COLLISION PROTECTION METHOD AND COLLISION PROTECTION DEVICE FOR A DISPLACEABLE VEHICLE PART AND VEHICLE HAVING THE COLLISION PROTECTION DEVICE

• US 20140365079A1
• Filed: 06/09/2014
• Published: 12/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Company KG Hallstadt (Brose)
• Original Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Company KG Hallstadt (Brose)
• Inventors: KAISER, JAN, WEINGAERTNER, THOMAS, CARL, ANDRE, SCHATKE, SILVIO, RIETDIJK, DALIBOR
• Granted Patent: US 9,333,930 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/45
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0006 Lateral collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/013 including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over

Abstract

In the case of a collision protection method for a displaceable vehicle part of a vehicle, during the displacement of the vehicle part, a focused light beam is deflected by a light deflection unit along a predefined scanning path and reflected radiation of the same light beam is detected by a light-sensitive sensor to scan a travel path region upstream from the vehicle part. The presence or absence of an obstruction in the upstream travel path region is concluded on the basis of the reflected radiation, wherein the displacement is stopped or reversed if an obstruction is recognized in the upstream travel path region.

Claims

1. A collision protection method for a displaceable vehicle part of a vehicle, wherein during a displacement of the displaceable vehicle part, performing the following steps of:

scanning a travel path region upstream from the displaceable vehicle part along a predefined scanning path by a focused light beam;

detecting reflected radiation of the focused light beam by a light-sensitive sensor;

concluding a presence or absence of an obstruction in the travel path region on a basis of the reflected radiation; and

stopping or reversing the displacement if the obstruction is recognized in the travel path region.

2. The collision protection method according to claim 1, which further comprises scanning the travel path region in a planar form.

3. The collision protection method according to claim 1, which further comprises deflecting the focused light beam by means of a micro-mirror along at least one multiple line over the travel path region.

4. The collision protection method according to claim 1, which further comprises providing a laser diode as a light source for generating the focused light beam.

5. The collision protection method according to claim 1, which further comprises providing at least one light-emitting diode as a light source.

6. The collision protection method according to claim 1, which further comprises displacing a sensor unit, which carries a light source for the focused light beam and a sensor, at a beginning of the displacement of the displaceable vehicle part, in relation to the displaceable vehicle part from an idle position retracted into the displaceable vehicle part into a collision protection position protruding from the displaceable vehicle part.

7. The collision protection method according to claim 6, wherein a region upstream of the sensor unit is already scanned before reaching the collision protection position.

8. The collision protection method according to claim 1, which further comprises using a wavelength in a range of visible light as a wavelength of the focused light beam.

9. The collision protection method according to claim 7, which further comprises varying a wavelength of the focused light beam in dependence on the presence or absence of the obstruction and/or in dependence on a distance to the obstruction.

10. A collision protection device for a displaceable vehicle part of a vehicle, the collision protection device comprising:

a sensor unit having a light source for a focused light beam, a light deflection unit for deflecting the focused light beam, and a light-sensitive sensor for detecting reflected radiation of the focused light beam; and

a control and analysis unit configured to carry out a collision protection method for the displaceable vehicle part, wherein during a displacement of the displaceable vehicle part, said control and analysis unit programmed to;

scan a travel path region upstream from the displaceable vehicle part along a predefined scanning path by the focused light beam;

detecting the reflected radiation of the focused light beam by said light-sensitive sensor;

concluding a presence or absence of an obstruction in the travel path region on a basis of the reflected radiation; and

stopping or reversing the displacement if the obstruction is recognized in the travel path region.

11. The collision protection device according to claim 10, wherein said light deflection unit is a micro-mirror pivotable about at least one axis.

12. The collision protection device according to claim 10, wherein the displaceable vehicle part is a vehicle door.

13. The collision protection device according to claim 12, wherein said sensor unit is integrated in a decorative strip of the vehicle door.

14. The collision protection device according to claim 12, wherein said sensor unit is, in a intended installation state, arranged on a narrow side of the vehicle door carrying a door lock and is displaceable from an idle position retracted into the vehicle door into a collision protection position protruding beyond an outer surface of the vehicle door such that during the displacement of the vehicle door into an open position, the travel path region can be scanned in an opening direction by means of the focused light beam.

15. The collision protection device according to claim 14, wherein said sensor unit is displaceable into a pinch protection position, which points towards an inner side of the vehicle door, to scan a closing path region upstream in a closing direction.

16. The collision protection device according to claim 10, wherein said light source is a laser diode or a light-emitting diode.

17. The collision protection device according to claim 10, further comprising an additional illumination unit having at least one light source for emitting light, wherein said additional illumination unit emits light in a same direction as the focused light beam.

18. A vehicle, comprising:

a vehicle door;

a collision protection device mounted in said vehicle door, said collision protection device having;

a sensor unit having a light source for a focused light beam, a light deflection unit for deflecting the focused light beam, and a light-sensitive sensor for detecting reflected radiation of the focused light beam; and

a control and analysis unit configured to carry out a collision protection method for said vehicle door, wherein during a displacement of said vehicle door, said control and analysis unit programmed to;

scan a travel path region upstream from said vehicle door along a predefined scanning path by the focused light beam;

detecting the reflected radiation of the focused light beam by said light-sensitive sensor;

concluding a presence or absence of an obstruction in the travel path region on a basis of the reflected radiation; and

stopping or reversing the displacement if the obstruction is recognized in the travel path region.