Safety system for a motor vehicle door, comprising at least two sensors

• US 9,721,403 B2
• Filed: 08/16/2013
• Issued: 08/01/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Mller, Ulrich
• Primary Examiner(s): Jiang, Yong Hang
• Application Number:
  US14/425,056
• Publication Number:
  US 20150325066A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,446 Days
• Field of Search: 340 561, 340 572
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2045 by hand gestures
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/04 Electrical electrical circuits E05B81/54
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/64 Monitoring or sensing, e.g. by using switches or sensors
• 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: E05Y 2400/852 Sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/86 by hand
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/64 using a proximity sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/20 involving the use of a pass
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/955 using a capacitive detector
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2017/9604 characterised by the number of electrodes

Abstract

The invention relates to a safety system for a door in a motor vehicle, comprising an electronic unit that includes at least one first and a second sensor. Each sensor has its own monitoring zone on the motor vehicle door. The safety system further comprises a lock which is arranged on the motor vehicle door and can be switched between a locked position and an unlocked position, as well as a user-held identifier which can be brought into data communication with a transceiver unit in the motor vehicle for authentication purposes. The electronic unit is designed in such a way as to be able to generate a trigger signal by having the user execute at least one defined movement pattern within the monitoring zones, thus allowing the position of the lock to be switched.

Claims

1. Safety system (10) for a motor vehicle door (2) of a motor vehicle (1), with an electronic unit (15), which comprises at least one first (11) and one second sensor (12), wherein each sensor (11, 12) comprises an own monitoring zone (13, 14) at the motor vehicle door (2), a lock (3) assembled at the motor vehicle door (2), that can be brought between a locking position and an unlocking position, and a user-held identifier (5), which can be brought in data communication with a vehicle-related transceiver unit (18) for authentication purpose (8), wherein the electronic unit (15) is shaped in a way that via at least a defined movement pattern (9) of the user (4) within each of the monitoring zones (13, 14) a trigger signal (6) can be generated by the electronic unit (15), wherein a change of positions of the lock (3) is possible, wherein based on a positive authentication, both sensors (11, 12) are switched on in order to effectively sense the movement pattern (9), wherein the electronic unit (15) comprises an evaluation unit (17) which in dependence of the movement pattern, which sensed by the first (11) and the second sensor (12), generates different trigger signals (6) for vehicle-related actions (7), and wherein at least one sensor (11, 12) can be switched ineffective by the evaluation unit (17).

2. Safety system (10) according to claim 1,

characterized in that

a handle (37) is assembled at the vehicle door (2), in which at least partially the electronic unit (15) is integrated, wherein particularly the first sensor (11) is assembled in the motor vehicle door (2) and the second sensor (12) is assembled in the handle (37).

3. Safety system (10) according to claim 1,

characterized in that

a defined time interval is intended in the electronic unit (15), in which both sensors (11, 12) are to be activated according to the movement pattern (9) in order to generate a trigger signal (6).

4. Safety system (10) according to claim 1,

characterized in that

the electronic unit (15) comprises three sensors (11, 12, 16), wherein the first (11) and the second sensor (12) serve for the recognition of a movement pattern (9) at the motor vehicle door (2) and the third sensor (16) is assembled at the motor vehicle (1) in a way in order to initially recognize the user (4) regardless that the user (4) has performed a movement pattern (9).

5. Safety system (10) according to claim 4,

characterized in that

the electronic unit (15) comprises an evaluation unit (17), which in dependence of the movement pattern (9), which is sensed by the first (11) and the second sensor (12) and/or the third sensor (16), generates different trigger signals (6) for vehicle-related actions (7), wherein particularly

a trigger signal (6) releases the locking of the lock (3) and/or

a trigger signal (6) releases the unlocking of the lock (3) and/or

a trigger signal (6) supports the opening of the motor vehicle door (2) and/or

a trigger signal (6) supports the closing of the vehicle door (2) and/or

a trigger signal (6) releases the opening of the motor vehicle window (30) and/or

a trigger signal (6) releases the closing of the motor vehicle window (30) and/or

a trigger signal (6) releases the opening of the fuel lid (31) of the motor vehicle (1) and/or

a trigger signal (6) releases the closing of the fuel lid (31) of the motor vehicle (1) and/or

a trigger signal (6) releases the closing of the sliding roof (32) of the motor vehicle (1) and/or

a trigger signal (6) releases the opening of the sliding roof (32) of the motor vehicle (1) and/or

a trigger signal (6) releases the closing of the trunk (33) of the motor vehicle (1) and/or

a trigger signal (6) releases the opening of the trunks of (33) of the motor vehicle (1).

6. Safety system (10) according to claim 5,

characterized in that

at least one sensor (11, 12, 16) is switched ineffective via the evaluation unit (17), particularly with or without time delay.

7. Safety system (10) according to claim 4,

characterized in that

the third sensor (16) can be activated to via the user (4) outside the motor vehicle (1), particularly that via a further movement pattern (9) the third sensor (16) can be activated.

8. Safety system (10) according to claim 4,

characterized in that

the third sensor (16) is assembled underneath the motor vehicle door (2), particularly at a door sill of the door (2), or that the third sensor (16) is assembled at or underneath a bumper at the rear end of the motor vehicle (34).

9. Safety system (10) according to claim 2,

characterized in that

the motor vehicle door (2) comprises a recessed grip (35), at which particularly the handle (37) is assembled, wherein the first sensor (11) and/or the second sensor (12) is assembled at the recessed grip (35).

10. Safety system (10) according to claim 4,

characterized in that

the third sensor (16) can be activated by a movement of the foot of the user (4).

11. Safety system (10) according to claim 1,

characterized in that

the motor vehicle door (2) is without a handle, particularly without a grip, so at the first (11) and second sensor (12) are positioned in the motor vehicle door (2).

12. Safety system (10) according to claim 1,

characterized in that

the first sensor (11) is assembled adjacent to the second sensor (12) and/or that the first sensor (11) is assembled horizontal to the platform (36) of the motor vehicle (1) adjacent to the second sensor (12) and/or that the first sensor (11) is assembled horizontal to the platform (36) of the motor vehicle (1) above the second sensor (12) and/or that the first sensor (11) is assembled at least partially above the second sensor (12).

13. Safety system (10) according to claim 1,

characterized in that

the lock (3) is a mechanical lock (3) or an electromechanical lock (3).

14. Safety system (10) according to claim 1,

characterized in that

the first sensor (11) comprises a distance D to the second sensor (12), which is between 5 cm≦

D≦

30 cm, particularly between 10 cm≦

D≦

20 cm.

15. Safety system (10) according to claim 1,

characterized in that the first sensor (11) and/or the second sensor (12) are shaped as a longitudinal flat electrode, wherein in longitudinal direction sensitive electrode sections (11a, 12a) with a first surface width with minor sensitive electrode sections (11b, 12b) alternate with a second, smaller surface width.

16. Safety system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the electronic unit (15) is shaped in a way, that new and/or additional new movement patterns (9) can be generated by the user (4) and are detectable by both sensors (11, 12) in order to generate trigger signals (6) for further vehicle related actions (7).