Vehicle Door Collision Protection Using Optical Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collision protection systems for vehicle parts, such as doors, have limited detection range and reaction time due to reliance on capacitive sensors, often failing to recognize obstructions, especially at longer distances or during high-speed movements, leading to potential injuries and damage.
Innovation Solution
A collision protection method using a focused light beam to scan the travel path region ahead of the moving vehicle part, detecting obstructions through triangulation or interferometry, and triggering alarms or reversing the door movement to prevent collisions, with a micro-mirror system for precise scanning and a long-range infrared or visible light source for early detection of approaching objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a capacitive sensor is used to detect obstructions, then the device complexity is low, but the detection range is limited and reaction time is insufficient for long travel paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the capacitive sensor system with an optical measurement system using a light beam and light-sensitive sensor. This substitution enables longer detection ranges and faster reaction times while maintaining system functionality for collision protection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a light beam as an intermediary carrier to transfer information about obstructions. The light beam travels through space to detect objects in the travel path, enabling remote detection without direct contact or complex sensor arrays
2Length of stationary object
If a light beam scanning system is implemented, then the detection range is extended, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from point-based capacitive sensing to area-based optical scanning by deflecting the light beam across a two-dimensional region. This dimensional expansion enables comprehensive coverage of the travel path while using a single light source and sensor
3Productivity
If the displacement velocity is increased for efficiency, then the productivity improves, but the reaction time for detecting moving obstructions decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary detection by scanning the travel path region ahead of the moving vehicle part. By detecting obstructions before the vehicle part reaches them, the system enables safe operation at higher velocities with sufficient time to stop or reverse
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 method effectively prevents collisions by providing a longer detection range and early recognition of obstructions, including pedestrians or vehicles outside the travel path, ensuring safe operation of vehicle doors during opening and closing, even in tight spaces.
Implementation Method 1
reflected radiation of the focused light beam is detected by a light-sensitive sensor
Data Source
AI summary
In the case of a collision protection method for a displaceable vehicle part of a vehicle, during the displacement of the vehicle part, a focused light beam is deflected by a light deflection unit along a predefined scanning path and reflected radiation of the same light beam is detected by a light-sensitive sensor to scan a travel path region upstream from the vehicle part. The presence or absence of an obstruction in the upstream travel path region is concluded on the basis of the reflected radiation, wherein the displacement is stopped or reversed if an obstruction is recognized in the upstream travel path region.