DE102017215916A1 - System for adjusting a closing element of a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

In a system for adjusting a closing element (11) of a vehicle (1), a detection device (14) is designed to detect whether a user (N) in a first distance range (R1) or in a second distance range (R2) in the Environment of a vehicle (1) is located. A control device (13) is configured to drive a light generating device (16, 17) for generating a first light signal (L10, L11, L12) when the user (N) is in the first distance range (R1) and to generate a second one Light signal (L20, L21) to control when the user (N) is in the second distance range (R2), wherein the first light signal (L10, L11, L12) the user (N) passes to the closing element (11) and the second light signal (L20, L21) instructs the user (N) to execute a user gesture. In this way, a system for adjusting a closing element of a vehicle is provided, which enables a simple, intuitive operation for a user.

Description

The invention relates to a system for adjusting a closing element of a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for adjusting a closing element of a vehicle.

Such a closing element is used to close a vehicle opening and may be formed for example by a vehicle side door, a tailgate or other vehicle door or a flap element on a vehicle. The closure member may be opened to thereby release a vehicle opening and allow a user access to the vehicle, for example to enter the vehicle or to access a cargo compartment of the vehicle.

Such a system comprises an adjusting drive for adjusting the closing element relative to a vehicle body of the vehicle, a detection device for detecting a user in the surroundings of the vehicle, a sensor device for detecting a user gesture, a control device for actuating the adjusting drive in response to the detection of a user gesture the sensor device and a light generating device for generating a light signal.

In particular, such a system can enable a contactless adjustment of the closing element in that a user carries out a predetermined user gesture in the region of the sensor device. Upon detection of the user gesture, the control device controls the adjusting drive, which thus moves the closing element, for example, from a closed position in the direction of an open position.

At one of the JP 2005-133529 A Known system is arranged below a bumper of a vehicle, a sensor device which generates a sensor signal in response to a foot movement of a user, which can be evaluated for performing an adjustment of a tailgate. The system has LEDs that serve to mark a detection area of the sensor device, so that the user knows in which area he has to perform a foot movement to trigger an adjustment process.

In particular, in such vehicles that are unfamiliar to a user (for example, rental vehicles or pool vehicles), performing user gestures to initiate an adjustment operation on a closure member, such as a tailgate of a vehicle, may not be intuitive to a user. In particular, it may be difficult for a user to find out in which area he has to execute a user gesture at all. In addition, the execution of the user gesture itself may be unfamiliar to the user, so that it may be difficult to trigger a (non-contact) adjustment process for the user.

The object of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for adjusting a closing element of a vehicle, which enable a simple, intuitive operation for a user.

This object is achieved by a system having the features of claim 1.

Accordingly, the detection device is configured to detect whether a user is located in a first distance range or in a second distance range in the surroundings of the vehicle, wherein the control device is configured to control the light generating device for generating a first light signal when the user is in the the first distance range, and for generating a second light signal to drive when the user is in the second distance range, wherein the first light signal directs the user towards the closing element and the second light signal instructs the user to perform the user gesture.

The detection device serves to determine a distance of the user to the vehicle, in particular to the closing element to be adjusted. The detection device realizes a distance sensor that can be realized, for example, by an optical sensor device, an ultrasonic sensor, a radar system or the like. The detection device generates a detection signal, which depends on the distance of the user to the vehicle, in particular the closing element, and which can be evaluated to determine whether the user is in a first distance range or a second distance range in the environment of the vehicle, in particular relative to the closing element to be adjusted.

Depending on the distance of the user from the vehicle, the control device activates the light generating device for outputting different light signals.

If the user is in a first distance range to the vehicle, which may correspond, for example, to a greater distance to the vehicle (for example a range between 2 m and 5 m), the light generating device generates a first light signal, which guides the user towards the closing element. By means of the first light signal Thus, the user is pointed out how he has to move towards the vehicle to initiate an adjustment of the closing element, such as a tailgate of a vehicle.

If the user enters the second distance range from the first distance range, which may, for example, be located closer to the closing element (for example a range between 0 m and 2 m), then the control device activates the light generating device for outputting a second light signal changes the light signal generated by the light generating device. By means of the second light signal, the user is signaled how he has to execute a user gesture in order to initiate an adjustment process of the closing element, so that the user is instructed how to adjust the closing element, for example to open the closing element or also to close the closing element , has to behave.

By the first light signal, a user is thus guided so that the user moves in a suitable manner to the vehicle and reaches a position to the vehicle, in which triggering an adjustment of the closing element by interaction with the sensor device for detecting the user gesture is possible. By the second light signal, the user is then instructed in which way a user gesture, for example in the form of a suitable movement of a leg, a foot, a hand or another body part, is executed to trigger an adjustment process.

The light generating device may, in one embodiment, comprise a projection device for generating a light projection on a ground outside the vehicle. By means of such a projection device, light signals are projected onto the floor in the region of the closing element, for example in an area in front of a tailgate or in front of a vehicle side door, which guide the user or guide him to make a gesture.

Additionally or alternatively, the light generating device may comprise a light element, for example a band-shaped light element, for example an LED strip, in order to generate light signals by means of such a light element. Such a light element, for example in the form of an LED strip, can be arranged, for example, on a bumper of the vehicle body or also on the closing element.

In principle, the light signals generated by means of the light-generating device can be monochrome, multicolored or even colorless (black-and-white). The generated light signals may also be different in their color, so that the first light signal, for example, a first color and the second light signal, for example, have a different, second color.

In addition, the first light signal and / or the second light signal may be temporally variable.

By way of example, the first light signal may have different signals which lead a user to the closing element of the vehicle and, for example, move in the form of arrows towards the vehicle. Static signals can be superimposed here with dynamic, time-varying signals, so that a light signal results, which points the user towards the closing element of the vehicle.

The second light signal may comprise, for example, signal elements which simulate the user gesture and thus instruct the user to execute the user gesture. The user gesture may be, for example, that a user has to perform a certain foot movement in a detection area of the sensor device for detecting the user gesture. Accordingly, the signal elements of the second light signal may indicate how the foot is to be moved, for example in that the signal elements represent time-varying, moving footprints or the like, optionally overlaid with directional arrows for indicating in which direction a movement is to be made.

Even with the second light signal static components and dynamic, time-varying components can be superimposed.

If a user gesture has been recognized correctly, this can be confirmed by a signal element of the second light signal, for example in the form of a projected hook or the like. If the user gesture is not recognized correctly, this can also be displayed to the user in order to guide the user to re-execute the user gesture, for example by generating again signal elements that emulate the user gesture and output to the user.

In one embodiment, the control device is designed to control the light generating device for generating a third light signal when the adjusting drive adjusts the closing element. If a user gesture carried out by a user has been recognized correctly, the control device controls the adjusting drive for adjusting the closing element, for example for opening or closing the closing element. During the adjustment movement, the third light signal is generated and the user, for example, by a suitable projection on the ground in front of the Close, so that the user receives a direct indication that the closing element moves.

The third light signal may in this case be designed such that it indicates to the user an area over which the closing element moves (approximately) during the adjustment. The user is thus warned and can emerge from the adjustment of the closing element, so that a collision or pinching can be prevented with the closing element.

In a further embodiment, the control device is designed to control the light generating device for generating a fourth light signal when the closing element is open for access of the user to the vehicle. The user is indicated by means of the fourth light signal that access to the vehicle is now possible after opening the closing element, so that the user can enter the vehicle, for example, through an opened vehicle side door or access a loading space of the vehicle via a tailgate opening. The user is thus informed intuitively that access to the vehicle, after adjustment of the closing element, is safely possible and that in particular an adjusting movement of the closing element is completed.

In a further embodiment, the control device is designed to control the light generating device for generating a fifth light signal, if there is a risk of a collision with a user during an adjusting movement of the closing element. If a detected sensor system detects when the closing element is being adjusted that a collision of the closing element with the user or another object in the displacement path of the closing element or even a jamming situation threatens, the control device can use the light generating device to output a corresponding warning signal (in the form of the fifth Light signal), so that the user is warned immediately before a possible collision or jamming. In addition, in this case, the control device to control the adjustment for stopping an adjustment movement, if the risk of collision or pinching is not resolved.

To detect a risk of collision or a possible Einklemmfalls the system may, in a conventional manner, sensors in the form of capacitive proximity sensors, touch strips, optical sensors or the like or perform indirect detection, for example, by monitoring the speed or the motor current of the drive.

The sensor device for detecting the user gesture is advantageously realized by a capacitive sensor device having, for example, capacitive sensor lines, which are arranged, for example, on the bumper of the vehicle and serve to generate a sensor signal in a capacitive manner. By evaluating the sensor signal, it is possible to deduce a gesture of a user in the area of the sensor device in order to detect a user gesture.

• - Detektieren eines Nutzers in der Umgebung des Fahrzeugs durch eine Detektionseinrichtung
• - Erfassen einer Nutzergeste durch eine Sensoreinrichtung,
• - Ansteuern eines Verstellantriebs zum Verstellen des Schließelements relativ zu einer Fahrzeugkarosserie des Fahrzeugs, durch eine Steuereinrichtung, in Abhängigkeit von der Erfassung einer Nutzergeste durch die Sensoreinrichtung, und
• - Erzeugen eines Lichtsignals durch eine Lichterzeugungseinrichtung,

wobei die Detektionseinrichtung detektiert, ob sich ein Nutzer in einem ersten Entfernungsbereich oder in einem zweiten Entfernungsbereich in der Umgebung des Fahrzeugs befindet, wobei die Steuereinrichtung die Lichterzeugungseinrichtung zum Erzeugen eines ersten Lichtsignals ansteuert, wenn sich der Nutzer in dem ersten Entfernungsbereich befindet, und zum Erzeugen eines zweiten Lichtsignals ansteuert, wenn sich der Nutzer in dem zweiten Entfernungsbereich befindet, wobei das erste Lichtsignal den Nutzer hin zu dem Schließelement leitet und das zweite Lichtsignal den Nutzer zur Ausführung der Nutzergeste anleitet.The object is also achieved by a method for adjusting a closing element of a vehicle, comprising the following steps:

• - Detecting a user in the vicinity of the vehicle by a detection device
• Detecting a user gesture by a sensor device,
• - Driving an adjusting drive for adjusting the closing element relative to a vehicle body of the vehicle, by a control device, in response to the detection of a user gesture by the sensor device, and
• Generating a light signal by a light generating device,

wherein the detection means detects whether a user is in a first range of distances or in a second range of distances in the vicinity of the vehicle, wherein the control means drives the light generating means to generate a first light signal when the user is in the first range of distances and for generating a second light signal drives when the user is in the second distance range, wherein the first light signal directs the user towards the closure element and the second light signal instructs the user to execute the user gesture.

The advantages and advantageous embodiments described above for the system are analogously also applied to the method, so that reference should be made to what has been stated above.

• 1 eine schematische Ansicht eines Fahrzeugs mit einem Schließelement in Form einer Heckklappe, die über einen Verstellantrieb elektromotorisch zu verstellen ist;
• 2 eine schematische Ansicht eines Fahrzeugs mit durch eine Detektionseinrichtung überwachten Entfernungsbereichen;
• 3A-3B Ansichten des Fahrzeugs, mit einem im Bereich der Heckklappe erzeugten ersten Lichtsignal zum Leiten eines Nutzers hin zur Heckklappe;
• 4 eine rückwärtige Ansicht des Fahrzeugs mit dem ersten Lichtsignal;
• 5A, 5B Ansichten eines zweiten Lichtsignals zum Anleiten eines Nutzers zum Durchführen einer Nutzergeste zum Auslösen eines Verstellvorgang der Heckklappe;
• 6A, 6B Ansichten des Fahrzeugs mit dem zweiten Lichtsignal;
• 7A, 7B Ansichten des Fahrzeugs, mit einem im Bereich der Heckklappe erzeugten dritten Lichtsignal zum Anzeigen einer Verstellbewegung der Heckklappe;
• 8 eine Ansicht des Fahrzeugs, mit einem im Bereich der Heckklappe erzeugten vierten Lichtsignal zum Anzeigen einer geöffneten Stellung der Heckklappe; und
• 9 eine Ansicht des Fahrzeugs mit einem fünften Lichtsignal in Form eines Warnsignals bei drohender Kollision der Heckklappe mit einem Nutzer.

The idea underlying the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the figures. Show it:

• 1 a schematic view of a vehicle with a closing element in the form of a tailgate, which is to be adjusted by an electric motor via an adjustment;
• 2 a schematic view of a vehicle with monitored by a detection means distance ranges;
• 3A-3B Views of the vehicle, with a generated in the tailgate first light signal for guiding a user towards the tailgate;
• 4 a rear view of the vehicle with the first light signal;
• 5A . 5B Views of a second light signal for instructing a user to perform a user gesture to initiate a tailgate adjustment operation;
• 6A . 6B Views of the vehicle with the second light signal;
• 7A . 7B Views of the vehicle, with a generated in the tailgate third light signal for indicating an adjustment movement of the tailgate;
• 8th a view of the vehicle, with a fourth light signal generated in the region of the tailgate for indicating an open position of the tailgate; and
• 9 a view of the vehicle with a fifth light signal in the form of a warning signal in the event of a collision of the tailgate with a user.

1 shows a schematic view of a vehicle 1 that is adjustable on a vehicle body 10 arranged closing element in the form of a tailgate 11 having, via an electric motor adjustment 12 between a closed position and an open position to the vehicle body 10 can be moved.

A system for adjusting the tailgate 11 has a control device 13 on, for driving the adjustment 12 serves and with a detection device 14 , a sensor device 15 , a light element 16 , a projection device 17 and a communication device 18 is in communication to receive and / or transmit sensor signals or other data signals and control commands for controlling in particular the adjustment 12 to generate and output.

The sensor device 15 is on a bumper 100 the vehicle body 10 located below the tailgate opening and has capacitive sensor elements to a user gesture in a detection area in front of the bumper 100 to recognize. By approaching a body part, in particular a foot, a user can N a (predetermined) user gesture, for example, a kick gesture in the form of a kick-like movement of the foot or the like, perform on the sensor device 15 due to capacitive interaction leads to a sensor signal generated by the control device 13 can be evaluated. If one of the predetermined user gesture similar gesture is detected, the control device 13 according to the adjustment 12 for adjusting the tailgate 11 , for example, to open the tailgate 11 from a closed position.

This in 1 schematically illustrated system is basically used to trigger an adjustment of the tailgate 11 by an authorized user N , The user can authorize N for example, a communication device 2 in the form of a radio key or a mobile phone or the like associated with the communication device 18 of the vehicle 1 wirelessly communicates to the user based on predetermined user information N to identify and authorize and the user N thus adjusting the tailgate 11 For example, to open the tailgate 11 to enable.

The system for adjusting the tailgate 11 further comprises a detection device 14 on which to capture a distance of the user N to the vehicle 1 , in particular to the tailgate 11 serves. The detection device 14 may in particular be designed to determine whether the user N in a first distance range R1 (please refer 2 ) or a second distance range R2 relative to the tailgate 11 which can be detected, for example, based on the strength of received detection signals.

The detection device 14 For example, it may be configured by a suitable proximity sensor, for example a radar system, an optical sensor, an ultrasonic sensor or the like.

The system further includes a light element 16 and a projection device 17 each for generating and outputting light signals, and by the control means 13 , in particular depending on a detected distance of the user to the tailgate 11 to be controlled. Output light signals can serve in particular to the user N towards the closing element 11 to lead and to execute a predetermined user gesture to trigger an adjustment of the tailgate 11 to guide.

By means of the projection device 17 becomes a light signal L on the ground B in an area in front of the tailgate 11 generates that information for the user N contains.

For example, as in 3A to 3C and 4 is shown, a first light signal L10 . L11 . L12 on the ground B in front of the tailgate 11 are generated when it is determined that the user N in the first distance range R1 in front of the tailgate 11 located. By means of this first light signal L10 . L11 . L12 becomes the user N - by, for example, green arrows pointing towards the vehicle 1 move - to the vehicle 1 guided, so the user N receives information about how he is going to the closing element 11 has to move to the closing element 11 to press.

Kick the user N from the first distance range R1 in the second distance range R2 one (after he sufficiently far the vehicle 1 has approached), the control device 13 the projection device 17 for outputting one of the first light signal L10 . L11 . L12 different, second light signal L20 . L21 to control that by the user N to trigger the adjustment of the tailgate 11 modeled user gesture, as in 5A . 5B and 6A . 6B is shown.

The second light signal L20 . 21 is formed by signal elements in the form of different in their footprints, as is made 5A . 5B and 6A . 6B is apparent to the user N it appears that he has his foot out of the in 5A indicated position towards the bumper 100 (and thus to the bumper 100 arranged sensor device 15 ) has to move.

In addition, in the context of the second light signal, for example, arrows or the like which are output to the user N indicate in which direction he has to move his foot.

In addition, it is also conceivable and possible for a confirmation signal, for example in the form of a green hook or the like, to be output after successful recognition of the user gesture in order to signal to the user that the user gesture has been recognized correctly. If the user gesture has not been recognized correctly, a signal can alternatively be output that indicates to the user that the user gesture is to be repeated, for example by reprojecting instructions for executing the user gesture in the form of the footprints.

If a user gesture has been recognized correctly, the controller controls 13 the tailgate 11 for triggering an adjustment, for example, to open the tailgate 11 from a closed position, as in 7A and 7B is shown. During an adjustment movement, the projection device 17 a third light signal L30 spend that on the user N indicates the adjustment movement and, for example, indicates such an area in which the user N when adjusting the tailgate 11 should not kick to a collision with the tailgate 11 to avoid.

Is the tailgate 11 has been opened and the adjustment process thus completed, as in 8th is shown, in turn, another light signal L40 by means of the projection device 17 be projected to the user N indicating that he is now on a hold 101 inside the vehicle 1 can access. The light signal L40 For example, it may have an arrow pointing to the user N indicating that he is heading for the vehicle 1 and thus to the cargo space 101 can move.

Is detected during or before an adjustment, for example by means of a suitable sensor, for example using the detection device 14 that the user N too close to the tailgate 11 stands and thus the risk of collision, can by means of the projection device 17 a light signal L50 to be issued to the user N warns of an impending collision, as in 9 is shown. In addition, the control device 13 an adjustment of the tailgate 11 Stop and according to the adjustment 12 do not move to an adjustment or stop an already started adjustment movement.

The means of the projection device 17 projected light signals may follow a predetermined color scheme. For example, guidance signals directing the user to the vehicle or instructing him to perform a user gesture can be displayed in green, as shown in FIG 3A-3C to 6A . 6B and 8th is shown. Warning signals, on the other hand, can be displayed in a warning color, for example in red, as may be the case 7A . 7B and 9 is apparent.

Additionally or alternatively to the projection of light signals via the projection device 17 Light signals can also be transmitted via the light element 16 , for example, by a longitudinally on the bumper 100 extended LED strip is formed, generated and output. The light element 16 For example, it can generate signals to the user N point to the vehicle that the user N to instruct a user to direct the user N show the performing of an adjustment and the user N show that, for example, the tailgate 11 is open and the user N thus on a loading space 101 in the vehicle 1 can access.

The through the projection device 17 and / or the light element 16 generated light signals can basically be static or dynamic. It is conceivable and possible here for the light signals to have static elements and dynamic elements which are shown superimposed (for example, static arrows with time-variable, dynamic arrows can be superimposed, as can be seen for example in FIG 3A to 3C it can be seen). The light signals can also be variable in their color and change dynamically, for example, from one color to another, for example from green to red.

The through the projection device 17 and / or the light element 16 generated light signals may have graphical elements as well as text elements for displaying information. In particular, words ("Welcome", "Caution!" Or the like) can also be output and displayed in the context of the light signals, in order to give concrete indications.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but can basically also be implemented in a completely different manner.

A system of the type described here can serve not only for adjusting a tailgate, but also for adjusting other vehicle doors, such as a vehicle side door.

Different light generating devices can be used here and arranged at very different locations in or on a vehicle.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

vehicle

10

vehicle body

100

bumper

101

hold

11

Closing element (tailgate)

12

adjustment

13

control device

14

detection device

15

Sensor device (capacitive sensor)

16

Light element (LED strip)

17

projection device

18

communicator

2

communication device

B

ground

L

light projection

L10, L11, L12

light signal

L20, L21

light signal

L30

light signal

N

user

R1, R2

distance range

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

• JP 2005133529 A [0005]

Claims (13)

System for adjusting a closing element (11) of a vehicle (1), having - an adjusting drive (12) for adjusting the closing element (11) relative to a vehicle body (10) of the vehicle (1), - a detection device (14) for detecting a User (N) in the vicinity of the vehicle (1), - a sensor device (15) for detecting a user gesture, - a control device (13) for driving the adjustment drive (12) in response to the detection of a user gesture by the sensor device (15) and - a light generating means (16, 17) for generating a light signal (L), characterized in that the detection means (14) is adapted to detect whether a user (N) in a first distance range (R1) or in a second Distance range (R2) in the vicinity of the vehicle (1), wherein the control device (13) is formed, the light generating means (16, 17) for generating a first light signal (L10, L11, L12) when the user (N) is located in the first distance range (R1) and to generate a second light signal (L20, L21) when the user (N) is in the second distance range (R2), wherein the first light signal (L10, L11, L12) guides the user (N) toward the shutter member (11), and the second light signal (L20, L21) instructs the user (N) to execute the user gesture. System after Claim 1 , characterized in that the light generating device comprises a projection device (17) for generating a light projection (L) on a floor (B) outside the vehicle (1). System after Claim 1 or 2 Characterized in that the light generating means disposed on the one vehicle body (10) or the closing element (11) light element (16), in particular a band-shaped light element, comprising. System according to one of Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the detection device (14) is designed to generate a detection signal dependent on the distance of the user (N) from the vehicle (1). System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first light signal (L10, L11, L12) is time-variable. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first light signal (L10, L11, L12) comprises a closing element (10) indicative signal. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second light signal (L20, L21) is time-variable. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second light signal (L20, L21) comprises signal elements which simulate the user gesture. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device (13) is adapted to the light generating means (16, 17) for generating a third light signal (L30) to control when the adjustment drive (12) adjusts the closing element (11). System after Claim 9 , characterized in that the third light signal (L30) indicates a region which the closing element (11) sweeps over during adjustment. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device (13) is designed to control the light-generating device (16, 17) for generating a fourth light signal (L40) when the closing element (11) is accessible to the user (N). to the vehicle (1) is open. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device (13) is adapted to drive the light generating means (16, 17) for generating a fifth light signal (L50), if during an adjusting movement of the closing element (11) the risk of collision with a user (N). Method for adjusting a closing element (11) of a vehicle (1), comprising: - detecting a user (N) in the surroundings of the vehicle (1) by a detection device (14), - detecting a user gesture by a sensor device (15), Driving an adjusting drive (12) for adjusting the closing element (11) relative to a vehicle body (10) of the vehicle (1), by a control device (13) in response to the detection of a user gesture by the sensor device (15), and - generating a light signal (L) by a light generating device (16, 17), characterized in that the detection device (14) detects whether a user (N) in a first distance range (R1) or in a second distance range (R2) in the environment the vehicle (1) is located, wherein the control device (13) the light generating means (16, 17) for generating a first light signal (L10, L11, L12) drives when the user (N) in the first distance range (R1), and for generating a second light signal (L20, L21) drives when the user (N) is in the second distance range (R2), wherein the first light signal (L10, L11, L12) the user (N) passes to the closing element (11) and the second light signal (L20, L21) instructs the user (N) to execute the user gesture.

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