Motor Vehicle Exit Side Simulation via Noise and Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions fail to effectively identify and communicate the safest exit side of a motor vehicle, particularly in complex scenarios involving autonomous vehicles and rear seat occupants, where no preferred exit side is defined, leading to potential collision risks.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that simulate the opening of a door by reproducing external noises or generating an air flow in the door area to indicate the exit side, using sensors and map data to determine the safest exit, and adjusting lighting and noise levels to create a realistic transition experience without physically opening the door.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the exit side is determined by the seat position of vehicle occupants, then the exit side can be automatically identified, but this method fails in complex scenarios such as autonomous vehicles and rear seat occupants where no preferred exit side is defined
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary simulation of door opening effects (noise reproduction and air flow generation) before the actual door opening action. This allows the system to test and communicate the intended exit side to occupants in advance, enabling better preparation and safety awareness without committing to a physical door opening yet.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary simulation mechanism that mediates between the control system's exit side determination and the occupants' perception. Instead of directly opening the door or relying solely on seat position logic, the system uses noise reproduction and air flow as intermediary signals to communicate the intended exit side, bridging the gap between automated decision-making and human understanding.
2Loss of information
If the door is physically opened to indicate the exit side, then the exit side is clearly communicated, but this creates safety risks if the exit side is actually dangerous
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a copy or simulation of the door opening effect through noise reproduction and air flow generation without actually opening the door. This simulated copy conveys the intended exit side information to occupants while avoiding the actual hazardous action of opening a door into dangerous traffic conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs a preliminary simulation of door opening to communicate the intended exit side before the actual door opening occurs. This preliminary action allows occupants to be warned and prepare themselves, while the system can then cancel or delay the actual door opening if danger is detected, thus preventing harmful collisions.
3Reliability
If acoustic and visual warning signals are used to indicate the exit side, then safety is improved, but these warnings may not be accessible to all users including visually or hearing-impaired persons
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a multi-functional approach by combining three types of warnings: acoustic signals, visual lighting, and haptic air flow simulation. This universal approach ensures that at least one mode of communication will be accessible to all users regardless of their sensory impairments, as different users can perceive through different senses.
Solution Approach 2:
The warning system is segmented into multiple independent channels (acoustic, visual, and haptic air flow). This segmentation allows the system to target different sensory modalities separately, ensuring that users with impairments in one sense can still receive warnings through other senses.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple warning methods are used to ensure accessibility, then user coverage is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple warning functions into a unified door simulation mechanism. The noise reproduction, air flow generation, and lighting control are combined and coordinated to work together as an integrated system, reducing the need for separate independent warning devices and simplifying the overall system architecture.
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 approach enhances safety by clearly communicating the exit side to occupants, reducing collision risks and providing a seamless transition between the vehicle interior and exterior, while being accessible to visually or hearing-impaired users.
Implementation Method 1
an illumination device (52) coupled to the window pane (43) and set up to illuminate the door area (42)
Implementation Method 2
a speaker (51) coupled to the door (42) and set up to reproduce external noises in the door area (42)
Implementation Method 3
a ventilation slot (53) coupled to the door (42) and set up to generate an air flow in the door area (42)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 1
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A method, a device, and a computer-readable storage medium containing instructions for identifying an exit side of a motor vehicle. In a first step, the presence of an exit situation is detected (10). If an exit situation exists, an exit side of the motor vehicle is determined (11). Finally, the opening of a door is simulated on the identified exit side (12). For this purpose, for example, the brightness can be increased, external noises can be played, or an airflow can be generated on the identified exit side.