Method and system for controlling an access panel of a recharging device of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method (20) for controlling an access panel of a recharging device of a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle is powered by an electric and / or heat engine and comprises at least a sensor for detecting an external environment of the vehicle, a system for detecting a marker worn by a user, and a sensor configured to detect whether the engine of the motor vehicle is turned off, in the method:-data is retrieved at least from a sensor for detecting an external environment of the vehicle, a system for detecting a marker worn by a user, and a sensor configured to detect whether an engine of the motor vehicle is shut down; -when the vehicle is stationary and the marker detection system detects the marker, activating a sensor for detecting the external environment of the vehicle and a system for identifying a charging device (4) of the recharging device, and-when the system for identifying the charging device (4) detects the charging device, the panel automatically opens to a position in which access to the recharging device is permitted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of motor vehicles and, in particular, to a flap allowing access to equipment for recharging the vehicle with electrical energy or refueling the vehicle with fossil fuels. Background Art

[0002] It is known to provide a flap allowing access to an aperture in a body part of a motor vehicle in order to allow access to equipment for recharging / refueling the vehicle.

[0003] Current motor vehicles are provided with a propulsion device powered by electrical energy and / or fossil fuels. The energy of current motor vehicles is stored in a device for storing electrical energy (such as one or more batteries) and / or in a fuel tank.

[0004] In so-called "electric" motor vehicles, the access flap allows access to an electrical socket configured to allow recharging of a device for storing electrical energy, such as one or more batteries. Once the access flap is in the open position, the device for storing electrical energy can be recharged with electrical energy via a power cable connected to a power grid external to the vehicle.

[0005] In so-called "ICE" or "hybrid" motor vehicles, an access flap allows access to the fuel tank.

[0006] Typically, a flap allowing access to the recharging / refueling equipment is mounted so as to be pivotable relative to an aperture in the body portion of the vehicle between a closed position in which it completely closes the aperture and an open position in which the aperture is unobstructed.

[0007] There may be an intermediate cover to enclose the recharging / refueling device even when the flip cover is in the open position.

[0008] The interested reader is referred to documents FR 2 925 458 and FR 2 731 391 which describe examples of flap structures allowing access to equipment for recharging / refueling a motor vehicle.

[0009] However, to open and close such an access flap, a user of the vehicle must intervene to open the flap and then open the intermediate cover, which increases recharging / refueling time and potentially results in dirtying the user's hands, in addition to requiring the user to have both hands free.

[0010] Therefore, there is a need for easier opening and closing of a flap that allows access to equipment for recharging / refueling a motor vehicle. Summary of the invention

[0011] The object of the present invention is therefore to overcome these drawbacks and to make it easier to open and close a flap allowing access to the equipment for recharging / refueling a motor vehicle.

[0012] A subject of the invention is a method for opening and / or closing a flap allowing access to a device for recharging / refueling a motor vehicle, which is propelled electrically and / or by internal combustion and comprises at least a sensor for detecting the external environment of the vehicle, a system for detecting a key card carried by a user, and a sensor configured to detect that the motor of the motor vehicle is turned off (i.e. the vehicle is stationary).

[0013] The sensor configured to detect that the motor of the motor vehicle is switched off may, for example, be a speed sensor capable of detecting zero speed, or a parking brake sensor capable of detecting that the parking brake is applied.

[0014] In this method,

[0015] - collecting data delivered by at least sensors for detecting the external environment of the vehicle, a system for detecting a key card carried by a user, and a speed sensor of the motor vehicle;

[0016] - When the vehicle is stationary (ie the motor is off) and the system for detecting the key card detects the key card, the sensors for detecting the external environment of the vehicle and the system for identifying the recharging / refueling device of the recharging / refueling device are enabled.

[0017] When the system for identifying the recharging / refueling device detects the recharging / refueling device, the flap automatically opens to a position allowing access to the recharging / refueling equipment.

[0018] Advantageously, during the step of automatically opening the flap to a position allowing access to the recharging / refueling device, an actuator configured to open said flap is actuated.

[0019] For example, the flap is automatically closed after a predetermined length of time (eg, between 30 seconds and 2 minutes) when the recharging / refueling device is removed from the aperture of the apparatus for recharging / refueling the vehicle.

[0020] As a variant, the flap may be closed automatically when the recharging / refueling device has been extracted from the orifice of the device for recharging / refueling the vehicle and after the user has moved a distance greater than or equal to 80 cm away from said flap.

[0021] The recharging / refueling means may be selected from a charging connector and a nozzle for delivering fuel or hydrogen.

[0022] For example, a system for identifying a recharging / refueling device includes a database provided by a vehicle manufacturer that contains every existing type of recharging / refueling device.

[0023] The recharging / refueling device may be identified via detecting its shape and / or visual means present on the recharging / refueling device, such as a logo, barcode or QR code (QR is an abbreviation for Quick Response).

[0024] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a system for controlling a flap allowing access to a device for recharging / refueling a motor vehicle, which is propelled electrically and / or by internal combustion and comprises at least a sensor for detecting the external environment of the vehicle, a system for detecting a key card carried by a user, and a sensor configured to detect that the motor of the motor vehicle is turned off (i.e. the vehicle is stationary).

[0025] The sensor configured to detect that the motor of the motor vehicle is switched off may, for example, be a speed sensor capable of detecting zero speed, or a parking brake sensor capable of detecting that the parking brake is applied.

[0026] The control system includes: a module for collecting data transmitted by at least sensors for detecting the external environment of the vehicle, a system for detecting a key card carried by a user, and a speed sensor of the motor vehicle (i.e., a sensor for detecting motor shutdown); and a module for enabling the sensors for detecting the external environment of the vehicle and the system for identifying the recharging / refueling device of the recharging / refueling device when the vehicle is stationary.

[0027] The control system further includes means for automatically opening the flap to a position allowing access to the recharging / refueling equipment when the system for identifying the recharging / refueling equipment detects the recharging / refueling equipment.

[0028] For example, the control system comprises means for automatically closing the flap after a predetermined length of time, for example between 30 seconds and 2 minutes, when the recharging / refueling device is removed from the orifice of the apparatus for recharging / refueling the vehicle.

[0029] As a variant, the flap may be closed automatically when the recharging / refueling device has been extracted from the orifice of the device for recharging / refueling the vehicle and after the user has moved a distance greater than or equal to 80 cm away from said flap.

[0030] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least sensors for detecting the external environment of the vehicle, a system for detecting a key card carried by a user, a speed sensor of the motor vehicle configured to detect that the motor of the motor vehicle is switched off (i.e. the vehicle is stationary), at least one flap allowing access to a recharging / refuelling device, and a system for controlling said flap as described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Other objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clear from a reading of the following description given by way of non-limiting example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0032] [ Figure 1 ] is a schematic diagram of a motor vehicle including a flap allowing access to equipment for recharging / refueling the motor vehicle and a system for controlling said access flap according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] [ Figure 2 ] shows in detail [ Figure 1 ] control system; and

[0034] [ Figure 3 ] shows that [ Figure 2 ] is a flowchart of a method for controlling a flap allowing access to a device for recharging / refueling a motor vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention implemented by a control system of a motor vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] [ Figure 1 ] shows very schematically a motor vehicle 1 comprising a flap 2 allowing access to equipment for recharging / refueling the vehicle and a system 10 for controlling the opening and / or closing of said flap 2.

[0036] The motor vehicle 1 further comprises one or more external perception sensors C, such as here two front cameras C1 , C2 , a rear camera C3 and two side cameras C4 , C5 .

[0037] Typically, the motor vehicle 1 further comprises one or more cameras defining a detection field Z (here 360°).

[0038] Exo-perception sensors are sensors that can collect information about the external environment near the vehicle.

[0039] As in [ Figure 2], the system 10 for controlling the flap 2 comprises a module 12 for collecting data delivered by an external sensing sensor C, a system for detecting a key card 3 carried by a user, and speed data of the motor vehicle. The key card can be, for example, a specific key, or an application provided on a smartphone.

[0040] The system 10 for controlling the flap 2 further comprises a module 14 for determining whether the motor vehicle is stationary.

[0041] If the speed V of the vehicle is zero, the module 14 determines that the vehicle is stationary, ie the motor is off. The module 14 can also detect that the vehicle is stationary if the parking brake is applied.

[0042] The system 10 for controlling the flap 2 further comprises a module 16 for activating the exterior perception sensor C when the vehicle is stationary and the key card 3 is detected outside the vehicle.

[0043] It may be provided that the control module 16 only activates the exterior perception sensor C located near the key card 3 .

[0044] While activating one or more external perception sensors C, the control module 16 activates a system S for identifying a recharging / refueling device 4 (e.g., a charging connector or a nozzle for delivering fuel or hydrogen). The system S for identifying a recharging / refueling device includes a database provided by the vehicle manufacturer that contains each existing type of recharging / refueling device.

[0045] The recharging / refueling device 4 may be identified via its shape, but also via visual means, such as a logo, a barcode or a QR code (QR being the abbreviation for Quick Response) or any other suitable visual means.

[0046] The system 10 for controlling the flap 2 further comprises a module 18 for automatically opening the flap 2 when the system S for identifying a recharging / refueling device detects a recharging / refueling device.

[0047] The module 18 for opening the flap 2 is configured to actuate an actuator (not shown) allowing opening of said flap 2 .

[0048] Thus, a user is able to engage the recharging / refueling device directly into the aperture of the equipment for recharging / refueling the vehicle.

[0049] The system 10 for controlling the flap 2 may also comprise a module 19 for automatically closing the flap 2 when the recharging / refuelling device 4 is removed from the orifice of the device for recharging / refuelling the vehicle, in particular after a predetermined length of time, for example between 30 seconds and 2 minutes.

[0050] like[ Figure 3 ], the method 20 for controlling the flap 2 comprises a step 22 of collecting data delivered by an external sensing sensor C, a system (not shown) for detecting a key card 3 carried by a user, and speed data of the motor vehicle. The key card 3 may be, for example, a specific key, or an application provided on a smartphone.

[0051] The method 20 for controlling the flap 2 further comprises a step 24 of determining whether the motor vehicle is stationary.

[0052] If the vehicle's velocity V is zero, the vehicle is considered to be stationary.

[0053] The method 20 for controlling the flap 2 further comprises a step 26 for activating the exterior perception sensor C when the vehicle is stationary and the key card 3 is detected outside the vehicle.

[0054] In step 26 , provision may be made to activate only the external sensing sensors C located in the vicinity of the key card 3 .

[0055] Simultaneously with the activation of one or more external perception sensors C, a system S for identifying a recharging / refueling device 4 (e.g., a charging connector or a nozzle for delivering fuel or hydrogen) is activated in step 27. The system S for identifying a recharging / refueling device includes a database provided by the vehicle manufacturer that contains each existing type of recharging / refueling device.

[0056] The recharging / refueling device 4 may be identified via its shape, but also via visual means, such as a logo, a barcode or a QR code (QR being the abbreviation for Quick Response) or any other suitable visual means.

[0057] Next, in step 28, when the system S for identifying the recharging / refueling device 4 detects the recharging / refueling device, the flap 2 automatically opens to a position allowing access to the recharging / refueling equipment.

[0058] In step 28 , an actuator (not shown) is actuated which allows the flap 2 to open.

[0059] Thus, when the vehicle is stationary, upon approach by a user carrying a key card and a recharging / refueling device, the recharging / refueling flap automatically moves to an open position, thereby allowing access to the equipment for recharging / refueling the vehicle.

[0060] The method 10 for controlling the flap 2 may also comprise a step 29 of automatically closing the flap 2 when the recharging / refueling device 4 is removed from the orifice of the device for recharging / refueling the vehicle, in particular after a predetermined length of time, for example between 30 seconds and 2 minutes.

[0061] By means of the present invention, the process of recharging / refueling a vehicle is simplified and improved.

Claims

1. A method (20) for controlling a flap (2) allowing access to a device for recharging / refueling a motor vehicle (1), the motor vehicle being propelled electrically and / or by internal combustion and comprising at least a sensor (C) for detecting the external environment of the vehicle, a system for detecting a key card (3) carried by a user, and a sensor configured to detect the motor of the motor vehicle being switched off, wherein: - collecting data delivered by at least a sensor (C) for detecting the external environment of the vehicle, a system for detecting a key card (3) carried by a user, and a sensor configured to detect the shutdown of the motor of the motor vehicle; - when the vehicle is stationary and the system for detecting the key card (3) detects the key card (3), activating the sensor (C) for detecting the external environment of the vehicle and the system for identifying the recharging / refueling device (4) of the recharging / refueling device, and - When the system for identifying the recharging / refueling device (4) detects the recharging / refueling device, the flap (2) automatically opens to a position allowing access to the recharging / refueling device.

2. The control method (20) according to claim 1, wherein: In the step (28) of automatically opening the flap (2) to a position allowing access to the recharging / refueling device, an actuator configured to open the flap (2) is actuated.

3. The control method (20) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The flap (2) is automatically closed after a predetermined length of time when the recharging / refueling device (4) is removed from the aperture of the vehicle recharging / refueling apparatus.

4. A control method (20) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The recharging / refueling device (4) is selected from a charging connector and a nozzle for delivering fuel or hydrogen.

5. The control method (20) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The system(S) for identifying a recharging / refueling device comprises a database provided by the vehicle manufacturer containing each existing type of recharging / refueling device.

6. A control method (20) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The recharging / refueling device (4) is identified via detecting the shape of the recharging / refueling device and / or visual means present on the recharging / refueling device.

7. A system (10) for controlling a flap (2) allowing access to a device for recharging / refueling a motor vehicle (1), the motor vehicle being propelled electrically and / or by internal combustion and comprising at least a sensor (C) for detecting the external environment of the vehicle, a system for detecting a key card (3) carried by a user, and a sensor configured to detect the motor of the motor vehicle being switched off, the system comprising: - a module (12) for collecting data delivered by at least a sensor (C) for detecting the external environment of the vehicle, a system for detecting a key card (3) carried by a user, and a sensor configured to detect the shutdown of the motor of the motor vehicle; - a module (14) for activating a sensor (C) for detecting the external environment of the vehicle and a system for identifying a recharging / refueling device (4) of a recharging / refueling device when the vehicle is stationary, and - means (18) for causing the flap (2) to open automatically to a position allowing access to the recharging / refueling device when the recharging / refueling device (4) is detected by the system for identifying the recharging / refueling device.

8. A control system (10) as claimed in claim 7, comprising a module (19) for automatically closing the flap (2) after a predetermined length of time when the recharging / refueling device (4) is removed from the orifice of the device for recharging / refueling the vehicle.

9. A motor vehicle (1) comprising at least a sensor (C) for detecting the external environment of the vehicle, a system for detecting a key card (3) carried by a user, a sensor configured to detect that the motor of the motor vehicle is switched off, at least one flap (2) allowing access to a recharging / refuelling device, and a system (10) for controlling the flap (2) as claimed in claim 7 or 8.

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