Wireless Power and Position Sensing for Deployable Door Handles

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Solution Overview

Problem

The use of electrical cables for connecting door handle modules to door modules in vehicles poses mechanical integration challenges, increases cost, and hampers miniaturization and complexity reduction due to the need for wired power supply and communication, which is not suitable for moving parts and complicates the deployment of deployable door handles.

Innovation Solution

A remote power supply device using electromagnetic induction with primary and secondary modules, where the secondary module moves between two primary coils, allowing for wireless energy transmission and position estimation based on varying magnetic field flux amplitudes, enabling efficient power supply and communication without cables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electrical cables are used to connect door handle module to door module, then power supply and communication are established, but mechanical integration constraints increase and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply reliabilityVSAvoidmechanical integration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the electrical cables from the system by implementing wireless power supply and communication between the door handle module and door module. This removes the mechanical integration constraints and complexity associated with wired connections while maintaining reliable power and data transmission through electromagnetic fields.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical electrical cable connection system with an electromagnetic field-based wireless power supply and communication system. This substitution eliminates the need for physical connectors and cables, thereby reducing mechanical integration constraints and device complexity while ensuring reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If electrical cables are used for connection, then power supply is established, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes electrical cables from the system, eliminating their associated costs. The wireless power supply and communication implementation reduces manufacturing expenses by removing cable materials, connectors, and the complex assembly processes required for wired connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Device complexity

If wireless magnetic induction power supply is used, then electrical cable constraints are eliminated, but the device is not suitable for moving parts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical integration simplicityVSAvoidsuitability for moving parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic wireless power supply system using magnetic induction that can adapt to the movement of the door handle module. The system maintains effective power transmission despite the relative motion between the door handle module and door module by utilizing electromagnetic fields that can accommodate positional changes, thereby making the system suitable for moving parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution provides a wireless, efficient power supply and position sensing mechanism for deployable door handles, reducing mechanical constraints, cost, and complexity while maintaining aerodynamic and aesthetic benefits, and enabling reliable communication and motor control for door handle deployment.

Implementation Method 1

The primary module is configured so as to form an electromagnetic field able to supply electric power to the secondary module through magnetic induction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the amplitude of the magnetic field flux generated by the first primary coil through the secondary coil is at a maximum when the handle is in the deployed position, the amplitude of the magnetic field flux generated by the second primary coil through the secondary coil is at a maximum when the handle is in the retracted position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field flux variation: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS10847998B2Remote power supply, position sensor and wireless communication device for a door with an extendable handle of a motor vehicle

Publication Date: 2020.11.24 SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO KG

AI summary

A device for a handle able to be deployed in relation to a motor vehicle door. The device includes a primary module integrated into the door, supplying power, through inductive coupling, to a secondary module integrated into the handle and that moves in relation to the primary module along a predetermined path when the door handle moves between a deployed position and a retracted position. An advantageous arrangement of two primary coils of the primary module and of a secondary coil of the secondary module allows the device to estimate the position of the door handle. Furthermore, the device makes it possible to establish a wireless communication link between the primary module and the secondary module.