Container for a scooter, motorcycle, trike, quad or snowmobile as well as scooter, motorcycle, trike, quad or snowmobile

Abstract

Container for a scooter, motorcycle, trike, quad or snowmobile with: - an openable cover (H), - a locking and / or unlocking mechanism (VM) by which the cover (H) can be locked and / or unlocked, - a sensor device (SE1, SE2) for generating and outputting a sensor signal in response to the gesture of a user, in particular a hand, foot and / or head gesture of the user, in the vicinity of the cover, and - a control device (STE) which is arranged such that the locking mechanism (VM) is automatically unlocked in response to the sensor signal, characterized by - an actuating device (KM) with which the cover can be moved at least from a closed to an open position - and that the cover is designed as a seat, as a top case lid or as a glove compartment flap.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a container for a scooter, a motorcycle, trike, quad or snowmobile with an openable cover, as well as a scooter, a motorcycle, trike, quad or snowmobile.

[0002] Vehicles with keyless access systems are known, in which a sensor device on the vehicle detects when a person is near the vehicle. When a person is near the vehicle, a dialogue is initiated between a transponder-based identification module (authorization module, access module) worn by the person and a transceiver device in the vehicle. If the dialogue results in the person being authorized to access the vehicle, a locking mechanism of a vehicle door is automatically unlocked.

[0003] DE 10 2006 015 891 A1 discloses a vehicle with an upwardly opening tailgate. Other known vehicles include single-track vehicles, such as motorcycles, scooters, snowmobiles, etc., as well as narrow-track vehicles, such as quads, street karts, etc., or three-wheeled vehicles, such as trikes. All of these two- and three-wheeled vehicles, as well as four-wheeled narrow-track vehicles, have a bench seat on which the driver and passenger sit to steer the vehicle. The bench seat can usually be opened to access the storage space, usually located underneath the seat. To open the seat, the user must usually unlock the seat with a mechanical key and then manually open it to access the storage space underneath. Alternatively, these vehicles may also have a top case, a glove compartment, or a suitcase, which provide storage space for luggage, helmets, etc.As the rider approaches their vehicle, they may be carrying items in both hands, such as a shopping bag, a briefcase, a helmet, etc. To open the top case, for example, they would have to put one of the items down to manually open it. Particularly in poor weather conditions, or on wet or dirty roads, the rider cannot place items on the ground without soiling them. Placing items on the seat is unstable and could cause them to fall to the ground.

[0004] From DE 10 2004 041 709 C5 a motor vehicle with an automatically opening trunk lid is known.

[0005] DE 101 15 314 A1 shows a remote-controlled vehicle trunk.

[0006] Furthermore, DE 10 2008 021 981 A1 discloses a two-wheeler, in particular a scooter or a motorcycle, with a rear wheel, a seat extending beyond the area of the rear wheel, and a storage compartment arranged below the seat, wherein the storage compartment has at least one floor element. The floor element can assume at least one first, upper position, in which the storage compartment has a first storage volume, and at least one second, lower position, in which the storage compartment has a second, larger storage volume.

[0007] Furthermore, DE 10 2013 207 190 A1 discloses a top case for a vehicle, in particular for a motorcycle or a motorcycle-like vehicle, comprising a lower shell and an upper shell pivotable relative to the lower shell for opening the top case. The lower shell and the upper shell, in the closed position, define a common interior for storing objects. The upper shell comprises an inner shell and an outer shell surrounding the inner shell, the outer shell being pivotable into a first open position independently of the inner shell. Furthermore, a vehicle with a corresponding top case is described.

[0008] The invention is based on the object of providing a technical teaching by which the storage space can be made particularly easily accessible. A further object of the invention is to provide an openable cover that can be unlocked particularly conveniently and intuitively.

[0009] This object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous developments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims.

[0010] The invention is also based on the idea of triggering an automatic unlocking of a locking mechanism of a cover in a contactless manner based on the detection of a gesture of a user, in particular a hand, foot and / or head gesture of a user, or a sensor signal which corresponds to the gesture of a user, in particular a hand, foot and / or head gesture of a user.

[0011] For this purpose, a sensor device is provided which is arranged on a container or on a vehicle which comprises the container and which generates and outputs a sensor signal in response to the movement or gesture of a user, in particular a hand, a foot or the head of the user, in the vicinity of the cover.

[0012] A control device is configured such that the locking mechanism is automatically unlocked in response to the sensor signal. Within the scope of the invention, unlocking preferably comprises, depending on the embodiment, an unlocking function and / or a handle function. This means that unlocking includes, for example, the steps that are performed or triggered in conventional covers by unlocking and / or operating a handle.

[0013] This allows a user to consciously, quickly, and conveniently release a locking mechanism. The cover or handle does not need to be touched, so the user's hand does not get dirty during the unlocking process. It is also not necessary to search for an actuating element that triggers the unlocking and press it in the correct place. The solution according to the invention enables a significant increase in convenience, as gesture-based opening of the storage space allows for safe and clean placement of items directly in the storage space.

[0014] Preferably, the vehicle has an actuating device by which the cover can be opened at least automatically. The actuating device, which is based, for example, on a preloaded spring, a gas spring, or an electromechanical actuator, acts on the cover. Depending on the detected movement or depending on the corresponding sensor signal, the cover is at least partially opened automatically. Alternatively, the actuating device can be used to open and / or close the cover. This has the advantage that a single action by the user not only triggers automatic unlocking, but also automatic opening of the cover.

[0015] Preferably, a detection device is also provided that detects whether the locking mechanism is unlocked. The control device is then configured such that the actuating device is only activated or triggered, and thus the cover is only opened, after it has been detected that the locking mechanism is unlocked.

[0016] This can prevent attempts to open the cover before the locking mechanism is released. This can prevent unnecessary energy consumption, which would be required to activate the actuator, especially with motor-based or hydraulic-based actuators.

[0017] Preferably, the locking mechanism is automatically unlocked and / or the cover is automatically unfolded or opened when the sensor signal represents a predetermined movement of the user, in particular a movement of the user's foot, head, or hand. The detected and the predetermined movement can be represented by spatially and / or temporally resolved signals.

[0018] Advantageously, threshold values, movement data, or signal data representing a predefined movement are stored in a memory device associated with the control device. The sensor signal or signals or data derived therefrom can be compared with these to determine whether the detected movement or gesture of the user corresponds to a predefined movement, for example, is substantially similar to it or has common characteristic features.

[0019] Particularly preferably, the vehicle has a transmitting / receiving device for querying the user's authorization from a portable authorization module of the user. The locking mechanism is automatically unlocked and / or the cover is automatically opened if, in particular, in addition to the inventive detection of a user's movement, the user's authorization module authorizes the user to unlock and / or open the cover.

[0020] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the sensor device comprises at least two sensor sub-devices arranged one above the other, each of which outputs a sensor signal. The locking mechanism is automatically unlocked and / or the cover is automatically opened if it is determined that these sensor signals represent a predetermined vertical movement of the user, in particular a movement of the user's foot, head, or hand, upwards.

[0021] This not only enables a user to unlock and / or open the cover, which can preferably be pivoted upwards, in a comfortable and contactless manner, but also intuitively. This is because the arrangement of the sensor sub-devices one above the other, the opening direction of the cover, and the predetermined movement of the user to be detected, in particular the user's foot, head, or hand, are essentially described by parallel straight lines or vectors, which at least partially point in the same direction.

[0022] The sensor device may, for example, be a capacitive or optical sensor device known per se, which outputs a sensor signal that depends on the distance of an object to the sensor device, the shape of the object, the size of the object and / or the components of the object.

[0023] It is particularly preferred that the sensor device is arranged wholly or partly on the vehicle, the container or the cover.

[0024] This reduces the manufacturing effort for a cover according to the invention. The cover's protection against corrosion is improved because the number of penetrations through the cover is reduced when the sensor device is integrated into a brand emblem attached to the vehicle, the container, or the cover. Furthermore, these technical measures open up design freedom for vehicle designers, rather than obstructing it by the invention.

[0025] The openable cover described above is designed as a seat or as the lid of a glove compartment, for example, of a scooter. According to this embodiment, the cover is an integral part of the vehicle.

[0026] According to a further, alternative embodiment of the invention, the cover can also be part of a top case or a suitcase. In this case, the cover is part of a retrofittable unit that can be mounted on the vehicle. Apart from the cover itself and the locking mechanism, all other devices and components of the system can be arranged on the container itself or on the vehicle. The retrofittable system can be connected to the vehicle's central locking system via an adapter. Thus, when the vehicle is unlocked or locked, the locking mechanism of the container is also activated.

[0027] The actuating device can be designed as a gas spring. This offers the advantages of a passive system, where no energy is consumed when the actuating device is not in use.

[0028] Alternatively, the actuating device can be designed as an electromechanical actuator. For example, an electric motor that can move the cover from a closed position to an open position and vice versa via a spindle. This allows the cover to be not only opened but also closed again.

[0029] In the following, the invention is explained in more detail by means of examples with reference to the following figure: Fig. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a cover.

[0030] Fig. Figure 1 shows a cover H of a container that can be pivoted for opening. A locking mechanism VM, known per se, is provided, by which the cover can be locked to prevent unauthorized persons from accessing the storage space in the container.

[0031] In addition, an actuating device KM is provided, by means of which the cover can be automatically swung upwards or folded for opening when the actuating device KM is addressed or activated accordingly.

[0032] A sensor device consisting of two sensor sub-devices SE1, SE2 arranged one above the other is arranged adjacent to a brand emblem ME on the cover.

[0033] The sensor sub-devices SE1, SE2 each output a sensor signal in response to the gesture of a hand, a foot and / or a head in the vicinity of the sensor sub-devices SE1, SE2.

[0034] The locking mechanism VM and the actuating device KM are controlled by a control device STE, which couples the aforementioned components to one another, depending on the sensor signals.

[0035] A transmitting / receiving device (SEE) is configured to establish and execute an authorization dialogue with an authorization module carried by the authorized user.

[0036] A sensor-based detection device EE detects whether the locking mechanism VM is unlocked.

[0037] The control device STE, which can be implemented by one or more program-controlled processor devices, is configured such that the locking mechanism VM is automatically unlocked when the sensor signal, for example a voltage value or a current value, of the lower sensor sub-device SE2 is above a predetermined threshold value, and within a predetermined period of time the sensor signal of the upper sensor sub-device SE2 is also above a predetermined threshold value.

[0038] As soon as the detection device EE detects that the locking mechanism VM is unlocked, the actuating device KM and thus the cover are automatically opened.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, unlocking the locking mechanism VM also requires that the aforementioned authorization dialogue between the transmitting / receiving device SEE and the authorization module worn by the authorized user results in the user's authorization. A determined user authorization can, for example, result in a release, particularly mechanical release, of the locking mechanism VM.

[0040] The aforementioned authorization dialogue is, for example, automatically triggered or started as soon as the sensor device or one of the sensor sub-devices emits a sensor signal that is above a predetermined threshold, thereby indicating the proximity of a possibly authorized user.

Claims

[1] Container for a scooter, motorcycle, trike, quad or snowmobile with: - an openable cover (H), - a locking and / or unlocking mechanism (VM) by which the cover (H) can be locked and / or unlocked, - a sensor device (SE1, SE2) for generating and outputting a sensor signal in response to the gesture of a user, in particular a hand, foot and / or head gesture of the user, in the vicinity of the cover, and - a control device (STE) which is arranged such that the locking mechanism (VM) is automatically unlocked in response to the sensor signal, characterized by , - an actuating device (KM) with which the cover can be moved at least from a closed to an open position - and that the cover is designed as a seat, as a top case lid or as a glove compartment flap. [2] Container according to claim 1, characterized by that the actuating device (KM) is designed as a gas pressure spring. [3] Container according to claim 1, characterized by that the actuating device (KM) is designed as an electromechanical actuator. [4] A scooter, motorcycle, trike, quad or snowmobile with a container according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3. [5] Scooter, motorcycle, trike, quad or snowmobile according to claim 4, characterized by that the container can be retrofitted to the vehicle. [6] A scooter, motorcycle, trike, quad or snowmobile according to one of claims 4 or 5, comprising an actuating device (KM) by means of which the cover (H) can be automatically moved from a closed position to an open position and vice versa, wherein the control device is arranged such that the cover (H) is automatically opened by means of the actuating device (KM) in dependence on the sensor signal. [7] A scooter, motorcycle, trike, quad or snowmobile according to any one of the preceding claims 4 to 6, wherein the control device (STE) is configured to determine whether the sensor signal represents a predetermined movement of the user, in particular a hand, a foot and / or the head of the user, and that the locking mechanism (VM) is automatically unlocked when the sensor signal represents a predetermined movement of the user, in particular a hand of the user. [8] A scooter, motorcycle, trike, quad or snowmobile according to any one of the preceding claims 4 to 7, comprising a transmitting / receiving device (SEE) for querying an authorization of the user from a portable authorization module of the user, wherein the control device (STE) is configured such that the locking mechanism (VM) is automatically released or unlocked when the authorization module of the user authorizes the user to unlock the cover (H). [9] A scooter, motorcycle, trike, quad or snowmobile according to any one of the preceding claims 4 to 8, wherein the control device (STE) is configured to determine whether the sensor signal represents a predetermined movement of the user, in particular a hand of the user, and that the actuating device (KM) automatically opens the cover (H) when the sensor signal represents a predetermined gesture of the user, in particular a hand, a foot and / or the head of the user.

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