Vehicle Release Device Nested Sensor System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing unlocking devices for vehicles lack an efficient mechanism to detect the position of a drive unit within a slide unit, making it difficult to determine whether the parking lock is locked or unlocked, especially in automated and electrified systems where manual intervention is required for emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
An unlocking device comprising a drive unit, a slide unit, and a sensor device that detects the position of the drive unit, allowing for the identification of the parking lock's locked or unlocked state through a sensor system, including drive sensors and slide sensors, which can be arranged in an arc or linearly, and utilizing an eccentric device that mechanically engages and disengages the parking lock via a cable pull, enabling manual unlocking without power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor device is added to detect drive unit position, then the ability to detect parking lock status is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive unit is nested within the sliding unit, and the sensor device is integrated into this nested structure. The sensor device includes a drive sensor on the drive unit and a slide sensor on the sliding unit, creating a compact nested arrangement that detects position through the relative movement of nested components rather than adding separate external sensing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor device serves multiple functions: it detects the position of the drive unit, determines the parking lock status (locked or unlocked), and provides information for control systems. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate detection systems and minimizes overall device complexity while maintaining accurate status detection.
2Ease of operation
If an eccentric device is used for mechanical engagement, then manual unlocking capability is improved, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The eccentric device is designed to automatically engage and disengage the parking lock through its inherent mechanical motion. When the drive unit rotates the eccentric device, the offset geometry automatically creates the engagement and disengagement actions without requiring additional actuators or complex control mechanisms, enabling self-service operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The eccentric device acts as an intermediary between the drive unit and the parking lock mechanism. It translates rotational motion of the drive unit into linear engagement motion that activates the parking lock, providing a simple mechanical mediation that avoids complex direct coupling while enabling manual operation through a single cable pull.
3Volume of moving object
If the drive unit is completely enclosed in the sliding unit, then the compactness is improved, but the sensor detection accuracy may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The drive unit is nested within the sliding unit in a compact arrangement that minimizes overall volume. The sensor device is integrated into this nested structure with the drive sensor positioned on the drive unit and the slide sensor on the sliding unit, allowing accurate detection of relative position movements while maintaining the compact nested configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor device is segmented into separate drive sensor and slide sensor components positioned on their respective units. This segmentation allows each sensor to independently detect its local position, and the control system processes these separate signals to determine overall status, maintaining detection accuracy within the compact nested structure.
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 quick and reliable detection of the parking lock's status and allows for manual unlocking of the vehicle, reducing wear on the sensor system and requiring only a single cable pull for decoupling, thus minimizing noise and vibration transmission.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor device (109) having at least one drive sensor device (160) arranged on the eccentric device (107) and one slide sensor device (165) arranged on the sliding unit (108), wherein the sensor device (109) is configured to detect at least the position of the eccentric device (107) received in or arranged in the area of the sliding unit (108)
Data Source
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AI summary
The present approach to the problem relates to a release device (105) for recognising at least one position of a drive unit (106) in or in the vicinity of a slide unit (108) for a vehicle (100). The release device (105) comprises at least the drive unit (106), the slide unit (108) and a sensor system (109). The drive unit (106) is or can be located, in a first position, at least partially in the slide unit (108) of the release device (105) in order to lock or engage a parking lock (110) of the vehicle (100) and, in a second position, is moved at least partially out of the slide unit (108) in order to release or disengage the parking lock (110). The slide unit (108) is shaped to receive at least part of the drive unit (106), at least in the first position of said drive unit (106). The sensor system (109) has at least one drive sensor system (160) located on the drive unit (106) and/or a slide sensor system (165) located on the slide unit (108), the sensor system (109) being designed to recognise at least the position taken by the drive unit (106) in the slide unit (108), or the position of the drive unit in the vicinity of the slide unit (108).