Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
  • H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
  • H03K17/00—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking
  • H03K17/94—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking characterised by the way in which the control signals are generated
  • H03K17/945—Proximity switches
  • H03K17/955—Proximity switches using a capacitive detector
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05F—DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; CHECKS FOR WINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING
  • E05F15/00—Power-operated mechanisms for wings
  • E05F15/70—Power-operated mechanisms for wings with automatic actuation
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05F—DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; CHECKS FOR WINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING
  • E05F15/00—Power-operated mechanisms for wings
  • E05F15/70—Power-operated mechanisms for wings with automatic actuation
  • E05F15/73—Power-operated mechanisms for wings with automatic actuation responsive to movement or presence of persons or objects
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
  • E05B81/00—Power-actuated vehicle locks
  • E05B81/54—Electrical circuits
  • E05B81/64—Monitoring or sensing, e.g. by using switches or sensors
  • E05B81/76—Detection of handle operation; Detection of a user approaching a handle; Electrical switching actions performed by door handles
  • E05B81/77—Detection of handle operation; Detection of a user approaching a handle; Electrical switching actions performed by door handles comprising sensors detecting the presence of the hand of a user
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
  • E05Y2400/00—Electronic control; Electrical power; Power supply; Power or signal transmission; User interfaces
  • E05Y2400/10—Electronic control
  • E05Y2400/44—Sensors not directly associated with the wing movement
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
  • E05Y2400/00—Electronic control; Electrical power; Power supply; Power or signal transmission; User interfaces
  • E05Y2400/10—Electronic control
  • E05Y2400/45—Control modes
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
  • E05Y2400/00—Electronic control; Electrical power; Power supply; Power or signal transmission; User interfaces
  • E05Y2400/80—User interfaces
  • E05Y2400/85—User input means
  • E05Y2400/852—Sensors
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
  • E05Y2400/00—Electronic control; Electrical power; Power supply; Power or signal transmission; User interfaces
  • E05Y2400/80—User interfaces
  • E05Y2400/85—User input means
  • E05Y2400/856—Actuation thereof
  • E05Y2400/858—Actuation thereof by body parts, e.g. by feet
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
  • E05Y2400/00—Electronic control; Electrical power; Power supply; Power or signal transmission; User interfaces
  • E05Y2400/80—User interfaces
  • E05Y2400/85—User input means
  • E05Y2400/856—Actuation thereof
  • E05Y2400/858—Actuation thereof by body parts, e.g. by feet
  • E05Y2400/86—Actuation thereof by body parts, e.g. by feet by hand
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
  • E05Y2800/00—Details, accessories and auxiliary operations not otherwise provided for
  • E05Y2800/40—Physical or chemical protection
  • E05Y2800/424—Physical or chemical protection against unintended use, e.g. protection against vandalism or sabotage
  • E05Y2800/426—Physical or chemical protection against unintended use, e.g. protection against vandalism or sabotage against unauthorised use, e.g. keys
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
  • E05Y2900/00—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof
  • E05Y2900/50—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof for vehicles
  • E05Y2900/53—Type of wing
  • E05Y2900/531—Doors
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
  • E05Y2900/00—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof
  • E05Y2900/50—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof for vehicles
  • E05Y2900/53—Type of wing
  • E05Y2900/546—Tailboards, tailgates or sideboards opening upwards
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
  • E05Y2900/00—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof
  • E05Y2900/50—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof for vehicles
  • E05Y2900/53—Type of wing
  • E05Y2900/548—Trunk lids
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
  • H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
  • H03K2217/00—Indexing scheme related to electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making or -breaking covered by H03K17/00
  • H03K2217/94—Indexing scheme related to electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making or -breaking covered by H03K17/00 characterised by the way in which the control signal is generated
  • H03K2217/96—Touch switches
  • H03K2217/9607—Capacitive touch switches
  • H03K2217/960705—Safety of capacitive touch and proximity switches, e.g. increasing reliability, fail-safe
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
  • H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
  • H03K2217/00—Indexing scheme related to electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making or -breaking covered by H03K17/00
  • H03K2217/94—Indexing scheme related to electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making or -breaking covered by H03K17/00 characterised by the way in which the control signal is generated
  • H03K2217/96—Touch switches
  • H03K2217/9607—Capacitive touch switches
  • H03K2217/96071—Capacitive touch switches characterised by the detection principle
  • H03K2217/960725—Charge-transfer
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
  • H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
  • H03K2217/00—Indexing scheme related to electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making or -breaking covered by H03K17/00
  • H03K2217/94—Indexing scheme related to electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making or -breaking covered by H03K17/00 characterised by the way in which the control signal is generated
  • H03K2217/96—Touch switches
  • H03K2217/9607—Capacitive touch switches
  • H03K2217/960755—Constructional details of capacitive touch and proximity switches
  • H03K2217/96078—Sensor being a wire or a strip, e.g. used in automobile door handles or bumpers

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an arrangement for a vehicle for detecting an activation action for activating a function on the vehicle.
• the invention further relates to a system and a method.
• a variable capacitance can be provided by means of a sensor element, such as a sensor electrode, which is specific for changes in the surroundings of the sensor element. This enables changes in the environment to be detected capacitively. In vehicles, such a capacitive detection can be used to detect approaches and / or gestures and thus to activate functions on the vehicle.
• the capacitive detection is often based on the fact that the sensor element is evaluated by means of a charge transfer.
• the shifting of electrical charges can, however, cause disruptive emissions (interference effects of the sensor element on the environment).
• disruptive emissions interference effects of the sensor element on the environment.
• disturbing influences from the environment interferences on the sensor
• other interferences on the detection are known, e.g. B. disruptive capacitive effects (parasitic capacitances, capacitive loads z. B. the vehicle body, or the like).
• the object is achieved in particular by an arrangement for a vehicle for the detection of an activation action for the activation of a function on the vehicle.
• the activation action is carried out in a front, side and / or rear area of the vehicle in order to initiate the activation of the function in the form of an opening and / or unlocking of a flap on the vehicle when the activation action is detected.
• An arrangement according to the invention can have at least the following components, which are connected in particular to a circuit board of the arrangement:
• At least one (in particular electrically conductive) sensor element for detecting a change, in particular an approach by an activation means, in an environment of the sensor element
• an (electronic) control arrangement which is electrically connected to the sensor element in order to provide an electrical sensor signal which is used for a Parameter of the sensor element is specific.
• the parameter in turn is specific for the detected change in the environment,
• an (electronic) evaluation arrangement for the repeated determination of the parameter of the sensor element by means of a transmission of the sensor signal to a memory arrangement in order to carry out the detection of the activation action, an evaluation filter arrangement of the evaluation arrangement for bandpass filtering and / or for transconductance conversion (i.e. in particular conversion of an electrical voltage into a same electrical current) of the sensor signal for transmission to the memory arrangement.
• the sensor signal can be provided for charging the storage arrangement, so that the charging is specific to the parameter.
• This type of sensor evaluation may be particularly robust against interference due to the bandpass filtering.
• the transconductance conversion can optionally also be implemented as a transconductance amplification in order to convert an input voltage into an output current (which may be over) proportional to it.
• the input voltage is, for example, the sensor signal as a voltage signal which is present at the output of a sensor control arrangement.
• the output current is, for example, the sensor signal converted by the evaluation filter arrangement, which is transmitted to the memory arrangement.
• the evaluation filter arrangement can have a transconductance operational amplifier, or alternatively can do completely without an operational amplifier. In the latter case, the transconductance gain can be realized with the gain factor of at most 1 (i.e. without gain).
• the evaluation filter arrangement can have an impedance in series with a virtual zero point of the memory arrangement in order to transmit the sensor signal, converted by the impedance, as a current signal to the memory arrangement via this series connection. This enables charge accumulation in the memory arrangement as a function of the amplitude of the voltage signal.
• an operational amplifier e.g. B. the evaluation filter arrangement and / or the sensor control arrangement, which with other Elements (such as a capacitor and / or a resistor and / or a coil) forms an active bandpass filter.
• the vehicle is designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a hybrid vehicle or as an electric vehicle, preferably with a high-voltage electrical system and / or an electric motor. It may also be possible for the vehicle to be designed as a fuel cell vehicle and / or passenger vehicle and / or semi-autonomous or autonomous vehicle.
• the vehicle has a security system, which, for. B. enables communication by communication with an identification transmitter (ID transmitter). Depending on the communication and / or the authentication, at least one function of the vehicle can be activated. If the authentication of the ID transmitter is necessary for this, the function can be a safety-relevant function, such as unlocking the vehicle and / or enabling an engine start.
• ID transmitter identification transmitter
• the function can be a safety-relevant function, such as unlocking the vehicle and / or enabling an engine start.
• the security system can thus also be designed as a passive access system which initiates the authentication and / or the activation of the function upon detection of the approach of the ID transmitter to the vehicle without active manual actuation of the ID transmitter.
• a wake-up signal is repeatedly sent out by the security system, which can be received by the ID transmitter when approaching, and then triggers the authentication.
• the function can also relate to activation of vehicle lighting and / or actuation (opening and / or closing) of a flap (e.g. front or rear or side flap or door). E.g. the vehicle lighting is automatically activated when the approach is detected and / or the flap is actuated when a gesture of a user is detected.
• an activation action is detected by an arrangement according to the invention.
• this can be an activation action outside the vehicle (which therefore does not take place in the vehicle interior).
• the environment of the sensor element in which the change is detected can be outside the vehicle.
• the function can be triggered and / or the authentication initiated by the arrangement (in particular by a control device).
• the activation act it can be e.g. B. approximation and / or gesture act, which is carried out by means of the activating agent.
• the activation means or the activation action can advantageously also be detected if the activation means is a non-electronic object (and therefore also not an ID transmitter).
• the activating agent can be designed as a non-electrical and / or non-metallic and / or biological substance, such as. B. a body part of a user.
• the use of a capacitive detection for the detection of the activation action is therefore particularly advantageous, since this does not require any special precautions on the activation agent.
• An arrangement according to the invention is advantageously designed as an electronic circuit (circuit arrangement) and has electronic components which are at least partially arranged on a printed circuit board and can be connected to one another via electrical conductor tracks. At least one of these components can also be designed as an integrated circuit (such as a control device in the form of a microcontroller). Some of the components can also be designed as SMD (surface-mounted device) components.
• the sensor element can be electrically conductive, for. B. may be formed as a conductor track or as a flat electrode on the circuit board, or also connected to the circuit board via a supply line (such as an electrical line).
• the sensor element is designed, for example, as part of a cable (such as a coaxial cable), as a flat electrode or as an elongated conductor.
• the sensor element can also be understood as a capacitive antenna, since the sensor element provides a variable sensor capacitance.
• the variable sensor capacitance can optionally also be provided by a plurality of sensor elements which are operated simultaneously or alternately.
• the circuit board and / or the sensor element is, for. B. integrated in a door handle or in a bumper.
• the sensor element can be arranged in such a way that the arrangement of the sensor element defines a detection area for the activation action.
• the sensor element in order to provide the parameter specific for the detection as a variable capacitance (also referred to as sensor capacitance), the change in the capacitance being specific for the change in the surroundings of the sensor element can.
• At least one shield element can in turn serve to change the area of the sensor element that is to be shielded shield so that this change does not significantly change the capacity.
• a control signal is used for the control of the sensor element and a sensor signal is used for the evaluation of the sensor element.
• the sensor signal can be dependent on the control signal.
• a charge transfer in the sensor element can also depend on the control signal, since, for. B. an electrical voltage on the sensor element follows the control signal (or corresponds to the electrical voltage of the control signal).
• the sensor signal and / or the charge transfers in the sensor element essentially
• control signal has the same signal shape as the control signal, preferably a sinusoidal shape and / or a periodic oscillating shape, and / or
• the sensor signal is present as alternating current (or alternating voltage) at least after (or by) filtering an evaluation filter arrangement.
• Filtering by the evaluation filter arrangement can also be implemented as bandpass filtering.
• the control signal can be filtered, in particular by the filter arrangement, as low-pass filtering in order to maintain a DC voltage component in the control signal.
• the evaluation filter arrangement is designed to carry out a transconductance conversion of the sensor signal as an alternative or in addition to the bandpass filtering.
• a transconductance conversion is understood in particular to mean that an electrical voltage is added to it proportional and preferably the same electrical current is converted. Functionally, this can correspond to the function of a transconductance amplifier, possibly with an amplification factor (proportionality factor) of at most 1.
• the evaluation filter arrangement cannot have an operational amplifier, but rather the transconductance conversion by means of the complex resistor and in particular through the connection in series with the virtual one Achieve zero.
• the frequency of the sensor signal (as a periodic signal) can be dependent on an operating frequency, i. H. in particular the frequency of the control signal at the output of a filter arrangement of the control arrangement.
• a single working frequency can advantageously be used for the entire arrangement according to the invention both for the control and for the evaluation, in particular capacitive sensor evaluation, of the sensor element in order to carry out the control and evaluation of the sensor element with a predetermined working frequency range.
• filtering is used in particular in the electrical control (by the filter arrangement) and in the evaluation (by an evaluation filter arrangement), the filtering being adapted to the working frequency (e.g. forming a low and / or bandpass to pass the working frequency range ).
• the sensor signal can also be adapted in accordance with the control signal.
• the sensor signal can be specific for the charge transfers and nevertheless has the set properties.
• z. B. uses a (the) sensor control arrangement, which outputs the control signal as a function of the charge transfers (and thus the sensor capacitance of the sensor element) as the sensor signal. This is e.g. B. possible by using an operational amplifier in the sensor control arrangement, which has negative feedback by means of a capacitor.
• the memory arrangement can preferably be designed as an electronic integrator, in particular in order to accumulate received charges. Preferably several Charge transfers after several charges and discharges of the sensor element can be used to charge the memory arrangement.
• the control arrangement for an electrical control of the sensor element provides a control signal in order to initiate charge transfers at the sensor element by means of the control signal
• the evaluation filter arrangement providing the bandpass filtering with a center frequency and bandwidth which are adapted to a frequency and in particular signal form of the control signal in order to suppress interferences, preferably disturbing immissions on the arrangement from the environment, during repeated determination and / or during transmission to the memory arrangement.
• the sensor evaluation can be adapted to the electrical control of the sensor element by using the evaluation filter arrangement. This enables interference frequencies to be reduced both in terms of control (with regard to emissions) and sensor evaluation (with regard to immissions).
• a sensor control arrangement of the control arrangement is electrically connected to the sensor element in order to initiate charge transfers between the sensor element and the sensor control arrangement and to provide the sensor signal on the basis of the charge transfers
• the evaluation filter arrangement having the memory arrangement and the sensor control arrangement is electrically connected to filter and transmit the filtered signal to the memory arrangement.
• the memory arrangement is connected in series with the evaluation filter arrangement via an input.
• an input resistance (in particular of a current input) of the memory arrangement can be so low that a virtual zero point is formed at the input, so that preferably the sensor signal, filtered by the evaluation filter arrangement, is present at the input as an electrical current signal, in particular with the signal form and / or frequency which a has electrical voltage signal of the sensor element and / or a control signal.
• the amplitude of the sensor signal can correspond to the unfiltered sensor signal (the voltage signal) and / or the amplitude can be proportional to a sensor capacitance of the sensor element. This enables a particularly reliable evaluation.
• the evaluation filter arrangement is designed as a passive or active filter. This enables a simple and inexpensive construction.
• the evaluation filter arrangement has a bandwidth in the range from 100 kHz to 1 MHz, preferably from 250 kHz to 450 kHz and / or a center frequency of essentially 333 kHz. Such a frequency range has proven to be particularly advantageous for sensor evaluation. Alternatively, other center frequencies are also conceivable, but the bandwidth should be relatively small.
• control arrangement has a filter arrangement, in particular an active filter and / or a low-pass filter and / or a bandpass filter, in order to filter, in particular an electrical control signal for the electrical control of the sensor element (in particular via a control path) to provide low-pass filtered and / or shaped, so that preferably an emission of the sensor element is adapted by the filter arrangement.
• a frequency can be passed through the filter which corresponds to an operating frequency and in particular the (average) frequency of the control signal.
• the filtering of the evaluation filter arrangement can also be adapted to this working frequency and thus allow the working frequency to pass through.
• the control arrangement has a filter arrangement, in particular an active filter, which connects a signal generator arrangement to the sensor element via a control path in order to filter, in particular low-pass filtered, and / or shaped an electrical control signal generated by the signal generator arrangement on the control path To provide sensor element and thereby to provide it as a filtered electrical signal, preferably a sinusoidal signal.
• a sensor control arrangement can also be provided on the control path, which uses the control signal to initiate charging and discharging of the sensor element. The Charges and discharges thus take place in dependence on the control signal, so that in particular the charge transfers of the charge and discharge are carried out periodically at the working frequency.
• the control signal thus enables not only the control of the charge transfers, but also an emission of the sensor element.
• the evaluation filter arrangement is provided in addition to a filter arrangement of the control arrangement in order to filter additional emissions to the sensor element for the determination of the parameter, the filter arrangement preferably for filtering a control signal for the sensor element and the evaluation filter arrangement for filtering of the sensor signal is designed for the memory arrangement. This can improve the overall interference behavior of the sensor.
• the sensor element is designed as a sensor electrode in order to provide the parameter specific for the detection as a variable capacitance, the change in capacitance being specific for the change in the environment, the arrangement is carried out for the repeated determination:
• the electrical charge stored by the storage arrangement is specific for the change in capacitance.
• the provision of different charge transfers by the sensor control arrangement can bring about a kind of “decoupling”, in particular a reduced load on the sensor element and / or falsification of the control signal.
• the sensor control arrangement can use, for example, at least one amplification element such as an operational amplifier.
• a control device is connected to the memory arrangement of the evaluation arrangement in order to evaluate an electrical charge stored by the memory arrangement in order to determine the parameter specific for the detection, preferably by an analog-digital conversion of a voltage at the memory arrangement, preferably by an analog-digital converter of the control device.
• the evaluation can use other measurement methods to obtain the most accurate measurement possible for the voltage.
• the arrangement as a capacitive sensor arrangement is at least partially integrated in a bumper of the vehicle in order to monitor the rear area of the vehicle, and in order to function as the function on the vehicle, the tailgate (and / or front flap and / or sliding door on one side ) to open the vehicle, in particular to initiate an output of an opening signal and / or an authentication check.
• the tailgate and / or front flap and / or sliding door on one side
• the arrangement is designed to repeatedly charge and discharge the sensor element by electrically actuating the sensor element, and to carry out charge transfers by the sensor signal to the memory arrangement as a function of this charging and / or discharging
• a control device in particular at least one microcontroller, is electrically connected to a signal generator arrangement in order to initiate the electrical activation in the signal generator arrangement, and / or is electrically connected to the memory arrangement in order to transfer the amount of the stored in the memory arrangement and / or after several charge transfers after a charge transfer evaluate accumulated charge, and use the evaluation to carry out the detection, preferably to output an activation signal to activate the function on the vehicle when the amount of charge exceeds a limit value.
• the control device can be used to synchronize the control and sensor evaluation in order to enable the evaluation to be particularly reliable.
• a sensor control arrangement is electrically connected to the sensor element in order to use a Control signal and / or on the basis of charge transfers at the sensor element to generate an electrical voltage signal with a specific frequency and / or signal shape, preferably sinusoidal shape, at an output
• the evaluation filter arrangement being designed to transmit the voltage signal into an electrical current signal for charge transfers to the memory arrangement to convert the substantially the same signal shape and / or frequency so that the sensor signal results as the electrical current signal (in particular through the transconductance conversion), the signal shape and / or frequency of the voltage signal preferably corresponding to the signal shape and / or frequency of the control signal.
• a rectifier arrangement is connected between the evaluation filter arrangement and the memory arrangement, in order to forward charge transfers by the sensor signal in the direction of the memory arrangement to the memory arrangement by repeated switching, and preferably only with this forwarding a virtual zero point of the memory arrangement to be connected to the evaluation filter arrangement and in particular to a compensation arrangement, and preferably otherwise to connect the evaluation filter arrangement to a ground potential.
• a load on the evaluation filter arrangement can be significantly reduced and the sensor signal can be transmitted in a particularly reliable and unadulterated manner in order to further reduce the susceptibility to faults.
• the invention also relates to a system comprising:
• control device for outputting an activation signal in the event of detection of the activation action (by the arrangement according to the invention, the control device being connected to the arrangement according to the invention for this purpose),
• control unit which is connected to the control device (in particular in terms of signal technology) in order to perform the function on the vehicle when the activation signal is received.
• the invention also relates to a method for a vehicle for detecting an activation action for activating a function on the vehicle, in particular in a front, side and / or rear area of the vehicle for activating an opening and / or unlocking of a flap on the vehicle.
• a sensor element for detecting a change, in particular an approximation by an activation means, is provided in an environment of the sensor element.
• the method according to the invention thus brings with it the same advantages as have been described in detail with reference to an arrangement according to the invention.
• the method can be suitable for operating an arrangement according to the invention.
• FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a rear area of a vehicle with an arrangement and a system according to the invention
• FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of a vehicle with an arrangement according to the invention and a system according to the invention
• Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of parts of an inventive
• Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of parts of an inventive
• Figure 5 is a schematic representation of parts of an inventive
• Figure 6 is a schematic representation of parts of an inventive
• Figure 7 is a schematic representation for the visualization of an inventive
• FIG. 1 shows a view of a rear area 1.2 of a vehicle 1 with a system according to the invention.
• An arrangement 10 according to the invention can be integrated in a bumper 1.1 of the vehicle 1 in order to detect an activation action by an activation means 3 (such as a leg 3) of a user 2 in the area of the bumper 1.1.
• the arrangement 10 has a sensor element 20, which can be designed, for example, as an elongated and / or cable-shaped electrode 20 or as a flat electrode 20 (ie flat electrode) or as a capacitive antenna. It is also possible that a cable, such as a coaxial cable, is used to form the sensor element 20.
• the arrangement 10 can have a signal connection to a control device 8 of the vehicle 1 in order to output an activation signal to the control device 8 via the signal connection, which signal Opening of the tailgate 1.3 initiated.
• Successful authentication with an identification transmitter 5 may be required for the opening.
• a flap in particular door 1.6 in the front area 1.7 and / or in the side area 1.4 of the vehicle can also be activated by an arrangement 10 according to the invention, whereby the arrangement 10 then z. B. is integrated in the door handle 1.5 or also in the bumper 1.1 or on a side sill.
• a vehicle 1 is shown schematically in a side view.
• the 1.4 and / or the front area 1.7 of the vehicle 1 may have an arrangement 10 according to the invention as an alternative or in addition to the rear area 1.2.
• the sensor element 20 is integrated in the side area 1.4 in a door handle 1.5 of the vehicle in order to detect the activation action in the area of the door handle 1.5.
• an approach to the sensor element 20 can be detected by the arrangement 10 in the side region 1.4 as an activation action.
• This activation action can involve an activation means 3 (such as a hand) reaching into a door handle recess of the door handle
• the arrangement of the sensor element 20 in the front region 1.7 can in turn be provided in the bumper 1.1 in order to, for. B. when detecting the activation action in the front area 1.7 to open a front flap.
• Another possible function, which can be activated by an activation action can be the opening of sliding doors 1.6 of vehicle 1, e.g. B. by approaching a side sill of the vehicle.
• the activation action can include an approach to the sensor element 20 or a gesture or the like.
• a shield element 160 for shielding can also be arranged adjacent to the sensor element 20 and / or further sensor element 20 ′. In Figure 1, this arrangement is shown as an example in the bumper 1.1.
• FIG. 3 shows an arrangement 10 according to the invention for a vehicle 1 which is used to detect an activation action for the activation of a function on the vehicle 1, in particular as described in accordance with FIGS. 1 and 2 for detecting the activation action in a front, side and / or Rear area 1.7, 1.4, 1.2 of vehicle 1 for the Activation of an opening and / or unlocking of a flap 1.3, 1.6, in particular door 1.6 on the vehicle 1 serves.
• the arrangement 10 according to the invention can have at least one sensor element 20 for detecting a change in an environment of the sensor element 20. This change is caused, for example, by the activation action, for example, an approach by an activation means 3.
• the sensor element 20 can be an electrical conductor, such as an electrically conductive surface (in particular when mounting the arrangement 10 in the door handle 1.5) or an elongated and if necessary, a flat electrode (in particular when mounting in the bumper 1.1).
• the sensitivity of the sensor element 20 to changes in the environment and thus to the activation action can be explained in a simplified manner, for example, as follows.
• the sensor element 20 can form a capacitance (hereinafter also referred to as sensor capacitance CS).
• sensor capacitance CS By generating an electrical potential (by means of an electrical control described below) on the sensor element 20, an electrical field can arise in the environment.
• the sensor capacity CS is influenced by the change in the environment and is therefore variable. In other words, the change in sensor capacitance CS correlates with the change in the environment, i. H. the existence of an activation act.
• variable capacitance CS can be evaluated in particular by evaluating the amount of charge stored in the sensor element 20 and can draw conclusions about the change in the environment, and thus serve to detect the activation action.
• carrying out charge transfers from and to the sensor element 20 is particularly suitable for providing a sensor signal on the basis of the charge transfers (such as the amount of charge transferred and / or the current intensity and / or voltage that can be detected), which can be evaluated for the determination of the variable capacitance CS .
• a control arrangement 100 (in the sense of a control arrangement 100) can be used to carry out the electrical control.
• the control arrangement 100 can be electrically connected to the sensor element 20 for the electrical control of the sensor element 20 via a control path KP in order to provide (ie enable) the detection. Due to the electrical control z. B. a (positively driven) up and Discharge of the sensor element 20 can be initiated via charge transfers in order to allow capacitive detection based on this activation of the sensor element 20.
• the electrical connection can, for. B. can be realized by means of an electrical connection via conductor tracks of a circuit board.
• the arrangement 10 according to the invention can be arranged at least in part on this printed circuit board as an electrical circuit.
• the sensor element 20 and / or the further sensor element 20 'and / or the at least one shield element 160 can be electrically connected to the control arrangement 100 of the arrangement 10 via conductor tracks via an electrical connection of the printed circuit board, or can itself be designed as a conductor track.
• the detection is provided, for example, in that an electrical potential is generated by the control arrangement 100 on the sensor element 20 in order to charge the sensor element 20.
• B. allows the evaluation of the variable capacity CS. It can also be a changing potential, so that an electrical voltage on the sensor element 20 z. B. is generated as a periodic and / or sinusoidal voltage.
• an evaluation arrangement 200 which carries out a repeated determination of at least one parameter of the sensor element 20 which is specific for the detection, in order to carry out the detection of the activation action.
• the variable capacitance CS is regarded as this parameter.
• At least one shield element 160 is provided, which is arranged adjacent to the sensor element 20 to shield the sensor element 20 (and thus in the effective range).
• a shield control arrangement 150 with a connection 150.A is provided for the shield element 160.
• the shield control arrangement 150 can be electrically connected to the control path KP and thus also to the shield element 160 via a shield control input 150.B for providing the (previously described) electrical control of the control arrangement 100 for the shield element 160.
• the shield control arrangement 150 can provide the same electrical control for the shield element 160 that is also used for the sensor element 20.
• an electrical output voltage at the output 150.A of the shield control arrangement 150 which is electrically connected to the shield element 160, follows an input voltage at the input 150.B of the shield control arrangement 150, which in turn is electrically connected to the control path KP and thus also to the Sensor element 20 is connected.
• the same control signal can be used for the sensor element 20 and for the shield element 160 in order to set the potential on the sensor element 20 and on the shield element 160 in the same way by means of the control signal.
• a connection point on the control path KP can be used to connect the shield control arrangement 150 to the control path KP.
• Various positions on the control path KP come into question, e.g. B. directly on the current path to the sensor element 20 or between a filter arrangement 140 and a sensor control arrangement 170.
• FIG. 3 two possible connection points of the shield control input 150.B with the shield control arrangement 150 are shown by way of example and not conclusively with a dashed line.
• the control signal which is output by the filter arrangement 140 can be used to set the potential on the shield element 160.
• the connection point directly on the current path to the sensor element 20 the (essentially) the same potential that is present on the sensor element 20 is used to set the potential on the shield element 160.
• the shield control arrangement 150 can have an operational amplifier 150.1 for electrically guiding the shield element 160. This can be used to connect the control path KP to the shield element 160 and thus to generate the output voltage (also referred to as shield voltage) on the shield element 160 equal to the input voltage on the control path KP.
• the input voltage corresponds to a control voltage which is specific and / or proportional to the electrical voltage at sensor element 20.
• the shield control arrangement 150 can preferably form a voltage follower so that an electrical potential on the shield element 160 follows the electrical potential on the control path KP and in particular on the sensor element 20.
• a direct negative feedback of the operational amplifier 150.1 can be provided in order to obtain an amplification factor of 1.
• the shield control input 150.B can be (directly) electrically connected to the positive (non-inverting high-resistance) input of the operational amplifier 150.1, so that the input resistance of the shield control input 150.B is very large so that the voltage at the shield control input 150.B is only slightly loaded.
• the shield element connection 150.A can be (directly) electrically connected to the output of the operational amplifier 150.1 and, due to the negative feedback, possibly also to the inverting input of the operational amplifier 150.1, in order to provide an output which is low-impedance compared to the input resistance.
• control arrangement 100 has a signal generator arrangement 130 which is electrically connected to the sensor element 20 for the electrical control of the sensor element 20 in order to repeatedly generate an electrical signal for charging the sensor element 20.
• This electrical signal also referred to below as a control signal, can serve for the described electrical control, and thus for the sensor element 20, possibly also for the further sensor element 20 ', and in particular also for the at least one shield element 160 for setting the electrical potential and / or be provided for electrical charging and discharging.
• This provision is made, for. B. by the transmission of the electrical signal via at least part of the control path KP to a sensor control arrangement 170 and / or to a shield control arrangement 150.
• the generation of the activation signal by the signal generator arrangement 130 thus has the effect that the activation signal (possibly previously changed, in particular filtered) is present at connection 170.C.
• the sensor control arrangement 170 and / or the shield control arrangement 150 can in turn be used to control the sensor element 20, the further sensor element 20 ′ and / or the shield element 160 on the basis of the control signal.
• a charge transfer (charging and / or discharging) is initiated on the sensor element 20 or the further sensor element 20 ′ and / or the shield element 160 (and thus also the creation of an electric field is initiated) on the basis of the control signal.
• the evaluation of the amount of the transferred charge can enable an evaluation of the variable sensor capacitance CS.
• the time course of this charge transfer can be influenced by the shaping of the electrical signal.
• the signal generator arrangement 130 z. B. a digital-to-analog converter 130.1, which can also be implemented as part of a control device 300 such as a microcontroller.
• the signal generator arrangement 130 can optionally also be completely part of the control device 300. It is also conceivable that the signal generator arrangement 130 is only partially integrated in the control device 300, and z. B. the digital-to-analog converter 130.1 is formed separately therefrom. This enables a certain signal form to be very reliably and precisely of the control signal can be determined.
• This signal shape can optionally be further shaped and / or improved by subsequent filtering, so that the control signal subsequently has, for example, a sinusoidal shape according to an operating frequency.
• the control arrangement 100 can therefore have a filter arrangement 140, in particular an active filter 140 e.g. B. have a low pass filter. As shown, this can be connected downstream of the signal generator arrangement 130 in order to filter the control signal for the electrical control of the sensor element 20 via the control path KP to the sensor control arrangement 170, in particular by low-pass filtering. In this way, the control signal can be shaped with a specific operating frequency, so that an emission of the sensor element 20 by the filter arrangement 140 is preferably adapted.
• the control arrangement 100 can have a filter arrangement 140, in particular an active filter 140, which connects the signal generator arrangement 130 to the control path KP in order to filter, in particular low-pass filtered, and / or shaped an electrical signal generated by the signal generator arrangement 130 on the control path KP to provide, and thereby to provide as a filtered electrical signal, preferably a sine signal.
• Active filtering is preferably made possible by an operational amplifier 140.1 and by filter elements 140.2 such as at least one capacitor and / or at least one resistor and / or at least one coil.
• the electrical signal (control signal) on the control path KP and in particular on the connection 170.C can now optionally be output to the sensor element 20 via further components such as the sensor control arrangement 170 and via a switching element 180 (possibly via a connection 180.A).
• the switching element 180 can be opened clocked and then closed again.
• the sensor control arrangement 170 can have an amplifier and / or a voltage follower and / or a voltage multiplier in order to generate an electrical potential at the connection 170.C in the same way on the sensor element 20, preferably so that the electrical potential at the sensor element 20 corresponds to the electrical potential at the connection 170 .C follows.
• the sensor control arrangement 170 z. B. an operational amplifier 170.1 and / or at least one filter element 170.2, such as a capacitor 170.2.
• Another switching element 180 may e.g. B. in the path between the connection 170.A and the further sensor element 20 ', and z. B. can be switched alternately with the switching element 180
• the sensor control arrangement 170 can the operational amplifier 170.1 as one
• Have transmission element 170.1 which is electrically connected to the signal generator arrangement 130 in order to initiate repeated charge transfers at the sensor element 20 on the basis of the control signal (at the connection 170.C).
• This enables at least partial charging and discharging of the sensor element 20, and thus an evaluation of the charge stored in the sensor element 20.
• Sensor control arrangement 170 further comprise the at least one filter element 170.2 as a reinforcing means 170.2, which is electrically connected to the evaluation arrangement 200 (and also to the sensor element 20), and thus provides the sensor signal on the basis of the charge transfers.
• the sensor signal is specific to the (e.g. proportional to) the sensor capacitance CS.
• the sensor signal is e.g. B. specifically for the current strength of the electrical current and / or a voltage which is present at the connection 170.A, and thus specifically for the charge transfers or the sensor capacitance CS.
• the amplification means 170.2 can be electrically connected to the sensor element 20 in order to provide charge transfers (ie an electrical current flow) between the sensor element 20 and the amplification means 170.2. Furthermore, the amplification means 170.2 can electrically connect an output of the transmission element 170.1 to an (in particular inverting) first input of the transmission element 170.1, so that the amplification means 170.2 forms a negative feedback for the transmission element 170.1. The negative feedback enables the charge transfers to be controlled by the control signal when the control signal is present at the other (in particular non-inverting) second input of the transmission element 170.1.
• the sensor control arrangement 170 provides a voltage follower for the sensor element 20, so that the voltage at the (in particular low-resistance) connection 170.A follows the control signal at the (in particular high-resistance) connection 170.C.
• the sensor signal can be provided by means of the arrangement (amplifier arrangement) comprising the transmission element 170.1 and the amplification means 170.2, which can be an electronic amplifier.
• the transmission element 170.1 is preferably designed as an operational amplifier 170.1.
• the reinforcing means 170.2 has at least one or two filter elements 170.2, in which, however, a capacitor C (for example with respect to a resistor R) can dominate.
• the configuration of the arrangement comprising the transmission element 170.1 and the amplifying means 170.2 can thus also be regarded as an integrating circuit.
• the capacitor C makes it possible to provide an electronic amplifier through this arrangement, in which the sensor signal is generated in the form of an electrical voltage proportional to the sensor capacitance CS based on the charge transfers.
• the sensor control arrangement 170 has the arrangement of the transmission element 170.1 and the amplification means 170.2 in order to provide the sensor signal with an amplification.
• the sensor signal is dependent on, and is preferably proportional to, a voltage U1 at a first connection 170.A of the sensor control arrangement 170 (or at the first input of the operational amplifier 170.1), amplified by an amplification factor.
• the amplification factor can be dependent on, and preferably be proportional to, a ratio of the sensor capacitance CS to the capacitance Cmess of the capacitor C.
• the voltage U1 (the output signal) at the terminal 170.A can in turn be avoided by using the voltage follower or a direct negative feedback Control signal in the form of a voltage U0 at connection 170.C essentially correspond. This results in the following relationship for the sensor signal, which can be present as voltage U2 at connection 170.B of sensor control arrangement 170:
• the sensor signal U2 U0 * (1 + CS / Cmess) It can be seen that the sensor signal U2 is amplified as a function of the variable sensor capacitance CS and the capacitance Cmess, that is to say is generated as an amplified voltage UO. Consequently, the sensor signal can be used to determine the sensor capacitance CS.
• the resistance R of the amplification means 170.2 is chosen to be as large as possible compared to (1 / (2 * TT * fO * CSmax)), with fO being the working frequency, in particular the (middle ) Frequency of the control signal, and CSmax is the maximum value of the sensor capacitance CS.
• the capacitance Cmess can, if necessary, be selected to be identical to the maximum variable sensor capacitance.
• the setting of Cmess consequently also enables the setting of a dynamic range when evaluating the sensor element 20.
• the arrangement of the transmission element 170.1 and the reinforcing means 170.2 in cooperation with the sensor capacitance CS provides a filter behavior (in particular bandpass behavior), which indicates the working frequency can be adjusted.
• the maximum variable sensor capacitance is, for example, the capacitance (the capacitance value) which the sensor capacitance CS can maximally assume during the activation action.
• the amplification means 170.2 can have a capacitor C and / or a resistor R as at least one filter element 140.2, the capacitor C (or the capacitance Cmess of the capacitor C) and / or the resistor R having a maximum variable sensor capacitance is adjusted.
• the capacitance Cmess of the capacitor C can preferably correspond to the maximum variable sensor capacitance.
• the capacitor C can be designed for negative feedback in the transmission element 170.1 (in particular operational amplifier 170.1) of the sensor control arrangement 170, and thus preferably form a feedback capacitor C. Via the capacitor C, the output of the transmission element 170.1 and in particular the output 170.B, to which the sensor signal is present, can be fed back to an input of the transmission element 170.1.
• this input can be connected directly to the connection 170.A, to which the sensor element 20 is connected (possibly via a switching element 180), and thus the output signal or an electrical voltage of the sensor element 20 is present.
• the output signal can be generated via a direct negative feedback corresponding to the control signal (follow this).
• the control signal or the output signal can in this way depending on the charge transfers (initiated by the output signal) at the sensor element 20 are amplified (with an amplification factor dependent on the sensor capacitance), and then outputted as the sensor signal amplified at the terminal 170.B.
• the charge transfer from the sensor element 20 (or the further sensor element 20 ′) to the sensor control arrangement 170 is provided in accordance with the above statements, in order to carry out this charge transfer on the basis of the sensor signal by an evaluation arrangement 200 evaluate.
• a charge transfer from the sensor element 20 to the sensor control arrangement 170 is carried out repeatedly in order to charge a storage arrangement 250, preferably an integrator 250, of the evaluation arrangement 200 depending on the amount of the charge transferred in the process.
• the memory arrangement 250 is charged as a function of, and preferably in proportion to, the sensor signal.
• the electrical charge stored by the storage arrangement 250 can be specific for the change in the capacitance CS.
• the memory arrangement 250 can e.g. B. provide a storage capacity CL by means of a storage capacitor.
• the control device 300 can be connected via a connection 250.A to the storage arrangement 250 of the evaluation arrangement 200 in order to evaluate the electrical charge stored by the storage arrangement 250 in order to determine the parameter specific for the detection.
• An evaluation signal that is specific to the parameter and / or the stored electrical charge is thus detected and evaluated.
• the evaluation signal can, for. B. be a voltage across a capacitor of the memory array 250.
• the shield control arrangement 150 and the sensor control arrangement 170 are electrically connected to the same signal generator arrangement 130 and the same filter arrangement 140 via the control path KP.
• an electrical signal (the control signal) generated by the signal generator arrangement 130 and / or filtered by the filter arrangement 140 is used on the control path KP both for controlling the sensor element 20 and the shield element 160, preferably with an essentially identical signal shape of the signal, preferably an at least approximate sinusoidal shape, so that an electrical potential difference between the sensor element 20 and the shield element 160 is always minimized during the operation of the arrangement 10 during activation and / or detection.
• the shield element 160 can be designed as an active shield element 160 (so-called “active shield”) for actively shielding the sensor element 20, so that an electrical potential on the shield element 160 actively tracks the electrical potential on the sensor element 20 by means of the shield control arrangement 150.
• active shield an active shield element 160
• This load usually leads to a relatively large proportion of the evaluation signal, which is evaluated by the control device 300.
• the variable portion of the evaluation signal due to the changeable sensor capacity CS is thus reduced and can therefore only be evaluated with difficulty.
• a compensation arrangement 230 is optionally used to improve the evaluation. This branches z. B. depending on the amplitude of the evaluation signal, a part of the electrical current from the memory arrangement 250.
• the use of a shield element 160 which has the same potential for shielding as the sensor element 20, can further reduce the described difficulties in the evaluation.
• the sensor element 20 can be repeatedly charged and discharged via the first connection 170.A of the sensor control arrangement 170 by means of the charge transfers. These repeated charges and discharges can be controlled by the control signal (due to a periodically changing voltage amplitude of the control signal). Depending on the charge transfers, an electrical sensor signal can be output via the second connection 170.B of the sensor control arrangement 170. It is possible for the sensor signal to be electrically filtered. Correspondingly, filtering for the evaluation branch during the transmission of the sensor signal to the memory arrangement 250 can be involved, which therefore has no influence on the electrical signal of the electrical control (on the control path KP) and thus on the charging of the sensor element 20.
• an evaluation filter arrangement 210 can be used to carry out filtering (such as, for example, bandpass filtering) of the electrical sensor signal. This enables the evaluation filter arrangement 210 to filter out disturbing immissions from the surroundings of the sensor element 20.
• the evaluation filter arrangement 210 can thus have a Provide EMC filtering of immissions.
• the evaluation filter arrangement 210 z. B. a complex resistor and additional filter elements. It is conceivable that the described form (eg sinusoidal form) of the electrical signal of the electrical control on the control path KP (ie the control signal) relates to the electrical voltage of the signal.
• the voltage of the sensor signal at connection 170.B can have the same shape, but possibly an amplified amplitude (proportional to the sensor capacitance CS). However, the evaluation may depend on the charge transfer and thus the electrical current when the sensor signal is transferred to the memory arrangement 250.
• the evaluation filter arrangement 210 can therefore have a transconductance converter in order to carry out a transconductance conversion of the sensor signal at the connection 170.B. Such a transconductance conversion is understood to mean that a voltage is converted into a current proportional to it.
• the evaluation filter arrangement 210 can be designed and / or connected in the evaluation arrangement 200 in such a way that an electrical current is generated from the voltage of the electrical signal (sensor signal) at the second connection 170.B in the form described (e.g. sinusoidal form) with this shape at the output 210.A of the evaluation filter arrangement 210 is formed.
• the transconductance converter is e.g. B. designed as a transconductance amplifier (using an operational amplifier), but preferably provides the transconductance conversion without an operational amplifier due to the interconnection with the memory arrangement 250. This is e.g. B. possible by the circuit configuration of the evaluation filter arrangement 210 in series with the memory arrangement 250.
• downstream components 220, 250 can be low-resistance, and / or the storage arrangement 250, for. B. at input 250.
• B have the inverting input (-) of an amplifying element, and in particular operational amplifier.
• the reinforcing element of the memory arrangement 250 can be designed such that countermeasures are initiated immediately if a voltage occurs at the input 250.
• an operational amplifier can regulate the differential voltage of its inputs to zero by means of feedback.
• the block 220 shown in FIG. 3 can relate to one or more rectifiers, and thus a rectifier arrangement 220.
• the rectifier arrangement 220 can possibly do without diodes or the like, so that essentially no (or almost no) voltage drop occurs at the rectifier arrangement 220. This can be implemented, for example, by performing the rectification by means of at least one electronic switch which is switched in a clocked manner.
• the rectifier arrangement 220 and in particular the at least one switch can provide a virtual zero point for the input 250.B or output 210.A (when the switch is closed).
• the at least one switch is opened, the output 210.A of the evaluation filter arrangement 210 can be connected to a ground potential 21.
• the switch connects the output 210.A to the ground potential 21 as a changeover switch. In this way, a ground potential can always be present at the output 210.A at least approximately, regardless of the switch position of the at least one switch in the rectifier arrangement 220 Evaluation filter arrangement 210 significantly reduced.
• the rectification described can be a “coherent” rectification by the at least one rectifier.
• the at least one rectifier in each case forwards the electrical signal (sensor signal) from the evaluation filter arrangement 210 to the memory arrangement 250, preferably in a phase-synchronized manner with the electrical control. This has the effect that the sensor signal is coherently rectified to the control signal.
• each of the rectifiers can have at least one electronic switch.
• the clock can in each case be predetermined in such a way that only positive (or alternatively negative) half-waves of a respectively predetermined fundamental or harmonic of the electrical signal (e.g.
• the respective clock can therefore be synchronized with the signal generator arrangement 130 in order to be matched to the shape of the electrical signal (control signal) of the electrical control.
• the evaluation filter arrangement 210 in this synchronization the phase shift between voltage (corresponding to the electrical signal of the electrical control on the control path KP) and current (corresponding to the signal at the output 210.A of the evaluation filter arrangement 210).
• rectification can also be carried out “incoherently” using diodes.
• the rectification takes place in the form of a one-way rectification, or alternatively that both the positive and the negative half-wave of the sensor signal are used for charge transfer to the memory arrangement 250.
• a frequency of the sensor signal (as a periodic signal) is dependent on an operating frequency, i. H. the frequency of the control signal at connection 170. C (or at the output of filter arrangement 140).
• a single operating frequency can be used for the entire arrangement 10 both for the activation and for the evaluation of the sensor element 20, in order to carry out the activation and evaluation of the sensor element 20 with a predetermined operating frequency range.
• filtering is used in the electrical control (by the filter arrangement 140) and in the evaluation (by the evaluation filter arrangement 210), the filtering being adapted to the working frequency (for example a low and / or bandpass to pass the working frequency range trains). This enables an optimal evaluation with regard to EMC conditions (for emissions) and disturbing influences (for immissions).
• FIG. 5 shows a possible embodiment of the arrangement 10 according to the invention when it is used with an elongated sensor element 20.
• a design is used, for example, when the sensor element 20 is to be used in a bumper 1.1 on a front or rear side of the vehicle 1. This makes it possible to detect a movement of the activation means 3 below the bumper 1.1 as an activation action, as is also illustrated in FIG. 6.
• a separate sensor element 20 is connected to the printed circuit board in the case of a larger detection area. For this purpose, e.g. B.
• a sensor element connection 180.A of the circuit board can be used, which provides an electrical connection to the switching element 180. This can in turn be the electrical connection via the sensor control arrangement 170 and the control path KP and the filter arrangement 140 to the signal generator arrangement 130 (for charging) or via the Provide evaluation filter arrangement 210 and rectifier arrangement 220 for storage arrangement 250 (for evaluation).
• the components 170, 140, 130, 210, 220, 250 mentioned can also be arranged on the circuit board.
• the printed circuit board with the components can be understood as a common component, which is referred to below as the sensor switching arrangement 400. It is optionally possible for this sensor switching arrangement 400 to be designed as an individually manageable part that can be mounted on the vehicle.
• the sensor switching arrangement 400 can be electrically connected to the sensor element 20 and possibly to at least one further sensor element 20 ′ via at least one sensor feed line 410.
• the at least one further sensor element 20 ′′ can optionally be connected to the sensor switching arrangement 400 via at least one additional sensor feed line 410.
• the sensor switching arrangement 400 is electrically connected to at least one shield element 160 or further shield element via a shield line 420, in particular shield feed line 420, or that the shield line 420 forms the shield element 160 (i.e. possibly also a further shield element).
• a coaxial cable 450 is shown schematically in FIG. 5, whose outer conductor 450.2 is used as a sensor element 20.
• the shield 450.2 of the coaxial cable 450 forms the sensor element 20.
• the sensor lead 410 can be electrically connected to the outer conductor 450.2 via the connection 180.A of the sensor switching arrangement 400.
• the connection 180.A transmits the electrical signal of the electrical control, which is predefined by the signal generator arrangement 130 and / or the filter arrangement 140 (that is, generated and possibly filtered) and can also be output by a sensor control arrangement 170 at the connection 180.A.
• a shield lead 420 can be connected to a shield element 160 via a shield element connection 150.A of the sensor switching arrangement 400 (see FIG. 6), or the shield line 420 connected to the shield element connection 150.A itself the shield element 160 (or possibly also a further shield element ) form. In the latter case and shown in FIG. 5 in particular, it can be useful if the shield element 160 is operated as a passive shield element 160.
• the inner conductor 450.1 (ie the core) of the coaxial cable 450 can possibly remain disconnected.
• the shield element 160 is connected to a predetermined constant electrical potential via the shield element connection 150.A during operation (always or during the charging and / or discharging of the sensor element 20).
• the electrical potential of the shield element 160 can correspond to a ground potential 21 or be a different potential. In contrast to this, when operating as an active shield element 160, the electrical potential of the shield element 160 can be tracked and varied depending on the electrical potential of the sensor element 20.
• the leads 410, 420 can be twisted to mount the arrangement 10 according to the invention on the vehicle 1.
• the shield element 160 in the form of a shield line 420 as an elongated shield electrode 160 can run parallel to the sensor feed line 410.
• the twist can e.g. B. by twisting against each other and helically wrapping the sensor lead 410 with the shield line 420.
• the twisted supply lines 410, 420 are highlighted with a dashed and continuous line. In this way, the sensitivity to external electromagnetic interference on the leads 410, 420 can be reduced.
• the sensor feed line 410 can be electrically connected to the outer conductor 450.2 for assembly, so that the outer conductor 450.2 forms the sensor element 20.
• the shield line 420 and the core 450.1 of the coaxial cable 450 may remain disconnected.
• the shield line 420 is electrically connected to the core 450.1. With this configuration, it is advantageous if the shield element 160 is used as a passive shield element 160.
• operation of the shield element 160 or the shield line 420 as an active shield element 160 also makes sense.
• a different connection on the coaxial cable 450 may be selected.
• the sensor supply line 410 can be electrically connected to the core 450.1 (ie the inner conductor 450.1) of the coaxial cable 450, so that the core 450.1 serves as a sensor supply line.
• the shield line 420 in this case possibly as a shield lead 420, can be electrically connected to the outer conductor 450.2 (ie to the shield) of the coaxial cable 450, so that the outer conductor 450.2 forms the active shield element 160.
• the coaxial cable 450 with the core 450.1 can be used as a lead to Serve sensor element 20, which, however, is then carried out separately from the coaxial cable 450.
• the outer conductor 450.2 acts as an active shield element 160 to improve the shielding of the sensor feed line 410.
• the feed line 410, 420 to the coaxial cable 450 can be twisted as described above, or it can be a parallel lead.
• a separate sensor element 20, which, for. B. via the previously described twisted leads 410, 420 and / or via the coaxial cable 450 with the outer conductor 450.2 as an active shield element 160 and / or via a variant which is connected to the sensor switching arrangement 400 is shown by way of example in FIG. 6.
• the sensor element 20 may e.g. B. as an electrically conductive surface (so-called flat electrode 20) and / or as an electrically conductive line or the like.
• the sensor element 20 is shown in an assembled arrangement (for example in the rear area) in the vicinity of further parts of the vehicle 1.
• Part of the vehicle 1, which can be regarded as ground potential 21, is indicated schematically.
• the vehicle 1 can cause a load on the sensor element 20, which can be counteracted by a shield.
• the electrical field is illustrated by arrows, which can occur between a shield element 160 and the sensor element 20 (and can be reduced or eliminated as far as possible by operating the shield element 160 as an active shield element 160) and which is used to detect the activation action or the activating agent 3 is used.
• the shape of the (active) shield element 160 shown is particularly advantageous.
• the shape is, for example, a U-shape, the two opposite side parts 160.2 of the shield element 160 shielding a side region and a center part 160.1 of the shield element 160 shielding the center region or the vehicle side .
• the detection area can be defined very precisely by the open area 160.3 of the shield element 160 between the side parts 160.2.
• the shield element 160 can e.g. B. can be operated as an active shield element 160 in that it is electrically connected to the shield (to) line 420 or to an outer conductor 450.2 of the coaxial cable 450 (if this is used as a feed line).
• the sensor element 20 can also be electrically connected to the sensor lead 410 and / or to the core 450.1 of the coaxial cable 450 (if this is used as a lead).
• the shape can also be designed differently than a U-shape, in particular if the shield element 160 is wider than the sensor element 20.
• FIG. 4 shows an evaluation filter arrangement 210, a rectifier arrangement 220 and a memory arrangement 250 with further details.
• the evaluation filter arrangement 210 can have a plurality of filter elements 210.1 for filtering the sensor signal, which is preferably provided as a voltage signal by the sensor control arrangement 170. These filter elements can each z. B. be designed as a resistor, coil and / or capacitor, and thus be designed as an RC and / or RLC and / or RL element.
• a low-pass and high-pass behavior of the evaluation filter arrangement 210 can be set by the connection and design of the filter elements 210.1, and thus a bandpass filter can be provided.
• This bandpass filter is advantageously adapted to a frequency of the electrical control, in particular a working frequency of the control signal, with regard to its passband and / or the center frequency.
• the filtered sensor signal can then be forwarded to the memory arrangement 250 as a current signal.
• the current signal can have a current which corresponds to the voltage signal in terms of amplitude and / or signal shape. In this way, charge transfer to and thus charging of the storage arrangement 250 can take place.
• a rectifier arrangement 220 can be connected between the evaluation filter arrangement 210 and the storage arrangement 250.
• the rectifier arrangement 220 can have at least one controllable rectifier 220.1, preferably in the form of a synchronous rectifier or the like, which synchronizes, in particular coherently, the rectification of the sensor signal to the control signal. It is therefore necessary that the signal shape of the sensor signal (in particular the filtered sensor signal and thus the current signal) is known.
• the sensor signal is generated by the sensor control arrangement 170 on the basis of the actuation signal, and thus the signal form of the actuation signal corresponds (the gain compared to the control signal can, however, depend on the sensor capacitance CS).
• the rectifier arrangement 220 in particular the at least one rectifier 220.1, can therefore be controlled by the control device 300.
• the control device 300 can in turn control the signal generator arrangement 130 for generating the control signal, so that the control device 300 knows the signal shape. In this way the rectification of the sensor signal is made possible “coherently”.
• the rectifier arrangement 220 can have a plurality of rectifiers 220.1, preferably one-way rectifiers or full-wave rectifiers, which are connected to the control arrangement 100 and / or control device 300.
• a first rectifier 220.1a, a second rectifier 220.1b and a third rectifier 220.1c are shown as examples.
• a 220.1a of the rectifier 220.1 only has one half-oscillation of a basic oscillation, in particular first harmonics forwards the electrical sensor signal to the memory arrangement 250, and the at least one further rectifier 220.1b, 220.1c suppresses the transmission, in particular this half-oscillation, of further harmonics of the electrical sensor signal to the memory arrangement 250.
• the at least one further rectifier 220.1b, 220.1c may also permit the forwarding of the other half-oscillation of the further harmonics of the electrical sensor signal to the memory arrangement 250. This principle is further illustrated in FIG. 7.
• the rectifier 504 is represented by the rectifier arrangement 220, in which the first rectifier 220.1a switches only in the case of the negative half-wave in accordance with the fundamental oscillation (see switching sequence 505) and the second rectifier 220.1b only in the case of the positive half-wave in accordance with a further harmonic (e.g. B. 3rd harmonic) switches (see switching sequence 506).
• a further harmonic e.g. B. 3rd harmonic
• the rectifier arrangement 220 has at least one electronic switch 220.2.
• the individual Rectifiers 220.1 are each designed as a switch 220.2 or have this.
• the at least one switch 220.2 (three switches 220.2 are shown in FIG. 4 by way of example) can each be connected to the control device 300 via a control path 220.3 in order to store the memory arrangement 250 with the transmission arrangement 170, 210 for certain half-oscillations, in particular negative half-oscillations, of the electrical control signal to connect electrically for transmission of the electrical sensor signal.
• a control signal of the control path 220.3 for switching over the respective switch 220.2 can be synchronized with the electrical control signal.
• the control signal can z. B. are output by the control device 300.
• FIG. 7 schematically visualizes a method for the vehicle 1 for the detection of an activation action for the activation of a function on the vehicle 1.
• a first method step 501 an electrical sensor signal is provided which is specific for a parameter of sensor element 20, the parameter in turn being specific for the detected change in the environment.
• the parameter of the sensor element 20 is repeatedly determined on the basis of a transmission of the sensor signal to a memory arrangement 250.
• a third method step 503 bandpass filtering and / or transconductance conversion of the sensor signal for the transmission to the memory arrangement takes place 250.
• a first connection or output of 210 is a first connection or output of 210.

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• Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
• Measurement Of Length, Angles, Or The Like Using Electric Or Magnetic Means (AREA)
• Investigating Or Analyzing Materials By The Use Of Electric Means (AREA)

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• 2019
  • 2019-12-11 EP EP19824256.2A patent/EP3895316A1/de active Pending
  • 2019-12-11 CN CN201980043844.5A patent/CN113169735B/zh active Active
  • 2019-12-11 US US17/252,892 patent/US20210254391A1/en active Pending
  • 2019-12-11 DE DE102019133928.6A patent/DE102019133928A1/de active Pending
  • 2019-12-11 WO PCT/EP2019/084610 patent/WO2020120557A1/de unknown

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