Vehicle Door Interface With Proximity Sensing for Driverless Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles and self-driving cars face challenges in opening and closing vehicle doors without a driver, particularly in situations where a passenger needs access without a driver to unlock and operate the door.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle door interface system that includes a proximity sensor and a visual indicator, using infrared light and light-emitting diodes to detect and authenticate objects, allowing the door to be opened or closed automatically based on sensor data and user input, with the system integrated into the door panel and capable of operating in various vehicle types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a traditional manual door operation system is used, then the door can be opened and closed with simple mechanical components, but autonomous vehicles cannot operate doors without a driver to unlock and move the door
Solution Approach 1:
The door interface system enables the door to operate itself by detecting objects through the transparent exterior surface and automatically transitioning between open and closed positions without requiring manual intervention from a driver or passenger
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical key-based locking systems with an optical detection system using sensors that detect objects through the transparent exterior surface, eliminating the need for physical keys and manual unlocking mechanisms
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the exterior surface of the door is made transparent to allow sensor detection, then the sensor can detect objects outside the vehicle, but the transparency may compromise security and privacy
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent exterior surface is applied locally only to the portion of the door where sensor detection is required, rather than making the entire door transparent, thus maintaining security and privacy in other areas while enabling object detection functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent exterior surface acts as an intermediary that allows optical sensor signals to pass through while maintaining the physical barrier and security function of the door, enabling detection without compromising protection
3Ease of operation
If automatic door operation is implemented, then passengers can enter and exit without manual intervention, but the system requires complex sensor integration and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The door interface system integrates multiple functions including object detection, authentication, and door actuation into a single unified system that operates through the transparent exterior surface, reducing the need for separate independent systems
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 secure and user-friendly automatic operation of vehicle doors, enhancing accessibility and safety in autonomous vehicle scenarios by allowing passengers to enter or exit without manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor positioned proximate to the exterior surface and configured to sense proximity of an object to the exterior surface
Implementation Method 2
a visual indicator configured to illuminate a region at least partially surrounding the proximity sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A door interface system for a vehicle door includes a sensor and a visual indicator. The sensor may be a proximity sensor and may be positioned proximate to the visual indicator such that it will detect an object proximate to the proximity sensor. The visual indicator may convey the position of the sensor and/or a status of the vehicle door. The door interface system is configured to control the vehicle door based at least in part on detecting an object proximate the visual indicator.