EP1469149B1 - Actuating device for a wing - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a stress sensor (6) coupled to a handle (5) for receiving stress provided on the handle. The handle movably linked to a base plate (4) is actuated in an opening direction (Fb) or an opposite direction (Fa), to control opening or closing of a vehicle door. The sensor produces detection signals when the handle is actuated in either of the opening or opposite directions.

Description

The present invention relates to an actuating device for a vehicle door, comprising a base intended to be arranged on the outside of said door leaf and a handle movably connected to said base and able to be actuated in a direction of or verture for controlling an opening of said opening.

In motor vehicles, many features are developed to automate certain actions, in order to make the use of the vehicle less and less restrictive for the user and to avoid unintentional omissions, particularly in the case of vehicle security actions . In this context, it is particularly known keyless entry systems or "hands-free".

A hands-free access system consists of a portable identifier intended to be worn by an authorized user of the vehicle and a communication device embedded in the vehicle. These two bodies are capable of performing a bidirectional remote dialogue to authenticate the user. When the authentication is successful, the on-board communication device controls the unlocking of the doors. It is known, for example according to DE10052308A, to trigger communication in response to the pull of a door handle, which can be detected by means of a mechanical switch coupled to the handle. It is also known to trigger the communication in response to the presence of the hand of the user in the vicinity of the door handle, which can be detected using a capacitive sensor or infrared. All these detectors have disadvantages.

In particular, mechanical contactors are devices that age quickly. In addition, switching the contactor requires a certain displacement, which must be adjusted by making a compromise between the response time of the contactor, which is proportional to the displacement to be performed, and the probability of accidental switching, original by vibratory example, which depends in the opposite direction of the displacement to be performed.

Capacitive and infrared sensors require a microcontroller, so they have a cost and a consumption relatively high electric. In addition, these sensors are often too sensitive, in the sense that any object approaching the door handle is perceived as the hand of the user. This results in untimely triggers that consume energy. In addition, because of electrostatic interactions, capacitive sensors may have a different response depending on the clothing worn by the user. Finally, all these sensors are sensitive to the environment (freezing, corrosion, dust, dirt).

US-A-2003/006 649 discloses a vehicle exterior door handle containing a piezoelectric sensor responsive to deformations of the handle. The handle is fixed and elastically deformable. It does not include any moving part, such as an actuating lever. It can only act on fully motorized locks.

The object of the invention is to remedy at least some of these disadvantages.

For this, the invention provides a device according to claim 1.

A stress sensor has the advantage of reacting to a force, without significant displacement being necessary. Thus, it is possible to detect an actuation of the handle in the direction of the opening, which is the normal movement of a handle from its rest position, but also in the opposite direction, even if no significant stroke handle is provided in this direction. It also results that the response time of the sensor can be very short. However, the detection requires a real effort on the handle, so that nuisance tripping at a distance is avoided.

Preferably, said stress sensor is arranged to receive a first constraint causing the production of a first detection signal in response to an actuation of said handle in said opening direction and to receive a second constraint causing the production of a second detection signal in response to an actuation of said handle in said opposite direction. This configuration is particularly advantageous, since a single sensor can detect and distinguish two types of actuation of the handle, for example to control actions. different. This is not possible with the other sensors mentioned above. In particular, two mechanical contactors would be required to detect both types of actuation of the handle.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, said stress sensor is arranged in said handle. Thus, the sensor can detect a pull or a pressure exerted on the handle.

According to another particular embodiment of the invention, there is provided a kinematic chain for connecting said handle to a lock of said opening, said stress sensor being arranged in said kinematic chain. Such a kinematic chain may have many shapes and a greater or lesser number of moving parts coupled to transmit the movement of the handle to a lock, such as levers, rods, wheels, etc. There is usually one or more locations, including interfaces between these parts, allowing integration of the sensor. The sensor then receives the stress or constraints from the opening handle through the kinematic chain or kinematic chain portion located between it and him.

Advantageously, said stress sensor is arranged between two levers of said kinematic chain which are prestressed towards each other. Preferably in this case, one of said levers is rigidly connected to said handle. Thus, the force exerted on the handle is well transmitted to the sensor, without games delaying or damping this transmission.

Many kinds of stress sensors exist and can be used in the invention. Advantageously, said stress sensor is a piezoelectric sensor having at least one variable electrical characteristic as a function of the stresses it receives. For example, the variable electrical characteristic is an electromotive force whose amplitude and sign depend on the pressure received. The sensor can also be piezo-resistive, having a variable electrical resistance depending on the stress. Piezoelectric sensors have a lower cost than capacitive or infrared sensors. They are less sensitive to environmental conditions. They have a small footprint and can be designed with various shapes, which facilitates their integration into the device.

Preferably, said strain sensor produces said or each detection signal only in response to a variation of said stress. In other words, the sensor is indifferent to static constraints. As a result, a change of configuration of the moving parts of the actuating device, for example due to thermal expansion or contraction phenomena, does not affect the operation of the sensor, so that a re-calibration procedure is avoided. .

Advantageously there is provided a pre-processing circuit connected to said stress sensor for shaping said detection signal or said detection signals. This circuit can for example be integrated in the handle or its base.

Preferably, there is provided a control unit connected to said strain sensor and able to control at least one vehicle actuation action in response to the detection signal that is produced in response to an actuation of said handle in said direction of movement. 'opening.

The term "activation action" refers to any action that prepares the vehicle for future use. Many commissioning actions can be ordered in this way. According to a particular embodiment of the invention, said at least one activation action comprises at least one action among the triggering of a radio frequency transmission to a portable identifier, the lighting of a vehicle lighting or a car radio and the automatic adjustment of a movable member of said vehicle, for example the recoil of a seat to facilitate the boarding or deployment of a rearview mirror.

Preferably, there is provided a control unit connected to said stress sensor and adapted to control at least one action of deactivating the vehicle in response to the detection signal which is produced in response to an actuation of said handle in said opposite direction . This control unit may be another or preferably the same as mentioned above.

The term "deactivation action" refers to any action that prepares the vehicle for a period of inactivity. Many deactivation actions can thus be ordered. According to a particular embodiment of the invention, said at least one setting action off includes at least one action among the closing of the opening of the vehicle, including windows, the locking of the opening of the vehicle, extinguishing a vehicle lighting or a car radio, the automatic adjustment of a movable member of said vehicle, for example the retraction of a mirror, and the activation of an alarm.

The invention applies to any vehicle opening, such as a door or a trunk lid.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique d'un véhicule équipé d'un dispositif d'actionnement selon l'invention,
• la figure 2 représente le dispositif d'actionnement du véhicule de la figure 1 selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention, vu en perspective depuis le côté intérieur,
• la figure 3 représente schématiquement l'installation électrique du dispositif de la figure 2,
• la figure 4 représente un dispositif d'actionnement convenant pour le véhicule de la figure 1, selon un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention, vu en coupe selon le plan vertical indiqué par les lignes IV de la figure 2,
• la figure 5 est un schéma électrique plus détaillé du circuit de la figure 3.

The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, characteristics and advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the course of the following description of several particular embodiments of the invention, given solely for illustrative and non-limiting purposes. with reference to the accompanying drawings. On these drawings:

• FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a vehicle equipped with an actuating device according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 represents the device for actuating the vehicle of FIG. 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention, seen in perspective from the inside,
• FIG. 3 diagrammatically represents the electrical installation of the device of FIG. 2,
• FIG. 4 represents an actuating device that is suitable for the vehicle of FIG. 1, according to a second embodiment of the invention, seen in section along the vertical plane indicated by the lines IV of FIG. 2,
• FIG. 5 is a more detailed circuit diagram of the circuit of FIG. 3.

FIG. 1 diagrammatically and partially shows a vehicle 18 having a roof wall 19, a floor wall 20 and a side door 1, which carries a lock 2 and a handle assembly 3.

Figure 2 shows the handle assembly 3 according to a first embodiment. The handle assembly 3 comprises a base 4 which is intended to be fixed on the outer surface of the door 1 according to the known technique. The handle assembly 3 comprises also a pivoting handle 5 which is connected to the base 4 by a vertical pivot axis not shown and which is recalled by a not shown return spring to the rest position shown in Figure 2. The arrow Fb represents the direction of the force that the user exerts on the handle 5 to open the door 1, that is to say a pulling force. The arrow Fa represents the direction of the force exerted by the user on the handle 5 to close the door 1, that is to say a pushing force. The handle 5 is functionally connected to the lock 2 by a kinematic chain 17. This kinematic chain 17 makes it possible, in a manner known per se, to transmit the traction movement of the handle 5 to the lock 2 in order to trigger the release of the bolt of the lock 2 and thus open the door 1. Such kinematic chain can be achieved using a number of levers and / or rods, in a manner known per se. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the kinematic chain 17 comprises a first lever arm 21 which is rigidly fixed to the handle 5 and which is slidably engaged through the base 4 towards the inside of the door 1. The lever arm 21 carries an actuating tab 22 intended to cooperate with a pivot lever not shown.

The handle 5 is a hollow plastic body in which a piezoelectric sensor 6 has been placed. With reference to FIG. 3, the piezoelectric sensor 6 comprises, schematically, a piezoelectric crystal 10 placed between two electrodes. 8a and 8b. An appropriate sensor is available from MURATA. An electrode wire 7a connects the electrode 8a to a preprocessing circuit 9. An electrode wire 7b connects the electrode 8b to the preprocessing circuit 9. As shown in FIG. 2, the circuit 9 is an electronic module housed in the handle 5. Between the electrodes 8a and 8b, the piezoelectric sensor 6 produces a voltage U which depends on the variation of the pressure stress exerted on the electrode 8a or the electrode 8b . More specifically, in response to a pressure increase on the electrode 8a, which tends to bend the piezoelectric crystal 10, the voltage signal U takes the form shown schematically at 11a. Conversely, in response to a pressure increase on the electrode 8b, which tends to bend the crystal 10 in opposite directions, the voltage signal U takes the form shown schematically at 11b. In other words, in response to two constraints in opposite directions, the sensor 6 produces two signals of opposite signs.

Thus, when the user pulls the handle 5 by exerting a force Fb, his hand applies through the wall of the handle 5 a pressure on the electrode 8b. In an alternative embodiment, the handle 5 comprises a flexible membrane on its inner face covering the piezoelectric sensor 6. However, such a membrane is not necessary because the handle 5 is in the form of a hollow body. plastic has sufficient flexibility for the force to be transmitted to the sensor 6. Conversely, when the user pushes the door by exerting the force Fa on the handle 5, the slight elastic flexion of the handle 5 is sufficient to produce a detectable pressure on the door. electrode 8a. A separate voltage signal U is thus obtained according to whether the force Fa or Fb is exerted on the handle 5. The displacement of the handle 5 which is necessary for this detection can be made very weak by a corresponding adjustment of the detection threshold of the sensor. 6. If a static pressure is exerted on the electrode 8a or 8b, no voltage signal will persist in the long term. Indeed, the piezoelectric sensor 6 only responds to stress variations.

With reference to FIG. 3, the preprocessing circuit 9 shapes the voltage signal U to transmit it on a connecting cable 12 also shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The pre-treatment performed by the circuit 9 consists of detecting respectively the rising edges and the falling edges in the voltage signal U which it receives as input. On output on the connecting cable 12, each rising edge is translated by a slot on the first wire 12a, while each falling edge is translated by a slot on the second wire 12b. Thus, in response to pressure on the electrode 8a, the voltage signal 11a is translated as a first slot on the wire 12a followed in time by a second slot on the wire 12b. Conversely, in response to a pressure on the electrode 8b, the output voltage signal consists of a first slot on the wire 12b followed in time by a second slot on the wire 12a, which are represented in dashed lines. . The circuit 9 may also include a filter for eliminating noise of vibratory origin.

The circuit 9 could be implemented in the form of a programmed microcontroller.

In Figure 5, there is shown an embodiment of the preprocessing circuit 9 which has the advantage of being relatively inexpensive. The piezoelectric sensor 6 is shown in the form of an equivalent electrical circuit including a voltage generator 30 in series with a resistor 31. The type of sensor used produces a voltage signal U which always has a substantially sinusoidal shape in response to a variation of stress, two opposite sinusoids being obtained in response to two constraints of opposite directions. The voltage signal U is produced between the electrode wires 7a and 7b. Between the wire 7a and the ground, a rectifier group 32a formed of a resistor and a Zener diode in parallel ensures that the potential of the wire 7a is positive if the voltage U is positive and zero if the voltage U is negative. Between the wire 7b and the ground, the rectifier group 32b makes the potential of the wire 7b null if the voltage U is positive and positive if the voltage U is negative. The Zener diodes also serve to clip the output voltage of the sensor 6 to a level below the maximum input voltage allowed by the amplifiers 33a and 33b. The level of clipping is defined by the inverse threshold of the Zener diodes, which is for example 8.2 V in the embodiment shown.

Then, the signal processing obtained on the son 7a and 7b is similar. An operational amplifier 33a, respectively 33b, linearly amplifies the potential of the wire 7a, respectively 7b, potentials which are therefore always positive or zero. A comparator 34a, respectively 34b, compares the signal at the output of the amplifier 33a or 33b with a predetermined positive threshold, for example 5V, which is imposed by a voltage divider bridge 35.

Thus, on the output of the comparator 34a, which is connected to the wire 12a, a changeover from 0 to 12 V is obtained as soon as the voltage U passes a predetermined positive threshold upwards, which can be adjusted with the voltage divider bridge 35. and the amplification ratio of the amplifier 33a, and a return to 0 V as soon as the voltage U returns below this positive threshold.

Conversely, on the output of the comparator 34b, which is connected to the wire 12b, a changeover from 0 to 12 V is obtained as soon as the voltage U passes downwards a predetermined negative threshold, which can be adjusted with the voltage divider bridge 35 and the amplification ratio of the amplifier 33b, and a return to 0 V as soon as the voltage U returns above this negative threshold.

Between the non-inverted input of the comparator 34a and / or 34b and the ground, an optional capacitance, represented by way of example at 36, can be provided for filtering the parasites.

The connecting cable 12 comprises a connector 13 which makes it possible to connect it to a control unit 14, for example a microcontroller. Depending on the order of arrival of the slots on the son 12a and 12b, the control unit 14 is informed of the appearance of a force on the handle 5 and also the direction of this effort.

The vehicle 18 is equipped with a hands-free access system. When the door 1 is locked and the user equipped with the appropriate portable identifier approaches and pulls the handle 5 in the direction of the arrow Fb, the control unit 14 controls an on-board transmitter 15 of the vehicle 18 to transmit an interrogation signal to the portable identifier. A bidirectional dialogue, by radio link, is then engaged in a manner known per se.

The control unit 14 can also be connected to actuators, such as the actuator shown schematically at 16 in FIG. 1. Thus, in response to traction on the handle 5 in the direction of the arrow Fb, the unit control 14 can control various actions of commissioning the vehicle, for example the deployment of a rear-view mirror, the recoil of a seat to facilitate the boarding of passengers, the lighting of an interior lighting, etc. Conversely, in response to a thrust force exerted on the handle 5 in the direction of the arrow Fa, the control unit 14 can control various actions of decommissioning the vehicle. For example, these actions of decommissioning can be the condemnation of the lock 2, the extinction of the headlights, the lifting of the windows, etc.

It is also possible to program the control unit 14 to control different actions depending on the number of pressures or the number of pulls exerted on the handle 5. For example, a simple push on the handle 5 will cause the condemnation of the door 1 and a double push, in a brief predetermined time interval, will result in the conviction of all the doors or the super-conviction.

Figure 4 shows a handle assembly 103 according to a second embodiment, which is usable in place of the aforesaid handle assembly 3. Elements similar to those of the first embodiment have the same reference numeral increased by 100 and are not described again.

In the second embodiment, the piezoelectric sensor 106 is not in the handle 105, but it is attached to the surface facing the base 104 of the actuating tab 122 at the end of the lever arm A lever 123, forming part of the aforesaid kinematic chain, is pivotally mounted about an axis 124 integral with the base 104. A not shown spring constrains the lever 123 in the direction of the arrow R, so as to press the lever arm 125 against the actuating tab 122. The piezoelectric sensor 106 is thus permanently prestressed between the lever arm 125 and the actuating tab 122, which bear on its respective electrodes.

From the rest position shown in FIG. 4, the handle 105 can be pulled in the opening direction of the door, which creates an increase in the instantaneous pressure between the electrodes of the piezoelectric sensor 106 and results in the production of a first voltage signal. From the rest position shown in Figure 4, the handle 105 can also be pushed in the closing direction of the door, because the handle 105 is supported on the base 104 through an elastic buffer 126, for example rubber . Such a thrust creates a decrease in the instantaneous pressure between the electrodes of the piezoelectric sensor 106 and causes the production of a second distinct voltage signal. The operation is also identical to that of the first embodiment which has been described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3. The piezoelectric sensor can also be placed at any point on the kinematic chain where it will receive a variation of stress in a meaning when the handle is pulled and a variation of stress in the opposite direction when the handle is pushed. The sensor may in particular be arranged between two parts of the drive train or on or in one piece.

In an alternative embodiment suitable for one and the other embodiment, the pre-processing electronic module is housed in the base of the handle assembly, which is also a hollow body in this case.

Although the invention has been described in connection with several particular embodiments, it is obvious that it is not limited thereto and that it comprises all the technical equivalents of the means described and their combinations if they are within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims (11)

1. Actuation device for a door (1) of a vehicle (18), comprising a seat (4, 104) intended to be arranged on the outside of said door, a handle (5, 105) designed to be actuated in a direction of opening (Fb) to control an opening of said door and at least one piezoelectric stress sensor (6, 106) presenting at least one electrical characteristic that is variable according to the stresses that it receives, said stress sensor being coupled to said handle and arranged in such a way as to receive a first stress resulting in the generation of a first detection signal (11b) in the form of a first voltage signal produced between two electrodes of said stress sensor in response to an actuation of said handle in said direction of opening (Fb) and to receive a second stress resulting in the generation of a second detection signal (11a) in the form of a second voltage signal generated between said electrodes of the stress sensor in response to an actuation of said handle in an opposite direction (Fa), said first and second voltage signals being of opposite signs, said device comprising a preprocessing circuit (9) linked to said stress sensor (6, 106) to format said voltage signals, said preprocessing circuit receiving as input said voltage signals, characterized in that said preprocessing circuit is designed to detect respectively rising edges and falling edges in said voltage signals that it receives as input, said preprocessing circuit being designed to translate each rising edge detected by a pulse on a first wire and each falling edge detected by a pulse on a second wire of a link cable at the output of said preprocessing circuit, said handle being linked movably to said seat.
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that said stress sensor (6) is arranged in said handle (5) .
3. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a kinematic linkage (17) intended to link said handle (105) to a lock (2) of said door, said stress sensor (106) being arranged in said kinematic linkage.
4. Device according to Claim 3, characterized in that said stress sensor (106) is arranged between two levers (121, 123) of said kinematic linkage that are prestressed one towards the other.
5. Device according to Claim 4, characterized in that one of said levers (121) is rigidly linked to said handle (105).
6. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said stress sensor (6, 106) generates said or each detection signal (11a, 11b) only in response to a variation of said stress.
7. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said rising edges are detected as the upward crossings of a first predetermined threshold and that said falling edges are detected as the downward crossings of a second predetermined threshold.
8. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a control unit (14) linked to said stress sensor (6, 106) and designed to control at least one enabling action of the vehicle in response to the detection signal (11b) that is generated in response to an actuation of said handle in said direction of opening (Fb).
9. Device according to Claim 8, characterized in that said at least one enabling action comprises at least one action out of the triggering of a radiofrequency transmission to a portable device, the switching on of a vehicle light and the automatic adjustment of a moving element of said vehicle.
10. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a control unit (14) linked to said stress sensor (6, 106) and designed to control at least one disabling action of the vehicle in response to the detection signal (11a) that is generated in response to an actuation of said handle in said opposite direction (Fa).
11. Device according to Claim 10, characterized in that said at least one disabling action comprises at least one action out of the closing of the doors of the vehicle, the locking of the doors of the vehicle, the switching off of the vehicle light, the automatic adjustment of a moving element of said vehicle and the activation of an alarm.

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