Vehicle Latch Control Using Cinching and Release Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle latch systems struggle to ensure safe and efficient operation, particularly in scenarios where the vehicle is in motion, as they may fail to prevent the closure from opening unexpectedly, potentially obstructing the driver's view.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes one or more latch status sensors and a controller to monitor and control the latch's position, performing cinching and release cycles to verify the closure's position and prevent unintended opening while the vehicle is moving.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the latch system allows manual opening from inside the vehicle, then ease of operation is improved, but safety deteriorates when the vehicle is in motion due to potential unexpected opening
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the latch control logic based on vehicle motion state. When the vehicle is detected to be in motion, the controller prevents manual opening commands from actuating the latch, while allowing opening when the vehicle is stationary. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the system both easy to operate when safe and reliable when in motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to continuously monitor vehicle motion state and provides feedback to the controller. This feedback mechanism enables the controller to make real-time decisions about whether to permit manual opening, ensuring that the latch remains secure during vehicle operation while allowing access when parked.
2Reliability
If the system performs verification cycles to ensure closure position, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic cinching and release cycles at specific intervals during the opening process. These periodic verification actions ensure the closure maintains proper engagement while following a predetermined sequence that manages complexity through structured repetition rather than continuous complex control.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller performs preliminary verification of closure position and vehicle motion state before allowing manual opening to proceed. This preliminary check prevents unsafe operations while maintaining a relatively simple overall system architecture by validating conditions upfront rather than requiring complex continuous monitoring throughout the opening process.
Data Source
AI summary
A device may include detecting, by at least one latch status sensor, the latch being in a partially closed state and commanding, by a controller, the latch to change from the partially closed state to a fully closed state. The device may receive, from a switch, a command to change the latch to either an open state or the partially closed state to at least partially open the closure. Moreover, the device may include executing, by the latch, a cinching cycle to verify that the latch is in the fully closed state and the closure is in a fully closed position. Also, the device may include executing, in response to executing the cinching cycle, a release cycle transitioning the latch from the fully closed state to the partially closed state to move the closure from the fully closed position to a partially closed position.