DETECTION DEVICE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE AND ASSOCIATED METHODS FOR DETECTING AN OBSTACLE AND FOR OPENING A MOVABLE PANEL OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE

• US 20160247403A1
• Filed: 10/08/2014
• Published: 08/25/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: U-Shin France SAS (MinebeaMitsumi Inc.), Volkswagen AG
• Original Assignee: U-Shin France SAS (MinebeaMitsumi Inc.)
• Inventors: Calor, Herv, Krauss, Dietmar
• Granted Patent: US 9,812,017 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2054 by foot gestures
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/31 of human presence inside or outside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes

Abstract

The invention relates to a detection device (1) for a motor vehicle (VI) comprising at least one optical detector (3). Said at least one optical detector (3) being configured for detecting the approach of a person (U) in a predefined area in the vicinity of the vehicle in order to activate opening command means of a device for opening a movable panel (5, 7) of the vehicle (VI). According to the invention:—said detection device (1) comprises switching means for switching the function of the at least one optical detector (3) to a detecting function of an obstacle (V2) at a predefined distance of the vehicle (VI) when the identifier of an authorized person (U) is detected inside the vehicle (VI) and the vehicle movable panels (5, 7) are closed, and wherein—said detection device (1) comprises processing means configured to react depending on a detection of an obstacle (V2) by the optical sensor (3). The invention also relates to corresponding methods for detecting obstacles and for opening a movable panel of the motor vehicle.

Claims

1. A detection device for a motor vehicle, comprising:

at least one optical detector, said at least one optical detector being configured for detecting the approach of a person in a predefined area in the vicinity of the vehicle in order to activate opening command means of a device for opening a movable panel of the vehicle;

switching means for switching the function of the at least one optical detector to a detecting function of an obstacle at a predefined distance of the vehicle when the identifier of an authorized person is detected inside the vehicle and the vehicle movable panels; and

processing means configured to react depending on a detection of an obstacle by the optical detector.

2. The detection device of claim 1, the motor vehicle comprising a steering column lock with an ignition switch able to switch from a locking position of the steering column and at least one unlocking position of the steering column, wherein said switching means are configured to switch the function of the at least one optical detector to a detecting function of the obstacle at a predefined distance of the vehicle when the identifier of an authorized person is detected inside the vehicle, the vehicle movable panels are closed and the ignition switch is in an unlocking position.

3. The detection device of claim 1, wherein the processing means are configured to send a warning signal to the user in reaction of the obstacle detection by the optical detector at a predefined distance of the vehicle.

4. The detection device of claim 3, wherein the warning signal may be a visual signal and/or a signal tone.

5. The detection device claim 1, wherein the optical detector (3) is an infrared detector.

6. The detection device claim 1, wherein the optical detector is configured to detect the obstacle at a predefined distance of the vehicle when the engine of the vehicle is stopped or is idle.

7. The detection device claim 1, wherein the optical detector is configured to detect the obstacle at a predefined distance of the vehicle when the vehicle is in motion.

8. The detection device of claim 1, wherein the optical detector is configured to detect a moving obstacle.

9. The detection device claim 1, wherein the optical detector is configured to detect an immobile obstacle.

10. A ethod for detecting obstacles at a predefined distance of a motor vehicle, comprising:

detecting an identifier of an authorized person inside the vehicle;

detecting if the movable panels of said vehicle are closed;

switching the function of at least one optical detector of a detection device as claimed in claim 1 used for approach detection in a control device for opening a movable panel of a motor vehicle to a function for detecting obstacles at a predefined distance of the vehicle;

detecting an obstacle at the predefined distance from the vehicle; and

if an obstacle is detected, warning the user of the vehicle by sending one or more warning signals to the attention of the user.

11. A method for opening a movable panel of the motor vehicle using a detection device as claimed in claim 1, the method comprising:

detecting the approach of a person in the vicinity of the vehicle by one or more optical detectors of the detection device;

authenticating an identifier of the detected person as authorized to unlock the vehicle through authentication means;

authorizing the opening of the movable panel when an authorized person is authenticated; and

deactivating the optical detector function for detecting a person in the bicinity of the vehicle when the identifier of the authorized person is detected inside the vehicle and activating the function of detecting obstacles at a predefined distance of the vehicle.