Vehicle Side Step Obstacle Detection and Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retractable side steps in vehicles lack the ability to detect obstacles in their opening path, leading to potential breakage of the drive unit and the side step itself during operation.
Innovation Solution
An operating apparatus and method that includes door sensors, obstacle detection sensors (side and bottom sensors), a control unit, and a drive unit to manage the opening of side steps in conjunction with vehicle door operations, detecting obstacles and providing an alarm when necessary to prevent collision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the retractable side step is operated without obstacle detection, then the operation is simple and fast, but the drive unit and side step may break due to collision with obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The obstacle detection sensors detect obstacles before the side step begins its opening operation. The control unit receives sensor signals and determines whether to allow opening based on obstacle presence, preventing collision before it occurs. This preliminary detection and decision-making ensures safe operation while maintaining system reliability.
2Reliability
If obstacle detection sensors are added to detect obstacles in the opening path, then collision and breakage are prevented, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Obstacle detection sensors are positioned to detect obstacles before the side step enters the opening path. The control unit processes sensor signals in advance and determines whether to initiate opening, preventing collision before it occurs. This preliminary action protects the drive unit and side step while managing system complexity through proactive safety control.
3Ease of operation
If the side step opens regardless of obstacles, then the operation is fast and convenient, but obstacles cause breakage of the drive unit and side step
Solution Approach 1:
The obstacle detection sensors and control unit operate before the side step opening begins, detecting obstacles and determining whether to allow opening. This preliminary safety check prevents collision damage while maintaining operational convenience for normal conditions, as the system automatically manages safety without requiring user intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
An operating apparatus and operating control method of a side step of a vehicle controls the opening operation of the side step by being operated in conjunction with an operation of a vehicle door and by detecting whether an obstacle is present or not in an opening operation space of a side step of left front, left rear, right front and right rear side steps (11, 12, 13 and 14), opens the side step when it is determined that no obstacle is present in the opening operation space of the side step, and provides an alarm to a user when it is required to avoid the opening of the side step.