DETECTION CIRCUIT DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DETECTING THE PRESENCE OF AN OBJECT IN THE VICINITY OF A MOTOR VEHICLE

• US 20090066346A1
• Filed: 12/18/2006
• Published: 03/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: IDENT Technology AG (Microchip Technology Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: IDENT Technology AG (Microchip Technology Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kaltner, Claus
• Application Number:
  US12/161,056
• Publication Number:
  US 20090066346A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/681
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/46 responsive to changes in electrical capacitance
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/508 for convertibles
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/531 Doors
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 Windows

Abstract

The invention relates to a circuit device and a method for detecting the presence of an object in the vicinity of a motor vehicle. The aim of the invention is to provide solutions which allow monitoring the vicinity of a motor vehicle with regard to the presence of an object. In particular, the aim of the invention is to provide solutions which allow detecting the approach of human body parts to danger-relevant structures, such as for example soft top devices, window openings, door openings and trunk lids, and taking the appropriate safety measures. According to the invention, this problem is solved by a motor vehicle that comprises a detection circuit with a first electrode system, a second electrode system and an alternative current generator for generating a potential difference between the two electrode systems, the first electrode system being arranged in the lower region of the vehicle for inputting the shift current events in the region supporting the vehicle. The detection circuit further comprises an evaluation device by means of which a feedback of the shift current events in the second electrode system is determined via the object to be detected.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle having:

a detection circuit comprising

a first electrode,

a second electrode, and

an alternating-current generator for generating a difference in potential between the two electrodes,

the first electrode being underneath the vehicle for forming an a-c field in a region underneath the vehicle, and the detection circuit including an evaluating means by means of which feedback of the a-c field into the second electrode is determined via the object to be detected.

2. The motor vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the first electrode is supported underneath the vehicle.

3. The motor vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the first electrode is formed by structures mounted on the vehicle and facing downward.

4. The motor vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the first electrode is designed as a plate structure provided underneath the vehicle.

5. The motor vehicle according to claim 1 that wherein the first electrode is formed by the vehicle body.

6. The motor vehicle according to at least one of claims 1 through 5 wherein the second electrode is located near hazardous structures.

7. The motor vehicle according to at least one of claims 1 through 6 wherein the second electrode is located in the side panel region of the motor vehicle.

8. The motor vehicle according to at least one of claims 1 through 7 wherein the second electrode is divided into multiple detection segments.

9. The motor vehicle according to at least one of claims 1 through 8 wherein the second electrode is designed in such a way that signals that are relevant to the detection site may be obtained via the second electrode.

10. A method for monitoring at least one zone in the vicinity of a motor vehicle, in which a high-frequency a-c field is formed underneath the vehicle by means of an electrode assembly, and in which feedback of the displacement current event by means of the second electrode to the zone being observed is established via the object to be detected.