Vehicle having an automatically opening flap

• US 20070205863A1
• Filed: 02/23/2007
• Published: 09/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Original Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Inventors: Eberhard, Siegfried
• Granted Patent: US 8,228,166 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.720
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2036 by using the door logic and door and engine unlock means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2054 by foot gestures
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/1091 with a gas spring E05F1/1292 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/00 Power-operated mechanisms for wings motor-operated accessories in locks for completing closing or initiating opening of a wing E05B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/43 responsive to disruption of energy beams, e.g. light or sound
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/611 for swinging wings
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/73 responsive to movement or presence of persons or objects
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/76 responsive to devices carried by persons or objects, e.g. magnets or reflectors E05F15/77 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/77 using wireless control
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/44 Sensors therefore E05Y2400/322, E05Y2400/33, E05Y2400/55, E05Y2400/56, E05Y2400/852 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/852 Sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/858 by body parts
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/22 of not identical elements of the same category, e.g. combinations of not identical springs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/426 against unauthorised use E05Y2400/51, E05Y2400/522 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/546 Tailgates
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/63 Comprising locating means for detecting the position of the data carrier, i.e. within the vehicle or within a certain distance from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

A vehicle, particularly a motor vehicle, has a flap, which automatically opens as a result of an opening command. The opening command takes place without a manual operation of an unlocking/locking mechanism. A proximity sensor and a control device coupled therewith are present, the control device being constructed such that it recognizes the presence of a valid access authorization device within a surrounding area and, if a valid access authorization device is recognized, as a function of the presence of an unlocking signal of the proximity sensor, activates the unlocking/locking mechanism for releasing the automatically opening flap.

Claims

1. A vehicle, comprising:

a flap operatively configured to automatically open as a result of an opening command, the opening command being generated without a manual operation of an unlocking/locking mechanism;

a proximity sensor arranged on the vehicle;

a control device operatively coupled to the unlocking/locking mechanism and the proximity sensor, the control device being configured to recognize a presence of a valid access authorization device for the vehicle within a defined area surrounding the vehicle; and

wherein, if a valid access authorization device is recognized, then as a function of a presence of an unlocking signal of the proximity sensor, the control device is operatively configured to activate the unlocking/locking mechanism for releasing the automatically opening flap.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein at two proximity sensors are arranged on the vehicle;

and

wherein the control device activates the unlocking/locking mechanism when distance recognition signals of both proximity sensors are present.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the proximity sensor is operational only when the valid access authorization device is recognized.

4. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the at least two proximity sensors are operational only when the valid access authorization device is recognized.

5. The vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising:

a distance detection system arranged on the vehicle, the distance detection system being operational for an area situated behind the vehicle; and

wherein the control device is operatively configured such that the distance detection system is switched on when the valid access authorization device is recognized and the proximity sensor is one of;

(a) switched on when the valid access authorization device is recognized, and (b) switched on only with a response from the distance detection system.

6. The vehicle according to claim 2, further comprising:

a distance detection system arranged on the vehicle, the distance detection system being operational for an area situated behind the vehicle; and

wherein the control device is operatively configured such that the distance detection system is switched on when the valid access authorization device is recognized and the two proximity sensors are one of;

(a) switched on when the valid access authorization device is recognized, and (b) switched on only with a response from the distance detection system.

7. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the control device is operatively configured such that the unlocking/locking mechanism is only activated when the vehicle is stationary or when the vehicle is stationary and the ignition is switched-off.

8. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the proximity sensor is operatively arranged on the vehicle with an operational direction for detecting objects being directed downward in a direction of a surface on which the vehicle is located.

9. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the two proximity sensors are operatively arranged on the vehicle with operational directions for detecting objects being directed downward in a direction of a surface on which the vehicle is located.

10. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the proximity sensor is arranged below a rear bumper of the vehicle or arranged on a bottom side of the rear bumper while being integrated in the bumper, an operating direction of the proximity sensor being directed toward a surface on which the vehicle is located.

11. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the proximity sensors are arranged below a rear bumper of the vehicle or arranged on a bottom side of the rear bumper while being integrated in the bumper, operating directions of the proximity sensors being directed toward a surface on which the vehicle is located.

12. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the automatically opening flap is at least one of a trunk lid, a rear door, a side door, a hood, and a fuel filler flap.

13. A system for a motor vehicle having a flap that automatically opens based on an opening command, the system comprising:

an access authorization device;

a proximity sensor; and

a control device, the control device being operatively configured to recognize that the access authorization device is within a defined area, the control device being further operatively configured to activate the automatically opening flap of the vehicle when the access authorization device is recognized and a detection signal of the proximity sensor is present.

14. A method for controlling a flap of a vehicle, the flap being automatically openable as a result of an opening command, the method comprising the acts of:

recognizing a presence of a valid access authorization device within a defined area surrounding the vehicle;

detecting an unlock signal of a proximity sensor arranged on the vehicle; and

activating the automatically opening flap when the valid access authorization device is recognized and the unlock signal is present.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the proximity sensor is only operational when the valid access authorization device is recognized.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the act of activating the automatically opening flap only occurs when the vehicle is stationary or when the vehicle is stationary and the ignition of the vehicle is switched-off.