Method and device for actuating at least one motor vehicle locking element

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for actuating at least one motor vehicle closure element (1), in particular a motor vehicle door. Here, a personal transmitter unit (3) is detected by at least one closure element-side receiving unit (5). According to the invention, the position of the personal transmitter unit (3) is determined by means of at least two closure element-side receiving units (5) which are spaced apart in terms of location, and the personal transmitter unit is evaluated in terms of its relative position and / or speed with respect to the motor vehicle closure element (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for controlling at least one locking element of a motor vehicle, particularly a motor vehicle door, wherein a receiving unit on the side of at least one locking element detects a personal / private / person-bound transmitting unit. Background Technology

[0002] A personal transmitting unit can also typically be a combined transmitting / receiving unit. In this case, a so-called radio key is usually used, which allows a user wishing to enter the vehicle to unlock the corresponding vehicle or its locking mechanism. This is achieved either through a corresponding radio command from the personal transmitting unit or simply by moving the user and their personal transmitting unit within the receiving area of ​​the receiving unit on the locking mechanism side. The receiving unit on the locking mechanism side can also be a transmitting / receiving unit.

[0003] Typically, this is followed by a question-and-answer dialogue, which, for example, leads to the activation (ausstellen) or even disengagement of one or all of the vehicle's locking elements, if the authorization check is affirmative. Activation of a vehicle locking element usually means that the relevant locking element is opened, and a gap is created between the locking element and the corresponding vehicle body based on pressure established by the rubber seal. Through this gap, the locking element can be manually activated, for example, by the user's hand. In principle, it is also possible, for example, to fully or partially open the relevant locking element using a servo motor.

[0004] In this prior art according to EP 1 733 937 B1, the personal transmitting unit is an encoder / code transmitter. Furthermore, a transmitting / receiving unit equipped with an antenna is installed in the vehicle. When a portable encoder authorized to enter the vehicle is within the electric field strength range of the antenna and additionally performs a preset position change, the vehicle locking element automatically opens.

[0005] Within the scope of the same prior art DE 10 2017 204 078 A1, a method for controlling at least one motor vehicle locking element is disclosed. In this case, a motion identification detector or a personal transmitter is detected in a specific access area around the vehicle. Furthermore, a user signal is output to the person. After the motion identification detector or personal transmitter remains for a predetermined duration, at least one motor vehicle locking element is unlocked and / or opened.

[0006] The existing technology has proven suitable in principle, but there is still room for improvement. A common problem in the known teachings is that opening the vehicle locking element immediately after user authorization checks and the other aforementioned criteria ignores the current traffic situation. That is, in practice, it is possible for the vehicle locking element to be opened, and for example, a cyclist approaching from behind may not notice or not notice this in time, and may collide with the opened vehicle locking element. A similar situation is possible and may occur in practice when the relevant vehicle locking element is closed. The present invention addresses this situation. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to further develop such methods and associated devices to reliably avoid collisions with (uninvolved) traffic participants.

[0008] To solve this technical problem, within the scope of this invention, the method of this type for controlling at least one motor vehicle locking element is characterized by determining the orientation of a personal transmitting unit by means of two receiving units spaced apart on the locking element sides, and evaluating the personal transmitting unit based on the relative position and / or speed of the personal transmitting unit relative to the motor vehicle locking element.

[0009] Therefore, it is explicitly not important, according to the present invention, for example, as specified in DE 102017 204 078A1, to detect the specific duration of a person carrying a personal transmitter within a specific time period. Possible changes in location, as proposed in EP 1 733 937B1, are also not decisive. Instead, the measure taken according to the present invention is that, firstly, the personal transmitter is detected by two location-spaced receiver units on the locking element side, rather than by a single receiver unit on the locking element side. Thus, the receiving angle can be determined by means of the two receiver units on the locking element side. From this receiving angle, the precise relative position of the personal transmitter unit with respect to the associated vehicle locking element can be derived. An evaluation is performed based on the relative position of the transmitter unit to the vehicle locking element, or the associated or other vehicle locking elements are activated. Typically, the two location-spaced receiver units on the locking element side belong to their respective vehicle locking elements. However, in principle, the two receiver units on the locking element side can also be arranged on the same vehicle locking element.

[0010] In any case, the precise relative position of an individual transmitting unit can be derived from angular measurements using two location-spaced locking element receiving units. This relative position can be determined and calculated not only relative to two vehicle locking elements or to one vehicle locking element, but also generally relative to the vehicle or its body.

[0011] This allows us to determine whether the personal transmitter is located in an area where it might collide with the unlocking mechanism of a motor vehicle. In such cases, the following measures are typically taken: the personal transmitter is designed to be portable and equipped with an encoder for authorization checks.

[0012] Typically, a personal transmitting unit can be any transmitter or transmitting unit that a person frequently carries. This could be a mobile phone, a watch with transmitting capabilities, etc. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to virtually detect all transmitting units attached to persons in the motor vehicle environment by means of receiving units on both locking element sides. Thus, the position and / or speed of these persons, who are nearly near the motor vehicle, can be detected and assessed to control the relevant motor vehicle locking elements. For example, if a personal transmitting unit (anyone with a mobile phone) collides with an open motor vehicle locking element, the relative position or speed of the relevant personal transmitting unit will result in the relevant motor vehicle locking element either not opening at all or only partially opening. In principle, it is even possible to interrupt the opening process of the motor vehicle locking element or interrupt the closing process caused by it.

[0013] However, the personal transmitting unit is usually evaluated primarily by means of two receiving units on the locking element side that are spaced apart at the location. The personal transmitting unit is the encoder mentioned earlier, which is a personal transmitting unit carried by an authorized operator and equipped with authorization checks.

[0014] Further steps can be taken here, such as repeatedly evaluating the relative position of the personal transmitter unit using the receiving units on both locking element sides to derive the trajectory, trajectory curve, or path of the relevant person. This trajectory allows the definition of a velocity vector for the personal transmitter unit, which indicates the direction and speed of the personal transmitter unit and, consequently, the relevant person in general. Different actions can then be derived from the direction and speed of the approaching person (typically an authorized user). Typically, one or more vehicle locking elements are actuated based on the trajectory direction and / or speed of the personal transmitter unit. For example, it is conceivable to derive the predictable movement of the relevant person on the driver's or passenger's side of the vehicle by evaluating the trajectory and / or speed of the personal transmitter unit. Therefore, for example, both vehicle side doors on the driver's or passenger's side can be opened or closed. It is also possible, of course, to open only the driver's door or only the passenger's door.

[0015] Regardless, the following measures are typically taken: the driven vehicle locking element is opened and / or braked and / or closed. That is, based on an assessment of the trajectory direction and / or speed of the personal transmission unit, various scenarios previously described for the vehicle locking element can be reflected / simulated. Here, an opening actuator is typically responsible for opening the vehicle locking element. The vehicle locking element is usually a vehicle door, especially a side door. Typically, the vehicle locking element can also be designed as a vehicle rear hatch, a vehicle sliding door, a vehicle front grille, or even a vehicle fuel tank cap. In any case, various scenarios for the movement of the relevant vehicle locking element, i.e., in the sense of opening and / or braking and / or closing, can be derived from the trajectory and / or speed of the personal transmission unit.

[0016] In this case, it is usually additionally necessary to activate the controlled vehicle locking element before opening it. That is, if the assessment of the speed and / or trajectory direction of the individual's transmitting unit results in the activation of one or more vehicle locking elements, this first causes the relevant vehicle locking element to open. This activation corresponds to the previously described slotted opening.

[0017] The device is periodically fully opened only when the personal transmitter has been present in the entry area of ​​the vehicle's locking element for a predetermined time period. Here, the present invention assumes that the predetermined time period of the user carrying the personal transmitter being present in the entry area of ​​the vehicle's locking element corresponds to the user's intention to enter the vehicle via the relevant vehicle locking element or vehicle door. Here, the entry area of ​​the vehicle locking element refers to the spatial area through which one can enter the interior of the vehicle after the vehicle locking element has been opened.

[0018] For example, with respect to a vehicle side door adjacent to the vehicle body, the entry area begins at the end of the vehicle side door and extends to, for example, the hinge of another vehicle side door on that side, or to the rear area of ​​the relevant vehicle. Here, the preset time period can typically be a few seconds, such as 1 second or 2 seconds, but is typically 3 seconds or longer, and can be as high as 10 seconds, 20 seconds or 30 seconds.

[0019] This ensures that, in the example scenario, the relevant vehicle locking element or vehicle side door is fully opened only when the user wishing to enter is within the entry area. Therefore, the relevant vehicle side door is effectively rearward-blocked, thus preventing a potential collision with a cyclist approaching from behind. Simultaneously, a frontal collision is also effectively prevented, as a cyclist approaching from the front would perceive a person within the entry area of ​​the relevant vehicle locking element as an obstacle and swerve accordingly. Thus, in the described example scenario, the vehicle side door opening in front of the entry area would not collide with the cyclist.

[0020] In principle, the design can be further refined so that the vehicle control element can be driven not only by signals from the receiving units on both locking element sides, but also by personal signals. Exemplarily, voice signals, gestures, etc., of a person or user wishing to enter are considered as personal signals. Such voice signals are typically used for other purposes via microphones already present in or on the vehicle and periodically implemented voice control, but can also be considered for driving the vehicle control element according to the present invention and by way of example. Furthermore, it is conceivable that sensors in or on the vehicle can be used to detect the user's gestures and evaluate them for driving the vehicle control element.

[0021] The subject of this invention is also a means for actuating at least one motor vehicle locking element, as described in claim 10. The mentioned means is particularly suitable for performing the methods already described in detail above. Therefore, a method and a means are provided that provide actuation control of motor vehicle locking elements and, in particular, motor vehicle doors, wherein the opening movement of the associated motor vehicle door is initiated in a simple manner, for example, not only in a manner similar to remote control, but also generally in a manner that reliably avoids harm to other road users, such as cyclists or pedestrians, during the process.

[0022] This is ultimately achieved by detecting the precise relative position of an approaching person or an authorized user intending to enter relative to the relevant vehicle locking element. Full opening is only permitted when the person is within the entry zone of the vehicle locking element. Thus, through this specific arrangement between the user and the opened vehicle locking element, the user simultaneously serves a warning function or acts as a barrier against potentially approaching cyclists. This perfectly and reliably avoids collisions with cyclists, as well as ordinary pedestrians or other road users. Furthermore, it also prevents collisions with (intending) users. This is the primary advantage. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The invention will now be explained in detail with the aid of the accompanying drawings, which show only one embodiment; wherein:

[0024] Figure 1 An apparatus according to the invention for controlling at least one motor vehicle locking element is shown.

[0025] Figure 2 It shows according to Figure 1 A partial view of the device within the range of its changed functional positions.

[0026] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram:

[0027] 1. Motor vehicle locking elements, motor vehicle side doors

[0028] 2. Motor vehicle body

[0029] 3. Encoder, Transmitting Unit

[0030] 4 people

[0031] 5 receiving units

[0032] 6 control units

[0033] 7 Motor vehicle locks

[0034] 8. Entering the area Detailed Implementation

[0035] The accompanying drawings show a device for controlling at least one motor vehicle locking element 1. In fact, in Figure 1 The vehicle body 2 is seen in the image. According to this embodiment, the vehicle body is equipped with a total of four vehicle locking elements 1, which are designed as vehicle doors or vehicle side doors 1. In addition, the basic structure includes a personal sending unit 3. According to this embodiment, the personal sending unit is a portable personal sending unit 3 in the form of an encoder 3 equipped with authorization checks, but is not limited to this.

[0036] In other words, when user 4 approaches the vehicle body 2, an authorization check is performed between the encoder 3 carried by user 4 and the vehicle body 2 to determine whether user 4, carrying the encoder 3, is authorized to enter. For this purpose, the vehicle body 2 has a corresponding receiving unit 5, which, according to this embodiment, may be arranged on the vehicle locking element 1 or the vehicle side door 1, or may also be arranged inside the vehicle locking element or the vehicle side door. Typically, authorization checks can also be performed through data exchange between the encoder 3 and another receiving unit (not shown) installed on the side of the vehicle body.

[0037] Regardless, the individual transmitting unit or encoder 3 is detected by the receiving unit 5 on at least one locking element side. According to this embodiment, each of the four different vehicle locking elements or vehicle side doors 1 has its own receiving unit 5 on the locking element side.

[0038] According to the present invention, the personal transmitting unit 3 is now positioned by means of at least two receiving units 5 on the locking element side, which are spaced apart in location. An evaluation is now performed based on the relative position and / or speed of the transmitting unit 3 relative to the vehicle locking element 1. In fact, according to this embodiment, a total of four different receiving units 5 on the locking element side are implemented, i.e., one receiving unit on the locking element side is implemented at each individual vehicle locking element or vehicle side door 1. Since the vehicle locking elements or vehicle side doors 1 are spaced apart in location, an angle or receiving angle α is also formed such that the orientation of the personal transmitting unit 3 can be determined by at least two receiving units 5 on the locking element side, which are spaced apart in location. Therefore, not only can the relative position of the personal transmitting unit 3 be easily detected by means of two receiving units 5 on the locking element side, but this relative position can also be determined multiple times, thereby deriving a trajectory T or trajectory curve. This trajectory T reflects the direction of movement of the person 4 and, if necessary, the speed of the person.

[0039] Based on the trajectory T direction and / or speed of the individual sending unit 3 and the associated personnel 4, one or more vehicle locking elements 1 can now be controlled. Figure 1 As seen, the relevant personnel 4 and their personal transmission unit 3 approach the driver's side of the left side of the motor vehicle or the vehicle body 2. Therefore, this approach or trajectory T can now be evaluated as follows: the two locking elements 1 arranged on the corresponding left side of the vehicle are thus driven. Here, the motor vehicle locking elements 1 can generally be driven so that the relevant motor vehicle locking element 1 is opened and / or braked and / or closed. For this purpose, each individual motor vehicle locking element 1 is equipped with an associated servo motor for opening and closing. A braking unit is also provided, which, in the example case, can brake the motor vehicle locking element or the motor vehicle side door 1.

[0040] Here, the general procedure is as follows: first, the vehicle locking element 1 is activated and then disengaged. This vehicle locking element is driven by two geographically spaced locking element-side receiving units 5 or their associated, and shown, control units 6, after evaluating the personal transmission unit 3. That is, the relevant control unit 6 first evaluates the signals from the receiving units 5 on each locking element side. Based on this, the trajectory T of the transmission unit 3 and consequently the trajectory T of the person 4 and / or their speed can be determined. The control unit 6 then decides which one or more of the vehicle locking elements 1 to drive.

[0041] The drive mechanism stipulates that the relevant vehicle locking element 1 is first opened. In the example case under consideration, this applies to the two vehicle side doors 1 on the left side of the vehicle. Opening means that, in the example case, the associated vehicle lock 7 with respect to the control unit 6 is driven, unlocked, and opened by means of the control unit 6. As a result, the relevant vehicle locking element 1 moves slightly relative to the vehicle body 2 due to the spring force constructed by the surrounding rubber seals, and releases a gap through which an occupant or user 4 can then open the relevant vehicle side door 1 if needed. Of course, the opening movement can also be supported by a so-called opener, which is described, for example, in the prior art according to DE 10 2017 204 078A1.

[0042] According to the present invention, the vehicle locking element or the vehicle side door 1 is fully opened only when the individual's sending unit 3 is located in the corresponding entry area 8 of the vehicle locking element 1 within a preset time period. Here, the entry area 8 defines the space or surface area adjacent to the rear end of the corresponding vehicle locking element 1, extending to the next vehicle locking element 1 on the same side of the vehicle, or to the rear of the vehicle body 2. Within this entry area 8, once the corresponding vehicle locking element or the vehicle side door 1 is opened in the example case, the person 4 wishing to enter can reach the interior of the vehicle body 2. Simultaneously, the presence of the person 4 in the entry area 8 ensures that, for example, a cyclist approaching from behind or in front will notice the person as an obstacle.

[0043] The relevant vehicle locking element, or vehicle side door 1 or both vehicle side doors 1, is opened only when the person 4 is in the entry area (8) within a preset time period. The time period here can be a few seconds, such as 1 second, at least 3 seconds up to 5 seconds or even 10 seconds, depending on how quickly or how quickly the opening of the vehicle locking element 1 occurs.

[0044] Because the user or person 4 wishing to enter is located within the entry area 8 of the vehicle locking element 1 during its opening, the person 4 can intervene in the movement of the vehicle locking element 1 when necessary. That is, the vehicle locking element is driven not only by signals from the receiving units 5 on both locking element sides or by signals from the control unit 6 that evaluates the signals from the receiving units on both locking element sides, but can also be additionally influenced by personal signals. These personal signals can be voice signals, gestures, etc. Therefore, if the vehicle locking element 1 opens or closes, for example, too quickly, the person or user 4 can intervene to avoid a collision with a cyclist. This reliably ensures that no cyclist will enter the open vehicle side door. Because the person 4 acts as a visual barrier before opening, potential collisions are prevented.

Claims

1. A method for controlling at least one motor vehicle locking element (1), wherein a personal transmitting unit (3) is detected by a receiving unit (5) on the side of at least one locking element, characterized in that, The orientation of the personal transmitter (3) is determined by at least two location-spaced locking element-side receiving units (5), and the personal transmitter is evaluated based on its relative position and / or speed relative to the vehicle locking element (1). The relative position of the individual transmitting unit (3) is evaluated multiple times by the receiving unit (5) of the two locking elements to obtain the trajectory (T). One or more motor vehicle locking elements (1) are driven based on the speed and / or trajectory (T) direction of the individual sending unit (3). The controlled vehicle locking element (1) is first opened, and then only opened when the personal sending unit (3) has been in the entry area (8) of the vehicle locking element (1) for a preset time period.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The receiving angle (α) is detected by the two locking element side receiving units (5), and the relative position of the personal transmitting unit (3) is inferred from this.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Each of the two locking element receiving units (5) belongs to its own motor vehicle locking element (1).

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The locking element (1) of the controlled motor vehicle is opened and / or braked and / or closed.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The motor vehicle locking element (1) is controlled not only by the signals from the two locking element side receiving units (5), but also by the personal signal.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, Voice signals and gestures serve as personal signals.

7. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The motor vehicle locking element (1) is the motor vehicle door.

8. An apparatus for controlling at least one motor vehicle locking element, the apparatus being used to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the apparatus having a personal transmitting unit (3) capable of being detected by at least one locking element-side receiving unit (5), characterized in that, Two location-spaced locking element-side receiving units (5) are configured to determine the orientation of the personal transmitting unit (3), wherein the relative position and / or speed of the personal transmitting unit (3) relative to the vehicle locking element (1) can be assessed.

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