EP4154404A1

EP4154404A1 - Arrangement for a vehicle for inductively detecting an activation action

Info

Publication number: EP4154404A1
Application number: EP20838107.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Berthold Sieg
Original assignee: Huf Huelsbeck and Fuerst GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Huf Huelsbeck and Fuerst GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2020-05-19
Filing date: 2020-12-28
Publication date: 2023-03-29
Also published as: DE102020113492A1; CN115606097A; WO2021233570A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement (5) for a vehicle (1) for inductively detecting an activation action, in particular an actuation of a vehicle component (2), said arrangement comprising: - a sensor arrangement (10) for inductively detecting the activation action in order to provide at least one detection signal (S1, S2), the at least one detection signal (S1, S2) being specific to detection information (VS) about the activation action; - an electronic processing arrangement (70) for determining the detection information (VS) from the at least one detection signal (S1, S2) in order to detect the activation action on the basis of the detection information (VS), the sensor arrangement (10) having at least two sensor elements (11, 12) on different layers (L1, L2) of a printed circuit board (90), the sensor elements (11, 12) being electrically connected to one another by means of a via (91).

Description

Arrangement for a vehicle for inductive detection of a

Activation act

Description

The present invention relates to an arrangement for a vehicle for inductive detection of an activation action. The invention also relates to a method for inductive detection of an activation action.

It is known from the prior art that, in the case of a vehicle component such as a door handle of a vehicle, at least one button can be provided in order to detect a touch or movement of the door handle. This actuation of the vehicle component can trigger a function in the vehicle, such as, for example, unlocking and / or opening a flap of the vehicle. However, due to the mechanical functionality of the button, the reliability may be reduced. The use of inductive sensors in vehicles is also known in order to detect the actuation of a vehicle component. For example, so-called LDC sensors can be used for this purpose, which detect the change in an inductance. However, this type of recording is often still prone to failure, so that the reliability can also be reduced here.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to at least partially remedy the disadvantages described above. In particular, it is the object of the present invention to propose an improved solution for capturing and / or detecting an activation action.

The above object is achieved by an arrangement with the features of the independent device claim and by a method with the features of the independent method claim. Further features and details of the invention emerge from the respective subclaims, the description and the drawings. Features and details that are described in connection with the arrangement according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the method according to the invention, and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention, reference is or can always be made to the individual aspects of the invention.

The object is achieved in particular by an arrangement, preferably a circuit arrangement. The arrangement according to the invention can be designed for use in a vehicle for inductive detection of an activation action. For this purpose, the arrangement according to the invention can be attached to a vehicle component, for example. The arrangement according to the invention can, for. B. be designed as a circuit arrangement with a circuit board and optionally at least one housing. The activation action is, for example, an actuation of the vehicle component, preferably through a touch and / or exertion of force by a user. The arrangement according to the invention can in particular be designed as an electronic circuit arrangement and / or an inductive sensor.

The activation action and in particular the actuation of the vehicle component can include, for example, a touch and / or a movement and / or an exertion of force on the vehicle component, which triggers a movement of an activation means of the arrangement according to the invention. For example, touching a housing can Vehicle component cause a displacement of the activating agent. The activation means is advantageously fastened and / or movably mounted on a housing of the vehicle component or the arrangement according to the invention. Furthermore, the activating agent can be designed as an electrically conductive surface or coating on the housing.

It is also advantageous if 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 can 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. Advantageously, the vehicle has a security system which, for. B. through communication with an identification transmitter (ID transmitter) enables authentication. 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 security-relevant function, such as unlocking the vehicle or moving a flap (e.g. front or rear or side flap or door) of the vehicle in an open position or a release of an engine start. It is possible for the function and / or the authentication to be initiated when the activation action has been successfully detected by the arrangement according to the invention. For example, if the activation action is successfully detected, the arrangement according to the invention outputs a trigger signal which triggers the function and / or the authentication. In other words, the trigger signal is output as a function of the detection of the activation action, for example by the processing arrangement. The output takes place, for example, to a control unit of the vehicle. For this purpose, the arrangement according to the invention can have a cable and / or a plug connection or the like in order to be releasably electrically connected to the control unit of the vehicle.

It is also conceivable that the security system is also designed as a passive access system, which initiates the authentication and / or the activation of a function upon detection of the approach of the ID transmitter to the vehicle without active manual actuation of the ID transmitter. For this purpose, for example, a wake-up signal is repeatedly sent out by the security system, which can be received by the ID transmitter when it approaches, and then triggers the authentication. The arrangement according to the invention can have the following components, preferably to form an inductive sensor: a sensor arrangement for inductive detection of the activation action in order to provide at least one, in particular (precisely or at least) a first and second detection signal, the at least one detection signal for a, in particular the same detection information about the activation action can be specific, an electronic processing arrangement, such as a microcontroller, for determining the detection information from the at least one detection signal in order to detect the activation action on the basis of the detection information, in particular on the basis of a change in the detection information.

It can be provided that the sensor arrangement has at least or exactly two (or at least or exactly four) sensor elements on different layers of a circuit board. The first sensor element can thus be arranged on a first layer and the second sensor element can be arranged on a second layer of the circuit board. If more than two sensor elements are provided, e.g. at least or exactly four sensor elements, the first of the sensor elements (e.g. a first and third sensor element) can be on the first layer and the second of the sensor elements (e.g. a second and fourth sensor element ) be arranged on the second layer. The first and second sensor elements can be arranged one below the other and / or the third and fourth sensor element can be arranged one below the other and / or the first and third sensor element can be arranged next to one another and / or the second and fourth sensor elements can be arranged next to one another. This results in a paired arrangement of the sensor elements one below the other on the different layers. The sensor elements, which are arranged one below the other, can also be electrically connected to one another via vias. The sensor elements, which are arranged next to one another on the same layer, can optionally be electrically connected to one another via conductor tracks. In other words, the pairs can each be electrically connected to one another via a via. Accordingly, the circuit board can be designed as a multilayer circuit board. The sensor elements are, for example, designed as electrically conductive elements, e.g. B. in the form of at least one conductor track on the circuit board. The circuit board can, for example, have at least two or at least three or at least or exactly four layers. The layers can be stuck together connected, and thus be stacked on top of each other. Each layer can thus be understood as a conductor track level of the circuit board. Furthermore, conductor tracks of the individual layers can be electrically connected to one another via through-contacts (“vias”). A through-hole plating can be designed as a vertical electrical connection between the conductor track planes of the circuit board. The electrical connection can be realized through an internally metallized hole in the carrier material of the printed circuit board.

The arrangement among one another on different layers makes it possible to use the sensor elements together to generate a magnetic field. If more than two sensor elements are provided, all of the sensor elements or the sensor elements in pairs (ie always two of the sensor elements) can be used to generate a common magnetic field.

In the case of several acquisition signals, the acquisition signals can be specific for the same acquisition information, that is to say in other words they can be carriers for the same acquisition information, for example have the same frequency. The detection information, such as the frequency of the at least one detection signal, can be specific for the activation action, that is to say it can be dependent on the activation action, so that the activation action can be detected on the basis of the detection information.

For example, it can be provided that the at least two sensor elements are each designed as an electrical spiral coil. This has the advantage that interference and / or losses, such as eddy current losses, can be reduced.

It can optionally be possible for the at least two sensor elements, in particular in pairs, to be arranged spatially parallel and / or bifilar and / or electrically connected to one another in series for the common inductive detection of the activation action. It can thus also be possible for the sensor elements to be connected in such a way that the electrical current flow through the sensor elements, in particular through the first and second sensor elements, and preferably through the third and fourth sensor elements, is in the same direction. With a bifilar design of the sensor elements and with opposing current flow, the magnetic fields created by the sensor elements would almost cancel each other out. With the intended connection, however, a current flow in the same direction can occur, so that the magnetic fields are strengthened. The first and second sensor elements and / or the third and fourth sensor elements can thus serve at least in pairs together (cooperatively) to generate a magnetic field and thus for detection.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that an, in particular electrically conductive, activation means is provided in order to be moved relative to the sensor arrangement, preferably by the activation action, with the at least two sensor elements preferably being arranged in an effective area with the activation means, around the To detect movement inductively, and in particular to provide a change in inductance by the movement of the activation means. In this way, the activation action can be recorded inductively. The activation means can be actuated, in particular moved, by the activation action, and in this way change the inductance which can be measured in the sensor arrangement. The change in inductance can be determined using the at least one detection signal, e.g. B. based on the frequency of the detection signal. The change in inductance and / or the frequency can thus form the detection information. In the case of a plurality of detection signals, the detection signals can be compared with one another in order to determine the detection information. The detection information is correspondingly dependent and in particular proportional to the change in inductance. The activation action can be detected, for example, by comparing the frequency with a threshold value.

The following details of the distance between an activation means and at least one of the sensor elements relate to the distance between the activation means in the non-actuated state. When the activating means is actuated by the activating action, however, the activating means can move relative to the sensor arrangement, and thus the distance can change.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that the smallest geometric and / or spatial distance of the sensor elements (and in particular the sensor arrangement) to a mass element and / or to an activation means (in the non-actuated state, i.e. when the activation means has not been moved or has not been moved by the activation action Activation act is present) is essentially the same. The same distance between the sensor elements and the mass element and / or the sensor elements and the activation means can bring about a geometric symmetry in order to avoid interference effects to reduce. The ground element can in particular have an electrical ground potential. The same distances allow a geometrical symmetry of the structure. This also has the advantage that symmetrical detection signals can be generated for evaluation.

An advantageous geometric design is to be described in more detail below. It can thus be possible for the first sensor element to be at the same distance from an activation means as the third sensor element. Alternatively or additionally, the distance between the activation means and the layer on which the first and / or third sensor element are attached can be constant in the non-actuated state of the activation means. It can also be provided that the second sensor element is at the same distance from a ground element (with ground potential) as the fourth sensor element. The mass element can, for. B. be formed as an electrically conductive surface on a layer of the circuit board, in particular below the layer on which the second and fourth sensor elements are attached. Furthermore, the distance between the first and / or third sensor element and the activation means can be the same as the distance between the second and / or fourth sensor element and the ground element.

It is also advantageous if, within the scope of the invention, an activation means is provided which has an electrically conductive material, in particular a metal, in order to provide an inductive influencing of the sensor elements, preferably in the event of a movement as a result of the activation action. It is also optionally conceivable that the at least two sensor elements are arranged in an effective area with the activation means, in order to provide a change in inductance due to the movement of the activation means. The activating agent can, for example, be designed to be electrically conductive, e.g. B. as a metal which causes the change in inductance. Furthermore, the sensor elements can be connected as part of at least one oscillating circuit, and an oscillator arrangement for controlling the at least one oscillating circuit can be electrically connected to the sensor elements in order to detect the change in inductance, preferably so that the detection information is specific to a frequency of the at least one oscillating circuit. As an alternative or in addition, the processing arrangement can be designed to detect the change in inductance on the basis of a change in the frequency and to detect the activation action as a function thereof. In this way it is possible to determine the movement of the activating means through the sensor elements. This is functional with the traditional use of pushbuttons comparable, which are actuated by means of the activation act. However, the use of buttons is technically more complex. The sensor elements also recognize the actuation of the activation means. Functionally, a unit consisting of at least two or exactly two or four sensor elements and the activation means can therefore be understood as a button.

The activating means is designed, for example, as a metal element, such as a metal surface or a metal strip or the like. The formation of the activating means from metal has the advantage that the position of the activating means relative to the sensor arrangement influences the inductance of the sensor elements. At least one resonant circuit, which is at least partially formed by the sensor arrangement, can then be used to measure the change in inductance. For this purpose, the at least one resonant circuit can be operated electrically with an oscillator arrangement, such as a free-running oscillator.

The activation means can be movably attached to the circuit board of the arrangement and / or to a housing of the arrangement and / or to the vehicle component. Furthermore, the oscillator arrangement can have an oscillator such as a clock generator and / or a square-wave signal generator and / or a free-running oscillator.

Furthermore, it is optionally possible within the scope of the invention that an activation means is provided which is directly or indirectly electrically connected to a ground potential of the arrangement, that is, in particular, is grounded. The indirect connection can e.g. B. be designed as a connection dynamically with ground, z. B. via a capacitor. In this way, the detection of the change in inductance can be further improved.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that a connection means is arranged geometrically and / or spatially between the at least one sensor element and an activation means, with the connection means preferably being designed to be elastic. For example, it is provided that the connection means is designed as an elastic element such as a foam pad or a spiral spring in order to connect at least one of the sensor elements to the activation means (preferably electrically). The connecting means is z. B. formed elastically to allow a relative movement of the activation means to the sensor element. Furthermore, the connecting means can be an elastic and electrically conductive material and / or a (conductive) foam and / or a spring, in particular spiral spring. The connecting means can preferably be designed as a foam pad or the like. This can result in improved interference suppression.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the connecting means directly at least one of the sensor elements, for. B. a first and third sensor element contacted. If necessary, the connecting means can also contact the activating means directly. It may be possible for the connecting means to be arranged spatially in an air gap between the sensor element and the activation means.

In addition, it is conceivable within the scope of the invention that the connection means has an electrically conductive material in order to electrically connect at least or precisely one of the sensor elements to the activation means. This is used to suppress interference.

Advantageously, it can be provided within the scope of the invention that an electrical shield is provided for the sensor elements, wherein the electrical shield can have an electrically conductive material which surrounds the individual or several of the sensor elements in a ring shape. For this purpose, at least one electrically conductive surface can be arranged on the same layers of the printed circuit board on which the sensor elements are also provided. In this way it is also possible to design the shield in the shape of a pot as a ring around the sensor elements. The shield can be formed on the same layers, in particular fastened to the same layers, on which the sensor elements are also provided. In relation to the geometric plane of the respective layer of the printed circuit board, the shielding can surround the sensor element on this layer in an annular manner, and preferably from all sides, possibly with the exception of a gap. In other words, the shield can form an open ring. The shielding can be designed as a conductor track and / or an electrically conductive surface on the layer. The sensor element can also be designed as a conductor track and / or an electrically conductive surface on the layer.

Furthermore, it can be provided within the scope of the invention that the shield is electrically connected directly or indirectly to a ground potential. Passive electrical shielding can thus be provided by the ground potential.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the shield is designed geometrically as an open or resistively closed ring. There may be a benefit to the shielding does not form a closed ring with the same potential, i.e. a short-circuit ring. This avoids interference with the shielding.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that the at least two or at least four sensor elements are connected symmetrically to one another in order to preferably generate at least two detection signals as symmetrical and / or differential signals so that the detection signals can have the same detection information, such as the same frequency. The detection signals can thus be specific for the same detection information about the activation action. This means in particular that the detection information can be determined from both detection signals (each individually), possibly also without taking the other detection signal into account and without performing a comparison of the detection signals with one another. For example, the detection information is a frequency of the respective (periodic) detection signals. The comparison of the detection signals enables the detection information to be determined with greater reliability. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the detection signals are designed as symmetrical, in particular mass-symmetrical, and / or antiphase electrical signals. This enables a differential evaluation of the signals, for example by a comparator component, in order to reliably determine the detection information.

It is also conceivable that the sensor arrangement has the at least or exactly two or at least or exactly four, in particular electrically conductive, sensor elements as electrically conductive surfaces and / or conductor tracks. The sensor elements can be connected symmetrically to one another (with one another) in order to generate the detection signals as symmetrical and / or differential signals, so that the detection signals preferably have the same detection information. The detection signals can be transmitted to the processing arrangement and in particular to a comparator component as differential and / or symmetrical signals, in particular in the sense of symmetrical transmission, but also possibly with a (constant) phase difference to one another. For example, a phase shift of 180 ° between the detection signals enables a phase reversal of one of the detection signals to be achieved and / or that the zero crossings of the detection signals occur simultaneously, but the signs of the amplitudes are different. The use of symmetrical signals can be particularly robust against interference, as these cancel each other out. In order to further improve the robustness, the circuit of the sensor arrangement and / or the entire arrangement according to the invention (in terms of circuitry) be designed as symmetrically as possible in order to also design the two detection signals with a high degree of symmetry and, in particular, sinusoidal. Another advantage of symmetry is that temperature problems and the resulting changes have little or no negative effect.

It can furthermore be possible that the sensor arrangement is designed to provide the at least one detection signal as a first and second detection signal, wherein the electronic processing arrangement can be designed to compare the detection signals with one another in order to determine the detection information on the basis of the comparison, and to detect the activation action based on the detection information. In other words, the detection signals can be compared with one another in order to thereby determine the detection information. The detection information can be a property of the detection signals, for example a frequency, which can be dependent on an inductance of the sensor arrangement. The activation action can thus be designed to change the detection information and specifically the inductance of the sensor arrangement. The processing arrangement can therefore be designed to determine the change in the inductance in order to infer the presence of the activation action therefrom. For this purpose, a degree of change z. B. be compared with a threshold value. The arrangement according to the invention thus provides the function of an inductive sensor. In contrast to conventional inductive sensors, however, two detection signals can be evaluated in order to improve stability and reliability. To detect the activation action, the detection signals can be evaluated as two (identical) periodic signals by a comparator. It is possible for the detection signals to be compared in that the processing arrangement, and in particular a comparator, preferably a differential comparator, measures the differential voltage of the sensor elements. The detection signals can thus be designed as the electrical voltages of the sensor elements of the sensor arrangement. This has advantages over conventional solutions that rely on an asymmetrical evaluation of the change in inductance, such as LDC sensors.

Optionally, it is conceivable that the at least two or at least four sensor elements are designed as parts of at least one resonant circuit, in particular a parallel resonant circuit, in order to generate at least two detection signals as informational and / or periodic signals. In an oscillating circuit, electrical energy becomes periodic exchanged between the components of the resonant circuit, such as the sensor elements and at least one capacitor, so that the at least one periodic detection signal can result therefrom. The detection signals can correspond to different electrical voltages of the parallel resonant circuit, so the first detection signal z. B. the electrical voltage at a first and the second detection signal of the electrical voltage at a second of the resonant circuits. The resonant circuit and / or the sensor arrangement can furthermore have at least one capacitor in order to provide a resonance in cooperation with the sensor elements (in particular in the form of coils). The resonance frequency and / or the frequency of the detection signals can then be used as detection information. The detection signals result e.g. B. from the electrical oscillations (in particular periodic or repeated charge shifts) in the sensor elements, which are initiated and / or excited by the oscillator arrangement and can be influenced by the activation means. The resonant circuit can be understood as a parallel resonant circuit, in particular as two symmetrically interconnected resonant circuits. The detection signals are therefore specific for the frequencies of the electrical oscillations of the connected oscillating circuits. In other words, a first detection signal for the oscillation in the first and a second detection signal for the oscillation in the second of the resonant circuits can be specific. The resonant circuits can be constructed symmetrically so that the frequencies of the two detection signals are the same.

It is also possible that the at least one detection signal is a periodic and / or (in particular essentially) sinusoidal signal, and preferably the different detection signals are signals that are phase-shifted with respect to one another. The respective detection signal can alternatively or additionally be designed as electrical voltages and / or electrical currents. The detection signals can, for. B. applied to respective resonant circuits as voltages, the resonant circuits u. are formed by the sensor arrangement or the sensor elements. The resonant circuits can form a parallel resonant circuit, the frequency of which changes as a function of the position and / or the distance between the activation means and the sensor arrangement.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the sensor arrangement has at least two further sensor elements, that is to say a total of at least or precisely four sensor elements, the sensor elements of the sensor arrangement being electrical and in particular serially can be interconnected, and are preferably electrically connected to one another directly or indirectly in pairs via a plated-through hole, and are preferably electrically connected directly or indirectly to a ground potential. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the sensor arrangement can be fastened to one another in pairs on different layers of a circuit board, the pairs being able to be arranged next to one another, in particular in order to respectively detect the activation action in different detection areas. In pairs with one another means that at least the first and second sensor elements are arranged as a first pair one below the other on the different layers and at least the third and fourth sensor element as a second pair are arranged one below the other on the different layers, with the first and third sensor elements next to one another and the second and fourth Sensor element can be arranged side by side. This enables the activation action to be recorded over a large area.

It can furthermore be possible for the sensor arrangement to have at least or exactly four sensor elements, of which at least two are attached to the different layers of the circuit board, the sensor elements being able to be electrically connected to one another directly or indirectly in pairs via a through-hole contact, and in particular to a ground potential are directly or indirectly electrically connected.

The ground potential, also referred to for short as mass or earth, can, for. B. be formed by the vehicle body (vehicle ground) or in addition to it as a circuit ground. By contacting the sensor elements with one another, the sensor elements can be connected in series and thus generate a magnetic field particularly efficiently. Furthermore, in the case of spiral coils as sensor elements, the center points of the coils can make electrical contact with one another via the plated-through hole.

Furthermore, it is optionally possible within the scope of the invention that the at least or precisely two sensor elements are designed to detect the activation action in a first common and / or the same detection area. The sensor arrangement advantageously has at least or precisely two further sensor elements which are designed to detect the activation action in a second common and / or the same detection area. In other words, the first and second sensor elements can perform the detection in the first detection area and optionally the third and fourth sensor elements can perform the detection in the second detection area. For both Detection areas can be provided with a single, common activation means which moves relative to both detection areas as a result of the activation action.

The invention also relates to a method for inductive detection of an activation action in a vehicle, in particular an activation of a vehicle component. It is provided that the following steps are carried out, preferably one after the other in the order specified or in any order, with individual and / or all steps also being able to be repeated:

Performing an inductive detection of the activation action by a sensor arrangement in order to provide at least one detection signal, the at least one detection signal being specific for detection information about the activation action,

Carrying out a determination of the detection information on the basis of the at least one detection signal in order to detect the activation action on the basis of the detection information.

It can be provided that the sensor arrangement has at least two sensor elements on different layers, in particular a printed circuit board, the sensor elements being electrically connected to one another via a through-hole connection. For example, the sensor elements can be operated in this way with the same electrical potential. The method according to the invention thus has the same advantages as have been described in detail with reference to an arrangement according to the invention. In addition, the method can be suitable for operating an arrangement according to the invention.

It may be possible that the activation action is detected by evaluating the frequency of the detection signals and / or without evaluating the amplitude of the detection signals, that is to say that the amplitude is not evaluated. This can improve the reliability of the detection.

Another advantage can be achieved within the scope of the invention if at least two detection signals are provided during detection by the sensor arrangement, and an oscillator arrangement is connected to the sensor elements in order to generate the detection signals as antiphase and / or differential signals. For example, the processing arrangement can be a comparator component, such as an electronic one Comparator, have in order to compare the anti-phase detection signals with one another, ie in particular to switch each time the first detection signal is greater than the second detection signal, and vice versa. The oscillator arrangement can have at least two electronic switches which switch repeatedly and one after the other, in particular in order to provide a clock for the resonant circuits of the sensor arrangement. For this purpose, the oscillator arrangement can be controlled by the processing arrangement or it can be part of the processing arrangement. The oscillator arrangement can also be designed to control the sensor elements and in particular the various oscillating circuits of the sensor arrangement in antiphase and / or to control them in such a way that the detection signals are generated in antiphase. In this case, anti-phase is understood to mean a phase shift of the detection signals to one another of 180 ° C.

It can preferably be provided that the sensor arrangement is designed as a symmetrical circuit with the at least two sensor elements as sensor elements which are geometrically symmetrically arranged and / or symmetrically interconnected in terms of circuit technology. In this way, the sensor arrangement can, for. B. provide two resonant circuits and / or a parallel resonant circuit in which the sensor elements can provide the inductance. Alternatively or additionally, the processing arrangement can have a comparator component, in particular an electronic comparator, for carrying out a comparison of the detection signals. The comparator component is e.g. B. Part of a microcontroller. Furthermore, the comparator component can be electrically connected to the sensor elements in order to evaluate the detection signals (in particular differentially) to detect the activation action. Specifically, a first detection signal can be applied to a first input and a second detection signal can be applied to a second input of the comparator component. The sensor arrangement and in particular the entire arrangement according to the invention can be designed to be at least predominantly symmetrical in terms of circuitry and geometry. In addition, geometrically the same distances between the sensor elements and a ground element with ground potential and / or the activation means (and / or the sensor elements with respect to one another) can be provided. This means that the smallest distance between the sensor elements and the mass element and / or the activation means is the same. For example, the distance from the first and / or third sensor element to the activation means can be the same as the distance from the second and / or fourth Sensor element to the mass element. The symmetrical design causes a high level of interference suppression.

Optionally, it is conceivable that the at least two sensor elements are each designed as a coil element, in particular to generate a magnetic field each and / or to detect a change in the field by approaching at least or precisely one activation means to the sensor elements during the activation action. The sensor elements can be arranged and / or connected in a bifilar manner in order to jointly (amplify) the field. In other words, the magnetic field generated by the first sensor element amplifies the magnetic field generated by the second sensor element. The first and second sensor elements can thus form a detection unit. In the same way, a third and fourth sensor element can be connected to one another in order to also form a further detection unit. The first and second detection unit can be arranged next to one another, whereas the sensor elements of a common detection unit can be arranged one below the other. It can be possible for all sensor elements of the arrangement according to the invention to detect the same activation action, that is to say the same movement of the activation means.

A comparator component such as an electronic comparator can be provided which is used for comparing the detection signals by the processing arrangement. This is particularly advantageous when the sensor arrangement forms at least one resonant circuit, in particular a parallel resonant circuit, which is influenced by the activation means. For example, the comparator can compare the two detection signals with one another and switch over after both detection signals have crossed zero, so that the processing arrangement in this way, by measuring or counting these switching processes over time, the (resonance) frequency of the oscillating circuit (s) and / or detection signals can capture. One advantage here is that actually only the frequency is evaluated and not the amplitude of the detection signals. The comparator can be designed as a differential comparator which compares which of the detection signals is greater. After both detection signals have (precisely) crossed zero, both detection signals have therefore changed their sign and the comparator switches over its output signal. The detection signals are preferably signals in antiphase, that is, with a phase shift of, for example, 180 °, and uniform, that is, for example, both sinusoidal.

It is also possible that the sensor arrangement forms at least one oscillating circuit and the processing arrangement is connected to the sensor arrangement in such a way that the processing arrangement forms a frequency meter for the frequency of the at least one oscillating circuit. A single detection signal can then be evaluated with regard to this frequency. In particular, when two detection signals are used, the two detection signals can each have the same information about the frequency, for example, as periodic signals, they can have the same period duration. The processing arrangement can then evaluate the period duration. The frequency meter makes it possible to determine the inductive component of the at least one resonant circuit, and in this way to draw conclusions about the activation action.

It is also conceivable within the scope of the invention that the sensor arrangement forms at least one oscillating circuit and / or the processing arrangement has a counter component in order to carry out a count based on zero crossings of the detection signal or signals, and preferably based on a result of the counting a (in particular resonance) ) To determine the frequency of the at least one resonant circuit which is specific for the activation action. In this way, the processing arrangement can be designed as a frequency meter. The differential measurement of the frequency offers the advantage of a particular stability against interference.

It is also conceivable that the arrangement according to the invention has at least one fastening means in order to be fastened in a door handle or in an emblem of the vehicle, preferably in order to detect the activation action in the manner of touching the door handle or emblem. The fastening means can, for example, be embodied in a housing of the arrangement according to the invention. For example, the fastening means is designed as a recess for a screw or the like and / or as a positioning means such as a profile for unambiguous fastening on the vehicle.

A vehicle component, such as a door handle and / or an emblem, which has the arrangement according to the invention, is also protected. Further advantages, features and details of the invention emerge from the following description, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description can each be essential to the invention individually or in any combination. Show it:

1 shows a schematic side view of a vehicle with an arrangement according to the invention, which is also shown in a detailed view with further details,

2 shows a schematic circuit diagram of an arrangement according to the invention,

3-5 schematic side views of different layers of at least one arrangement according to the invention,

6 + 7 schematic top views of sensor elements of at least one arrangement according to the invention,

8 shows a schematic side view of different positions of an arrangement according to the invention,

Fig. 9 + 10 schematic circuit diagrams of sensor elements, and

11 shows a schematic visualization of the detection signals.

In the following figures, the same reference numerals are used for the same technical features from different exemplary embodiments.

In Figure 1, a vehicle 1 is shown with an arrangement 5 according to the invention. By way of example, the arrangement 5 according to the invention is integrated into a vehicle component 2, specifically a door handle 2. An enlarged illustration shows that the arrangement 5 according to the invention can have a plurality of layers L1, L2, L3 which are fastened one above the other. Sensor elements 11, 12 (see FIG. 2) can be provided on at least or exactly two of the layers L1, L2, as will be explained in more detail below is described. It can also be seen that a first detection area B1 and a second detection area B2 can be monitored. For this purpose, the detection areas B1, B2 each form an inductive effective area B1, B2 at least one of the sensor elements 11, 12 and at least one activation means 20. A separate activation means 20 can be provided for each detection area B1, B2, or - as shown in FIG. 1 - a common activation means 20 can be used. The activating agent 20 is e.g. B. a metal element 20, which is moved relative to a circuit board 90 of the arrangement 5 according to the invention during an activation action. Furthermore, a housing 96 can be provided on which the activating means 20 is movably mounted. At least one fastening means 95 can also be provided on the housing 96 for fastening on the vehicle 1.

FIG. 2 shows an arrangement 5 according to the invention for a vehicle 1 for inductive detection of an activation action, in particular an actuation of a vehicle component 2, with further details. The sensor elements 11, 12 already described can be part of a sensor arrangement 10 for inductive detection of the activation action in order to provide at least one - and, as shown by way of example - a first and second detection signal S1, S2. As is shown by way of example in FIGS. 9 and 10, the configuration of the sensor arrangement 10 shown in FIG. 2 can be expanded by further sensor elements 13, 14. The at least two sensor elements 11, 12, 13, 14 can be connected symmetrically. It is shown in FIG. 2 that the sensor elements 11, 12 are electrically connected to one another and are still electrically connected to a ground potential 80 at this connection point (possibly indirectly and dynamically connected, as shown by a dashed line). The at least two sensor elements 11, 12, 13, 14 can be part of a parallel resonant circuit, the voltages of which can be tapped as the detection signals S1, S2. Further components of the sensor arrangement 10 or of the parallel resonant circuit can be at least one capacitor C and / or at least one resistor R, as is shown schematically and by way of example. Furthermore, an oscillator arrangement 73 can be provided which is operated with a voltage source V in order to operate the parallel resonant circuit electrically. In this way, an inductance of the sensor arrangement 10 can be detected, which inductance can be changed by an approach of the activation means 20 (due to the activation action). The activation action is, for example, a manual exertion of force on the activation means 20, which leads to the movement of the activation means 20. Between the activation means 20 and the sensor elements 11, 12, 13, 14, an air gap 21 and / or an elastic connecting means 30 can be provided, which enables the movement in the manner of a relative movement of the activation means 20 to the sensor elements 11, 12, 13, 14. The activation means 20 can thus enable an inductive influencing 22 of the sensor arrangement 10. Thus, the detection signals S1, S2 for a same

Detection information VS be specific about the activation action, the detection information VS being specific for the change in inductance due to the activation action.

It can be seen that the oscillator arrangement 73 successively controls the symmetrical strands of the sensor arrangement 10 in order to generate the detection signals S1, S2 in antiphase. This makes it possible to generate the detection signals S1, S2 as symmetrical and / or differential and / or informational and / or periodic and / or antiphase signals, so that the detection signals S1, S2 are the same

Have detection information VS. In this way, a particularly interference-free evaluation of the detection signals S1, S2 can be made possible by a comparator component 71 in order to determine the detection information VS by comparing the detection signals S1, S2. An electronic processing arrangement 70 can then detect the activation action on the basis of the detection information VS. For example, the detection information VS can be specific for a frequency of the parallel resonant circuit of the sensor arrangement 10, the processing arrangement 70 being designed to detect the change in inductance on the basis of a change in the frequency and to detect the activation action as a function of this. The processing arrangement 70 can have a counter component 72 in order to carry out a count based on the zero crossings of the detection signals S1, S2, and to determine a frequency of the resonant circuit which is specific for the activation action based on a result of the counting. For this purpose, the comparator component 71 compares the first detection signal S1 with the second detection signal S2, and switches the output signal (at the reference symbol VS) to a first value whenever the first detection signal S1 is greater than the second detection signal S2 and to a second value, when the second detection signal S2 is larger than the first detection signal S1. By counting these switching processes per unit of time, the counter component 72 can then determine the frequency of the detection signals as the detection information VS. As shown by a dashed line, the comparator component 71 and / or the counter component 72 and / or the Voltage source V can be (at least partially) part of processing arrangement 70, in particular an integrated circuit.

In Figures 3 to 5, a first and second sensor element 11, 12 are shown with further details. A third and fourth sensor element 13, 14 are also shown in FIG. The sensor elements 11, 12, 13, 14 can be attached to different layers L1, L2 of a circuit board 90 in order to carry out the activation action in a common, identical detection area (B1 for the sensor elements 11, 12 and B2 for the sensor elements 13, 14, see Fig. Figure 1). According to FIG. 5, the four sensor elements 11, 12, 13, 14 can be attached in pairs to one another on the different layers L1, L2 of the circuit board 90 in order to detect the activation action in the different detection areas B1, B2. Furthermore - shown by way of example with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 - the sensor elements 11, 12, 13, 14 on the different layers L1, L2 of the circuit board 90 can be electrically connected to one another directly or indirectly in pairs via a via 91, and in particular (via the via 91) be directly or indirectly electrically connected to a ground potential 80 on a third layer L3 of the circuit board 90. The smallest spatial distance D of the sensor elements 11, 12, 13, 14 to a ground element 80 with the ground potential 80 and / or to an activation means 20 (in the non-actuated state) can be essentially the same.

Furthermore, it is optionally provided that a shield 40 of the sensor elements 11, 12 (possibly also 13, 14) is formed on the circuit board 90. The shield 40 can be, for. B. in the form of at least one annular electrically conductive element around the sensor elements 11, 12 (and in particular 13, 14). For example, the shielding 40 is designed for this purpose as at least one conductor track of the circuit board 90, which optionally has a ground potential, or, alternatively, is actively controlled electrically with an electrical potential that deviates from the ground potential. For this purpose, at least one electrically conductive surface can be arranged on the same layers L1, L2, L3, L4 of the circuit board 90 on which the sensor elements 11, 12, 13, 14 are also provided. The circuit board is designed, for example, as a four-layer circuit board, as shown in FIG. The annular design of the shield 40 is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 by way of example. FIGS. 6, 7 as well as 9 and 10 show a top view of the layers L1, L2, which are shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 and 8 in a side sectional view through the printed circuit board 90. Furthermore, it may be possible for a connection means 30 to be arranged spatially between the activation means 20 and at least one of the sensor elements 11, 12 (also 13, 14). The connecting means 30 is, for. B. formed elastic. Furthermore, the connecting means 30 can have an elastically and electrically conductive material and / or a (conductive) foam and / or a spring, in particular a spiral spring. The connecting means 30 can preferably be designed as a foam pad or the like. This can result in improved interference suppression.

In Figures 6 and 7 as well as 9 and 10 it is shown that the sensor elements 11, 12, 13, 14 can each be designed as a spiral coil and are spatially parallel and / or bifilar and / or electrically connected in series for common inductive detection . It may be possible for the sensor elements 11, 12, 13, 14 to be connected in such a way that the electrical current flow through the sensor elements 11, 12, 13, 14, in particular through the first 11 and second sensor element 12, and preferably through the third 13 and fourth sensor element 14, is in the same direction. In this way the generated magnetic fields can be strengthened. In FIGS. 9 and 10, the current flow is indicated by an arrow. In Figure 6, the inputs E1, E2 and outputs A1, A2 of the coils are shown. The input E1 can be electrically (directly) connected to the output A2 via a plated-through hole 91. The current flows from A1 via E1, then A2 and then via E2.

The detection signals S1, S2 generated in this way are shown schematically in FIG. The phase shift of the detection signals S1, S2 by 180 ° leads to a phase reversal or to simultaneous zero crossings, although the signs of the detection signals S1, S2 differ. Counting the zero crossings now makes it possible to determine the detection information VS.

The above explanation of the embodiments describes the present invention exclusively in the context of examples. Of course, individual features of the embodiments can be freely combined with one another, provided that they are technically sensible, without departing from the scope of the present invention. B ez uqs sign list

1 vehicle

2 door handle, vehicle component

5 arrangement

10 sensor arrangement, coil element, coil arrangement, spiral coil arrangement

11 first sensor element, first coil element

12 second sensor element, second coil element

13 third sensor element, third coil element

14 fourth sensor element, fourth coil element

20 activating agent, metal element

21 air gap

22 inductive influence

30 lanyards, elastic conductive material

40 shield

70 processing arrangement, microcontroller

71 Comparator component

72 counter component

73 Oscillator arrangement

80 ground potential

90 circuit board

91 Vias

95 fasteners

96 housing

A1 first exit

A2 second output B1 first detection area, effective area

B2 second detection area, effective area

C capacitor

D Distance E1 first input

E2 second entrance

L1 first layer

L2 second layer

L3 third layer L4 fourth layer

R resistance

51 first detection signal

52 second detection signal

V voltage source VS detection information

Claims

Patent claims

1. Arrangement (5) for a vehicle (1) for inductive detection of an activation action, in particular an actuation of a vehicle component (2), comprising: a sensor arrangement (10) for inductive detection of the activation action in order to provide at least one detection signal (S1, S2) , wherein the at least one detection signal (S1, S2) for detection information (VS) about the

Activation action is specific, an electronic processing arrangement (70) for determining the detection information (VS) from the at least one detection signal (S1, S2) in order to detect the activation action on the basis of the detection information (VS), the sensor arrangement (10) at least two sensor elements ( 11, 12) on different layers (L1, L2) of a printed circuit board (90), the sensor elements (11, 12) being electrically connected to one another via a plated through-hole (91).

2. Arrangement (5) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least two sensor elements (11, 12) are each designed as an electrical spiral coil.

3. Arrangement (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two sensor elements (11, 12) for common inductive detection of the activation action are arranged spatially parallel and / or bifilar and / or electrically connected in series.

4. Arrangement (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an activation means (20) is provided in order to be moved relative to the sensor arrangement (10) by the activation action, wherein the at least two sensor elements (11, 12) in one The effective area (B1, B2) with the activation means (20) are arranged in order to detect the movement inductively, and in particular to provide a change in inductance through the movement of the activation means (20).

5. Arrangement (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the smallest spatial distance (D) of the sensor elements (11, 12) to a mass element (80) and / or to an activation means (20) in an inoperative state Is essentially the same.

6. Arrangement (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an activation means (20) is provided which has an electrically conductive material, in particular a metal, in order to induce an inductive influence (22) of the activation action during a movement Provide sensor elements (11, 12).

7. Arrangement (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an activation means (20) is provided which is directly or indirectly electrically connected to a ground potential (80) of the arrangement (5).

8. Arrangement (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a connecting means (30) is spatially arranged between the at least one sensor element (11, 12) and an activation means (20), the connecting means (30) being elastic .

9. The arrangement (5) according to claim 8, characterized in that the connecting means (30) comprises an electrically conductive material in order to electrically connect at least or precisely one of the sensor elements (11, 12) to the activating means (20).

10. Arrangement (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an electrical shield (40) for the sensor elements (11, 12) is provided, wherein the electrical shield (40) comprises an electrically conductive material, which the individual or surrounds several of the sensor elements (11, 12) in a ring shape.

11. Arrangement (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shield (40) is electrically connected directly or indirectly to a ground potential (80).

12. Arrangement (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shield (40) is geometrically designed as an open or resistively closed ring.

13. Arrangement (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two sensor elements (11, 12) are connected symmetrically to one another in order to generate at least two detection signals (S1, S2) as symmetrical and / or differential signals, so that the detection signals (S1, S2) have the same detection information (VS).

14. Arrangement (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor arrangement (10) is designed to provide the at least one detection signal (S1, S2) as a first and second detection signal (S1, S2), the electronic Processing arrangement (70) is designed to compare the detection signals (S1, S2) with one another in order to determine the detection information (VS) on the basis of the comparison and to detect the activation action on the basis of the detection information (VS).

15. Arrangement (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two sensor elements (11, 12) as parts of one

Parallel resonant circuit are designed to generate at least two detection signals (S1, S2) as informational and / or periodic signals.

16. Arrangement (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor arrangement (10) has at least two further sensor elements (13, 14), the sensor elements (11, 12, 13, 14) of the sensor arrangement (10) being electrical are interconnected, and are electrically connected to one another directly or indirectly in pairs via a plated-through hole (91), and are electrically connected directly or indirectly to a ground potential (80).

17. A method for inductive detection of an activation action in a vehicle (1), in particular an actuation of a vehicle component (2), the following steps being carried out:

Carrying out an inductive detection of the activation action by a sensor arrangement (10) in order to provide at least one detection signal (S1, S2), the at least one detection signal (S1, S2) being specific for detection information (VS) about the activation action,

Carrying out a determination of the detection information (VS) on the basis of the at least one detection signal (S1, S2) in order to detect the activation action on the basis of the detection information (VS), the sensor arrangement (10) at least two sensor elements (11, 12) in different positions (L1 , L2) of a printed circuit board (90), the sensor elements (11, 12) being electrically connected to one another via a plated through-hole (91).

18. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an arrangement (5) is operated according to one of the preceding claims.