Closure element arrangement for motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a closure element arrangement (1) for a motor vehicle (2), the closure element arrangement (1) having a closure element (3), a drive arrangement (4) associated with the closure element (3) for adjusting the closure element (3), and a control arrangement (5) for actuating a drive during the adjustment, an obstacle detection for the adjustment region is carried out by means of the control assembly (5) via a closure element sensor (6) which detects an object located in the detection region (7), and wherein the actuation of the drive assembly (4) is changed when an obstacle is detected. According to the invention, an attachment position of a motorily adjustable attachment (8) of the motor vehicle (2) is determined by means of a control assembly (5), which attachment can be detected in at least one interference position in a detection region (7) of the closure element sensor (6), and the obstacle recognition is modified when the attachment (8) is located in the interference position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a closure element assembly for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a control assembly for a closure element assembly for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 12 . Background Art

[0002] The closure element arrangement in question has a motorizable adjustable closure element, which can be any closure element of a motor vehicle. These include tailgates, tailgates, front hoods (especially engine hoods), doors (especially side doors or tailgates), etc. The closure element can be arranged on the motor vehicle body in a pivotable or longitudinally movable manner.

[0003] In order to increase the operating comfort, a drive assembly is provided for adjusting the closure element, via which the closure element can be opened or closed. In principle, motorized adjustment processes are accompanied by a risk of collision or a risk of jamming.

[0004] The known prior art (DE 10 2021 203 447 A1) from which the present invention is based relates to a method for operating a closure element assembly with obstacle detection. To avoid collisions of the closure element, the adjustment of the closure element is stopped or reversed as soon as an obstacle in the adjustment area is detected by the closure element sensor.

[0005] The challenge here is to reliably classify objects detected by the closing element sensor as obstacles. In order to avoid erroneous stops or reversals of the closing element, the known method (DE 102021 203 447A1) provides additional monitoring areas, for example to distinguish the operator of the motor vehicle from obstacles. Summary of the invention

[0006] The invention is based on the problem of designing and developing the closure element arrangement in such a way that the reliability of obstacle detection is further improved.

[0007] This problem is solved by the features of claim 1 .

[0008] The basic consideration that other components of the motor vehicle may also be detected in the detection range of the closing element sensor for obstacle detection is important. For example, in the case of static components, the detection range of the closing element sensor can be adapted accordingly in order to prevent erroneous detection of obstacles. However, in the case of motorized adjustable attachments, the current attachment position is specifically discussed within the scope of the proposed teaching in order to avoid erroneous detection.

[0009] In detail, it is proposed to determine the attachment position of a motorizable attachment of the motor vehicle by means of a control arrangement, which attachment is detectable in at least one interfering position in the detection range of a closure element sensor, and to modify obstacle detection when the attachment is in the interfering position.

[0010] Particularly preferably, in the embodiment according to claim 2, an interference region associated with the interfering position can be defined in which the detection is reduced or even suppressed. In this way, erroneous obstacle detection due to the attachment part can be excluded in a particularly simple manner.

[0011] In general, according to claim 3 , the modification may concern a parameter set for obstacle detection, whereby interfering influences attributable to attachments are suppressed, for example via filters and / or via a modified evaluation algorithm.

[0012] In particular, according to claim 4, the motorized adjustable pedal is provided as an attachment part, which can be arranged as an entry aid that can be moved in and out in the area of ​​the closure element. Further variants of the attachment part are trailer couplings and bicycle racks, which can be adjusted into the detection area, especially in the case of a tailgate.

[0013] Furthermore, in the embodiments according to claims 6 and 7, it is particularly preferred to further take into account the position of the closing element when modifying the obstacle detection. In particular, after a certain adjustment path of the closing element has been swept, the attachment part can again be irrelevant for the obstacle detection and can therefore return to unchanged obstacle detection, so that the detection range of the closing element sensor can be optimally utilized in the corresponding phase of the adjustment process.

[0014] In the embodiment according to claim 8, the detection via the closing element sensor can advantageously be used for obstacle detection for the motorized adjustable attachment, whereby the closing element sensor has a dual function. In particular, the control assembly for the drive assembly of the closing element also assumes the control of the attachment drive, which is the subject of claim 9.

[0015] Additionally, mechanical measures can be taken to reduce the influence of the attachment part on obstacle detection. To this end, the embodiment according to claim 11 relates to a reflection-reducing structure on the attachment part.

[0016] According to a further teaching of claim 12, which has independent significance, a control assembly for a closure element assembly of a motor vehicle is claimed. It is essential that the control assembly determines the attachment position of a motorized adjustable attachment of a closure element sensor of the motor vehicle, which attachment can be detected in at least one interfering position in the detection range of the closure element sensor, and modifies the obstacle detection when the attachment is in the interfering position. Reference is made to all the statements regarding the closure element assembly according to the proposal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings which show only exemplary embodiments. Figure 1 A perspective view of a motor vehicle with a closure element assembly is shown, and

[0018] Figure 2 Schematic rear view showing: a) during adjustment, b) during motorized adjustment of the attachment Figure 1 Motor vehicles in. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The exemplary embodiment shown in the figures and which is preferred in this respect relates to a closure element arrangement 1 for a motor vehicle 2. The closure element arrangement 1 has a closure element 3 and a drive arrangement 4 associated with the closure element 3 for adjusting the closure element 3 in an adjustment region.

[0020] In the illustrated and in this respect preferred embodiment, the drive assembly 4 is provided for transferring the closure element 3 from the closed position into the open position and also preferably from the open position into the closed position. The adjustment can also be carried out from and into at least one intermediate position between the open position and the closed position. With regard to possible designs of the closure element 3, reference is made to the introductory explanations, wherein the closure element 3 is shown here as a side door of a motor vehicle 2 according to a preferred design.

[0021] The drive assembly 4 usually has an actuator, which is set up to adjust the closing element 3 by an adjustment kinematic mechanism associated with the closing element 3. The actuator is preferably implemented as an electric motor, which applies a driving force to the closing element 3, for example via a rotary transmission mechanism and / or a linear transmission mechanism. In principle, the drive assembly 4 can have a plurality of drives for the closing element 3, wherein, for example, in the case of a tailgate, the corresponding spindle drives are arranged at opposite sides of the tailgate. The adjustment kinematic mechanism summarizes the components that allow the closing element 3 to be adjusted between the closed position and the open position. In the embodiment shown, the adjustment kinematic mechanism has a hinge for the pivotable closing element 3. The adjustment area is given by the following area at the motor vehicle 2, which is swept by the closing element 3 during the adjustment process.

[0022] The closure element assembly 1 has a control assembly 5 for controlling the drive assembly 4 during the adjustment process. The control assembly 5 is equipped with control electronics, which assumes control technology tasks during the adjustment process and, for example, causes the electric drive voltage to be supplied to the drive assembly 4. The control assembly 5 can perform further functions related to the closure element assembly 1. For example, the control assembly 5 can assume further access functionality, such as identifying an operator and / or detecting an operator action to trigger an adjustment process. The control assembly 5 can control further components of the closure element assembly 1 and, for example, cause the opening of a motor vehicle lock associated with the closure element 3. The control assembly 5 can be part of a door controller or a panel controller.

[0023] By means of the control component 5, obstacle detection for the adjustment area is performed via a closure element sensor 6 that detects objects in the detection area 7. The closure element sensor 6 is preferably designed as a proximity sensor and can detect spatial information such as the distance and the detection angle of objects in the detection area 7 based on sensor values. Examples of variants for the closure element sensor 6 are radar sensors, lidar sensors, optical sensors (such as cameras) and ultrasonic sensors.

[0024] In this case, the detection region 7 includes at least a part of the control region. In the context of obstacle detection, the control module 5 checks the sensor values ​​to see whether a detected object can be classified as an obstacle in the control region.

[0025] With the aid of the control assembly 5, the control of the drive assembly 4 is changed when an obstacle is detected. Typically, the control assembly 5 can change the control in such a way that the risk of collision of the closing element 3 with an object classified as an obstacle is avoided. In particular, the control assembly 5 can slow down, stop or reverse the motorized adjustment of the closing element 3. In a preferred design, it is provided that the control assembly 5 determines the target position of the closing element 3 via the sensor value of the closing element sensor 6 while avoiding a collision with the object, and continues the adjustment process until the target position is reached. For example, in the illustrated case of adjustment from the closed position to the open position, the adjustment is performed only to the intermediate position while maintaining a preset safety distance from the object classified as an obstacle. If no obstacle is identified, then adjustment to the (completely) open position of the closing element 3 can be performed instead.

[0026] It is now important to determine, with the aid of the control component 5 , the attachment position of a motorized adjustable attachment 8 of the motor vehicle 2 , which attachment can be detected in at least one interfering position in the detection range 7 of the closure element sensor 6 , and to modify the obstacle detection when the attachment 8 is in the interfering position.

[0027] In this case, the attachment 8 of the motor vehicle 2 can (likewise via motorized adjustment) also assume different positions relative to the motor vehicle 2, which can be at least partially classified as interference positions. In the interference position, the detection by the closure element sensor 6 is usually influenced by the attachment 8, wherein the attachment 8 is in particular directly detected as an object via the closure element sensor 6. However, indirect detection of the attachment 8 is also conceivable, for example via interference signals, which are attributed to reflections of sensor signals emitted by the closure element sensor 6 and in particular radar, lidar or ultrasonic signals. In addition to at least one interference position, there can also be attachment positions in which the attachment 8 has no influence on the detection. In such an attachment position, the obstacle recognition remains unchanged.

[0028] The modification of the obstacle detection generally includes a change in the mode of operation of the closing element sensor 6 and / or an evaluation of the sensor values ​​by means of the control assembly 5. The modification can be carried out in such a way that an incorrect classification of the attachment part 8 as an obstacle is avoided.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the obstacle detection is modified in such a way that the detection of objects in the interference region 9 associated with the interference position in the detection region 7 is reduced, in particular suppressed. Preferably, the association of the interference region 9 with the interference position is stored in the control component 5. Reducing the detection of objects in the interference region 9 is understood to mean that the sensitivity for detecting objects in the interference region 9 is reduced compared to unchanged obstacle detection. When suppressing the detection of objects, objects detected in the interference region 9 are not classified as obstacles. In this case, although the sensor values ​​of the interference region 9 can be included in the evaluation, the way of evaluation is modified.

[0030] The detection region 7 can be modified by excluding the interfering region 9 . Thus, for example, the sensor values ​​of the interfering region 9 are not taken into account in the evaluation or the sensor values ​​of the interfering region 9 are not detected via the closure element sensor 6 .

[0031] Preferably, the interference region 9 is defined by a preset volume region in the detection region 7. For example, the volume region spans a preset volume around the attachment 8 in the detection region 7. In a preferred design, the interference region 9 is defined by an angle region. Figure 2 In a), the attachment 8 is, by way of example, in the extended attachment position in the interfering position, wherein the attachment 8 is detected as an object by the closure element sensor 6 in an angular region facing the lower part of the closure element 3. As long as the attachment 8 is in the extended attachment position, this angular region is defined here as an interfering region 9 and is not taken into account, for example, in the evaluation of the sensor data.

[0032] In one embodiment, it is provided that obstacle detection takes place by prescribing a parameter set for the processing of the sensor values ​​of the closure element sensor 6 and that this parameter set is modified when the attachment part 8 is in an interfering position.

[0033] Typically, the processing presetting can have a detection model with a parameter set, wherein the parameter set is adapted when the attachment 8 is in an interfering position. In particular, the parameter set contains at least one threshold value, when exceeding or falling below which the detected object is classified as an obstacle, wherein the threshold value is predefined depending on the attachment position.

[0034] The sensor values ​​can also be subjected to filtering, which is preset via a parameter set. When the attachment 8 is in a disruptive position, the filtering can be modified to suppress the signal share in the sensor values ​​that is attributable to the attachment 8. The filtering can be implemented via digital and / or analog filters.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment shown, the attachment part 8 is designed as a motorized adjustable pedal. The proposed solution is particularly suitable here because in many cases the pedal is arranged below the closure element 3 and can be adjusted into the detection area 7.

[0036] In addition to the illustrated design for the side doors, a motorized adjustable step can also be provided, for example, in the case of a tailgate of a pickup truck. The step does not necessarily have to be associated with a closure element 3, for whose adjustment process an obstacle detection is provided. For example, a step of a rear door can also be adjusted into the detection area 7 of a closure element sensor 6 of a front door.

[0037] Further possible embodiments relate to attachment parts 8 , such as trailer hitches or bicycle racks.

[0038] It is particularly preferably provided that the closing element sensor 6 moves together with the closing element 3 during the adjustment process. Figure 1 As shown in , the closure element sensor 6 can be integrated in the closure element 3. Therefore, the detection area 7 does not have to cover the entire adjustment area at every point in time of the adjustment process, but can instead sweep over the adjustment area in the course of the adjustment process.

[0039] Preferably, this is so that objects in detection region 7 are detected at different positions of closure element 3 during the adjustment process by means of closure element sensor 6. Preferably, objects are detected continuously during the adjustment process, for example via cyclic detection.

[0040] It is particularly preferably provided that the position of the closing element 3 is detected during the adjustment process by means of the control arrangement 5 and that the obstacle detection is modified further depending on the position of the closing element 3 when the attachment part 8 is in the interfering position. In general, the modification of the obstacle detection can depend on the relationship between the attachment part position and the position of the closing element 3. A dynamic modification of the obstacle detection can also be carried out, for example in the case of a simultaneous movement of the closing element 3 and the attachment part 8.

[0041] Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that the obstacle detection is modified in a predetermined position region of the closure element 3 in which the attachment part 8 in a disturbing position can be detected, and preferably the obstacle detection takes place unchanged in positions outside the predetermined adjustment region.

[0042] exist Figure 2 a) and Figure 2 In b), two positions of the closing element 3 during the opening process are shown by way of example. Figure 2 In the closed position in a), the attachment 8 is positioned in an interference position, so that a modification of the obstacle detection is carried out, which is realized, for example, in the already mentioned interference area 9. Such a modification can be carried out in the position area. Here, the modification can be maintained in the position area or changed depending on the position of the closure element 3, wherein, for example, the interference area 9 is defined depending on the position of the closure element 3.

[0043] exist Figure 2 In b), an intermediate position between the closed position and the open position of the closure element 3 is reached, wherein the attachment part 8 is no longer detected as an object by the closure element sensor 6. Accordingly, an unchanged obstacle detection can be used here.

[0044] The position of the closing element 3 can be detected by sensors, for example via a position sensor of the closing element 3. Likewise, the position of the closing element 3 can be detected via the actuation of the drive assembly 4, for example based on electrical drive values, such as a drive current and / or a drive voltage of the drive assembly 4.

[0045] Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that obstacle detection for the motorized adjustment of the attachment 8 is performed by detecting an object with the aid of the closure element sensor 6. Preferably, it is provided here that at least a part of the adjustment range of the attachment 8 can be detected by the closure element sensor 6. This is the case in Figure 2 c). For the obstacle detection for the motorized adjustment of the attachment part 8 , the aspects mentioned with regard to the obstacle detection for the adjustment process of the closure element 3 can also be used.

[0046] In particular, an obstacle signal is output by means of the control assembly 5 when an obstacle to the attachment 8 is detected. For example, the obstacle signal can cause a warning to be output to the operator of the motor vehicle 2, for example via an acoustic and / or optical warning. The obstacle signal can also be supplied to a drive control for an attachment drive 10, which is set up for motorized adjustment of the attachment 8. Preferably, by means of the control assembly 5, the motorized adjustment of the attachment 8 is changed when an obstacle to the attachment 8 is detected, for example slowed down, stopped, reversed and / or continued to a target position coordinated with the obstacle.

[0047] Likewise, the attachment drive 10 for motorized adjustment of the attachment 8 can be controlled by means of the control unit 5. The control unit 5 can in particular coordinate the adjustment of the closure element 3 and the attachment 8 with one another, for example within the scope of access functionality for the motor vehicle 2. Likewise, the control unit 5 can realize the aforementioned obstacle detection for the attachment 8.

[0048] The detection of the attachment position, on which the modification of the obstacle recognition is based, can be performed in different ways. Preferably, it is provided that the attachment 8 is associated with a position sensor, by means of which the control assembly 5 determines the attachment position. Similarly, the control assembly 5 can determine the attachment position based on the control of the attachment drive 10, wherein the control assembly 5 is also responsible for the control of the attachment drive 10.

[0049] According to another teaching, a control component 5 for a closing element assembly 1 of a motor vehicle 2 is proposed, wherein the closing element assembly 1 has a closing element 3 and a drive component 4 associated with the closing element 3 for adjusting the closing element 3, wherein the control component 5 is configured to control the drive during an adjustment process, wherein the control component 5 performs obstacle recognition for the adjustment area via a closing element sensor 6 that detects objects located in a detection area 7 and changes the control of the drive component 4 when an obstacle is detected.

[0050] It is provided here that the control arrangement 5 determines the attachment position of a motorized adjustable attachment 8 of a closure element sensor 6 of the motor vehicle 2, which attachment can be detected in at least one interfering position in the detection range 7 of the closure element sensor 6, and modifies the obstacle detection when the attachment 8 is in the interfering position. Reference is made to all the explanations concerning the closure element arrangement according to the proposal.

[0051] Preferably, the closure element assembly 1 has an attachment 8 and an attachment driver 10. In addition, it is preferably provided here that the attachment 8 has a reflection-reducing structure on the surface facing the closure element sensor 6. The reflection-reducing structure generally comprises measures for reducing the detection of the surface by means of the closure element sensor 6. For example, the surface can be provided with an absorptive structure for sensor signals (such as radar, lidar or ultrasound signals) emitted by the closure element sensor 6, such as a surface coating. Similarly, the surface can have at least one reflective surface for the sensor signal, which reflects the sensor signal away from the closure element sensor 6.

Claims

1. A closure element assembly for a motor vehicle (2), wherein: The closure element assembly (1) comprises a closure element (3), a drive assembly (4) associated with the closure element (3) for adjusting the closure element (3) in an adjustment region, and a control assembly (5) for actuating the drive during the adjustment process. wherein an obstacle detection for the adjustment region is performed by means of the control component (5) via a closing element sensor (6) which detects an object located in a detection region (7), and wherein the actuation of the drive component (4) is changed when an obstacle is detected, It is characterized in that The control component (5) is used to determine the attachment position of a motorizable attachment (8) of the motor vehicle (2), the attachment being detectable in at least one interfering position in the detection range (7) of the closure element sensor (6), and the obstacle detection is modified when the attachment (8) is in the interfering position.

2. The closure element assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that The obstacle recognition is modified in such a way that the detection of objects in the interference area (9) associated with the interference position in the detection area (7) is reduced, in particular suppressed, and / or the detection area (7) is changed while excluding the interference area (9). Preferably, the interference area (9) is defined by a preset volume area, in particular an angular area, in the detection area (7).

3. The closure element assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The obstacle detection is performed by prescribing a parameter set for the processing of the sensor values ​​of the closure element sensor (6), and the parameter set is modified when the attachment part (8) is in the interfering position.

4. Closure element assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The attachment (8) is designed as a motorized adjustable pedal, trailer coupling or bicycle rack.

5. Closure element assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The closure element sensor (6) moves together with the closure element (3) during the adjustment process, and preferably, objects in the detection area (7) are detected at different positions of the closure element (3) during the adjustment process by means of the closure element sensor (6).

6. Closure element assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The position of the closure element (3) is detected during the adjustment process by means of the control module (5) and the obstacle detection is modified further depending on the position of the closure element (3) when the attachment part (8) is in the interfering position.

7. The closure element assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that The obstacle detection is modified within a predefined position range of the closure element (3) in which the attachment part (8) in the interfering position can be detected, and preferably the obstacle detection is carried out unchanged in the case of positions outside the predefined position range.

8. Closure element assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that Obstacle recognition for motorized adjustment of the attachment (8) is performed by detecting an object with the aid of the closing element sensor (6), preferably, with the aid of the control component (5), an obstacle signal is output when an obstacle to the attachment (8) is detected, preferably, with the aid of the control component (5), the motorized adjustment of the attachment (8) is changed when an obstacle to the attachment (8) is detected.

9. Closure element assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that An attachment drive (10) for motorized adjustment of the attachment (8) is actuated by means of the control assembly (5).

10. Closure element assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that A position sensor is associated with the attachment (8), with the aid of which the control component (5) determines the attachment position and / or the control component (8) determines the attachment position based on the actuation of the attachment drive (10).

11. Closure element assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The attachment part (8) has a reflection-reducing structure on the surface facing the closure element sensor (6).

12. A control assembly for a closure element assembly (1) for a motor vehicle (2), wherein: The closure element assembly (1) comprises a closure element (3) and a drive assembly (4) associated with the closure element (3) for adjusting the closure element (3), wherein the control assembly (5) is designed to control the drive during the adjustment process. The control component (5) detects obstacles in the adjustment area via a closing element sensor (6) which detects objects in a detection area (7) and changes the control of the drive component (4) when an obstacle is detected. It is characterized in that The control component (5) determines the attachment position of a motorizable adjustable attachment (8) of a closure element sensor (6) of the motor vehicle (2), the attachment being detectable in at least one interfering position in a detection range (7) of the closure element sensor (6) and modifies the obstacle detection when the attachment (8) is in the interfering position.

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