Door gap lighting to assist in the operability of automatic door opening systems

Abstract

The present invention relates to a door system (1) for a vehicle (100), comprising a vehicle door (3), a locking unit (5) for adjusting the locking state of the vehicle door (3), an operating element (7) for a vehicle user arranged on the vehicle door (3), a first light source (9), and a control unit (11) of the vehicle (100) connected to the locking unit (5) and the first light source, wherein the first light source (9) is arranged so that the first light source (9) illuminates a portion of the vehicle door (3) and / or a portion of the vehicle body in a door gap region between the vehicle door (3) and the vehicle body, The control unit (11) is designed to receive a signal from an electronic key for a vehicle (100) and control the locking unit (5) according to the signal from the electronic key, and to control the first light source (9) according to the locking state of the vehicle door (3) and / or the communication state between the electronic key and the control unit (11) of the vehicle (100), and to illuminate a portion of the vehicle door (3) and / or a portion of the vehicle body corresponding to an operating element (7) for at least one specified locking state of the vehicle door (3) or a specified communication state between the electronic key and the control unit (11).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a door system for a vehicle, in particular having a first light source, and to a method for outputting a light signal by means of the first light source of the vehicle door system. Background Art

[0002] It is known in the prior art that the vehicle is automatically unlocked and locked when a vehicle user approaches. The driver therefore no longer has to operate a button on the vehicle key. In such so-called "keyless start" systems, the position of the transponder is determined by the vehicle. The opening of one or all doors occurs in particular when the driver is carrying a corresponding identifiable transponder and approaches the vehicle so that the range of the transponder is sufficient to establish data transmission between the vehicle control unit and the transponder. After the exchange and verification of the access authorization, the position of the mobile transponder is continuously determined, for example, by so-called "polling" or triangulation.

[0003] In this regard, DE 10 2018 005 763 relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle functional unit by means of an identification system, wherein in particular at least one first authorization is queried by means of the identification system for operating the functional unit. Furthermore, an identification signal as authorization is transmitted to an identification device by means of a mobile identification element and the functional unit is operated after receipt of the identification signal.

[0004] If the door is unlocked by the vehicle control unit, the door can also be moved into a defined position with the aid of a servo-assisted device and in particular further opened by a gap. In this regard, DE 10 2018 008 212 relates to a door lock assembly for a vehicle door, wherein the door lock assembly in particular has a push element connected to an actuator for automatically opening the door relative to the vehicle body to a limit opening angle.

[0005] US 2012 / 0106182 A discloses a vehicle door handle, in which a light source is arranged in the door handle and can be controlled according to the locking state of the respective door.

[0006] DE 10 2014 100 144 A1 discloses a vehicle door in which a lighting system emits light in response to a signal received from a portable transmitter to indicate the door lock state.

[0007] DE 10 2006 035 521 A1 discloses a motor vehicle, which comprises a lighting device integrated into a side trim of a side door for illuminating an area near the outer door when the side door is open, wherein the lighting device has a plurality of light sources arranged along the side trim.

[0008] DE 10 2014 017 775 A1 discloses a lighting device for a vehicle body, which has a lighting element arranged relative to a gap in such a way that light emitted from a light exit surface of the lighting element escapes from the gap.

[0009] Especially when such systems are advantageously used to arrange the door operating elements in a manner that they slightly protrude from the vehicle door or the vehicle body, the operating elements are difficult for the driver to find and sometimes not intuitive to operate. Unlike when unlocking the vehicle manually, in the case of the above-mentioned automatic systems not every movement of the door system is associated with the behavior of the vehicle user. This can make the vehicle user unclear about the status of the door system. It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve the operability of such a door system for a vehicle door and to design it more convenient for the user. Summary of the invention

[0010] The invention is apparent from the features of the independent claim. Advantageous developments and embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0011] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a door system for a vehicle, comprising a vehicle door, a locking unit for adjusting a locking state of the vehicle door, an operating element for a vehicle user arranged on the vehicle door, a first light source and a control unit of the vehicle connected to the locking unit and the first light source, wherein the first light source is arranged so that the first light source illuminates a door portion and / or a vehicle body portion in a door gap area between the vehicle door and the vehicle body, wherein the control unit is designed to receive a signal from an electronic key for the vehicle and control the locking unit according to the signal of the electronic key, and control the first light source according to the locking state of the vehicle door and / or according to the communication state between the electronic key and the vehicle control unit.

[0012] The vehicle is preferably a passenger car, a truck, a bus, an agricultural machine, a construction vehicle, a train carriage or an emergency vehicle.

[0013] The first light source can be a separate logical light source on the one hand, wherein the door part to be illuminated and / or the body part to be illuminated is realized by the light distribution of the first light source, preferably by a light guide, and on the other hand, the first light source can be composed of a plurality of different light sources. In the latter case, the first light source in particular includes a plurality of light source elements, preferably LED elements, which are also preferably arranged behind a transparent scattering element in order to ensure the uniform luminous properties of the light source elements. The first light source can be arranged on the door itself or on the body of the vehicle. Preferably, the first light source is arranged directly in the contact area between the door and the body. It is also preferred that the first light source element of the first light source is arranged on the door itself and the second light source element of the first light source is arranged on the body of the vehicle. In any case, the light source elements of the first light source are arranged in such a way that the door can be at least partially illuminated relative to the body in the door gap area.

[0014] The vehicle control unit does not necessarily have to be arranged on the door itself or on the body of the vehicle in the region of the door; the control unit can also be a central control unit of the vehicle.

[0015] The operating element is preferably connected to the locking unit, but can also preferably be directly connected to the control unit. The operating element is used in particular to unlock the door and switch it to a freely movable state. In contrast, the locking unit is used in particular to adjust the locking state, i.e. to lock the door or unlock it relative to the vehicle body. The operating element is also preferably connected to the control unit, so that the control unit can determine the state of the operating element and control the first light source accordingly depending on the determined state of the operating element.

[0016] The electronic key is particularly designed to transmit a signal to a vehicle control unit via radio transmission, so that the control unit controls the locking unit to adjust the door locking state only because the vehicle user approaches the vehicle. The door locking state here particularly relates to the following vehicle lock state, i.e. whether the vehicle door is locked or unlocked, and particularly also to the vehicle door opening state. That is, the vehicle control unit is preferably also connected to the actuator, so that the control unit not only controls the door lock to unlock when the vehicle user approaches the vehicle, but also controls the actuator to preliminarily open the door according to the preliminarily limit opening angle relative to the vehicle body.

[0017] The communication status between the electronic key and the vehicle control unit also relates in particular to whether the electronic key communicates with the control unit at all, which is the case in particular when the electronic key is within a certain radius centered on the control unit or a receiving unit of the control unit, and in particular when the electronic key communicates with the control unit at least unidirectionally.

[0018] One advantageous effect of the present invention is that the locking state and / or the opening state of the vehicle door is intuitively notified to the vehicle user, so that the vehicle user can easily recognize the opening state of the door, especially also when the door is initially opened by means of an actuator. This advantageously simplifies the door operation, especially when the vehicle is equipped with an automatic door system as described above.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment, the control unit is designed to control the first light source for at least one specified locking state of the vehicle door or a specified communication state of the electronic key with the control unit to illuminate a location of the door part and / or the vehicle body part that is correspondingly assigned to the operating element. In particular, when the door operating element is arranged very inconspicuously and hardly noticeably on the vehicle door, the vehicle user is intuitively guided to the operating element by the corresponding illumination and can find and operate the operating element without blindly searching, even in the case of automatic unlocking by the vehicle control unit.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment, the first light source is arranged such that its luminous field shines on the part of the door to be illuminated and / or on the part of the vehicle body to be illuminated, so that the vehicle user can only see the reflection of the light emitted by the first light source on the door or on the vehicle body. Advantageously, this ensures that other road users do not look directly at the first light source and are not blinded by it. In addition, this embodiment advantageously allows uniform illumination of the respective part of the door or the vehicle body.

[0021] According to another advantageous embodiment, the control unit is designed such that the first light source is controlled to emit a variable brightness with a brightness maximum that can be moved over time within the door part and / or the body part, so that the brightness maximum moves at a defined speed to a location of the door part and / or the body part corresponding to the operating element. In particular, the vehicle user can thereby more easily find the operating element that is arranged very unobtrusively and hardly perceptibly on the door. Thus, the operating element can be arranged, for example, behind a housing or a cover.

[0022] According to another advantageous embodiment, the operating element is arranged on the outer side of the vehicle door. The outer side of the vehicle door is in particular that part of the door surface which faces away from the vehicle interior and toward the vehicle environment.

[0023] According to another advantageous embodiment, the operating element is arranged on an end side of the vehicle door. The end side of the vehicle door is particularly the side that is guided to an end side of the vehicle body pillar when the vehicle door is closed, so that the end side of the vehicle door and the end side of the vehicle body pillar are arranged against each other when the vehicle door is closed.

[0024] According to another advantageous embodiment, the door system also has a second light source, wherein the second light source is arranged in the region of the operating element so that the second light source illuminates the operating element. The control unit is preferably designed to control the first light source and the second light source synchronously with one another. As an alternative, it is possible to control the first light source and the second light source differently from one another. The second light source advantageously allows the position of the operating element on the door to be indicated to the vehicle user more precisely and comfortably.

[0025] According to another advantageous embodiment, the first light source has a plurality of segments, wherein the control unit is designed to control the first light source segments with different brightness values ​​and / or different color values ​​depending on the locking state of the vehicle door and / or depending on the communication state of the electronic key with the control unit. The different controllable segments of the first light source advantageously allow the display of a light pattern or color pattern corresponding to the respective locking state of the vehicle door and / or the respective communication state of the electronic key with the control unit, so as to be as intuitive and unambiguous as possible for the vehicle user to recognize.

[0026] According to another advantageous embodiment, the control unit is designed so that the first light source and / or the second light source is driven to emit a warning light for warning other vehicles approaching the vehicle from behind when the opening angle of the vehicle door is greater than a predetermined limit value. The warning light is advantageously used to warn other vehicles approaching from behind when the vehicle door is open, so as to avoid other vehicles from hitting the vehicle door as much as possible.

[0027] Another aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle having a door system as described above and below.

[0028] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for outputting a light signal by means of a first light source of a vehicle door system, wherein the door system comprises a vehicle door, a locking unit for adjusting a locking state of the vehicle door, an operating element for a vehicle user arranged on the vehicle door, a first light source and a control unit of the vehicle connected to the locking unit and the first light source, wherein the first light source is arranged such that the first light source illuminates a door portion and / or a vehicle body portion in a door gap region between the vehicle door and the vehicle body, the method comprising the following steps:

[0029] - Receive the signal from the vehicle's electronic key,

[0030] - controlling the first light source in accordance with a first light pattern to illuminate a portion of the vehicle door and / or a portion of the vehicle body in the region of a door gap between the vehicle door and the vehicle body,

[0031] - control the locking unit to unlock the doors, and

[0032] - controlling the first light source in accordance with a second light pattern to illuminate a portion of the vehicle door and / or a portion of the vehicle body in the region of a door gap between the vehicle door and the vehicle body.

[0033] The advantages and preferred developments of the proposed method can be obtained by analogous and corresponding application of the exemplary embodiments given above in conjunction with the proposed door system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Further advantages, features and details are derived from the following detailed description of at least one exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, if necessary. Identical, similar and / or functionally identical components are provided with the same reference numerals, wherein:

[0035] Figure 1 A vehicle having a door system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0036] Figure 2 shows details of a door system according to another embodiment of the invention, and

[0037] Figure 3 A method for outputting a light signal by means of a first light source of a door system according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0038] The illustrations in these figures are schematic and not to scale. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Figure 1 A vehicle 100 having a door system 1 is shown. The door system 1 has a door 3 and a locking unit 5 for adjusting the locking state of the door 3, i.e., locking and unlocking the door 3. The door system 1 also has an operating element 7 for a vehicle user arranged on the outer side of the door 3. The operating element 7 is designed as a door handle and is arranged below the housing. The first light source 9 of the door system 1 is arranged so that the first light source 9 illuminates the door 3 part and the body part in the door gap area between the door 3 and the body with diffuse light. For this purpose, the first light source 9 has a plurality of LED elements, which are arranged on one end side of the door 3. The emission direction of the corresponding LED element is directed toward the door 3 in the tangential direction of the end side, so that the following vehicles or other traffic participants do not directly see the LED element itself, but always only see the reflection of the LED element on the end side of the door 3 and on the body of the vehicle 100. This reflection generates diffuse light in the door gap between the end side of the door 3 and the body of the vehicle 100. In addition, the door system 1 has a control unit 11 connected to the locking unit 5 and the first light source 9. The control unit 11 can receive a signal of an electronic key for the vehicle 100 by means of a receiving module and control the locking unit 5 when the signal itself or a specified signal is received. In addition, the control unit 11 controls the first light source 9 accordingly, that is, controls the first light source 9 according to the locking state of the vehicle door 3 and according to the communication state between the electronic key and the control unit 11. In addition, the door system 1 has a second light source 13, wherein the second light source 13 is arranged in the area of ​​the operating element 7 so that the second light source 13 illuminates the operating element 7. If the control unit 11 drives the locking unit 5 in order to unlock the lock of the vehicle door 3, it also controls the first light source 9 to illuminate the position of the vehicle door 3 part and the body part corresponding to the operating element 7, and controls the second light source 13 synchronously therewith. The details of the possible appearance of such a door system 1 are described in detail. Figure 2 In addition, the control unit 11 controls the first light source 9 and the second light source 13 to output warning lights for warning other vehicles approaching the vehicle 100 from behind when the opening angle is greater than a prescribed limit value of the opened door 3.

[0040] Figure 2A possible logical structure of the door system 1 is shown. In this case, the locking unit 5 has a lock and a button hole, wherein the operating member 7 configured as a door handle is mechanically connected to the locking unit 5. When a corresponding signal of the electronic key S is sent to the control unit 11, the control unit 11 controls the locking unit 5 to unlock the lock located in the locking unit 5, so that the vehicle door 3 can be opened to a certain angle by operating the operating member 7 configured as a door handle by the vehicle user. The actuator A is controlled by the control unit 11 to preliminarily open the vehicle door 3 to a specified opening angle, which is particularly convenient for the vehicle user to open the vehicle door 3 when the vehicle door 3 is frozen. If the control unit 11 has controlled the locking unit 5 to unlock the lock of the vehicle door 3, it also controls the first light source 9 to illuminate the position of the vehicle door 3 part and the vehicle body part corresponding to the operating member 7. For this purpose, the first light source 9 has a plurality of sections, wherein the control unit 11 controls the sections of the first light source 9 having different brightness values ​​and different color values ​​according to the locking state of the vehicle door 3 and the communication state between the electronic key S and the control unit 11. The sections of the first light source 9 are Figure 2 The control unit 11 controls the first light source 9 to emit a variable brightness with a brightness maximum that can move over time within the vehicle door 3 and the vehicle body, so that the brightness maximum moves to the position of the vehicle door 3 and the vehicle body corresponding to the operating element 7 at a specified speed.

[0041] Figure 3 A method for outputting a light signal by means of a first light source 9 of a door system 1 of a vehicle 100 is shown, wherein the door system 1 comprises a vehicle door 3, a locking unit 5 for adjusting a locking state of the vehicle door 3, an operating element 7 for a vehicle user arranged on the vehicle door 3, a first light source 9, and a control unit 11 of the vehicle 100 connected to the locking unit 5 and the first light source 9, wherein the first light source 9 is arranged such that the first light source 9 illuminates a portion of the vehicle door 3 and / or a portion of the vehicle body in the door gap region between the vehicle door 3 and the vehicle body. The method comprises the following steps, wherein, in Figure 3 The illuminated area of ​​door system 1 is marked by a dotted frame:

[0042] - receiving S1 a signal from an electronic key for the vehicle 100,

[0043] - controlling S2 the first light source 9 in a first light mode to illuminate the portion of the door 3 and / or the portion of the vehicle body in the area of ​​the door gap between the door 3 and the vehicle body, and controlling the second light source 13 by means of the control unit 11, wherein the area around the door gap and the side mirrors of the vehicle are illuminated,

[0044] - controlling S3 the locking unit 5 to unlock the vehicle door 3 when the operating member 7 is illuminated by the second light source 13, and

[0045] -Control S4 the first light source according to a second light mode to illuminate the part of the door 3 and / or the part of the body in the door gap area between the door 3 and the body, wherein the second light mode is a warning light for warning other vehicles approaching the vehicle 100 from the rear, and the warning light is arranged in the lower section of the end side of the door 3.

[0046] Although the present invention is shown and described in detail by preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed examples, and other variations can be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without exceeding the scope of protection of the present invention. It is therefore clear that there are many variations possible. It is also clear that the exemplified embodiments are in fact only examples, which should never be understood as limitations on the scope of protection, possible applications or configurations of the present invention. On the contrary, the above description and illustrations enable those skilled in the art to implement the exemplary embodiments, where, in understanding the disclosed inventive concept, they can, for example, make many changes to the functions or arrangements of the various components mentioned in the exemplary embodiments without exceeding the scope of protection defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as the detailed description in the specification.

Claims

1. A door system (1) for a vehicle (100), the door system (1) comprising a vehicle door (3), a locking unit (5) for adjusting a locking state of the vehicle door (3), an operating element (7) for a vehicle user arranged on the vehicle door (3), a first light source (9), and a control unit (11) of the vehicle (100) connected to the locking unit (5) and the first light source, in, The first light source (9) is arranged so that the first light source (9) illuminates the door portion and / or the vehicle body portion in the door gap area between the vehicle door (3) and the vehicle body, The first light source (9) is arranged in the door gap area, the operating member (7) is located outside the door gap area, and the first light source includes a plurality of light source elements. The control unit (11) is designed to receive a signal from an electronic key for the vehicle (100) and control the locking unit (5) according to the signal from the electronic key, and to control the first light source (9) according to the locking state of the vehicle door (3) and / or the communication state between the electronic key and the control unit (11) of the vehicle (100). The control unit (11) is designed to control the first light source (9) in response to at least one specified locking state of the vehicle door (3) or a specified communication state between the electronic key and the control unit (11) to illuminate a position of the vehicle door portion and / or the vehicle body portion corresponding to the operating element (7) in the following manner: The control unit (11) controls the first light source (9) to emit a variable brightness having a maximum brightness value that can move over time within the range of the door part and / or the body part, so that the maximum brightness value moves at a specified speed toward a position of the door part and / or the body part corresponding to the operating member (7).

2. The door system (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The operating member (7) is arranged on the outer side of the vehicle door (3).

3. The door system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a second light source (13), wherein: The second light source (13) is arranged in the region of the operating element (7) so that the second light source (13) illuminates the operating element (7).

4. The door system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first light source (9) has a plurality of segments, wherein the control unit (11) is designed to control the segments of the first light source having different brightness values ​​and / or different color values ​​according to the locking state of the vehicle door (3) and / or according to the communication state between the electronic key and the control unit (11).

5. The door system (1) according to claim 3, wherein: The control unit (11) is designed to control the first light source (9) and / or the second light source (13) to output warning lights for warning other vehicles approaching the vehicle (100) from behind when the opening angle of the vehicle door (3) is greater than a specified limit value.

6. A vehicle (100) having a door system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A method for outputting a light signal by means of a first light source (9) of a door system (1) of a vehicle (100), wherein: The door system (1) comprises a vehicle door (3), a locking unit (5) for adjusting the locking state of the vehicle door (3), an operating element (7) for a vehicle user arranged on the vehicle door (3), a first light source (9), and a control unit (11) of the vehicle (100) connected to the locking unit (5) and the first light source (9), wherein the first light source (9) is arranged so that the first light source (9) illuminates the vehicle door portion and / or vehicle body portion in a door gap region between the vehicle door (3) and the vehicle body, wherein the first light source (9) is arranged in the door gap region, the operating element (7) is located outside the door gap region, and the first light source comprises a plurality of light source elements. The method comprises the following steps: - receiving (S1) a signal from an electronic key for the vehicle (100), - controlling (S2) the first light source (9) in accordance with a first light mode to illuminate the door portion and / or the body portion in the door gap region between the door (3) and the body, and to illuminate the position of the door portion and / or the body portion corresponding to the operating element (7) in the following manner, namely: controlling the first light source (9) to emit a variable brightness having a maximum brightness value that can move over time within the range of the door portion and / or the body portion, so that the maximum brightness value moves at a specified speed toward the position of the door portion and / or the body portion corresponding to the operating element (7), - controlling (S3) the locking unit (5) to unlock and preliminarily open the door (3) by means of an actuator, and - controlling (S4) the first light source according to a second light mode to illuminate the door portion and / or the vehicle body portion in the door gap area between the vehicle door (3) and the vehicle body.

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