Method for controlling a door or flap drive of a motor vehicle, door or flap drive for a motor vehicle and motor vehicle with a door or flap drive

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling a door or flap drive of a motor vehicle, wherein an actuating movement of an actuator (39) of the door or flap drive (38) is triggered by means of a control (42) if the following conditions are met: the rate of increase (S1) of an output signal (F) of a sensor (18) lies within a predetermined value range (S0; S2) and the output signal (F) of the sensor (18) is greater than a predetermined threshold value (F1) within a predetermined time interval (t1; t2); in addition, at least one safety condition of a safety device (41) is met.

Description

[0001] Method for controlling a door or flap drive of a motor vehicle, door or flap drive for a motor vehicle and motor vehicle with a door or flap drive

[0002] The present invention relates to a method for controlling a door or hatch drive of a motor vehicle. The present invention further relates to a door or hatch drive for a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle having such a door or hatch drive.

[0003] Document US 2010 / 0 102 978 A1 relates to a keyless entry system for controlling access to a room door and a method for controlling the locking state of a locking system. Document CN 1 06 696 878 A relates to a system for securely opening a vehicle door after parking. Document CN 2 07 311 269 U relates to a warning system for a vehicle door. Documents JP H06 - 227 252 A, CN 1 09 305 125 A, and JP 2013 - 28 903 A relate to systems for opening and closing a vehicle door.

[0004] Doors and tailgates of modern motor vehicles often feature drive systems to automatically open and close the doors and tailgates or to assist in opening and closing the doors and tailgates. These drive systems can be operated, for example, with external switches or sensors facing the vehicle's surroundings or with internal switches or sensors facing the passenger compartment.

[0005] A technical challenge, particularly for external switches and sensors, is to distinguish between an operator command and environmental influences acting on the switches and sensors in order to avoid unwanted opening of the door or flap in question.

[0006] A classic example of an unwanted opening of a trunk lid is driving through a car wash. In this case, the vehicle key, whose presence near the vehicle is often required as an additional condition for executing an opening command, is inside the vehicle and the mechanical pressure of the wash brushes and / or a directed water jet on the relevant switch or sensor can be interpreted as an opening command that triggers the opening of the trunk lid. To make matters worse, some car washes only allow operation with the engine running. The same applies, for example, to the use of a high-pressure cleaner. It is clear that this type of malfunction is not accepted by end customers and can lead to significant damage to the vehicle in question.

[0007] The vehicle cleaning example described above is just one of many examples of the extent to which environmental influences can lead to the incorrect recognition of an operator command. Another example is wind loads or hailstorms acting on the vehicle and the corresponding sensors and switches, which can also trigger the undesired opening or closing of a door or hatch. Furthermore, a person simply leaning against a vehicle without intending to open a door or hatch should not be recognized as an opening command.

[0008] DE 10 2019 204 170 A1 discloses a vehicle door assembly comprising a vehicle door pivotably mounted on a vehicle body and a force transmission device for adjusting and / or locking the vehicle door relative to the vehicle body. The force transmission device comprises a transmission element for establishing a force flow between the vehicle door and the vehicle body in order to adjust the vehicle door relative to the vehicle body or to hold it in position relative to the vehicle body. The vehicle door assembly also comprises a control device for controlling the force transmission device and at least one sensor device for generating a sensor signal indicating a movement of the vehicle door.The control device is designed to evaluate the sensor signal to determine a characteristic value and to compare the thus determined characteristic value with a threshold value in order to detect a user's adjustment request based on the comparison of the characteristic value with the threshold value. The control device is also designed to set the threshold value based on the sensor signal.

[0009] Furthermore, DE 10 2012 006 821 A1 describes a device and a method for controlling at least one movable component in a motor vehicle, having at least one manual operating element, at least one sensor unit, and an evaluation and control unit which detects and evaluates a manual actuation of the at least one operating element and output signals from the at least one sensor unit. Depending on the evaluation, the evaluation and control unit outputs at least one control signal to a drive which moves the at least one movable component within a predetermined range of motion. The evaluation and control unit activates a protective mode in which the evaluation and control unit moves the at least one movable component into a protective position via the drive if a car wash is identified as an ambient condition during the evaluation.The protective position represents a reduced probability of damage to the moving component and / or the interior of the motor vehicle. During protective operation, the evaluation and control unit specifies a manual actuation sequence to generate the control signal for the drive. The evaluation and control unit only generates the control signal if the specified manual actuation sequence is recognized.

[0010] Furthermore, DE 10 2019 211 343 A1 discloses a drive device and a method for adjusting a vehicle assembly. The drive device has an electromotive adjustment drive for adjusting the vehicle assembly and a control device for controlling the adjustment drive. The control device is designed to control the adjustment drive for adjusting the vehicle assembly and, in a calibration routine, to adapt at least one calibration parameter for controlling the adjustment drive. When the vehicle assembly is adjusted, the control device determines a first characteristic variable for a load torque of the vehicle assembly caused by a load on the vehicle assembly and a second characteristic variable for an effective torque applied by the adjustment drive, and adapts the at least one calibration parameter based on the first characteristic variable and the second characteristic variable.

[0011] Overall, therefore, the technical problem is to specify a method for controlling a door or flap drive of a motor vehicle, a door or flap drive of a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle with such a door or flap drive, which are suitable for distinguishing the effect of environmental influences from the presence of an actual operator command as reliably as possible and in this way avoiding false triggering of door and flap drives.

[0012] The technical problem described above is solved by the features of the independent claims. Further embodiments of the invention emerge from the dependent claims and the following description.

[0013] The invention is based on the idea of ​​using a switching device with a sensor whose output signal is analyzed with respect to several features or conditions that are characteristic of actuation by a human operator. In addition, the triggering of an opening or closing movement of the door or hatch drive depends on one or more safety conditions to prevent false triggering of the door or hatch drive or triggering under unsafe conditions. Furthermore, the sensor behavior can be customized for the respective vehicle operator.

[0014] According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a method for controlling a door or flap drive of a motor vehicle, comprising the method steps: actuation of a switching device of the door or flap drive of a motor vehicle by an operator, wherein the switching device has a sensor, in particular a force sensor or a displacement sensor, and wherein the sensor generates an output signal as a function of an actuating force acting on the sensor;Generating a first control signal for triggering an actuating movement of the door or flap drive by means of a controller, wherein the first control signal is generated if the following conditions are met: a rate of rise of the sensor output signal lies within a predefined value range and the sensor output signal is greater than a predefined threshold value within a predefined time period, wherein the predefined value range and the predefined time period have been defined using calibration data and wherein the sensor has been repeatedly actuated to generate the calibration data; Generating a second control signal for triggering an actuating movement of a servomotor of the door or flap drive by means of the controller, wherein the second control signal is generated if at least one safety condition of a safety device is met;Triggering an actuating movement of the door or flap drive by means of the control system, provided that both the first control signal and the second control signal are present.;

[0015] The applicant has recognised that the rate of rise of the sensor's output signal and the time period within which a predetermined threshold is exceeded are characteristic features of the actuation of a switching device by a human operator.

[0016] For example, a person operating a pressure switch will typically apply a moderately increasing pressure, maintain this pressure for a short period of time, and then discontinue the pressure application. The resulting signal curve can be distinguished from a signal curve caused, for example, by the situation described above in a car wash, under wind load, or by hailstorms. This is because pressure applied by washing brushes has a strongly pulsating curve, while pressure applied by a water jet or hail exhibits a sudden or jerky increase, which would not normally occur when operated manually by an operator.

[0017] The triggering of an actuating movement of the door or flap drive by means of the control is achieved in particular by the control sending a control command to a servomotor of the door or flap drive or triggering a servomotor of the door or flap drive.

[0018] In particular, the switching device can be configured for pressure actuation, with a front plate, wherein the front plate has an actuation side which, in the fully assembled state, faces an operator, wherein an actuation direction is oriented substantially perpendicular to a front surface of the front plate, with a fastening structure, wherein the front plate is connected to the fastening structure in the region of a fastening side facing away from the actuation side, and wherein the front plate is coupled to the sensor.

[0019] The mounting structure can have one or more spring elements for defining an actuation force. Accordingly, the force required to actuate the switching device or to move the front panel along an actuation path can be specified by the number and / or dimensions of the one or more spring elements.

[0020] The spring elements can therefore be used to adjust or specify an actuation profile, which can be specified, for example, as progressive, soft, or hard, depending on the application. The spring elements can also serve as support or suspension for the front panel.

[0021] The front panel may be designed to accommodate a vehicle manufacturer's logo or may include the vehicle manufacturer's logo. For example, the front panel may have an area of ​​more than 10 cm 2and can, for example, have an area of ​​less than 100 cm 2 have.

[0022] When reference is made here to a "door or flap drive," this refers in particular to a drive for the semi-automatic or fully automatic movement of the respective associated vehicle door or flap. The drive in question can therefore assist in opening and / or closing the vehicle door or flap, or can carry out the opening and / or closing of the vehicle door or flap completely automatically. In particular, the drive can have a motor or actuator for the semi-automatic or fully automatic pivoting of the vehicle door or flap, or can have a motor or actuator for the semi-automatic or fully automatic sliding of the vehicle door or flap. In particular, mechanical components for increasing or reducing the motor movement, such as a spindle drive or the like, can be assigned to the motor. Alternatively, the motor can be designed as a direct drive.

[0023] According to this text, motor vehicle doors are commonly used to refer to, for example, the driver's and front passenger doors, as well as the rear passenger doors, which allow access to the passenger compartment. These doors may be hinged or sliding doors.

[0024] According to this text, motor vehicle flaps are, in accordance with common usage, for example the bonnet, the trunk lid or flaps providing access to the fuel tank opening or the charging interface of a motor vehicle, that is to say, in general, inspection or maintenance flaps.

[0025] The terms "vehicle" and "motor vehicle" are used synonymously in this text. The terms "vehicle door" and "door" are used synonymously in this text. The terms "vehicle flap" and "flap" are used synonymously in this text. The terms "motor" and "actuator" are used synonymously in this text.

[0026] It can be provided that the calibration data is generated before the sensor is installed in the motor vehicle, and that after the sensor has been installed in the motor vehicle, the specified value range and / or the threshold value are adjusted to compensate for any stress on the sensor resulting from installation. This means that after installation, no recalibration in the sense of applying a defined force to the sensor multiple times is initially required. For example, the adjustment of the specified value range and / or the threshold value can serve to compensate for a zero point shift resulting from the stress and / or a compliance profile of the sensor changed due to the stress level.

[0027] Alternatively, it can be provided that the calibration data is generated after the sensor has been installed in the motor vehicle.

[0028] Alternatively, it can be provided that the calibration data is generated before and after the sensor is installed in the motor vehicle.

[0029] Generating the calibration data involves applying a defined force to the sensor multiple times. This allows a relationship between the actuation force applied to the sensor and the sensor's output signal to be determined.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the method, it can be provided that the second control signal is generated depending on the existence of one or more of the following safety conditions: a speed of the motor vehicle is less than a predetermined speed limit, in particular less than 5 km / h, less than walking speed or the like; there are no collision warnings from environmental and / or interior sensors of the motor vehicle; a digital and / or physical vehicle key of the motor vehicle is located in the immediate vicinity of the motor vehicle, in particular within a predetermined distance range around the motor vehicle; an emergency locking or special locking of the vehicle is not present.

[0031] Furthermore, it can be provided that the second control signal is generated depending on the existence of one or more of the following safety conditions: there is no person in the driver's seat of the motor vehicle; there is a person in the driver's seat of the motor vehicle and this person actuates an additional switching device to manually release the switching device. In this way, it can be avoided that, for example, an attack takes place at a traffic light in which an unwanted person uses the sensor to open a door or tailgate. Furthermore, the residual risk that, for example, in a car wash with the engine running, the sensor generates a valid signal to open a door or tailgate can be countered with the additional switching device. The additional switching device can, for example, be a switch or a button.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the method, it can be provided that a recalibration of the sensor takes place while the motor vehicle is in driving operation.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the method, it can be provided that a recalibration of the sensor takes place while the motor vehicle is at a standstill.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the method, one or more output signals resulting from a previous actuation of the switching device by an operator can be used to recalibrate the sensor. In particular, an average value is calculated from several output signals resulting from a plurality of previous actuations of the switching device by an operator, and in particular, the predetermined value range and / or the threshold value is adjusted. In this way, the sensor behavior can be adapted to the operator's actuation behavior.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the method, recalibration of the sensor can be performed after the sensor has been pushed through, in particular after the sensor has been pushed through to a stop. Pushing through the sensor can lead to tension in the sensor and / or deformation of mechanical components. Recalibration after pushing through therefore enables reliable operation of the sensor or switching device, comparable to the previously described procedure after initial assembly.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the method, the sensor can be recalibrated based on a plausibility check, with the specified value range and / or threshold value and / or time period only being adjusted if a respective value range lies within specified plausibility limits. In this case, unrealistic values ​​should be excluded so that recalibration of the sensor cannot render it unusable or no longer operable, for example, due to an unrealistically high force threshold or an excessively long holding time being set.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the method, it can be provided that the first control signal for triggering an actuating movement of the door or flap drive is generated by means of the controller, provided that one or more of the following conditions are additionally met: the output signal of the sensor is smaller than the predetermined threshold value after the predetermined time period; a rise time of the output signal of the sensor lies within a predetermined value range.

[0038] According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a door or flap drive for a motor vehicle, comprising a controller, wherein the controller is designed in particular to carry out a method according to the invention, comprising a switching device of the door or flap drive, wherein the switching device has a sensor and wherein the sensor is designed to generate an output signal as a function of an actuating force acting on the sensor;wherein the controller is configured to generate a first control signal for triggering an actuating movement of the door or flap drive, wherein the first control signal is generated if the following conditions are met: a rate of rise of the output signal of the sensor is within a predetermined value range and the output signal of the sensor is greater than a predetermined threshold value within a predetermined time period, wherein the predetermined value range and the predetermined time period have been defined on the basis of calibration data, wherein the sensor has been actuated repeatedly to generate the calibration data;with a safety device, wherein the controller is configured to generate a second control signal for triggering the actuating movement of the actuator of the door or flap drive, wherein the controller is configured to generate the second control signal if at least one safety condition of the safety device is met; wherein the controller is configured to trigger an actuating movement of an actuator of the door or flap drive if both the first control signal and the second control signal are present.

[0039] According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle has a door or flap drive according to the invention.

[0040] The invention is described below with reference to a drawing illustrating exemplary embodiments. The drawings schematically show: Fig. 1 a switching device in a front view; Fig. 2 the switching device Fig. 1 in a side view; Fig. 3 shows a section of a motor vehicle with a switching device from Fig. 1 in a side view; Fig. 4 a force curve plotted against a time axis; Fig. 5 another force curve plotted over a time axis; Fig. 6 shows a flow chart of a method according to the invention; Fig. 7 shows a further flow chart of a method according to the invention; Fig. 8 shows a further flow chart of a method according to the invention; Fig. 9 shows a further flow chart of a method according to the invention.

[0041] Fig. Figure 1 shows a front view of a switching device 2. The switching device 2 serves to operate a door or hatch drive of a motor vehicle.

[0042] The switching device 2 has a front panel 4. The front panel 4 has a logo L, which in this example is star-shaped. The logo L represents a placeholder for any vehicle manufacturer's logo.

[0043] The front panel 4 has an actuation side 6, which, in the fully assembled state, faces an operator. An actuation direction 8 is oriented essentially perpendicular to a front surface 10 of the front panel 4 ( Fig. 2).

[0044] The switching device 2 has a fastening structure 12 ( Fig. 2).

[0045] The front plate 4 is connected to the fastening structure 12 in the area of ​​a fastening side 14 facing away from the actuating side 6.

[0046] The fastening structure 12 has four spring elements 16.

[0047] The switching device 2 has a sensor 18 for detecting a touch and actuation of the front panel 4. In this example, the sensor 18 is a force sensor 18.

[0048] The spring elements 16 are tabs 16 in the present case. Each of the tabs 16 has a first fastening section 20 and a second fastening section 22. The spring elements 16 have a progressive spring characteristic.

[0049] The respective first fastening section 20 of a respective tab 16 is in the Fig. 1, extends laterally beyond the front panel 4. The respective second fastening section 22 of a respective tab 16 is fastened to the front panel 4 ( Fig. 2).

[0050] The dashed circles describe according to Fig. 1 shows exemplary pressure points P, in the area where an operator might actuate the switching device 2 in practice. Due to the arrangement of the first fastening sections 20, tilting of the front panel 2 can be largely avoided, even when actuated in the area of ​​the edges.

[0051] The sensor 18 in the present case comprises an inductive displacement sensor which has a first component 24 and a second component 26.

[0052] The first component 24 is held detachably and replaceably on the front panel 4.

[0053] The second component 26 is detachably and replaceably held on the fastening structure 12.

[0054] The second component 24 of the sensor 18 is configured to detect the approach of the first component 24 to the second component 26. The displacement measurement by the inductive displacement sensor and the spring characteristics of the spring elements can be used to determine the operator's actuation force. The displacement signal can therefore be converted into a force signal using the known spring characteristics. For calibration, the front panel can be repeatedly subjected to a defined force or defined force profiles in order to record the output signal of the sensor 18 as a function of the actuation force.

[0055] The spring elements 16 are held on a base plate 30 of the fastening structure 12 by means of brackets 28.

[0056] In this case, the sensor 18 is enclosed by a rubber sleeve 32 to tightly shield the sensor 18 from the environment U and, for example, to protect it from moisture and / or contamination. According to alternative embodiments, a rubber sleeve or seal can be provided that seals a larger area than the rubber sleeve 32 shown here. For example, a seal could be attached to the front plate 4 and / or the base plate 30 in such a way that the spring elements 16 are also sealed. Such a seal could, for example, rest against a vehicle chassis.

[0057] The front panel 4 is assigned a device 34 for generating a haptic signal to a user touching the front panel. The device 34 serves, for example, to output micro-movements as feedback to a user. In this case, a respective stop 44 of the fastening structure 12 serves to limit an actuation path along the actuation direction 8.

[0058] The micromovements can, for example, be movements of the front panel 4 in the range of, for example, 50-500 µm, wherein the movements are carried out along and / or against the actuation direction 8. The movements can, for example, be in the form of a vibration or in the form of one or more countermovements in a direction opposite to the pressure exerted by an operator.

[0059] Fig. 3 shows an example and a section of a motor vehicle 36 according to the invention.

[0060] The motor vehicle 36 has a flap drive 38 according to the invention with a servo motor 39 for moving a vehicle flap 40 of the motor vehicle 36. In the present example, the vehicle flap 40 is a trunk flap.

[0061] The motor vehicle 36 also has a switching device 2 as described above.

[0062] The motor vehicle 36 has a controller 42 which is connected to the switching device 2, to the servo motor 39 and to a safety device 41.

[0063] The control 42 serves to control the actuator 39 in dependence on a signal from the sensor 18 of the switching device 2 and in dependence on a signal from the safety device 41.

[0064] In this case, the sensor 18 detects a movement and / or deformation of the front panel 4 due to a force exerted by an operator by measuring the approach of the first component 24 to the second component 26 of the sensor 18. Depending on the measured distance, a force curve of the operator's actuation force can be measured based on the known spring characteristics. Thus, the force exerted is measured for a specified period of time. Fig. 4 shows an example of a measured force curve F over time T of an operator actuation by exerting pressure on the front panel 4.

[0065] The controller 42 is configured to generate a first control signal for triggering an actuating movement of the actuator motor 39 of the flap drive 38, wherein the first control signal is generated if the following conditions are met: a rate of rise S1 of the output signal F of the sensor 18 lies within a predetermined value range S0 to S2 (in short: S0 - S2), with S0 < S1 < S2.

[0066] The output signal F of the sensor 18 is greater than a predetermined threshold value F1 within a predetermined time period t1 to t2 (in short: t1 - t2).

[0067] The specified value range S0 - S2 and the specified time period t1 - t2 have been defined on the basis of calibration data, wherein the sensor 18 or the switching device 2 has been repeatedly actuated to generate the calibration data.

[0068] The controller 42 is configured to generate a second control signal for triggering the actuating movement of the servomotor 39 of the flap drive 38. The second control signal is generated by the controller 42 provided that at least one safety condition of the safety device 41 is met, namely, in this case, that the speed of the motor vehicle is lower than a predetermined speed limit of 5 km / h. The safety device 41 therefore transmits a current vehicle speed to the controller 42.

[0069] The controller 42 is configured to trigger the execution of an actuating movement of the actuator motor 39 of the flap drive 38, provided that both the first control signal and the second control signal are present.

[0070] However, if the control 42, for example, has the exemplary Fig. If the system detects the pulsations shown in Figure 5, which indicate, for example, a car wash or a similar cleaning device, the vehicle door 40 will not be opened. This prevents unwanted opening of the vehicle door 40.

[0071] Fig. 6 shows a flow chart of a method according to the invention, with the method steps: (A) Actuation of the switching device 2 of the flap drive 38 of the motor vehicle 36 by an operator, whereby a signal F according to Fig. 4 is generated; (B) generating a first control signal for triggering the actuating movement of the actuator motor 39 of the flap drive 38 by means of the controller 42, wherein the first control signal is generated because the following conditions are met: the rate of increase S1 of the output signal F of the sensor 18 lies within the predetermined value range S0 - S2 and the output signal F of the sensor 18 is greater than the predetermined threshold value F1 within the predetermined time period t1 - t2; and Generating the second control signal for triggering the actuating movement of the actuator motor 39 of the flap drive 38 by means of the controller 42, wherein the second control signal is generated because the safety condition of the safety device 41 is met, according to which the vehicle speed is less than 5 km / h; (C) Triggering the actuating movement of the actuator motor 39 of the flap drive 38 by means of the controller 42, since both the first control signal and the second control signal are present.

[0072] Fig. 7 shows a flow chart of a further method according to the invention, wherein the method steps (A), (B) and (C) are preceded by a further method step (K1), wherein the method step (K1) comprises the features that the calibration data are generated before the sensor 18 is installed in the motor vehicle 36 and that after the sensor is installed in the motor vehicle 36, the predetermined value range S1 - S2 and / or the threshold value F1 are adjusted in order to compensate for a stress state of the sensor 18 resulting from the installation.

[0073] Fig. 8 shows a flow chart of a further method according to the invention, wherein the method steps (A), (B) and (C) are preceded by a further method step (K2), wherein the method step (K2) comprises the features that the generation of the calibration data takes place after the installation of the sensor 18 in the motor vehicle 36.

[0074] Fig. 9 shows a flowchart of a further method according to the invention, wherein method steps (A), (B), and (C) are preceded by further method steps (K1, K2) and followed by a method step (K3), wherein the calibration data are generated before and after the installation of the sensor 18 in the motor vehicle 36. Furthermore, method step (K3) can include a recalibration of the sensor 18 while the motor vehicle 36 is in driving operation.

[0075] The process step (K3) can also be carried out with the process variants of Fig. 6, Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 can be combined.

[0076] To recalibrate the sensor 18, several output signals F from the sensor 18 are used, which result from previous actuations of the switching device 2 by an operator. Averaging is performed from several output signals resulting from the majority of previous actuations of the switching device by an operator, and the predetermined value range S1 - S2 and the threshold value F1 are adjusted. Thus, the switching behavior of the switching device can be adapted to the usual force application of the operator, i.e., individualized.

[0077] If a first operator of a first vehicle regularly operates the switching device 2 of the first vehicle in question rather jerkily and with a strong application of force, the values ​​for S1 and S2 as well as for F1 can be increased. If a second operator of a second vehicle regularly operates the switching device 2 of the second vehicle in question rather moderately and with a low application of force, the values ​​for S1 and S2 as well as for F1 can be reduced.

[0078] The values ​​for S1 and S2 as well as for F1 can therefore be adapted to operator behavior.

[0079] It may be provided that a recalibration of the sensor 18 occurs after the sensor 18 has been pushed through, in particular after the sensor 18 has been pushed through to a stop. Pushing through can create a state of tension in the sensor 18, similar to the initial assembly described above, or can lead to a plastic deformation of individual mechanical components that change the relative position of the elements of the sensor 18. Recalibrating the sensor 18 after pushing through enables continued reliable operation.

[0080] The recalibration of the sensor 18 can be carried out depending on a plausibility check, wherein in particular an adjustment of the predetermined value range S1 - S2 and / or the threshold value F1 and / or the predetermined time period t1 - t2 only takes place if a respective value range or threshold value lies within predetermined plausibility limits.

[0081] The generation of the first control signal for triggering the actuating movement of the flap drive 38 by means of the controller 42 can additionally depend on one or more of the following conditions: the output signal of the sensor is smaller than the predetermined threshold value F1 after the predetermined time period t1 - t2; a rise time of the output signal F of the sensor lies within a predetermined value range.

[0082] Alternatively or in addition to checking the vehicle speed, the second control signal can be generated depending on the existence of one or more of the following safety conditions: there are no collision warnings from environmental and / or interior sensors of the motor vehicle; a digital and / or physical vehicle key of the motor vehicle is in the immediate vicinity of the motor vehicle, in particular within a predetermined distance range around the vehicle; there is no emergency locking or special locking of the vehicle; there is no person in the driver's seat of the motor vehicle; there is a person in the driver's seat of the motor vehicle and this person actuates an additional switching device to manually release the switching device. Reference symbol 2 switching device 4 Front panel 6 Operating side 8 Actuation direction 10 Front surface 12 Mounting structure 14 Mounting side 16 spring element 18 Sensors 20 fastening section 22 Fastening section 24 first component 26 second component 28 brackets 30 base plate 32 rubber sleeve 34 Device for generating a haptic signal 36 Motor vehicle 38 Damper actuator 39 Actuator 40 vehicle flap 41 Safety device 42 Control 44 stop L Logo U environment A process step B Process step C Process step K1 Process step K2 Process step K3 Process step

Claims

[1] Method for controlling a door or flap drive of a motor vehicle, comprising the following steps: - actuation of a switching device (2) of the door or flap drive (38) of the motor vehicle (36) by an operator, - wherein the switching device (2) has a sensor (18), in particular a force sensor (18) or a displacement sensor, and - wherein the sensor (18) generates an output signal (F) as a function of an actuating force acting on the sensor (18); - generating a first control signal for triggering an actuating movement of a servomotor (39) of the door or flap drive (38) by means of a controller (42), wherein the first control signal is generated if the following conditions are met: - a rate of increase (S1) of the output signal (F) of the sensor (18) lies within a predetermined value range (S0; S2) and - the output signal (F) of the sensor (18) is greater than a predetermined threshold value (F1) within a predetermined time period (t1; t2), - wherein the predetermined value range (S0; S2) and the predetermined time period (t1; t2) have been defined on the basis of calibration data and wherein the sensor (18) has been repeatedly actuated to generate the calibration data; - generating a second control signal for triggering the actuating movement of the servomotor (39) of the door or flap drive (38) by means of the controller (42), the second control signal being generated if at least one safety condition of a safety device (41) is fulfilled; - triggering the actuating movement of the actuator (39) of the door or flap drive (38) by means of the control (42), provided that both the first control signal and the second control signal are present. [2] Method according to claim 1 characterized by , that - the calibration data are generated before the sensor (18) is installed in the motor vehicle (36) and, after the sensor (18) is installed in the motor vehicle (36), the predetermined value range and / or the threshold value are adjusted in order to compensate for a stress state of the sensor (18) resulting from the installation; or - the calibration data are generated after the sensor (18) has been installed in the motor vehicle (36) or - the calibration data are generated before and after the sensor (18) is installed in the motor vehicle (36). [3] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the second control signal is generated depending on the existence of one or more of the safety conditions listed below: - a speed of the motor vehicle (36) is less than a predetermined speed limit, in particular less than 5 km / h, less than walking speed or the like; - there are no collision warnings from environmental and / or interior sensors of the motor vehicle (36); - a digital and / or physical vehicle key of the motor vehicle (36) is located in the immediate vicinity (U) of the motor vehicle (36), in particular within a predetermined distance range around the motor vehicle (36); - there is no emergency locking or special locking of the motor vehicle (36); - there is no person in the driver's seat of the motor vehicle; - there is a person in the driver's seat of the motor vehicle and this person operates an additional switching device to manually release the switching device. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a recalibration of the sensor (18) takes place while the motor vehicle (36) is in driving operation or a recalibration of the sensor (18) takes place while the motor vehicle (36) is at a standstill. [5] Method according to claim 4, characterized by , that - for recalibrating the sensor (18), one or more output signals (F) are used which result from a previous actuation of the switching device (2) by an operator, - wherein in particular an average value is formed from several output signals (F) resulting from a plurality of previous actuations of the switching device (2) by an operator, - in particular, an adjustment of the specified value range and / or the threshold value takes place. [6] Method according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized bythat a recalibration of the sensor (18) takes place after the sensor (18) has been pushed through, in particular after the sensor (18) has been pushed through to a stop (44). [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims 4-6, characterized by , that - the recalibration of the sensor (18) is carried out depending on a plausibility check, - in particular, an adjustment of the specified value range and / or the threshold value and / or the specified time period only takes place if a respective value range lies within specified plausibility limits. [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims 4-7, characterized by that the generation of the first control signal for triggering an actuating movement of the door or flap drive (38) takes place by means of the controller (42), provided that one or more of the following conditions are additionally met: - the output signal of the sensor (18) is smaller than the predetermined threshold value after the predetermined time period; - a rise time of the output signal of the sensor (18) lies within a predetermined value range. [9] Door or flap drive for a motor vehicle, - with a controller (42), wherein the controller (42) is particularly designed to carry out a method according to one of claims 1-8, - with a switching device (2) of the door or flap drive (38), - wherein the switching device (2) has a sensor (18) and - wherein the sensor (18) is configured to generate an output signal as a function of an actuating force acting on the sensor (18); - wherein the controller (42) is configured to generate a first control signal for triggering an actuating movement of a servomotor (39) of the door or flap drive (38), wherein the first control signal is generated if the following conditions are met: - a rate of increase of the output signal of the sensor (18) lies within a predetermined value range and - the sensor output signal is greater than a specified threshold within a specified period of time, - wherein the predetermined value range and the predetermined time period have been defined on the basis of calibration data, wherein the sensor (18) has been repeatedly actuated to generate the calibration data; - with a safety device (41), wherein the controller (42) is configured to generate a second control signal for triggering the actuating movement of the servomotor (39) of the door or flap drive (38), wherein the controller (42) is configured to generate the second control signal if at least one safety condition of the safety device (41) is fulfilled; - wherein the controller (42) is configured to trigger an actuating movement of the actuator motor (39) of the door or flap drive (48) if both the first control signal and the second control signal are present. [10] Motor vehicle, characterized by that the motor vehicle (36) has a door or flap drive (38) according to claim 9.

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