Vehicle Door Wireless Power System Using Segmented Batteries

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current sliding vehicle doors rely on wired electrical connections to power components, which can lead to energy inefficiencies and increased complexity due to the need for extensive wiring harnesses between the vehicle body and the door.

Innovation Solution

A wireless power system utilizing a first battery on the vehicle body and a rechargeable second battery on the door, with electrical contacts that couple and decouple to charge the door battery only when the door is fully closed, and provide standalone power when open, using a battery management system and wireless communication for component control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a wired electrical connection system is used to power door components, then continuous power supply is ensured, but device complexity and energy consumption increase due to extensive wiring harnesses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous power supplyVSAvoidwiring harness complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power system is segmented into two independent battery units: a first battery in the vehicle body and a second battery in the door. This segmentation eliminates the need for continuous wiring harnesses while ensuring each component has its own power source, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Electrical contacts serve as intermediaries between the two battery systems. These contacts enable selective power transfer from the first battery to the second battery when the door is closed, providing a controlled connection mechanism that reduces the need for extensive permanent wiring while ensuring power availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a wired electrical connection system is used to power door components, then power delivery is reliable, but energy efficiency decreases due to constant power draw through wiring harnesses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower delivery reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The power transfer between batteries occurs periodically based on door position rather than continuously. The electrical contacts are engaged only when the door is in the closed position, creating periodic charging cycles that reduce overall energy consumption while maintaining the second battery's charge for when the door is open.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The second battery in the door serves itself by being recharged from the first battery whenever the door is closed. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for continuous external power delivery through wiring harnesses, reducing energy waste while ensuring the door components have adequate power.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Use of energy by moving object

If electrical contacts are used to couple batteries only when door is closed, then energy efficiency is improved by reducing power draw, but reliability may be compromised when door is open

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidpower availability when door is open

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The second battery is preliminarily charged from the first battery whenever the door is closed, storing energy in advance for when the door is open. This preliminary action ensures that power is available when needed without requiring continuous connection or risking power shortage during door operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This system enhances energy efficiency by charging the door battery only when needed, reducing energy consumption and eliminating the need for extensive wiring, while ensuring continuous power to door components without additional power sources.

Implementation Method 1

a first battery disposed on the vehicle body, a second, rechargeable battery disposed on the door

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Implementation Method 2

The first and second electrical contacts are coupled to the first and second batteries such that when the door is in a fully closed position relative to the vehicle body the first and second batteries are electrically coupled to one another

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS10337216B2Vehicle door

Publication Date: 2019.07.02 STRATTEC POWER ACCESS LLC

AI summary

A power system for a vehicle having a vehicle body and door includes a first battery disposed on the vehicle body, a second, rechargeable battery disposed on the door, a first electrical contact disposed on the vehicle body, and a second electrical contact disposed on the vehicle door. The first and second electrical contacts are coupled to the first and second batteries such that when the door is in a fully closed position relative to the vehicle body the first and second batteries are electrically coupled to one another and the second battery is charged by the first battery, and when the door is not in a fully closed position the first and second batteries are electrically de-coupled from one another.