Device for initiating an opening and locking procedure of a motor vehicle

• US 6,847,289 B2
• Filed: 10/11/2001
• Issued: 01/25/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Pang, Peter, Goetz, Ulrich, Giehler, Elmar, Schaeffner, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US10/149,833
• Publication Number:
  US 20030107473A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,202 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426.28, 340/426.13, 340/426.17, 340/426.35, 340/426.36, 340/425.5, 340/430, 340/542, 340/539.23, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/5.61, 340/5.6, 340/5.31, 307/9.1, 307/10.1, 307/10.3, 307/10.6, 702/62, 702/63, 702/64, 180/271, 341/20, 341/31, 341/32, 341/33
• US Class Current: 340/426.28
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/246 characterised by the challenge triggering
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/77 comprising sensors detecting the presence of the hand of a user
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/78 as part of a hands-free locking or unlocking operation
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/962 Capacitive touch switches
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/960765 Details of shielding arrangements

Abstract

A device for initiating an opening and locking procedure of a motor vehicle. The device includes a first proximity sensor which generates an unlocking intent signal for initiating an opening procedure of a closing system of a vehicle when a user approaches the first proximity sensor. A second proximity sensor is also provided, generating a locking intent signal for initiating a locking procedure of the closing system of the vehicle when a user approaches the second proximity sensor.

Claims

1. A device for initiating an opening and locking procedure of a motor vehicle, comprising:

a first proximity sensor which generates an unlocking intent signal for initiating an opening procedure of a closing system of the motor vehicle when a user approaches the first proximity sensor; and

a second proximity sensor which generates a closing intent signal for initiating a locking procedure of the closing system of the motor vehicle when the user approaches the second proximity sensor.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein:

the first proximity sensor and the second proximity sensor each includes at least one electrode, an approach being detected by an analysis of a capacitance.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein:

at least one of the first proximity sensor and the second proximity sensor is arranged in an outside door handle.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein:

the first proximity sensor is arranged on a side of an outside door handle which is facing the motor vehicle.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein:

the second proximity sensor is arranged on a side of an outside door handle which is facing away from the motor vehicle.

6. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a common circuit board on which is arranged the first proximity sensor and the second proximity sensor.

7. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a power supply, wherein;

the first proximity sensor includes a first analyzer unit,

the second proximity sensor includes a second analyzer unit, and

the power supply supplies power to the first analyzer unit and the second analyzer unit.

8. The device according to claim 7, further comprising:

a housing, wherein;

the first proximity sensor includes a first electrode,

the second proximity sensor includes a second electrode, and

the first analyzer unit, the first electrode, the second analyzer unit, the second electrode, and the power supply are arranged in the housing.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein:

an authorization query is initiated with a transponder carried by the user upon arrival of at least one of the unlocking intent signal and the closing intent signal.

10. The device according to claim 8, wherein:

at least one of an analysis of a signal of the first electrode and a generation of the unlocking intent signal is performed only when the closing system is in a locked state.

11. The device according to claim 8, further comprising:

at least one switching arrangement relaying one of an output signal of the first electrode and an output signal of the second electrode to another analyzer unit.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein:

the at least one switching arrangement is controlled as a function of a status of the closing system.

13. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a reference potential electrode connected to a reference potential and for providing a shielding.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein:

the reference potential electrode is arranged between a first electrode of the first proximity sensor and a second electrode of the second proximity sensor.

15. The device according to claim 13, wherein:

the reference potential electrode is arranged between at least one of a first electrode of the first proximity sensor and a second electrode of the second proximity sensor and an electrically conducting layer on an outside door handle.

16. The device according to claim 13, wherein:

at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is electroconductively connectable to the reference potential.

17. The device according to claim 8, wherein:

the first electrode and the second electrode are controlled at different points in time relatively to each other.

18. The device according to claim 8, wherein:

in the event of triggering of the first electrode and the second electrode, only a signal of the one of the first electrode and the second electrode which was triggered first is relayed.

19. The device according to claim 8, wherein:

a new signal of the first electrode and the second electrode is relayed only if neither the first electrode or the second electrode previously detected an approach of a person.