Vehicle Flap Radar Control to Prevent False Gesture Triggering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for operating motorized flaps in vehicles face challenges in reliably detecting operator actions while preventing false triggering due to unintended movements, particularly leg movements of a seated operator, which can lead to undesired flap activation.
Innovation Solution
A method using radar sensors to detect operator linger criteria, including signal strength, distance, and speed values, to initiate a suppression mode that modifies operator action criteria, thereby reducing false triggers by ensuring the operator is stationary and intending to actuate the flap.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If radar sensors are used to detect operator actions for contactless flap operation, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to false triggering from unintended movements
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the sensitivity and detection criteria of the radar sensor based on the detected situation. When an operator is detected lingering at the flap arrangement, the control arrangement adapts the operator action criteria to be more stringent, thereby dynamically resolving the contradiction between ease of contactless operation and reliability against false triggering.
Solution Approach 2:
The control arrangement changes detection parameters of the radar sensor based on the operator's behavior. By monitoring signal strength, distance, and speed values over time, the system adjusts the thresholds for valid operator actions, allowing contactless operation to remain easy while preventing false triggering through parameter adaptation.
2Ease of operation
If the operator action criteria are made sensitive to detect subtle movements, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability worsens due to incorrect qualification of movements
Solution Approach 1:
The control arrangement continuously monitors radar sensor data and provides feedback to adjust detection criteria. By evaluating signal strength, distance, and speed values over a period of time, the system determines whether an operator is lingering and adjusts the sensitivity of operator action detection accordingly, preventing incorrect qualification while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of the operator's presence and behavior patterns before activating the flap. By detecting lingering behavior through continuous monitoring of radar parameters, the system prepares the appropriate detection criteria in advance, ensuring that subtle operator actions are detected correctly without false triggering.
3Reliability
If suppression mode is activated to prevent false triggering, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to modified operator action criteria
Solution Approach 1:
The control arrangement activates suppression mode as a preliminary protective measure when lingering behavior is detected. This pre-emptive action prevents false triggering by modifying operator action criteria before an incorrect activation can occur, thereby improving reliability while temporarily increasing operational requirements only when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between normal operation mode and suppression mode based on the detected operator behavior. When no lingering is detected, operation remains easy with standard criteria. When lingering is detected, the system transitions to suppression mode with modified criteria, thus dynamically resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
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
Enhances the reliability of detecting valid operator actions by suppressing false triggers through a suppression mode, ensuring accurate and intentional flap operation.
Implementation Method 1
a radar sensor (6) coupled to the control arrangement (3), wherein sensor values relating to an operator (7) and an operator action performed by the operator (7) outside the motor vehicle (2) are detected by means of the radar sensor (6)
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a flap arrangement of a vehicle. A control arrangement for activating a drive arrangement assigned to the flap arrangement and a radar sensor coupled to the control arrangement are provided. Sensor values relating to an operator and an operator action performed by the operator outside the vehicle are detected by the radar sensor. The detected sensor values are checked by the control arrangement for the fulfilment of predetermined operator action criteria. Depending on the result of the check, the operator action detected via the sensor values is rejected or qualified as a valid operator action, and upon detection of a valid operator action, the drive arrangement is controlled by the control arrangement for the adjustment of the flap arrangement. The detected sensor values can be checked by the control arrangement for a predetermined linger criterion, which represents a lingering of the operator at the flap arrangement.