Object detection device for a vehicle and vehicle having the object detection device

• US 9,689,982 B2
• Filed: 07/02/2014
• Issued: 06/27/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Company KG Hallstadt (Brose)
• Original Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Company KG Hallstadt (Brose)
• Inventors: Herthan, Bernd
• Primary Examiner(s): Bythrow, Peter
• Application Number:
  US14/322,012
• Publication Number:
  US 20150009062A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,091 Days
• Field of Search: 342 27, 342 28, 342 70- 72, 342175
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/10 actuating a signalling device
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/20 Means to switch the anti-theft system on or off
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/76 Detection of handle operation; Detection of a user approaching a handle; Electrical switching actions performed by door handles
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 83/16 Locks for luggage compartments, car boot lids or car bonnets
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/73 responsive to movement or presence of persons or objects
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/44 Sensors therefore E05Y2400/322, E05Y2400/33, E05Y2400/55, E05Y2400/56, E05Y2400/852 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/546 Tailgates
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/0209 Systems with very large relative bandwidth, i.e. larger than 10 %, e.g. baseband, pulse, carrier-free, ultrawideband
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/88 Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications electromagnetic prospecting or detecting of objects, e.g. near-field detection, G01V3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93272 in the back of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93273 on the top of the vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93275 in the bumper area
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93277 in the lights
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/41 using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation; Target signature; Target cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/415 Identification of targets based on measurements of movement associated with the target
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/64 using a proximity sensor

Abstract

An object detection device for a vehicle monitors the surroundings at the rear of the vehicle. The object detection device has a radar sensor for generating a radar signal containing information about a distance between the vehicle and a vehicle user or another object in the surroundings. The radar sensor mounts on a vehicle component pointing toward the surroundings to the rear of the vehicle. Furthermore, the object detection device contains a control and evaluation unit for determining a movement pattern of the vehicle user on the basis of the radar signal, and to compare the movement pattern with a predefined reference pattern and to actuate a servomotor which has the purpose of actuating the tailgate between an open position and a closed position when the movement pattern corresponds to the reference pattern. Furthermore, a vehicle ideally has such an object detection device.

Claims

1. An object detection device for a vehicle for monitoring surroundings of a rear of the vehicle, the object detection device comprising:

a radar sensor for generating a radar signal containing information about a distance between the vehicle and a vehicle user or other objects in the surroundings to the rear of the vehicle, said radar sensor having a radar antenna directed toward an upper side of the vehicle, said radar sensor configured for mounting on a vehicle component pointing toward the surroundings to the rear of the vehicle, the vehicle component being a roof separation edge which is disposed above a rear windshield on the vehicle; and

a control and evaluation unit for determining a movement pattern of the vehicle user on a basis of the radar signal, and to compare the movement pattern with a predefined reference pattern and to actuate an adjustment motor assigned to a hatch of the vehicle and the adjustment motor actuating the hatch between an open position and a closed position when the movement pattern corresponds to the predefined reference pattern.

2. The object detection device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle component is a light module.

3. The object detection device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle component is a rear bumper.

4. The object detection device according to claim 1, wherein said radar sensor is an ultra-broadband radar sensor.

5. The object detection device according to claim 1, wherein said control and evaluation unit is configured to differentiate, on a basis of the radar signal, whether a detected object is a person or an animal, or an object.

6. The object detection device according to claim 1, wherein said control and evaluation unit checks, in a time environment with a detection of the movement pattern, a presence of a key signal of an electronic vehicle key which is assigned to the vehicle.

7. The object detection device according to claim 1, wherein said control and evaluation unit monitors, during actuation of the hatch, a pivoting range of the hatch for a presence or absence of obstacles on a basis of the radar signal, and to stop or reverse the actuation when an obstacle is detected in the pivoting range.

8. The object detection device according to claim 1, wherein said radar antenna directed toward the upper side of the vehicle is further directed above the vehicle.

9. The object detection device according to claim 1, wherein said control and evaluation unit detects, in a case of reversing of the vehicle, an obstacle disposed in the surroundings to the rear of the vehicle, on a basis of the radar signal, and if appropriate to output a warning signal in dependence on a distance between the vehicle and the obstacle.

10. The object detection device according to claim 1, wherein said radar sensor contains a radar antenna directed in a direction of ground surrounding the vehicle to the rear.

11. A vehicle, comprising:

a hatch having a rear windshield and a roof separation edge disposed above said rear windshield;

an adjustment motor for moving said hatch;

an object detection device for monitoring surroundings of a rear of the vehicle, said object detection device containing;

a radar sensor for generating a radar signal containing information about a distance between the vehicle and a vehicle user or other objects in the surroundings to the rear of the vehicle, said radar sensor having a radar antenna directed toward an upper side of the vehicle, said radar sensor configured for mounting on said roof separation edge; and

a control and evaluation unit for determining a movement pattern of the vehicle user on a basis of the radar signal, and to compare the movement pattern with a predefined reference pattern and to actuate said adjustment motor and said adjustment motor actuating said hatch between an open position and a closed position when the movement pattern corresponds to the predefined reference pattern.