Multifunction radar-based detection system for vehicle liftgates

Abstract

A detection system and a method of operating the detection system are provided. The system includes a power supply unit and at least one sensor for sensing at least one of an object and a motion. A communication unit is electrically coupled to the power supply unit for communicating with a plurality of vehicle system controllers. A microprocessor can operate in a plurality of modes and is electrically coupled to the power supply unit, the at least one sensor, and the communication unit. The microprocessor is configured to determine which of the plurality of modes should be active based on communication with the vehicle system controller, and to receive and process data from the at least one sensor. The microprocessor is also configured to initiate movement of a closure panel in response to processing of data corresponding to at least one of the object and the motion.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 580,506, filed on November 2, 2017, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 654,784, filed on April 9, 2018. The entire disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to detection systems for motor vehicles, and more particularly, to a multifunction radar-based detection system for vehicle closure panels. The present disclosure also relates to methods of operating the detection system. Background Art

[0004] This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

[0005] Nowadays, vehicles are equipped with various sensor systems that perform different functions. These functions may be related to gesture recognition for access control, reverse parking obstacle detection for notifying the driver of obstacles during reversing, and obstacle detection for detecting obstacles when the closure panel is opened and closed.

[0006] For example, a vehicle may be provided with a gesture activation system that can detect the movement of a foot or hand to open a closed panel (e.g., a liftgate of a vehicle) based on the gesture made. Typically, due to the range limitations of the technology used (e.g., ultrasonic sensors), the sensors of such gesture activation systems may be disposed in the bumper and pointed to the ground to detect foot gestures. Additionally, for example, a vehicle may be provided with a parking assistance system having a sensor that is generally directed outward from the vehicle to detect objects, such as parked cars, pillars, people, etc., when reversing, and to warn the driver when an object is detected (e.g., most sport utility vehicles (SUVs) with liftgates use multiple ultrasonic sensors in the bumper to detect during reversing). Additionally, for example, a vehicle may include an obstacle detection system having a sensor that is configured to sense obstacles in the path of the closed panel opening or to detect obstacles when the closed panel is closed. Therefore, in such an obstacle detection system, the sensor beam needs to be directed outward from the outside of the closed panel (or away from the outside of the closed panel) and away from the inside of the closed panel.

[0007] However, gesture activated systems, parking assist systems, and obstacle detection systems are typically different systems and are customized for specific functions (i.e., designed for specific coverage areas such as the ground, the area in front of the closure panel, or the area facing inward from the closure panel). Having multiple systems that perform different functions requires: sensors customized for each specific application, with specific coverage areas, and requiring multiple positions on the closure panel. In addition, having multiple systems that are each designed for a specific coverage area such as the ground, the area in front of the closure panel, or the area facing inward from the closure panel still has the disadvantage of blind spot coverage areas, especially in the case where such a system uses a power liftgate, in which case a sensor blind spot may be created during the movement of the power liftgate.

[0008] When it comes specifically to a power liftgate, typically the liftgate does not have object sensing capability in the opening direction because as the liftgate moves, the sensor coverage area changes relative to the movement of the liftgate since the sensors are fixed to the liftgate. Additionally, most SUVs with liftgates use a separate system with multiple ultrasonic sensors in the bumper for detection during backing up, which cannot detect obstacles in front of the liftgate at a higher position.

[0009] Therefore, there remains a need for an improved detection system for a motor vehicle and method of operating the same that overcomes these shortcomings. Summary of the invention

[0010] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features and advantages.

[0011] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a detection system for a motor vehicle and a method of operating the detection system which addresses and overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages.

[0012] Therefore, one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a detection system for a closed panel of a vehicle having at least one vehicle system controller. The detection system includes at least one sensor, the at least one sensor being used to sense at least one of an object and a motion adjacent to the closed panel, and outputting data corresponding to at least one of the object and the motion. The detection system also includes a microprocessor capable of operating in multiple modes and electrically coupled to at least one vehicle system controller and at least one sensor. The microprocessor is configured to determine which of a plurality of modes should be activated based on communication with at least one vehicle system controller. The microprocessor is also configured to receive and process data corresponding to at least one of the object and the motion from at least one sensor based on the determination of which of the plurality of modes should be activated. In addition, the microprocessor is configured to initiate movement of the closed panel in response to processing of the data corresponding to at least one of the object and the motion.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for operating a detection system in communication with at least one vehicle system controller of a vehicle is also provided. The method begins with the following steps: based on the microprocessor of the detection system receiving at least one of a signal for opening a vehicle closure panel, a signal for closing a vehicle closure panel, a wake-up signal, and a reverse start signal from at least one vehicle system controller in a standby state, determining which mode of a plurality of modes of the microprocessor should be activated. The method continues by the following operations: in response to receiving the signal for closing the closure panel, operating at least one sensor of the detection system in an inward obstacle detection mode to detect an object. The next step of the method is: commanding the closing of the closure panel based on the detection of the object in the inward obstacle detection mode. The method continues with the following steps: in response to receiving the signal for opening the closure panel, operating at least one sensor of the detection system in an outward obstacle detection mode to detect an object. Next, commanding the opening of the closure panel based on the detection of the object in the outward obstacle detection mode. The method also includes the following steps: in response to receiving the wake-up signal, operating at least one sensor of the detection system in a gesture detection mode to detect a motion. The method continues by the following operations: recognizing a gesture as one of a closing gesture and an opening gesture and an unrecognized gesture in the gesture detection mode. The next step of the method is to return to the inward obstacle detection mode in response to recognizing the gesture as a closed gesture in the gesture detection mode. The method then includes the step of returning to the outward obstacle detection mode in response to recognizing the gesture as an open gesture in the gesture detection mode. Finally, the method includes the step of operating at least one sensor of the detection system in the parking assist mode to detect an object in response to receiving the wake-up signal and the reverse start signal.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for operating a detection system that communicates with multiple vehicle system controllers of a vehicle is also provided. The method includes the following steps: based on the microprocessor of the detection system receiving at least one of a vehicle reverse signal and a vehicle drive signal from the multiple vehicle system controllers in a standby state, determining which mode of the multiple modes of the microprocessor should be activated. The method continues with the following steps: operating at least one radar sensor disposed in a side closure panel of the detection system and at least one additional radar sensor disposed in a rear closure panel of the detection system to detect at least one of an object and a motion in a second detection area, wherein the at least one radar sensor and the at least one additional radar sensor are each at a second power level. The method continues with the following operations: after determining that the object has moved toward the vehicle from the second detection area, operating at least one radar sensor and at least one additional radar sensor, each at a first power level, to detect at least one of an object and a motion in the first detection area. The method also includes the following steps: notifying the multiple vehicle system controllers of the object detected by the at least one radar sensor or the at least one additional radar sensor.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a lighting assembly for a closed panel of a vehicle having at least one vehicle system controller is provided, the lighting assembly comprising: a housing adapted to be at least partially mounted within a hole provided on the closed panel; a light source housed within the housing for providing lighting associated with the closed panel; at least one sensor housed within the housing for sensing at least one of an object and a motion adjacent to the closed panel and outputting data corresponding to at least one of the object and the motion, the at least one sensor being configured to emit at least one detection beam through the hole to sense at least one of an object and a motion adjacent to at least one of an outer side and an inner side of the closed panel; and a microprocessor electrically coupled to the at least one vehicle system controller and the at least one sensor and configured to operate the at least one sensor to sense at least one of an object and a motion adjacent to at least one of an outer side and an inner side of the closed panel, and configured to communicate with the at least one vehicle system controller to initiate a vehicle function in response to processing of the data corresponding to at least one of the object and the motion.

[0016] According to another aspect, a detection system for a rear closing panel of a vehicle having at least one vehicle system controller is provided, the detection system comprising: at least one sensor disposed in a side closing panel, operable to detect movement adjacent to the rear closing panel in a posture detection mode; at least one additional sensor disposed in the rear closing panel, operable to sense at least one of an object and a movement adjacent to the closing panel in an obstacle detection mode; and a microprocessor operable in one of a posture detection mode and an obstacle detection mode, electrically coupled to at least one vehicle system controller, at least one sensor, at least one additional sensor, and configured to determine which of the modes should be activated based on communication with at least one vehicle system controller, receive and process data corresponding to at least one of the object and the movement from at least one sensor and at least one additional sensor based on the determination of which of the modes should be activated, and initiate a vehicle function in response to processing of the data corresponding to at least one of the object and the movement.

[0017] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein.The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 1 A first exemplary embodiment of a detection system mounted on a liftgate of a vehicle according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown;

[0020] Figure 2 The present disclosure shows various aspects of Figure 1 A magnified view of the detection system;

[0021] Figure 2A and Figure 2B Another aspect of the present disclosure is shown Figure 1 A magnified view of the detection system;

[0022] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3D The present disclosure shows various aspects of Figure 1 The coverage area of ​​the detection system;

[0023] Figure 4 is a block diagram of a detection system according to aspects of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 5 and Figure 6shows an outward-facing surface and an inward-facing surface of a sensor printed circuit board of a detection system according to aspects of the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 7 The present disclosure shows various aspects of Figure 5 and Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of a sensor printed circuit board;

[0026] Figure 8 , Fig. 9A and Fig. 9B Detection of an obstacle in the path of a liftgate in an outward obstacle detection mode of a detection system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is shown;

[0027] Fig.10 Detection of gestures in a gesture detection mode of a detection system according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown;

[0028] Fig.11 shows a radar signal of a moving foot located one meter away from a bumper of a vehicle in a gesture detection mode of a detection system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

[0029] Fig.12 According to various aspects of the present disclosure Figure 1 Exploded view of the detection system;

[0030] Fig.13A and Fig. 13B illustrates operation of a detection system according to the position of a liftgate in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG. 14A to FIG. 14C A second exemplary embodiment of a detection system mounted on a liftgate of a vehicle according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown;

[0032] Fig.15 According to various aspects of the present disclosure Figure 1 An exploded view of an alternative detection system;

[0033] Fig.16 According to various aspects of the present disclosure Fig.15 An exploded perspective view of an alternative detection system;

[0034] 17A to 17C According to various aspects of the present disclosure Fig.15 A perspective view of an alternative detection system;

[0035] Fig.18 Detection of an obstacle in the path of a liftgate in an outward obstacle detection mode of a rotatable detection system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is shown;

[0036] Fig.19 Detection of an obstacle in the path of a liftgate in an inward obstacle detection mode of a detection system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is shown;

[0037] Figure 20 to Figure 23 The steps of a method of operating a detection system according to aspects of the present disclosure are shown;

[0038] Figure 24 to Figure 26 is a block diagram illustrating a radar-based, contactless obstacle and gesture detection sensor for a motor vehicle in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

[0039] Fig. 27 shows different detection areas for a detection system located on a rear closure panel of a vehicle and a detection system provided on a side closure panel of the vehicle, each detection system having a detection area defined by its operating power; and

[0040] Figure 28 to Figure 31 Steps of a method of operating a detection system according to aspects of the present disclosure are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] In the following description, details are set forth to provide an understanding of the present disclosure. In some cases, certain circuits, structures, and techniques are not described or shown in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure.

[0042] In general, the present disclosure relates to a detection system of a type that is very suitable for many vehicle closing applications. The detection system and associated operating methods of the present disclosure will be described in conjunction with one or more example embodiments. However, only the specific example embodiments disclosed are provided to describe the inventive concept, and the features, advantages and objectives will be clear enough to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the present disclosure. Specifically, example embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be detailed and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. Many specific details, such as examples of specific components, devices and methods, are set forth to provide a comprehensive understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that specific details do not need to be adopted, and example embodiments can be implemented in many different forms, and neither specific details nor example embodiments should be interpreted as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

[0043] Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, a detection system 20 and a method of operating the detection system 20 are disclosed.

[0044] like Figures 1 to 12As best shown in FIG. 1 , an exemplary first embodiment of a detection system 20 for a closure panel 22 of a vehicle 24 having at least one or more vehicle system controllers is provided. The detection system 20 may be provided as part of an existing vehicle accessory that may be naturally positioned at an elevated vantage point on the closure panel 22 to take advantage of radar range (e.g., approximately 5 meters) and provide a wide detection angle around the vehicle 24; however, using more than one detection system 20 may allow for arrangements that cover different areas. The closure panel 22 in the exemplary first embodiment is a liftgate 22, and the detection system 20 is used as a center high mounted stop light (CHMSL) disposed on the liftgate 22. Figure 1 , Figure 2 , FIG. 3A to FIG. 3D ), exemplarily having a detection area A behind and adjacent to the liftgate 22. However, the detection system 20 may alternatively or additionally be adapted to be disposed on the liftgate 22, above the license plate recess 21 disposed on the liftgate 22 ( Figure 1 ), for example, the detection system 20 is integrated into the license plate illumination module 23 and / or integrated with other vehicle modules associated with the liftgate or closure panel 22. In some embodiments, such accessories can be schematically installed through an aperture or hole in the metal plate of the closure panel 22 and secured within the aperture or hole.

[0045] like Figure 4 As best shown in FIG. 1 , the detection system 20 includes a power supply unit 26 for coupling to a power source of the vehicle 24 to provide power to the detection system 20. Additionally, the detection system 20 includes a communication unit 28 electrically coupled to the power supply unit 26 for communicating with a plurality of vehicle system controllers. All of these components may be enclosed within an electromagnetic (e.g., radar) permeable housing, such as a housing formed of plastic, that is configured to be attached to the liftgate 22, and more particularly, mounted in or adjacent to an aperture or hole in the sheet metal of the closure panel 22.

[0046] like Figures 5 to 7 As best shown in FIG. 1 , the power supply unit 26, the microprocessor 30, the communication unit 28, and at least one sensor 44, 46 (discussed below) are disposed on a sensor printed circuit board 32. The sensor printed circuit board 32 includes: a first layer 34 ( Figure 7), which defines an outward surface 36; and a second layer 38, which extends along the first layer 34 and defines an inward surface 40 opposite the outward surface 36. The sensor printed circuit board 32 also includes an insulating surface 42 disposed between the first layer 34 and the second layer 38, such as a radar absorbent material (RAM) layer formed as a planar and / or stacked frequency selective surface (FSS) array printed or etched on the substrate of the printed circuit board 32, and as is known in the art and described as only one non-limiting example, the insulating surface 42 has a dielectric constant that promotes attenuation of reflected radar waves or transmitted radar waves 33. In other words, the sensor printed circuit board 32 can be a double-sided PCB layout with an insulating layer between the layers 34, 38.

[0047] The detection system 20 also includes at least one sensor 44, 46, which is used to sense at least one of an object and a motion 19 adjacent to the closed panel 22 and output data corresponding to at least one of the object and the motion. Specifically, the at least one sensor 44, 46 includes: a plurality of radar transmitting antennas 44, which are used to transmit a plurality of radar beams outwardly therefrom; and a plurality of radar receiving antennas 46, which are arranged on the outward surface 36 of the sensor printed circuit board 32, and are used to receive the plurality of radar beams ( Figure 5 The at least one sensor 44, 46 further includes: a plurality of radar transmitting antennas 44 for transmitting a plurality of radar beams outwardly therefrom; and a plurality of radar receiving antennas 46 disposed on the inwardly facing surface 40 of the sensor printed circuit board 32 for receiving a plurality of radar beams reflected from the object from the radar transmitting antennas 44 ( Figure 6 ). Thus, each layer of the sensor printed circuit board 32 has a radar antenna 44, 46 mounted to each layer and projecting a radar beam away from the corresponding surface. In another embodiment, multiple sensor printed circuit boards 32 can be arranged at an angle relative to each other (e.g., 160 degrees relative to their faces) to expand the detection area of ​​the antennas 44, 46, for example, to increase the detection area for the side of the vehicle 24, such as Figure 3A Detection area B is schematically shown. The antennas 44, 46 on the respective sides (or surfaces) can be operated to detect objects away from the vehicle 24 or objects toward the vehicle 24. The insulating surface 42 ensures that the radar detectors on each side of the sensor printed circuit board 32 do not receive reflected radar beams emitted from the other side of the sensor printed circuit board 32. According to one aspect, the antennas 44, 46 can be etched into the sensor printed circuit board 32 during manufacturing.

[0048] According to one aspect, the plurality of radar transmit antennas 44 disposed on the outward surface 36 include a pair of radar transmit antennas 44, and the plurality of radar receive antennas 46 disposed on the outward surface 36 include four radar receive antennas 46. Similarly, the plurality of radar transmit antennas 44 disposed on the inward surface 40 include a pair of radar transmit antennas 44, and the plurality of radar receive antennas 46 disposed on the inward surface 40 include four radar receive antennas 46. The plurality of radar transmit antennas 44 and the plurality of radar receive antennas 46 operate at 80 GHz. However, it should be understood that the plurality of radar transmit antennas 44, the plurality of radar receive antennas 46 on either surface may include fewer or more radar transmit antennas 44 and radar receive antennas 46, and may operate at other frequencies, such as 24 GHz, 60 GHz, or 85 GHz.

[0049] The detection system 20 also includes a microprocessor 30 ( Figure 4 and Figure 5 ), the microprocessor 30 can operate in multiple modes and is electrically coupled to the power supply unit 26, at least one sensor 44, 46, and the communication unit 28. In general, the application of appropriately positioned radar on the mass covering the liftgate 22 (providing resolution, range, and material penetration characteristics) can perform multiple detection functions. In addition, the resolution provided by the radar can provide not only obstacle detection, but also the increased resolution required for gesture recognition (and even facial gesture detection) at a certain range, such as at foot level or approximately ground level 49 near the bumper, but also at a distance away from the liftgate 22. In addition, the elimination of blind spots provided by the detection system 20 as described herein can improve the safe and reliable operation of the closure panel 12 and the vehicle compared to known systems that rely on multiple sensors disposed on or near the closure panel to achieve the elimination of blind spots. Therefore, the multiple modes include at least one of a gesture recognition mode, a park assist mode, an outward obstacle detection mode, and an inward obstacle detection mode.

[0050] More specifically, the outward obstacle detection mode is used to detect an obstacle in the path of the liftgate 22 when the liftgate 22 is opened to control the stopping of the liftgate 22, for example, to detect a person ( Figure 8 ) and ceiling detection ( Fig. 9A and Fig. 9B ).like Fig. 9A and Fig. 9B, the radar transmit antenna 44 and the radar receive antenna 46 are oriented to project rearward and away from the vehicle 24 with detection angles projected upward, downward, and away from the vehicle 24. Due to the rotation / pivoting of the liftgate 22 during opening and closing, such detection angles projected rearward and away from the vehicle 24 may be acute, and may be illustratively 30 degrees relative to the horizon, as such detection angles are sufficient to detect any obstructions that would be in the path of the liftgate 22 as the liftgate 22 is being opened, such as the ceiling 22. For example, a liftgate 22 that does not move directly to a vertical position or further toward the top of the vehicle 24 would not need to detect any objects in that space, and therefore would not need to direct at least one sensor 44, 46 to the top of the vehicle 24 or toward the vehicle. By taking advantage of the pre-existing movement of the liftgate 22 to provide an increased detection range, the radar transmit antenna 44 and the radar receive antenna 46 can be configured to be oriented at the rear of the vehicle to simultaneously detect objects on the ground 49 behind the liftgate 22 and objects above the liftgate 22 when the liftgate 22 is in the closed position, and to detect any objects in the path of the liftgate 22, such as the ceiling 47, when the liftgate 22 is open. Thus, multiple sensors with dedicated detection areas having different orientations are not required. Such detection can be useful in the following situations: when parking in a garage, in the case of operating in a parking assist mode, so that the liftgate 22 does not collide with the garage door or garage door opener; or when parking in an underground parking lot, in the case of operating in an obstacle detection mode, avoiding overhead obstacles, such as pipes or ceilings, etc. According to one aspect, the ceiling 47 and the distance to the ceiling 47 can be detected by the detection system 20, and then, for example, the angle of opening of the liftgate 22 can be automatically changed by sensing the ceiling 47 and controlling the gap between the ceiling 47 and the liftgate 22. The inward obstacle detection mode is used to detect obstacles in the path of the liftgate 22 when the liftgate 22 is closed to control the stopping of the liftgate 22, for example, detecting people and / or detecting objects that will cause damage to the liftgate 22 or the vehicle 24 (for example, a broom resting on the bumper, or a 2×4 lumber protruding from the interior of the vehicle 24). Therefore, if the liftgate 22 is operated from the open position, the inward-facing sensors 44, 46 (interior-facing radar sensors) can be operated for obstacle detection (see Fig. 13B). The parking assist mode is used to detect obstacles during the reverse movement of the vehicle 24. Thus, if the vehicle 24 is in reverse, the detection system 20 can be operated to detect objects in the reverse path of the vehicle 24. The coverage area of ​​the detection system 20 is such that detection of objects useful for parking assistance can be performed (e.g., sending an alert to the driver if an obstacle is detected). The gesture recognition mode is used for gesture recognition activated for the opening of the liftgate 22 (e.g., detecting a foot gesture, a hand gesture, or a facial gesture). Thus, if the liftgate 22 is closed and the vehicle 24 is in a parked state, the detection system 20 can be operated in the gesture recognition mode, looking for a person commanding the opening 48 of the liftgate 22, such as Fig.10 The detection system 20 may be positioned to cover the height of a person, and the resolution of the radar-based sensors 44, 46 may provide detection of precise gestures for controlling activation of the closure panel 22. As an example, Fig.11 The radar signal of a moving foot located one meter away from the bumper of the vehicle 24 is shown. It should be understood that more or fewer modes can be used. The detection system 20 can therefore be configured to operate in different modes based on the state of the vehicle and command the operation of the vehicle function accordingly. For example, in the case of operating in the parking assist mode, the detection system 20 can command the operation of the audible or visual alarm system of the vehicle 24 or activate the braking function or the acceleration function. For example, in the case of operating in the gesture recognition mode, the detection system 20 can command the operation of the closed panel 22 (e.g., open) by activating the closing actuator / motor after the positive activation / access gesture. For example, in the case of operating in the outward obstacle detection mode, the detection system 20 can command the operation of the closed panel 22 (e.g., open) by deactivating (deactivate) or stopping the closing actuator / motor. For example, in the case of operating in the inward obstacle detection mode, the detection system 20 can command the operation of the closed panel (e.g., open) by deactivating or stopping the closing actuator / motor.

[0051] The microprocessor 30 is configured to determine which of the plurality of modes should be active based on communication with a plurality of vehicle 24 system controllers (e.g., a body control module). In addition, the microprocessor 30 is configured to receive and process data corresponding to at least one of an object and a motion from at least one sensor 44, 46 based on the determination as to which of the plurality of modes should be active. Finally, the microprocessor 30 is configured to initiate movement of the closure panel 22 in response to processing the data corresponding to at least one of the object and the motion.

[0052] like Fig.12As best shown in FIG. 1 , the detection system 20 may also include an illumination subassembly 50 including an illumination printed circuit board 52 coupled to the sensor printed circuit board 32. The illumination printed circuit board 52 includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 54 and is electrically coupled to the power source 26, the microprocessor 30, and the communication unit 28 for providing illumination associated with the closure panel 22 (e.g., CHMSL illumination).

[0053] In addition, the detection system 20 may include a housing 56 ( Fig.12 ), the housing 56 defines the opening 48 and encloses the sensor printed circuit board 32 and the lighting printed circuit board 52. The lens cover 58 ( Fig.12 ) is coupled to the housing 56 and extends over the lighting printed circuit board 52 to cover the opening 48 and allow light from the plurality of light emitting diodes 54 of the lighting subassembly 50 to shine outwardly from the detection system 20. The housing 56 and lens cover 58 may be made of a radar penetrating material, such as plastic, for example. Providing the detection system 20 as part of an existing vehicle accessory, such as a lighting assembly or lighting module (e.g., CHMSL lighting), overcomes the disadvantages associated with other known vehicle accessories, such as roof separate edges, spoilers, or interior closure trim panels, which are accessories that are configured to be mounted away from electromagnetic wave non-penetrating materials, such as on the exterior metal panels of the vehicle, and adjacent to other electromagnetic wave interfering vehicle accessory components, wherein such metal sheets and components tend to reduce the detection coverage of any sensors provided with such other vehicle accessories. Typically, according to an embodiment, an existing vehicle accessory - for example, a lighting assembly - is installed very close to a vehicle window (e.g., a rear window 61) that seals an aperture to the metal sheet of the closing panel 22, providing an unobstructed line of sight for transmitting a detection beam and receiving a detection beam 119 (e.g., electromagnetic waves, such as radar), and the lighting assembly is either away from the sensor printed circuit board 32, through an adjacent vehicle window (rear window 61) and / or through a vehicle accessory aperture or hole 59 formed in the metal sheet of the closing panel 22, the aperture or hole being used to receive a housing 56 to be fixed therein during assembly to allow signals such as radar waves to be transmitted and detected by multiple antennas 44, 46 to be transmitted through the aperture 50 or window 61 and to pass unobstructed toward and from the inside of the closing panel 22. Reference Fig. 13B , the aperture 59 or window 61 allows the detection beam 119 to be emitted away from and toward the liftgate 22 on both the inner side D shown in ghost view as extending from the inner side 123 of the closure panel and the outer side E shown in ghost view as extending from the outer side 125 of the closure panel. Fig.13A and Fig. 13BIn the exemplary embodiment shown, in which the sensor printed circuit board 32 may be disposed in the housing 56 that is partially received within the aperture 59 but is positioned on the outer side E, the aperture 59 and the window 61 allow the detection beam 119 to be emitted on the inner side D away from the liftgate 22 and toward the liftgate 22 by passing through an aperture in the sheet metal formed in the liftgate 22 as the window 61 or the aperture 59. In another exemplary embodiment, in which the sensor printed circuit board 32 may be disposed in the housing 56 that is partially received within the aperture 59 but is positioned on the inner side D, similarly, the aperture 59 or the window 61 allows the detection beam 119 to be emitted on the outer side E away from the liftgate 22 and toward the liftgate 22 by passing through an aperture in the sheet metal of the liftgate 22 formed as the window 61 or the aperture 59. In another embodiment, the closure panel 22 can be at least partially formed of a radar-transmissive material, such as a plastic or composite material, and the detection system 20 is part of an existing vehicle accessory having a housing 56 disposed on one of the inner side D or the outer side E, without having to be mounted adjacent to or at least partially within a hole such as the aperture 59 or the window 61, for example, the housing 56 can be flush mounted on the outer side 125 using fasteners (e.g., screws, bolts, or clips). As a result of the detection system 20 being able to detect one of gestures and movements on the inner side D, a user within the interior area E of the vehicle (e.g., rear cabin, rear seat, cargo space) can initiate a gesture for opening and closing the liftgate 22. Such a dual coverage detection system 20 provides customized coverage on both the inner and outer sides of the liftgate 22, for example, when the liftgate 122 is opened or closed, and reduces and eliminates blind spots during movement of the liftgate 22 without requiring the operation of multiple sensors with respective overlapping coverage areas depending on the position of the liftgate 22.

[0054] According to another exemplary embodiment, reference Figure 2A and Figure 2B , housing 56( Fig.12 ) is provided with an extension 57 that extends from the bottom of the housing 56 in a configuration overlapping the window 61 and further expands the opening 48 for enclosing the sensor printed circuit board 32, so that the printed circuit board 32 is illustratively positioned directly adjacent to the window 61 and overlaps with the window 61 to provide coverage through the window 61 without obstruction from any intervening vehicle accessories, lights or from the edge 63 of the blade (shown in phantom). The extension 57 can be illustratively made of a radar-transparent material, such as plastic.

[0055] Because the sensor printed circuit board 32 on which the plurality of radar transmit antennas 44 and radar receive antennas 46 may be mounted is double-sided, the need for additional antennas 44, 46 on the interior of the liftgate 22 may be eliminated, and wiring and component costs as well as assembly and installation costs may be reduced. Fig.13A and Fig. 13B As shown in , the disclosed attachment of the detection system 20 to the liftgate 22 can take advantage of the movement of the liftgate 22. When the liftgate 22 is opened, the sensing area of ​​the detection system 20 extends upward and away from the vehicle 24 to detect obstacles that the liftgate 22 may collide with, such as a garage door or door opener. However, when the detection area moves, multiple antennas 44, 46 on the interior of the liftgate 22 can be activated to compensate for the lost coverage to continue to provide obstacle detection behind the vehicle 24. An aperture 59 in the sheet metal of the liftgate 22 is illustratively provided to allow radar signals facing inward away from the liftgate 22 as directed inwardly and emitted and detected by the multiple antennas 44, 46 to pass through the liftgate 22 unimpeded. If no aperture is provided, the radar signal will be reflected from the sheet metal. The detection system 20 can be disposed adjacent to the aperture 59 or within the aperture 59, etc. Alternatively, the multiple antennas 44, 46 can be directed to pass through a portion of the sheet metal used to form a rear window 61 (see Figure 2 ). The disclosed detection system 20 can be integrated with a pre-existing hole 59 in the sheet metal of the liftgate 22 of the vehicle. The integration of the disclosed detection system 20 with existing vehicle accessories, such as a lighting assembly (e.g., CHMSL lighting), can utilize the pre-existing hole 59 of the liftgate 22 for mounting the lighting assembly to the closure panel 22, thereby providing an unobstructed line of sight for the propagation of radar signals transmitted and detected by the multiple antennas 44, 46 on the outside and inside of the closure panel 22, without the need to form additional apertures in the closure panel 22, which would require additional assembly steps to seal and conceal such apertures using body fillers, primers, paints, and other plugging compositions. Likewise, the integration of the disclosed detection system 20 with existing vehicle accessories, such as a lighting assembly (e.g., CHMSL lighting), can utilize pre-existing power and control signal lines provided to the existing vehicle accessories for powering the sensors 44 and microcontroller 32 and communicating with other vehicle controllers 102.

[0056] When the detection system 20 of the first exemplary embodiment is fixedly installed, FIG. 14A to FIG. 14CA second exemplary embodiment of a detection system 120 is shown. In the second exemplary embodiment, the detection system 120 is adapted to be rotatable relative to a closure panel 122 of a vehicle 124. Thus, as will be further described in greater detail below, the detection system 120, or more particularly the radar transmit antenna 44 and the radar receive antenna 46, can be rotated and selectively oriented relative to the position of the liftgate 122 to provide customized coverage, for example, with the liftgate 122 opened or closed, while also avoiding blind spots during movement of the liftgate 122 without requiring multiple sensors each with a dedicated coverage area.

[0057] Now refer to Figures 15 to 19 The rotation of the detection system 120 that provides rotatable orientation of the radar transmitting wire 44 and the radar receiving antenna 46 can be controlled by a mechanism for orienting the sensor printed circuit board 32' as required. Fig.15 and Fig.16 , the detection system 120 is exemplarily shown as including an illumination subassembly 50' having an illumination printed circuit board 52' coupled to the sensor printed circuit board 32'. The illumination printed circuit board 52' includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 54' and is electrically coupled to the power supply unit 26', the microprocessor 30', and the communication unit 28' for providing illumination (e.g., CHMSL illumination) associated with the closure panel 22. Thus, the detection system 120 may include a housing 56' that is receivable within, partially receivable within, or positionable adjacent to the hole 59 and defines an opening 48' for receiving and enclosing the sensor printed circuit board 32' and the illumination printed circuit board 52'. A lens cover 58' is coupled to the housing 56' and extends over the illumination printed circuit board 52' for covering the opening 48' and allowing light from the plurality of light emitting diodes 54' of the illumination subassembly 50' to radiate outwardly from the detection system 20'.

[0058] The detection system 120 also includes a motor assembly 126, which is exemplarily shown as having a motor 128, such as a brushed or brushless motor, and the motor assembly 126 is mounted in the housing 56', for example, by using fasteners (not shown) that can be engaged through fastener receiving holes 129 provided on a flange 131 extending from a motor body 133, and the fasteners can be engaged to the housing 56' to mount the motor assembly 126 to the housing 56'. The motor assembly 126 also includes an output shaft 134 extending from the motor 128 via a connection to the planetary gear 136. The output shaft 134 extends through an aperture 138 in a side wall 139 of the housing 56' provided at one end of the housing 56', and the output shaft 134 is further fixed to the liftgate 22. At the opposite side wall 141 of the housing 56', a projecting pin 140 is also provided to be pivotally coupled to the liftgate 22 at a point adjacent to the opposite side wall 141. At the same time, the fixed connection of the output shaft 134 to the liftgate 122 and the pivotal connection of the protruding pin 140 rotatably support the detection system 120 relative to the liftgate 122 when rotation 142 of the detection system 120 including the lighting subassembly 50' is permitted as a result of activation of the motor 128. Activation of the motor 128 may be controlled by the microprocessor 30 based on an operating mode associated with the motor 128, such as by transmitting a pulse width modulated control signal to impart rotation in a desired direction and for a period of time. Fig.15 , the detection system 120 including the lighting subassembly 50' is received within a cavity 144 provided by the liftgate 122 such that rotation of the shaft 134 imparts rotation of the housing 56' and the corresponding sensor printed circuit board 32' such that the plurality of antennas 44', 46' can be rotated relative to the liftgate 122 and oriented or positioned to provide customized coverage, for example, when the liftgate 122 is opened or closed. Alternatively, the sensor printed circuit board 32' itself can be configured to rotate within a non-rotating housing 56, for example, the sensor printed circuit board 32' can be enclosed within a center high mount stop light (CHMSL) (or other vehicle module) disposed on the liftgate 22 ( Figure 1 , Figure 2 , FIG. 3A to FIG. 3D ) and is configured to rotate internally, such as by mounting the motor 128 to the housing 56' and securing the output shaft 134 to the sensor PCB 32' to impart rotation to the sensor PCB 32' while the center high mount stop light (CHMSL) remains stationary relative to the liftgate 122. In an embodiment, the sensor PCB 32' may rotate separately from the lighting PCB 52' disposed on its own different PCB which may be set stationary relative to the housing 56'.

[0059] Thus, the disclosed detection system 20, 120 uses a single (or at least one) unit having at least one sensor 44, 46 to perform multiple sensing functions (i.e., obstacle detection, parking assistance during backing up, and gesture recognition). Thus, a single detection system 20, 120 can replace multiple known detection systems having dedicated and fixed directional sensors, thereby reducing cost, wiring and installation complexity, and providing an increased detection range area without blind spots due to surrounding metal sheets and / or other intervening vehicle components. This is particularly useful for liftgates 22, 122 that can provide elevated positioning of the detection system 20, 120 to increase the coverage area (i.e., for example, the detection system 20, 120 is not limited to coverage under the bumper for foot gesture recognition, it can also further cover the distance away from the liftgate 22, 122 for parking assistance during backing up). Since the detection system 20, 120 performs multiple functions, the detection system 20, 120 must be able to cover the area related to the sensing functions.

[0060] As discussed above, the disclosed detection system 20, 120 may be disposed with the liftgate 22, 122 and disposed at an elevated vantage point for scanning and mapping the area in front of the liftgate 22, 122 and / or the area behind the vehicle 24. Integrating the detection system 20, 120 with an existing accessory - e.g., a center high mounted stop light or a license plate light / molding 23 above the license plate - may provide a sensing solution that utilizes existing mounting points on the vehicle 24, 124 and provides cost savings with respect to the packaging of the detection system 20, 120 (the packaging of the accessory may be expanded to include the detection system 20, 120) and also utilizes existing power connections (e.g., electrical connections to other vehicle control systems and power harness wiring) that are typically used to power or control powered vehicle accessories such as lighting accessories. In addition, since additional, special and non-traditional housings and imperfect concealment treatments (e.g., installing a plastic cover to plug the radar transmitting aperture in the metal sheet of the closure panel, and further steps of coloring and painting such apertures to match the surrounding closure panel) may not be required, the detection system 20, 120 may not be visible from the outside. In addition, since the radar beam can pass through the plastic, the detection system 20, 120 may be positioned behind the housing wall of the accessory in a concealed manner. As long as the dedicated holes in the metal sheet of the liftgate 22 can provide an unobstructed field of view of the detection system 20, 120 on the outside and inside of the closure panel 22 within the travel range of the liftgate 22. For pedestrians, for example, in the case where the ultrasonic sensor appears as a point on the surface of the vehicle 24, 124, the liftgate 22, 122 will appear as a standard liftgate 22, 122 and the eye will not be attracted by the detection system 20, 120 and detract from the appearance of the vehicle 24, 124.

[0061] According to an embodiment, a lighting assembly 100 for a closure panel 22 of a vehicle 24 having at least one vehicle system controller 102 is provided. The lighting assembly includes: a housing 56 adapted to be at least partially mounted within an aperture 59 disposed on the closure panel 22; a light source 54 housed within the housing 56 for providing illumination associated with the closure panel 22; at least one sensor 44 housed within the housing 56 for sensing at least one of an object and a motion adjacent to the closure panel 22 and outputting data corresponding to at least one of the object and the motion, the at least one sensor 44 being configured to emit at least one detection beam through the aperture 59 for sensing at least one of an object and a motion adjacent to at least one of an outer side E and an inner side D of the closure panel; and a microprocessor 30 electrically coupled to the at least one vehicle system controller 102 and the at least one sensor 44, and configured to operate the at least one sensor 44 to sense at least one of an object and a motion adjacent to at least one of an outer side E and an inner side D of the closure panel 22 and configured to communicate with the at least one vehicle system controller 102 to initiate a vehicle function in response to processing the data corresponding to at least one of the object and the motion.

[0062] like Figure 20 to Figure 23 As best shown in FIG. 1 , a method of operating a detection system 20 in communication with a plurality of vehicle system controllers of a vehicle 24 is also provided. While the method is disclosed with reference to the first embodiment of the detection system 20, it should be understood that the method or variations thereof may also be used with the second embodiment of the detection system 120. The method begins with step 1000, which determines which of a plurality of modes of a microprocessor 30 of the detection system 20 should be active based on the microprocessor 30 receiving a signal to open a closed panel 22 of the vehicle 24, a signal to close a closed panel 22 of the vehicle 24, and at least one of a wake-up signal and a reverse start signal from a plurality of vehicle 24 system controllers in a standby state.

[0063] The method is followed by a step 1002 of operating at least one sensor of the detection system 20 in the inward obstacle detection mode to detect an object in response to receiving a signal to close the closure panel 22. The step 1002 of operating at least one sensor 44, 46 of the detection system 20 in the inward obstacle detection mode to detect an object in response to receiving a signal to close the closure panel 22 may include a step 1004 of entering the inward obstacle detection mode of the microprocessor 30 in response to receiving the signal to close the closure panel 22. The step 1002 of operating at least one sensor 44, 46 of the detection system 20 in the inward obstacle detection mode to detect an object in response to receiving a signal to close the closure panel 22 may also include a step 1006 of notifying a body control module (BCM) of the impending movement in the inward obstacle detection mode and activating a plurality of radar transmit wires 44 and a plurality of radar receive antennas 46 of the detection system 20 disposed on the inward surface 40 of the sensor printed circuit board 32 of the detection system 20 in the inward obstacle detection mode to perform a first radar sequence ( Fig.21 ) step 1008.

[0064] In more detail, the first radar detection sequence ( Fig.21 ) includes a step 1010 of mixing a plurality of transmit signals from a plurality of radar transmit antennas 44 and a plurality of receive signals from a plurality of radar receive antennas 46. Next, an intermediate frequency signal is generated 1012. The first radar sequence continues by filtering the intermediate frequency signal using a bandpass filter 1014 and transforming the filtered intermediate frequency signal using a fast Fourier transform (FFT) 1016. The next step of the first radar sequence is to perform a peak search and object range detection 1018. The first radar sequence is followed by a step 1020 of determining whether the object is within the critical range and a step 1022 of continuing to command one of closing and opening 48 of the closure panel 22 in response to the object not being within the critical range and a step 1024 of returning to the step 1010 of mixing a plurality of transmit signals from a plurality of radar transmit antennas 44 and a plurality of receive signals from a plurality of radar receive antennas 46. The first radar sequence also includes a step 1026 of enabling object tracking in response to the object being within the critical range and a step 1028 of enabling speed detection and position detection in response to enabling object tracking. The first radar sequence is followed by step 1030 of determining whether the movement of the closure panel 22 should be stopped and step 1032 of stopping the movement of the closure panel 22 in response to determining that the movement of the closure panel 22 should be stopped. The first radar sequence also includes step 1033 of returning to the step of enabling object tracking in response to determining that the movement of the closure panel 22 should not be stopped.

[0065] The next step of the method is a step 1034 of commanding the closing of the closure panel 22 based on the detection of the object in the inward obstacle detection mode. In more detail, the step 1034 of commanding the closing of the closure panel 22 based on the detection of the object in the inward obstacle detection mode may include a step 1036 of commanding the closing of the closure panel 22 using the power actuator in the inward obstacle detection mode and a step 1038 of determining whether the multiple radar receiving antennas 46 disposed on the inward surface 40 of the sensor printed circuit board 32 of the detection system 20 detect the object in the inward obstacle detection mode. In addition, the step 1034 of commanding the closing of the closure panel 22 based on the detection of the object in the inward obstacle detection mode may also include a step 1040 of commanding the stopping of closing the closure panel 22 until the latch of the closure panel 22 has been closed in response to determining that the multiple radar receiving antennas 46 detect the object in the inward obstacle detection mode. In addition, the step 1034 of commanding the closing of the closure panel 22 based on the detection of the object in the inward obstacle detection mode may also include the step 1042 of determining whether the closure panel 22 is in the fully closed position in response to determining that the multiple radar receiving antennas 46 do not detect the object in the inward obstacle detection mode, and the step 1044 of continuing to command the closing of the closure panel 22 in response to determining that the closure panel is not in the fully closed position in the inward obstacle detection mode, and the step 1046 of scanning using the multiple radar transmitting antennas 44 and the multiple radar receiving antennas 46 of the detection system 20 disposed on the inward surface 40 of the sensor printed circuit board 32 of the detection system 20. The step 1034 of commanding the closing of the closure panel 22 based on the detection of the object in the inward obstacle detection mode may also include the step 1048 of commanding the stopping of the closing of the closure panel 22 in response to determining that the closure panel 22 is in the fully closed position in the inward obstacle detection mode, and the step 1050 of registering the fully closed position and returning to the standby state.

[0066] The method continues to step 1054 of operating at least one sensor 44, 46 of the detection system 20 in the outward obstacle detection mode to detect an object in response to receiving the signal to open the closing panel 22. Step 1054 of operating at least one sensor 44, 46 of the detection system 20 in the outward obstacle detection mode to detect an object in response to receiving the signal to open the closing panel 22 includes step 1056 of entering the outward obstacle detection mode of the microprocessor 30 in response to receiving the signal to open the closing panel 22 and step 1058 of notifying the body control module of the impending movement in the outward obstacle detection mode. Step 1054 of operating at least one sensor 44, 46 of the detection system 20 in the outward obstacle detection mode to detect an object in response to receiving the signal to open the closing panel 22 also includes step 1060 of activating a plurality of radar transmitting antennas 44 and a plurality of radar receiving antennas 46 of the detection system 20 disposed on the outward surface 36 of the sensor printed circuit board 32 of the detection system 20 to perform a first radar sequence ( Fig.21 ).

[0067] The next step of the method is a step 1062 of commanding the opening 48 of the closure panel 22 based on the detection of the object in the outward obstacle detection mode. The step 1062 of commanding the opening 48 of the closure panel 22 based on the detection of the object in the outward obstacle detection mode includes a step 1064 of commanding the opening 48 of the closure panel 22 using the powered actuator in the outward obstacle detection mode and a step 1066 of determining whether the plurality of radar receiving antennas 46 disposed on the outward surface 36 of the sensor printed circuit board 32 of the detection system 20 detects the object in the outward obstacle detection mode. The step 1062 of commanding the opening 48 of the closure panel 22 based on the detection of the object in the outward obstacle detection mode also includes a step 1068 of commanding the stopping of the opening 48 of the closure panel 22 until the latch of the closure panel 22 has been closed in response to determining that the plurality of radar receiving antennas 46 detect the object in the outward obstacle detection mode and a step 1070 of determining whether the closure panel 22 is in a fully open position in response to determining that the plurality of radar receiving antennas 46 do not detect the object in the outward obstacle detection mode. In addition, step 1062 of commanding the opening 48 of the closing panel 22 based on the detection of the object in the outward obstacle detection mode includes step 1072 of continuing to command the opening 48 of the closing panel 22 in response to determining that the closing panel 22 is not in the fully opened position in the outward obstacle detection mode, and step 1074 of scanning with the plurality of radar transmitting antennas 44 and the plurality of radar receiving antennas 46 of the detection system 20 arranged on the outward surface 36 of the sensor printed circuit board 32 of the detection system 20. In addition, step 1062 of commanding the opening 48 of the closing panel 22 based on the detection of the object in the outward obstacle detection mode includes step 1075 of commanding the stopping of the opening 48 of the closing panel 22 in response to determining that the closing panel 22 is in the fully opened position in the outward obstacle detection mode, step 1076 of registering the fully opened position, and step 1077 of returning to the standby state.

[0068] The method also includes step 1078 of operating at least one sensor 44, 46 of the detection system 20 in the gesture detection mode to detect motion in response to receiving the wake-up signal. The method continues to step 1080 of identifying the gesture in the gesture detection mode as one of a closed gesture, an open gesture, and an unrecognized gesture.

[0069] The step 1078 of operating at least one sensor 44, 46 of the detection system 20 in the gesture detection mode to detect motion in response to receiving the wake-up signal and the step 1080 of recognizing the gesture as one of the closed gesture, the open gesture, and the unrecognized gesture in the gesture detection mode include the step 1082 of entering the gesture detection mode of the microprocessor 30 in response to receiving the wake-up signal and the step 1084 of notifying the body control module of the impending motion in the gesture detection mode. Next, step 1086 activates the plurality of radar transmit antennas 44 and the plurality of radar receive antennas 46 of the detection system 20 disposed on the outward surface 36 of the sensor printed circuit board 32 of the detection system 20 to perform a second radar sequence ( Fig. 22 ). Then, the next step is to determine whether the plurality of radar receiving antennas 46 arranged on the outward surface 36 of the sensor printed circuit board 32 of the detection system 20 detects a gesture within a predetermined time limit in the gesture recognition mode 1088. The step 1078 of operating at least one sensor 44, 46 of the detection system 20 in the gesture detection mode to detect motion in response to receiving the wake-up signal and the step 1080 of recognizing the gesture as one of a closed gesture, an open gesture, and an unrecognized gesture in the gesture detection mode includes a step 1090 of determining whether the gesture is an open gesture in response to determining that the plurality of radar receiving antennas 46 detects a gesture within a predetermined time limit in the gesture recognition mode and a step 1092 of returning to a standby state in response to determining that the plurality of radar receiving antennas 46 do not detect a gesture within a predetermined time limit in the gesture recognition mode.

[0070] In more detail, the second radar detection sequence ( Fig. 22) includes step 1094 of mixing the plurality of transmit signals from the plurality of radar transmit antennas 44 and the plurality of receive signals from the plurality of radar receive antennas 46. Next, step 1096 generates an intermediate frequency signal. The second radar sequence is followed by step 1098 of filtering the intermediate frequency signal with a bandpass filter and step 1100 of transforming the filtered intermediate frequency signal with a fast Fourier transform. The next step of the second radar sequence is step 1102 of performing a peak search and object range detection. The second radar sequence is followed by step 1104 of determining whether the object is within the critical range, step 1106 of continuing to command the closure panel 22 to open 48 and close in response to the object not being within the critical range, and step 1108 of returning to the step of mixing the plurality of transmit signals from the plurality of radar transmit antennas 44 and the plurality of receive signals from the plurality of radar receive antennas 46. The second radar sequence also includes step 1110 of enabling object posture tracking in response to the object being within the critical range and step 1112 of enabling speed detection and position detection in response to enabling object posture tracking. The second radar sequence is followed by step 1114 of determining if the gesture is one of a plurality of recognized commands within a predetermined time limit and, in response to determining that the gesture is one of a plurality of recognized commands, signaling a body control module to perform a function associated with the recognized command 1116. The second radar sequence also includes step 1118 of returning to the step of enabling object gesture tracking in response to determining that the gesture is not one of a plurality of recognized commands.

[0071] The next step of the method is step 1120 of returning to the inward obstacle detection mode in response to recognizing the gesture as a closing gesture in the gesture detection mode. The method then includes step 1122, which returns to the outward obstacle detection mode in response to recognizing the gesture as an opening gesture in the gesture detection mode. Step 1120 of returning to the outward obstacle detection mode in response to recognizing the gesture as a closing gesture in the gesture detection mode includes step 1124 of returning to the step of entering the outward obstacle detection mode in response to determining that the gesture is an opening gesture in the gesture recognition mode and step 1126 of determining whether the gesture is a closing gesture in response to determining that the gesture is not an opening gesture in the gesture recognition mode. Step 1122 of returning to the inward obstacle detection mode in response to recognizing the gesture as a closing gesture in the gesture detection mode includes step 1128 of returning to the step of entering the inward obstacle detection mode in response to determining that the gesture is a closing gesture in the gesture recognition mode.

[0072] The method continues with step 1130, which determines whether the gesture is one of a plurality of recognized commands in response to determining that the gesture is not a close command in the gesture recognition mode. The next step of the method is step 1134 of notifying the body control module of one of the plurality of recognized commands in response to determining that the gesture is one of the plurality of recognized commands in the gesture recognition mode. The method also includes step 1132, which notifies the body control module of an unrecognized command in response to determining that the gesture is not one of the plurality of recognized commands in the gesture recognition mode.

[0073] The method further includes step 1136 of operating at least one sensor 44, 46 of the detection system 20 in the parking assist mode to detect an object in response to receiving the wake-up signal and the reverse start signal. More specifically, step 1136 of operating at least one sensor 44, 46 of the detection system 20 in the parking assist mode to detect an object in response to receiving the wake-up signal and the reverse start signal includes step 1138 of entering the parking assist mode of the microprocessor 30 in response to receiving the wake-up signal and the reverse start signal and step 1140 of activating a plurality of radar transmit antennas 44 and a plurality of radar receive antennas 46 of the detection system 20 disposed on the outward surface 36 of the sensor printed circuit board 32 of the detection system 20 to perform a first radar sequence in the parking assist mode. Next, step 1142 determines whether the plurality of radar receive antennas 46 disposed on the outward surface 36 of the sensor printed circuit board 32 of the detection system 20 detects an object in the parking assist mode. Then, step 1144 determines whether a reverse cutoff signal has been received in response to determining that the plurality of radar receiving antennas 46 have not detected the object in the parking assist mode. Step 1136 of operating at least one sensor 44, 46 of the detection system 20 in the parking assist mode to detect the object in response to receiving the wake-up signal and the reverse start signal also includes step 1146 of returning to a standby state in response to determining that the reverse cutoff signal has been received in the parking assist mode, and step 1148 of continuing to scan with the plurality of radar transmitting antennas 44 and the plurality of radar receiving antennas 46 of the detection system 20 arranged on the outward surface 36 of the sensor printed circuit board 32 of the detection system 20 in response to determining that the reverse cutoff signal has not been received in the parking assist mode. In addition, the step 1136 of operating at least one sensor 44, 46 of the detection system 20 in the parking assist mode to detect an object in response to receiving the wake-up signal and the reverse start signal includes a step 1150, which returns to the step of determining whether the plurality of radar receiving antennas 46 arranged on the outward surface 36 of the sensor printed circuit board 32 of the detection system 20 detects an object in the parking assist mode in response to determining that the reverse cutoff signal is not received in the parking assist mode. The step 1136 of operating at least one sensor 44, 46 of the detection system 20 in the parking assist mode to detect an object in response to receiving the wake-up signal and the reverse start signal may also include a step 1152 of notifying the body control module of the distance and position of the object in response to determining that the plurality of radar receiving antennas 46 detect an object in the parking assist mode, and a step 1154 of returning to the step of determining whether the plurality of radar receiving antennas 46 arranged on the outward surface 36 of the sensor printed circuit board 32 of the detection system 20 detects an object in the parking assist mode.

[0074] The method described above may further include the step of rotating the sensor printed circuit board 32 of the detection system 20 in relation to the position of the liftgate 22. The method described above may further include the step of rotating the sensor printed circuit board 32 of the detection system 20 in relation to the activation mode of the microprocessor 3 of the detection system 20, i.e., the parking assist mode, the inward obstacle detection mode, the outward obstacle detection mode, and the gesture recognition mode.

[0075] Now refer to Figure 24 to Figure 26 , at least one sensor 44, 46 of the detection system 20 (or detection system 120) can be configured to transmit and detect radio waves. At least one sensor 44, 46 of the detection system 20 can be configured to transmit continuously modulated radiation, ultra-wideband radiation, or sub-millimeter frequency radiation (e.g., frequencies forming part of an ISM band of about 24 GHz, 60 GHz, or 80 Hz bands as examples, but other ranges are also contemplated). For example, at least one sensor 44, 46 of the detection system 20 can be configured to transmit continuously transmitted radiation via a radar transmitting element 1500, such as an antenna or a continuous wave (CW) radar using Doppler radar technology as is known in the art, and the continuously transmitted radiation can be transmitted in a manner such as Fig.24 The modulated transmit radiation by the radar transmit element 1500 or a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar using Doppler radar technology, also known in the art, can also be used in the radar based sensor shown. Fig.25 The radar-based detection sensor shown is employed. Furthermore, the sensor can be configured for pulsed time-of-flight radar. At least one sensor 44, 46 of the detection system 20, 82 includes one or more receiving elements 1502, such as antennas, for receiving reflections of transmitted radar waves reflected from an object 1504. The radar transmitting element 1500 can be integrated into the sensor printed circuit board 32, or integrated into a radar chip fixed to the sensor printed circuit board 32.

[0076] like Fig.24 As schematically shown in FIG. 1 , the at least one sensor 44, 46 may be configured to transmit and detect continuous wave (CW) radar, the radar sensor comprising a transmitting antenna 1500 and a receiving antenna 1502. With this configuration, the radar sensor is operable to detect the speed / velocity of the object 1504 using the Doppler radar principle (i.e., the received reflected CW radar signal is processed by the main electronic control unit 90 or a dedicated local dedicated radar signal processor 1506 to determine the frequency shift of the transmitted continuous radiation wave representing the speed of the object 1504). Fig.25As schematically shown in FIG. 1 , the radar transmitting element 1500 may also be configured to transmit a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar, the radar sensor comprising a transmitting antenna 1500 and a receiving antenna 1502. With such a configuration, the radar sensor may be operable to detect the motion of the object 1504 using frequency modulated radar technology (i.e., the reflected FMCW radar signal is processed by the signal processor 1506 or the main electronic control unit 90 to determine the frequency shift representing the speed (Doppler frequency) and distance (beat frequency) of the object 1504). Alternatively, as Fig.26 As shown, the FMCW radar sensor can be configured to include at least two receiving antennas 15021, 15022 to 1502n forming an antenna array. Moreover, a plurality of transmitting antennas 1500n can be provided. The signal processor 1506 is shown to be arranged to communicate with the antenna element 1502 through signal processing elements such as high / low gain signal amplifiers 1508, mixers 1510, and the mixer 1510 is configured to mix the received signal with the transmitted signal generated by the waveform generator 1512 as received from the separator 1514 to process the received reflection in the intermediate radar domain (i.e., the signal processor 1506 or the main electronic control unit 24 can be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to perform calculations on the received reflection and the transmitted radiation signal (i.e., the mixed signal) to implement various detection technologies or algorithms, such as CW radar, FMCW radar, time of flight), to provide data for determining the motion, speed, distance, position and direction of the object. For example, signal processor 1506 or main electronic control unit 90 may be configured to process the received reflections to determine a Doppler shift for calculating the speed / velocity of object 1504 , or a frequency shift for calculating the distance and speed of object 1504 .

[0077] According to another embodiment and with reference to Fig. 27, the detection system 20, 120 may also be integrated with another existing accessory, such as a side view mirror 94 (e.g., behind any mirrored surface), which may expand the detection area of ​​the detection system 20, 120 to include areas adjacent to and behind the vehicle 24. In embodiments, the detection system 20, 120 integrated with another existing accessory, such as a side view mirror 94, may be configured for a detection area to detect objects or motion adjacent to and / or behind the rear closure panel 22, such as a user making an opening or closing gesture adjacent to the rear closure panel 22 outside of detection area A but within detection areas B or C. For example, the detection system 20, 120 may be integrated within the side view mirror 94 (i.e., at least one additional sensor 44, 44', 46, 46') may provide coverage detection area M on either side of the vehicle 24, while the detection system 20, 120 also provided with the liftgate 22, 122 may provide coverage detection area L. When operated together, the detection areas of the detection systems 20, 120 may be increased to provide detection of objects in areas L and M when the vehicle 24 is operating in different modes. For example, when the vehicle 24 is operating in a park assist mode, the vehicle 24 is moving in a reverse direction (e.g., the vehicle's transmission is in reverse gear). Thus, the detection systems 20, 120 may provide detection of objects within these areas L and M when the vehicle is reversing, such as parked cars, bystanders, or other objects such as bollards, posts, curbs, and alert the vehicle control system of detected objects that would collide with the vehicle 24 if corrective action, such as stopping the vehicle 24 from reversing, is not taken. Such a vehicle control system may include an audible or visual alarm system inside the vehicle cabin that warns the driver of the object, a brake control system that applies the brakes to stop the vehicle before the vehicle hits the object, and an automated vehicle system such as an advanced driver assistance system or an automated vehicle control system that controls the throttle, steering, and brake systems.

[0078] Based on the operating mode of the vehicle, the detection system 20, 120 may operate in different detection zones. For example, when the vehicle is in a park assist mode, the at least one sensor 44, 46 may be operated to detect objects or motion within a first detection zone M1, M3, and L1, which is illustratively between 0 and 4 meters from the at least one sensor 44, 46. For example, the restrictions in the detection zones will allow the processing of sensor data related to the operating mode of the vehicle to provide useful data to the vehicle control system. For example, objects and motion at a distance of 15 meters may not be relevant to a park assist operation, where the movement of the vehicle into a parking position involves a displacement of 5 meters rearward or lateral.

[0079] like Figure 28 to Figure 31As best shown, a method of operating a detection system 20 in communication with a plurality of vehicle system controllers of a vehicle 24 based on an operating mode of the vehicle is also provided, wherein the detection system 20, 120 is configured to operate in different detection zones. Although the method is disclosed with reference to the third embodiment of the detection system 20, it should be understood that the method or variations thereof may also be used with the first embodiment of the detection system 20 or the second embodiment of the detection system 120.

[0080] The method starts from step 1000 ( Fig.23 ) starts, based on the microprocessor 30 receiving at least one of a signal to open the closed panel 22 of the vehicle 24, a signal to close the closed panel 22 of the vehicle 24, a wake-up signal, a reverse start signal, a drive signal and a parking signal from multiple vehicle 24 system controllers in the standby state, determining which mode of the multiple modes of the microprocessor 30 of the detection system 20 should be activated.

[0081] For more details, see Fig. 27, when the forward drive blind spot detection mode is active based on the microprocessor 30 receiving the driving signal, the first radar detection sequence includes step 2708 of activating the radar sensors in the side mirrors 94 and the liftgate to monitor all detection areas, such as areas L1, L2, M1, M2, M3, M4, and step 2710 of mixing the multiple transmission signals from the multiple radar transmission antennas 44 and the multiple reception signals from the multiple radar reception antennas 46. Next, step 2712 generates an intermediate frequency signal. The first radar sequence is followed by step 2714 of filtering the intermediate frequency signal with a bandpass filter and step 2716 of transforming the filtered intermediate frequency signal with a fast Fourier transform (FFT). The next step of the first radar sequence is step 2718 of performing peak search and object range detection. The first radar sequence is followed by step 2720 of determining whether the object is in area M1 or area M3 and step 2721 of continuing scanning and returning to step 2710 in response to the object not being in area M1 or area M3, wherein step 2710 mixes multiple transmit signals from multiple radar transmit antennas 44 and multiple receive signals from multiple radar receive antennas 46. The first radar sequence also includes step 2726 of enabling object tracking in response to the object being in area M1 or area M3 and step 2728-1 of enabling speed detection and step 2728-2 of position detection in response to enabling object tracking. The first radar sequence is followed by step 2730 of determining whether the object is in the driver's blind spot, such as in area M1 or area M3. The first radar sequence also includes step 2726 of returning to enabling object tracking in response to determining that the object is not in the driver's blind spot, such as area M1 or area M3. The first radar sequence also includes step 2732 of notifying the driver of an object in the driver's blind spot, such as area M1 or area M3, in response to determining that the object is in the driver's blind spot, such as area M1 or area M3.

[0082] For more details, see Fig.29When the front-drive rear-end collision approach mode is active based on the microprocessor 30 receiving the driving signal, the first radar detection sequence includes step 2808 of activating the radar sensors in the side mirrors 94 and the radar sensors in the liftgate 22 to monitor all detection areas, such as areas L1, L2, M1, M2, M3, M4, and step 2810 of mixing the multiple transmission signals from the multiple radar transmission antennas 44 and the multiple reception signals from the multiple radar reception antennas 46. Next, step 2812 generates an intermediate frequency signal. The first radar sequence is followed by step 2814 of filtering the intermediate frequency signal with a bandpass filter and step 2816 of transforming the filtered intermediate frequency signal with a fast Fourier transform (FFT). The next step of the first radar sequence is step 2818 of performing peak search and object range detection. The first radar sequence is followed by step 2820 to determine if the object is in area L2 and step 2821 to continue scanning and return to step 2810 in response to the object not being in area L2, wherein step 2810 mixes the multiple transmit signals from the multiple radar transmit antennas 44 and the multiple receive signals from the multiple radar receive antennas 46. The first radar sequence also includes step 2826 to enable object tracking in response to the object being in area L2 and step 2828-1 and step 2828-2 to enable speed detection and position detection in response to enabling object tracking. The first radar sequence is followed by step 2830 to determine if the object is moving from area L2 to area L1, indicating that it is approaching the vehicle. The first radar sequence also includes step 2826 to return to enabling object tracking in response to determining that the object is not moving from area L2 to area L3. The first radar sequence also includes step 2832 to monitor area L1 in response to determining that the object is moving from area L2 to area L1. The first radar sequence is followed by step 2834, which determines whether the object is moving toward the vehicle in area L1, indicating that it is continuing to approach the vehicle. The first radar sequence also includes a step 2832 of returning to monitoring area L1 in response to determining that the object is not moving toward the vehicle in area L1. The first radar sequence is followed by step 2836, which prepares for a vehicle collision in response to determining that the object is moving toward the vehicle in area L1, which may include warning the driver or activating a vehicle system, such as locking a seat belt, deploying an airbag, or other collision preparation sequence or action. In more detail, and with reference to Fig.30, when the rear drive and parking assist modes are active based on the microprocessor 30 receiving the drive signal, the first radar detection sequence includes step 2908 of activating the radar sensors in the side mirrors 94 and the radar sensors in the liftgate 22 to monitor all detection areas, such as areas L1, L2, M1, M2, M3, M4, and step 2910 of mixing the multiple transmission signals from the multiple radar transmission antennas 44 and the multiple reception signals from the multiple radar reception antennas 46. Next, step 2912 generates an intermediate frequency signal. The first radar sequence is followed by step 2914 of filtering the intermediate frequency signal with a bandpass filter and step 2916 of transforming the filtered intermediate frequency signal with a fast Fourier transform (FFT). The next step of the first radar sequence is step 2918 of performing peak search and object range detection. The first radar sequence is followed by step 2920 to determine whether the object is in area L2, area M2, or area M4, and step 2921 to continue scanning and return to step 2910 in response to the object not being in area L2, area M2, or area M4, wherein step 2910 mixes multiple transmit signals from multiple radar transmit antennas 44 and multiple receive signals from multiple radar receive antennas 46. The first radar sequence also includes step 2926 to enable object tracking in response to the object being in area L2, area M2, or area M4, and step 2928-1 and step 2928-2 to enable speed detection and position detection in response to enabling object tracking. The first radar sequence is followed by step 2930 to determine whether the object is moving from area L2 to area L1, from area M2 to area M1, or from area M4 to area M3, indicating that it is approaching the vehicle. The first radar sequence also includes a step 2926 of returning to enabling object tracking in response to determining that the object is not moving from area L2 to area L3, from area M2 to area M1, or from area M4 to area M3. The first radar sequence also includes a step 2932 of monitoring area L1, area M1, and / or area M3 in response to determining that the object is moving from area L2 to area L1, from area M2 to area M1, or from area M4 to area M3. The first radar sequence is followed by a step 2934 of determining whether the object is moving toward the vehicle in area L1, area M1, and / or area M3, indicating that it is continuing to approach the vehicle. The first radar sequence also includes a step 2932 of returning to monitoring area L1, area M1, and / or area M3 in response to determining that the object is not moving toward the vehicle in area L1, area M1, and / or area M3. The first radar sequence is followed by step 2936 , which warns the driver in response to determining that an object is moving toward the vehicle in area L1 , area M1 , and / or area M3 .

[0083] For more details, see Fig.31, when the parking mode is active based on the microprocessor 30 receiving the driving signal, (e.g., ignition on or off, passengers in the vehicle, parking gear shift) the first radar detection sequence includes step 3008 of activating the radar sensors in the side mirrors 94 and the radar sensors in the liftgate 22 to monitor all detection areas, such as areas L1, L2, M1, M2, M3, M4, and step 3010 of mixing the multiple transmission signals from the multiple radar transmission antennas 44 and the multiple reception signals from the multiple radar reception antennas 46. Next, step 3012 generates an intermediate frequency signal. The first radar sequence is followed by step 3014 of filtering the intermediate frequency signal with a bandpass filter and step 3016 of transforming the filtered intermediate frequency signal with a fast Fourier transform (FFT). The next step of the first radar sequence is step 3018 of performing peak search and object range detection. The first radar sequence is followed by step 3020 of determining whether the object is in area L2, area M2, or area M4, and step 3021 of continuing scanning and returning to step 3010 in response to the object not being in area L2, area M2, or area M4, which mixes the multiple transmit signals from the multiple radar transmit antennas 44 and the multiple receive signals from the multiple radar receive antennas 46. The first radar sequence also includes step 3026 of enabling object tracking in response to the object being in area L2, area M2, or area M4, and step 3028-1 of enabling speed detection and step 3028-2 of enabling position detection in response to enabling object tracking. The first radar sequence is followed by step 3030 of determining whether the object moves from area L2 to area L1, from area M2 to area M1, or from area M4 to area M3, or whether the object is stationary. The first radar sequence also includes a step 3026 of returning to enabling object tracking in response to determining that the object is not moving from area L2 to area L1, from area M2 to area M1, or from area M4 to area M3. The first radar sequence also includes a step 3032 of monitoring area L1, area M1, and / or area M3 in response to determining that the object is moving from area L2 to area L1, from area M2 to area M1, or from area M4 to area M3. The first radar sequence is followed by a step 3034 of determining whether the object is moving below a specified distance in area L1, area M1, and / or area M3. The first radar sequence also includes a step 3032 of returning to monitoring area L1, area M1, and / or area M3 in response to determining that the object is not moving toward the vehicle in area L1, area M1, and / or area M3. The first radar sequence is followed by step 3036, which warns the vehicle that an object, such as a pedestrian, cyclist, or other vehicle object is approaching the vehicle, such as a door, using, for example, visual (lights) and / or auditory (sound) alarms.

[0084] Obviously, changes may be made to what is described and illustrated herein without departing from the scope defined in the appended claims.The disclosed detection system may operate with any type of different closing devices, for example in a motor vehicle.

[0085] The above description of the embodiments has been provided for the purpose of illustration and description. The above description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure. Each element or feature of a particular embodiment is generally not limited to the particular embodiment, but, where applicable, can also be interchanged and can be used for a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. Each element or feature of a particular embodiment can also be changed in many ways. Such a change is not considered to be a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the concept disclosed in conjunction with the example detection system can also be implemented in many other systems to control one or more operations and / or functions.

[0086] Example embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be exhaustive and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. Many specific details, such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, are set forth to provide a comprehensive understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. It is apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, and that example embodiments may be implemented in many different forms, and none of them should be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. In some example embodiments, known processes, known device structures, and known technologies are not described in detail.

[0087] The terms used herein are only used for the purpose of describing specific example embodiments and are not intended to be limiting. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "one", "an" and "the" as used herein may also be intended to include plural forms. The terms "comprise", "include", "includes" and "have" are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of the features, wholes, steps, operations, elements and / or parts described, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, wholes, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or combinations thereof. Unless the execution order is specifically specified, the method steps, processes and operations described herein should not be interpreted as requiring them to be performed in the specific order discussed or described. It should also be understood that additional steps or alternative steps may be adopted.

[0088] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "engaged to," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, the element or layer may be directly on, directly engaged with, connected to, or coupled to, other elements or layers, or there may be intermediate elements or intermediate layers. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intermediate elements or intermediate layers. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements (e.g., "between" versus "directly between," "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.) should be understood in the same manner. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0089] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited to these terms. These terms can only be used to distinguish an element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Unless clearly indicated in the context, such as "first", "second" and other numerical terms do not mean order or sequence when used in this article. Therefore, the first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below can be referred to as the second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

[0090] For ease of description, spatially related terms such as "inside," "outside," "under," "below," "down," "above," "up," "top," "bottom," and the like may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature as shown in the accompanying drawings. Spatially related terms may be intended to include different orientations of the device when in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the accompanying drawings. For example, if the device in the accompanying drawings is turned over, elements described as being "under" or "below" other elements or features will be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the example term "below" can include both above and below orientations. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially related descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0091] The present disclosure may also be configured as follows.

[0092] Solution 1. A detection system for a closed panel of a vehicle, the vehicle having at least one vehicle system controller, the detection system comprising:

[0093] at least one sensor for sensing at least one of an object and a motion adjacent to the closure panel and outputting data corresponding to at least one of the object and the motion;

[0094] a microprocessor capable of operating in a plurality of modes, electrically coupled to the at least one vehicle system controller and the at least one sensor, and configured to:

[0095] determining which of the plurality of modes should be active based on communications with the at least one vehicle system controller,

[0096] receiving and processing data corresponding to at least one of an object and a motion from the at least one sensor based on a determination as to which of the plurality of modes should be active, and

[0097] A vehicle function is initiated in response to processing the data corresponding to at least one of an object and a motion.

[0098] Option 2. A detection system according to Option 1, wherein the at least one sensor each includes at least one radar transmitting antenna and at least one radar receiving antenna, the at least one radar transmitting antenna is used to transmit at least one radar beam outward therefrom, and the at least one radar receiving antenna is used to receive at least one radar beam reflected from an object from the at least one radar transmitting antenna, and the at least one radar transmitting antenna and the at least one radar receiving antenna are arranged on a sensor printed circuit board.

[0099] Option 3. A detection system according to Option 2, wherein the closed panel is a rear closed panel, and the detection system is suitable for being arranged adjacent to a hole provided on the rear closed panel, and the at least one sensor senses at least one of an object and a motion outside the closed panel and senses at least one of an object and a motion inside the closed panel by transmitting and receiving at least one radar beam through the hole.

[0100] Option 4. The detection system according to Option 2 also includes a lighting subassembly, which includes a lighting printed circuit board, which is coupled to the sensor printed circuit board and electrically coupled to the power supply unit and the microprocessor for providing lighting associated with the closed panel.

[0101] Option 5. The detection system according to Option 4, wherein the lighting subassembly includes a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged on the lighting printed circuit board.

[0102] Option 6. A detection system according to Option 4, wherein the closed panel is a rear closed panel, and the lighting subassembly is suitable for being installed in a hole set on the rear closed panel, and the at least one sensor senses at least one of an object and a motion adjacent to the closed panel and outside the closed panel and senses at least one of an object and a motion adjacent to the closed panel and inside the closed panel by transmitting and receiving at least one radar beam through the hole.

[0103] Option 7. The detection system according to Option 1 also includes at least one additional sensor, which is used to sense at least one of the objects and movements adjacent to the side closing panel and behind the side closing panel, and output data corresponding to at least one of the objects and movements adjacent to the vehicle and behind the vehicle.

[0104] Option 8. A detection system according to Option 7, wherein the detection system is suitable for being arranged in a side rearview mirror mounted to the side closure panel.

[0105] Option 9. A detection system according to Option 7, wherein the at least one sensor and the at least one additional sensor are each configured to detect at least one of an object and a motion within at least one detection area based on a determination as to which of the multiple modes should be activated.

[0106] Embodiment 10. The detection system according to Embodiment 9, wherein the at least one detection area is defined based on a predetermined distance and angle from the at least one sensor and the at least one additional sensor.

[0107] Option 11. A detection system according to Option 10, wherein, when one of the multiple modes is activated, the at least one sensor and the at least one additional sensor operate at a first power level for detecting at least one of objects and motions within a first detection area, and when another mode of the multiple modes is activated, the at least one sensor and the at least one additional sensor operate at a second power level when detecting at least one of objects and motions within a second detection area, wherein the first power level is lower than the second power level and the first detection area is smaller than the second detection area.

[0108] Option 12. A detection system according to Option 10, wherein the at least one sensor and the at least one additional sensor operate at a second power level to detect at least one of objects and motions within a second detection area, and when it is detected that at least one of the objects and motions has moved from the second detection area toward the vehicle, the at least one sensor and the at least one additional sensor operate at a first power level to detect at least one of objects and motions within a first detection area that is closer to the vehicle than the second detection area, wherein the first power level is lower than the second power level and the first detection area is smaller than the second detection area.

[0109] Option 13. A detection system according to Option 1, wherein the multiple modes include at least one of a gesture recognition mode, a parking assistance mode, an outward obstacle detection mode, an inward obstacle detection mode, a collision detection mode, and a blind spot monitoring mode.

[0110] Embodiment 14. A method of operating a detection system in communication with at least one vehicle system controller of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

[0111] determining which of a plurality of modes of the microprocessor should be active based on the microprocessor of the detection system receiving a signal for a closure panel of the vehicle, a signal for closing the closure panel of the vehicle, and at least one of a wake-up signal and a reverse start signal from the at least one vehicle system controller in a standby state;

[0112] in response to receiving the signal to close the closure panel, operating at least one sensor of the detection system in an inward obstacle detection mode to detect an object;

[0113] commanding closing of the closure panel based on detection of an object in the inward obstacle detection mode;

[0114] in response to receiving the signal to open the closure panel, operating the at least one sensor of the detection system in an outward obstacle detection mode to detect an object;

[0115] commanding opening of the closure panel based on detection of an object in the outward obstacle detection mode;

[0116] in response to receiving the wake-up signal, operating the at least one sensor of the detection system in a gesture detection mode to detect motion;

[0117] recognizing a gesture as one of a closed gesture and an open gesture and an unrecognized gesture in the gesture detection mode;

[0118] in response to recognizing the gesture as the closing gesture in the gesture detection mode, returning to the inward obstacle detection mode;

[0119] In response to recognizing a gesture as the opening gesture in the gesture detection mode, returning to the outward obstacle detection mode; and

[0120] In response to receiving the wake-up signal and the back-up initiation signal, the at least one sensor of the detection system is operated in a park assist mode to detect an object.

[0121] Embodiment 15. The method of embodiment 14, wherein the step of operating the at least one sensor of the detection system in the inward obstacle detection mode to detect an object in response to receiving the signal for closing the closure panel comprises the following steps:

[0122] entering the inward obstacle detection mode of the microprocessor in response to receiving the signal to close the closure panel;

[0123] notifying a body control module of impending movement in said inward obstacle detection mode;

[0124] activating a plurality of radar transmitting antennas and a plurality of radar receiving antennas of the detection system disposed on an inwardly facing surface of a sensor printed circuit board of the detection system in the inwardly facing obstacle detection mode to perform a first radar sequence; and wherein the step of commanding closing of the closure panel based on detection of an object in the inwardly facing obstacle detection mode comprises the following steps:

[0125] commanding closing of the closure panel using a powered actuator in the inward obstacle detection mode;

[0126] determining in the inward obstacle detection mode whether the plurality of radar receiving antennas disposed on the inward facing surface of the sensor printed circuit board of the detection system detect an object;

[0127] in response to determining that the plurality of radar receiving antennas detect an object in the inward obstacle detection mode, commanding a stoppage of closing of the closure panel until a latch of the closure panel has been closed;

[0128] responsive to determining that the plurality of radar receiving antennas detect no object in the inward obstacle detection mode, determining whether the closure panel is in a fully closed position;

[0129] In response to determining that the closure panel is not in the fully closed position in the inward obstacle detection mode, continuing to command closing of the closure panel and scanning using the plurality of radar transmitting antennas and the plurality of radar receiving antennas of the detection system disposed on the inward surface of the sensor printed circuit board of the detection system; and

[0130] In response to determining that the closure panel is in the fully closed position in the inward obstacle detection mode, stopping of closing of the closure panel is commanded, and the fully closed position is registered and returned to the standby state.

[0131] Embodiment 16. The method of embodiment 14, wherein the step of operating the at least one sensor of the detection system in the outward obstacle detection mode to detect an object in response to receiving the signal for opening the closure panel comprises the following steps:

[0132] entering the outward obstacle detection mode of the microprocessor in response to receiving the signal for opening the closure panel;

[0133] notifying a body control module of impending movement in said outward obstacle detection mode;

[0134] activating a plurality of radar transmitting antennas and a plurality of radar receiving antennas of the detection system disposed on an outward surface of a sensor printed circuit board of the detection system in the outward obstacle detection mode to perform a first radar sequence; wherein the step of commanding the opening of the closure panel based on the detection of an object in the outward obstacle detection mode comprises the following steps:

[0135] commanding opening of the closure panel using a powered actuator in the outward obstacle detection mode;

[0136] determining in the outward obstacle detection mode whether the plurality of radar receiving antennas disposed on the outward-facing surface of the sensor printed circuit board of the detection system detect an object;

[0137] in response to determining that the plurality of radar receiving antennas detect an object in the outward obstacle detection mode, commanding a stoppage of opening of the closure panel until a latch of the closure panel has been closed;

[0138] in response to determining that the plurality of radar receiving antennas detect no object in the outward obstacle detection mode, determining whether the closure panel is in a fully open position;

[0139] In response to determining that the closure panel is not in the fully open position in the outward obstacle detection mode, continuing to command opening of the closure panel and scanning using the plurality of radar transmitting antennas and the plurality of radar receiving antennas of the detection system disposed on the outward surface of the sensor printed circuit board of the detection system; and

[0140] In response to determining that the closure panel is in the fully closed position in the outward obstacle detection mode, stopping of opening of the closure panel is commanded, and the fully closed position is registered and returned to the standby state.

[0141] Solution 17. The method according to solution 14, wherein the step of operating the at least one sensor of the detection system to detect an object in the parking assist mode in response to receiving the wake-up signal and the reverse start signal comprises the following steps:

[0142] In response to receiving the wake-up signal and the reverse start signal, entering the parking assist mode of the microprocessor;

[0143] activating a plurality of radar transmitting antennas and a plurality of radar receiving antennas of the detection system disposed on an outwardly facing surface of a sensor printed circuit board of the detection system in the parking assist mode to perform a first radar sequence;

[0144] determining whether the plurality of radar receiving antennas disposed on the outwardly facing surface of the sensor printed circuit board of the detection system detect an object in the parking assist mode;

[0145] In response to determining that the plurality of radar receiving antennas detect no object in the parking assist mode, determining whether a reverse cutoff signal is received;

[0146] In response to determining that the reverse cutoff signal has been received in the parking assist mode, returning to the standby state;

[0147] In response to determining that the reverse cutoff signal is not received in the parking assist mode, continuing to scan using the plurality of radar transmitting antennas and the plurality of radar receiving antennas of the detection system disposed on the outward surface of the sensor printed circuit board of the detection system;

[0148] in response to determining in the parking assist mode that the reverse cutoff signal is not received, returning to the step of determining in the parking assist mode whether the plurality of radar receiving antennas disposed on the outwardly facing surface of the sensor printed circuit board of the detection system detect an object;

[0149] In response to determining that the plurality of radar receiving antennas detect an object in the parking assist mode, notifying a body control module of the object distance and position, and returning to the step of determining whether the plurality of radar receiving antennas disposed on the outward surface of the sensor printed circuit board of the detection system detects an object in the parking assist mode.

[0150] Embodiment 18. The method according to embodiment 14, wherein the step of operating the at least one sensor of the detection system in a gesture detection mode to detect motion in response to receiving the wake-up signal, and the step of recognizing a gesture as one of the closing gesture, the opening gesture, and the unrecognized gesture in the gesture detection mode, comprises the following steps:

[0151] In response to receiving the wake-up signal, entering the gesture detection mode of the microprocessor;

[0152] notifying a body control module of impending motion in said gesture detection mode;

[0153] activating a plurality of radar transmitting antennas and a plurality of radar receiving antennas of the detection system disposed on an outwardly facing surface of a sensor printed circuit board of the detection system in the gesture detection mode to perform a second radar sequence;

[0154] determining in a gesture recognition mode whether the plurality of radar receiving antennas disposed on the outwardly facing surface of the sensor printed circuit board of the detection system detect a gesture within a predetermined time limit;

[0155] In response to determining in the gesture recognition mode that the plurality of radar receiving antennas detect a gesture within the predetermined time limit, determining whether the gesture is the open gesture;

[0156] In response to determining in the gesture recognition mode that the plurality of radar receiving antennas have not detected a gesture within the predetermined time limit, returning to the standby state; and wherein the step of returning to the outward obstacle detection mode in response to recognizing a gesture as the closing gesture in the gesture detection mode comprises the following steps:

[0157] In response to determining in the gesture recognition mode that the gesture is the opening gesture, returning to the step of entering the outward obstacle detection mode;

[0158] In response to determining in the posture recognition mode that the posture is not the opening posture, determining whether the posture is the closing posture; and wherein, in response to recognizing the posture as the closing posture in the posture detection mode, the step of returning to the inward obstacle detection mode includes the following steps: in response to determining in the posture recognition mode that the posture is the closing posture, returning to the step of entering the inward obstacle detection mode.

[0159] Option 19. A method according to Option 14, wherein the step of operating the at least one sensor of the detection system includes: operating at least one sensor of the detection system set in the side closing panel and at least one additional sensor of the detection system set in the rear closing panel.

[0160] Embodiment 20. A lighting assembly for a closure panel of a vehicle having at least one vehicle system controller, the lighting assembly comprising:

[0161] a housing adapted to be at least partially mounted within an aperture provided in the closure panel;

[0162] a light source housed within the housing for providing illumination associated with the closure panel;

[0163] at least one sensor housed in the housing for sensing at least one of an object and a motion adjacent to the closure panel and outputting data corresponding to the at least one of the object and the motion, the at least one sensor being configured to emit at least one detection beam through the aperture for sensing at least one of an object and a motion adjacent to at least one of an exterior side and an interior side of the closure panel; and

[0164] a microprocessor electrically coupled to the at least one vehicle system controller and the at least one sensor and configured to operate the at least one sensor to sense at least one of an object and a motion adjacent to at least one of the outer side and the inner side of the closure panel, and to communicate with the at least one vehicle system controller to initiate a vehicle function in response to processing of data corresponding to at least one of the object and the motion.

Claims

1. A detection system (20, 120) for a closure panel (22, 122) of a vehicle (24, 124), the vehicle having at least one vehicle system controller, the detection system comprising: at least one sensor (44, 44', 46, 46') for sensing at least one of an object and a motion adjacent to the closure panel (22, 122) by emitting at least one detection beam and receiving reflections of the at least one detection beam, and outputting data corresponding to at least one of the object and the motion; A microprocessor (30, 30') capable of operating in multiple modes, electrically coupled to the at least one vehicle system controller and the at least one sensor (44, 44', 46, 46'), and configured to: determining which of the plurality of modes should be active based on communications with the at least one vehicle system controller, receiving and processing data corresponding to at least one of an object and a motion from the at least one sensor (44, 44', 46, 46'), based on a determination as to which of the plurality of modes should be active, and initiating a vehicle function in response to processing the data corresponding to at least one of an object and a motion, Wherein, the at least one sensor is mounted to one side of the closed panel and adjacent to a hole provided on the closed panel, and the at least one sensor is used to sense at least one of objects and movements adjacent to one side and the other side of the closed panel by transmitting the at least one detection beam through the hole and receiving a reflection of the at least one detection beam.

2. The detection system (20, 120) according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one sensor (44, 44', 46, 46') each comprises at least one radar transmitting antenna (44, 44') for transmitting at least one radar beam outward therefrom and at least one radar receiving antenna (46, 46') for receiving at least one radar beam reflected from an object from the at least one radar transmitting antenna (44, 44'), and the at least one radar transmitting antenna (44, 44') and the at least one radar receiving antenna (46, 46') are arranged on a sensor printed circuit board (32, 32').

3. The detection system (20, 120) according to claim 2 further includes an illumination subassembly (50, 50'), the illumination subassembly including an illumination printed circuit board (52, 52'), the illumination printed circuit board coupled to the sensor printed circuit board (32, 32') and electrically coupled to a power supply unit (26, 26') and the microprocessor (30, 30') for providing illumination associated with the closure panel (22, 122).

4. The detection system (20, 120) according to claim 1 further includes at least one additional sensor (44, 44', 46, 46'), wherein the at least one additional sensor is used to sense at least one of an object and a motion adjacent to and behind the side closing panel, and output data corresponding to at least one of an object and a motion adjacent to and behind the vehicle (24, 124).

5. The detection system (20, 120) according to claim 4, wherein: When one of the multiple modes is activated, the at least one sensor (44, 44', 46, 46') and the at least one additional sensor (44, 44', 46, 46') operate at a first power level for detecting at least one of an object and a motion within a first detection area (M1, M3, L1), and when another mode of the multiple modes is activated, the at least one sensor (44, 44', 46, 46') and the at least one additional sensor (44, 44', 46, 46') operate at a second power level when detecting at least one of an object and a motion within a second detection area (M2, M4, L2), wherein the first power level is lower than the second power level and the first detection area (M1, M3, L1) is smaller than the second detection area (M2, M4, L2).

6. The detection system (20, 120) according to claim 4, wherein: The at least one sensor (44, 44', 46, 46') and the at least one additional sensor (44, 44', 46, 46') operate at a second power level for detecting at least one of an object and a motion within a second detection area (M2, M4, L2), and when it is detected that at least one of the object and the motion has moved from the second detection area (M2, M4, L2) toward the vehicle (24, 124), the at least one sensor and the at least one additional sensor operate at a first power level for detecting at least one of an object and a motion within a first detection area (M1, M3, L1) that is closer to the vehicle (24, 124) than the second detection area (M2, M4, L2), wherein the first power level is lower than the second power level and the first detection area (M1, M3, L1) is smaller than the second detection area (M2, M4, L2).

7. A lighting assembly (20, 120) for a closure panel (22, 122) of a vehicle (24, 124), the vehicle having at least one vehicle system controller, the lighting assembly comprising: a housing (56, 56') adapted to be at least partially mounted within an aperture (59) provided in the closure panel (22, 122); a light source (54, 54') housed within the housing (56, 56') for providing illumination associated with the closure panel (22, 122); a sensor printed circuit board housed in the housing (56, 56') for sensing at least one of an object and a motion adjacent to the closed panel (22, 122) and outputting data corresponding to at least one of the object and the motion, at least one sensor (44, 44', 46, 46') being configured to emit at least one detection beam through the hole (59) for sensing at least one of an object and a motion adjacent to at least one of an outer side (E) and an inner side (D) of the closed panel (22, 122), the printed circuit board having a first inward surface and a second outward surface, the first inward surface having an antenna for sensing at least one of an object and a motion adjacent to the inner side (D) of the closed panel (22, 122), the second outward surface having a sensor for sensing at least one of an object and a motion adjacent to the outer side (E) of the closed panel (22, 122); and A microprocessor (30, 30') electrically coupled to the at least one vehicle system controller and the at least one sensor (44, 44', 46, 46') and configured to operate the at least one sensor (44, 44', 46, 46') to sense at least one of an object and a motion adjacent to at least one of the outer side (E) and the inner side (D) of the closure panel (22, 122), and to communicate with the at least one vehicle system controller to initiate a vehicle function in response to processing of data corresponding to at least one of the object and the motion.

Images