Vehicle equipment

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle device (10) for detecting activation behavior for activating the function of a vehicle (1), particularly for activating the opening and / or unlocking of the vehicle (1) cover in the front, side and / or rear areas (1.7, 1.4, 1.2), comprising: at least one sensor element (20) for measuring changes in its environment, particularly the proximity of an activation mechanism; a sensor control mechanism (170) electrically connected to the sensor element to provide sensor signals specific to the parameters of the sensor element, the parameters specifically corresponding to the measured environmental changes and variable load components; a storage mechanism (250) electrically connected to the sensor control mechanism to repeatedly determine the sensor element parameters by means of the sensor signals; a compensation mechanism (230) for adjusting the sensor signals to compensate for the load components; and a switching mechanism (220) for dynamically electrically connecting the storage mechanism to the adjusted sensor signals during repeated determinations.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a device for vehicles. It also relates to a system and a method. Background Technology

[0002] It is known from existing technology that variable capacitance can be provided using sensor devices such as sensor electrodes, with the variable capacitance specifically corresponding to changes in the sensor device's environment. This allows for the capacitive measurement of environmental changes. In vehicles, this capacitance measurement can be used to detect proximity and / or posture, thereby activating vehicle functions.

[0003] Capacitance measurements are typically based on analyzing sensor devices using charge transfer. However, charge migration can cause interfering emissions (the sensor's interference with the environment). Furthermore, interference from the environment (intrusive effects on the sensor) can adversely affect the measurement.

[0004] In addition, other interference effects on the measurement were also known, such as the effect of interfering capacitance (parasitic capacitance, such as the capacitive load of the vehicle body, etc.). Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to at least partially eliminate the aforementioned disadvantages. In particular, the objective of this invention is to provide improved capacitance measurement.

[0006] The aforementioned task is accomplished by an apparatus having the features of an independent device claim, a system having the features of an independent system claim, and a method having the features of an independent method claim. Other features and details of the invention are derived from their respective dependent claims, the specification, and the drawings. Herein, the features and details described with respect to the apparatus of the invention are obviously also applicable to the systems and methods of the invention, and vice versa; therefore, disclosures regarding these inventive aspects will always be cross-referenced or can be cross-referenced.

[0007] This task is accomplished, in particular, by a vehicle-use device for detecting activation behaviors for activating vehicle functions, especially for detecting activation behaviors for activating the opening and / or unlocking of the vehicle hood (as corresponding functions) in the front, side and / or rear regions of the vehicle.

[0008] The device of the present invention may have at least the following components, particularly those connected to the circuit board of the device:

[0009] - At least one (especially conductive) sensor element for measuring changes in the sensor element's environment, and preferably the proximity of the activation mechanism.

[0010] - (Especially electronic) sensor control mechanisms, which are electrically connected to the sensor to provide sensor signals specific to the sensor parameters, wherein these parameters preferably correspond specifically to the measured environmental changes and variable load components.

[0011] - (Especially electronic) storage mechanism, wherein the storage mechanism is electrically connected to the sensor control mechanism in order to repeatedly determine the sensor parameters using sensor signals.

[0012] - A compensation mechanism for (electrically) adjusting sensor signals, preferably to compensate for the load component and especially to provide compensation therefrom.

[0013] - A switching mechanism, which is used to electrically connect the storage mechanism to the adjusted sensor signal during repeated determinations (especially dynamically and / or via connection).

[0014] This has the advantage that the load component can be reliably compensated during repeated determinations. In particular, compensation can be performed in a tiered manner using a compensation mechanism, thus providing multiple compensation levels in which the maximum permissible capacitive load is shunted from the sensor signal according to different (defined) components. Each level can have a fixed component, where the components of different levels are different from each other. For example, the first level has a 10% component, the second level has a 20% component, and the third level has a 30% component, where this component is always (on determination) shunted from the sensor signal. Accordingly, the adjustment of the sensor signal and, in particular, the resulting charge transfer to the storage mechanism, is understood as shunting (of the sensor signal or the charge transferred therefrom) the component according to the compensation setting conditions. In other words, the component with respect to signal strength (such as current intensity or voltage amplitude) is reduced from the sensor signal. It can be specified that the compensation mechanism is connected to the control device in a signaling manner, which also performs the analysis of the storage mechanism. Therefore, the levels and, consequently, the components, are known in this analysis. For example, the analysis performed on the amount of charge in the storage mechanism is influenced by a sensor signal. The sensor signal can, for example, initiate charge transfer to the storage mechanism, such that the amount of charge transferred is proportional to the signal strength of the sensor signal. For this purpose, the sensor signal is designed as a current signal and / or a voltage signal. Depending on the activated stage of the compensation mechanism, the amount of charge transferred can be reduced by a predetermined component in each charge transfer. This allows the sensor signal to be reduced in a prescribed and adjustable manner by the compensation mechanism, which can be taken into account accordingly in the analysis. Through this compensation, the storage mechanism can also have only a smaller storage capacitance, thereby reducing the cost of the storage mechanism.

[0015] "Dynamic" connection specifically relates to the situation where the connection can be adjusted and / or repeatedly and / or synchronously performed during the defined period. For example, it is feasible to use a trigger signal with certain characteristics (such as frequency and / or signal shape) to trigger the sensor. The dynamic connection of the sensor signal, i.e., in particular "connecting the storage mechanism to the transmission path of the sensor signal," can then be performed synchronously with and / or adapted to the characteristics of the trigger signal. The connection mechanism can cause rectification of the sensor signal through a dynamic, especially synchronized and / or controlled connection, and is therefore designed as a rectification device.

[0016] It is also advantageous that the vehicle is designed as a motor vehicle, particularly a hybrid or electric vehicle, preferably with a high-voltage onboard power supply and / or an electric motor. It is also possible that the vehicle is designed as a fuel cell vehicle and / or a passenger car and / or a semi-autonomous or autonomous vehicle. The vehicle advantageously has a security system that allows authentication, for example, through communication with an identity reader (ID reader). Based on said communication and / or authentication, at least one function of the vehicle can be activated. If authentication by the ID reader is required for this, the function can be a security-related function, such as vehicle unlocking and / or engine start authorization. Therefore, the security system can also be designed as a passive access control system that initiates authentication and / or function activation upon detection of the ID reader's approach to the vehicle without requiring active manual operation of the ID reader. For this purpose, for example, a wake-up signal is repeatedly emitted through the security system, which can be received by the ID reader upon approach, subsequently triggering authentication. The function can also involve the activation of vehicle lighting and / or the operation (opening and / or closing) of covers (such as hoods / doors, tailgates / doors, or side covers / doors). For example, automatically activating vehicle lighting upon detection of proximity and / or operating the cover upon detection of user posture.

[0017] It is also conceivable that, in order to activate vehicle functions, activation behavior can be detected by the device of the present invention. This can be particularly true of activation behavior outside the vehicle (i.e., not occurring inside the vehicle interior). In other words, the sensory environment detecting the change is located outside the vehicle. When the device of the present invention successfully detects activation behavior, the function and / or activation verification can be triggered by the device (particularly by a control device). Activation behavior can be, for example, proximity and / or gestures performed by an activation mechanism. When the activation mechanism is a non-electronic object (and therefore not an ID reader), the activation mechanism or activation behavior can also advantageously be detected. Instead, the activation mechanism can be designed as a non-conductive and / or non-metallic material and / or biological material, such as a user's body part. Therefore, using capacitance measurement to detect activation behavior is particularly advantageous, as this eliminates the need for special precautions at the activation mechanism.

[0018] The device of the present invention is advantageously designed as an electronic circuit (circuit device) and has multiple electronic components that can be at least partially mounted on a circuit board and interconnected by printed wires. At least one of these components can also be designed as an integrated circuit (e.g., a control device in the form of a microcontroller). Several of these components can also be designed as SMD (surface mount device) elements. The sensor can be conductive, for example, designed as printed wires or planar electrodes on the circuit board, or connected to the circuit board via feed lines (e.g., wires). In the latter case, the sensor is, for example, part of a cable (coaxial cable), designed as a planar electrode or a strip conductor. The sensor can also be understood as a capacitive antenna, as it provides a variable sensor capacitance. Alternatively, the variable sensor capacitance can also be optionally provided by multiple sensor elements operating simultaneously or in turn. The circuit board and / or the sensor elements are integrated, for example, in a door handle or bumper. Here, the sensor elements can be arranged such that the arrangement of the sensor elements defines the detection range of the activation behavior.

[0019] In the apparatus of the present invention, it is feasible to design the sensor element as sensor electrodes to provide a parameter specific to the measurement in the form of a variable capacitance (also referred to as sensor capacitance), wherein changes in capacitance can specifically correspond to changes in the sensor element's environment. At least one shielding element can also be used to shield the area to be shielded from changes in the environment surrounding the sensor element, such changes do not significantly lead to changes in capacitance.

[0020] Furthermore, it can be specified that a trigger signal is used for triggering the sensor, and a sensor signal is used for analyzing the sensor. Here, the sensor signal can be associated with the trigger signal. Charge transfer in the sensor can also be associated with the trigger signal, because, for example, the voltage at the sensor follows the trigger signal (or the voltage corresponding to the trigger signal).

[0021] It can be specified that the sensor signal and / or charge transfer in the sensor device is essentially...

[0022] -Having the same frequency (operating frequency) as the trigger signal, and / or

[0023] -Having the same signal shape as the trigger signal, preferably having a sinusoidal and / or periodic oscillation shape, and / or

[0024] - It has a frequency within the operating frequency range, wherein the frequency of the trigger signal (operating frequency) is also within the operating frequency range.

[0025] - Designed to have the same phase or the same polarity

[0026] -Having equal DC voltage deviation and / or DC current deviation (or DC deviation),

[0027] - It has a shortened spectrum that can be adjusted by a filtering mechanism and / or an analytical filtering mechanism.

[0028] It is also conceivable that the sensor signal exists as an alternating current (or alternating voltage) at least after (or through) filtering by the analysis and filtering mechanism. Filtering can also be performed using a bandpass filter by the analysis and filtering mechanism. Furthermore, the trigger signal can be filtered, in particular, using a low-pass filter by the filtering mechanism to preserve the DC voltage component in the trigger signal.

[0029] It is also feasible to design the analytical filtering mechanism to perform transconductance transformation of the sensor signal as an alternative to or supplement to bandpass filtering. Transconductance transformation, within the scope of this invention, specifically refers to the conversion of voltage into a proportionally and preferably equivalent current. Functionally, this may correspond to the function of a transconductance amplifier, perhaps with a maximum amplification factor (proportional coefficient) of 1. However, unlike a transconductance amplifier, this analytical filtering mechanism may not have an operational amplifier, but instead achieve transconductance transformation by means of complex resistors, and particularly by series connection with a virtual zero.

[0030] The frequency of the sensor signal (as a periodic signal) may then depend on the operating frequency, specifically the trigger signal frequency at the output of the filter mechanism of the control mechanism. Advantageously, a single operating frequency can be used for the entire apparatus of the invention not only for triggering the sensor element but also for analysis, particularly for capacitive sensors, so that the triggering and analysis of the sensor element can be performed within a specified operating frequency range. For this purpose, filtering is used, in particular, for electrical triggering (by means of a filtering mechanism) and analysis (by means of an analysis filtering mechanism), wherein the filtering is adapted to the operating frequency (e.g., designed as low-pass and / or band-pass to conduct the operating frequency range). This allows for optimal analysis with respect to EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) conditions (during emission) and interference effects (during intrusion effects). The emission of the sensor element and its susceptibility to intrusion effects can also be precisely tuned by generating a trigger signal and / or adjusting the signal shape and / or frequency of the trigger signal. However, in order to utilize the tuned characteristics in sensor analysis, the sensor signal can also be adjusted according to the trigger signal. This sensor signal can therefore specifically correspond to charge transport and still have the set characteristics. For this purpose, a sensor control mechanism is employed, which outputs an amplified trigger signal as a sensor signal based on charge transfer (and consequently, the sensor capacitance of the sensor element). This can be achieved, for example, by using an operational amplifier in the sensor control mechanism, which has negative feedback via a capacitor.

[0031] The storage mechanism is preferably designed as an electronic integrator, especially for accumulating received charge. Preferably, the storage mechanism can be charged using multiple charge transfers after the sensor has been charged and discharged multiple times.

[0032] A further advantage available within the scope of this invention is that the control mechanism is electrically connected to the sensor via the sensor control mechanism to provide electrical triggering of the sensor via the sensor control mechanism, and to provide a sensor signal as a periodic signal, particularly sinusoidal and / or oscillating, to perform charge transfer between the sensor control mechanism and the storage mechanism, thereby alternately initiating charge transfer in different current directions. The switching mechanism is designed to: electrically connect the storage mechanism to the adjusted sensor signal only when charge is transferred in one of the current directions, or electrically connect the storage mechanism to the adjusted sensor signal via a full-wave rectification mechanism when charge is transferred in both current directions. In this way, dynamic connection is possible, thereby allowing only charge transfer towards the storage mechanism. This allows the storage mechanism to be charged based on the signal strength of the sensor signal, so as to analyze the sensor parameters based on the load state of the storage mechanism. For the use of the sensor signal to charge the storage mechanism, an analytical filtering mechanism can also be connected between the sensor control mechanism and the storage mechanism to achieve filtering and / or transconductance conversion of the sinusoidal signal.

[0033] According to an advantageous improvement of the invention, an analysis filtering mechanism electrically connected to the sensor control mechanism is provided to output the provided sensor signal in a filtered manner to the storage mechanism and to filter the sensor signal, preferably according to a voltage signal (especially a trigger signal) generated by a signal generating mechanism for charging and / or discharging the sensor, and / or to provide the sensor signal as a current signal to perform charge transfer to the storage mechanism according to the sensor parameters. Here, the current signal can have a signal shape that substantially corresponds to the voltage signal, preferably a sinusoidal shape. Preferably, the switching mechanism is synchronously switched on and off according to the signal shape so that charge transfer to the storage mechanism is performed only in one of the predetermined current directions and / or charge transfer to the other current direction is synchronously rectified. The sensor signal can exist at the output of the sensor control mechanism, for example, in the form of a voltage signal, which is converted into a current signal by the analysis filtering mechanism (e.g., by means of transconductance conversion and especially because of the series connection with the storage mechanism). This allows for the analysis of parameters based on the charge transfer to the storage mechanism. The filtering can also be related to the trigger signal, because it only conducts the operating frequency of the trigger signal (or the operating frequency range that includes that operating frequency) according to the bandpass filter.

[0034] Within the apparatus of the present invention, it can be specified that only one half-wave of the sensor signal or current signal is transferred to the storage mechanism and preferably the other half-waves are blocked, thereby the switching mechanism forming a rectification mechanism. In other words, the compensation mechanism is not directly and permanently connected to the input of the storage mechanism. Instead, it is specified that the compensation mechanism (perhaps through a virtual zero) is repeatedly connected to and disconnected from the storage mechanism. Accordingly, a feature of the present invention is that the compensation mechanism is only connected to the storage mechanism when a specified (e.g., negative or positive) half-wave is also turned on by the switching mechanism, especially the rectification mechanism. In other cases, the compensation mechanism is electronically isolated from the storage mechanism and therefore has no effect on the storage mechanism or the charge stored therein. In other words, compensation at the storage mechanism is performed only when the switching mechanism (rectification mechanism) is turned on. Therefore, the storage mechanism may "recognize" the virtual zero or ground potential, so that no current flows back from the storage mechanism to the storage element. The integration and further analysis of the parameters can therefore be performed more stably and / or less susceptible to interference and / or more reliably.

[0035] Within the scope of this invention, the switching mechanism is designed as a rectifier to perform charge transfer towards the storage mechanism only by means of a regulated sensor signal through repeated switching. The compensation mechanism can only be connected to the storage mechanism during this transfer, and preferably, in other cases, the storage mechanism and / or the compensation mechanism and / or the analysis filter mechanism are connected to ground potential. This switching can be achieved by repeatedly changing the on / off state of the switching mechanism between a switch-off state (low resistance) and a switch-on state (high resistance, latching resistance). This ensures that the storage mechanism is charged only by the sensor signal and not discharged. In other words, charge accumulation is achieved for successive charge transfers, allowing only charge transfer towards the storage mechanism. By connecting to ground potential, the burden on the analysis filter mechanism is reduced, thereby enabling more reliable filtering of the sensor signal.

[0036] Within the scope of this invention, it is also conceivable that the switching mechanism is designed to connect the compensation mechanism and / or the analysis and filtering mechanism to the storage mechanism via a virtual zero point, such that, depending on the on / off state of the switching mechanism, the compensation mechanism and / or the analysis and filtering mechanism are preferably connected either to ground potential or to the virtual zero point. Because in this way a connection to ground potential can always be at least approximately made through either the "real" ground potential or through the virtual zero point, the burden on the analysis and filtering mechanism can be reduced, thereby enabling more reliable filtering of the sensor signals.

[0037] Advantageously, within the scope of this invention, the compensation mechanism is designed to always shunt a predetermined component of the transferred charge when repeatedly transferring charge to the storage mechanism via an adjusted sensor signal. Preferably, the compensation mechanism is connected to a control device to determine the predetermined component based on compensation setting conditions and the load component. To perform this determination, i.e., selecting compensation setting conditions, the control device can analyze the determined parameters and adjust the compensation setting conditions accordingly. In this way, the component can be flexibly determined based on the (variable) load component, allowing for reliable analysis even when the load component changes.

[0038] Within the scope of this invention, the control device can also be connected to the storage mechanism and the compensation mechanism to determine the compensation setting conditions for the compensation mechanism based on currently determined parameters. The currently determined parameters are, for example, determined by the control device through measurement, such as analog-to-digital conversion, i.e., measuring the voltage flowing through the storage mechanism. Therefore, it is always possible to ensure that the optimal component is shunted. The compensation setting conditions are, for example, the setting conditions for how much sensor signal component is shunted. The compensation setting conditions can, for example, be a trigger signal for the control device of the compensation mechanism.

[0039] It can also be specified that the compensation mechanism has different compensation levels, so that each compensation level can be activated under the control of compensation setting conditions and / or the control device, and so that different specified fixed sensor signal components, especially the charge components transmitted by the sensor signals, are shunted under different compensation level conditions, thereby providing an adjusted sensor signal. In particular, when the voltage amplitude at the storage mechanism (or another parameter specifically corresponding to the charge amount of the storage mechanism) exceeds one or more limit values, it switches to another compensation level, under which more transmitted charge components are shunted. When another limit value is subsequently exceeded again, it can be switched again. In this way, multi-stage load component compensation can be provided.

[0040] According to another possible embodiment, the compensation mechanism may have at least three, four, five, ten, or sixteen (especially according to 4-bit) different compensation stages to divert different predetermined fixed transport charge components for different load components during charge transfer. These compensation stages can, for example, exist in the form of circuit adjustments within the compensation mechanism (e.g., through the connection and / or access of various different resistors). This thus ensures reliable compensation.

[0041] Within the scope of this invention, it is conceivable that the sensor element is designed as a sensor electrode to provide a parameter specific to the measurement in the form of a variable capacitance. Here, the capacitance change may specifically correspond to environmental changes. It is possible to electrically connect a sensor control mechanism to the sensor element and a storage mechanism to provide a sensor signal for iterative determination and output it to a storage mechanism, particularly in the form of an integrator, based on charge transfer between the sensor element and the sensor control mechanism. This is achieved, for example, by generating a sensor signal with a signal strength related to charge transfer. In this way, the sensor signal is generated by amplifying a trigger signal or the voltage of the sensor element, wherein the amplification is related to capacitance. The charge transferred, and particularly accumulated, within the storage mechanism via the sensor signal corresponds specifically to the capacitance change. This has the advantage that capacitance changes can be analyzed in a simple manner based on the storage mechanism.

[0042] It is also conceivable that the control device is connected to the storage mechanism to analyze the charge stored in the storage mechanism to determine parameters specific to the measurement, preferably through an analog-to-digital conversion of the voltage at the storage mechanism, so as to determine compensation setting conditions based on the analysis. This analysis can then serve as a supplement to or alternative to the analog-to-digital conversion, or perhaps utilize other measurement methods to obtain the most accurate voltage measurement possible.

[0043] Another advantage is that a shielding element is provided to reduce the load component by shielding the sensor. Preferably, an electronic shielding control mechanism is provided to adjust the potential of the shielding element according to the potential of the sensor. Here, the shielding element can optionally be directly connected to the potential of the sensor by means of the shielding control mechanism. The potential of the shielding element follows the potential of the sensor in this way. To control the potential of the shielding element accordingly, the shielding control mechanism can have a voltage follower or the like.

[0044] Ideally, the device, as a capacitive sensor, should be at least partially fixed within the vehicle bumper to monitor the rear area of ​​the vehicle and to function as a vehicle function for opening the trunk lid (and / or hood and / or sliding door on one side), particularly for facilitating the output of an opening signal and / or verification checks, wherein the device's location on the vehicle is associated with the load component. Therefore, placing the device, for example, near the vehicle's structure may increase this load component. Similarly, the side or front areas can be utilized instead of the rear area for convenient functional activation.

[0045] Preferably, within the scope of this invention, the sensor control mechanism is connected to the sensor element for electrical signal transmission, so as to repeatedly output and / or input charge from and / or into the sensor element via signal transmission, and to provide a sensor signal based on the charge transmission. In particular, the amount of charge in the sensor element is related to a parameter (such as sensor capacitance), thus charge transmission provides a reliable possible method for capacitance measurement and analysis.

[0046] Optionally, the sensor control mechanism can be connected to the sensor via a first terminal for electrical signal transmission (especially charge transmission), and an electrical input signal (especially in voltage form) is applied to the first terminal according to the signal transmission. Additionally, the sensor control mechanism can be electrically connected to a storage mechanism via a second terminal to provide a sensor signal. In other words, the sensor signal can be applied to the second terminal. The sensor control mechanism can have an amplification device for outputting a sensor signal at the second terminal in the form of an input signal amplified according to the sensor parameters. Specifically, the input signal can be amplified proportionally to, and especially to, the variable sensor capacitance, and is therefore a sensor signal specific to the sensor capacitance.

[0047] Advantageously, within the scope of this invention, a control device, in particular at least one microcontroller, is electrically connected to a signal generating mechanism to provide a sensor signal in the form of an oscillating and / or periodic signal, particularly sinusoidal, and is also electrically connected to a storage mechanism to analyze the amount of charge stored in the storage mechanism after a single charge transfer from the sensor signal to the storage mechanism and / or the amount of charge accumulated after multiple charge transfers, and to perform the detection based on said analysis, preferably so as to output an activation signal for activating vehicle functions when the amount of charge exceeds a limit value. The signal control mechanism can, for example, influence the signal shape and / or frequency of the sensor signal such that the signal generating mechanism outputs a trigger signal loaded onto a terminal of the sensor control mechanism. The trigger signal can have a signal shape and / or frequency used for triggering the sensor element and for the sensor signal. For this purpose, the terminal of the sensor control mechanism loaded with the sensor signal is connected, for example, to the terminal of the sensor control mechanism loaded with the trigger signal via an operational amplifier.

[0048] The subject of this invention is also a system having:

[0049] -The device according to the invention,

[0050] - A control device for outputting an activation signal upon detecting activation behavior (using the device of the present invention, wherein the control device is in signal technology communication with the device of the present invention for this purpose).

[0051] - A controller, which is connected to the control device (especially in a signal technology manner) to perform vehicle functions upon receiving an activation signal.

[0052] Therefore, the system of the present invention provides the same advantages as explicitly described with respect to the apparatus of the present invention.

[0053] The subject of this invention is also a vehicle-use method for detecting activation behaviors used to activate vehicle functions, particularly for activating the opening and / or unlocking of a vehicle hood in the front, side, and / or rear regions of the vehicle.

[0054] The following steps are hereby specified, preferably performed in the order described or any other order, and each step may be performed repeatedly:

[0055] - Provides sensor signals specific to sensor parameters, where each parameter corresponds specifically to the measured environmental changes and variable load components.

[0056] - Adjust the sensor signal to compensate for the load component.

[0057] - Based on the sensor signals, the sensor parameters are repeatedly determined using a storage mechanism in order to detect activation behavior.

[0058] The repeatedly confirmed execution includes the following steps:

[0059] - Dynamically prompts the storage mechanism to be electrically connected to the adjusted sensor signal during repeated determinations.

[0060] Therefore, the method of the present invention provides the same advantages as explicitly described with respect to the apparatus of the present invention. Furthermore, the method can be adapted to operate the apparatus of the present invention.

[0061] The method of the invention may also specify that, for the initial pre-charging of the storage mechanism, in particular, the compensation mechanism is connected to a potential, especially ground potential, which is different from the potential at the storage mechanism used to charge the storage mechanism capacitors. Preferably, the compensation mechanism is connected to a potential different from the pre-charging potential to adjust charge transfer. This allows for a particularly cost-effective pre-charging solution. For example, pre-charging can be performed to provide the initial state required for analysis. Attached Figure Description

[0062] Other advantages, features, and details of the invention are derived from the following detailed description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, the features mentioned in the claims and description are important to the invention individually or in any combination, wherein:

[0063] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing the rear region of a vehicle equipped with the device and system of the present invention is provided.

[0064] Figure 2 A side view schematic diagram of a vehicle equipped with the device and system of the present invention is shown.

[0065] Figure 3 A partial circuit diagram of the device of the present invention is shown.

[0066] Figure 4 A partial circuit diagram of the device of the present invention is shown.

[0067] Figure 5 A partial schematic diagram of the apparatus or system of the present invention is shown.

[0068] Figure 6 A partial schematic diagram of the apparatus or system of the present invention is shown.

[0069] Figure 7 A schematic diagram illustrating the system of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0070] In the following figures, the same reference numerals are used for the same technical features even in different embodiments.

[0071] Figure 1 A view of the rear region 1.2 of a vehicle 1 equipped with the system of the present invention is shown. The device 10 of the present invention can be integrated into the bumper 1.1 of the vehicle 1 to detect activation behavior of the user 2's activation mechanism 3 (e.g., leg 3) within the bumper 1.1 region. For this purpose, the device 10 has a sensor element 20, which can be designed, for example, as a strip-shaped and / or cable-shaped electrode 20, or a flat electrode 20 (i.e., a planar electrode), or a capacitive antenna. Alternatively, a cable (such as a coaxial cable) can be used to form the sensor element 20. Detection of activation behavior can cause the trunk lid 1.3 of the vehicle 1 to open. For this purpose, the device 10 can have signal communication with the vehicle 1 controller 8 to output an activation signal to the controller 8, which then facilitates the opening of the trunk lid 1.3. Opening can be contingent upon successful authentication by an identity scanner 5. In the same manner, the cover, especially the door 16, in the front region 1.7 and / or side region 1.4 of the vehicle may also be activated by the device 10 of the present invention, wherein the device 10 is thus integrated, for example, into the door handle 1.5 or also in the bumper 1.1 or the side sill.

[0072] exist Figure 2The vehicle 1 is schematically shown in a side view. The side region 1.4 and / or front region 1.7 of the vehicle 1 may have the device 10 of the invention as an alternative to or addition to the rear region 1.2. For example, a sensor element 20 is integrated into the door handle 1.5 of the vehicle within the side region 1.4 to detect activation behavior in the door handle 1.5 region. Thus, for example, an activation behavior can be detected by the device 10 within the side region 1.4 as proximity to the sensor element 20. The activation behavior may include: an activation mechanism 3 (e.g., a hand) probing into the door handle recess of the door handle 1.5. Alternatively, the sensor element 20 may be positioned in the front region 1.7, as specified in the bumper 1.1, to open the hood, for example, upon detection of activation behavior within the front region 1.7. Another possible function that can be activated by an activation behavior is the opening of the sliding door 1.6 of the vehicle 1, for example, by proximity to the vehicle's side sill.

[0073] In principle, activation behaviors can include proximity to sensor 20 or gestures. Especially for gesture detection, at least one other sensor 20' can be provided in addition to the single sensor 20, arranged adjacent to sensor 20. This allows the movement of the activation mechanism to be identified through different measurements from sensor 20, 20'. Similarly, a shielding member 160 is provided adjacent to sensor 20 and / or the other sensor 20'. Figure 1 The example shown is this arrangement in bumper 1.1.

[0074] exist Figure 3 The diagram shows a device 10 for a vehicle 1 according to the present invention, which detects activation behavior for activating functions of the vehicle 1, particularly as shown in the diagram according to the present invention. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The ground is used to detect activation behaviors in the front, side and / or rear regions 1.7, 1.4, 1.2 of vehicle 1 for activating the opening and / or unlocking of the vehicle 1 cover 1.3, 1.6 and especially the door 1.6.

[0075] The device 10 of the present invention may have at least one sensor element 20 for measuring changes in the environment surrounding the sensor element 20. These changes are determined, for example, by activation behavior, such as the approach of the activation mechanism 3. The sensor element 20 may be designed as an electrical conductor, such as a conductive surface (especially when the device 10 is mounted in a door handle 1.5) or an elongated and perhaps flat electrode (especially when mounted in a bumper 1.1).

[0076] The sensitivity of sensor 20 to environmental changes and, consequently, to activation behavior can be simply described as follows. Sensor 20 can form a capacitance (hereinafter also referred to as sensor capacitance CS) relative to the ambient and / or ground potential 21. An electric field can be generated in the environment by generating a potential in sensor 20 (via electrical triggering described below). Sensor capacitance CS is affected by environmental changes and is therefore variable. In other words, changes in sensor capacitance CS are associated with environmental changes, i.e., with the presence of activation behavior. Analysis of the variable capacitance CS can be performed, in particular, by analyzing the amount of charge stored in sensor 20 and inferring environmental changes, thus enabling the detection of activation behavior. Therefore, charge transport from and toward sensor 20 is particularly suitable for providing sensor signals based on charge transport (such as the amount of charge transported and / or the current intensity and / or voltage that can be measured at this time), which can be analyzed to determine the variable capacitance CS.

[0077] To perform electrical triggering, a control mechanism 100 (i.e., triggering mechanism 100) can be employed. The control mechanism 100 can be electrically connected to the sensor 20 via control line KP to electrically trigger the sensor 20, thereby achieving (i.e., allowing) the measurement. For example, the electrical triggering can cause the sensor 20 to be (forced) charged and discharged via charge transfer, thereby allowing capacitance measurement based on the triggering of the sensor 20. The electrical connection can be implemented, for example, via a circuit connection through printed conductors on a circuit board. The device 10 of the present invention can be arranged at least partially as a circuit on this circuit board. The sensor 20 and / or another sensor 20' and / or the at least one shield 160 can then be electrically connected to the control mechanism 100 of the device 10 via electrical terminals on the circuit board, through printed conductors, or can themselves be constituted as printed conductors. The measurement is provided, for example, by generating a potential in the sensor 20 through the control mechanism 100 to charge the sensor 20, thereby achieving, for example, the analysis of the variable capacitance CS as described above. It can also be a changing potential, so the voltage at sensor 20 is generated, for example, as a periodic voltage and / or a sinusoidal voltage. An analysis mechanism 200 is provided for analyzing sensor 20, which repeatedly determines at least one parameter of sensor 20 specific to the measurement to perform detection of activation behavior. In the specifically described example, the variable capacitance CS is considered as the parameter.

[0078] Alternatively, it is feasible to provide at least one shield 160, which is arranged adjacent to (and within) the sensor 20 for shielding the sensor 20. To achieve shielding by means of the shield 160, a shielding control mechanism 150 is provided, which has an interface 150.A for the shield 160. The shielding control mechanism 150 can be electrically connected to the control line KP and, consequently, to the shield 160 via a shielding control input terminal 150.B to provide the (foregoing) electrical triggering of the control mechanism 100 for the shield 160. In other words, the shielding control mechanism 150 can provide the same electrical triggering for the shield 160 as it does for the sensor 20. For this purpose, the output voltage at the output terminal 150.A of the shielding control mechanism 150, which is electrically connected to the shield 160, follows the input voltage at the input terminal 150.B of the shielding control mechanism 150, which is also electrically connected to the control line KP and therefore to the sensor 20. In this way, the same trigger signal can be used for both the sensor element 20 and the shield 160 so that the potential at the sensor element 20 and the shield 160 can be adjusted in the same way by means of the trigger signal.

[0079] To connect the shielded control mechanism 150 to the control line KP, a connection point at the control line KP can be utilized. Therefore, various locations on the control line KP are considered, such as directly on the current path to the sensor 20 or between the filter mechanism 140 and the sensor control mechanism 170. Figure 3 For illustrative purposes and not exhaustive, two possible connection points between the shield control input 150.B and the shield control mechanism 150 are shown by dashed lines. When using the connection point at terminal 170.C of the sensor control mechanism 170, the trigger signal output by the filter mechanism 140 can be used to adjust the potential at the shield 160. When using the connection point directly on the current path to the sensor 20, a potential (substantially) equal to that applied at the sensor 20 is used to adjust the potential at the shield 160.

[0080] To reliably balance the electrical triggering and, in particular, avoid overloading components at the connection point (such as sensor 20 or control mechanism 100), the shielding control mechanism 150 may have an operational amplifier 150.1 for forced electrical guidance of the shielding element 160. The operational amplifier can be used to connect the control line KP to the shielding element 160, thus generating an output voltage (also called the shielding voltage) at the shielding element 160 equal to the input voltage on the control line KP. The input voltage here corresponds to a trigger voltage specific to and / or proportional to the voltage at sensor 20. Preferably, the shielding control mechanism 150 may form a voltage follower, so that the potential at the shielding element 160 follows the potential at the control line KP, and especially at sensor 20. Therefore, direct negative feedback of the operational amplifier 150.1 can be correspondingly specified, such that the amplification factor is 1. The shielded control input 150.B can be (directly) electrically connected to the non-inverting (non-inverting high-impedance) input of operational amplifier 150.1, making the input resistance of shielded control input 150.B very high so that only a low voltage is applied to shielded control input 150.B. Meanwhile, the shielded terminal 150.A can be (directly) electrically connected to the output of operational amplifier 150.1 and, due to negative feedback, may also be electrically connected to the inverter input of operational amplifier 150.1 to provide a low-impedance output relative to the input resistance.

[0081] It can also be combined Figure 3As seen, the control mechanism 100 has a signal generating mechanism 130, which is electrically connected to the sensor element 20 for electrical triggering of the sensor element 20, so as to repeatedly generate an electrical signal to charge the sensor element 20. This electrical signal, also referred to below as a trigger signal, can be used for said electrical triggering, and is therefore provided for the sensor element 20, and perhaps another sensor element 20', and especially for at least one shield 160, to regulate potential and / or charge / discharge. This provision is, for example, carried out by transmitting an electrical signal via at least a portion of the control line KP to the sensor control mechanism 170 and / or the shield control mechanism 150. Thus, the trigger signal generated by the signal generating mechanism 130 causes a trigger signal (perhaps modified and especially filtered) to exist at terminal 170.C. The sensor control mechanism 170 and / or the shield control mechanism 150, in conjunction with the trigger signal, can then trigger the sensor element 20, the other sensor element 20', and / or the shield 160. For this purpose, a trigger signal is used to initiate charge transfer (charging and / or discharging) at sensor 20 or another sensor 20' and / or shield 160 (and consequently, the generation of an electric field). Analysis of the amount of charge transferred allows for analysis of the variable sensor capacitance CS. The time curve of charge transfer can be affected by the shaping of the electrical signal. For this purpose, the signal generating mechanism 130 may have, for example, a digital-to-analog converter 130.1, which may also be designed as part of the control device 300 (such as a microcontroller). The signal generating mechanism 130 itself may also be integrally part of the control device 300. It is also conceivable that the signal generating mechanism 130 is only partially integrated into the control device 300, and the digital-to-analog converter 130.1 is designed to be separate from it, for example. Thus, the prescribed signal shape of the trigger signal can be determined reliably and accurately. The signal shape may be further shaped and / or improved by subsequent filtering, such that the trigger signal subsequently has, for example, a sinusoidal shape consistent with the operating frequency. Therefore, the control mechanism 100 may have a filtering mechanism 140, especially an active filter 140 such as a low-pass filter. It can be located downstream of the signal generating mechanism 130, as shown, so that the trigger signal for electrically triggering the sensor 20 is output to the sensor control mechanism 170 via the control line KP after filtering, particularly by low-pass filtering. In this way, the trigger signal can be shaped according to a predetermined operating frequency, thereby preferably adjusting the emission of the sensor 20 by the filtering mechanism 140. This advantageously enables the achievement of EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) setting conditions during the operation of the device 10. In other words, the control mechanism 100 can have a filtering mechanism 140, particularly an active filter 140, which connects the signal generating mechanism 130 to the control line KP to provide the electrical signal generated by the signal generating mechanism 130 at the control line KP after filtering, particularly low-pass filtering and / or shaping, and thus as a filtered electrical signal, preferably a sinusoidal signal.Active filtering is preferably achieved by an operational amplifier 140.1 and a filtering device 140.2, such as at least one capacitor and / or at least one resistor and / or at least one coil.

[0082] The electrical signal (trigger signal) at control line KP, and especially at terminal 170.C, may now be output to sensor 20 via other components such as sensor control mechanism 170 and via switching element 180 (perhaps via terminal 180.A). To interrupt the resulting charge transfer to sensor 20 and, for example, to charge at least another sensor 20', switching element 180 may be periodically turned off and then on again. Sensor control mechanism 170 may have amplifiers and / or voltage followers and / or voltage multipliers to generate a potential at sensor 20 at terminal 170.C in the same manner, preferably a potential at sensor 20 that follows the potential at terminal 170.C. For this purpose, sensor control mechanism 170 may, for example, have operational amplifier 170.1 and / or at least one filter 170.2 such as capacitor 170.2. Another switching element 180 may, for example, be integrated in the path between terminal 170.A and the other sensor 20', and may be used, for example, to alternately turn on and off.

[0083] The sensor control mechanism 170 may have the operational amplifier 170.1 as a transmission element 170.1, electrically connected to the signal generation mechanism 130, to initiate repeated charge transfer to the sensor element 20 based on a trigger signal (at terminal 170.C). This allows at least partial charging and discharging of the sensor element 20, thereby allowing analysis of the charge stored within the sensor element 20. For this purpose, for example, the amount of charge transferred and / or the current intensity during charge transfer can be analyzed. The amount of charge and / or the current intensity are then specific to the sensor capacitance CS, and particularly specific to changes in the sensor capacitance CS. To analyze the sensor element 20, the sensor control mechanism 170 may also have at least one filter element 170.2 as an amplification mechanism 170.2, electrically connected to the analysis mechanism 200 (and also to the sensor element 20), thus providing a sensor signal based on charge transfer. This sensor signal is specific to (e.g., proportional to) the sensor capacitance CS. Specifically, the sensor signal is, for example, specific to the current intensity of the voltage and / or current present at terminal 170.A, and thus specific to the charge transfer or the sensor capacitance CS.

[0084] In order to deduce the sensor capacitance CS from the sensor signal, the amplification mechanism 170.2 can be electrically connected to the sensor element 20 (e.g., Figure 3As shown), this is to provide charge transfer (i.e., current flow) between the sensor 20 and the amplification mechanism 170.2. Additionally, the amplification mechanism 170.2 can electrically connect the output of the transmission element 170.1 to the (especially the inverter) first input of the transmission element 170.1, thereby forming negative feedback for the transmission element 170.1. When a trigger signal is applied to the (especially the non-inverter) second input of the transmission element 170.1, the negative feedback allows charge transfer to be controlled by the trigger signal. When the first input is directly electrically connected to terminal 170.A (as shown...), Figure 3 As shown, in this way, the voltage follower for the sensor element 20 is provided by the sensor control mechanism 170, so that the voltage at the (especially low impedance) terminal 170.A follows the trigger signal at the (especially high impedance) terminal 170.C. This corresponds to the control of charge transfer at terminal 170.A via the trigger signal, and thus corresponds to the (especially low impedance) sensor feed. This sensor signal can be provided by means of a device (amplification device) consisting of a transmission element 170.1 and an amplification mechanism 170.2, which can be an electronic amplifier.

[0085] Preferably, the transmission element 170.1 is designed as an operational amplifier 170.1. The amplification mechanism 170.2 has at least one or two filtering elements 170.2, but in which the capacitor C (e.g., relative to the resistor R) can be dominant. Therefore, the configuration of the device consisting of the transmission element 170.1 and the amplification mechanism 170.2 can also be considered as an integrated circuit. The capacitor C allows an electronic amplifier to be provided through the device, whereby a sensor signal in the form of a voltage proportional to the sensor capacitance CS is generated based on charge transfer. In other words, the sensor control mechanism 170 has a device consisting of the transmission element 170.1 and the amplification mechanism 170.2 to provide an amplified sensor signal. That is, the sensor signal is related to and preferably proportional to the voltage U1 at the first terminal 170.A of the sensor control mechanism 170 (or at the first input terminal of the operational amplifier 170.1), by amplification according to an amplification factor. The amplification factor can depend on the sensor capacitance CS and the capacitance C of the capacitor C. 测量 The ratio is preferably proportional to it. The voltage U1 (output signal) at terminal 170.A can also correspond to the trigger signal in the form of voltage U0 at terminal 170.C by using a voltage follower or direct negative feedback. Therefore, the following relationship is obtained for the sensor signal that exists as voltage U2 at terminal 170.B of the sensor control mechanism 170:

[0086] U2=U0*(1+CS / C 测量 )

[0087] As can be seen, the sensor signal U2 is based on the variable sensor capacitance CS and capacitance C. 测量 The amplified voltage, U0, is generated. Therefore, the sensor signal can be used to determine the sensor capacitance CS. To achieve the linear relationship shown between the sensor signal and the sensor capacitance CS, the resistance R of the amplification mechanism 170.2 is related to (1 / (2πf0*CS)). 最大 The value is chosen to be as large as possible; here, f0 is the operating frequency, specifically the (average) frequency of the trigger signal, and CS is... 最大 This is the maximum specified value of the sensor capacitance CS. Here, the capacitance C... 测量 It could perhaps be chosen to be equal to the maximum sensor capacitance. C 测量 The adjustment also allows for dynamic range adjustment during sensor analysis. Furthermore, the device, consisting of transmission element 170.1 and amplification mechanism 170.2, provides filter characteristics (especially bandpass characteristics) in conjunction with sensor capacitance CS, which can be adapted to the operating frequency.

[0088] The maximum variable sensor capacitance is, for example, the maximum capacitance (capacitance value) that the sensor capacitor CS can possess when there is an active behavior.

[0089] It is also conceivable that the amplification mechanism 170.2, as at least one filter element 140.2, has a capacitor C and / or a resistor R, wherein the capacitor C (or the capacitance C of the capacitor C) 测量 The capacitor C and / or resistor R are adapted to the maximum variable sensor capacitance CS. Preferably, the capacitance C of the capacitor C is... 测量 This can correspond to the maximum variable sensor capacitance. The capacitor C can be designed for negative feedback in the transmission element 170.1 (especially the operational amplifier 170.1) of the sensor control mechanism 170, and therefore preferably forms a feedback capacitor C. Through the capacitor C, the output of the transmission element 170.1, and especially the output 170.B loaded with the sensor signal, can be fed back to the input of the transmission element 170.1. Additionally, this input can be directly connected to terminal 170.A, which is connected to the sensor element 20 (perhaps via the switching element 180) and thus loaded with the output signal or voltage of the sensor element 20. In this way, the output signal can be generated (following) by direct negative feedback based on the trigger signal. Furthermore, in this way, the trigger signal or output signal can be amplified at the sensor element 20 (according to the amplification factor related to the sensor capacitance) based on charge transfer (initiated by the output signal), and then output as a sensor signal amplified at terminal 170.B.

[0090] To analyze parameters specific to the measurement, particularly the variable sensor capacitance CS, the charge transfer from sensor element 20 (or another sensor element 20') to sensor control mechanism 170 is specified according to the above description, so that the charge transfer can be analyzed by analysis mechanism 200 based on the sensor signal. Here, the charge transfer from sensor element 20 to sensor control mechanism 170 is repeatedly performed for iterative determination, so that the storage mechanism 250, preferably integrator 250, of analysis mechanism 200 is charged according to the amount of charge transferred at that time. In other words, the storage mechanism 250 is charged according to the sensor signal, and preferably proportionally to the sensor signal. In this way, the charge stored by storage mechanism 250 can be specific to changes in capacitance CS. For this purpose, storage mechanism 250 can, for example, provide storage capacitance CL using a storage capacitor.

[0091] The control device 300 can be connected to the storage mechanism 250 of the analysis unit 200 via terminal 250.A to analyze the charge stored in the storage mechanism 250 to determine parameters specific to the measurement. Therefore, in this case, an analytical signal specific to said parameter and / or stored charge is acquired and analyzed. This analytical signal may, for example, be the voltage flowing through the capacitor of the storage mechanism 250.

[0092] It can also be in Figure 3 As seen in the diagram, the shielding control mechanism 150 and the sensor control mechanism 170 are electrically connected to a common signal generating mechanism 130 and a common filtering mechanism 140 via control line KP. Thus, the electrical signal (trigger signal) generated by the signal generating mechanism 130 and / or filtered by the filtering mechanism 140 is used at control line KP not only to trigger the sensor 20 but also to trigger the shield 160. Preferably, this signal has a substantially identical signal shape, preferably at least approximately sinusoidal. Therefore, the potential difference between the sensor 20 and the shield 160 is always minimized during triggering and / or measurement when the device 10 is operating. Here, the shield 160 can be designed as an active shield (so-called "active shield") to actively shield the sensor 20. Therefore, by means of the shielding control mechanism 150, the potential at the shield 160 actively follows the potential at the sensor 20. This allows for improved shielding of the sensor 20 relative to the vehicle 1, thereby reducing the load present between the sensor 20 and the vehicle 1. These loads typically constitute a significant portion of the analysis signal analyzed by the control device 300. Therefore, the analysis signal component varying due to the variable sensor capacitance CS is reduced, thus only exacerbating the difficulty of analysis. To improve analysis, a compensation mechanism 230 may be employed. This, for example, shunts a portion of the current from the storage mechanism 250 according to the amplitude of the analysis signal. The aforementioned difficulty during analysis can be further reduced by using a shield 160 having a potential equal to that of the sensor element 20 for shielding purposes.

[0093] The sensor device 20 can be repeatedly charged and discharged via charge transfer through the first terminal 170.A of the sensor control mechanism 170. This repeated charging and discharging can be controlled by a trigger signal (due to a periodically changing trigger signal voltage amplitude). Based on the charge transfer, the electrical sensor signal can be output through the second terminal 170.B of the sensor control mechanism 170. Electrical filtering of the sensor signal is feasible. Accordingly, this can be filtering for the analysis branch when the sensor signal is transmitted to the storage mechanism 250, thus not affecting the electrical trigger signal (in the control line KP) and consequently the charging of the sensor device 20. For this purpose, an analysis filtering mechanism 210 can be used to perform filtering of the electrical sensor signal (e.g., bandpass filtering). This allows the analysis filtering mechanism 210 to filter out intrusive interference from the surrounding environment of the sensor device 20. Therefore, the analysis filtering mechanism 210 can provide EMC filtering against such intrusive interference. For this purpose, the analysis filtering mechanism 210, for example, has a complex resistor and also a filtering element. It is conceivable that the shape (e.g., sinusoidal) of the electrical trigger signal (i.e., the trigger signal) at the control line KP is related to the signal voltage. The voltage of the sensor signal at terminal 170.B may have the same shape, but perhaps with an amplified amplitude (proportional to the sensor capacitance CS). However, during analysis, it may depend on charge transfer and, consequently, the current when the sensor signal is transmitted to the storage mechanism 250. Therefore, the analysis filter mechanism 210 may have a transconductance converter to perform transconductance conversion of the sensor signal at terminal 170.B. This transconductance conversion refers to converting the voltage into a proportional current. In other words, the analysis filter mechanism 210 may be designed and / or connected in the analysis mechanism 200 such that the voltage of the electrical signal (sensor signal) with the shape (e.g., sinusoidal) at the second terminal 170.B forms the current with the shape described at the output terminal 210.A of the analysis filter mechanism 210. The transconductance converter is designed, for example, as a transconductance amplifier (in this case, an operational amplifier), but preferably achieves transconductance conversion without the need for an operational amplifier due to its connection to the storage mechanism 250. This can be achieved, for example, through a series circuit arrangement of the analysis filter mechanism 210 and the storage mechanism 250. Furthermore, the downstream components 220, 250 can be low impedance, and / or the storage mechanism 250 has, for example, an amplifying element at input 250.B, and particularly an inverter input (-) of the operational amplifier. The amplifying element of the storage mechanism 250 can be designed to immediately activate a countermeasure when a voltage appears at input 250.B. For this purpose, the operational amplifier can use feedback to adjust the voltage difference at its input to zero. This preventative measure and / or the series arrangement of the analysis mechanism 200 and the storage mechanism 250 results in almost no voltage drop at input 250.B or output 210.A.In other words, there is approximately a ground potential at this point (either at input 250.B or output 210.A, where they are interconnected by a switch, for example, rectifier 220), so this point can be considered a virtual zero.

[0094] Figure 3 The block 220 shown may involve one or more rectifiers, and therefore a rectifier mechanism 220. The rectifier mechanism 220 may not require diodes, etc., and therefore there is essentially no (or almost no) voltage drop in the rectifier mechanism 220. This can be achieved, for example, by means of at least one electronic switch that is periodically switched on and off. In this way, a virtual zero point can be provided for either the input terminal 250.B or the output terminal 210.A (when the switch is on) when an electrical connection is established between the output terminal 210.A and the input terminal 250.B via the rectifier mechanism 220, and especially via at least one switch. When the at least one switch is off, the output terminal 210.A of the analysis filter mechanism 210 is placed at ground potential 21. For example, the switch acts as a toggle switch to connect the output terminal 210.A to ground potential 21. In this way, the output terminal 210.A can always be at least approximately loaded with ground potential, regardless of the switching position of at least one switch in the rectifier mechanism 220. Therefore, the load on the analysis filter mechanism 210 will be significantly reduced.

[0095] The rectification can be "coherent" rectification using at least one rectifier. This means that the at least one rectifier transfers the electrical signal (sensor signal) from the analysis and filtering mechanism 210 to the storage mechanism 250 at predetermined cycles, preferably in a manner synchronized with the electrical trigger phase. This results in coherent rectification of the sensor signal relative to the trigger signal. For this purpose, each of the rectifiers may have at least one electronic switch. The cycle can be set such that only the positive (or negative) half-wave of the corresponding predetermined fundamental or harmonic of the electrical signal is transferred (e.g., conforming to the first harmonic in the form of the fundamental frequency, which is turned on by the analysis and filtering mechanism 210 as the intermediate frequency, and perhaps conforming to other harmonics). Therefore, the corresponding cycle can be synchronized with the signal generating mechanism 130 to adapt to the shape of the electrical trigger signal (trigger signal). When considering the filtering by means of the analysis and filtering mechanism 210, the phase shift between the voltage (according to the electrical trigger signal at the control line KP) and the current (according to the signal at the output terminal 210.A of the analysis and filtering mechanism 210) is taken into account in the synchronization. Furthermore, the rectification may also be performed using a diode's "incoherent ground".

[0096] Alternatively, the rectification can be performed in the form of half-wave rectification, or alternatively, the positive half-wave and the negative half-wave of the sensor signal can be used for charge transfer to the storage mechanism 250.

[0097] Furthermore, it can be specified that the frequency of the sensor signal (in the form of a periodic signal) is related to the operating frequency, i.e., the frequency of the trigger signal at terminal 170.C (or at the output of the filter mechanism 140). Therefore, a single operating frequency can be used for the entire device 10 not only for triggering but also for analyzing the sensor 20, so that triggering and analysis of the sensor 20 are performed within a specified operating frequency range. For this purpose, filtering is applied in both electrical triggering (by means of the filter mechanism 140) and analysis (by means of the analysis filter mechanism 210), wherein the filtering is adapted to the operating frequency (e.g., designed as low-pass and / or band-pass to conduct the operating frequency range). This allows for optimal analysis regarding EMC conditions (during transmission) and interference effects (during intrusion).

[0098] Figure 5 This illustrates a possible design of the device 10 of the present invention when used in conjunction with the elongated sensor element 20. This design is applied, for example, in situations where the sensor element 20 is mounted in the front or rear bumper 1.1 of the vehicle 1. Thus, the movement of the activation mechanism 3 below the bumper 1.1 can be detected as an activation action, just as... Figure 6 As also shown. Unlike the sensor element 20 in the form of printed wires on a circuit board (which may be advantageous for placement in the door handle 1.5 to provide a detection range in a space-constrained environment), in cases where the detection range is large, the individual sensor element 20 is connected to the circuit board. For this purpose, for example, a sensor element terminal 180.A on the circuit board is used, which provides an electrical connection to the switching element 180. The switching element can then provide an electrical connection (for charging) to the signal generation mechanism 130 via the sensor control mechanism 170 and control line KP and the filtering mechanism 140, or provide an electrical connection (for analysis) to the storage mechanism 250 via the analysis filtering mechanism 210 and the rectification mechanism 220. The components 170, 140, 130, 210, 220, and 250 can also be mounted on the circuit board.

[0099] The circuit board, along with its constituent components, namely the control mechanism 100 and / or analysis mechanism 200, can be understood as a common component, hereinafter referred to as the sensor circuit mechanism 400. Optionally, the sensor circuit mechanism 400 is designed to be independently operable and mountable on a vehicle. The sensor circuit mechanism 400 can be electrically connected to sensor element 20 and perhaps at least another sensor element 20' via at least one sensor feed wire 410 for mounting the device 10 of the present invention. The at least other sensor element 20' may here be connected to the sensor circuit mechanism 400 via at least another sensor feed wire 410. It is also possible that the sensor circuit mechanism 400 is electrically connected to at least one shield 160 or another shield via shielded wire 420, particularly shielded feed wire 420, or the shielded wire 420 forms shield 160 (i.e., may also be another shield).

[0100] As an example design of the device 10 of the present invention Figure 5 A coaxial cable 450 is schematically shown, with its outer conductor 450.2 serving as the sensor element 20. In other words, the shield 450.2 of the coaxial cable 450 forms the sensor element 20. For this purpose, the sensor feed line 410 can be electrically connected to the outer conductor 450.2 via terminal 180.A of the sensor circuit mechanism 400. Terminal 180.A transmits an electrical trigger signal, which is defined (i.e. generated and possibly filtered) by the signal generation mechanism 130 and / or the filtering mechanism 140, and can also be output at terminal 180.A via the sensor control mechanism 170. Similarly, the shielded feed line 420 can be connected to the shield 160 (see shield 160) via the shield terminal 150.A of the sensor circuit mechanism 400. Figure 6 ), or the shielded wire 420 connected to the shielded terminal 150.A itself constitutes the shield 160 (or perhaps there is another shield). Especially in the latter case (e.g. Figure 5 (As shown) It may be meaningful that shielding 160 is used as passive shielding 160. The inner conductor 450.1 (i.e., the cable core) of coaxial cable 450 may be able to remain unconnected.

[0101] When used as a passive shield 160, the shield 160 is connected to a predetermined constant potential via shield terminal 150.A during operation (always or during charging and / or discharging of the sensor 20). Here, the potential of the shield 160 can correspond to ground potential 21 or a potential different from ground potential. In contrast, when used as an active shield 160, the potential of the shield 160 can be adjusted and changed according to the potential of the sensor 20.

[0102] pass Figure 5The arrows in the diagram illustrate that the feed lines 410 and 420 can be twisted together to mount the device 10 of the present invention onto the vehicle 1. First, the shield 160 can extend parallel to the sensor feed line 410 as a strip-shaped shielding electrode 160 in the form of a shielded wire 420. Twisting can be performed, for example, by intertwining the sensor feed line 410 and the shielded wire 420 in a spiral shape. The twisted feed lines 410 and 420 are highlighted with a dashed line. This reduces the sensitivity of the feed lines 410 and 420 to external electromagnetic interference. Next, for mounting, the sensor feed line 410 can be electrically connected to the outer conductor 450.2, such that the outer conductor 450.2 forms the sensor element 20. The shielded wire 420 and the core 450.1 of the coaxial cable 450 may remain unconnected. Alternatively, the shielded wire 420 can be electrically connected to the core 450.1. In this configuration, it is advantageous that the shield 160 is used as a passive shield 160.

[0103] Alternatively, it would be meaningful to use the shield 160 or the shielded wire 420 as an active shield 160. For this purpose, different connections might be chosen at the coaxial cable 450. Here, the sensor feed wire 410 can be electrically connected to the cable core 450.1 (i.e., inner conductor 450.1) of the coaxial cable 450, thus the cable core 450.1 serves as the sensor feed wire. In this case, the shielded wire 420, which serves as the shielded feed wire 420, might be electrically connected to the outer conductor 450.2 (i.e., connected to the shield) of the coaxial cable 450, so that the outer conductor 450.2 forms an active shield 160. The coaxial cable 450 and its cable core 450.1 can then serve as feed wires to the sensor 20, but they are designed to be separate from the coaxial cable 450. The outer conductor 450.2, as an active shield 160, improves the shielding of the sensor feed wire 410. The feeder wires 410 and 420 leading to the coaxial cable 450 can be twisted together as described above, or they can be wires laid in parallel.

[0104] For example, via the aforementioned stranded feed lines 410, 420 and / or via coaxial cable 450, connected to the outer conductor 450.2 serving as active shield 160, and / or via a separate sensor element 20 connected to the sensor circuit mechanism 400 via a different variant. Figure 6The example is shown below. The sensor element 20 can be designed, for example, as a conductive surface (so-called planar electrode 20) and / or an electrical conductor. The sensor element 20 is shown in its mounted arrangement (e.g., in the rear region) near other parts of the vehicle 1. A portion of the vehicle 1 that can be considered as ground potential 21 is schematically shown here. The vehicle 1 may cause a load acting on the sensor element 20, which can be offset by shielding. An electric field, which may be present between the shield 160 and the sensor element 20 (and can be minimized or eliminated by the shield 160 used as an active shield 160), is indicated by an arrow here. This electric field is used to activate the measurement of the behavior or mechanism 3.

[0105] The shape of the (active) shield 160 is particularly advantageous here. This shape is, for example, U-shaped, in which the two opposing sides 160.2 of the shield 160 shield the side regions, while the central portion 160.1 of the shield 160 shields the middle region or the corresponding vehicle side. In this way, the detection range can be precisely defined by the open area 160.3 of the shield 160 between the sides 160.2. The shield 160 can be used, for example, as an active shield 160, i.e., it is electrically connected to the outer conductor 450.2 of the shielded (feed) wire 420 or coaxial cable 450 (where it is used as a feed wire). Furthermore, the sensor element 20 can be electrically connected to the core 450.1 of the sensor feed wire 410 and / or the coaxial cable 450 (where it is used as a feed wire). Alternatively, the shape can also be designed as non-U-shaped, especially when the shield 160 is wider than the sensor element 20.

[0106] Such as combination Figure 3As can be seen in the circuit diagram, the sensor control mechanism 170, electrically connected to the sensor element 20, can provide a sensor signal specific to the parameters of the sensor element 20 at terminal 170.B. This parameter specifically corresponds to changes in the measured environment, but may also specifically correspond to a variable load component. For example, during measurement, there may be certain influences on the sensor element 20 and on this parameter (such as the sensor capacitance CS) depending on the environment and / or the arrangement of the sensor element 20 and / or the influence of environmental interference, which are not convincing in terms of activation behavior. The sensor signal at terminal 170.B is particularly a voltage whose amplitude may be related to and perhaps proportional to the sensor capacitance CS. In addition, the sensor signal at terminal 250.B can exist in the form of a current whose current intensity is related to and perhaps proportional to the sensor capacitance CS. The amplitude and / or current intensity may have a component that is not specific to environmental changes due to the load component. Therefore, the compensation mechanism 230 can be used to adjust the sensor signal to compensate for the load component. For this purpose, for example, a certain component during each repeated charge transfer is shunted to the compensation mechanism 230 through the sensor signal. Accordingly, an adjusted sensor signal is generated from the sensor signal. The shunt may be performed continuously. The switching mechanism 220 can electrically connect the storage mechanism 250 to the adjusted sensor signal for analysis during repeated determinations (especially dynamically).

[0107] Figure 4 The compensation mechanism 230 is schematically shown to have multiple compensation levels. A first compensation level 230.1 and a second compensation level 230.2 are illustrated as examples. Because the load component may be variable (e.g., depending on changes in environmental disturbances), switching between compensation levels can be performed to change the component that is always shunted in the sensor signal. This switching can be initiated, for example, by a control device 300. To determine whether the switching should be initiated, the control device 300 can, for example, analyze determined parameters.

[0108] Figure 7 The steps of the method of the present invention are illustrated schematically. Here, according to the first method step 501, a sensor signal can be provided, wherein the sensor signal specifically corresponds to the parameters of the sensor element 20, and wherein the parameters specifically correspond to the measured environmental changes and variable load components. Next, according to the second method step 502, the sensor signal can be adjusted to compensate for the load component. Next, in the third method step 503, the parameters of the sensor element 20 can be repeatedly determined based on the sensor signal using the storage mechanism 250, thereby performing the detection of activation behavior. The third method step 503, i.e., the "repeated determination execution", may further include the following step: during repeated determination (especially dynamically), causing the storage mechanism 250 to be electrically connected to the adjusted sensor signal.

[0109] The above description of the embodiments describes the present invention only within the scope of examples. Obviously, the various features of the embodiments can be freely combined with each other as long as they are technically meaningful, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0110] List of reference numerals

[0111] 1 vehicle

[0112] 1.1 Bumper

[0113] 1.2 Tail region

[0114] 1.3 Trunk Lid

[0115] 1.4 Side Area

[0116] 1.5 Door handles

[0117] 1.6 doors

[0118] 1.7 Front Area

[0119] 2 users

[0120] 3. Activation mechanism

[0121] 5. Identity Recognition Device

[0122] 8 controllers

[0123] 10 devices

[0124] 20. Sensor devices, sensor electrodes

[0125] 20' Another sensor device

[0126] 21. Ground potential

[0127] 100 Control Mechanism

[0128] 130 Signal generating mechanism, signal generator

[0129] 130.1 Digital-to-Analog Converter

[0130] 140 Filtering Mechanism, Active Filter, Sine Filter

[0131] 140.1 Operational Amplifier

[0132] 140.2 Filtering Devices

[0133] 150 Shielding Control Mechanism

[0134] 150.A Shielded terminal block

[0135] 150.1 Operational Amplifier

[0136] 160 shielding

[0137] 160.1 Central Department

[0138] 160.2 Side, branch

[0139] 160.3 Detection range, open area

[0140] 170 Sensor control mechanism, voltage follower

[0141] 170.A First terminal of sensor control mechanism 170

[0142] 170.B Second terminal of sensor control mechanism 170

[0143] 170.1 Operational Amplifier

[0144] 170.2 Filtering Devices

[0145] 180 Switching element

[0146] 180.A Output terminal of switching element 180, sensor terminal

[0147] 200 analysis agencies

[0148] 210 Analysis Filtering Mechanism

[0149] 210.A Analysis filter mechanism 210's first terminal or output terminal

[0150] 220 rectifier mechanism, switching mechanism

[0151] 230 Compensation Agency

[0152] 250 storage mechanism, integrator

[0153] 250.A First Terminal

[0154] 250.B Second terminal, input terminal

[0155] 300 control device, microcontroller

[0156] 400 Sensor Circuit Structure

[0157] 410 Sensor feeder cable

[0158] 420 shielded feeder cable

[0159] 450 coaxial cable

[0160] 450.1 Inner conductor, cable core

[0161] 450.2 Outer Conductor

[0162] 501 First Method Steps

[0163] 502 Second Method Steps

[0164] 503 Third Method Steps

[0165] CL storage capacitor

[0166] CS sensor capacitance

[0167] KP control circuit

Claims

1. A device (10) for detecting activation behavior of a vehicle (1) for activating its functions, comprising: - At least one sensor (20) for measuring environmental changes of the sensor (20), - A sensor control mechanism (170), electrically connected to the sensor element (20), provides sensor signals specific to the parameters of the sensor element (20), wherein, This parameter specifically corresponds to the measured environmental changes and the variable load component. - A storage mechanism (250), electrically connected to the sensor control mechanism (170), is used to repeatedly determine the parameters of the sensor element (20) using sensor signals. - Compensation mechanism (230), which is used to adjust the sensor signal to compensate for the load component, - A switching mechanism (220) is used to dynamically and electrically connect the storage mechanism (250) to the adjusted sensor signal during repeated determinations.

2. The device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control mechanism (100) is electrically connected to the sensor (20) via the sensor control mechanism (170) to provide electrical triggering of the sensor (20) via the sensor control mechanism (170) and to provide the sensor signal as a periodic signal to perform charge transfer between the sensor control mechanism (170) and the storage mechanism (250) to alternately initiate charge transfer in different current directions, wherein the switching mechanism (220) is designed to: electrically connect the storage mechanism (250) to the adjusted sensor signal only when charge transfer is performed in one of the current directions, or electrically connect the storage mechanism (250) to the adjusted sensor signal via full-wave rectification when charge transfer is performed in both current directions.

3. The apparatus (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, An analysis and filtering mechanism (210) is provided, which is electrically connected to the sensor control mechanism (170) to output the provided sensor signal in a filtered manner to the storage mechanism (250) and to provide a sensor signal in the form of a current signal according to the parameters of the sensor (20) to perform charge transfer to the storage mechanism (250).

4. The apparatus (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The switching mechanism (220) is designed as a rectifier mechanism (220) to perform charge transfer toward the storage mechanism (250) only by means of a regulated sensor signal through repeated switching, and to connect the compensation mechanism (230) to the storage mechanism (250) only during the transfer.

5. The apparatus (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The switching mechanism (220) is designed to connect the compensation mechanism (230) and / or the analysis and filtering mechanism (210) to the storage mechanism (250) via a virtual zero point (250.B), so that, depending on the switching state of the switching mechanism (220), the compensation mechanism (230) and / or the analysis and filtering mechanism (210) are either connected to ground potential (21) or connected to the virtual zero point (210.A, 250.B).

6. The apparatus (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The compensation mechanism (230) is designed to always divert a predetermined portion of the transferred charge when the charge is repeatedly transferred to the storage mechanism (250) by means of a calibrated sensor signal.

7. The apparatus (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The control device (300) is connected to the storage mechanism (250) and the compensation mechanism (230) to determine the compensation setting conditions for the compensation mechanism (230) based on the currently determined parameters.

8. The apparatus (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The compensation mechanism (230) has different compensation levels so that each compensation level can be activated under the control of compensation setting conditions and / or under the control of the control device (300), and so that different predetermined fixed components of the sensor signal are diverted in each different compensation level, thereby providing an adjusted sensor signal.

9. The apparatus (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The compensation mechanism (230) has different compensation levels so that each compensation level can be activated under the control of compensation setting conditions and / or under the control of the control device (300), and so that different predetermined fixed components of the charge transmitted by the sensor signal are diverted in each different compensation level, thereby providing an adjusted sensor signal.

10. The apparatus (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The compensation mechanism (230) has at least three different compensation levels to divert different specified fixed components of charge transported in charge transfer for different load components.

11. The apparatus (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The sensor element (20) is designed as a sensor electrode (20) to provide a parameter specific to the measurement in the form of a variable capacitance (CS), wherein the change in the capacitance (CS) specifically corresponds to an environmental change, wherein the sensor control mechanism (170) is electrically connected to the sensor element (20) and the storage mechanism (250) to output the sensor signal to the storage mechanism (250) based on the charge transfer between the sensor element (20) and the sensor control mechanism (170) for repeated determination, such that the charge transferred to the storage mechanism (250) by the sensor signal specifically corresponds to the change in the capacitance (CS).

12. The apparatus (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, A control device (300) is connected to the storage mechanism (250) to analyze the charge stored in the storage mechanism (250) to determine parameters specific to the measurement.

13. The apparatus (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, A shield (160) is provided to shield the sensor (20) in order to reduce the load component.

14. The apparatus (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The device (10) is at least partially fixed inside the bumper (1.1) of the vehicle (1) as a capacitive sensor device to monitor the rear area (1.2) of the vehicle (1) and to open the trunk lid (1.3) of the vehicle (1) as a function of the vehicle (1), wherein the position of the device (10) on the vehicle (1) is associated with the load component.

15. The apparatus (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The sensor control mechanism (170) is connected to the sensor (20) for electrical signal transmission, so as to repeatedly output and input charge from the sensor (20) and into the sensor (20) via signal transmission, and to provide the sensor signal according to the charge transmission.

16. The apparatus (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The sensor control mechanism (170) is connected to the sensor (20) via a first terminal (170.A) for electrical signal transmission, wherein an electrical input signal is loaded on the first terminal according to the signal transmission, and in order to provide a sensor signal, the sensor control mechanism is electrically connected to the storage mechanism (250) via a second terminal (170.B), wherein the sensor control mechanism (170) has an amplification device (170.1, 170.2) to output a sensor signal in the form of an input signal amplified according to the parameters of the sensor (20) at the second terminal (170.B).

17. The apparatus (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The control device (300) is electrically connected to the signal generating mechanism (130) to provide sensor signals in the form of signals.

18. The apparatus (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The device (10) is used to detect activation behaviors in the front, side and / or rear regions (1.7, 1.4, 1.2) of the vehicle (1) for activating the opening and / or unlocking of the cover (1.3, 1.6) of the vehicle (1).

19. The apparatus (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sensor (20) is used to measure the proximity of the activation mechanism (3).

20. The apparatus (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The sensor signal is provided as a sinusoidal and / or oscillating periodic signal.

21. The apparatus (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The compensation mechanism (230) is connected to the storage mechanism (250) only during the transfer, and in other cases the storage mechanism (250) and / or the compensation mechanism (230) are connected to ground potential (21).

22. The apparatus (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The compensation mechanism (230) is connected to the control device (300) so as to determine the specified component based on the compensation setting conditions and the load component.

23. The apparatus (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The compensation mechanism (230) has at least four different compensation levels to divert different specified fixed components of charge transmitted in charge transfer for different load components.

24. The apparatus (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The compensation mechanism (230) has at least five different compensation levels to divert different specified fixed components of charge transmitted in charge transfer for different load components.

25. The apparatus (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that, The storage mechanism (250) is an integrator (250).

26. The apparatus (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that, The sensor signal is transmitted to the storage mechanism (250), and the accumulated charge corresponds specifically to the change in the capacitance (CS).

27. The apparatus (10) according to claim 12, characterized in that, The parameters specific to the measurement are determined by analog-to-digital conversion of the voltage at the storage unit (250) in order to determine the compensation setting conditions in conjunction with the analysis.

28. The apparatus (10) according to claim 13, characterized in that, An electronic shielding control mechanism (150) is provided to adjust the potential of the shield (160) according to the potential of the sensor (20).

29. The apparatus (10) according to claim 14, characterized in that, The device (10) is at least partially fixed inside the bumper (1.1) of the vehicle (1) as a capacitive sensor device in order to initiate the output of an open signal and / or a verification check.

30. The apparatus (10) according to claim 17, characterized in that, The sensor signal is in the form of a sinusoidal oscillating and / or periodic signal.

31. The apparatus (10) according to claim 17, characterized in that, The control device (300) is electrically connected to the storage mechanism (250) to analyze the amount of charge stored in the storage mechanism (250) after a single charge transfer via a sensor signal to the storage mechanism (250) and / or the amount of charge accumulated after multiple charge transfers, and to perform the detection based on the analysis so as to output an activation signal for activating the function of the vehicle (1) when the amount of charge exceeds a limit value.

32. The apparatus (10) according to claim 17, characterized in that, The control device (300) is at least one microcontroller.

33. A system having: - The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 32, - Control device (300), which is used to output an activation signal upon detecting activation behavior. - Controller (8), which is connected to the control device (300) to perform the vehicle (1) function when an activation signal is received.

34. A method for detecting activation behavior of a vehicle (1) for activating a function of the vehicle (1), wherein at least one sensor (20) is used to measure environmental changes of the sensor (20), wherein, Perform the following steps: - Provides a sensor signal specific to the parameters of the sensor (20), wherein the parameters specifically correspond to the measured environmental changes and variable load components. - Adjust the sensor signal to compensate for the load component. -Based on the sensor signal, the parameters of the sensor (20) are repeatedly determined by the storage mechanism (250) in order to perform activation detection. The repeatedly confirmed execution includes the following steps: - Dynamically prompts the storage mechanism (250) to be electrically connected to the adjusted sensor signal during repeated determinations.

35. The method according to claim 34, characterized in that, Operate the apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 32.

36. The method according to claim 34, characterized in that, The activation behavior is used to activate the opening and / or unlocking of the cover (1.3, 1.6) of the vehicle (1) in the front, side and / or rear areas (1.7, 1.4, 1.2).

37. The method according to claim 34, characterized in that, The sensor (20) is used to measure the proximity of the activation mechanism (3).

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