A vehicle having an unlocking mechanism, a latching mechanism, and / or an opening mechanism for an electronic lock

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle (1) which comprises an unlocking mechanism and / or a locking mechanism and / or an opening mechanism for an electric vehicle lock, wherein there is provided at least one, in particular contactless, triggering device (5) for controlling the unlocking mechanism, the locking mechanism and / or the opening mechanism and a status display (9) of the unlocking mechanism, the locking mechanism and / or the opening mechanism, wherein the triggering device (5) is invisibly arranged on the vehicle panel and / or on a vehicle body section (6), and the status display (9) is arranged in an externally visible area of the vehicle (1), in particular in a window and door strip element (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle having an unlocking mechanism and / or a locking mechanism and / or an opening mechanism for an electronic lock, in particular a vehicle lock. Background Art

[0002] For example, door unlocking mechanisms and / or door opening mechanisms are known in certain motor vehicles, in which the vehicle locks of the vehicle doors are electrically unlocked.

[0003] For this purpose, for example, DE 10 2014 107 809 A1 discloses a door handle, in particular an outside door handle of a motor vehicle, which has a sensor including a first metal surface arranged inside the door handle and a second metal surface arranged at a distance therefrom, which second metal surface can be bent in the direction of the first metal surface, and a detection device for detecting a change in capacitance or inductance caused by a change in the distance between the metal surfaces.

[0004] For example, DE 10 2017 120 393 A1, DE 10 2016 122 550 A1 or US2018 / 0209182A1 disclose other access control systems for vehicles. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle having an unlocking mechanism and / or a locking mechanism and / or an opening mechanism for an electric vehicle lock that is improved compared to the prior art.

[0006] The solution of the present invention to achieve the above object is the features described below in the specification.

[0007] The solution of the present invention to achieve the above object is a vehicle including an unlocking mechanism and / or a locking mechanism and / or an opening mechanism for an electric vehicle lock, in which there is provided at least one, in particular non-contact, triggering device for controlling the unlocking mechanism, locking mechanism and / or opening mechanism and a status display of the unlocking mechanism, locking mechanism and / or opening mechanism, wherein the triggering device is invisibly arranged on a vehicle panel, in particular on a door panel and / or a trunk lid and / or a rear lid, and / or on a body section, in particular on or in a shielding element of a B-pillar or a C-pillar, and the status display is arranged in an externally visible area of the vehicle, in particular in a window strip element, such as in a window strip insert. The window strip element can be configured as a handle that can be grasped by a user. In this way, there is no need to provide a door handle, and / or the window strip element, in particular the window strip handle, forms an additional gripping point for opening the vehicle door. The status display can also be arranged on a body section and / or on or in a shielding element of an A-pillar and / or a B-pillar.

[0008] The triggering device is configured to recognize and perform non-contact manipulation to lock, unlock, and / or open the vehicle lock. The triggering device is, for example, configured to manipulate the unlocking mechanism, locking mechanism, and / or opening mechanism of the electronic vehicle lock by means of recognized gestures or touch control, and to automatically lock, unlock, and / or open the electronic vehicle lock. /

[0009] The triggering device is configured to unlock and / or open the electric vehicle lock when a certain approach and / or movement and / or body posture is detected in the area of the status display and / or the window strip element or in an area adjacent thereto.

[0010] The triggering device can be configured to unlock and / or open the electric vehicle lock when a certain approach and / or movement and / or body posture is detected in the area of and / or in the direction towards the stationary door handle. The stationary door handle can, for example, consist of a flat vehicle body panel and a gripping recess located thereunder. The stationary door handle can also have the appearance of a door handle protruding from the vehicle body panel.

[0011] The main advantage of the present invention is that the vehicle can be equipped with such a locking mechanism, unlocking mechanism, and / or opening mechanism without a handle by means of gesture recognition and / or touch recognition and integrated into the vehicle panel or body section. In order to enter the vehicle step by step and safely, the access authorization to enter the vehicle can first be authenticated depending on the specific state, and then the vehicle (especially the electronic vehicle lock) can be automatically unlocked and, if necessary, automatically opened, or in the case where a previously closed door is opened, the access authorization to enter the vehicle can first be authenticated, and then the vehicle (especially the electronic vehicle lock) can be locked. In this way, there is no need to provide door handles, especially outside door handles.

[0012] The triggering device can simply and intuitively operate the locking mechanism, unlocking mechanism, and / or opening mechanism. The triggering device and the status display can be used in a small structural space. In addition, the vehicle can be equipped with the triggering device and the status display of the present invention in a simple manner. The status display can provide visual feedback to the user.

[0013] The status display can have at least one light-emitting unit. Different feedback can be output by different colors and / or color gradients.

[0014] The triggering device can also have at least one touch sensor and a touch function for operating the locking mechanism. In order to operate the unlocking mechanism and / or opening mechanism, the triggering device can be manipulated non-contactlessly.

[0015] The triggering device can be configured to detect a first manipulation and subsequently detect a second manipulation. The first manipulation may refer to detecting a first approach and / or movement and / or body posture within, in the direction of, or adjacent to the area of the triggering device, for example. The second manipulation may refer to detecting a second approach and / or movement and / or body posture within, in the direction of, or adjacent to the area of the status display and / or the door and window molding element.

[0016] The triggering device can be configured to unlock the vehicle lock when a first approach and / or movement and / or body posture is first detected within the area of the triggering device. The triggering device can be configured to open the vehicle lock when a second approach and / or movement and / or body posture is second detected within, in the direction of, or adjacent to the area of the status display and / or the door and window molding element and / or the stationary outside door handle.

[0017] The triggering device can have at least one detection module, which is at least partially arranged within, in the direction of, or adjacent to the area of the status display and / or the door and window molding element and / or the stationary outside door handle, for example, in the area below the window glass. The detection module extends, for example, within the area of the vehicle panel, the body section, and / or the shielding element of the vehicle (such as the B-pillar), and within the area of the door and window molding element and / or the status display and / or the stationary door handle. As an alternative or additional solution, the detection module is located below the window glass of the vehicle.

[0018] The triggering device and / or the detection module can, for example, have a body posture module. As an alternative or additional solution, the triggering device and / or the detection module can also include a touch module. The body posture module can include a posture recognition sensor and a posture triggering algorithm for locking, unlocking, and / or opening the vehicle lock. The touch module can include a posture recognition sensor and a posture triggering algorithm for locking, unlocking, and / or opening the vehicle lock.

[0019] In addition, the vehicle authentication system can be coupled to the triggering device and the vehicle lock, so that when the recognized posture or movement of the user triggers a locking signal, an unlocking signal, or an opening signal, it additionally authenticates whether the user has the right to lock, unlock, or open the vehicle lock.

[0020] The triggering device can especially be in a ready mode after the first manipulation, especially after being triggered. In the ready mode, the second manipulation, especially the trigger, can be detected and evaluated. Once the user's hand is within and / or adjacent to and / or moving in the direction of the status display and / or the door and window molding element and / or the outside door handle, the electronic vehicle lock (especially the electronic door lock) is unlocked and / or opened.

[0021] The detection module may include, for example, at least one first sensor unit located in a first region (such as the upper region) of the vehicle panel and / or the body section. The detection module may include, for example, another (second) sensor unit located in a second region (such as the lower region) of the vehicle panel and / or the body section and / or in the region of the status display and / or the window trim element.

[0022] The corresponding sensors may be configured as inductive sensors or capacitive sensors for gesture recognition and / or touch recognition. The sensors may be integrated as a sensing area or a sensing pad (also referred to as a sensor pad) in or on the vehicle panel or on the body section, in particular on or in a shielding element of the body section (such as a B-pillar or a C-pillar).

[0023] The triggering device may have a certain number or multiple sensors that are vertically arranged behind the vehicle panel and / or the body section and / or the shielding element. The sensors and / or the sensing surfaces or sensing pads may be vertically stacked, for example. In this way, the movements and postures performed can be simply detected and evaluated in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0024] The triggering device may be configured to detect at least one vertical movement as an intention to lock, an intention to unlock, and / or an intention to open.

[0025] For example, the downward hand movement of the user is detected by means of a sensor. Such a movement may be, for example, a hand movement from the upper region of the window trim element and / or the window glass region and / or the body section region towards the lower region of the window trim element and / or the window glass and / or the body section. The movement performed, for example, from the window region or the body section downwards, in particular towards the outside door handle, may be detected by means of a sensor, and the electronic vehicle lock (in particular the electronic door lock) may be unlocked. Once the user's hand is in and / or adjacent to the status display and / or the window trim element, the electronic vehicle lock (in particular the electronic door lock) is unlocked and / or opened.

[0026] In the case where the door is closed, if instead of moving downwards, for example, a reverse movement from bottom to top and / or a touch of the triggering device is performed by the user's hand, the electronic vehicle lock (in particular the electronic door lock) is automatically locked by means of the algorithms of the posture module and / or the touch module.

[0027] For example, the vehicle lock can be unlocked by means of movement and / or body posture in a first direction detected by means of a triggering device. The vehicle lock can be locked by detecting movement and / or body posture in a second direction opposite to the first direction. In order to open the vehicle lock, wherein the vehicle door, for example, additionally moves in the direction of the user, another movement and / or body posture of the window trim element and / or the outside door handle in the first direction and / or in the direction of the status display can be detected. The detection area of the triggering device extends, for example, in the vertical direction. The first (upper) detection area is arranged, for example, on the vehicle panel and / or on the vehicle body section. The second detection area is arranged, for example, below and is optionally arranged offset longitudinally from the first detection area. The second detection area extends, for example, in the area of the window trim element, the vehicle body section and / or the shielding element. In this way, a larger area can be covered to detect movement and / or body posture.

[0028] Preferably, the vehicle may further include a status display, which is integrally incorporated in the vehicle panel in a manner visible from the outside.

[0029] The status display can be configured to display the current status and / or status change of the triggering device and / or the locking mechanism, unlocking mechanism and / or opening mechanism of the electronic vehicle lock. The status display can output at least one optical and / or acoustic and / or tactile feedback.

[0030] The status display is signal - technologically coupled to the triggering device. Description of the Drawings

[0031] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The only drawing shows the vehicle door 2 in the side area of the vehicle 1. Other parts of the vehicle 1 are not shown. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle 1 includes an outside door handle 3. The outside door handle can be dispensed with by means of the invention described herein. The outside door handle can also still be provided.

[0033] On a conventional vehicle door 2, rear lid or engine hood of the vehicle 1, there is provided an outside door handle 3 or another corresponding handle element, which may or may not have a keyhole for a key, for locking and unlocking in a conventional manner a mechanically operable lock mechanism (not shown) fixed in the vehicle door 2. After manually unlocking the corresponding vehicle door lock or vehicle lock (not shown), the movement of the outside door handle 3 enables the vehicle door 2 to move relative to the vehicle body and be opened.

[0034] The present invention can simply and intuitively achieve unlocking, opening and locking of the vehicle 1 without using the current conventional handle configuration. In particular, there is no need to provide fixing elements outside the door panel 4 and the vehicle panel.

[0035] To this end, according to the present invention, as an alternative or supplementary solution to the fixed outside door handle 3, a triggering device 5 may be arranged on a certain vehicle body section 6, for example, on or in a shielding element 7 of the B-pillar or C-pillar, especially in a decorative strip or cover part of the B-pillar or C-pillar. Alternatively, the triggering device 5 may be arranged on the door panel 4 and sprayed with a paint coating 8.

[0036] As a supplementary solution, a status display 9 is provided, which displays in an externally visible area of the vehicle 1 the current status and / or status change of the triggering device 5 and / or the locking mechanism, unlocking mechanism, and / or opening mechanism of an electronic vehicle lock (especially an electronic door lock). The electronic vehicle lock especially refers to an electronic closing system of the vehicle 1 and / or an electronic lock of a movable vehicle element such as a door.

[0037] To this end, the status display 9 is signal-technically coupled to the triggering device 5 in a manner not shown. The status display 9 may be arranged, for example, in a window trim element 10 of the door 2, such as in a window trim insert or at another suitable point on the door 2.

[0038] The triggering device 5 may be configured to recognize and implement a non-contact manipulation to automatically trigger and manipulate the locking mechanism, unlocking mechanism, and opening mechanism, so as to lock, unlock, and / or open the electronic vehicle lock. The triggering device 5 can, for example, automatically lock, unlock, and / or open the vehicle lock by means of gesture control or touch control shown by the arrow P.

[0039] To this end, the triggering device 5 may, for example, have a body gesture module and / or a touch module. The body gesture module may include a gesture recognition sensor and a gesture triggering algorithm for locking, unlocking, and / or opening the vehicle lock. The touch module may include a gesture recognition sensor and a gesture triggering algorithm for locking, unlocking, and / or opening the vehicle lock.

[0040] The triggering device 5 includes at least one detection module 20 for detecting a manipulation in front of and / or on the triggering device 5. The detection module 20 is arranged in the area of the status display 9 and / or the window trim element 10 and / or the fixed outside door handle 3, for example, in the area below the window glass.

[0041] The detection module 20 is at least partially arranged in the area of the status display 9 and / or the window trim element 10 and / or the fixed outside door handle 3. The detection module 20 includes, for example, a body gesture module and / or a touch module. The detection module 20 extends, for example, in the area of the vehicle panel, the vehicle body section 6, and / or the shielding element 7 and in the area of the window trim element 10 and / or the status display 9 and / or the fixed door handle 3. As an alternative or supplementary solution, the detection module 20 is located below the window area 11 of the vehicle 1. The detection area of the detection module 20 extends especially in the vertical direction of the vehicle 1. Thus, it is easy to detect the body gesture and / or hand movement of the user in the vertical direction.

[0042] For example, by means of a sensor, a hand movement of the user is detected, such as a movement from an upper region (in particular from the window region 11 or the vehicle body section 6) towards the lower part (in particular towards the outside door handle 3), and the electronic vehicle lock (in particular the electronic door lock) is unlocked. Once the hand of the user is located in and / or adjacent to the status display 9 and / or the window strip element 10, the electronic vehicle lock (in particular the electronic door lock) is unlocked and / or opened.

[0043] When the vehicle door 2 is closed, if the movement is not from top to bottom, but rather a reverse movement from bottom to top, for example, by the hand of the user, the electronic vehicle lock (in particular the electronic door lock) is automatically locked by means of the algorithm of the body gesture module.

[0044] In other words: The body gesture module recognizes the wiping movements of the user from top to bottom and in reverse as trigger signals for the algorithms for actively unlocking, locking, and opening the electronic vehicle lock.

[0045] A capacitive sensor or an inductive sensor can be used as the sensor. Especially the sensing area or the sensing pad. Among them, some sensors, especially the sensor electrodes, can be arranged or inlaid sequentially or interactively so that they are activated in a certain order and generate corresponding trigger signals for unlocking, locking, and / or opening the electronic vehicle lock (in particular the electronic door lock).

[0046] In addition, a vehicle authentication system (not shown) can be coupled to the trigger device 5 and the vehicle lock, so that when the recognized posture or movement of the user triggers a locking signal, an unlocking signal, or an opening signal, it additionally authenticates whether the user has the right to lock, unlock, or open the vehicle lock.

[0047] In addition, the trigger device 5, especially the sensing area or the sensing pad, such as a capacitive sensing surface, can be arranged in the vehicle body section 6 or the shielding element 7 or on the door panel 4 in such a way that when the vehicle door 2 is closed, the sensor recognizes that the user reaches for the outside door handle 3 to automatically unlock and open the electronic vehicle lock. This is achieved by arranging the sensor closely above the outside door handle 3 and recognizing and analyzing the movement towards the outside door handle 3. For this purpose, the sensors of the trigger device 5 can be vertically arranged at a relatively large distance behind the shielding element 7 or in the shielding element 7 or integrated in the door panel 4.

[0048] Preferably, a vertical movement from top to bottom is detected as an intention to unlock and open, and a movement from bottom to top is detected as an intention to lock and close.

[0049] Additionally, the capacitive sensor is designed and diagnosed in such a way that it filters out environmental factors as an environmental electrode, thus avoiding accidental operation of the locking mechanism, unlocking mechanism, and opening mechanism of the electronic vehicle lock.

[0050] The present invention enables simple and intuitive operation through gesture control, especially a simple wiping movement. During this process, a body posture recognition sensor can be used to unlock, lock, open, and close an electronic vehicle lock. The triggering device 5 requires less structural space. With the status display 9, the user obtains visual feedback on whether the electronic vehicle lock is locked, unlocked, open, or closed.

[0051] The triggering device 5 can also combine the body posture module with the touch module to separate different functions such as locking, unlocking, opening, and closing from each other, for example.

[0052] List of Attached Reference Numerals

[0053] 1 Vehicle

[0054] 2 Door

[0055] 3 Outer door handle

[0056] 4 Door panel

[0057] 5 Triggering device

[0058] 6 Body section

[0059] 7 Shielding element

[0060] 8 Paint coating

[0061] 9 Status display

[0062] 10 Window strip element

[0063] 11 Window area

[0064] 20 Detection module

[0065] P Arrow

Claims

1. A vehicle (1), comprising an unlocking mechanism and / or a locking mechanism and / or an opening mechanism for an electric vehicle lock, wherein at least one triggering device (5) for controlling the unlocking mechanism, the locking mechanism and / or the opening mechanism and a status display (9) of the unlocking mechanism, the locking mechanism and / or the opening mechanism are provided. Wherein the triggering device (5) is invisibly arranged on the vehicle panel and / or on a body section (6), and the status display (9) is arranged in an externally visible area of the vehicle (1). Wherein the triggering device (5) is configured to unlock the vehicle lock when a first approach and / or movement and / or body posture is first detected in the area of the triggering device (5), and to open the vehicle lock when a second approach and / or movement and / or body posture is second detected in the area of, in the direction towards or adjacent to the status display (9) and / or a window and door molding element (10) and / or a stationary outside door handle (3). Wherein the triggering device (5) has a certain number of inductive sensors and / or capacitive sensors, the inductive sensors and / or capacitive sensors are vertically arranged behind the vehicle panel and / or the body section (6), and wherein the status display (9) is arranged in the window and door molding element (10), and the window and door molding element (10) forms a window and door molding handle that can be grasped by a user.

2. The vehicle (1) according to claim 1, wherein the triggering device (5) is configured to unlock and / or open the electric vehicle lock when a certain approach and / or movement and / or body posture is detected in the area of and / or in the direction towards the stationary outside door handle (3).

3. The vehicle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the triggering device (5) has at least one detection module (20), and the at least one detection module is arranged in the area of the status display (9) and / or the window and door molding element (10) and / or the stationary outside door handle (3).

4. The vehicle (1) according to claim 3, wherein the detection module (20) has at least one body posture module and / or a touch module.

5. The vehicle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first detection area of the triggering device (5) extends in the vertical direction of the vehicle (1).

6. The vehicle (1) according to claim 5, wherein the second detection area of the triggering device (5) extends below the first detection area.

7. The vehicle (1) according to claim 6, wherein the second detection area is constructed to be longitudinally offset from the first detection area.

8. The vehicle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the triggering device (5) has a certain number of sensors, and the sensors are arranged between the vehicle panel and / or the body section (6) where the triggering device (5) is arranged, and the window and door molding element (10) and / or the outside door handle (3).

9. The vehicle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the window and door molding element (10) is configured as a handle.

10. The vehicle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the triggering device (5) is configured to detect at least one vertical movement as an intention to lock, unlock and / or open.

11. The vehicle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the status display (9) is configured to display the current status and / or status change of the triggering device (5) and / or the locking mechanism, unlocking mechanism and / or opening mechanism of the electric vehicle lock.

12. The vehicle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the status display (9) is signal - technically coupled to the triggering device (5).

13. The vehicle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one triggering device (5) is non - contact.

14. The vehicle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the status display (9) is arranged in the window and door molding element (10), the vehicle body section (6) and / or the shielding element.

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