WO2016173579A1

WO2016173579A1 - Device and method for securing open a flap of a motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2016173579A1
Application number: PCT/DE2016/100149
Authority: WO
Inventors: Laura KRIEGLSTEIN; Marisa JAIN; Leona SCHULTZ; Severin LUHR; Vincent GRAMLICH
Original assignee: Kiekert Ag
Priority date: 2015-04-30
Filing date: 2016-03-30
Publication date: 2016-11-03
Also published as: DE102015106817A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and a method for opening/closing a flap (1) of a motor vehicle. For this purpose, at least one sensor (8), which is arranged on the motor vehicle and which is for determining the layout of the environment (9) of the motor vehicle, is provided with one or more obstacles (10, 11). Also provided is a control unit (7) attached to the sensor (8). According to the invention, the control unit (7) acts on a retaining element (6) on the flap (1) for the fixing thereof and/or acts on a drive for moving said flap (1). This occurs at least in the event of an impending collision with an obstacle (10, 11) detected on the sensor (8) side.

Description

Device and method for safely opening a flap of a

motor vehicle

The invention relates to a device and a method for opening / closing a flap of a motor vehicle, with at least one arranged on the motor vehicle sensor for determining the occupancy of the environment with one or more obstacles, and with a connected to the sensor control unit. A device of the structure described above is described for example in the utility model DE 20 2010 012 380 U1. There, a distance detection means is arranged on a tailgate of the motor vehicle. The distance detecting means is activated or deactivated depending on an opening angle of the tailgate. In addition, the distance detection means is connected to an evaluation unit.

The known distance detecting means is activated in the example described case when the reverse gear is engaged. In principle, the tailgate can now be swiveled upwards about a horizontal or horizontal axis of rotation. The tailgate can be set in different opening angles or locking positions. In addition, each locking position of the tailgate is assigned at least one distance detection means. The known structure is relatively complex and requires a large number of sensors. It also remains unclear whether, for example, changing obstacles such as a passing cyclist can be detected reliably.

In the context of DE 10 2004 013 026 A1 an impact protection device for pivotable doors or flaps is described. This has an associated stop element, which is in the rest position when the door or flap is closed. In at least partially open door or flap, the stop element can be brought into a working position. In this Working position projects the at least one stop element from a surface of the door or flap. This prevents a direct impact on an obstacle or on an adjacent object. The realization of such a stop element sometimes requires profound modifications to the associated flap, which on the one hand is technically complicated and on the other hand is perceived as disturbing by the visual appearance.

Quite apart from this, the utility model DE 20 201 1 106 253 U1 of the Applicant deals with a motor vehicle door unit which is equipped with a door leaf and a connected motion transmission member. The motion transmission member has a drive shaft and a force applied by the drive shaft coupling member variable clamping force. To improve comfort, the coupling member is triggered depending on the speed. In this way, an operator can control the admission of the door leaf, whether the door should be moved or undergoes fixing. Any measures to detect obstacles are not addressed. The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a device for opening a flap of a motor vehicle so that damage to the flap can be reliably prevented by means of an obstacle present, for example, in the pivoting area or emerging there.

To solve this technical problem, a generic device for opening a flap of a motor vehicle in the invention is characterized in that the control unit acts on a retaining element on the flap for fixing and / or a drive on the flap for movement of the flap, and admittedly at least in the case of an imminent collision (the relevant flap) with an obstacle detected by the sensor. In the case of the aforementioned flap of the motor vehicle, in the context of the invention, in principle, any element that can be exposed to a motor vehicle body is covered, which in the closed state conceals an opening and releases it in the opened state. Consequentially fall under the concept of the flap of the motor vehicle according to the invention, first of all, the one or all side doors of the motor vehicle. The flap can basically also be a sliding door. Also include the term of the flap, a tailgate or a fuel filler flap. In addition, as a flap within the scope of the invention, an extendable sunroof, a convertible top, a Targa cover etc. fall.

In fact, these entire flaps have in common that they sweep in their adjustment movement both in the transition from the closed to the open state and vice versa areas in the vicinity of the vehicle body, which go beyond the outer skin of the closed body more or less pronounced. In these areas extending beyond the outer skin of the closed motor vehicle body, collisions with one or more obstacles may occur even when the motor vehicle is at a standstill.

In the context of the invention not only static obstacles are detected, but also obstacles that move dynamically. Examples of static obstacles in this context include bollards, trees, fences, deep-drawn ceilings in parking garages, rain gutters, roof overhangs, building projections, etc. As dynamic obstacles, for example, pedestrians, cyclists, passing cars, etc. are detected.

In fact, it has proven in this context, if the sensor is designed as environment sensor for detecting the environment of the vehicle. In addition, the environmental sensor in question is set up so that the environment of the vehicle is detected statically and / or dynamically. That is, the at least one sensor or environment sensor is a special sensor on the motor vehicle, with the help of the entire environment of the motor vehicle is detected in terms of whether there are obstacles in the environment in question or not. Such environment sensors are increasingly being used today and are typically coupled to a driver assistance system of the motor vehicle.

In fact, practical examples of such driver assistance systems in the form of the emergency brake assistant, the lane departure warning system, the blind spot assistant, the parking assistant and also in connection with the so-called Automatic Cruise Control Assistant (ACC), which is primarily for highway driving for a distance-optimized Driving in a queue or caring.

With the help of the relevant sensor or environmental sensor, consequently, the entire outer region of the motor vehicle body is sensory detected, not only punctiform or radiating in a plane, but typically spatially. That is to say, with the aid of the environment sensor used according to the invention, a certain predetermined area of space outside the outer skin of the closed body of the relevant motor vehicle is sensory examined and recorded. This area of space may change dynamically in size, as is known for driver assistance systems.

The sensor or ambient sensor may be a sound sensor and, in particular, an ultrasonic sensor. Such sound sensors or ultrasonic sensors are often used as a distance sensor. In addition, imaging sensors and in particular cameras are conceivable and are covered according to the invention. Furthermore, magnetic sensors and in particular Hall sensors. Especially preferred is the use of one or more electromagnetic sensors and in particular radar / lidar sensors. Radar sensors are sensors that react to electromagnetic radiation in the radio wave range and detect a specific area of space (radar: radio detection and ranging). Similarly, lidar: light detection and ranging is used, with the fundamental difference that lidar measurements are usually performed with electromagnetic light.

In principle, not only one sensor is used as environment sensor, but many different sensors are combined with each other. Such environment sensors are now often installed as standard in a motor vehicle and coupled with one or more of the previously mentioned driver assistance systems. In this respect, the invention uses an already installed or existing environmental sensor or several of these environmental sensors, which are regularly coupled to the driver assistance system of the motor vehicle and supply it with the data required for this purpose.

The data acquired by this one or more sensors or environment sensors now has an additional use in the context of the invention, namely for controlling the flap. Examples of suitable environmental sensors and the various possibilities of detecting the environment of the motor vehicle are described in DE 10 2013 214 632 A1 or also DE 10 2012 004 396 A1, which are expressly referred to in this context. In any case, the data of the one or more environmental sensors are routinely available for detecting obstacles in the vicinity or in the area of the vehicle body. These data are now used according to the invention to determine and / or move the flap in the event of an imminent collision of the flap with an obstacle detected by the sensor.

For this purpose, the environment of the motor vehicle detected by the surroundings sensor is typically divided into several areas. As a rule, these areas are angle ranges which each originate from the vehicle and usually correspond to an associated sensor. Separate Positions within these angular ranges can now be specified, for example, in a polar coordinate system. Basically, the use of a Cartesian coordinate system is possible as well as combinations. In any case, the environment detected by the surroundings sensor can be subdivided into the areas in question, which are themselves individual sub-areas or sub-areas. In other words, the environment of the motor vehicle and the space defined thereby are subdivided into individual subspaces or the areas which are in turn evaluated and recorded by the environment sensor in question with regard to an occupancy of the relevant area with, for example, an obstacle.

That is, the environment sensor detects the occupancy of the respective area with an obstacle and, if appropriate, the occupancy by the flap. In this case, with the help of the one or more environment sensors, the respective movement of the flap through one of the defined regions or under consideration of several regions can be determined. The same applies to an example moving obstacle. Alternatively or additionally, the surrounding environment sensor can also detect the space curve of the obstacle and, if appropriate, the flap.

Furthermore, the occupancy of an associated area of the environment by the flap and / or the space curve of the flap can be determined by a flap sensor connected to the control unit. In this case, the outer dimensions of the flap and their principal movement from the closed to the open state and back are stored in the control unit. With the help of the flap sensor associated with the flap can now be determined by the control unit occupancy of one or more associated areas of the environment through the flap in this process. Alternatively or additionally, it is also possible by means of the flap sensor to understand the space curve of the flap in this process. In the simplest case, the flap sensor is a rotation angle sensor which, for example in the case of a side door of a motor vehicle, detects the respective opening angle of the relevant side door in comparison to the motor vehicle body and reports it to the control unit. Then, the flap sensor is arranged, for example, in or on an associated hinge of the flap.

The control unit now evaluates the signals of the one or more environment sensors and optionally the flap sensor and / or signals of other sensors. These other sensors may be one or more vehicle dynamics sensors, one or more door actuation sensors, etc. The evaluation is carried out, for example, to determine whether at least one matching area in the environment of the motor vehicle is occupied or can be occupied both with the obstacle and with the flap. Because that means a threatening collision. In most cases it will be done so that the areas occupied by the flap and the obstacle concerned are examined for possible mutual rapprochement. As soon as the distance between the regions approaching, for example, falls below a minimum value, for example when only two or three regions between the respectively occupied regions are present as a gap, the control unit intervenes. The same applies if a comparison of the space curves of the obstacle and that of the flap results in a decreasing distance and a threatening collision.

As a result of this thus detected imminent collision, the control unit can now ensure that the flap is determined by acting on the retaining element on the flap. So you will usually proceed when the flap is moved manually or by motor. Alternatively or additionally, a movement of the flap by means of a drive provided on the flap is possible. In this case, one will proceed regularly so that the drive is applied to the flap by the control unit so that the movement is carried out and made in the direction of increasing the distance to the obstacle. In this case, the control unit actively intervenes in the movement of the flap. It is conceivable in this context that an example made opening movement of a side door of the motor vehicle or the motor vehicle side door is not only stopped, but opens into a counter-movement to close the relevant motor vehicle side door. Such a procedure is recommended, inter alia, in the event that the motor vehicle is parked on a sidewalk or a bicycle path and approaching a cyclist or pedestrian.

As already explained, the control unit can additionally evaluate signals of one or more driving dynamics sensors. In the simplest case, the vehicle dynamics sensor in question is a crash sensor. In this case, you will meet the design regularly so that when activated crash sensor, the control unit does not act on the retaining element on the flap to their determination or can not act on to allow the unimpeded access of any rescue workers. An alternatively provided drive on the flap for moving the flap is usually deactivated in this case.

If the control unit alternatively and additionally evaluates one or more door actuation sensors, it is conceivable, for example, with the aid of the relevant door actuation sensor to determine whether the motor vehicle door in question or the door in general is to be opened, for example, from the outside or from the inside. In the case of an opening from the outside and a corresponding signal of the door actuation sensor, the holding element on the flap is deactivated with the aid of the control unit by evaluating a corresponding signal. Only when the door actuation sensor in question is not (more) acted upon, this is implemented by the control unit to the effect that the holding element again active is. - The invention is also a method for opening a flap of a motor vehicle, which is explained in more detail in claim 10.

As a result, a device and an associated method for opening / closing a flap of a motor vehicle are presented, with whose help not only a safe opening or closing the respective motor vehicle door is possible, but collisions with any obstacles are reliably avoided. The invention takes into account not only static obstacles, but also those with dynamic character, such as passing cars, cyclists but also pedestrians, etc.

This is achieved and made available in essence by the fact that the device works with one or more environmental sensors. With the help of these environment sensors, the entire environment of the motor vehicle can be detected and examined to see whether one or more areas of the environment are occupied by an obstacle. Even a change in the occupancy of a dynamically moving obstacle can be easily detected in this way. Likewise, a space curve completed by the obstacle. Now, if the occupancy of the one or more areas of the environment by the obstacle are known and are available in the control unit, countermeasures can be taken by the control unit to prevent any collisions with the flap when opening or closing. In fact, in the control unit not only the occupancy of one or more areas by the obstacle is known, but also the occupancy of individual or several areas by the flap during the opening process as well as during the closing process. Alternatively or additionally, the control unit has the data of the space curves of the obstacle and the flap. Overall, this data can be extrapolated into the future in order to depict future scenarios as well as imminent collisions. If the adjustment of these movement states causes the areas occupied by the obstacle and the flap to approach each other too much (the distance lies below a critical threshold of required areas between the respectively occupied areas), then the control unit ensures, for example: that the flap is fixed by means of the retaining element. Alternatively or additionally, however, the flap can also be actively moved by means of the drive provided on the flap. In this case, one will specify the movement of the drive by the control unit so that the flap is as it were moved away from the obstacle.

In any case, the invention advantageously uses the today typically provided in a motor vehicle environment sensors that interact with one or more driving assistance systems while driving. According to the invention, the data of the one or more surrounding sensors are evaluated with regard to detected obstacles in addition to the effect that collisions with a flap during opening / closing in relation to the motor vehicle body are prevented. This can be done both in the state of the motor vehicle and while driving. Here are the main benefits. In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing showing only one exemplary embodiment; show it:

1 shows a device according to the invention for opening / closing a flap of a motor vehicle dash-dotted in the closed state and solid in the open state,

2 shows the motor vehicle body schematically with an environmental sensor and the associated areas and the indicated obstacles, and FIG. 3 shows a holding element on the motor vehicle door according to FIG. 1. In the figures, a device for opening / closing a flap 1 of a motor vehicle is shown. The flap 1 in the exemplary embodiment is a motor vehicle side door 1 in the present case of a driver's door. Basically, it may be at this point but also a passenger door, rear side doors, a tailgate, a fuel filler flap, a sunroof or even a convertible top. A sliding door is conceivable as a flap 1.

In the exemplary embodiment, the motor vehicle door or motor vehicle side door 1 can be moved back and forth around a pivot point or a hinge axis 2 in the direction indicated in FIG. 1 in accordance with the double arrow. In this case, in the opening process shown in FIG. 1, starting from the closed position of the motor vehicle door 1 shown in dash-dotted lines to the open position, an associated swivel angle α is swept over. At the same time, the swivel angle α gives a space curve α of the flap 1 in the surroundings 9 of a motor vehicle body 5.

To the motor vehicle door 1, a motion transmitting member 3, 4 is connected, which is supported on the motor vehicle body 5. The motion transmission member 3, 4 is composed according to the embodiment of Fig. 1 of a rod or rack 3 and a drive shaft 4 with associated and not shown in detail drive for the motor vehicle door 1 together. In the context of the variant of Figure 3, only the rod 3 is realized, which in this case acts as a conventional tether and is designed.

It can be seen that the motor vehicle door 1 in the variant according to FIG. 1 can perform opening and closing movements following the double arrow, which are implemented, for example, with the aid of the drive or the drive shaft 4. In principle, however, the motor vehicle door 1 can also only be opened by an electric motor or can only be closed by an electric motor. In addition, embodiments are conceivable in which an additional manual opening / closing movement is permitted. Finally, of course a purely manual opening / closing movement in the invention. What is decisive in this context is solely that the flap or motor vehicle door 1 in question can in principle be moved, for example by an electric motor and as required for opening / closing with respect to the motor vehicle body 5.

In the variant of FIG. 3, only the rod respectively the tether 3 (without drive shaft 4 and associated drive) is realized, to which a schematically indicated holding element 6 is assigned. With the help of this holding element 6, the tether or the rod 3 can be set. In principle, the rod 3 according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3 may also be a toothed rack 3, which enables an additional drive of the motor vehicle door 1. In any case, in the context of the variant according to FIG. 3 with the aid of the retaining element 6, the option of fixing the flap or motor vehicle door 1 upon reaching a specific pivot angle α. This is usually done with the aid of a control unit 7. That is, the control unit 7 can on the one hand for fixing the motor vehicle door 1 by applying the Halteele- element 6 in the variant of FIG. 3 and on the other hand ensure that the motor vehicle door 1 during Example of Fig. 1 by means of the drive via the local drive shaft 4 is moved.

Corresponding positioning movements of the control unit 7 depend on signals of a sensor 8 shown, which is indicated schematically in FIG.

In addition to this sensor 8, the control unit 7 evaluates signals of further sensors 12, 13 and 14 in the exemplary embodiment, as will be explained in more detail below. In the exemplary embodiment, the sensor 8 is an environment sensor 8, that is to say a sensor with the aid of which the environment 9 of the motor vehicle body 5 is detected. The environment 9 is, as shown in FIG. 2, a space outside one Exterior skin of the closed motor vehicle body 5. The size of this spatial area depends on the range of the respective environmental sensor 8. As a rule, several environment sensors 8 are provided distributed over the motor vehicle body 5, which is not shown for reasons of clarity.

Rather, one recognizes in FIG. 2 by way of example and not limitation, only a sensor or environmental sensor 8, which may be arranged in the present case in the region of a front wheel housing or the front bumper of the motor vehicle body 5. In the example, the sensor or environment sensor 8 is a radar sensor or lidar sensor, with the aid of which a space-angle range B can be detected from the relevant sensor 8 to determine whether there are one or more obstacles 10, 1 1 are located. The position of the respective obstacle 10, 1 1 can be specified in each case in polar coordinates, as has already been described in the introduction.

That is, the sensor or environment sensor 8 is to determine the occupancy of the environment 9 outside the vehicle body 5 with one or more of the obstacles 10, 1 shown 1 in a position. Also future assignments with the obstacles 10, 1 1 and corresponding future scenarios can be predicted with the environment sensor 8 in conjunction with the control unit 7. For this purpose, the sensor or environment sensor 8 is connected to the already mentioned control unit 7, which evaluates corresponding sensor signals, as will be explained in more detail below.

The control unit 7 in turn acts on the retaining element 6 on the flap or motor vehicle door 1 for their determination. For this purpose, the relevant holding element 6 verweislich Fig. 3 on the tether or the rod 3 and ensures at a corresponding application by means of the control unit 7 that the rod respectively the tether 3 is clamped. As a result From this, the motor vehicle door 1 is set. For this purpose, the holding element 6 is arranged in the interior of the motor vehicle door 1.

Alternatively or additionally, however, the control unit 7 can also operate on the drive shaft 4 or an electromotive drive cooperating therewith and not directly represented, as the variant of FIG. 1 shows. In this case, the motor vehicle door 1 is actively moved, usually in a closing sense with respect to the motor vehicle body 5. In principle, of course, an opening movement of the motor vehicle door 1 relative to the motor vehicle body 5 is possible and is included according to the invention. Both described procedures, that is the definition of the motor vehicle door 1 in the context of the variant of FIG. 3 as well as their movement as shown in FIG. 1, carried out by means of the control unit 7 at least in the event of an imminent collision with a side of the sensor or environment sensor 8 detected obstacle 10, 1 1.

For this purpose, the sensor or environmental sensor 8 is designed to detect the environment 9 of the motor vehicle and in this context can detect the environment 9 of the motor vehicle or the motor vehicle body 5 statically and also dynamically. That is, any movements of the vehicle body 5 are considered as well as movements of the one or more obstacles 10, 1 1 and the flap 1 in the example case.

This is indicated by FIG. 2, which simulates a movement of the obstacle 10. In this case, the vehicle body 5 may be at rest. The motor vehicle is turned off. It can be seen that the obstacle 10 moves from the solid position along the arrow to a dashed position with the reference numeral 10 'moves. Such a movement pattern along an associated space curve or transient T is conceivable if, for example, a cyclist approaches the motor vehicle shown in FIG. 2 and at the same time the motor vehicle door 1 is to be opened taking into account the opening angle or along the space curve α. As already explained, the sensor or environmental sensor 8 used is one which, in the illustrated example, carries out radar measurements or lidar measurements. As a result, the region or solid angle region B shown in section in the context of FIG. 2 can be scanned overall with the aid of the surrounding environment sensor 8. This solid angle range B may correspond to a sampled (space) angle β of approximately 75 °, which expressly applies only by way of example and is not meant to be restrictive. The sensor region or solid angle region B which is covered in total by the environment sensor 8 is now divided into individual regions or individual regions Bi to Ββ according to the invention. That is, the entire environment 9 detected by the sensor 8 is regularly divided into such areas Bi as i = 1... N. For reasons of simpler illustration, FIG. 2 shows only the areas Bi to Ββ.

The environment sensor 8 now detects the occupancy of the respective area Bi to Ββ with the relevant obstacle 1 0, 1 1. According to the example shown in FIG. 2, it can be seen that the obstacle 11 is a static obstacle 11, which occupies the area Bs throughout. In this respect, any collisions with the motor vehicle door 1, at least for the moment, are not to be expected. On the other hand, due to its dynamic nature (cyclists in the example), the obstacle 10 ensures that first the area B3 and then the area B _{4 are occupied} by the obstacle 1 0 or 1 0 ', respectively.

In principle, the surroundings sensor 8 can additionally detect the occupancy of the previously identified areas Bi to Ββ by the flap or the motor vehicle door 1 as such. This is not shown. Rather, an additional and merely indicated flap sensor 1 2 is realized at this point, with the help of which ultimately the previously discussed pivot angle α of the motor vehicle door 1 with respect to the motor vehicle body 5 and consequently the space curve α of the flap 1 is detected. In the exemplary embodiment, the flap sensor 1 2 is arranged in the region of the hinge axis 2 shown in FIG. 1 and serves to determine the movement of the hinge axis 2 and consequently to measure the swivel angle α. Signals of the flap sensor 12 are transmitted to the connected control unit 7.

The control unit 7 evaluates on the one hand the signals of the environmental sensor 8 and on the other hand, those of the flap sensor 1 2 from. The evaluation takes place here the shape that an impending collision is determined. This can be done so that, for example, individual areas Bi to Ββ are occupied both by the obstacle 10 and by the flap or motor vehicle door 1 or the corresponding occupied areas Bi to Ββ approach each other. The same applies to the case in which an approximation of the respective space curves α of the flap 1 or T of the obstacle 10 is observed, which can lead to collisions.

In the exemplary embodiment, the evaluation of the obstacle 10 and its dynamic movement due to an occupancy of first the area B3 and then the area B ₄ results in that the movement of the obstacle 10 in question can be updated. In fact, it is to be expected that the derived from the movement of the obstacle 1 0 and dashed lines shown transient or space curve T hits the vehicle door 1 in the example case respectively cuts. An imminent collision corresponds to this. Since the control unit 7 due to the signal of the flap sensor 12, the spatial position of the motor vehicle door 1 taking into account the possible pivot angle α in the environment 9 and consequently calculate their space curve α and also the coordinates of the transients T in the environment 9 are known, can be in predicting the collision indicated in FIG. 2 when the motor vehicle door 1 is exposed in the illustrated example case with the maximum pivot angle α. This prognosis considers both a collision location and a collision time. As a result, the control unit 7 ensures, for example, during an opening movement of the motor vehicle door 1 initiated manually by a user that the motor vehicle door 1 is only opened or opened as far as corresponds to the dashed representation in FIG. 2. As soon as the corresponding opening angle γ has been transmitted from the flap sensor 12 to the control unit 7, the control unit 7 directly ensures that the holding element 6 is acted upon on the flap or on the motor vehicle door 1 such that in the example case the bar or the Tether 3 is blocked by means of the retaining element 6. As a result, the motor vehicle door 1 is fixed at the same time and an otherwise imminent collision between the obstacle 10 and the motor vehicle door 1 is prevented.

Alternatively, that is to the determination of the flap respectively motor vehicle door 1 by means of the holding element 6 initiated by the control unit 7, it is also possible that the flap respectively motor vehicle door 1 is acted upon in the sense of movement by means of the control unit 7. In this case, the impending collision is still detected by the evaluation of the transient T on the one hand and the flap sensor 12 taking into account the maximum pivot angle α for the motor vehicle door 1 on the other hand with the aid of the control unit 7.

As part of the alternative, the control unit 7 now ensures that the drive or the drive shaft 4 is acted upon in accordance with the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. This is done in such a way that the motor vehicle door 1 is acted upon in the closing sense and in this way the impending collision is prevented. In principle, both approaches can be combined. Then, the vehicle door 1 is first determined taking into account the opening angle γ by means of the holding element 6. Subsequently, the holding element 6 is released and the drive for Beauf- tion of the drive shaft 4 so acted upon by the control unit 7, that the motor vehicle door 1 is closed relative to the motor vehicle body 5. In the exemplary embodiment, two additional sensors 13, 14 are shown in addition to the environment sensor 8 and the flap sensor 12, which also transmit their signals to the control unit 7 and are connected thereto to the control unit 7. The sensor 13 is a door actuation sensor 13. With the aid of this door actuation sensor 13 it can be determined and distinguished, for example, whether the flap or the motor vehicle door is opened in the example from the outside or from the inside. Here it is conceivable that with an opening of the flap or vehicle door 1 from the outside neither the retaining element 6 nor the drive for the drive shaft 4 by means of the control unit 7 are acted upon (can). Only when an associated exterior door handle is released, both the holding element 6 and the corresponding drive (again) are active.

The sensor 14 is a vehicle dynamics sensor 14. With the aid of the vehicle dynamics sensor 14, for example, an accident or the crash event can be detected and reported to the control unit 7. In this case, the control unit 7 usually ensures again that the retaining element 6 and the drive for the drive shaft 4 can not be acted upon to allow any rescue workers unimpeded access to the motor vehicle door 1.

Claims

claims:

1 . Device for opening / closing a flap (1) of a motor vehicle, comprising at least one sensor (8) arranged on the motor vehicle for determining the occupancy of the surroundings (9) with one or more obstacles (10, 11) and with a sensor ( 8) connected to the control unit (7), characterized in that the control unit (7) a holding element (6) on the flap (1) for fixing them and / or a drive on the flap for moving the flap (1) acted upon, in the Case of impending collision with an obstacle (10, 11) detected by the sensor (8).

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor (8) is designed as environment sensor (8) for detecting the environment (9) of the motor vehicle.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the environment sensor (8) detects the environment (9) of the motor vehicle statically and / or dynamically.

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the environment sensor (8) is coupled to a driver assistance system of the motor vehicle.

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the environment sensor (8) as a sound sensor, in particular ultrasonic sensor, as an imaging sensor, as a magnetic sensor, as an electromagnetic sensor, etc. is formed, wherein also any combinations are included ,

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the ambient sensor (8) detected environment (9) is divided into areas (Bi to Ββ).

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the environment sensor (8) the occupancy of the respective area (Bi to Ββ) with an obstacle (10, 1 1) and optionally the occupation by the flap (1 ) and / or space curves (T, a) of the obstacle (10, 1 1) and optionally the flap (1) detected.

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the occupancy of an associated area (Bi to Ββ) of the environment (9) through the flap (1) and / or the space curve (a) of the flap (1) of a flap sensor (12) connected to the control unit (7) is determined.

9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the control unit (7) signals the environment sensor (8) and optionally the flap sensor (12) and signals of other sensors (13, 14) such as driving dynamics sensor (14) , Door operating sensor (13) etc. evaluates.

10. A method for opening / closing a flap (1) of a motor vehicle, with at least one arranged on the motor vehicle sensor (8) for determining the occupancy of the environment (9) with one or more obstacles (10, 1 1), and with a the control unit (7) connected to the sensor (8), characterized in that the control unit (7) has a holding element (6) on the flap (1) for its fastening and / or a drive on the flap (1) for moving the flap (1 ), in the event of an imminent collision with a detected by the sensor (8) obstacle (10, 1 1).