Vehicle Flap Control via User Movement Profile Prediction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for opening vehicle flaps, such as tailgates or trunk lids, using smart openers can be perceived as unpleasant due to the need for gestures or waiting, which may not accurately detect user intention or behavior, leading to inefficient or obstructive opening processes.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines a movement profile of the user relative to the vehicle to control the flap's movement, adjusting parameters like speed and direction to ensure the flap is opened or closed based on user intention and behavior, using sensors like ultra-wide band, cameras, or Bluetooth for data, ensuring the flap is accessible when needed and not obstructive.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the flap is opened using smart openers with gestures or waiting for predefined time, then the flap can be opened without manual intervention, but the user experience deteriorates due to unpleasant gestures or waiting time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of user approach and intention before the flap opening is actually needed. By analyzing movement profiles and predicting user intent in advance, the system prepares to open the flap at the optimal moment, eliminating the need for unpleasant gestures or waiting periods while maintaining seamless automation
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors user movement and provides real-time feedback by adjusting the flap opening timing and speed based on detected user behavior patterns. This closed-loop approach ensures the flap opens precisely when needed, improving user experience while maintaining automatic operation
2Reliability
If the flap opening time is adjusted based on user movement speed and distance, then the reliability of flap availability increases, but the system complexity increases due to multiple sensor integrations
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs multiple sensors (ultra-wide band, cameras, Bluetooth) that serve dual purposes: they detect user position and movement for reliable timing, while simultaneously characterizing user behavior patterns. This multi-functionality approach increases reliability without proportionally increasing system complexity, as the same hardware infrastructure supports both objectives
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts flap opening parameters (timing, speed, position) based on real-time sensor data about user movement speed and distance. By changing operational parameters rather than hardware architecture, the system achieves high reliability through adaptive control while managing complexity through software-based solutions
3Productivity
If the flap movement speed is increased to open the flap in shorter time, then the flap availability improves, but the safety risk increases due to potential obstruction of user movement path
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the flap opening speed and trajectory based on real-time detection of user position, movement direction, and speed. Rather than using a fixed high speed, the flap movement is continuously adapted to match user behavior, enabling fast opening when safe and slower or aborted opening when user obstruction risk is detected, thus balancing productivity and safety
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary safety assessment by analyzing user movement profiles and predicting potential obstruction scenarios before initiating flap opening. By preemptively identifying safety risks through movement pattern recognition, the system can prevent harmful actions (obstruction) before they occur, allowing faster opening speeds when conditions permit while maintaining safety
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments relate to a method 100 for improving a movement of a flap of a vehicle. The method 100 comprises determining 110 a movement profile indicative of a movement of a user relative to the vehicle. The method 100 further comprises determining 120 a movement parameter indicative of a movement of the flap of the vehicle. The determination of the movement parameter is based on the movement profile. Further, the method 100 comprises controlling 130 a movement of the flap of the vehicle. The control is based on the movement parameter.