WO2022069085A1

WO2022069085A1 - Vehicle door frame and protection system

Info

Publication number: WO2022069085A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/064306
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bin Peng; Tze Shyan Wong; Mei Qing LIM; Chu Yao LIM; VunPin WONG; Fan Sin KHEW
Original assignee: Continental Automotive Gmbh
Priority date: 2020-10-01
Filing date: 2021-05-28
Publication date: 2022-04-07
Also published as: GB202015569D0; GB2599421A

Abstract

There is provided a vehicle door frame protection system comprising: a sensor (206) configured to detect proximity of an object to a vehicle door frame (200); and a warning device in communication with the sensor, the warning device (208, 210) configured to provide a warning when the sensor has detected that a distance between a detected object and the door frame (200) is smaller than a first threshold distance. There is also provided a vehicle door frame (200) for coupling a vehicle door thereto, the door frame comprising the disclosed vehicle door frame protection system.

Description

Vehicle Door Frame and Protection System

Field of Invention

[001] The invention relates to a vehicle doorframe protection system and a vehicle door frame comprising the vehicle doorframe protection system.

Background of Invention

[002] Most vehicle entrances are lower in height than a standing adult. During the process of getting into and out of a vehicle through such entrance, the risk of knocking against a door frame, leading to injuries, is high and real. The act of bending to clear a door frame may be tiring or difficult for certain persons or may simply be inconvenient. Additionally, when a person is preoccupied while getting into or out of a vehicle, there is a higher risk of knocking against the door frame.

[003] In existing solutions, cushions or other soft components are laced inside or near the door frame. Such components may soften an impact but are usually not sufficient or do not cover a large enough surface area to prevent injuries.

[004] There is therefore a need to increase safety when entering or exiting a vehicle entrance. There is a need to provide a protection mechanism that overcomes or at least ameliorates one or more of the disadvantages discussed above and other disadvantages.

Summary

[005] It is an object to provide an improved vehicle door frame to address the problems discussed above.

[006] To accomplish this and other objects, there is provided, in an aspect, a vehicle door frame protection system comprising: a sensor configured to detect proximity of an object to a vehicle door frame; and a warning device in communication with the sensor, the warning device configured to provide a warning when the sensor has detected that a distance between a detected object and the door frame is smaller than a first threshold distance.

[007] In another aspect, there is provided a vehicle door frame for coupling a vehicle door thereto, the door frame comprising the disclosed vehicle door frame protection system.

[008] In another embodiment, there is provided a vehicle door frame for coupling a vehicle door thereto, the door frame comprising: a sensor connected to the door frame, the sensor configured to detect proximity of an object to the doorframe; and a warning device in communication with the sensor, the warning device configured to provide a warning when the sensor has detected that a distance between a detected object and the door frame is smaller than a first threshold distance.

[009] While prior solutions provide only passive protection against knocking into a door frame, such as a cushion-laced door frame, the present disclosure actively warns users in the event there is impending danger of knocking into the door frame. In addition, the present disclosure may actively warn users in the event that objects being transported into and/or out of the vehicle may be in danger of hitting and damaging the door frame.

[010] In some embodiments, the disclosed door frame may include one or more impact damping elements provided along an edge of the door frame. The impact damping element(s) may be provided within an enclosure, such as a sheath or a tubing, that is fastened along the edge of the door frame. The enclosure itself may be made of or may comprise an impact damping element. Examples of impact damping elements include cushions, foam, rubber, fabric, or other soft and/or resilient materials. Advantageously, the impact damping elements may provide passive protection by dampening the impact in the event a user ignores the warning and ends up knocking into the door frame.

[011] In some alternative or additional embodiments, the disclosed system and/or the disclosed doorframe may include an inflatable element provided along an edge of the door frame; and a fluid source for inflating the inflatable element. The fluid source may be configured to release fluid to inflate the inflatable element when the sensor has detected that a distance between a detected object and the door frame is smaller than a second threshold distance, the second threshold distance being smaller than the first threshold distance. In the event the user ignores the warning and continues advancing towards the door frame, inflation of the inflatable element may be triggered, thereby providing a cushioned surface in case of impact. Furthermore, the inflated inflatable element may provide a larger surface area in the event of impact, as compared to conventional cushion-laced door frames.

[012] The inflatable element may be made of or may comprise rubber, synthetic material such as resilient polymer, fabric, or other resilient and/or stretchable material. The inflatable element may be made of an impact damping element or may comprise one or more impact damping elements attached thereto. For example, an impact damping element, such as foam, may be provided within a wall of the inflatable element. Advantageously, the impact damping element provides additional cushioning, in addition to the cushioning from the inflated inflatable element.

[013] The present disclosure may advantageously lower the likelihood of knocking against a vehicle door frame while entering or exiting the vehicle. The present disclosure may advantageously mitigate the severity of any injuries that may nonetheless occur.

Brief Description of Drawings

[014] Fig. 1 shows an illustration of an exemplary vehicle 100 comprising vehicle door frame 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[015] Fig. 2 shows a cut away view of the vehicle door frame 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[016] In the figures, like numerals denote like parts. Detailed Description

[017] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The detailed description of this invention will be provided for the purpose of explaining the principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling a person skilled in the art to understand the invention for various exemplary embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The detailed description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise embodiments disclosed. Modifications and equivalents will be apparent to practitioners skilled in this art and are encompassed within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

[018] In an embodiment, there is provided a vehicle door frame protection system. The system comprises: a sensor configured to detect proximity of an object to a vehicle door frame; and a warning device in communication with the sensor. The warning device is configured to provide a warning when the sensor has detected that a distance between a detected object and the door frame is smaller than a first threshold distance.

[019] In an embodiment, there is provided a vehicle door frame for coupling a vehicle door thereto. The door frame comprises the disclosed vehicle door frame protection system. The door frame comprises: a sensor connected to the door frame. The sensor is configured to detect proximity of an object to the door frame. The door frame further comprises a warning device in communication with the sensor. The warning device is configured to provide a warning when the sensor has detected that a distance between a detected object and the door frame is smaller than a first threshold distance.

[020] Fig. 1 shows an illustration of an exemplary vehicle 100. Vehicle door frame 200 is shown in darkened outline in Fig. 1. Fig. 2 shows a cut away view of the vehicle door frame 200 of vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. [021] Vehicle doorframe 200 is part of the body of vehicle 100. Vehicle doorframe 200 extends from the body of vehicle 100 to define an opening 202 for entry into or exit from vehicle 100. Vehicle door 300 is coupled to vehicle door frame 200 via hinges (not shown). Vehicle door 300 allows access to and closure of opening 202 by pivoting door 300 about the hinges.

[022] The term “vehicle entrance” as used in the context of the present application includes any entrance or opening of a vehicle, including entrances into the vehicle cabin or passenger compartment as well as entrances into a boot or trunk. The term “vehicle door” shall be construed accordingly to mean a door that closes or opens up said vehicle entrance.

[023] The object to be detected may be an inanimate object and/or a living thing such as a person or a pet. There may be a lower likelihood of the disclosed door frame being damaged by objects, such as hard, inanimate objects. There may be a lower likelihood of living things knocking and/or being injured by the disclosed door frame. The disclosed door frame actively informs users in the event there is impending danger that an inanimate object being transported through a vehicle opening may hit the door frame. The disclosed door frame actively informs users in the event there is impending danger of objects knocking into the doorframe.

[024] Long and/or large objects may be difficult to monitor during transfer into and out of a vehicle, as a person transferring the object may not be able to monitor all sides of the object at once. The body of a person in the process of entering or exiting the vehicle or the body of a person reaching through an entrance may also extend transversely relative to the door frame. Hence, the sensor may be configured to detect the proximity of an object that extends transversely to the door frame.

[025] The sensor may be configured to detect the proximity of any part of a living thing to the door frame. One or more important parts of a living thing may be selected for the sensor to focus on. For example, the sensor may be configured to detect the proximity of a human head to the door frame, since an injury to the head may have serious consequences. [026] The sensor configured to detect proximity of the object to the door frame, termed as a “proximity sensor” herein, may be any sensor capable of detection as disclosed herein. The sensor may be based on any kind of technology, including, but not limited to, ultrasonic, radar and infrared based technologies. The sensor may be one or more of an ultrasonic sensor, a radar sensor, an infrared sensor, an optical sensor and/or camera. For living things such as humans or animals, sensors that detect radiation-emitting bodies, such as infrared sensors, may be used. In some embodiments, proximity of an object to the door frame may be defined as the distance between the object and the doorframe.

[027] One or more sensors of the same type or different type may be connected to the door frame. The sensor may be connected to any part of the door frame that is suitable for its application. The sensor may be connected to one, two, three, or all sides (204a, 204b, 204c, 204d) or edges of frame 200 that surrounds the opening 202. A person may likely hit the top side of a door frame while in the process of getting into and out of the vehicle. Hence, in an embodiment, the sensor may be connected to a top side 204b of the doorframe.

[028] A warning may be provided when the sensor has detected that a distance between an object detected by the sensor and the door frame is smaller than a first threshold distance. An inflatable element may be inflated when the sensor has detected that a distance between the detected object and the doorframe is smaller than a second threshold distance, the second threshold distance being smaller than the first threshold distance. The threshold distances or the threshold values disclosed herein may be configured as required. For example, the first threshold distance may be about 20%, 15% or 10% of the length of the vehicle entrance, or height of the vehicle entrance if the sensor is connected to a top side of the door frame, while the second threshold distance may be about 10%, 8% or 5%, respectively, of the length or height of the vehicle entrance.

[029] During the detection, the sensor may be configured to take into account one or more additional conditions of the object, in addition to the distance between the object and the door frame. [030] The sensor may be configured to detect acceleration of the object towards the door frame. Acceleration of an object towards the door frame above a threshold value may indicate accidental movement that may damage the doorframe or injure the object. On the other hand, acceleration of an object towards the door frame below the threshold value may indicate awareness of the door frame and/or deliberate, calculated movement near the door frame. If the acceleration of the object towards the door frame is higher than the threshold value, and when the detected distance is smaller than the first threshold distance, the warning device may then provide the warning. The acceleration may be taken into account when the object is within a certain distance from the door frame, for example between a third threshold distance and the first threshold distance, wherein the third threshold distance is larger than the first threshold distance. When the acceleration of the object towards the door frame is higher than a threshold value at the time when the object is between the third threshold distance and the first threshold distance, the warning device may provide the warning when the distance of the object to the door frame is smaller than the first threshold distance.

[031] The sensor may be configured to detect that the vehicle door is open, which would indicate that movement through the entrance may occur. The warning device may provide the warning if the door is open and when the distance between the object and the door frame is smaller than the first threshold distance. The sensor may be activated to detect proximity of the object to the door frame only when the door is open. When the door is detected not to enclose the entrance, the warning device may provide the warning when the distance of the object to the door frame is smaller than the first threshold distance.

[032] Alternatively, the warning device may comprise a calculation unit to determine whether the condition(s) are satisfied before providing the warning. The warning device may receive distance measurements from the proximity sensor. The warning device may be configured to compare the received distance measurement with any of the threshold distances stored in its register or memory. The warning device may receive acceleration measurements from the proximity sensor or other sensor to detect acceleration that may be connected to the door frame. In such example, the system may further comprise a sensor to detect acceleration of the object towards the door frame. The warning device may receive a signal indicating an open door from the proximity sensor or other door opening sensor comprised in the system, the doorframe or in the vehicle.

[033] The warning device may be configured to provide a warning when the sensor has detected that a distance between a detected object and the door frame is smaller than a first threshold distance. The warning may be in any form suitable for the application. The warning device may provide a visual warning and/or an audible warning.

[034] The warning device may comprise or may be at least one lighting element. The visual warning may be generated by a light-emitting element or a plurality of light-emitting elements. The visual warning may be in the form of an LED light or downlight or a length of lighting elements. The visual warning may be connected to any part of the door frame as long as it serves the purpose of alerting a user.

[035] The warning device may comprise or may be a speaker. The speaker may be connected to any part of the door frame as long as the user can hear the alert.

[036] Fig. 2 illustrates two proximity sensors 206 and two warning lights 208 located on top side 204b of the door frame 200. Speaker 210 is located on side 204c of the door frame 200.

[037] The system or door frame may further comprise an inflatable element provided along an edge of the door frame; and a fluid source for inflating the inflatable element. The fluid source may be configured to release fluid to inflate the inflatable element when the sensor has detected that a distance between a detected object and the door frame is smaller than a second threshold distance, the second threshold distance being smaller than the first threshold distance. Inflation of the inflatable element may be considered the last line of defence after the condition(s) disclosed herein have been met. [038] The fluid source may be in communication with the sensor. When the sensor has detected that a distance between the detected object and the door frame is smaller than the second threshold distance, the sensor may be configured to send a signal to the fluid source to release the fluid. The fluid may be gas, such as air, hydrogen, helium, nitrogen, and/or mixtures thereof.

[039] The inflatable element may be provided along an edge of the doorframe. The inflatable element may be connected to or fastened along the edge of the door frame such that inflation of the inflatable element is not impeded. The inflatable element may be provided on a part of the door frame that is prone to damage or prone to causing injury, such as a sharp corner or edge of the door frame. The inflatable element may be provided on the door frame in a location so that it may expand in its inflated form to cover a corner or edge of the doorframe. The inflatable element may be provided along the rim of one, two, three, or all sides (204a, 204b, 204c, 204d) or edges of frame 200 that surrounds the opening 202. In an embodiment, the inflatable element may be provided along a top rim of the door frame, as illustrated in Fig. 2 which shows inflatable element 212 provided along a top rim or the rim of top side 204b of the door frame 200. In an embodiment, the sensor may initiate a deployment of an air cushion around the door frame when the distance between the detected part of the human body and the door frame is past the second threshold distance.

[040] The inflatable element may comprise a hollow core for the fluid to fill and inflate the inflatable element. The hollow core may be coaxial with a wall of the inflatable element. In an embodiment, the inflatable element may be an elongate tubing. The elongate tubing may comprise a latex wall and a hollow core, which are coaxial with each other.

[041] The system or door frame may further comprise an actuator to deflate the inflated inflatable element. The actuator may be in the form of a button or any other form accessible to the user in order to deflate the inflated inflatable element when it is no longer needed. The actuator may be provided on any part of the door frame, vehicle door, or in the vehicle cabin. The inflatable element, when not inflated, may be of a size or may have dimensions that do not impede closing of the vehicle door. The inflatable element, when not inflated, may be housed in an enclosure, such as a sheath. The enclosure may allow expansion of the inflatable element during inflation. The enclosure may allow easy storage of the inflatable element when deflated. The enclosure may allow a user to easily store the inflatable element back into the enclosure after deflation. The enclosure may be the same enclosure housing the impact damping element(s) or may be a separate enclosure. The enclosure housing the inflatable element may be located next to or parallel to the enclosure housing the impact damping element(s).

Claims

Patent claims

1 . A vehicle door frame protection system comprising: a sensor configured to detect proximity of an object to a vehicle door frame; a warning device in communication with the sensor, the warning device configured to provide a warning to the object when the sensor has detected that a distance between a detected object and the door frame is smaller than a first threshold distance.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to detect the proximity of an object that extends transversely to the doorframe.

3. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensor is configured to detect the proximity of any part of a living thing to the door frame.

4. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the sensor is configured to detect the proximity of a human head to the door frame.

5. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the warning device provides a visual warning and/or an audible warning.

6. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the warning device comprises at least one lighting element.

7. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the warning device comprises a speaker.

8. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the sensor is further configured to detect acceleration of the object towards the doorframe; and the warning device is further configured to provide a warning to the object when the sensor has detected that acceleration of the object towards the doorframe is higher than a threshold value.

9. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the warning device is further configured to provide a warning to the object when a vehicle door associated with the vehicle door frame is open.

10. The system of any preceding claim, further comprising: an inflatable element; and a fluid source for inflating the inflatable element, wherein the fluid source is configured to release fluid to inflate the inflatable element when the sensor has detected that a distance between a detected object and the door frame is smaller than a second threshold distance, the second threshold distance being smaller than the first threshold distance.

11 .The system of claim 8, further comprising an actuator to deflate the inflated inflatable element.

12. The system of claim 8 or 9, wherein the inflatable element is an elongate tubing.

13. A vehicle door frame for coupling a vehicle door thereto, the door frame comprising the vehicle doorframe protection system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

14. The door frame of claim 11 , wherein the sensor is connected to a top side of the door frame.

15. The door frame of claim 11 or 12 when dependent on any one of claims 8-10, wherein the inflatable element is provided along an edge of the door frame.

16. The door frame of any one of claims 11-13, wherein the inflatable element is provided along a top rim of the door frame.