CN112523623B

CN112523623B - Method for operating an outside door handle for a vehicle door

Info

Publication number: CN112523623B
Application number: CN202010979805.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: M·科赫; G·莫施
Original assignee: Witte Automotive GmbH
Current assignee: Witte Automotive GmbH
Priority date: 2019-09-18
Filing date: 2020-09-17
Publication date: 2022-08-26
Anticipated expiration: 2040-09-17
Also published as: DE102020209093A1; CN112523623A

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating an outside door handle (5) of a vehicle door (4) for a vehicle (1), wherein the outside door handle (5) is coupled to an electric drive unit in order to assist the actuation of the outside door handle (5) and/or to release and/or open a door lock, according to the invention, it is determined whether the vehicle (1) is in a washing system (2) on the basis of at least one signal of at least one vehicle raindrop sensor, and corresponding information is transmitted to a control unit if it is recognized that the vehicle is in a washing system (2), and information is transmitted to the outside door handle (5) by means of the control unit, the actuation angle of the outside door handle (5) for activating the electric drive unit is increased on the basis of the information on the outside door handle (5), or-deactivating the opening function of a door lock mechanically coupled to the outside door handle (5) for a preset duration. The invention also relates to an outside door handle (5) and a vehicle (1) suitable for implementing said method.

Description

Method for operating an outside door handle for a vehicle door

Technical Field

The invention relates to a method for operating an outside door handle for a vehicle door, which has an electric drive unit for assisting the actuation of the outside door handle in order to release a door lock. The invention further relates to an outside door handle and to a vehicle which are suitable for carrying out the method.

Background

In general, an outside door handle for a vehicle door is known, wherein an operator of the outside door handle assists in actuating the outside door handle by means of an activated electric drive unit integrated into the outside door handle in order to release a door lock and thus open the vehicle door. When the operator pulls the outside handle by hand, the sensor is activated within the vehicle door movement system, wherein the electric drive unit is activated as a result of the detection of the sensor signal determining that the outside handle is actuated. This opening process, which can be carried out with the aid of the door outer handle of this embodiment, is generally referred to as a servomotor-assisted actuation of the door outer handle.

DE 102017215333 a1 discloses a capacitive sensor device for detecting at least one approaching object, wherein the capacitive sensor device comprises a plurality of electrodes which are each designed as planar electrodes and are aligned with one another and are arranged at a distance from one another. Each electrode has a predetermined capacitance and is connected to an evaluation unit which detects the change in capacitance of the respective electrode. Wherein one of the electrodes is a main electrode and the other electrodes are auxiliary electrodes. The evaluation unit is adapted to monitor all electrodes jointly in such a way that changes in the capacitance of the auxiliary electrodes and changes in the capacitance of the main electrodes are detected and compared with each other and/or with a preset reference value.

DE 102019205669.5 describes a capacitive sensor device for detecting at least one approaching object, the sensor device comprising a main electrode and a plurality of auxiliary electrodes arranged at a distance from one another, each main electrode and each auxiliary electrode having a predetermined capacitance and being connected to an evaluation unit which detects a change in the capacitance of the respective main electrode or auxiliary electrode. The main electrode and/or the auxiliary electrodes are constructed as touch sensors and/or proximity sensors, wherein the evaluation unit is adapted to monitor all electrodes jointly in such a way that a change in the capacitance of the plurality of auxiliary electrodes as well as a change in the capacitance of the main electrode is detected and compared with each other and/or with a preset reference value. The evaluation unit is furthermore adapted to determine the time intervals and/or the sequence of the changes in the capacitance of the main electrode and/or the auxiliary electrode and to evaluate in such a way that a gesture of the user is detected, wherein the evaluation unit is further adapted to detect the gesture as a scraping motion of the user's hand if the time interval exceeds a certain threshold and/or the evaluation unit detects a pre-set sequence of changes in the capacitance of the main electrode and/or the auxiliary electrode, wherein the evaluation unit is adapted to activate a certain vehicle function in case of detection of a scraping movement or electrode manipulation, wherein the activation of the vehicle functions comprises automatic unlocking of the vehicle door, automatic locking of the vehicle door, automatic closing and opening of the vehicle window, automatic closing or opening and locking of the sliding door of the vehicle, and/or switching on ventilation, seat heating and/or parking heating.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved method for operating an outside door handle for a vehicle door compared to the prior art, as well as an outside door handle and a vehicle for carrying out the method.

The solution of the invention to achieve the above object is a method according to claim 1, an outside door handle according to claim 7 and a vehicle according to claim 10.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

The invention provides a method for operating an outside door handle of a vehicle door, wherein

The outside door handle is coupled with an electric drive unit to assist the manipulation of the outside door handle and/or to release and/or open the door lock.

According to the invention, it is determined whether the vehicle is in the washing system on the basis of at least one detected signal of at least one vehicle rain sensor, and if it is detected that the vehicle is in the washing system, information is transmitted to a control unit, for example a central control unit, and by means of this control unit, information is transmitted to the outside door handle. Depending on the information on the outside door handle, the actuation angle of the outside door handle for activating the electric drive unit is increased or the unlocking function of a door lock mechanically coupled to the outside door handle is deactivated for a predetermined time duration.

The advantage achieved by means of the invention is in particular that an undesired actuation of the door outer handle, for example by means of a cleaning brush in the cleaning device, does not lead to the unlocking of the door lock and thus to an accidental opening of the vehicle door. In other words, by using the method, incorrect actuation of the outside door handle and thus opening of the vehicle door, in particular in a cleaning device, can be largely excluded.

In one embodiment of the method, the cleaning process in the cleaning device is detected by means of a control unit, for example a central control unit, of the vehicle, which is connected to the raindrop sensor, as a function of moisture on the raindrop sensor and the signal generated therefrom. This moisture is generated in particular during the washing process, but not in precipitation, so that the method is particularly suitable for detecting whether a vehicle is in the washing installation.

For this purpose, in a development, the raindrop sensor is connected to a control unit, for example a central control unit, to which the detected raindrop sensor signal is supplied for evaluation and processing. In particular, the detected raindrop sensor signal is evaluated and processed to determine whether the vehicle is in the washing system. In the event that it is determined from the detected signal that the vehicle is in the washing system, the actuation angle of the outside door handle is increased or the opening function of the door lock mechanically coupled to the outside door handle is deactivated for a predetermined period of time in order to exclude as far as possible an undesired opening of the vehicle door in the washing system.

According to a further embodiment of the method, the plausibility check is carried out on the detected raindrop sensor signal by means of the control unit as a function of the detected vehicle surroundings sensor signal and/or as a function of the detected vehicle microphone audio signal. That is, it is checked whether the vehicle is actually in the washing apparatus, thereby ensuring the necessity of increasing the manipulation angle of the outside door handle or deactivating the door lock as much as possible to prevent the function of the outside door handle from being unnecessarily restricted.

In a further possible embodiment of the invention, the plausibility check is carried out on the detected raindrop sensor signal as a function of the detected in-vehicle microphone signal of the vehicle. This form is particularly suitable for performing plausibility checks, since raindrops falling down to the vehicle have typical noise characteristics in the vehicle, so that raindrops can be identified relatively reliably, and thus it is determined whether the vehicle is in the washing apparatus.

In addition, in one possible embodiment, the information that the vehicle is located in the cleaning device is communicated to the outside door handle by means of a control unit of the vehicle via a vehicle LIN bus to which the outside door handle is connected at least in terms of signals. Information is transmitted to the outside door handle via the LIN bus, so that the actuation angle of the outside door handle is increased or the door lock is deactivated for a predetermined duration to prevent the door from being opened undesirably.

In a further possible embodiment, the opening function of the vehicle door is deactivated by means of the electric drive unit for a predetermined duration of five or ten minutes. That is, the door cannot be opened for this duration, which also substantially eliminates the accidental opening of the door, in particular due to the manipulation of the outside handle by means of a washing brush. The opening function of the vehicle door can likewise be deactivated, for example, depending on the selected washing program and the duration associated with the washing program.

In a further embodiment, a human hand is detected by means of a capacitive sensor integrated in the outside door handle as a function of a correspondingly detected signal, so that the door is opened from the outside. However, for example in an emergency, the vehicle occupant cannot open the vehicle door from the inside and the opening function is deactivated, for example the vehicle occupant can still be assisted by the person working with the washing device by actuating the outside door handle to open the vehicle door.

The invention further relates to an outside door handle for a vehicle door, wherein the outside door handle is coupled to an electric drive unit for assisting the actuation of the outside door handle and/or for releasing and/or opening a door lock, wherein a sensor that can be used to detect precipitation is integrated in the outside door handle, wherein the outside door handle is suitable for carrying out the above-described method when the sensor is used as a raindrop sensor.

In one embodiment, the sensor is designed as at least one capacitive sensor for detecting a human hand.

In one embodiment, the sensor comprises a plurality of capacitive sensors, wherein the onset of precipitation may be detected in case all capacitive sensors detect sporadic changes in capacitance.

The invention further relates to a vehicle comprising a raindrop sensor, a control unit, for example a central control unit, connected to the raindrop sensor for evaluating and processing detected signals, and at least one vehicle door having an outside door handle, wherein the outside door handle is coupled to an electric drive unit for assisting the actuation of the outside door handle and/or for releasing and/or unlocking a door lock, wherein the raindrop sensor, the control unit and the outside door handle are suitable for carrying out the above-described method.

In this way, it is possible to exclude as far as possible the accidental opening of the vehicle door in the cleaning appliance, in particular due to the action of the washing brushes in the cleaning appliance on the outside door handle. That is, it is possible to exclude as much as possible a situation in which the door lock is undesirably unlocked in the washing apparatus, and thus the vehicle door is opened in the washing apparatus.

Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the figure:

fig. 1 is a schematic view of a vehicle in a washing apparatus.

Detailed Description

The sole figure shows the vehicle 1 in the washing device 2 in the area next to the washing brush 3 rotating around a vertical rotation axis.

The vehicle 1 has an outer door handle 5 on a vehicle door 4, the actuation of which is assisted by an operator, not shown, by means of an electric drive unit, not shown in detail, integrated in the outer door handle 5. In particular, the electric drive unit is activated when the outside door handle 5 is pivoted by a certain actuating angle, for example by 6 °. In the case of this actuation angle by actuating the outside door handle, the electric drive unit assists the release of the door lock, so that the vehicle door 4 is opened. This function is commonly referred to as servo-on.

The door 4 may refer to a door 4 that is manually opened, i.e., swung open, or electrically opened.

The problem with the outside door handle 5 constructed and operated in this way is that, by means of the servo-opening function, it is easier to accidentally manipulate the outside door handle 5, resulting in the door lock being opened and thus the door 4 being opened.

Undesired manipulation of the outer door handle 5, for example pulling on the outer door handle, may be triggered, for example, by the rotary washing brush 3 in the washing device 2. When the washing brush 3 is rotated to the door outside handle 5, the bristles 6 of the washing brush 3 may get caught behind the handle G, and thus the door outside handle 5 may be slightly lifted before the washing brush 3 is further moved toward the front of the vehicle, for example.

In the so-called flush door outer handle 5, it is likewise possible to trigger undesired operation in the cleaning appliance 2 by means of the rotary washing brush 3. The flush door outer handle 5 is characterized in that it is arranged flush with the outer door panel of the door 4 in the non-actuated position.

Normally, when an authorized operator approaches, the flush door outer handle 5 enters a so-called manoeuvring position, in which the door lock is unlocked but not yet opened. The door lock is opened with or without power assistance by the operator manually operating the extended flush door outer handle 5, and the operator can enter the vehicle 1.

Alternatively, the flush door outer handle 5 is moved into the operating position and the motorized, i.e. automatically opened, vehicle door 4 is pivoted out after the door lock has been unlocked and opened, without further influence from the operator.

Wherein a sensor, not shown in detail, integrated in the door outside handle 5 for detecting the manipulation of the door outside handle 5 based on the detected signal cannot distinguish the hand of the operator from the brush bristles 6 of the washing brush 3.

The door lock is released erroneously and the door 4 is opened, so that moisture penetrates into the vehicle interior through the opened door 4 without hindrance, causing a significant damage.

This damage is particularly serious in the case of electrically, i.e. automatically opening, doors 4, since the doors 4 are pivoted electrically after the door lock has been released and the boarding area is completely exposed.

In order to exclude as far as possible incorrect manipulation of the door outer handle 5 in the cleaning appliance 2, in particular by means of the rotary cleaning brush 3, a method for operating the door outer handle 5 is proposed below.

For this purpose, the position of the vehicle 1 in the washing system 2 is determined from the detected signal of a raindrop sensor, not shown in detail, of the vehicle 1. In particular, the cleaning process in the cleaning device 2 is detected by means of a control unit, for example a central control unit, of the vehicle 1 as a function of the moisture on the rain sensor and the signals generated therefrom. For this purpose, the detected raindrop sensor signal is supplied to a control unit for evaluation and processing. For this purpose, the rain sensor can be arranged, for example, in the region of the windshield of the vehicle 1, or it can be integrated in the outside door handle 5 of the vehicle 1.

Furthermore, the plausibility check of the detected raindrop sensor signal can be carried out by means of the control unit on the basis of the detected vehicle surroundings sensor signal and/or on the basis of other suitable measures, for example on the basis of a detected vehicle microphone audio signal, for example an audio signal of an in-vehicle microphone, in order to determine the position of the vehicle 1 in the washing system 2 as unambiguously as possible.

If the detected raindrop sensor signal is authentic and the vehicle 1 is in the washing system 2, this information is communicated to the outside door handle 5 by means of a control unit of the vehicle 1, for example via a so-called local interconnection network to which the outside door handle 5 is at least signally connected.

If this information is received, the value of the required steering angle of the outside door handle 5 is increased, which steering angle must be reached to activate the electric drive unit.

Alternatively, the opening function of the vehicle door 4 may be deactivated for a preset duration by means of an electric drive unit. In other words, the so-called servo-open function of the door 4 is temporarily shut down.

In one possible embodiment, the time duration may be 5 or 10 minutes, during which a greater actuation angle of the outside door handle 5 is required to open the vehicle door, or during which the opening function is deactivated.

With the aid of the information that the vehicle 1 is in the washing device 2, the actuation of the rotary washing brush 3 on the outside door handle 5 can be distinguished from the normal actuation.

The method is carried out in particular by adding a local area interconnection network message and/or by a separate discrete signal from which the outside door handle 5 can recognize precipitation.

The information annotation and the deactivation of the servo-on function make it possible to exclude as far as possible the risk of a faulty actuation of the outside door handle 5 of the vehicle 1 in the washing apparatus 2.

In an alternative or additional embodiment of the method, precipitation in the washing device 2 can be detected by means of the outside door handle 5 itself, in particular on the basis of the detected signals of a sensor integrated in the outside door handle 5. The sensor is designed accordingly, for example, and the actuation of the outside door handle 5 is determined from the detected signal of the sensor.

Alternatively, the actuation of the outside door handle 5 can be distinguished in the following manner: the capacitive sensor is integrated in the door outside handle 5, so that a human hand is detected.

In the case, for example, that all sensors on the outside door handle 5 detect sporadic changes in capacitance, the onset of precipitation can be detected by means of a specific evaluation of the detected sensor signals.

In this case, for example, the manipulation angle of the door outer handle 5 is increased or the turn-on function is deactivated corresponding to this change in capacitance that starts precipitation as described above.

List of reference numerals

1 vehicle

2 cleaning equipment

3 cleaning brush

4 vehicle door

5 door outer handle

6 brush hair

G handle

Claims

1. A method of operating an exterior door handle (5) of a vehicle door (4) of a vehicle (1), wherein

-the outside door handle (5) is coupled with an electric drive unit to assist manipulation of the outside door handle (5) and/or to release and/or open the door lock,

-determining whether the vehicle (1) is in the washing apparatus (2) from at least one detected signal of at least one vehicle raindrop sensor, and

-in case it is recognized that the vehicle is in a washing apparatus (2), transmitting information that the vehicle (1) is in the washing apparatus (2) to a control unit and by means of the control unit to the outside door handle (5),

-increasing the steering angle of the door outside handle (5) for activating the electric drive unit on the basis of information on the door outside handle (5),

wherein the vehicle rain sensor is responsive to moisture to generate a signal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second light sources are selected from the group consisting of,

wherein a cleaning process in the cleaning device (2) is detected by means of a control unit of the vehicle (1) connected to the raindrop sensor as a function of moisture on the raindrop sensor and a signal generated therefrom.

3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,

wherein the plausibility check is carried out on the detected raindrop sensor signal by means of the control unit on the basis of the detected vehicle surroundings sensor signal and/or on the basis of the detected vehicle microphone audio signal.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said at least one of said first and second sets of parameters is selected from the group consisting of,

wherein the detected raindrop sensor signal is plausibly tested on the basis of the detected in-vehicle microphone signal of the vehicle (1).

5. The method of any one of claims 2 to 4,

wherein the information that the vehicle (1) is located in the cleaning device (2) is communicated to the outside door handle (5) by means of a control unit of the vehicle (1) via a LIN bus of the vehicle (1), to which the outside door handle (5) is connected at least in terms of signals.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,

wherein the opening function of the vehicle door (4) is deactivated by means of the electric drive unit for a preset duration of five or ten minutes.

7. An outside door handle (5) for a vehicle door (4), wherein the outside door handle (5) is coupled with an electric drive unit for assisting the manipulation of the outside door handle (5) and/or for releasing and/or opening a door lock, wherein a sensor which can be used to detect precipitation is integrated in the outside door handle (5), wherein the outside door handle (5) is adapted to carry out the method according to one of the preceding claims in the case of using the sensor as a raindrop sensor,

wherein the sensor responds to moisture to generate a signal and, in the event of recognition of a vehicle in the washing device, the operating angle of the outside door handle (5) for activating the electric drive unit is increased.

8. Door outer handle (5) according to claim 7, wherein the sensor is constructed as at least one capacitive sensor for detecting a human hand.

9. Door outer handle (5) according to claim 8, wherein the sensor comprises a plurality of capacitive sensors, wherein in case all capacitive sensors detect sporadic changes in capacitance, a start of precipitation may be detected.

10. Vehicle (1) comprising a raindrop sensor, a control unit connected to the raindrop sensor for evaluating and processing detected signals, and at least one vehicle door (4) having an outer door handle (5), wherein the outer door handle (5) is coupled with an electric drive unit for assisting the manipulation of the outer door handle (5) and/or for releasing and/or unlocking a door lock, wherein the raindrop sensor, the control unit and the outer door handle (5) are adapted to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6,

wherein the raindrop sensor responds to moisture to generate a signal, and in the event of recognition of a vehicle in the washing device, the actuation angle of the outside door handle (5) for activating the electric drive unit is increased.