COLLISION PROTECTION DEVICE FOR A PIVOTABLE HATCH OF A MOTOR VEHICLE, HATCH, MOTOR VEHICLE AND CORRESPONDING METHOD

• US 20160024825A1
• Filed: 03/11/2014
• Published: 01/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH (Valeo SE), Audi AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH (Valeo SE), Audi AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: WARSCHAT, Ulf, HARTMANN, Jrgen, SCHULER, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 9,777,518 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/101 for non-load transporting vehicles, i.e. family cars including vans
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 17/006 with means for detecting obstacles outside the doors
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/43 responsive to disruption of energy beams, e.g. light or sound
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 2015/435 by interruption of the beam
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/531 Doors
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/546 Tailgates
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/931 of land vehicles

Abstract

The invention relates to a collision protection device for a pivotable hatch of a motor vehicle, comprising at least one sensor for detecting an obstacle in the pivoting range of the hatch, and comprising a control unit, which is designed to output, in dependence on sensor signals of the at least one sensor, control commands for stopping an opening movement of the hatch, wherein the at least one sensor is an optical visibility sensor, which is designed for capturing an optical visibility in an environment of the sensors.

Claims

1. A collision protection device for a pivotable hatch of a motor vehicle, comprising:

at least one sensor for detecting an obstacle in a pivoting range of the hatch, and comprising

a control unit, which is designed to output, in dependence on sensor signals of the at least one sensor, control commands for stopping an opening movement of the hatch,

wherein the at least one sensor is an optical visibility sensor, which is designed for capturing an optical visibility in an environment of the sensors.

2. The collision protection device according to claim 1, wherein the control device is configured for automatic driving of the opening movement while emitting control signals to an actor.

3. The collision protection device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured for capturing a distance from the obstacle and the control device is designed to output control commands for stopping the opening movement, when the distance remains below a predetermined threshold value (G1).

4. The collision protection device according to claim 1, wherein the control device is designed to output, in dependence on sensor signals of the at least one sensor, an acoustic and/or optical warning signal by operation of an output device.

5. The collision protection device according to claim 3,

wherein in the control device a first threshold value (G1) and a higher second threshold value (G2) for the distance are stored,

wherein the control device is configured for

outputting the warning signal, in case the distance remains below the second threshold value (G2), and

outputting the control commands for stopping the opening movement, in case the distance remains below the first threshold value (G1).

6. The collision protection device according to claim 1, wherein the control device is configured for receiving an input made by an operator to the operating device and upon receiving the input resuming the previously stopped opening movement of the hatch.

7. The collision protection device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor has an infrared transmitter and at least one infrared receiver.

14. The collision protection device according to claim 6, wherein the control device is configured for receiving the input made by the operator to the operating device and upon receiving the input resuming the previously stopped opening movement of the hatch independently of the sensor signals.

8. A hatch for a motor vehicle, comprising a collision protection device, the collision protection device comprising:

at least one sensor for detecting an obstacle in a pivoting range of the hatch, and

a control unit, which is designed to output, in dependence on sensor signals of the at least one sensor, control commands for stopping an opening movement of the hatch,

wherein the at least one sensor is an optical visibility sensor, which is designed for capturing an optical visibility in an environment of the sensors.

9. The hatch according to claim 8, wherein on the hatch at least one part of a light, of the motor vehicle is arranged and the sensor is integrated into the hatch-side part of the light and this connection is arranged behind a cover of the light.

10. The hatch according to claim 8, wherein the hatch is a tailgate of the motor vehicle.

11. The hatch according to claim 8, wherein the sensor has a capture direction, which extends at an angle of 80°

to 100°

relative to a surface of the hatch.

15. The hatch according to claim 9, wherein the light is a taillight.

16. The hatch according to claim 11, wherein the capture direction extends at an angle of 80°

to 100°

relative to a cover of a light.

12. A motor vehicle comprising a hatch with a collision protection device, the collision protection device comprising:

at least one sensor for detecting an obstacle in a pivoting range of the hatch, and

a control unit, which is designed to output, in dependence on sensor signals of the at least one sensor, control commands for stopping an opening movement of the hatch,

wherein the at least one sensor is an optical visibility sensor, which is designed for capturing an optical visibility in an environment of the sensors.

17. The motor vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the motor vehicle is a passenger car.

13. A method for avoiding a collision of a pivotable hatch of a motor vehicle with an obstacle during an opening movement of the hatch,

wherein by operation of at least one sensor the obstacle in a pivoting range of the hatch is detected and, in dependence on the sensor signals of the at least one sensor, control commands for stopping the opening movement of the hatch are output by means operation of a control unit,

wherein the sensor signals are provided by operation of an optical visibility sensor, which is used for capturing an optical visibility in an environment of the motor vehicle.