Door system for a motor vehicle

• US 7,193,509 B2
• Filed: 08/26/2004
• Issued: 03/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Original Assignee: Volkswagen AG
• Inventors: Finn, Brian, Bartels, Arne, Beil, Falk, Schaaf, Klaus
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass; Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Walk; Samuel J
• Application Number:
  US10/927,991
• Publication Number:
  US 20050280518A1
• Time in Patent Office: 936 Days
• Field of Search: 340/436, 701/301, 318/466
• US Class Current: 340/436
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/00 Power-operated mechanisms for wings motor-operated accessories in locks for completing closing or initiating opening of a wing E05B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/43 responsive to disruption of energy beams, e.g. light or sound
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 2015/432 with acoustical sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 2015/483 for detection during opening
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/532 Emergency braking or blocking
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/814 Sound emitters, e.g. loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/816 Voice
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/822 Light emitters, e.g. light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/531 Doors
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/16 Anti-collision systems road vehicle drive control systems for predicting or avoiding probable or impending collision otherwise than by control of a particular sub-unit B60W30/08
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes

Abstract

A door system for a motor vehicle includes a door, an environmental sensor for detecting an obstacle in the vicinity of the motor vehicle, a door sensor for outputting an output signal as a function of the initiation of the opening of the door, and a control unit for detecting an imminent collision between the door and the obstacle as a function of an output signal of the environmental sensor and for triggering a warning device such that a warning may be output by the warning device in response to the detection of an imminent collision between the door and the obstacle. During the triggering of the warning device, the control unit distinguishes between at least two selectable warning stages, a first warning stage and a second warning stage, and the selection of a warning stage by the control unit is a function of the output signal of the door sensor.

Claims

1. A door system for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a door;

an environmental sensor configured to detect an obstacle in a vicinity of the motor vehicle;

a door sensor configured to output an output signal as a function of an initiation of opening of the door; and

a control unit configured to detect an imminent collision between the door and the obstacle as a function of an output signal of the environmental sensor and configured to trigger a warning device to output a warning in response to detection of an imminent collision between the door and the obstacle, the control unit configured to distinguish, during trigger of the warning device, between at least two selectable warning stages as a function of the output signal of the door sensor.

2. The door system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to select a first warning stage of the at least two warning stages when no initiation of the opening of the door is detected.

3. The door system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to select a second warning stage of the at least two warning stages when the initiation of the opening of the door is detected.

4. The door system according to claim 1, wherein the warning device includes a first indicator configured to display an optical warning assigned to a first warning stage of the at least two warning stages.

5. The door system according to claim 4, wherein the first indicator is configured to output an optical warning assigned to a second warning stage of the at least two warning stages, the optical warning assigned to the second warning stage different from the optical warning assigned to the first warning stage.

6. The door system according to claim 4, wherein the warning device includes a second indicator configured to display an optical warning assigned to a second warning stage of the at least two warning stages.

7. The door system according to claim 1, wherein the warning device includes a loudspeaker configured to output an acoustic warning assigned to a second warning stage of the at least two warning stages.

8. The door system according to claim 1, wherein the warning device includes an actuator configured to output a haptic warning assigned to a second warning stage of the at least two warning stages.

9. The door system according to claim 1, wherein the warning device includes a controllable damping device configured to generate a mechanical resistance during the opening of the door in response to a presence of one of (a) a second warning stage and (b) a further warning stage of the at least two warning stages.

10. The door system according to claim 1, wherein the warning device includes a door-locking mechanism configured to lock the door in response to a presence of one of (a) a second warning stage and (b) a further warning stage of the at least two warning stages.

11. The door system according to claim 1, wherein the door includes a tailgate.

12. The door system according to claim 1, wherein the environmental sensor is configured to detect an obstacle in a surrounding area above the motor vehicle.

13. A door system for a motor vehicle including a tailgate, comprising:

an environmental sensor configured to detect an obstacle in a surrounding area above the motor vehicle; and

a control unit configured to detect an imminent collision between the tailgate and the obstacle if the tailgate is opened as a function of an output signal of the environmental sensor.

14. A door system for a motor vehicle, comprising:

door means;

environmental sensing means for detecting an obstacle in a vicinity of the motor vehicle;

door sensing means for outputting an output signal as a function of an initiation of opening of the door means; and

control means for detecting an imminent collision between the door means and the obstacle as a function of an output signal of the environmental sensing means and for triggering warning means for outputting a warning in response to detection of an imminent collision between the door means and the obstacle, the control means for distinguishing, during trigger of the warning means, between at least two selectable warning stages as a function of the output signal of the door sensing means.

15. A door system for a motor vehicle including a tailgate, comprising:

an environmental sensor configured to detect an obstacle in a surrounding area above the motor vehicle; and

a control unit configured to detect an imminent collision between the tailgate and the obstacle if the tailgate is opened as a function of an output signal of the environmental sensor,

wherein the tailgate is movable relative to the environmental sensor.

16. A door system for a motor vehicle including a tailgate, comprising:

an environmental sensor configured to detect an obstacle in a surrounding area above the motor vehicle; and

a control unit configured to detect an imminent collision between the tailgate and the obstacle if the tailgate is opened as a function of an output signal of the environmental sensor,

wherein the environmental sensor is arranged on a roof surface of the motor vehicle.