DE102019121220A1 - Device for detecting the condition of a motor vehicle part - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for detecting the state of a motor vehicle part (102, 103, 104, 106, 122), which can optionally be brought into a first state or a second state, the device having a display element on the basis of which the state of the motor vehicle part ( 102, 103, 104, 106, 122) can be determined. The display element is designed as a reflector (1) and a detection device (2) is assigned to the reflector (1), which has a transmitter for generating a bundled electromagnetic radiation (Si) which can be reflected by the reflector (1) if it strikes the reflector (1), as well as a receiver for receiving the radiation (Ri) reflected back by the reflector (1).

Description

The invention relates to a device for detecting the state of a motor vehicle part according to the preamble of claim 1 and a corresponding method according to claim 22.

Such a device is used in particular to detect the state of a motor vehicle part, which can optionally be brought into at least a first state or a second state, the device having a display element by means of which the state of the motor vehicle part can be determined. The states to be detected can, for example, be different locking states of the motor vehicle part (“locked”, “unlocked”) and / or different positions of the motor vehicle part. For example, microswitches or visually detectable displays are used as display elements, but also the motor vehicle part itself if the position of the motor vehicle part shows whether it is in the first or the second state.

From the EP 1 606 147 B1 a system and a method for detecting seat occupancy in a motor vehicle are known, with high-frequency radiation in the form of a wave field being sent towards a plurality of seats to be monitored and with the radiation transmitted to a receiver depending on the occupancy of a respective seat is evaluated in terms of its intensity.

The invention is based on the problem of further improving a device and a method of the type mentioned at the beginning with little effort, in particular with a view to efficient and reliable detection of the state of a motor vehicle part to be monitored.

With regard to the device, this problem is solved by the features of patent claim 1.

According to this, in a generic device, the display element is designed as a reflector to which a detection device (e.g. arranged outside the motor vehicle part) is assigned, which contains a transmitter for generating bundled electromagnetic radiation which is reflected by the reflector (e.g. along its direction of incidence) can be when it strikes the reflector, and also has a receiver for receiving the radiation reflected back by the reflector, the reflector being designed and arranged (and possibly also movable) in such a way that the electromagnetic radiation is only in one of the two states of the motor vehicle part is thrown back through the reflector onto the receiver.

For this purpose, the reflector is either not reached by the bundled radiation in one of the two states of the motor vehicle part (that is, the electromagnetic radiation only hits the reflector in one state at all) or in the former state the reflector is arranged in such a way that it is incident In any case, radiation is not reflected to the receiver.

The solution according to the invention has the advantage that the detection device can emit the bundled electromagnetic radiation in a targeted manner in the direction of a respective reflector serving as a display element, so that the state of a respective motor vehicle part can be reliably detected with little energy expenditure; for example by the fact that the motor vehicle part changes its position during the transition from the first state to the second state in such a way that the electromagnetic radiation only hits the receiver in one of the two states of the motor vehicle part.

On the one hand, this can be achieved in that the reflector is connected to the motor vehicle part, e.g. in such a way that the reflector is moved together with the motor vehicle part when the motor vehicle part is moved from the first state to the second state.

According to a further embodiment it is provided that the reflector is arranged in such a way that it is covered in one of the two states of the motor vehicle part by the motor vehicle part or by a cover element that can be displaced together with it and the electromagnetic radiation cannot strike the reflector while the reflector in the other of the two states is not covered by the cover element and the electromagnetic radiation can strike the reflector.

The solution according to the invention can be implemented with particular advantages if a detection device of the type mentioned above is provided on the motor vehicle for other purposes, such as for example occupant detection.

Since a reflector acts as a retroreflector, which reflects the incident light in a direction opposite to the direction of incidence, the transmitter and the receiver of the detection device can be combined spatially to form an assembly, which additionally simplifies the structure of the arrangement.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the detection device strikes the reflector precisely when the motor vehicle part is in the first (for example locked) state. According to another embodiment, the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the detection device strikes the reflector precisely when the motor vehicle part is in the second (for example unlocked) state.

According to a variant of the invention, the motor vehicle part can optionally be brought into a locked state as the first state or into an unlocked state as the second state. Here, the motor vehicle part can be part of a locking mechanism with which an associated motor vehicle assembly, such as a seat assembly, can be locked and unlocked. On the other hand, the motor vehicle part can be part of a motor vehicle assembly (e.g. a seat assembly or some other interior assembly such as a console) which can be locked and unlocked by means of an associated locking mechanism. The motor vehicle part can thus be a seat part of a motor vehicle seat, such as a seat back or a headrest, which is designed to support a seat user. Thus, the locking of a seat back or the presence of a headrest could be detected by means of the reflector. The use of the invention for the binary detection of safety-relevant states (locked or unlocked; present or not present, etc.) is primarily intended.

According to a further variant of the invention, the motor vehicle part can be moved into a plurality of different positions, the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the detection device impinging on the reflector in at least one of the positions of the motor vehicle part and the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the detection device not being in at least one other position of the motor vehicle part hits the reflector. This can in particular be used to detect whether the motor vehicle part is located outside of a specific (predetermined) position range.

According to a further development of the invention, the detection device is set up to emit bundled electromagnetic radiation along different spatial directions in the direction of different reflectors (spaced apart from one another) and to receive the electromagnetic radiation reflected by the reflectors in question (from the opposite spatial directions), so that by means of a detection device the state of a plurality of mutually spaced-apart motor vehicle parts can be detected by scanning the respectively assigned reflector.

The detection device can in particular be arranged inside a motor vehicle, e.g. on the roof of a motor vehicle or on another component of the vehicle interior.

The detection device can be designed, for example, as a radar device (“radio detection and ranging”) or as a LIDAR device (“light detection and ranging”) and is not provided exclusively for the purpose according to the invention, but also for other aspects of interior monitoring of a motor vehicle.

A method for detecting the state of a motor vehicle part is characterized by the features of claim 22. Advantageous further developments of the method are given in the dependent claims.

Further details and advantages of the invention will become clear in the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the figures.

• 1A eine Vorrichtung zum Detektieren des Verriegelungszustandes eines Verriegelungsmechanismus an einem Kraftfahrzeugsitz, am Beispiel des verriegelten Zustandes;
• 1B die Vorrichtung aus 1B am Beispiel des entriegelten Zustandes;
• 2 eine Vorrichtung zum Detektieren des Positionszustandes einer Sitzlehne an einem Kraftfahrzeugsitz, am Beispiel eines Vordersitzes sowie eines Rücksitzes;
• 3A eine Vorrichtung zum Detektieren des Verriegelungszustandes einer Kraftfahrzeugbaugruppe, am Beispiel eines ersten Zustandes;
• 3B die Vorrichtung aus 3A am Beispiel eines zweiten Zustandes;
• 4A eine Vorrichtung zum Detektieren des Positionszustandes einer Sitzlängsführung für einen Kraftfahrzeugsitz;
• 4B ein Detail der Vorrichtung aus 4A;
• 5 eine Abwandlung der Vorrichtung aus den 1A und 1B;
• 6 eine Weiterbildung der Vorrichtung aus den 1A und 1B.

Show it:

• 1A a device for detecting the locking state of a locking mechanism on a motor vehicle seat, using the example of the locked state;
• 1B the device off 1B using the example of the unlocked state;
• 2 a device for detecting the position state of a seat back on a motor vehicle seat, using the example of a front seat and a rear seat;
• 3A a device for detecting the locking state of a motor vehicle assembly, using the example of a first state;
• 3B the device off 3A using the example of a second state;
• 4A a device for detecting the position state of a longitudinal seat guide for a motor vehicle seat;
• 4B a detail of the device 4A ;
• 5 a modification of the device from the 1A and 1B ;
• 6th a development of the device from the 1A and 1B .

The figures 1A and 1B show a device for detection arranged inside a motor vehicle, that is to say in the vehicle interior the state of a motor vehicle part that can assume at least two different states. This can be, for example, two different locking states of the motor vehicle part, such as “locked” and “unlocked”, or two different position states of the motor vehicle part, such as: “the vehicle part is located within a certain (predetermined) spatial area” or “the Vehicle part is located outside of a certain (specified) spatial area ”.

In the exemplary embodiment, the motor vehicle part, the state of which is to be detected, is a locking element 103 a locking mechanism with which a motor vehicle seat 100 can be locked in a (previously set) sitting position. In particular, this can be a locking lever 103 act, optionally in a first pivot position P1 , as in 1A shown, and a second pivot position P2 , as in 1B shown, can be brought, wherein the first pivot position P1 of the motor vehicle part in the form of a locking lever 103 eg the locked state of an associated seat assembly 102 , 104 , 106 (for example a seat back 104 or a longitudinal seat guide) and the second pivot position P2 eg corresponds to the unlocked state.

The motor vehicle part in the form of the locking lever 103 are in the embodiment of 1A and 1B on the one hand, a display element in the form of a reflector 1 and on the other hand a cover element 3 assigned. Like a synopsis of the 1A and 1B shows, both the display element and the cover element are exemplary here 3 each in such a way with the locking lever 103 connected that this when pivoting the locking lever 103 can be taken from the locked state to the unlocked state (or vice versa from the unlocked state to the locked state). Alternatively, for example, just one of those two elements ( 1 , 3 ) the relocation lever 103 be connected and the respective other element ( 3 , 1 ) be arranged in such a way that when the locking lever is actuated 103 is not taken.

The motor vehicle part in the form of the locking lever 103 is also a detection device 2 assigned, which can be, for example, a radar device or a LIDAR device. This includes a transmitter for emitting (bundled) electromagnetic radiation S1 , for example in the form of radio waves in the case of a radar system or in the form of laser radiation in the case of a LIDAR system. The one from the detection device 2 emitted (bundled) electromagnetic radiation S1 is oriented in such a way that it is basically on the locking lever 103 reflector assigned as a display element 1 can hit. In the locked state of the locking lever, as in 1A shown, however, is the locking lever 103 such from the cover element 3 covers that the emitted radiation the reflector 1 can not achieve. After the transition of the locking lever 103 in the in 1B unlocked state shown, the display element in the form of the reflector 1 and the cover element 3 are taken along, the cover element lies 3 no longer in the radiation path between the detection device 2 and the reflector, so that the detection device 2 emitted bundled electromagnetic radiation S1 on the reflector 1 can hit. This is in the unlocked state of the locking lever 103 oriented so that it acts as a retroreflector and the reflected radiation R1 opposite to their direction of incidence to the detection device 2 throws back where they are from a receiver of the detection device 2 is received, which, depending on certain characteristics of the received radiation, such as the amplitude or intensity, outputs a corresponding signal to an evaluation unit.

By evaluating the at the detection device 2 received (reflected) electromagnetic radiation, for example with regard to its amplitude or intensity, can thus be divided between the in 1A locking state shown and the in 1B unlocked state of the locking lever shown 103 differ, the latter by a maximum of the detection device 2 reflected electromagnetic radiation is defined.

In general, taking into account the position of the motor vehicle part whose condition is to be detected, a cover element can be attached in such a way that, depending on the direction (spatial orientation) of the detection device 2 emitted beam a logical minimum angular position, for example based on the angle α between the emitted electromagnetic radiation S1 and the vehicle roof D. , can be recognized in which the to the detection device 2 radiation reflected back R1 has a maximum.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, it can be provided that in one of the two states of a motor vehicle part to be monitored, the detection device 2 or their transmitter emitted bundled radiation onto the reflector 1 strikes, this being arranged in the relevant state in such a way that it in any case does not reach the receiver of the detection device 2 reflects or throws back.

The detection device 2 is in the embodiment on the vehicle roof D. appropriate; however, other areas of the vehicle interior I are also suitable for this, from which concentrated electromagnetic radiation can be emitted in the direction of a motor vehicle part to be monitored. Furthermore, this can take over other functions in the interior monitoring of a motor vehicle.

In 2 An exemplary embodiment is shown in which it is about the detection or acquisition of position states of a motor vehicle part (instead of locking states, as in the case of 1A and 1B) goes. Specifically, in the embodiment of the 2 it can be detected whether a motor vehicle part is outside a certain position or adjustment range. In the present case, the motor vehicle part under consideration is the seat back 104 a motor vehicle seat, in the case of 2 exemplary both a front motor vehicle seat 100 as well as a rear automobile seat 100 ' with reclining seat back 104 (Backrest) are shown.

The respective vehicle seat is here 100 , 100 ' in 2 on the one hand dashed with an adjustment of the seat back 104 shown in which a vehicle occupant is intended on the respective vehicle seat 100 , 100 ' Can take a seat and his back in a substantially upright position from the seat back 104 is supported. The front vehicle seat 100 is on the other hand shown (with solid lines) also in a state in which the seat back 104 has been folded forward out of the first-mentioned adjustment range, for example to facilitate the entry of a vehicle occupant to a rear vehicle seat. The rear vehicle seat 100 ' again is shown in an additional position (with solid lines) in which the seat back 104 Has been folded back far, for example to create additional loading space. The last two states of the motor vehicle seats shown with solid lines 100 , 100 ' are also referred to as oop states ("out of position" states), as they are not suitable for the intended purpose of picking up an upright vehicle occupant.

How based on 2 is further clear is on the two vehicle seats 100 , 100 ' one reflector each 1 arranged in such a way that from the associated detection device 2 emitted bundled electromagnetic rays at the respective reflector 1 reflected and to the detection device 2 can be thrown back when the seat back 104 of the respective vehicle seat 100 , 100 ' has an inclination that is outside the normal pivoting or adjustment range of the seat back 104 (in which the vehicle seat 100 , 100 ' is set up for the intended reception of an upright seated vehicle occupant). Specifically, is the front vehicle seat 100 one of the seat back 104 assigned reflector 1 exactly then for the detection device 2 emitted electromagnetic radiation S1 accessible if its seat back, as in 2 shown with solid lines, is folded forward. In the in 2 The upright position (a so-called “normal position”) of the seat back of the front vehicle seat shown in dashed lines 100 on the other hand becomes the reflector 1 through an upper portion of the seat back 104 covered itself. D. . i.e., an upper portion of the seat back 104 serves as a cover element, which the reflector 1 covered as long as the seat back 104 with regard to their pivot position is in the normal adjustment range, so that the detection device 2 emitted radiation S1 'does not hit the reflector 1 can hit. Will the seat back 104 however, if it is folded forward out of the normal adjustment range, the reflector becomes 1 no longer through the upper area of the seat back 104 covered and is to receive the from the detection device 2 emitted electromagnetic radiation S1 free, which accordingly generates a reflected radiation R1 can be reflected (or thrown back).

In a corresponding manner, the rear in 2 vehicle seat shown 100 ' one on the seat back 104 intended reflector 1 from an associated cover element 3 covered when the swivel position of the seat back 104 lies in the normal adjustment range, thus allowing the back of an essentially upright seated vehicle occupant to be supported, as in FIG 2 shown in dashed lines. In this case, the detection device 2 towards the reflector 1 emitted electromagnetic radiation does not reach the latter and is therefore not reflected or thrown back by it. Will the seat back 104 on the other hand, if it is folded back so far that it is outside the normal adjustment range, the cover element is located 3 no longer in the beam path between the detection device 2 and the reflector, so that now the detection device 2 towards the reflector 1 emitted radiation S2 impinging on the latter and as reflected radiation R2 to the detection device 2 is thrown back.

The in 2 The embodiment shown therefore serves the arrangement of a reflector 1 , a cover element 3 (or a section of the seat back 104 ) as well as a detection device 2 in each case the detection of a position state of a motor vehicle part, namely a seat back as an example 104 , to the effect of whether the motor vehicle part is outside of a predetermined position or adjustment range. In In the exemplary embodiment, that adjustment range is the normal range in which the seat back 104 a motor vehicle seat 100 is adjustable (with regard to its inclination) in order to be able to support an essentially upright seated vehicle occupant from the rear, specifically with regard to the selected inclination angle (in the normal range), adapted to the needs of a respective user. Will the seat back 104 If it is folded far forwards or backwards from such a normal range, this can be done by means of one of the respective seat backs 104 associated reflector 1 can be detected in the manner described in more detail above.

In the 3A and 3B is a further embodiment of a display element 10 shown in the form of a lock indicator, here with a reflector 1 provided display element 10 depending on the locking state of an associated locking mechanism either from a surrounding vehicle assembly 30th , which therefore functions as a cover element, is covered ( 3A) or from that vehicle assembly 30th protrudes ( 3B) so that the on the display element 10 provided reflector 1 can reflect the electromagnetic radiation emitted by an assigned detection device.

The 4A and 4B again relate to an exemplary embodiment in which it is a matter of detecting a position state of a motor vehicle part 102 , 122 goes, in the present case by way of example the longitudinal position of a motor vehicle seat 100 , which by means of an in 4A longitudinal seat adjustment shown - formed by two pairs of interlocking, in the seat longitudinal direction L. extended and mutually displaceable guide rails 121 , 122 - is adjustable. In the exemplary embodiment, the longitudinal seat adjustment comprises, in a known manner, two pairs of rails, each with a guide rail fixed to the body 121 and one of the vehicle seat to be adjusted 100 assigned (on the seat frame 102 attached) guide rail 122 which along the body-fixed guide rail 121 is displaceable, the associated vehicle seat 100 (via the seat frame 102 ) is taken along and thus changes its longitudinal position.

How based on 4B recognizable, can on one of the two mutually longitudinally adjustable guide rails 121 , 122 , in this case on the guide rail fixed to the body 121 , a reflector 1 be arranged, which depends on the relative position of the two guide rails 121 , 122 either from the seat-side guide rail 122 covered or not. D. . i.e., the seat-side guide rail 122 acts here as a cover element. By scanning by means of electromagnetic radiation, which is emitted by an assigned detection device, it can thus be determined whether the seat-side guide rail is moving 122 and thus the vehicle seat itself is in a position or adjustment area in which the seat-side guide rail 122 the reflector 1 covered or not.

Corresponding arrangements can in principle be used for any motor vehicle parts, in particular the vehicle interior, in order to distinguish position and / or locking states of a respective motor vehicle part, i.e. also for detecting the position and / or the locking state of a headrest or a vehicle mirror.

5 shows a situation in which a detection device arranged on the roof 2 emitted (bundled) electromagnetic radiation S1 on a reflective element 11 and is reflected back by this, although in the associated evaluation unit for the said direction of the electromagnetic radiation S1 no reflection is expected, for example because there is no reflector to be considered for the spatial direction mentioned 1 is deposited. In this case, the evaluation unit can detect the reflected radiation R1 output a corresponding signal, for example to induce the vehicle user to visit a workshop. Furthermore, the evaluation unit can determine the relevant spatial direction of the signal and, if necessary, the calculated coordinates of the reflective element 11 so that they can be used for further investigations.

A single detection device 2 can also have a plurality of reflectors 1 be assigned, so that by means of a single detection device 2 the state of a plurality of motor vehicle parts can be monitored and recorded by adding a reflector to each motor vehicle part 1 is assigned, which is in the detection area of that detection device 2 lies, cf. 6th . D. .h., a respective motor vehicle part to be monitored or the associated reflector 1 is from the detection device 2 spaced along a spatial direction, along that of the detection device 2 emitted (bundled) electromagnetic radiation S1 , S2 , S3 , S4 , S5 , S6 , S7 on the reflector 1 can hit; unless this is covered by an associated cover element. A central arrangement of the detection device is particularly suitable for this 2 in the vehicle interior, like the arrangement on the vehicle roof already described D. .

6th shows an example of a plurality of reflectors 1 , which are arranged (at a distance from one another) at different points of the vehicle interior I of a motor vehicle and which are each assigned to a motor vehicle part to its To be able to grasp condition. For example, a first reflector 1 for detecting the locking status of a headrest 106 in the front seat 100 serve another reflector 1 for detecting the unlocking of a longitudinal seat adjustment (for example, in order to be able to move a motor vehicle seat into a far forward position to create an entry aid) and another reflector 1 for detecting the locking status of a seat back 104 at the chair.

In addition, for example, with additional reflectors 1 the locking status of a child seat 200 in the back seat 100 ' , the locking state of a locking mechanism for the seat back 104 on the rear seat, the state of an upper backrest lock and / or the state of a headrest lock on the rear seat 100 are recorded.

Depending on how a respective reflector is used 1 and the optionally assigned cover element are arranged, and depending on how the reflector is 1 , and possibly the additional cover element, moved (or not moved) when the associated motor vehicle or seat part is displaced, can cause a reflection of the detection device 2 in the direction of a respective reflector 1 emitted radiation S1 either take place precisely when the corresponding motor vehicle part is in the locked state, or alternatively precisely when the corresponding motor vehicle part is in the unlocked state. In this case there is a reflected radiation R1 , R2 , R3 , R4 , R5 , R6 , R7 generated.

The possibility of detecting a state of a motor vehicle part, and in particular a locking state or a position state thereof, has been described above on the basis of several exemplary embodiments. In addition to the applications shown, the present solution can also be used for a variety of other applications, for example to detect the locking status of motor vehicle doors or tailgates, i.e. in particular also to detect the locking status of motor vehicle locks and to detect the position status of a window pane or other motor vehicle parts in the Interior of a motor vehicle and also for detecting the state of electrical or electronic assemblies in a motor vehicle, for example in the case of electrical drives, the associated controls or associated sensors.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was 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.

Patent literature cited

• EP 1606147 B1 [0003]

Claims (24)

Device for detecting the state of a motor vehicle part (102, 103, 104, 106, 122), which can optionally be brought into at least a first state or a second state, the device having a display element on the basis of which the state of the motor vehicle part (102, 103 , 104, 106, 122), characterized in that the display element has a reflector (1) and that the reflector (1) is assigned a detection device (2) at a distance from it, which has a transmitter for generating a bundled electromagnetic radiation ( Si) which can be reflected by the reflector (1) when it strikes the reflector (1), and which furthermore contains a receiver for receiving the radiation (Ri) reflected by the reflector (1), the reflector ( 1) is designed and arranged such that the electromagnetic radiation (Si) only in one of the two states of the motor vehicle part (102, 103, 104, 106, 122) to the Receiver is reflected. Device according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the motor vehicle part (102, 103, 104, 106, 122) changes its position during the transition from the first to the second state in such a way that the electromagnetic radiation (Si) only occurs in one of the two states of the motor vehicle part (102, 103 , 104, 106, 122) is reflected back to the receiver. Device according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the electromagnetic radiation (Si) impinges on the reflector (1) only in one of the two states of the motor vehicle part (102, 103, 104, 106, 122) in such a way that it is reflected by this to the receiver. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electromagnetic radiation (Si) impinges on the reflector (1) only in one of the two states of the motor vehicle part (102, 103, 104, 106, 122). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reflector (1) is connected to the motor vehicle part (102, 103, 104, 106, 122). Device according to Claim 5 , characterized in that the reflector (1) is connected to the motor vehicle part (102, 103, 104, 106, 122) in such a way that the reflector (1) when the motor vehicle part (102, 103, 104, 106, 122) is moved is shifted from the first state to the second state together with the motor vehicle part (102, 103, 104, 106, 122). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reflector (1) is arranged in such a way that in one of the two states of the motor vehicle part (102, 103, 104, 106, 122) it is removed from the motor vehicle part (102, 103, 104, 106, 122) or is covered by a cover element (3) that can be displaced together with it and the electromagnetic radiation (Si) cannot impinge on the reflector (1). contraption Claim 7 , characterized in that the reflector (1) is arranged such that it is not covered in the other of the two states and the electromagnetic radiation (Si) can strike the reflector (1). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electromagnetic radiation (Si) emitted by the detection device (2) hits the receiver precisely when the motor vehicle part (102, 103, 104, 106, 122) is in the first state , and the electromagnetic radiation (Si) does not impinge on the receiver when the motor vehicle part (102, 103, 104, 106, 122) is in the second state. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reflector (1) is designed as a retroreflector which reflects the incident electromagnetic radiation (Si) against the direction of incidence. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the motor vehicle part can optionally be brought into a locked state as the first state or an unlocked state as the second state. Device according to Claim 11 , characterized in that the motor vehicle part (103) is part of a locking mechanism with which an associated motor vehicle assembly can be locked and unlocked. Device according to Claim 11 , characterized in that the motor vehicle part (102, 104, 106, 122) is part of a motor vehicle assembly (100) which can be locked and unlocked by means of an associated locking mechanism. Device according to one of the Claims 1 to 11 , characterized in that the motor vehicle part (102, 104, 106, 122) can be transferred into a plurality of different positions, wherein in at least one of the positions of the motor vehicle part (102, 104, 106, 122) the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the detection device (2) hits the reflector (1) and in at least one other position of the motor vehicle part (102, 104, 106, 122) the electromagnetic radiation (Si ) does not hit the reflector (1). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the motor vehicle part (102, 104, 106, 122) is part of the interior fittings of the motor vehicle, in particular a seat part of a motor vehicle seat (100). Device according to the Claims 12 and 15th , characterized in that the motor vehicle part (103) is part of a locking mechanism with which an associated seat assembly can be locked and unlocked, which is designed to support a seat occupant. Device according to the Claims 12 and 15th , characterized in that the motor vehicle part (102, 104, 106) is part of a seat assembly which is designed to support a seat occupant. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detection device (2) is set up to emit bundled electromagnetic radiation (Si) along different spatial directions and to receive reflected electromagnetic radiation (Ri) from the opposite spatial directions, so that by means of a detection device ( 2) the state of a plurality of motor vehicle parts (102, 103, 104, 106, 122) that are spaced apart from one another can be detected by scanning the respectively assigned reflector (1). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detection device (2) is to be arranged as intended in the interior (I) of a motor vehicle. Device according to Claim 19 , characterized in that the detection device (2) is intended to be arranged on the roof (D) of a motor vehicle. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detection device (2) is designed as a radar device or as a LIDAR device. Method for detecting the state of a motor vehicle part (102, 103, 104, 106, 122) which can optionally be brought into a first state or a second state, the device having a display element on the basis of which the state of the motor vehicle part (102, 103 , 104, 106, 122) is determined, characterized in that the display element has a reflector (1) and that the reflector (1) is assigned a detection device (2) at a distance from it, which generates bundled electromagnetic radiation (Si), which is reflected by the reflector (1) when it strikes the reflector (1) and which can receive the reflected radiation (Ri), the reflector (1) being designed and arranged in such a way that the electromagnetic radiation (Si) is only reflected to the receiver in one of the two states of the motor vehicle part (102, 103, 104, 106, 122). Procedure according to Claim 22 , characterized in that the motor vehicle part (102, 103, 104, 106, 122) is displaced during the transition from the first to the second state in such a way that the electromagnetic radiation (Si) is only in one of the two states of the motor vehicle part (102, 103, 104, 106, 122) is reflected from the reflector (1) to the receiver. Procedure according to Claim 22 or 23 carried out using a device according to one of the Claims 1 to 21st .

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