Vehicle Lock Actuation Module With Micrometer Stroke Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic locking systems for vehicles require mechanical actuation strokes, which are cumbersome and not suitable for users with disabilities, and they occupy significant space, making integration into vehicle components challenging.
Innovation Solution
A compact actuation module with a capacitive actuation sensor and an elastically deformable actuation surface that detects micrometer-range deformations, eliminating the need for mechanical actuation paths and allowing integration into vehicle surfaces and components like door handles and pillars.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical actuation stroke is used for electronic locking systems, then the switching function can be reliably triggered, but the system occupies significant space and is cumbersome for users with disabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical actuation stroke with a capacitive sensor that detects electrical capacitance changes. When the actuating surface is pressed, it causes a change in capacitance that the sensor detects, eliminating the need for mechanical linkages, levers, and strokes. This substitution dramatically reduces the actuation module size while maintaining reliable switching function triggering.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from mechanical displacement to electrical capacitance. The capacitive sensor measures changes in capacitance caused by the deformation of the actuating surface, allowing the system to detect actuation with minimal physical movement. This parameter change enables the system to be both compact and accessible for users with limited strength.
2Reliability
If a mechanical actuation stroke is used for electronic locking systems, then the switching function can be reliably triggered, but the system requires significant mechanical actuation path
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical actuation stroke with a capacitive sensing mechanism. The actuating surface deforms elastically under pressure, and this deformation changes the capacitance detected by the sensor. This eliminates the need for long mechanical actuation paths, as the capacitance change can be detected with minimal surface deformation, reducing the required actuation distance to less than 2 millimeters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from measuring mechanical displacement to measuring electrical capacitance changes. This parameter change allows the system to detect actuation forces with minimal physical movement of the actuating surface, dramatically reducing the actuation stroke length from traditional mechanical ranges to sub-millimeter deformations.
3Strength
If the actuation surface is made rigid for structural stability, then the component strength is improved, but the ability to detect micrometer-range deformations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specific deformation zone in the actuating surface with controlled elastic properties. This localized area is designed to be sufficiently compliant to deform under actuation force and generate detectable capacitance changes, while the rest of the structure maintains rigidity for overall strength. The deformation zone's mechanical properties are optimized to balance structural integrity with sensing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction where the actuating surface combines materials or structures with different mechanical properties. The actuating surface includes a deformation zone with controlled compliance for sensing, integrated with stronger structural elements for overall component strength. This composite approach allows the surface to exhibit both rigidity for strength and localized flexibility for micrometer-range deformation detection.
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
Enables reliable and safe triggering of switching functions with minimal force, providing high-resolution detection and space-efficient integration, enhancing usability for diverse user groups and improving vehicle aesthetics.
Implementation Method 1
the actuating sensor (8) is configured to detect an actuating stroke at least in a micrometer range and to generate a trigger signal
Implementation Method 2
the actuating surface (72) is elastically deformable and, when the actuating surface (72) is actuated in the direction of the actuating sensor (8)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
The invention relates to an actuating module (4) for an electronic locking system (80), comprising at least: - an actuating unit (7) and - an actuating sensor (8) arranged in an interior (76) of the actuating unit (7) for triggering a switching function, in particular for unlocking and opening the electronic locking system (80), wherein the actuating unit (7) comprises at least an actuating surface (71 to 73, 720) directed towards an external environment and an inwards directed actuating element (74, 740) which is fixedly connected to the actuating surface (71 to 73, 720), wherein the actuating surface (71 to 73, 720) is elastically deformable and, when the actuating surface (71 to 73, 720) is actuated in the direction of the actuating sensor (8), the actuating element (74, 740) exerts an actuating stroke (H), wherein the actuating sensor (8) is configuredto detect an actuation stroke (H) at least in the micrometer range and to generate a trigger signal to initiate the switching function.