Vehicle Inductive Unlock Sensor With Integrated Metal Push Component
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inductive sensors for vehicle door handles are complex, costly, and time-consuming to assemble due to the use of a metal target and target support, which increases manufacturing complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
An inductive detection sensor that uses a visible pressure component, which is at least partially metal, integrated with the vehicle's existing components such as a push-button or handle, eliminating the need for a dedicated metal target and support, and utilizing a management module to detect electromagnetic field variations for unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal target and target support are used in the inductive sensor, then the sensor can detect electromagnetic field variations for unlocking, but the manufacturing complexity and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the target support structure with the push-button assembly by integrating the metal target directly into the existing push-button component. The target support is formed as an integral part of the push-button housing, eliminating the need for separate target and support components. This reduces assembly steps while maintaining the inductive detection function.
Solution Approach 2:
The push-button component serves multiple functions: it acts as both the mechanical actuator for door unlocking and as the target support structure for the inductive sensor. The metal target is integrated into this multi-functional component, allowing it to serve both mechanical and sensing purposes simultaneously.
2Reliability
If a metal target and target support are used in the inductive sensor, then the sensor can detect electromagnetic field variations, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple components (target, target support, and push-button housing) into a single integrated structure. This reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured, stored, and assembled, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining the necessary detection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential function of the target and support structure from separate components and integrates it into the existing push-button assembly. This eliminates the need to manufacture and assemble separate target and support parts, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost.
3Reliability
If a metal target and target support are used in the inductive sensor, then the sensor can detect electromagnetic field variations, but the assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the target and target support into a single integrated component that is part of the push-button assembly. This eliminates the need for separate assembly steps for mounting the target and support, allowing the sensor to be assembled more quickly while maintaining full detection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the sensor assembly into modular components where the integrated target-support structure can be pre-assembled and then quickly installed as a unit in the door handle, improving assembly efficiency.
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
The sensor reduces manufacturing and assembly complexity while lowering costs by integrating with existing vehicle parts, providing a simple, reliable, and effective unlocking solution.
Implementation Method 1
inductive sensors are particularly used for unlocking operations using a push-button. These sensors detect the variations in the electromagnetic field generated by a movement of a metal target, connected to the push-button, relative to an inductive coil
Implementation Method 2
When a user presses the push-button in order to unlock the door, they move the target by deforming the support so as to reduce the distance between the target and the inductive coil. This modification of the distance varies the electromagnetic field and therefore the voltage at the terminals of the coil
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an inductive detection sensor for unlocking a vehicle opening, the sensor particularly being able to be mounted in the opening and including a printed circuit, on which an inductive coil and a management module are mounted, which module is able to detect a variation in the electromagnetic field at the terminals of the inductive coil, the sensor including a visible pressure component, which is at least partially metal, at least partially arranged in line with the inductive coil and being able to move relative to the inductive coil after a pressure is directly exerted onto the pressure component by a user, the management module being able to control the unlocking of the opening following the detection of a variation in the electromagnetic field at the terminals of the inductive coil following a movement of the visible pressure component by a user.