METHOD FOR ACTIVATING A MOTOR VEHICLE CLOSURE AND CLOSURE DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES

• US 20110146157A1
• Filed: 12/17/2010
• Published: 06/23/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Temtec Fahrzeugtechnik Entwicklungsgesellschaft Mbh
• Original Assignee: Temtec Fahrzeugtechnik Entwicklungsgesellschaft Mbh
• Inventors: BAUER, Angelika Barbara Maria
• Granted Patent: US 8,794,689 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 49/31
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/05 Inlet covers
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2015/0538 with open or close mechanism automatically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/73 responsive to movement or presence of persons or objects
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/534 Fuel lids, charger lids

Abstract

In a method for activating a motor vehicle closure and in a closure device for motor vehicles a sensor device is activated by switching on an activation device and comprises a proximity sensor arranged in the vicinity of the closure part. The activated sensor device transmits an opening signal to the drive device to open the closure part when an approaching person and/or an approaching object comes within a predetermined distance from the proximity sensor, whereupon the drive device opens the motor vehicle closure.

Claims

1. Method for activating a motor vehicle closure comprising a closure part which can be moved by means of a drive device and with which the orifice of a fuel filler neck can be closed, wherein

a sensor device is activated by switching on an activation device and comprises a proximity sensor arranged in the vicinity of the closure part,

the activated sensor device transmits an opening signal to the drive device to open the closure part when an approaching person and/or an approaching object comes within a predetermined distance from the proximity sensor, and

the activated sensor device transmits a closing signal to the drive device to close the closure part when the person and/or the object moves away from the proximity sensor beyond the predetermined distance.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the activation device is switched on by manual operation of an activation member arranged in the vehicle interior.

3. Method according to claim 1, wherein the activated sensor device is deactivated automatically once a predetermined activation period has elapsed if the proximity sensor does not detect an approaching person or object.

4. Method according to claim 3, wherein the activated sensor device is deactivated after 15 seconds to 40 seconds if the proximity sensor does not detect an approaching person or object.

5. Closure device for motor vehicles, comprising

a closure part with which the orifice of a fuel filler neck can be closed,

a drive device for moving the closure part between a closed and an open position,

a sensor device which comprises a proximity sensor arranged in the vicinity of the closure part or fuel filler neck,

an activation device for activating the sensor device,

the sensor device being formed in such a way that in the activated state it transmits an

opening signal to the drive device to open the closure part when an approaching person

and/or an approaching object comes within the predetermined distance from the proximity

sensor, while in the activated state it transmits a closing signal to the drive device to close the closure part when the person and/or the object moves away from the proximity sensor beyond the predetermined distance.

6. Closure device according to claim 5, wherein the activation device comprises a manually operable activation member arranged in the vehicle interior.

7. Closure device according to claim 5, wherein the maximum response range of the proximity sensor from the orifice of the motor vehicle filler neck is 30 cm.

8. Closure device according to claim 5, wherein the drive device comprises an electric motor.

9. Closure device according to claim 5, wherein the proximity sensor is arranged on the fuel filler neck in the region near the orifice or on parts located in the vicinity of the fuel filler neck.

10. Closure device according to claim 5, wherein the proximity sensor consists of an inductive, capacitive, magnetic, optical, ultrasound, light barrier or electromagnetic proximity sensor.