Optional actuator-assisted door opening for a vehicle

Abstract

Vehicle door assembly (1) of a vehicle (100), comprising a first locking element (3) arranged on a vehicle door (101) and a second locking element (5) arranged on a body (102) of the vehicle (100), wherein the first locking element (3) and the second locking element (5) are positively interlockable to hold the vehicle door (101) on the body (102), further comprising a door handle (7) arranged on the vehicle door (101), wherein the door handle (7) is connected to a sensor device (15) for detecting a pressure input or a pull input from a user on the door handle (7), and wherein the sensor device (15) is connected to a control unit (9), and the control unit (9) is configured to actuate a lock actuator (11) and a door opening actuator (13), wherein the lock actuator (11) is used to disconnect the first locking element (3) and the second locking element. (5) is executed,and the door opening actuator (13) is designed to open the vehicle door (101) relative to the body (102), wherein the door handle (7) is at least partially recessed in the vehicle door (101) in the absence of a pull input or a push input and can be raised from the recess by pressing the door handle (7), and wherein the control unit (9) is designed to actuate the lock actuator (11) to disconnect the first locking element (3) and the second locking element (5) upon a signal from a driver identification device and to actuate the door opening actuator (13) to open the vehicle door (101) relative to the body (102) upon a detected push or pull input.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle door arrangement of a vehicle, a vehicle with such a vehicle door arrangement, and a method for opening a vehicle door of a vehicle door arrangement of a vehicle.

[0002] DE 10 2015 221 413 A1 relates to a method for gently opening a vehicle door, wherein the method comprises: determining the status of an icing of the vehicle door; and generating an output for a user of the vehicle, wherein the output indicates the status of the icing of the vehicle door.

[0003] DE 10 2013 112 706 A1 relates to a system comprising a door handle that can be movably mounted in or on an automobile and an actuating device for the door handle, wherein the door handle has a handle section and two bearing sections arranged in the area of ​​opposite ends of the handle section, characterized in that the actuating device comprises an actuating lever which is pivotably connected at one end to a first of the bearing sections and is pivotably mounted at its other end between a rest position and an actuating position on a housing section, wherein the door handle assumes a closed position in the rest position of the actuating lever and assumes an actuating position in the actuating position of the actuating lever from which the door handle can be manually pulled into an open position to unlock a door lock.wherein the actuating device comprises drive means for moving the actuating lever from the rest position to the actuating position, and wherein the actuating device further comprises at least one cam guide in which the first bearing section is guided by at least one guide section at least during a movement of the actuating lever between the rest position and the actuating position such that the door handle is moved substantially translationally between its closed position and its actuating position.

[0004] DE 100 26 043 A1 relates to a closure for a hood or door of a motor vehicle, comprising a locking bolt which engages in a lock jaw when the hood or door is closed, a rotary latch which engages the locking bolt with its latch jaw when the hood or door is closed, a pawl which engages a detent of the rotary latch when the hood or door is closed and disengages from the detent when the hood or door is opened, characterized in that an opening kinematic is provided which is designed such that when the hood or door is opened the rotary latch is rotated in the closing direction to create a gap between the detent and the pawl before the pawl is disengaged.

[0005] DE 10 2013 013 298 A1 also relates to a door actuating unit for a vehicle door, wherein the vehicle door comprises an electrically actuated door lock, with at least one sensor for generating a quantitative measurement signal that is characteristic of the mechanical load on the sensor, and with a control and evaluation unit that is configured to output a first actuating signal to the door lock when the respective measurement signal of the sensor or sensors meets a predetermined criterion.

[0006] DE 10 2015 107 609 A1 also relates to a vehicle comprising: a vehicle body having a pillar; a vehicle door movably coupled to the vehicle body; an assembly coupled to the vehicle door for at least partial opening of the vehicle door, the assembly comprising: an actuator having an actuator body and an actuator shaft movable relative to the actuator body between a retracted position and an extended position; a lever pivotally coupled to the vehicle door; and a spring coupled between the lever and the actuator shaft, such that the spring biases the lever towards the pillar.

[0007] The object of the invention is to assist in opening a vehicle door relative to the body of a vehicle, particularly for weaker elderly people and especially when the door seal between the vehicle door and the body of the vehicle is iced up.

[0008] The invention is defined by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments and embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0009] A first aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle door arrangement of a vehicle, comprising a first locking element arranged on a vehicle door and a second locking element arranged on a body of the vehicle, wherein the first locking element and the second locking element are positively interlockable to hold the vehicle door on the body, further comprising a door handle attached to the vehicle door, wherein the door handle is connected to a sensor device for detecting a pressure input or a pull input from a user on the door handle, and wherein the sensor device is connected to a control unit, and the control unit is configured to actuate a lock actuator and a door opening actuator, wherein the lock actuator is configured to disconnect the first locking element and the second locking element, and the door opening actuator is configured to open the vehicle door relative to the body.wherein the door handle is at least partially recessed in the vehicle door in the absence of a pull input or a push input and can be raised from the recess by pressing the door handle, and wherein the control unit is configured to actuate the lock actuator to disconnect the first locking element and the second locking element upon a signal from a driver identification device, and to actuate the door opening actuator to open the vehicle door relative to the body upon a detected push or pull input.

[0010] Both a push input and a pull input therefore cause the control unit to activate the lock actuator to separate the first locking element and the second locking element from each other, and to activate the door opening actuator to open the vehicle door relative to the body.

[0011] Preferably, the door handle is movably mounted relative to the vehicle door in both directions, away from and towards the vehicle door. In this configuration, pressure input causes the door handle to move towards the vehicle door, and pulling input from the user causes it to move away from the vehicle door. Alternatively, and preferably, pressure and pulling inputs are simply the application of a force in the appropriate direction to a rigid and immovable door handle.

[0012] Preferably, the control unit is configured to detect whether the first and second locking elements are separated or connected, so that the lock actuator is only activated to separate them when they are connected. In this respect, the control unit is preferably configured to skip the activation of the lock actuator to separate the first and second locking elements if it detects that they are already separated, particularly by a previous separation via a driver identification device, which is preferably a switch located on the outside of the vehicle body, an electronic vehicle key, or a touch sensor.Then, a push or pull input simply results in the actuated opening of the vehicle door relative to the body. Particularly if the separation of the first and second locking elements has already occurred in response to a signal from a driver identification device, a door seal counter-pressure, a spring force in a hinge of the vehicle door, or an actuated or spring-driven shock cylinder preferably ensures an initial door opening by a certain gap, from which the vehicle door can be manually opened relative to the body. Alternatively, a push or pull input at the door handle can be used, which causes the control unit to activate the door opening actuator to open the vehicle door relative to the body, thus actuating the door opening.

[0013] The vehicle can be a car, truck, bus, rail vehicle or aircraft.

[0014] It is an advantageous effect of the invention that the opening of a vehicle door relative to the body of a vehicle is supported, particularly for weaker and elderly people and especially when the door seal between the vehicle door and the body of the vehicle is iced up, in particular by an optionally activatable actuator.

[0015] According to the invention, the door handle is at least partially recessed in the vehicle door in the absence of a pull input and in the absence of a push input, and can be lifted out of the detent position by pressing the door handle.

[0016] According to a further advantageous embodiment, a cavity is arranged on the vehicle door below the door handle in order to space the door handle away from the vehicle door, so that a gripping space for inserting the fingers between the door handle and the vehicle door is formed.

[0017] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the first locking element has a rotary latch and the second locking element has a bolt, wherein when connecting the first locking element to the second locking element by rotating the rotary latch around the bolt, the rotary latch and the bolt can be fixed to each other.

[0018] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the control unit is designed to activate the door opening actuator to open the vehicle door relative to the body only when the first locking element and the second locking element are completely separated from each other.

[0019] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the control unit is designed to control the lock actuator to hold the first locking element and the second locking element in the separated state during the duration of a detected pull input.

[0020] According to the invention, the control unit is designed to actuate the lock actuator to separate the first locking element and the second locking element in response to a signal from a driver identification device.

[0021] The driver identification device is preferably a mechanical and / or electronic key.

[0022] Another aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle with a vehicle door arrangement as described above and below.

[0023] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for opening a vehicle door of a vehicle door assembly of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle door assembly comprises a first locking element arranged on a vehicle door and a second locking element arranged on a body of the vehicle, wherein the first locking element and the second locking element can be positively connected to each other for holding the vehicle door on the body, wherein the door handle is at least partially recessed in the vehicle door in the absence of a pulling input and in the absence of a pushing input and can be lifted out of the recess by pressing the door handle, comprising the steps: - in response to a signal from a driver identification device: Activation, by the control unit, of the lock actuator to separate the first locking element and the second locking element, - Performing a push or pull input by a user on a door handle located on the vehicle door, - Detection of pressure or pull input by a sensor device, wherein the sensor device is connected to a control unit, - Controlling a door opening actuator by the control unit in response to the detected pressure or pull input, such that the door opening actuator is controlled to open the vehicle door relative to the body.

[0024] Advantages and preferred further developments of the proposed procedure result from an analogous and substantive transfer of the above statements made in connection with the proposed vehicle door arrangement.

[0025] Further advantages, features, and details will become apparent from the following description, in which – possibly with reference to the drawing – at least one embodiment is described in detail. Identical, similar, and / or functionally equivalent parts are marked with the same reference numerals.

[0026] They show: Fig. 1 a section of a vehicle door arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2 a section of a vehicle door arrangement according to a further embodiment of the invention, Fig. 3 a vehicle with a vehicle door arrangement according to a further embodiment of the invention, Fig. 4 a train input profile, a pressure input profile, the activity of a lock actuator, and the activity of a door opening actuator, each of a vehicle door arrangement according to a further embodiment of the invention, Fig. 5 a train input sequence, a pressure input sequence, the activity of a lock actuator, and the activity of a door opening actuator, each of a vehicle door arrangement according to a further embodiment of the invention, Fig. 6 a train input profile, a pressure input profile, the activity of a lock actuator, and the activity of a door opening actuator, each of a vehicle door arrangement according to a further embodiment of the invention, and Fig. 7 a method for opening a vehicle door according to a further embodiment of the invention.

[0027] The representations in the figures are schematic and not to scale.

[0028] Fig. Figure 1 shows a section of a vehicle door assembly 1 of a vehicle 100, comprising a first locking element 3 arranged on a vehicle door 101 and a second locking element 5 arranged on a body 102 of the vehicle 100, wherein the first locking element 3 and the second locking element 5 can be positively connected to each other to hold the vehicle door 101 to the body 102. The first locking element 3 has a rotary latch and the second locking element 5 has a bolt, wherein when connecting the first locking element 3 to the second locking element 5, the rotary latch and the bolt can be fixed to each other by rotating the rotary latch around the bolt. Furthermore, a door handle 7 is arranged on the vehicle door 101, wherein the door handle 7 is connected to a sensor device 15 (not shown) for detecting a push or pull input from a user on the door handle 7.

[0029] Fig. Figure 2 shows a section of a vehicle door assembly 1 of a vehicle 100, wherein a door handle 7 is arranged on a vehicle door 101, the door handle 7 being connected to a sensor device 15 for detecting a push or pull input from a user on the door handle 7. In the absence of a pull input or in the absence of a push input, the door handle 7 is at least partially recessed in the vehicle door 101 and is mounted to rotate asymmetrically, so that in the case of a pull input the door handle 7 can be moved away from the vehicle door 101, thus activating the left branch of the sensor device 15, and in the case of a push input, e.g. by exerting a pressure force on the geometric center of the door handle 7, the right branch of the sensor device 15 is activated.

[0030] Fig. Figure 3 shows a vehicle 100 with a vehicle door arrangement 1, as shown in sections of such a vehicle door arrangement 1. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are shown.

[0031] Fig. Figure 4 shows a curve of a pressure input, characterized by a positive force 15+ detected by the sensor device 15 at the door handle 7, a curve of a pull input, characterized by a negative force 15- detected by the sensor device 15 at the door handle 7, the activity of the lock actuator 11, and the activity of the door opening actuator 13, each over the time period corresponding to the horizontal axis. The sensor device 15 is connected to a control unit 9, and the control unit 9 is configured to control a lock actuator 11 and a door opening actuator 13, wherein the lock actuator 11 is configured to disconnect the first locking element 3 and the second locking element 5, and the door opening actuator 13 is configured to open the vehicle door 101 relative to the body 102. In the Fig. 4. Only a pressure input is applied, to which, immediately after the start of the pressure input, the control unit 9 activates the lock actuator 11 to separate the first locking element 3 and the second locking element 5, and after separation, activates the door opening actuator 13 to open the vehicle door 101 relative to the body 102.

[0032] Fig. Figure 5 shows a curve of a pressure input, characterized by a positive force 15+ detected by the sensor device 15 at the door handle 7, a curve of a pull input, characterized by a negative force 15- detected by the sensor device 15 at the door handle 7, the activity of the lock actuator 11, and the activity of the door opening actuator 13, each over the time period assigned to the horizontal axis. The sensor device 15 is connected to a control unit 9, and the control unit 9 is configured to control a lock actuator 11 and a door opening actuator 13, wherein the lock actuator 11 is configured to disconnect the first locking element 3 and the second locking element 5, and the door opening actuator 13 is configured to open the vehicle door 101 relative to the body 102. In the Fig. 5 only a pull input occurs, during which the control unit 9 controls the lock actuator 11 to separate the first locking element 3 and the second locking element 5, and after separation and termination of the pull input, controls the door opening actuator 13 to open the vehicle door 101 relative to the body 102.

[0033] Fig. Figure 6 shows a curve of a pressure input, characterized by a positive force 15+ detected by the sensor device 15 at the door handle 7, a curve of a pull input, characterized by a negative force 15- detected by the sensor device 15 at the door handle 7, the activity of the lock actuator 11, and the activity of the door opening actuator 13, each over the time period corresponding to the horizontal axis. The sensor device 15 is connected to a control unit 9, and the control unit 9 is configured to control a lock actuator 11 and a door opening actuator 13, wherein the lock actuator 11 is configured to disconnect the first locking element 3 and the second locking element 5, and the door opening actuator 13 is configured to open the vehicle door 101 relative to the body 102. In the Fig. 6 only a pull input is made, and the control unit 9 controls the lock actuator 11 to hold the first locking element 3 and the second locking element 5 in the separated state, so that the opening force of the door opening actuator 13 does not act against a connection of the first locking element 3 and the second locking element 5.

[0034] Fig. Figure 7 shows a method for opening a vehicle door 101 of a vehicle door assembly 1 of a vehicle 100, wherein the vehicle door assembly 1 has a first locking element 3 arranged on a vehicle door 101 and a second locking element 5 arranged on a body 102 of the vehicle 100, wherein the first locking element 3 and the second locking element 5 are positively interlockable to hold the vehicle door 101 on the body 102, comprising the steps: - Performing S1 a push input or a pull input by a user at a door handle 7 assigned to the vehicle door 101, - Detection S2 of the pressure input or the pull input by a sensor device 15, wherein the sensor device 15 is connected to a control unit 9, - Controlling S3 of a lock actuator 11 and a door opening actuator 13 by the control unit 9 in such a way that the lock actuator 11 is controlled to separate the first locking element and the second locking element, and the door opening actuator 13 is controlled to open the vehicle door 101 relative to the body 102.

[0035] Although the invention has been further illustrated and explained in detail by means of preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and other variations can be derived from them by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the invention. It is therefore clear that a multitude of possible variations exist. It is also clear that the embodiments mentioned as examples are truly only examples and are not to be understood in any way as limiting, for example, the scope of protection, the possible applications, or the configuration of the invention.Rather, the preceding description and the description of the figures enable the person skilled in the art to implement the exemplary embodiments in concrete terms, whereby the person skilled in the art, with knowledge of the disclosed inventive concept, can make various changes, for example with regard to the function or the arrangement of individual elements mentioned in an exemplary embodiment, without leaving the scope of protection defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanations in the description. Reference symbol list 1 Vehicle door arrangement 3 first locking element 5 second locking element 7 Door handle 9 Control unit 11 Lock actuator 13 Door opening actuator 15 Sensor device 100 vehicles 101 Vehicle door 102 Bodywork S1 S2 Approach S3

Claims

[1] Vehicle door assembly (1) of a vehicle (100), comprising a first locking element (3) arranged on a vehicle door (101) and a second locking element (5) arranged on a body (102) of the vehicle (100), wherein the first locking element (3) and the second locking element (5) are positively interlockable to hold the vehicle door (101) on the body (102), further comprising a door handle (7) arranged on the vehicle door (101), wherein the door handle (7) is connected to a sensor device (15) for detecting a pressure input or a pull input from a user on the door handle (7), and wherein the sensor device (15) is connected to a control unit (9), and the control unit (9) is configured to actuate a lock actuator (11) and a door opening actuator (13), wherein the lock actuator (11) is used to disconnect the first locking element (3) and the second closing element (5) is designedand the door opening actuator (13) is designed to open the vehicle door (101) relative to the body (102), wherein the door handle (7) is at least partially recessed in the vehicle door (101) in the absence of a pull input or a push input and can be raised from the recess by pressing the door handle (7), and wherein the control unit (9) is designed to actuate the lock actuator (11) to disconnect the first locking element (3) and the second locking element (5) upon a signal from a driver identification device and to actuate the door opening actuator (13) to open the vehicle door (101) relative to the body (102) upon a detected push or pull input. [2] Vehicle door arrangement (1) according to claim 1, wherein a cavity is arranged on the vehicle door (101) below the door handle (7) to space the door handle (7) away from the vehicle door (101), so that a grip space for inserting the fingers between the door handle (7) and the vehicle door (101) is formed. [3] Vehicle door arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first locking element (3) has a rotary latch and the second locking element (5) has a bolt, wherein when connecting the first locking element (3) with the second locking element (5) by rotating the rotary latch about the bolt the rotary latch and the bolt can be fixed to each other. [4] Vehicle door arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (9) is configured to actuate the door opening actuator (13) to open the vehicle door (101) relative to the body (102) only when the first locking element (3) and the second locking element (5) are completely separated from each other. [5] Vehicle door arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (9) is configured to control the lock actuator (11) to hold the first locking element (3) and the second locking element (5) in the separated state during the duration of a detected pull input. [6] Vehicle (100) with a vehicle door arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5. [7] Method for opening a vehicle door (101) of a vehicle door assembly (1) of a vehicle (100), wherein the vehicle door assembly (1) comprises a first locking element (3) arranged on a vehicle door (101) and a second locking element (5) arranged on a body (102) of the vehicle (100), wherein the first locking element (3) and the second locking element (5) are positively interlockable to hold the vehicle door (101) on the body (102), wherein the door handle (7) is at least partially recessed in the vehicle door (101) in the absence of any pulling or pushing input and can be lifted out of the recess by pressing the door handle (7), comprising the steps: - in response to a signal from a driver identification device: Control, by the control unit (9), of the lock actuator (11) to separate the first locking element (3) and the second locking element (5), - Performing (S1) a push input or a pull input by a user on a door handle (7) assigned to the vehicle door (101), - Detection (S2) of the pressure input or the pull input by a sensor device (15), wherein the sensor device (15) is connected to a control unit (9), - Controlling (S3) a door opening actuator (13) by the control unit (9) in response to the detected pressure input or pull input such that the door opening actuator (13) is controlled to open the vehicle door (101) relative to the body (102).

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