DE102017214879A1 - Automatic tailgate opening - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a method of operating an actuator of a liftgate of a vehicle, comprising: detecting that a vehicle user is approaching the vehicle carrying goods that are likely to be carried into the trunk of the vehicle; Opening the tailgate of the vehicle using the actuator.

Description

The invention relates to a method for operating an actuator of a tailgate of a vehicle, as well as a correspondingly equipped vehicle.

In the prior art vehicles are known whose tailgate can open automatically. For this actuators are used. According to recent developments, foot-gesture recognition is used to initiate the opening of the tailgate.

From the publication DE102014111883A1 It is known to authenticate a vehicle user outside the vehicle by means of camera images.

From the publication US2006235753A1 It is known to recognize behaviors or scenes of a user and to assign different vehicle functions.

Task to the expert is the improvement of the control of independently opening tailgates.

This object is achieved by the method and the vehicle according to the independent claims. Advantageous developments are defined in the dependent claims.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a method of operating an actuator of a hatchback of a vehicle, comprising: detecting that a vehicle user is approaching the vehicle carrying items that are likely to be carried into the trunk of the vehicle; Opening the tailgate of the vehicle using the actuator.

It is therefore proposed here that the actuator of the tailgate ("tailgate lift") is preferably already activated when an approach of a "heavily packed" user is recognized. If the user carries several items, they are most likely to be put in the trunk. The autonomous detection of this scene or situation by the vehicle and the opening of the tailgate make it easier for the user to spend the entrained objects in the trunk of the vehicle.

Typically, the recording of this situation is made by means of a camera, the camera also being adapted to take pictures of the rear area of the vehicle, which serve to allow the driver of the vehicle when reversing a view of the rear area of the vehicle. The camera is thus typically the rear view camera of the vehicle.

The approximation of the vehicle user per se can additionally or alternatively be recognized by the entry of an authorized key into the detection range of the antennas of a keyless entry system. Additionally or alternatively, the approach of the vehicle user can be detected by geofencing, for example, using a mobile device (smartphone, mobile phone, PDA, tablet computer, etc.).

The desire to spend things in the trunk can be recognized by the fact that the vehicle user uses all hands to carry one or more objects. Thus, in the case of a two-handed vehicle user, carrying one or more items with both hands would suggest that they be placed in the trunk. In the case of a vehicle user with one hand, on the other hand, carrying one or more objects with this one hand would already be an indication of the intention to spend the carried article (s) in the boot. Active electrical or myoelectric hand prostheses can be considered hands in this sense.

Furthermore, the desire to spend items in the trunk, be recognized by the direction of movement of the vehicle user. A directed towards the trunk direction of movement speaks for the intention to spend objects in the trunk. A directed around the trunk or away from this direction of movement speaks against the intention to spend objects in the trunk.

Finally, the desire to spend things in the trunk can also be recognized by the nature of the objects carried. Suitcases and other luggage are typically transported in the trunk and therefore speak for the intention to spend them in the trunk. In contrast, people are generally not transported in the trunk. Therefore, only persons are worn, so this speaks against the intention to spend objects in the trunk.

For example, the situation may occur that a vehicle user in his right and left hands is wearing a female person. Although all hands of the vehicle user are used for carrying, the conditions for the opening of the tailgate are not present because the carried object is typically transported not in the trunk, but in the passenger compartment. The tailgate is therefore not opened.

The classification of the objects (for example via image processing) can also be learned in addition to or as an alternative to a first assessment in the course of use. Thus, a list of objects and / or objects can be maintained, each item being assigned a probability with which it has been transported in the trunk in the past.

In general, if the system misjudges the situation, the parameters used to estimate the situation can be corrected accordingly. Two types of errors are to be distinguished:

Errors of the first kind: The system opens the tailgate without any subsequent storage of objects in the boot. This can be detected by the vehicle user closing the tailgate without any prior change in the load state (detectable via ultrasound interior monitoring and / or spring / damper level sensors).

Error of the second kind: The system does not open the tailgate and the vehicle user, if necessary, the worn objects from, opens the tailgate and spends the previously carried objects in the trunk. This situation can already be detected with the reversing camera.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle comprising: a camera having image processing means; A tailgate with opening actuator; Wherein the vehicle is designed to carry out one of the aforementioned methods.

list of figures

• 1 shows a flowchart of the method.
• 2 schematically shows an approach situation that leads to an opening of the tailgate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

1 shows a flowchart of the method. In a first step S1 is detected by the rear view camera of the vehicle that a vehicle user approaches the vehicle while it carries items that are likely to be spent in the trunk of the vehicle.

In a second step S1 the tailgate of the vehicle is opened by means of the actuator.

2 shows a vehicle user 10 in his right hand 12 a first suitcase 30 and in his left hand 13 a second suitcase 31 wearing. His direction of movement 14 is directed to the trunk (not shown), so speak all conditions for opening the tailgate by means of the actuator. The tailgate is therefore opened.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102014111883 A1 [0003]
• US 2006235753 A1 [0004]

Claims (10)

A method of operating an actuator of a liftgate of a vehicle, comprising: Recognizing that a vehicle user is approaching the vehicle carrying items that are likely to be carried into the trunk of the vehicle; Opening the tailgate of the vehicle using the actuator. Method according to Claim 1 , wherein the recognition is performed by means of a camera. Method according to Claim 2 wherein the camera is also adapted to take pictures of the rear area of the vehicle, which serve to allow the driver of the vehicle when reversing a view of the rear area of the vehicle. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the anticipated transfer is that the vehicle user uses all hands to carry one or more articles. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the prospective entrainment is that the direction of movement of the vehicle user is directed to the trunk. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the anticipated movement is that at least one carried article is of the type which is likely to be carried in the trunk. Method according to Claim 6 , wherein the probability that an object is transported in the trunk is determined using the previous behavior of the vehicle user and / or the previous transport frequency of the object. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the recognition that the vehicle user approaches the vehicle by the entry of an authorized key in the detection range of the antennas of a keyless entry system and / or by approaching the vehicle user by geofencing using a mobile terminal (Smartphone, mobile phone, PDA, tablet computer, etc.). Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein learning algorithms are used for the decision as to whether a vehicle user is approaching the vehicle and carrying along articles which are likely to be brought into the trunk of the vehicle. Vehicle comprising: A camera with image processing means; A tailgate with opening actuator; Wherein the vehicle is designed to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims.

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