FR2943601A1 - Device for detecting presence of user for locking/unlocking e.g. doors, of motor vehicle, has luminous units integrated in case and controlled by piloting units for activation of light source to light predetermined zone during detection - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a case (20) integrating presence detection units and comprising an electronic circuit associated to a sensor e.g. capacitive type sensor, mounted on a printed circuit board. Luminous units has a light source i.e. LED, and another electronic circuit associated to the light source mounted on another printed circuit board, where the luminous units are integrated in the case and controlled by piloting units for activation of the light source, and light a predetermined zone during detection of presence of a user.

Description

The present invention relates to the field of locking / unlocking without a mechanical key of an opening of a motor vehicle. At present, more and more motor vehicles are equipped with electronic means for locking / unlocking the doors (doors, boot, hood) by detecting the presence of the user. To do this, and nevertheless ensure the safety of the vehicle, it is necessary to replace the mechanical key to be inserted in a lock of the sash commonly used in recent years by means of presence detection possibly linked to a recognition device. electronic identifier (for example a badge worn by the user of the vehicle) validating the opening authorization. Also, more specifically, the invention relates to a presence detection device, for the locking / unlocking of a motor vehicle door, and comprising a housing comprising presence detection means. Conventionally, the presence detection means comprise at least one presence detection sensor and a first electronic circuit associated with said sensor, mounted on a first printed circuit board. The presence detected is preferably that of the owner, or another rightful owner, of the motor vehicle. Such a device is known to those skilled in the art, and the presence detection sensor may for example be a capacitive sensor, a radio frequency sensor, or a Hall effect sensor. The device according to the invention, also in accordance with the preamble cited above, is remarkable in that it further comprises light means. According to the invention, the light means comprise at least one light source, and a second electronic circuit associated with said light source mounted on a second printed circuit board. Said light means are integrated in the housing, driven by means for controlling the activation of said light source and configured to illuminate at least a predetermined area during the detection of a presence. Thanks to this configuration, a single box can perform two different functions, which saves space, raw material in the manufacture of the case - thus saving money - and saves installation time. and integration with the motor vehicle.

In one embodiment, the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board are separate and spaced from each other. In another embodiment, the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board are the same, and the first electronic circuit and the second electronic circuit are not electrically connected to each other directly. In this configuration, a single card supports two separate electronic circuits. Alternatively, the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board are the same, and the first electronic circuit and the second electronic circuit are electrically connected to each other directly. In this configuration, the first printed circuit board may comprise said means for controlling the activation of said light source. Advantageously, the light means further comprise a light waveguide whose shape is configured to illuminate, from said light source, said predetermined area (s).

According to the invention, the presence detection sensor is a capacitive sensor, a radio frequency sensor, or a Hall effect sensor. In one embodiment, said presence detection means comprises a plurality of presence detection sensors. In one embodiment, the light means is configured to project a given graphical representation on the predetermined area. According to another of its objects, the invention relates to a motor vehicle equipped with the device according to the invention. Other features and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly on reading the following description given by way of illustrative and nonlimiting example and with reference to the appended figures in which: FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of 1 handle of an opening of a motor vehicle equipped with an embodiment of the device according to the invention, - Figure 2 illustrates a cross section of an embodiment of the device according to the invention, - Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment of the device according to the invention comprising two cards and two circuits, - Figure 4 illustrates an embodiment of the device according to the invention comprising a card and two circuits, - Figure 5 illustrates an embodiment of the device according to the invention comprising a card and a circuit. A motor vehicle door handle 10, for example a door, is shown diagrammatically in an exploded view in FIG.

The handle 10 comprises an inner portion 11, secured to the opening, and an outer portion 14 serving in particular cowling and allowing the grip. The device comprises a housing 20, itself inserted between the inner part 11 and the outer part 14 of the handle 10.

The housing 20 includes presence detection means (not shown), integrated therewith. The presence detection means comprise a presence detection sensor (not shown), and a first electronic circuit 22, connected to said sensor and mounted on a first printed circuit board 23 (Figure 3).

Preferably, said presence detection means are configured to emit, when a presence is detected, a detection signal to a computer or a module, as known per se. Said computer or module is configured to transmit, upon reception of at least said presence detection signal, an opening control signal to locking / unlocking means of the sash if the person close to the presence sensor is authorized to enter the vehicle. As described later with reference to FIG. 5, said presence detection means can also be configured to transmit, on detecting a presence, a control signal for activating control means for activating a presence. light source 31.

The presence detection sensor may be a capacitive sensor, a radio frequency sensor, or a Hall effect sensor. A capacitive sensor is known per se and allows for example to detect the approach of a hand of the handle. A radiofrequency sensor is known per se and makes it possible, for example, to detect the approach of a badge wearer. A Hall effect sensor is known per se and allows for example to detect a movement of the handle. The device according to the invention may comprise one or more identical sensors, or a combination of different sensors, for example a Hall effect sensor (or a capacitive sensor) and a radio frequency sensor. According to the invention, the device further comprises light means. The light means comprise at least one light source 31, in this case a single unitary source such as a light-emitting diode (LED), and a second electronic circuit 32 associated with said light source 31 mounted on a second printed circuit board 33 (Figures 3, 4). According to the chosen embodiment of the invention, the light means may in fact comprise a single single light source 31 or a plurality of light sources mounted on the printed circuit board, each source comprising a single unitary source or a plurality of sources units such as a light emitting diode (LED). For example, it is possible to provide a single light emitting diode or a plurality of groups of single light emitting diodes, each group of diodes constituting in this case a single source. The light means are integrated in the housing 20, and are controlled by control means 24 of the activation of said light source 31, and configured to illuminate at least a predetermined area during the detection of a presence. In order to illuminate at least one predetermined zone, the luminous means advantageously furthermore comprise a light waveguide 13 whose shape, preferably specific to each handle / vehicle, is configured to illuminate, from said light source 31, said said predetermined area (s). As illustrated in FIG. 2, the light waveguide 13 is integral with the second printed circuit board 33 (or the common circuit board 331, as described later with reference to FIG. 5). Preferably, part of the light waveguide 13 encapsulates the light source 31. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the shape of the light waveguide 13 in this case makes it possible to illuminate several points distant from each other. And thanks to its specific shape, the distant points can be advantageously illuminated from a single light source. For example, a first branch 131 of the waveguide 13 makes it possible to illuminate the interior of the handle, that is to say the recess of the door at the level of the handle to facilitate the grip of the door. here, this part being generally called a bowl; and a second branch 132 of the waveguide 13 allows the lighting of the floor, without illuminating the door, which avoids creating shadow areas. In one embodiment, the light means is also configured to project a given graphical representation over a predetermined area. For example, the graphical representation may be a particular shape, image or text, the logo and / or the wording of the vehicle mark, the name of the owner, etc.

This projection can be achieved for example by masking techniques of the waveguide 13. At the electronic level, several embodiments are possible. In one embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 3, the first electronic circuit 22 and the second electronic circuit 32 are not connected directly to each other, only via the vehicle computer or the module. And these two circuits are supported by their respective board, namely the first printed circuit board 23 and the second printed circuit board 33, separate from each other.

In another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 4, the first electronic circuit 22 and the second electronic circuit 32 are not connected directly to each other, only via the vehicle computer or the module. But these two circuits are supported by a common printed circuit board 331. This saves raw material to save space. In another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 5, the first electronic circuit 22 and the second electronic circuit 32 are connected directly to each other, without necessarily passing through the vehicle computer or the module, so as to constitute a common electronic circuit 332.

The common electrical circuit 332 is then supported by said common printed circuit board 331. In this embodiment, the common circuit board 331 advantageously further supports the means 24 for controlling the activation of said light source.

With this configuration, the presence detection means can directly control the light means.

Claims (9)

REVENDICATIONS1. Presence detection device, for locking / unlocking a motor vehicle door, comprising a housing (20) incorporating presence detection means and comprising at least one presence detection sensor and a first electronic circuit (22) associated with said at least one sensor, mounted on a first printed circuit board (23), characterized in that it further comprises luminous means, comprising - at least one light source (31), and - a second electronic circuit (32) associated with said light source mounted on a second printed circuit board (33), said light means being integrated in the housing (20), controlled by control means (24) for activating said light source, and configured (131, 132) to illuminate at least one predetermined area upon detection of a presence. 2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the first printed circuit board (23) and the second printed circuit board (33) are distinct from each other. 3. Device according to claim 1, wherein the first printed circuit board (23) and the second printed circuit board (33) are the same, so as to constitute a common circuit board (331) in which the first electronic circuit (22) and the second electronic circuit (32) are not electrically connected to each other directly. 4. Device according to claim 1, wherein the first printed circuit board (23) and the second printed circuit board (33) are the same, so as to form a common circuit board (331) in which the first electronic circuit (22) and the second electronic circuit (32) are electrically connected to each other directly, so as to constitute a common electronic circuit (332). 5. Device according to claim 4, wherein said common electronic circuit (332) comprises said control means (24) for the activation of said light source (31). 6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light means further comprises a light waveguide (13), whose shape is configured to illuminate, from said light source (31), said / said predetermined area (s). 7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one presence detection sensor is of the capacitive type, radiofrequency, or Hall effect. 8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light means are configured to project a given graphical representation on a predetermined area. 9. Motor vehicle equipped with the device according to any one of the preceding claims.