Method and system for releasing and hinding a door handle of a vehicle

Abstract

The invention discloses a method and system for releasing and hiding a door handle of a vehicle. According to the invention, the first electrode and the second electrode are arranged on the surface, deviating from the vehicle body, of the door handle of the vehicle, and if the first electrode and the second electrode sequentially detect approaching and / or contact of fingers within the set time interval, the door handle is released; the door handle is hidden if the approach and / or contact of the finger is detected by the second electrode and the first electrode in sequence within a set time interval, whereby the user's operating intention is determined only if the finger of the user slides over the two electrodes in sequence within the set time interval, and the user's operating intention is determined only if the finger of the user slides over the two electrodes in sequence within the set time interval. Therefore, false triggering caused by the fact that a user accidentally touches one of the electrodes is avoided, and in addition, false triggering caused by an interference source covering one of the electrodes is also avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the fields of vehicle and electronic technology, and more particularly, to a method and system for releasing and concealing a vehicle door handle. Background Technology

[0002] In existing technology, an electrode (i.e., a sensing area) can be provided on the front surface (i.e., the surface facing away from the vehicle body) of a concealed door handle. When the vehicle user wishes to open the door, the user can trigger the actuator by approaching or touching the electrode, thereby releasing the door handle. When not in use, the user can trigger the actuator by approaching or touching the electrode to retract the door handle and conceal it in the door.

[0003] However, existing methods may misjudge the user's intentions. For example, the user may accidentally touch the electrodes, causing the door handle to pop out unintentionally. In addition, interference sources covering the electrodes (such as water droplets) may also cause the door handle to pop out unintentionally. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to provide a method and system for releasing and concealing a vehicle door handle, thereby solving the aforementioned problems existing in the prior art.

[0005] Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for releasing and concealing a vehicle door handle, wherein a first electrode and a second electrode are disposed on the surface of the vehicle door handle facing away from the vehicle body, wherein the proximity and / or contact of a user's finger is determined by means of capacitance values ​​detected by the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein...

[0006] If, within a set time interval, the proximity and / or contact of a finger is sequentially detected by the first and second electrodes, the door handle is released; and,

[0007] If a finger is detected approaching and / or touching the door handle sequentially via the second electrode and the first electrode within a set time interval, the door handle is hidden.

[0008] Optionally, the user's finger is near and / or in contact with the corresponding electrode by comparing the detected capacitance value with a set capacitance threshold, wherein the capacitance threshold can be adjusted.

[0009] Optionally, the positions of the first electrode and the second electrode on the surface can be adjusted.

[0010] Optionally, the size of the time interval can be adjusted.

[0011] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0012] If, within a set time interval, the proximity and / or contact of a finger are sequentially detected by the first and second electrodes, the vehicle door is unlocked; and,

[0013] If the approach and / or contact of a finger is detected sequentially by the second electrode and the first electrode within a set time interval, the vehicle door is locked.

[0014] Embodiments of the present invention also provide a system for releasing and concealing a vehicle door handle, the system comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, a microcontroller, and a BCM (Body Control Module), wherein,

[0015] The first and second electrodes are disposed on the surface of the vehicle's door handle that is away from the vehicle body.

[0016] The microcontroller acquires capacitance values ​​detected by the first and second electrodes and determines the proximity and / or contact of a user's finger based on the capacitance values. Specifically, if proximity and / or contact of a finger is detected sequentially through the first and second electrodes within a set time interval, a first signal is sent to the BCM; if proximity and / or contact of a finger is detected sequentially through the second and first electrodes within the time interval, a second signal is sent to the BCM.

[0017] The BCM releases the door handle according to the first signal and hides the door handle according to the second signal.

[0018] Optionally, the user's finger is near and / or in contact with the corresponding electrode by comparing the detected capacitance value with a set capacitance threshold, wherein the capacitance threshold can be adjusted.

[0019] Optionally, the positions of the first electrode and the second electrode on the surface can be adjusted.

[0020] Optionally, the size of the time interval can be adjusted.

[0021] Optionally, the BCM may also unlock the vehicle doors according to the first signal and lock the vehicle doors according to the second signal.

[0022] The method and system for releasing and concealing a vehicle door handle according to embodiments of the present invention have at least the following advantages:

[0023] In this invention, a first electrode and a second electrode are provided on the door handle of the vehicle. If the approach and / or contact of a finger is detected sequentially by the first electrode and the second electrode within a set time interval, the door handle is released. If the approach and / or contact of a finger is detected sequentially by the second electrode and the first electrode within a set time interval, the door handle is hidden. Thus, the user's operating intention is determined only when the user's finger slides across the two electrodes sequentially within the set time interval, thereby avoiding false triggering caused by the user accidentally touching one of the electrodes. In addition, it also avoids false triggering caused by interference sources (such as water droplets) covering one of the electrodes.

[0024] In this invention, both the first electrode and the second electrode are disposed on the surface of the door handle facing away from the vehicle body, thereby facilitating the user's finger to slide between the two electrodes.

[0025] In this invention, the positions of the first electrode and the second electrode on the surface of the door handle facing away from the vehicle body can be adjusted, thereby facilitating the adjustment of the positions of the two electrodes according to the shape and size of the door handle.

[0026] In this invention, the set time interval can be adjusted, making it easy to adjust the time interval according to the user's operating habits.

[0027] In this invention, the set capacitance threshold can be adjusted, thereby facilitating the adjustment of detection sensitivity according to actual needs.

[0028] In this invention, the vehicle door can be unlocked while the door handle is released, and the vehicle door can be locked while the door handle is hidden, thereby simplifying the user's operation steps and improving convenience. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Other details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided below. It should be understood that the following drawings are merely schematic and not drawn to scale, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the invention. The following detailed description will refer to the drawings, in which:

[0030] Figure 1 A flowchart of a method for releasing and concealing a vehicle door handle according to a specific embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0031] Figure 2 A system for releasing and concealing a vehicle door handle is shown according to another specific embodiment of the invention. Detailed Implementation

[0032] Embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to enable those skilled in the art to more fully understand and implement the invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that implementation of the invention may not include some of these specific details. Furthermore, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described. Rather, the invention can be conceived to be practiced with any combination of the features and elements described below, regardless of whether they relate to different embodiments. Therefore, the following aspects, features, embodiments, and advantages are illustrative only and should not be construed as elements or limitations of the claims unless expressly set forth in the claims.

[0033] Now refer to Figure 1 The diagram illustrates a flowchart of a method for releasing and concealing a vehicle door handle according to a specific embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle door handle is provided with a first electrode and a second electrode. The proximity and / or contact of a user's finger is determined by means of the capacitance values ​​detected by the first and second electrodes. Figure 1 As shown, the method includes:

[0034] Step S101: If the proximity and / or contact of a finger is detected sequentially by the first electrode and the second electrode within a set time interval, the door handle is released.

[0035] Step S102: If the proximity and / or contact of a finger is detected sequentially by the second electrode and the first electrode within a set time interval, the door handle is hidden.

[0036] Those skilled in the art will understand that any suitable method can be used to detect the approach and / or contact of a finger using electrodes, and these variations do not exceed the scope of protection of this invention. For example, when a user's finger approaches or contacts the first or second electrode, the detected capacitance value changes. By comparing the detected capacitance value with a preset capacitance threshold, it can be determined whether the user's finger is approaching and / or contacting the corresponding electrode. Preferably, the capacitance threshold can be adjusted, thereby facilitating the adjustment of detection sensitivity according to actual needs.

[0037] Those skilled in the art will understand that any suitable method can be used to determine whether a finger approach and / or contact is detected by the two electrodes respectively within a set time interval, and these variations do not exceed the scope of protection of this invention. For example, when a finger approach and / or contact is detected by one electrode, a timer can be started, and if a finger approach and / or contact is detected by the other electrode before the end of the set time interval, it is considered that a finger approach and / or contact has been detected sequentially by the corresponding electrodes within the set time interval.

[0038] Those skilled in the art will understand that any suitable method can be used to release and retract the door handle, and these variations do not exceed the scope of protection of this invention. For example, the door handle can be released and retracted by means of common telescopic mechanisms.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, both the first electrode and the second electrode are disposed on the surface of the door handle facing away from the vehicle body (i.e., the front surface), thereby facilitating adjustment of the positions of the two electrodes according to the shape and size of the door handle. Furthermore, preferably, the positions of the first electrode and the second electrode on the surface of the door handle facing away from the vehicle body are adjustable, thereby facilitating adjustment of the positions of the two electrodes according to the shape and size of the door handle.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the set time interval can be adjusted to suit the user's operating habits. The time interval for releasing the door handle and the time interval for concealing the door handle can be the same or different.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, if the approach and / or contact of a finger is detected sequentially by the first and second electrodes within a set time interval, the vehicle door can be unlocked. If the approach and / or contact of a finger is detected sequentially by the second and first electrodes within a set time interval, the vehicle door can be locked. Thus, the vehicle door is unlocked while releasing the door handle, and the vehicle door is locked while concealing the door handle, thereby simplifying the user's operation and improving convenience.

[0042] based on Figure 1 The principle of a method for releasing and concealing a vehicle door handle according to a specific embodiment of the present invention is as follows. Figure 2 A system for releasing and concealing a vehicle door handle according to another specific embodiment of the invention is illustrated schematically. Figure 2 As shown, the system includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a microcontroller, and a BCM.

[0043] The first electrode and the second electrode are disposed on the door handle of the vehicle. Preferably, both the first electrode and the second electrode are disposed on the surface of the door handle opposite to the vehicle body, and the positions of the first electrode and the second electrode on this surface can be adjusted.

[0044] The microcontroller acquires the capacitance values ​​detected by the first and second electrodes and determines the proximity and / or contact of the user's finger based on these capacitance values. If the proximity and / or contact of the finger is detected sequentially through the first and second electrodes within a set time interval, the microcontroller sends a first signal to the BCM. If the proximity and / or contact of the finger is detected sequentially through the second and first electrodes within the set time interval, the microcontroller sends a second signal to the BCM. Preferably, the size of the set time interval can be adjusted.

[0045] The BCM releases the door handle according to a first signal and hides the door handle according to a second signal. Preferably, the BCM also unlocks the vehicle door according to the first signal and locks the vehicle door according to the second signal.

[0046] Compared with the prior art, the method and system for releasing and concealing vehicle door handles according to embodiments of the present invention have at least the following advantages:

[0047] In this invention, a first electrode and a second electrode are provided on the door handle of the vehicle. If the approach and / or contact of a finger is detected sequentially by the first electrode and the second electrode within a set time interval, the door handle is released. If the approach and / or contact of a finger is detected sequentially by the second electrode and the first electrode within a set time interval, the door handle is hidden. Thus, the user's operating intention is determined only when the user's finger slides across the two electrodes sequentially within the set time interval, thereby avoiding false triggering caused by the user accidentally touching one of the electrodes. In addition, it also avoids false triggering caused by interference sources (such as water droplets) covering one of the electrodes.

[0048] In this invention, both the first electrode and the second electrode are disposed on the surface of the door handle facing away from the vehicle body, thereby facilitating the user's finger to slide between the two electrodes.

[0049] In this invention, the positions of the first electrode and the second electrode on the surface of the door handle facing away from the vehicle body can be adjusted, thereby facilitating the adjustment of the positions of the two electrodes according to the shape and size of the door handle.

[0050] In this invention, the set time interval can be adjusted, making it easy to adjust the time interval according to the user's operating habits.

[0051] In this invention, the set capacitance threshold can be adjusted, thereby facilitating the adjustment of detection sensitivity according to actual needs.

[0052] In this invention, the vehicle door can be unlocked while the door handle is released, and the vehicle door can be locked while the door handle is hidden, thereby simplifying the user's operation steps and improving convenience.

[0053] It should be noted that the above description is merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention. In other embodiments of the invention, the method may have more, fewer, or different steps, and the order, inclusion, and functional relationships between the steps may differ from those described and illustrated. For example, multiple steps may typically be combined into a single step, or a single step may be split into multiple steps. For those skilled in the art, variations in the order of the steps are also within the scope of protection of this invention without inventive effort.

[0054] The technical solution of the present invention, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) or processor or microcontroller to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of the present invention.

[0055] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the steps of the above-described method embodiments can be implemented by hardware related to program instructions. The aforementioned program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. When executed, the program performs the steps of the above-described method embodiments; and the aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0056] While the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Any modifications and alterations made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention should be included within the scope of protection of the invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the invention should be determined by the scope defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A method for releasing and concealing a vehicle door handle, characterized in that, The vehicle's door handle has a first electrode and a second electrode disposed on its surface opposite to the vehicle body. The proximity and / or contact of a user's finger is determined by measuring the capacitance values ​​detected using the first and second electrodes. If, within a set time interval, the proximity and / or contact of a finger is sequentially detected by the first and second electrodes, the door handle is released; and, If a finger is detected approaching and / or touching the door handle sequentially via the second electrode and the first electrode within a set time interval, the door handle is hidden.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The user's finger is near and / or in contact with the corresponding electrode by comparing the detected capacitance value with a set capacitance threshold, wherein the capacitance threshold can be adjusted.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The positions of the first electrode and the second electrode on the surface can be adjusted.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The size of the time interval can be adjusted.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The method further includes: If, within a set time interval, the proximity and / or contact of a finger are sequentially detected by the first and second electrodes, the vehicle door is unlocked; and, If the approach and / or contact of a finger is detected sequentially by the second electrode and the first electrode within a set time interval, the vehicle door is locked.

6. A system for releasing and concealing a vehicle door handle, characterized in that, The system includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a microcontroller, and a BCM, wherein, The first and second electrodes are disposed on the surface of the vehicle's door handle that is away from the vehicle body. The microcontroller acquires capacitance values ​​detected by the first and second electrodes and determines the proximity and / or contact of a user's finger based on the capacitance values. Specifically, if proximity and / or contact of a finger is detected sequentially through the first and second electrodes within a set time interval, a first signal is sent to the BCM; if proximity and / or contact of a finger is detected sequentially through the second and first electrodes within the time interval, a second signal is sent to the BCM. The BCM releases the door handle according to the first signal and hides the door handle according to the second signal.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein, The user's finger is near and / or in contact with the corresponding electrode by comparing the detected capacitance value with a set capacitance threshold, wherein the capacitance threshold can be adjusted.

8. The system according to claim 6, wherein, The positions of the first electrode and the second electrode on the surface can be adjusted.

9. The system according to claim 6, wherein, The size of the time interval can be adjusted.

10. The system according to claim 6, wherein, The BCM also unlocks the vehicle doors according to the first signal and locks the vehicle doors according to the second signal.

Images