Means of transport and roof control unit for occupant detection

Abstract

A means of transportation (10), a headliner (2), and a control unit (1) for a headliner (2) of a means of transportation (10) are proposed. The control unit (1) comprises: • a housing (3) within which • a user interface (4), • a light source (5), and • an antenna (6) for detecting the presence of children (15) in a passenger compartment of the means of transport (10) are arranged.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a means of transportation, a headliner, and a control unit for a headliner of a means of transportation. In particular, the present invention relates to a simplified topology for detecting underage occupants.

[0002] The detection of occupants in a vehicle is particularly relevant when parents (e.g., engrossed in a phone call) forget their children inside. The vehicle, even when locked, can then detect the presence of occupants and send a message or call the driver / owner. This can prevent children from being harmed, suffocating, starving, dying of thirst, or freezing to death.

[0003] In current technology, UWD radar antennas are typically installed in the vehicle's headliner. This necessitates a certain amount of assembly and wiring effort during production. Furthermore, accessibility in the headliner can sometimes lead to increased effort during maintenance or repairs.

[0004] Based on the aforementioned state of the art, it is an object of the present invention to make occupant detection simpler in terms of hardware and assembly.

[0005] The aforementioned problem is solved according to the invention by a control unit for a headliner of a means of transportation with the features of claim 1, a headliner with the features of claim 8, and a means of transportation with the features of claim 10. The dependent claims relate to preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a control unit for the headliner of a means of transport (e.g., a car, van, truck, aircraft, and / or watercraft) is designed. Such control units are also referred to as "roof function centers" (FDCs). The control unit comprises a housing containing a user interface (e.g., switches and / or pushbuttons), at least one light source, and an antenna for detecting the presence of children in the passenger compartment of the means of transport. The user interface can be configured to operate a sliding / panoramic sunroof, trigger an emergency call or a remote assistance system, and control the light sources. The light sources can be configured as reading lights, interior lights, ambient lights, or similar.According to the invention, the antenna is provided in the housing of the control unit and is connected mechanically, informationally, and electrically. Thus, the antenna can be positioned at a particularly suitable location within the vehicle during installation of the headliner / vehicle without the need for cabling / wiring. The antenna in the roof / roof control unit allows, in particular, the monitoring of occupants in the first row of seats.

[0007] Preferably, the control unit further includes a microphone by means of which a telephone connection can be established between an occupant and a distant party. In particular, a voice communication system, speed-dependent volume control, speed-dependent equalization, or similar functions can also be provided via the microphone. If the volume of the control unit is sufficient, a storage compartment (e.g., for glasses, sunglasses, etc.) can be provided in the housing. A hinged lid, a swing lid, a sliding lid, or similar can close the storage compartment. In addition, the control unit is optionally equipped with a circuit board or an electronic control unit by means of which a sunroof can be operated, an emergency call function can be provided, or voice assistant functions (possibly in conjunction with accident detection) can be provided.Finally, the control unit can also contain an energy storage device, which, in the event of an accident, can be used to establish a voice and / or data connection to a remote backend / server. By combining the aforementioned functions or parts thereof, a compact and easy-to-wire unit can be created, which is also easily accessible for maintenance / repair.

[0008] Preferably, the antenna can be mounted directly on a circuit board within the control unit. This allows the antenna to be designed, for example, as a conductive trace, sheet metal part, stamped sheet metal part, or similar component, and to be automatically positioned on the circuit board. This further simplifies the wiring and reduces the assembly time during the manufacturing of the vehicle.

[0009] The antenna may, in particular, include a 6th generation remote control service antenna (FBD6 antenna). Such antennas are tried and tested for occupant detection.

[0010] By bundling the many components, a single connector can supply power to the control unit or provide IT connectivity for multiple components. For example, one connector can combine wires that supply power to the antenna, the user interface, and / or the light source. In particular, cables for connecting the control unit to a head unit, bus system, or other control devices can also be bundled with the connector that supplies power to the control unit.

[0011] It is also possible to connect the system to an app via information technology. The interior monitoring system can then send a signal to a corresponding mobile app, for example, one belonging to the vehicle owner.

[0012] Preferably, an antenna used to detect occupants in the second and / or third row of seats in the vehicle can be powered and / or transmit information via an electrical interface (plug connection, insulation displacement connector, etc.) to the control unit. For example, an evaluation unit integrated into the control unit can receive information from the first antenna and check for the presence of occupants in the first row. Similarly, or alternatively, the control unit can analyze the information from the second antenna to determine the presence of occupants in the second and / or third row. This eliminates the need for a separate control unit for the antenna above the second or third row of seats.

[0013] The housing can include a mounting device for the antenna, which secures the antenna using a clamping connection, an insulation displacement connection, or a welded dome connection. For example, an antenna designed as a stamped sheet metal part can be attached to one or more plastic pins, and then heat can be applied to the pin(s), deforming them to create an undercut for the antenna. The mounting device can include spring-loaded elements behind which the antenna is inserted and, after springing back, is secured in the housing.

[0014] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a headliner for a means of transportation (e.g., a car, van, truck, aircraft, and / or watercraft) is proposed. The headliner includes a control unit according to the first aspect of the invention, resulting in the same features, combinations of features, and the advantages arising therefrom as described in detail above.

[0015] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a means of transport (car, van, truck, aircraft and / or watercraft) is proposed with a roof lining according to the second aspect of the invention or an operating unit according to the first aspect of the invention, so that the same features, combinations of features and advantages are also obtained with regard to the means of transport.

[0016] Further details, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the figures. These show: Fig. 1 a schematic side view of an embodiment of a means of locomotion according to the invention; Fig. 2 a top view of a headliner with an embodiment of an operating unit for the headliner according to the invention; and Fig. 3 a perspective, partly cutaway view of a passenger compartment of an embodiment of a means of transport according to the invention with an embodiment of a control unit designed according to the invention.

[0017] Fig. Figure 1 shows a car as a means of transport 10, in the back of which a child 15 is seated. The headliner 2 has a roof functional center (FZD) according to the invention as an operating unit 1 in its front area above the first row of seats. An additional external unit is arranged above the child 15, which provides occupant detection for the second row of seats.

[0018] Fig. Figure 2 shows a possible topology of a control unit 1, which has a housing 3 with a storage compartment located behind a flap 4. Two light sources 5a, 5b are provided in the front area for use as reading lamps. An antenna 6, which in the prior art is arranged outside the housing 3, is moved into the housing 3 of the control unit 1 according to the invention, as indicated by arrow P. An interface 13 has contacts via which an external second FBD6 antenna 14 can be connected to the control unit 1 for information and power supply purposes, located above a second row of seats in the means of transport.

[0019] Fig. Figure 3 shows a detailed view of the in Fig.The arrangement shown in Figure 1 is as follows: Above the child 15, an external control unit with a housing 3 is provided, within which an electrical or information technology interface in the form of a plug connector 12 is provided. A circuit board 9 and an antenna mounted on it, designated as a second antenna 14, are connected to the functional center in the roof, which is a control unit 1. The second antenna 14 is inserted into a slot 18 and welded in place. The plug 21 of a cable 20 is inserted into the plug connector 12, and this cable is in turn plugged into a plug connector 21 in a plug connector 12 of the control unit 1. In this way, the second antenna 14 is connected to the circuit board 9 within the control unit 1. Additionally, an antenna 6, a spiral-shaped sheet metal structure, is mounted on two plastic domes 17 and fixed in place by heat.The antenna 6 is thus connected to the circuit board 9 electronically and mechanically via the plastic domes 17. A battery 11, acting as an electrochemical energy storage device, supplies the circuit board 9 with power. Light sources 5a and 5b are designed to illuminate the interior of the vehicle 10 in different directions. A microphone 7 is used for telephony, voice communication, and for determining the interior sound level to calibrate a speed-dependent volume and speed-dependent equalization. Three buttons 4a, 4b, and 4c are provided as user interfaces to switch the light sources 5a and 5b, activate a remote assistance service, and activate an emergency call function. Sunglasses 22 are located in a storage compartment 8. In this way, the housing 3 incorporates a multitude of components, which may be wired or connected within the housing 3.External information technology / power connections are established via plug contacts 12 and connectors 21. An external antenna 6 is therefore no longer required. In particular, monitoring the first row of seats can thus be achieved with less hardware and installation effort, and the surface design of the vehicle interior can potentially be made even more aesthetically pleasing. Reference symbol list: 1 control unit 2 Headliner 3 cases 4 User interface 5 light bulbs 6 antenna 7 microphone 8 storage compartments 9 circuit boards 10 cars 11 Energy storage 12 Plug contacts 13 Interface 14 second antenna 15 children 17 plug-in domes 18 slots 20 Management 21 plugs 22 Sunglasses P arrow

Claims

[1] Control unit (1) for a roof lining (2) of a means of transport (10) comprising: • a housing (3) within which • a user interface (4), • a light source (5), and • an antenna (6) for detecting the presence of children (15) is arranged in a passenger compartment of the means of transport (10). [2] Control unit according to claim 1, further comprising: • A microphone (7) and / or • A storage compartment (8) and / or • A circuit board (9) and / or • An energy storage device (11). [3] Control unit according to claim 2, wherein the antenna (6) is arranged on the circuit board (9). [4] Control unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the antenna (6) comprises an FBD6 antenna. [5] Operating unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an electrical connection for supplying the antenna (6) with electrical energy and / or data is combined in a plug contact (12), which is also designed to supply the user interface (4) and / or the lighting means (5) with electrical energy. [6] Control unit according to one of the preceding claims, which has an interface (13) for electrical energy and / or information to a further antenna (14) for detecting the presence of children. [7] Operating unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (3) has a fastening device, in particular in the manner of a receptacle corresponding to a shape of the antenna (6), in particular comprising plug-in domes (17) and / or slots (18). [8] Roof lining (2) for a means of transport (10) further comprising an operating unit for a roof lining (2) according to one of the preceding claims. [9] Roof lining (2) according to claim 8, which has a second antenna (6) arranged in an area above a second row of seats of the means of transport (10), which is connected in terms of information technology and / or energy to the operating unit for the roof lining (2). [10] Means of transport comprising a roof lining (2) according to claim 8 or 9 or an operating unit (1) for a roof lining (2) according to one of claims 1 to 7.

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