Frameless Vehicle Window Pre-Drop Control for Faster Door Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motor vehicle window systems with frameless doors face challenges in efficiently transitioning from a fully closed position to a pre-drop position to allow door opening, particularly in scenarios where user proximity is detected, without energy wastage or unnecessary movement.
Innovation Solution
A window system equipped with a sensor system and controller that moves the window from a fully closed position to a pre-drop position when a recognized user is within a certain distance, allowing for earlier door opening while conserving energy by varying the window's upper edge height within a seal assembly, and automatically adjusting between pre-drop and short drop positions based on user interaction and vehicle conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the window moves directly from fully closed to short drop position, then the door can be opened, but the window travels a longer distance consuming more energy and time
Solution Approach 1:
The window system performs a preliminary movement to a pre-drop position before the final short drop, allowing the door to be opened sooner without requiring the full window travel distance. This intermediate position enables earlier door access while reducing the total energy consumption compared to moving the window all the way to the short drop position.
2Loss of energy
If the window system remains in low power mode, then energy is conserved, but the window cannot respond to user proximity for door opening
Solution Approach 1:
The controller wakes up the window system from low power mode in advance of when the door needs to be opened, by detecting user proximity at a first threshold distance. This preliminary wake-up allows the system to prepare for potential door opening while minimizing the time the system remains active, thus balancing energy conservation with operational responsiveness.
3Ease of operation
If the window moves to pre-drop position upon user detection, then door opening is facilitated, but unnecessary window movement occurs if user does not open door
Solution Approach 1:
The window system performs a partial movement to the pre-drop position rather than the full short drop position when a user is detected. This partial action provides sufficient clearance for door opening while avoiding the excessive energy consumption that would result from moving the window to the full short drop position, especially when the user may not actually open the door.
4Loss of energy
If the window stays in fully closed position, then energy is conserved and seal integrity is maintained, but the door cannot be opened when user approaches
Solution Approach 1:
The window system performs a preliminary movement to the pre-drop position when user proximity is detected, creating the necessary clearance for door opening while minimizing energy consumption. This intermediate position serves as a preparatory state that enables door access without requiring the full energy expenditure of moving to the short drop position or maintaining continuous window movement.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to a window system for a motor vehicle. The window system is configured to move one or more windows to a pre-drop position. A corresponding method is also disclosed. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a window system for a motor vehicle, including: a window moveable between a fully closed position, a pre-drop position, and a short drop position; a sensor system configured to generate signals indicative of a presence of a recognized user adjacent the motor vehicle, and indicative of a proximity of the recognized user to the motor vehicle; and a controller configured to instruct the window to move from the fully closed position to the pre-drop position when a signal from the sensor system indicates the recognized user is adjacent the motor vehicle.