Vehicle Platform Control Module Soft Stop Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle systems face challenges in accurately controlling the deployment and retraction of a platform from a storage compartment without a latch mechanism, leading to potential collisions with moveable structures and increased complexity and cost.

Innovation Solution

A control module that moves the platform through a soft stop position and then into contact with a moveable structure to establish a known reference point, eliminating the need for a hard stop latch and allowing for precise monitoring and control of the platform's movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a latch mechanism is added to lock the platform in a defined start position, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the latch mechanism from the system entirely, extracting the problematic component that added complexity. Instead of using a mechanical latch to define the start position, the system uses a soft stop position that the platform passes through during actuation, eliminating the need for additional locking components while maintaining positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the actuation process itself to establish the reference position. The powered actuation means naturally brings the platform to a soft stop position during normal operation, and this position is detected by sensors to serve as the reference point, allowing the system to self-establish its reference without external latch mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If a hard stop latch is used to return the platform to a known position, then positioning reliability is improved, but wear and noise increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning reliabilityVSAvoidwear and noise

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a soft stop position instead of a hard stop, providing cushioning before the platform reaches its final position. The powered actuation means is controlled to decelerate the platform before it contacts the stop, preventing impact and reducing wear and noise while maintaining reliable positioning through sensor detection at the soft stop point.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces mechanical hard stop engagement with a controlled deceleration process using the powered actuation means. Instead of relying on mechanical impact to define the position, the system uses sensor detection at the soft stop position, substituting mechanical impact with a more refined control approach that reduces wear and noise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Speed

If the platform is moved directly to the first position, then operation speed is improved, but collision risk with moveable structures increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation speedVSAvoidcollision risk

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediate soft stop position that the platform passes through during actuation before reaching the final first position. This preliminary action at the soft stop position allows the system to establish a reference point and verify proper positioning before completing the full movement, preventing collisions by ensuring the platform is correctly positioned relative to moveable structures like the tailgate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The soft stop position acts as an intermediary step in the platform's movement sequence. Rather than moving directly from the second to the first position, the platform passes through the intermediate soft stop position where sensors can detect and verify positioning, serving as a safety checkpoint that prevents collisions with moveable structures while maintaining overall operation speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11661011B2Control system for a vehicle compartment platform that is selectively moveable into multiple positions

Publication Date: 2023.05.30 JAGUAR LAND ROVER LTD

AI summary

The present invention provides a control module (10) for controlling powered operation of a platform (2) for a vehicle compartment (101) that is movable between a first position in which the platform engages a moveable structure (102) of the vehicle (100) and a second position; wherein the control module (10) is configured to control movement of the platform (2) from the second position to the first position by first controlling a powered actuation means (5) to move the platform (2) from the second position through the first position and into a third position, and then controlling the powered actuation means (5) to move the platform (2) from the third position into contact with the moveable structure (102) to thereby bring the platform (2) into the first position.