Method for automating the opening and/or closing of vehicle opening elements

• US 20060178795A1
• Filed: 12/14/2005
• Published: 08/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Heuliez Co.
• Original Assignee: Heuliez Co.
• Inventors: Dubreuil, Regis, Queveau, Paul, Queveau, Gerard, Baudeau, Marc
• Application Number:
  US11/302,152
• Publication Number:
  US 20060178795A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/49
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/0573 power driven arrangements, e.g. electrical
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/70 with automatic actuation
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/508 for convertibles
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/542 Roof panels

Abstract

A method for automatic opening and closing of opening elements (2) of a vehicle (1) pivoting about at least two articulations makes provision to protect interference zones (ZAP1, ZAP2, ZAP3, ZAP4, ZAP5) by having at least one presence detector and/or at least one contact detector and including the steps: Emitting of a control signal for opening or closing the opening element or elements (2); Respectively the automatic and complete opening or closing of the opening element or elements (2) during which the following are performed: Monitoring of the occurrence of interference, using the detectors, which, in the event of interference being detected, generates a detection signal; and Processing of the detection signal by a calculation unit which generates an activation signal controlling the device for activating the opening element or elements (2) according to an operating mode adapted to the situation detected.

Claims

1. A method for automatic opening and closing of at least one vehicle opening element pivoting about at least two articulations, the opening and closing of said opening element being activated by an activation device, said method making provision to protect interference zones by having at least one presence detector (8) and/or at least one contact detector (9), characterised in that said method comprises the following steps:

Emitting of a control signal for opening or closing the opening element or elements;

Respectively the automatic and complete opening or closing of the opening element or elements during which the following are performed;

Monitoring of the occurrence of interference, using the detectors, which, in the event of interference being detected, generates a detection signal; and

Processing of the detection signal by a calculation unit (18) which generates an activation signal controlling the means for activating the opening element or elements according to an operating mode adapted to the situation detected.

2. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that it makes provision to protect the interference zone ZAP 2 and/or the interference zone ZAP 3, said interference zones ZAP 2 and ZAP 3 being defined by volumes extending substantially between the two articulations of the opening elements.

3. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that the operating mode adapted to the situation detected is chosen from amongst the following actions on the movement or movements of the opening element or elements or any combinations of these actions:

slowing down, stopping, partial or total reversal as far as the initial state of the opening element.

4. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that the decision subsystem (12) determines an operation adapted to the situation detected using information contained in decision logic (16) and/or a learning memory (17).

5. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that the control signal is emitted by a switch, a remote control system, mobile telephone or the Internet and then controls the opening or closing of the opening element or elements.

6. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that the control signal is emitted by a sensor such as a rain or light sensor or an intrusion sensor and then controls the opening or closing of the opening element or elements.

7. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that the calculation unit (18) also generates a data signal (13) intended for the user of the vehicle and reporting on the situation detected, the operating mode and the position of the opening element or elements.

8. A method according to claim 7, characterised in that said data signal (13) is generated in the form of pictures, sounds or messages sent via the Internet, mobile telephone or electronic messaging.

9. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that the opening element is a retractable roof comprising at least two roof elements (3,4) articulated with one another and one of which is articulated with the structure of the vehicle (1).

10. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that the opening element is a luggage compartment lid (2) articulated with the structure of the vehicle (1) in order to pivot about a first articulation (5) from the rear towards the front and about a second articulation (6) from the front towards the rear.

11. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that the presence detectors (8) can be electromagnetic wave, frequency wave, optical or capacitive detectors.

12. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that the detectors with contacts (9) can be mechanical systems with springs or deformable systems such as rubber seals or strips.

13. A vehicle able to be converted into a convertible equipped with at least one presence detector (8) and/or at least one contact detector (9), means for activating at least one opening element, and a calculation unit (18), and whose opening element is constituted by a retractable roof and/or a luggage compartment lid (2), the retractable roof being movable between a position where it covers the passenger compartment of the vehicle and a storage position situated away from the passenger compartment, it being possible for the luggage compartment lid (2) to open from the front towards the rear for storing the roof and from the rear towards the front for accessing a luggage storage space, said vehicle being characterised in that it is equipped with means for controlling a movement for automatic opening and/or closing of the opening element or elements, means for monitoring these opening elements and means for processing a detection signal generating a signal for activating the opening element or elements enabling implementation of the method according to claim 1.

14. A method according to claim 2, characterised in that the operating mode adapted to the situation detected is chosen from amongst the following actions on the movement or movements of the opening element or elements or any combinations of these actions:

slowing down, stopping, partial or total reversal as far as the initial state of the opening element.

15. A method according to claim 2, characterised in that the decision subsystem (12) determines an operation adapted to the situation detected using information contained in decision logic (16) and/or a learning memory (17).

16. A method according to claim 3, characterised in that the decision subsystem (12) determines an operation adapted to the situation detected using information contained in decision logic (16) and/or a learning memory (17).

17. A method according to claim 2, characterised in that the control signal is emitted by a switch, a remote control system, mobile telephone or the Internet and then controls the opening or closing of the opening element or elements.

18. A method according to claim 3, characterised in that the control signal is emitted by a switch, a remote control system, mobile telephone or the Internet and then controls the opening or closing of the opening element or elements.

19. A method according to claim 4, characterised in that the control signal is emitted by a switch, a remote control system, mobile telephone or the Internet and then controls the opening or closing of the opening element or elements.

20. A method according to claim 2, characterised in that the control signal is emitted by a sensor such as a rain or light sensor or an intrusion sensor and then controls the opening or closing of the opening element or elements.