of door attachment status, ensuring accurate feedback to occupants without additional hardware, maintaining functionality even when doors are removed.
Implementation Method 1
the computer determines whether the door is attached or detached based on data from an RFID reader of the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
The camera may also be used for monitoring occupants of the vehicle, meaning that the status of the door can be determined without additional hardware
Data Source
AI summary
A computer includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to determine that a door of a vehicle is attached to the vehicle based on data from at least one of a camera of the vehicle or a radio receiver of the vehicle; upon determining that the door is attached to the vehicle, actuate a component of the vehicle based on data from a door sensor of the vehicle, the door sensor indicating whether the door is open or closed; determine that the door is detached from the vehicle based on the data from the at least one of the camera or the radio receiver; and upon determining that the door is detached from the vehicle, actuate the component without relying on the data from the door sensor.