DE102014013966B4 - Device and method for actuating a closing element of a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A device (10) for actuating a closure element (2) of a vehicle (3), the device (10) comprising at least one actuation sensor (11) aligned with an actuation region (12), the device (10) having one for actuation of the closure element (2) of the vehicle (3) outputs an appropriate actuation command if a movement detected in the actuation region (12) by the at least one actuation sensor (12) corresponds to a predetermined motion profile, the at least one actuation sensor (11) having a conical, frusto-conical or circular arc shape An actuation sensor region (13), characterized in that the size of the at least one actuation sensor (11) detected actuation region (12) in response to a detected by the device obstacle (4) in the vicinity of the device (10) is varied, and Actuating area (12) is increased or decreased by an opening angle (α) of the conical, frusto-conical or arcuate actuation sensor region (13) of the at least one actuation sensor (11) is enlarged or reduced, or wherein an actuation sensor region (13) with a point perpendicular below the actuation sensor (11) as a tip (14) is conical, frusto-conical or circular arc-shaped and the operating area (12) is increased or decreased by an opening angle (α) at the tip (14) of the conical, frusto-conical or circular arc-shaped actuating sensor area (13) is increased or decreased, wherein the opening angle (α) between 0 ° and 180 ° can be varied.

Description

The invention relates to a device for actuating a closing element of a vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 1, and to a method for actuating a closing element of a vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 6.

Such a device for actuating a closing element of a vehicle and such a method for actuating a closing element of a vehicle are, for example, the DE 10 2009 023 594 A1 refer to. The device comprises one or more sensors mounted near a tailgate of a car for checking an authentication and detecting an associated movement. In the case of authorized authentication, the movement of the associated object, for example the foot of a person, is detected in a detection area. If the movement corresponds to a given movement profile or pattern, a closing element, in this case the tailgate, is opened. However, this only happens if the sensors in the area covered by the tailgate no longer detect an object.

The associated method for actuating a closing element of a vehicle aims at the fact that only in authorized persons who perform a movement corresponding to the given movement profile, the tailgate opens, which should prevent unwanted opening. At the same time there should be no danger of injury from the automatically opening tailgate.

A generic device and a generic method is from the document DE 10 2009 019 673 A1 known. On-vehicle sensors each have a club-like detection range with a certain opening angle. For example, it can be used to detect lifting of a leg or pivoting of a foot, thus controlling a flap.

Furthermore, the document discloses EP2 098 670 B1 a motor vehicle with an automatically adjustable in an open and a closed position vehicle part. Upon detecting a predetermined motion profile, the size of a first and / or a second environmental region of a detection device is changed.

Furthermore, the document also shows WO 2012/059100 A2 controlling, for example, a tailgate of a vehicle by means of a sensor having at least two detection areas. The detection areas are, for example, wedge-shaped at the rear. The tailgate is opened when a body part is detected in both detection areas.

From the US 2011/276234 A1 For example, a device is known which provides two detection areas for actuating a closing element of a vehicle, for example a tailgate having a detection area with sensors pointing backwards and a sensor pointing downwards. It is provided that the tailgate opens only when an object is detected first in the first detection area and then in the second detection area, so that, for example, a foot is moved from behind the rear of the vehicle and only then the tailgate is opened. This aims to avoid unwanted opening, for example, by simply passing by.

From the DE 10 2010 049 400 A1 a device is known in which also two detection areas are provided for actuating a closing element of a vehicle. Although these may overlap, the result is a different signal due to the different design of the sensors as a function of the direction of movement and the speed of movement of an object. The signal is used to determine movement patterns and movement profile. Only with a movement profile executed in a predefined direction is the closing element, for example a tailgate, opened. This also aims to avoid unwanted opening.

However, these known devices and methods have the disadvantage that no actuation of the closing element is possible if the detection area is blocked in such a way by obstacles that the correct movement with a corresponding movement profile can not be performed. For example, when the vehicle is parked close to a wall, no foot movement along the longitudinal axis direction of the car can be performed, or at least it can not be conveniently performed. At the same time, however, greater variability in the movement profile, for example with regard to the direction of movement, increases the risk of undesired actuation.

Furthermore, the known devices are substantially designed to avoid unwanted actuation by movements of the car user. But it can also be detected in other ways, a corresponding movement profile of the sensors, for example, when an object or an animal moves along in the rear of the vehicle. For example, an animal can sit under the vehicle and move in the rear area as the car user approaches, a device erroneously registers a corresponding movement profile and the closing element is actuated.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device and a method of the type mentioned, which reduce the risk of undesired operation.

This object is achieved by a device having the features of patent claim 1 and by a method having the features of patent claim 6. Advantageous embodiments with expedient and non-trivial developments of the invention are specified in the remaining claims.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a device for actuating a closure element of a vehicle, the device comprising at least one actuation sensor aligned with an actuation region, the device outputting an actuation command suitable for actuating the closure element of the vehicle when one of the at least one actuation sensor is actuated Actuator detected movement in the operating area corresponds to a predetermined movement profile. In this case, the size of the actuation area detected by the at least one actuation sensor is varied as a function of an obstacle or obstacles in the surroundings of the device detected by the device.

In the case of the arrangement on a vehicle, the closure element of the vehicle is actuated by triggering the actuation command when a movement detected by the at least one actuation sensor in the actuation region corresponds to a predetermined movement profile. In this case, the size of the operating region detected by the at least one actuation sensor can also be varied by the device as a function of obstacles detected by the device in the vicinity of the closing element or of the vehicle.

This can be exploited that a small operating range reduces the risk of unwanted operation, while a large operating range still allows actuation even when obstacles make it difficult or impossible to trigger in a small operating range. This allows us to minimize the two competing problems appropriately in the specific situation.

For example, if there is no obstacle, the problem of accessibility is negligible, and a small operating range can minimize the risk of unwanted actuation. If there are many obstacles in or near the vehicle, the problem of poor releasability due to lack of space for movement due to increased operation range can be avoided. However, since the obstacles obstruct any movement, in this situation the risk of undesired operation hardly increases, as the area may preferably be just adjusted so that there are sufficient possibilities of movement for comfortable desired operation without allowing too much additional operating area without obstacles. As a result, the desired operation remains possible despite obstacles, but the risk of undesired operation remains limited.

In this case, "obstacles" or "obstacles" are to be understood as meaning all objects whose presence makes the execution of a movement corresponding to the predetermined movement profile more difficult or impossible. For example, a pocket in the operating area that makes it difficult for a user to perform the foot movement required for operation is a potential obstacle. Likewise, a nearby wall could obstruct the movement and would thus be an obstacle. The obstruction can also arise because the operating area is not accessible. Thus, objects located outside the operating range can also be obstacles in this sense. The classification as to whether an object is an obstacle can take place according to pre-set parameters, for example size and position relative to the device, the closing element and / or the vehicle. However, feedback or self-learning detection algorithms can be used instead or in addition, for example by classifying classified objects as obstacles in the appropriate signal on the part of the user or with slow or repeated erroneously executed motion, and adapting the algorithms accordingly.

In this context, it should be emphasized that, while obstacles in practice will often be stationary, for example when a vehicle is parked close to a wall, parts of the operating area could be completely inaccessible. But it can also be obstacles to moving objects, such as people who stand in or near the vehicle or even move. However, in some embodiments, the device may be limited to varying the range of actuation based on stationary obstructions only, as they occur more frequently and are more cumbersome. In addition, it may also be provided to ignore obstacles smaller than a certain size in the variation.

Furthermore, not only are obstacles in the currently set operating range relevant, but above all, those in the vicinity of the operating range. If, for example, the current operating area comprises a specific area behind the rear of the vehicle, then an object, for example a plant, which is not located behind the vehicle near the ground, but extends at a height above the operating area, for example at a height of 1 to 2 m about seeing it as an obstacle too. For the user must be able to enter or at least come close to the operating area, which is why the obstacles around, above or next to the current operating area or also generally in the surroundings of the vehicle can be detected in possible embodiments in order to adapt the operating area.

In this case, "the environment" or "close to the vehicle or the closing element" or similar formulations are to be understood as meaning that obstacles are near or relevant in so far as they are a hindrance to an actuating triggering movement of a human user in the operating area. For example, a wall immediately adjacent to an operation area hinders even if it does not reach into the operation area because a user can not enter the operation area from the direction of the wall. Thus, in particular all objects in less than 2 m distance to the vehicle or the closing element in the sense of the invention can be close to or in the vicinity of the vehicle.

An advantageous improvement of the invention is that the operation range is set to a smallest size of a predetermined variation range as long as no obstacle is detected, and when an obstacle is detected in the operation range or in a predetermined environment of the operation range, the operation range is increased to a larger size the predetermined variation range is set. Due to the given range of variation, the maximum and the minimum size as well as the associated shape are predetermined. Thus, a maximum and a minimum operating range are specified by the range of variation.

The predetermined range of variation can be defined by one or more variables. For example, the predetermined range of variation may be defined by the relative position to the device and the side lengths of two rectangles, one defining the minimum size and the other the maximum size. Or in the case of an actuating region in the form of a circular segment, the range of variation can be predetermined by the maximum and minimum angle and radius of the circular segment. The range of variation can also be composed of several different shapes, where number, type and relative position of the shapes to each other can serve to define the range of variation.

Setting the operating range to a minimum size as long as no obstacle is detected, and increasing when an obstacle is detected, is particularly favorable because normally the user will park the vehicle so that closing elements such as doors or tailgates are easily accessible, ie without close obstacles. Thus, the device can normally minimize the risk of undesired operation due to the small operating range. This risk is greater, the larger the freely accessible part of the operating range. Thus, if the device always had a large operating range, the risk of undesired operation would normally be high.

Basically, to choose a minimum operating range, but is disadvantageous in the case of obstacles, because then would be impossible due to the minimum operating range actuation. This is prevented by increasing the operating range. But in contrast to the normal case without obstacles, the risk of undesired operation is not very great, because a part of the operating area is blocked by the obstacles. Thus, the freely accessible part of the operating range and thus the risk is still small.

Thus, the problems of too small an operating range, the impossibility of operating at obstacles, and an excessively large operating range, a high risk of undesired operation, by setting a small operating range in the absence of obstacles and increasing in the presence of obstacles can be largely avoided. In this case, no particularly complicated algorithm is required, for example, the actuation area can simply be increased until the actuation area extends beyond the area blocked by the obstacle. This allows a simple construction.

The at least one actuation sensor has a conical, frusto-conical or circular-arc actuation sensor area and detects it and the actuation area corresponding to the total area of all actuation sensor areas is enlarged or reduced by increasing or decreasing an opening angle of the conical, frusto-conical or arcuate actuation sensor area of the at least one actuation sensor.

Alternatively, an actuation sensor area may be tapered, frusto-conical, or arcuate with a point perpendicularly below the actuation sensor, and the actuation area is increased or decreased by increasing or decreasing an opening angle at the apex of the conical, frusto-conical, or arcuate actuation sensor area. Here, when using the device on a vehicle on a road, the point perpendicular to the motion sensor may be the intersection of a line going down from the motion sensor with the road. In other words, the actuation region may be a corresponding conical, frusto-conical, or arcuate-shaped surface that coincides with the road surface, the tip being a point at the bottom below the actuation sensor.

It is favorable in this case that the enlargement and reduction can only be based on one variable, the opening angle. On the one hand, this facilitates the control and, on the other hand, allows a variable range to be realized even with only one actuation sensor.

By restricting the opening angle between 0 ° and 180 ° is achieved that it does not come because of animals under the vehicle to an undesirable operation. If, for example, the actuation area were to be a full circle with a center point below an actuation sensor attached to the rear of the vehicle, movements below the vehicle would also trigger an actuation. Although people rarely move below the vehicle, small animals can often be found there. Unwanted operation by such can be easily avoided by the actuation sensor area does not reach below the vehicle. This is ensured in the case of a conical, frusto-conical or circular arc-shaped actuating region by limiting to angles of less than 180 °.

Preferably, a variation of the opening angle between 45 ° and 180 ° is provided. A minimum angle of 45 ° ensures comfortable operation. By contrast, an angle of 180 ° allows the triggering movement not only to come from the intended direction. For example, when the device is provided on the tailgate, in the case of a near wall behind the vehicle, actuation is not possible with a conventional operating range. By enlarging the opening angle to 180 °, actuation from an almost lateral direction can then be made possible, so that actuation is possible even with a very close wall.

Another possibility for improvement is to design the at least one actuation sensor for detecting obstacles. In this case, the at least one actuation sensor of the device may be restricted to detecting obstacles only in the maximum actuation range or also parts thereof determined by the predetermined variation range. Or he may also detect the obstacles in a given environment around the device or to the maximum operating range in addition. This means, for example, that the same or the same sensors detect on the one hand corresponding movements for actuating the closing element and at the same time objects that are not eligible for movement corresponding to the predetermined movement profile, z. B. stationary objects, as an obstacle. If obstacles are present, the operating range can be increased.

The areas in which an actuation sensor detects possible movements and possible obstacles can be congruent. But these areas can also be different in size, for example, with a larger area in which obstacles are detected. The former variant is technically particularly easy to implement, the latter allows a more precise adjustment of the operating range. In both cases, the use of the same or the same actuation sensors allows a technically simple and inexpensive implementation, since only one type of sensor must be used. In particular, only a single sensor can be used.

Alternatively, in addition to the at least one actuation sensor, the device may also include at least one obstacle sensor for detecting the obstacle or obstacles. This obstacle sensor can be designed to detect only obstacles in the maximum operating range. However, it can also be oriented to one area, in particular also to areas outside the maximum operating area. Additional obstacle sensors allow sufficient obstacle detection in cases where the at least one actuation sensor is to be mounted so that it is difficult for it to detect obstacles in the vicinity of the vehicle. For example, the actuation sensor can be directed downwards at the rear of the vehicle so that a foot movement can be detected almost underneath the vehicle. However, under certain circumstances, such an actuation sensor can only detect insufficient obstacles behind the vehicle but slightly above the ground. This problem can be avoided by the at least one obstacle sensor.

Another possibility for improvement is that in the device, the predetermined Movement profile includes a movement towards and a movement away from the device or the vehicle. This greatly reduces the risk of unwanted operation since such a pattern is rarely generated randomly. Additionally or alternatively, the predetermined movement profile may include a movement towards the device or also the vehicle and a halting of the movement or a standing still of the previously moved object. This allows easier movement for the user and also limits the risk of unwanted operation. Alternatively it can also be provided that any movement in the actuation area triggers an actuation when an authentication signal has been detected. In addition, the invention is not limited to certain movement profiles.

Furthermore, an angle range of movement directions of the predetermined movement profile can increase, in particular in the case of predetermined movement profiles with certain directions of movement, as the actuation range increases, preferably proportionally to one another. For example, it may be provided that at the smallest actuation range for actuation, a movement must take place along the direction of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle or nearly along this direction, for example with a deviation of up to 15 °. If the operating range increases, this range of the deviation can be increased at the same time. For example, double when the opening angle or operating range doubles, so that, for example, with a deviation of 15 ° originally permitted, a deviation of 30 ° is permitted. This ensures that the enlarged operating range in the case of predetermined directions in the predetermined movement profile can also be used. Otherwise, for example, in a vehicle near a wall, the enlargement of the operating range could be useless if due to the near wall only certain directions of movement in the operating area can be conveniently realized, but the directions in the predetermined motion profile remain unchanged.

Furthermore, the invention can be carried out particularly advantageously if the at least one actuation sensor is an optical sensor, a capacitive sensor or an ultrasound sensor. Also, the actuation sensor may combine several of these types of sensors. In the case of multiple sensors, these may also include several types of sensors. Also, in the case of using an obstacle sensor, such a sensor may be used therefor, and in case of a plurality of obstacle sensors, they may of course be of different types.

This can be a technically simple realization of the detection of actuated movements and obstacles. However, the invention can also be implemented with any other known type of sensors that are suitable for detecting obstacles or an actuating movement. Furthermore, the combination of an optical and a capacitive sensor makes it possible to turn to a combination of motion profile and authentication as an actuation criterion.

An application in which the invention proves to be particularly advantageous is the provision of the device for actuating a closing element of the vehicle, which is a tailgate or a trunk lid. It is especially common when parking in city traffic that just behind the vehicle is another or a wall, which in the known devices a desired operation is hardly possible. In the case of the device according to the invention, however, in this case, the operating range can be greatly increased, so that the actuation can take place by a movement from the side behind the vehicle.

Alternatively, or in addition to increasing the actuation sensor area of a single actuation sensor, with multiple actuation sensors, the actuation area can be made larger by activating additional actuation sensors. In other words, the device is then designed so that, controlled by a control part, the actuation sensors can be switched to active, that is, to detect, or to deactivate, that is to say not to detect. In this case, inactive can also mean that only no actuating movements are detected, but obstacles are further detected by such inactive sensors.

For example, a plurality of actuation sensors with a fixed actuation sensor area can then be provided at the rear of a vehicle. For example, as long as no obstacle is detected, only one or the middle one is actively switched so that the operating range is small. If a disturbing obstacle is detected, the neighboring and hitherto inactive actuation sensors are correspondingly switched active, so that the actuation range becomes larger. When a large obstacle is detected, such as a wall, all the actuation sensors are actively switched to provide a maximum actuation range.

As a further development, actuation sensors whose actuation sensor area is largely blocked by obstacles can also be switched inactive. Because with these only the possibility of an undesirable operation, for example, by a small animal, which reach the blocked area in contrast to the user can. At the same time, even in the case of multiple actuation sensors, the actuation sensor area of some or all of the actuation sensors can each be independently variable, for example by varying an opening angle as described above. As a result, a very flexible adjustability of the shape of the actuating region can be achieved. Furthermore, the actuation sensors can also be designed so that movements in blocked by obstacles or poorly accessible areas of the operating area are not accepted in principle as an actuating movement. This can also be done by no longer detecting these parts of the actuation area or even detecting any actuated movements therein, for example by switching the corresponding actuation sensors inactive.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for actuating a closing element of a vehicle, in which the closing element of the vehicle is actuated when a movement in an actuating region corresponds to a predetermined movement profile. At the same time as monitoring whether movement is taking place in the operating area, obstacles near the closing element are detected and the operating area is set depending on the detected obstacles. This definition is dynamic and parallel to the detection of movements. Thus, for example, immediately before, after or during a desired operation, the occurrence of an obstacle can be detected and the operating range can be adjusted immediately.

For example, in the case of a tailgate operated according to the method according to the invention, no obstacle is present at first. Accordingly, a certain operation area is automatically set. Then a user enters this operating area, performs the corresponding movement and the tailgate opens accordingly. If, for example, the user subsequently removes a suitcase and places it on the floor, this obstacle is detected within the scope of the method according to the invention and the operating area is adjusted if necessary, so that actuation is possible despite the obstacle. Thus, the user, for example, if he closes the tailgate and forget something, immediately trigger a new operation without having to change the suitcase before.

The operating region is conical, frusto-conical or circular arc-shaped or has such areas and the determination of the actuation range is effected by defining an opening angle at the associated tip of the conical, frusto-conical or circular arcuate actuation area or area, the opening angle preferably being between 45 ° and 180 ° is determined.

It is favorable here that the enlargement and reduction takes place only on the basis of one variable, the opening angle. On the one hand, this facilitates the control and, on the other hand, makes it possible to realize a variable range with only one actuating sensor.

Furthermore, the method according to the invention can advantageously be carried out on a device according to the invention. In this case, the method can be changed in particular according to the possible features of the device disclosed above.

For example, in the method according to the invention, it may also be advantageous to set the actuation range to a smallest size of a predefined variation range, as long as no obstacle is detected. On the other hand, if there are obstacles in or near the operating portion or the closing member, the operating range is increased.

Thus, in the method according to the invention, the predetermined movement profile may include a movement towards and a movement away from the vehicle. Additionally or alternatively, the predetermined motion profile may include movement toward the vehicle and pausing movement. And additionally or alternatively, an enlargement of the actuation range increases an angular range of permissible directions of movement of the predetermined movement profile, preferably in proportion to one another.

Thus, the inventive method is preferably in a tailgate. Trunk lid or trunk lid of a vehicle applied. And the change in the operating range in the method according to the invention can be varied both by changing the shape of a specific part of the actuating area, for example by varying an opening angle, and by completely detecting additional areas, for example by activating additional sensors.

The drawings show in

1 a schematic representation of a device according to the invention for actuating a closing element of a vehicle;

2 a schematic representation of the device 1 with an obstacle;

3 a schematic representation of another device according to the invention for Actuating a closure member of a vehicle having a plurality of actuation sensors; and

4 a schematic representation of the device 3 after the operation range has been varied due to the obstacle.

1 shows a schematic representation of a device according to the invention 10 for actuating a closing element 2 of a vehicle 3 as well as the rear part of a vehicle 3 on which the device 10 is arranged. The closing element 2 here is the tailgate 2 ,

The device 10 in this case comprises an actuation sensor 11 , For example, an optical sensor, and an obstacle sensor 15 , For example, also an optical sensor, the other detection area (not shown) than that of the actuation sensor 11 detected actuation sensor area 13 detected. This actuation sensor area 13 has a conical shape with an opening angle α, wherein the cone tip 14 as shown in the actuation sensor 11 lies. Alternatively, the cone tip 14 also directly below the actuation sensor 12 be on the ground.

The obstacle sensor 15 is in a manner not shown with the actuation sensor 11 connected to trigger a corresponding command or signal upon detection of an obstacle, so that the actuation sensor area 13 of the actuation sensor 11 and thus in this case matching operating range 12 be adapted in its size. Also in a manner not shown, the actuation sensor 11 and the obstacle sensor may alternatively or additionally be connected to a control unit (not shown), which in turn may be connected to corresponding signals of the actuation sensor 11 , an actuator (not shown) drives to the tailgate 2 to open or close. Alternatively, the actuation sensor is directly connected to the actuator. Also, the operation of the closing element can 2 restrict to opening, as this is sufficient to open a lock in combination with a spring force.

To open or close the tailgate 2 a user must be in the operating area 12 perform a predetermined movement. This may be, for example, a movement of the foot towards the vehicle followed by a movement of the foot away from the vehicle. Furthermore, the device can also be equipped with a capacitive sensor, so that in addition to the movement profile and the presence of a non-contact authentication device, such as a car key with corresponding radio identifier, additional condition for operating the tailgate 2 can be.

2 shows a schematic representation of the device according to the invention 10 out 1 being an obstacle 4 is available. Because the obstacle 4 from the obstacle sensor 15 was recorded and the operating area 12 is near or protrudes into this, the actuation sensor area 13 and thus the operating area 12 increases by increasing the opening angle α. This is the operating area 12 no longer as in the case of the small opening angle α in 1 through the obstacle 4 mostly blocked, but slightly next to the obstacle 4 accessible. Thus, a user can continue the device according to the invention 10 use the tailgate 2 to press.

This will, if you 1 and 2 as temporally successive, between 1 and 2 executed the inventive method. In 1 is still no obstacle in the environment of the vehicle 3 , The actuation sensor 11 detects whether a movement that corresponds to the movement profile, in the operating area 12 is performed. The obstacle sensor 15 monitors if there is an obstacle nearby. Since no obstacle is detected, the opening angle α and thus the operating range 12 set to a minimum size.

Then comes the obstacle 4 near the operating area 12 , for example, will be a package 4 parked behind the car. The obstacle sensor 15 captures the package and transmits the location of the obstacle 4 to the actuation sensor 11 , This will be according to the position of the package 4 the actuation sensor area 13 and thus the operating area 12 increases by increasing the angle α. Will the package 4 removed again, the obstacle sensor detects 15 that there is no more obstacle in the vicinity, and sends a corresponding signal to the actuation sensor 11 , In this, accordingly, by minimizing the opening angle α of the operation sensor area 13 and thus the operating area 12 reduced to the smallest size to prevent unwanted activities by random movements.

Thus, with the device according to the invention and the method according to the invention, on the one hand, a comfortable actuation of the closing element despite existing obstacles for the user can be made possible. On the other hand, the risk of unwanted exercise can be minimized.

In 3 a device according to the invention is shown which differs from the device 1 It differs in that several actuation sensors 11 and several obstacle sensors 15 are provided, namely three in each case. In this case, since all the actuation sensors 11 and obstacle sensors 15 must be coordinated with each other, all preferably connected to a control unit that controls the corresponding individual sensors in the required manner.

The basic setting here is that only the middle actuation sensor 11 is active under setting a small opening angle α. Thus, the entire operation range includes 12 only the actuation sensor area 13 the middle actuation sensor 11 , Is now a package 4 as shown, strong with this actuation sensor area 13 overlapping, a user could not move in the operating area corresponding to the movement profile 12 Run to the tailgate 2 of the vehicle 3 to press. In the device according to the invention 10 however, detect one or more obstacle sensors 15 the package 4 and transmit their position to the control unit. Because the signals of the actuation sensor 11 to the control unit show that the package 4 no movement corresponding to the movement profile is identified as an obstacle. Thereupon, as in 4 shown, also the outer actuation sensors 11 active, so the operating range 12 now about their Betätigungssensorbereich 13 is enlarged. Thus, a user can despite the package 4 an actuating movement in the operating area 12 To run.

In the 1 and 2 respectively. 3 and 4 shown means for increasing the operating range 12 do not exclude each other. So can in 4 with further obstacles in the lateral actuating sensor areas 13 the opening angle α of some or all operating sensor area 13 each be changed in different ways to accessibility and usability of the operation area 12 despite several obstacles.

In particular, both in the device 1 and 2 as well as the 3 and 4 the opening angle α can be increased to 180 ° or nearly 180 °, in particular in the case of a near wall behind the vehicle, an off-page actuating movement in the operating area 12 to allow in.

Also, if the predetermined motion profile requires movement in a particular direction, for example in a certain angular range about the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, that particular direction may be adjusted. If, for example, in the case of 1 the predetermined movement profile not only a movement within the operating range 12 requires, but also a movement within the operating range 12 pointing to the actuation sensor 11 is addressed becomes 2 adapted to the allowable range of this particular direction, so that movements with greater angular difference to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle 3 be recognized as actuating movements. In this case, but not necessarily, the permissible range of this particular direction can be expanded to the same extent as the opening angle α.

Claims (6)

Contraption ( 10 ) for actuating a closing element ( 2 ) of a vehicle ( 3 ), the device ( 10 ) at least one actuation sensor ( 11 ), which is located on an actuating area ( 12 ), the device ( 10 ) one for actuating the closing element ( 2 ) of the vehicle ( 3 ) outputs an appropriate actuation command when one of the at least one actuation sensor ( 12 ) detected movement in the operating area ( 12 ) corresponds to a predetermined movement profile, wherein the at least one actuation sensor ( 11 ) has a conical, frusto-conical or circular-arc-type actuation sensor region ( 13 ), characterized in that the size of the at least one actuation sensor ( 11 ) ( 12 ) depending on an obstacle detected by the device ( 4 ) in the vicinity of the device ( 10 ) and the operating range ( 12 ) is increased or decreased by an opening angle (α) of the conical, frusto-conical or circular-arc-type actuation sensor area (FIG. 13 ) of the at least one actuation sensor ( 11 ) is increased or decreased, or wherein an actuation sensor area ( 13 ) with a point vertically below the actuation sensor ( 11 ) as a tip ( 14 ) is conical, frusto-conical or circular arc-shaped and the operating area ( 12 ) is increased or decreased by an opening angle (α) at the top ( 14 ) of the conical, frusto-conical or circular-arc actuation sensor region ( 13 ) is increased or decreased, wherein the opening angle (α) between 0 ° and 180 ° is variable. Contraption ( 10 ) according to claim 1, wherein the operating area ( 12 ) is set to a smallest size of a given variation range, as long as no obstacle ( 4 ), where if an obstacle ( 4 ) in the operating area ( 12 ) or in a given environment of the operating area ( 12 ), the operating area ( 12 ) is set to a larger size of the predetermined variation range. Contraption ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one actuation sensor ( 11 ) for detecting the obstacle ( 4 ) or the device ( 10 ) at least one obstacle sensor ( 15 ) for detecting the obstacle ( 4 ). Contraption ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the predetermined movement profile is a movement towards and a movement away from the device ( 10 ) and / or wherein the predetermined movement profile is a movement towards the device ( 10 ) and a pause of the movement comprises and / or wherein when enlarging the operating range ( 12 ) An angular range of directions of movement of the predetermined movement profile increases, preferably in proportion to each other. Contraption ( 10 ) according to one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the at least one actuation sensor ( 11 ) and / or the at least one obstacle sensor ( 15 ) comprises an optical sensor, a capacitive sensor and / or an ultrasonic sensor and / or wherein the closing element ( 2 ) of the vehicle ( 3 ) is a tailgate or a trunk lid and / or wherein more than one actuation sensor ( 11 ) and the operating area ( 12 ) can also be increased by adding additional actuation sensors ( 11 ) are activated. Method for actuating a closing element ( 2 ) of a vehicle ( 3 ), in which the closing element ( 2 ) of the vehicle ( 3 ) is actuated when movement in an operating area ( 12 ) corresponds to a predetermined movement profile, whereby detection of obstacles ( 4 ) near the closing element ( 2 ) or the vehicle ( 3 ) and the operating area ( 12 ) is conical, frusto-conical or circular arc-shaped or has such areas, characterized in that the operating area ( 12 ) depending on the detected obstacles ( 4 ), and the setting of the operation range is made by setting an opening angle (α) at the associated tip of the conical, frusto-conical, or arcuate operation area, and the operation area (FIG. 12 ) is increased or decreased by an opening angle (α) at the top ( 14 ) of the conical, frusto-conical or circular arc-shaped actuating region ( 12 ) is increased or decreased, wherein the opening angle (α) is limited to a maximum of 180 °.

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