Vehicle Window Control Circuit Submergence Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Power window devices in vehicles are prone to erroneous operation when submerged in water due to conductive components getting wet, leading to insufficient waterproofing and increased manufacturing costs, which compromises safety and operational reliability.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a submergence detection circuit and pullup resistances connected via switches to the signal lines, ensuring that a voltage level above the threshold is maintained when the vehicle is submerged and the operation switch is not operated, preventing erroneous window movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If epoxy resin is filled into the case to waterproof the circuit component, then waterproof performance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the circuit component from the case and provides it with individual waterproof protection through waterproof coating and sealing structures. This eliminates the need to fill epoxy resin into the entire case, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining waterproof performance for the critical circuit component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies waterproof coating specifically to the circuit component rather than the entire case. This localized waterproofing approach focuses protection where it is most needed (the circuit component) while avoiding the cost and complexity of waterproofing the entire assembly with epoxy resin.
2Ease of manufacture
If waterproof coating is applied onto the circuit component, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but waterproof performance becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple waterproofing methods: waterproof coating applied to the circuit component, sealing structures (such as gaskets or seals) around the component, and protective housing design. This composite approach ensures sufficient waterproof performance while avoiding the high cost of epoxy resin filling.
3Reliability
If the vehicle is submerged in water, then erroneous operation is prevented by the submergence detection circuit, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The submergence detection circuit detects water submersion in advance and preemptively prevents erroneous window operation by controlling the drive device. This preliminary detection and prevention mechanism avoids the need for complex post-error correction systems, maintaining relatively simple device architecture while ensuring reliability.
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
This configuration effectively prevents erroneous window operations during submersion, ensuring user control and enhancing vehicle safety by maintaining the integrity of the signal voltage levels and reducing corrosion risks.
Implementation Method 1
a pullup resistance that is connected via the switch to a power source, the pullup resistance being connected electrically to the signal line when the switch turns on to output a signal a voltage level of which is equal to or more than a threshold value to the drive device
Data Source
AI summary
An opening/closing body control device may include an actuator, a drive device configured to drive the actuator configured to at least one of open and close an opening/closing body of a vehicle, an operation switch, and a signal output device. The signal output device may be configured to drive the actuator via outputting a signal to the drive device when the operation switch is operated. The signal output device may include a signal line, a submergence detection circuit configured to detect submergence of the vehicle in water, a switch, and a pullup resistance connected via the switch to a power source. The switch may be configured to turn on when submergence of the vehicle in water is detected and the operation switch is not operated. The pullup resistance may be connected electrically to the signal line when the switch turns on to output a signal to the drive device.