DESC:FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENT RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10 and Rule 13)

Title of invention:
AN ANTI-PINCH DOOR CLOSURE SYSTEM

Applicant:
Tata Motors Limited
A company Incorporated in India under the Companies Act, 1956
Having address:
Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk,
Mumbai - 400001, Maharashtra, India

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PRIORITY
[001] The present application claims priority from Indian provisional application numbered 202121006518 dated 16/02/2021.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[002] The present invention in general relates to vehicle doors and, and more particularly, the present invention relates to an anti-pinch door closure system for a vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[003] Automotive vehicles consist of body closures such as doors, tailgate, hood and trunk lid. These closure systems are designed for ingress and egress in vehicle and for accessing a storage space which is located at rear side of vehicles. Among these closure systems, mainly doors are operated through door handles provided outside as well as inside of the vehicle and these closure systems move around the hinge which are mounted on pillar of the vehicle. This closure system consist of a latch which is mounted inside of the closure system with required opening area. Whenever door is operated for closing, the door moves towards the body of car and latch fitted inside the door gets locked inside the part called as striker.
[004] During this closing operation of the door, many times it has been observed that the door closing person is not aware about a second person, who has not yet come completely out of the car or got completely inside of the car and his body part, mostly hand fingers, got pinched between the door and body of vehicle. This may cause injury to the human fingers as well as nails.
[005] The present invention describes an anti-pinch door closure system to avoid injury to the human body parts while closing the door of the vehicle.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[006] One object of the present disclosure is to prevent closing of a vehicle door in event of any obstruction detected between the door and the vehicle body.
[007] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an anti-pinch door closure system to avoid pinching of human body part in between the door and the vehicle body.
[008] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to deactivate the anti-pinch door closure system on crash event of the vehicle.
SUMMARY
[009] Before the present system is described, it is to be understood that this application is not limited to the particular machine or device, as there can be multiple possible embodiments that are not expressly illustrated in the present disclosures. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present application. This summary is provided to introduce aspects related to an anti-pinch door closure system for a vehicle, and the aspects are further elaborated below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the proposed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the proposed subject matter.
[0010] The present subject matter discloses an anti-pinch door closure system for a vehicle. The anti-pinch door closure system comprises at least one obstacle detection sensor, a check strap, an electromagnetic actuator and a control unit. The obstacle detection sensor is configured to detect presence of an obstruction between a vehicle door and a vehicle body. The check strap is configured with a plurality of holes at a predefined distance. The electromagnetic actuator is provided with a spring loaded stopper configured to engage with one of the plurality of holes on the check strap. The control unit is configured to command the electromagnetic actuator for engagement or disengagement of the spring loaded stopper with one of the plurality of holes based on input from the obstacle detection sensor.
STATEMENT OF INVENTION
[0011] The present subject matter discloses an anti-pinch door closure system for a vehicle. The anti-pinch door closure system comprises at least one obstacle detection sensor, a check strap, an electromagnetic actuator and a control unit. The obstacle detection sensor is configured to detect presence of an obstruction between a vehicle door and a vehicle body. The check strap is configured with a plurality of holes at a predefined distance. The electromagnetic actuator is provided with a spring loaded stopper configured to engage with one of the plurality of holes on the check strap. The control unit is configured to command the electromagnetic actuator for engagement or disengagement of the spring loaded stopper with one of the plurality of holes based on input from the obstacle detection sensor. In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to be a Body Control Module (BCM) of the vehicle.
[0012] The obstacle detection sensor is configured to be selected from set of a proximity sensor, a pressure sensor, a thermal sensor and alike. In an embodiment, the obstacle detection sensor is configured to be mounted along a door profile of the vehicle body.
[0013] In an embodiment, the check strap is configured with a plurality of holes on a top or bottom surface for engaging or disengaging the spring loaded stopper vertically with the holes. In another embodiment, the check strap is configured with a plurality of holes on a side surface for engaging or disengaging the spring loaded stopper horizontally with the holes.
[0014] The spring loaded stopper is configured with a shape selected from set of wedge, pin, block and alike. Further the plurality of holes are configured to be grooves, serrations, depressions, through holes, blind holes or alike based on the shape and configuration of the spring loaded stopper.
[0015] In an embodiment, the anti-pinch door closure system is configured to be deactivated in closed position of the door. In another embodiment, the anti-pinch door closure system is configured be deactivated on crash event of the vehicle on detection by a crash sensor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the disclosure, there is shown in the present document example constructions of the disclosure, however, the disclosure is not limited to the specific methods and device disclosed in the document and the drawing. The detailed description is described with reference to the following accompanying figures.
[0017] Figure 1 illustrates a door system for a vehicle.
[0018] Figure 2 illustrates the vehicle configured with an anti-pinch door closure system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0019] Figure 3 illustrates a partially open position of the vehicle door, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0020] Figure 4 illustrates a flow chart of communication between elements of the anti-pinch door closure system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0021] Figure 5 illustrates a complete closure of the vehicle door, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0022] Figure 6 illustrates a wedge shaped stopper for the anti-pinch door closure system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0023] Figure 7 illustrates the anti-pinch door closure system with a plurality of holes on side surface, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0024] Figure 8 illustrates a flow chart for activation or deactivation of the anti-pinch door closure system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0025] The figures depict various embodiments of the present disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structures illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] Some embodiments of this disclosure, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words "comprising", “having”, and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Although any devices and methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present disclosure, the exemplary, devices and methods are now described. The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms.
[0027] Various modifications to the embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments illustrated, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.
[0028] Following is a list of elements and reference numerals used to explain various embodiments of the present subject matter.
Description Reference Numeral
Vehicle 10
Latch striker 20
Vehicle body 30
Mounting bracket 35
Vehicle Door 40
Door Side Mounting 45
Control Unit 50
Anti-pinch door closure system 100
Obstacle detection sensor 110
Check strap 120
Plurality of holes 122
Restrictor 125
Electromagnetic actuator 130
Spring Loaded Stopper 132

[0029] An embodiment of the present invention discloses an anti-pinch door closure system to avoid injury to the human body parts while closing the door of the vehicle.
[0030] Figure 1 illustrates a door system for a vehicle wherein a check strap 120 is mounted in between a vehicle body (shown in figure 2) and a vehicle door 40. One end of the check strap 120 is mounted on the vehicle body (shown in figure 2) through a mounting bracket 35 and another end is slidably mounted on the vehicle door 40 through a door side mounting 45.
[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, figure 2 illustrates an anti-pinch door closure system 100 for the vehicle 10. The anti-pinch door closure system 100 comprises an obstacle detection sensor 110 configured to be mounted on the vehicle. The obstacle detection sensor 110 detects presence of any obstacle or human body part getting pinched between the vehicle door 40 and the vehicle body 30. The obstacle detection sensor 110 is configured to be selected from set of a proximity sensor, a pressure sensor, a thermal sensor and alike. Further, the obstacle detection sensor 110 may be installed in form of a strip along the door profile of the vehicle body 30.
[0032] Referring to figure 2 and figure 3, a partially open position of the vehicle door 40 is illustrated. The anti-pinch door closure system 100 further comprises a check strap 120, an electromagnetic actuator 130 and a control unit 50. The check strap 120 is configured to be pivotally mounted on the vehicle body 30 by the mounting bracket 35 and slidably mounted on the vehicle door 40 through the door side mounting 45. Further one end of the check strap is configured as a restrictor 125 to limit the maximum opening of the door. The check strap 120 is configured with plurality of holes 122 at a predefined distance along the length of the check strap 120. In an embodiment, the plurality of holes 122 may be configured to be grooves, serrations, depressions, through holes, blind holes or alike based on the shape and configuration of the spring loaded stopper 132. In an embodiment, the shape of the spring loaded stopper 132 is selected from set of wedge, pin, block and alike. The electromagnetic actuator 130 is configured to be mounted inside the vehicle door 40. Further, the electromagnetic actuator 130 is provided with a spring loaded stopper 132 configured to engage with one of the plurality of holes 122. The obstacle detection sensor 110 and the electromagnetic actuator 130 are configured to be connected with the control unit 50 of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the control unit 50 is configured to be a Body Control Module (BCM) of the vehicle. On the event of the door being pushed for closure, the obstacle detection sensor 110 is configured to send a signal to the control unit 50. On detection of any obstacle between the vehicle door 40 and the vehicle body 30, the control unit 50 is configured to command the electromagnetic actuator 130 to engage the spring loaded stopper 132 in one of the plurality of holes 122 on the check strap 120 causing the door to stop at one of the intermediate open positions and to avoid complete closure of the door. The electromagnetic actuator 130 has electromagnets inside which are activated or deactivated on receipt of command from the control unit 50. On detection of any obstacle between the vehicle door 40 and the vehicle body 30, the control unit 50 is configured to disconnect power supply to the electromagnetic actuator 130 to deactivate the electromagnets and therefore, the spring loaded stopper 132 is released from the electromagnets and is configured to engage with one of the holes 122 under the action of spring force.
[0033] The figure 4 illustrates the communication among the obstacle detection sensor 110, the control unit 50 and the electromagnetic actuator 130. The control unit 50 is configured to receive inputs from the obstacle detection sensor 110 to command the electromagnetic actuator for engaging or disengaging the spring loaded stopper with the plurality of holes on the check strap.
[0034] Referring to figure 5, a complete closure of the door is illustrated. On detection of no obstacle between the door 40 and the vehicle body 30, the control unit 50 is configured to connect power supply to the electromagnetic stopper 130 to activate the electromagnets thereby attracting the spring loaded stopper 132 against the spring forces to disengage from the holes 122. On the event of the door being pushed for closure, a door latch on the vehicle door 40 gets locked with a latch striker 20 on the vehicle body 30 and without any interference of the spring loaded stopper 132, the door gets completely closed. In an embodiment, the check strap 120 is configured with the plurality of holes 122 on a top or bottom surface and the spring loaded stopper 132 is configured to engage vertically with one of the plurality of holes 122.
[0035] In an embodiment as illustrated in figure 6, the electromagnetic actuator 130 is configured with the spring loaded stopper 132 having a wedge shape. The check strap 120 is configured with a plurality of grooves 122 at a predefined distance along the length of the check strap. The spring loaded stopper 132 is configured to engage with one of the plurality of grooves 122 on detection of obstruction between the vehicle door and the vehicle body. The spring loaded stopper 132 is configured to disengage from one of the plurality of grooves 122 on detection of no obstruction between the vehicle door and the vehicle body. Further, on event of opening the door, the spring loaded stopper 132 is configured to disengage from the grooves due to effect of the wedge shape. Therefore, once the spring loaded stopper 132 is engaged, the door cannot be closed further but can be opened further from the partially closed configuration.
[0036] In another embodiment as illustrated in figure 7, the check strap 120 is configured with a plurality of grooves 122 on a side surface and the spring loaded stopper 132 is configured to engage horizontally with one of the plurality of holes 122.
[0037] In another embodiment as illustrated in figure 8, a flow chart for activation or deactivation of the anti-pinch door closure system 100 is disclosed. The anti-pinch door closure system 100 may be configured to be selectively activated or deactivated based on operator’s command. On activation command by the operator, the control unit 50 checks the position of the door being open or close. In closed position of the door, the anti-pinch door closure system 100 remains deactivated and in open position of the door, the anti-pinch door closure system 100 gets activated. Further the control unit 50 receive inputs from a crash sensor to detect crash condition of the vehicle. If a crash is detected, the control unit 50 deactivates the anti-pinch door closure system 100. If no crash is detected, the control unit 50 receives input from the obstacle detection sensor 110. If no obstacle is detected, the control unit 50 deactivates the anti-pinch door closure system 100. In case of any obstacle being detected between the door and the vehicle body, the control unit 50 is configured to actuate the electromagnetic actuator 130 to engage the spring loaded stopper 132 in one of the plurality of holes 122 on the check strap 120 and thereby avoiding compete closure of the door.
[0038] In the event of any human body part being detected in between the door and the vehicle body, pinching of the human body is avoided by the anti-pinch door closure system and thereby avoiding any injury.
[0039] The present subject matter discloses an anti-pinch door closure system 100 for a vehicle 10. The anti-pinch door closure system 100 comprises at least one obstacle detection sensor 110, a check strap 120, an electromagnetic actuator 130 and a control unit 50. The obstacle detection sensor 110 is configured to detect presence of an obstruction between a vehicle door 40 and a vehicle body 30. The check strap 120 is configured with a plurality of holes 122 at a predefined distance. The electromagnetic actuator 130 is provided with a spring loaded stopper 132 configured to engage with one of the plurality of holes 122 on the check strap 120. The control unit 50 is configured to command the electromagnetic actuator 130 for engagement or disengagement of the spring loaded stopper 132 with one of the plurality of holes 122 based on input from the obstacle detection sensor 110. In an embodiment, the control unit 50 is configured to be a Body Control Module (BCM) of the vehicle.
[0040] The obstacle detection sensor 110 is configured to be selected from set of a proximity sensor, a pressure sensor, a thermal sensor and alike. In an embodiment, the obstacle detection sensor 110 is configured to be mounted along a door profile of the vehicle body 30.
[0041] In an embodiment, the check strap 120 is configured with a plurality of holes 122 on a top or bottom surface for engaging or disengaging the spring loaded stopper 132 vertically with the holes 122. In another embodiment, the check strap 120 is configured with a plurality of holes 122 on a side surface for engaging or disengaging the spring loaded stopper 132 horizontally with the holes 122.
[0042] The spring loaded stopper 132 is configured with a shape selected from set of wedge, pin, block and alike. Further the plurality of holes 122 are configured to be grooves, serrations, depressions, through holes, blind holes or alike based on the shape and configuration of the spring loaded stopper 132.
[0043] In an embodiment, the anti-pinch door closure system is configured to be deactivated in closed position of the door. In another embodiment, the anti-pinch door closure system is configured be deactivated on crash event of the vehicle on detection by a crash sensor.
[0044] Exemplary embodiments discussed above may provide certain advantages. Though not required to practice aspects of the disclosure, these advantages may include the following.
[0045] Some embodiments of the subject matter enable to prevent closing of a vehicle door in event of any obstruction detected between the door and the vehicle body.
[0046] Some embodiments of the subject matter enable to provide an anti-pinch door closure system to avoid pinching of human body part in between the door and the vehicle body.
[0047] Some embodiments of the subject matter enable to deactivate the anti-pinch door closure system on crash event of the vehicle.
Equivalents
[0048] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
[0049] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances, where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."
[0050] Although implementations for an anti-pinch door closure system have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methods, it is to be understood that the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features are disclosed as examples of implementation for the anti-pinch door closure system.
,CLAIMS:
1. An anti-pinch door closure system (100) for a vehicle (10) comprising:
at least one obstacle detection sensor (110), mounted on the vehicle, configured to detect presence of an obstruction between a vehicle door (40) and a vehicle body (30),
a check strap (120) mounted between the vehicle door (40) and the vehicle body (30), wherein the check strap is configured with a plurality of holes (122) at a predefined distance,
an electromagnetic actuator (130) mounted inside the vehicle door, wherein the electromagnetic actuator is provided with a spring loaded stopper (132) configured to engage with one of the plurality of holes (122) on the check strap (120), and
a control unit (50) configured to command the electromagnetic actuator (130) for engagement or disengagement of the spring loaded stopper (132) with one of the plurality of holes (122) based on input from the obstacle detection sensor (110).
2. The anti-pinch door closure system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the obstacle detection sensor (110) is configured to be selected from set of a proximity sensor, a pressure sensor, a thermal sensor and alike.
3. The anti-pinch door closure system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the obstacle detection sensor (110) is configured to be mounted along a door profile of the vehicle body (30).
4. The anti-pinch door closure system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the check strap (120) is configured with a plurality of holes (122) on a top or bottom surface for engaging or disengaging the spring loaded stopper (132) vertically with the holes (122).
5. The anti-pinch door closure system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the check strap (120) is configured with a plurality of holes (122) on a side surface for engaging or disengaging the spring loaded stopper (132) horizontally with the holes (122).
6. The anti-pinch door closure system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spring loaded stopper (132) is configured with a shape selected from set of wedge, pin, block and alike.
7. The anti-pinch door closure system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of holes (122) are configured to be grooves, serrations, depressions, through holes, blind holes or alike based on the shape and configuration of the spring loaded stopper (132).
8. The anti-pinch door closure system as claimed in claim 1, is configured to be deactivated in closed position of the door.
9. The anti-pinch door closure system as claimed in claim 1, is configured be deactivated on crash event of the vehicle on detection by a crash sensor.
10. The anti-pinch door closure system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (50) is configured to be a Body Control Module (BCM) of the vehicle.