SENSOR DEVICE AND MODULAR UNIT THEREFOR

• US 20120123649A1
• Filed: 07/16/2010
• Published: 05/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Buss, Wolfgang, Heller, Norbert, Eggers, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 8,874,324 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/49
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/005 Manufacturers' emblems, name plates, bonnet ornaments, mascots or the like; Mounting means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/07 Water drainage or guide means not integral with roof structure B60R13/06, B60J10/25 take precedence; integral with roof structure B62D25/07; drainage openings having movable or removable closures B62D25/24
• 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: E05F 15/73 responsive to movement or presence of persons or objects
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/76 responsive to devices carried by persons or objects, e.g. magnets or reflectors E05F15/77 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/77 using wireless control
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/502 of components
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/508 of detection
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/852 Sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/858 by body parts, e.g. by feet
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/546 Tailboards, tailgates or sideboards opening upwards
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2013/93275 in the bumper area

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular unit (10) comprising a sensor device (11) for actuating a movable part (1, 33), in particular a flap (1) of a motor vehicle. Said unit comprises a support element (12), on which the sensor device (11) comprising at least one sensor (21, 22, 23) is situated, in order to detect (3) an object (4) in a detection region (5, 6, 40) that borders the motor vehicle (2), the detection operation (3) initiating the actuation of the movable part (1, 33). According to the invention, the modular unit (10) is designed as an individual module (10) that is easily fitted in such a way that said unit (10) can be fixed to the motor vehicle (2).

Claims

1. A module unit comprising:

a sensor device for actuating a moving part of a motor vehicle,

a support element,

wherein the sensor device is arranged on said support element and has at least one sensor to enable detection of an object in at least one detection area adjacent to the motor vehicle, such that the actuation of the moving part can itself be activated via said detection, and

wherein the module unit is designed as a module which can be manually handled as a single device, such that the module unit can be attached to the motor vehicle.

2. A module unit according to claim 1,

wherein

an electronic device comprising a control device connected to the sensor device, can be arranged on the support element.

3. A module unit according to claim 1,

wherein

the sensor device has at least one first and one second sensor, wherein the sensors have different detection areas, and the different detection areas are of a different size.

4. A module unit according to claim 1,

wherein

attachment elements are included and serve to attach the module unit to the motor vehicle.

5. A module unit according to claim 4,

wherein

the support element can be attached to the motor vehicle with a positive fit, force fit, material connection, locking connection, and/or can slide into an opposing element on the motor vehicle.

6. A module unit according to claim 1,

wherein

the module unit is arranged on the emblem of the motor vehicle, or comprises an emblem of the motor vehicle, wherein the emblem is arranged visibly on the motor vehicle.

7. A module unit according to claim 1,

wherein

the motor vehicle has a hatch door and/or a hatch camera device, wherein the module unit is integrated on the hatch door and/or at least partially on the hatch camera device.

8. A module unit according to claim 1,

wherein

the sensor has a longitudinal extension, and wherein the sensor is designed as a flexible device.

9. A module unit according to claim 1,

wherein

the sensor device and/or the electronic device is/are attached to the support element with a positive fit, force fit and/or material connection.

10. A module unit according to claim 1,

wherein

the sensor device and/or the electronic device is/are integrated into the support element, and the sensor device and/or the electronic device form a monolithic component together with the support element.

11. A module unit according to claim 1,

wherein

the sensor device has an extension which runs in a direction of a width and/or of a length of the motor vehicle, wherein the sensors run substantially parallel to each other.

12. A module unit according to claim 3,

wherein

the electronic device communicates with at least one further third sensor which is arranged on the motor vehicle, and is connected to the same.

13. A module unit according to claim 12,

wherein

the third sensor is arranged in a tire, on a hatch camera device, on a license plate illumination device, on a garnish molding, on a bumper, on a lock cylinder of a locking device, in a locking device for locking a steering column, in a windshield washer assembly, in a hatch light, or in a handle of the motor vehicle.

14. A module unit according to claim 12,

wherein

the third sensor is a heat sensor, a proximity sensor, a speech sensor, or an image sensor, for detecting a field of vision.

15. A module unit according to claim 12,

wherein

positioning means are included to ensure a single, discrete attachment configuration of the support element to the motor vehicle.

16. A module unit according to claim 1,

wherein

the electronic device has a circuit board, and the sensors are arranged on the circuit board, wherein the circuit board is integrated with the sensors inside a casting compound.

17. A module unit according to claim 1,

wherein

at least one sensor is integrated as a partial sensor inside the support element, wherein at least one contact terminal of the partial sensor projects out of the support element.

18. A module unit according to claim 1,

wherein

the support element has a recess in which the electronic device is located, and a cover element closes and seals the recess.

19. A module unit according to claim 1,

wherein

the support element has at least one reinforcing element which is the same device as the sensor.

20. A module unit according to claim 1,

wherein

a testing module is included which tests a functionality of the sensor device.

21. A module unit according to claim 1,

wherein

the electronic device transmits signals wirelessly to a primary electronic device on the motor vehicle.

22. A module unit according to claim 1,

wherein

the electronic device functions as a primary electronic device of the motor vehicle.

23. A module unit according to claim 1,

wherein

an emergency switch is included which can be accessed from outside and which can be activated by a touching action performed by a user.

24. A module unit according to claim 1,

wherein

the electronic device is supplied with energy by means of induction.

25. A module unit according to claim 1,

wherein

an illuminating device is provided which is configured to be activated during the detection.

26. A module unit according to claim 25,

wherein

the illuminating device provides a user with feedback via a defined manner of illumination.

27. A module unit according to claim 1,

wherein

a threshold value regulation is provided which recognizes an actual touch of a user on the moving part.

28. A module unit according to claim 1,

wherein

at least one sensor is arranged between the support element and the component on the motor vehicle, wherein the support element is designed having a profile which is oriented toward the component on the motor vehicle, and said profile provides a defined installation site for the sensor which is especially sealed with respect to the outside.

29. A module unit according to claim 3,

wherein

the module unit is arranged in a hatch area and/or an area of the side door of the motor vehicle, underneath a sliding side door.

30. A module unit according to claim 29,

wherein

the electronic device is connected to at least one third sensor and/or switch, and the same is arranged inside the motor vehicle, and the third sensor and/or switch is arranged in the motor vehicle in such a manner that it can be actuated via a foot, and/or a knee, and/or elbow, and/or shoulder, and/or head of a user.

31. A module unit according to claim 30,

wherein

an opening movement and/or closing movement of the sliding side door can be initiated by means of an actuation of the third sensor and/or switch.

32. A module unit according to claim 30,

wherein

the third sensor can be deactivated according to an operating state of the motor vehicle.

33. A module unit according to claim 30,

wherein

an additional door and/or hatch door and/or tank door of the motor vehicle can be unlocked and/or locked, and the locking and/or unlocking is initiated via an actuation of the third sensor.

34. A module unit according to claim 1,

wherein

a speed of an opening movement and/or a closing movement of the sliding door can be modified, wherein the electronic device controls and/or regulates the speed of the opening and/or closing movement of the sliding door.

35. A method for the actuation of a moving part, of a motor vehicle, having a module unit which has a support element, the method comprising:

arranging a sensor device having at least one sensor on said support element and

enabling the detection of an object in at least one detection area adjacent to the motor vehicle,

actuating the moving part via said detection, and

employing an authentication procedure comprising testing to what extend the object is authorized to actuate the moving part,

wherein the authentication procedure is performed prior to the detection, after the detection, and/or during the detection.

36. A method according to claim 35,

wherein

a first and a second sensor are included, and further comprising an authorized user executing a conscious action which is detected by the second sensor.

37. A method according to claim 35,

further comprising

initially activating the first sensor, and subsequently activating the second sensor, for the purpose of the detection, or activating both sensors at the same time for the purpose of the detection.

38. A method according to claim 35,

further comprising

detecting a leg movement or foot movement of the user by means of the first sensor, and detecting an additional body movement of the user by means of the second sensor.

39. A method according to claim 35,

wherein

illuminating, during the detection, at least one illuminating unit of the motor vehicle by a defined manner of illumination.

40. A method according to claim 35,

wherein

said actuating of the moving part takes places after a defined period of time and/or according to a defined distance which the user has from the module unit.

41. A method according to claim 40,

further comprising an illuminating device communicating the necessary distance to the user according to a manner of illumination.

42. A method according to claim 35,

further comprising

starting the authentication procedure and activating the sensor device via an ID transmitter which a user carries, even though the user is particularly located outside a detection area.

43. A method according to claim 35,

further comprising

activating the actuation of the moving part according to a speed signal.

44. A method according to claim 35,

further comprising

providing a third sensor, and opening the hatch by means of a positive detection via the first and the second sensors, and arranging a windowpane on the hatch and opening the same by means of a positive detection via the first and the third sensors, and closing the hatch by means of a positive detection via the second and the third sensors.

45. A method according to claim 35, wherein a module unit is operated by means of the method, the module unit comprising a sensor device for actuating a moving part of a motor vehicle, a support element, wherein the sensor device is arranged on said support element and has at least one sensor to enable detection of an object in at least one detection area adjacent to the motor vehicle, such that the actuation of the moving part can itself be activated via said detection, and wherein the module unit is designed as a module which can be manually handled as a single device, such that the module unit can be attached to the motor vehicle.