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Collision protection device for a pivotable hatch of a motor vehicle, hatch, motor vehicle and corresponding method

  • US 9,777,518 B2
  • Filed: 03/11/2014
  • Issued: 10/03/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A dual operation optical visibility and collision protection device for use in conjunction with a pivotable hatch of a motor vehicle, the device comprising:

  • a sensor for detecting optical visibility and for detecting an obstacle in a pivoting range of the hatch, the sensor having an infrared transmitter and an infrared receiver;

    a first control unit configured to output, in dependence on first sensor signals from the sensor, control commands for stopping an opening movement of the hatch;

    a second control unit configured to output, in dependence on second sensor signals from the sensor, control commands for activating at least one of a headlight, taillight, or fog light of the motor vehicle;

    wherein the sensor is configured to measure at least one of the reflectivity and transmission time of emitted and reflected infrared beams, determine a distance based on the reflected infrared beams, and transmit first sensor signals to the first control unit and second sensor signals to the second control unit based on the distance.

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