Method for automatically closing a side door of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for automatically closing a side door (4a, 4b) of a motor vehicle (1). In the method, a side door of the motor vehicle (1), which is movable between an opened and a closed position by means of an electric drive (7a, 7b), is moved by means of the drive (7a, 7b) into the closed position if it is identified, by means of at least one radar sensor (6a, 6b) that is present in the vehicle interior compartment (2), that a passenger has entered a vehicle interior (2) of the motor vehicle (1) whilst the side door (4a, 4b) was open.

Description

[0001] Method for the automated closing of a side door of a motor vehicle

[0002] The invention relates to a method for the automated closing of a side door of a motor vehicle and to a motor vehicle having a control / regulation device that is configured / programmed to carry out this method.

[0003] Modern motor vehicles are often equipped with a radar sensor located in the vehicle interior. This radar sensor can detect whether a child is present inside the vehicle. If this is the case and the vehicle is locked from the outside, an alarm signal can be triggered. This prevents the child from being accidentally locked and left behind in the vehicle.

[0004] A motor vehicle with a radar sensor installed in the vehicle interior is known, for example, from DE 102019 211 192 A1.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to show new ways in the development of motor vehicles with a radar sensor installed in the vehicle interior.

[0006] The basic idea of ​​the invention is therefore to use a radar sensor in the vehicle interior of the motor vehicle - often already present as standard - to detect a passenger who has just entered the vehicle. If the radar sensor detects that a passenger has entered the vehicle interior through an open side door of the vehicle, this side door is automatically closed after the passenger has entered the vehicle interior, provided it has a controllable electric drive. In this way, the boarding process is made significantly more comfortable for the passenger, since there is no longer any need to manually close the door or manually trigger an automatic closing process. The method according to the invention is used for the automated closing of a side door of a motor vehicle.According to the method, a side door of the motor vehicle, which can be adjusted between an open and a closed position by means of an electric drive, is adjusted into the closed position by means of the electric drive if it has been detected by means of at least one radar sensor present in the vehicle interior that a passenger has entered a vehicle interior of the motor vehicle with the side door open.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one radar sensor can be a UWB sensor ("ultra-wideband sensor"). This transmits radar pulses into the vehicle interior to detect whether a passenger is present or even moving within the vehicle, as is almost mandatory when boarding. Such a UWB sensor can thus detect the presence and, in particular, the movement of a passenger within the vehicle interior with extremely high reliability and precision. Such a radar or UWB sensor can comprise known components such as a system clock, pulse wave generator, signal amplifier, transmitter, pulse receiver, and wave delay detector.

[0008] According to an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, after the side door has been successfully moved into the closed position, an information signal—in particular an acoustic and / or visual one—is emitted in the vehicle interior. In this way, the vehicle occupant who has just entered the vehicle, as well as the driver of the vehicle, can be informed that the said side door has been successfully closed after entry.

[0009] According to another advantageous development of the method according to the invention, if the side door is not successfully adjusted to the closed position in the vehicle interior, a warning signal - in particular an acoustic and / or visual one - is emitted. Adjustment of the side door to the closed position may, for example, have been blocked by an obstacle in the door opening. The passenger who has just boarded, but in particular the driver of the motor vehicle, can be made aware of this problem using said warning signal and can subsequently take appropriate measures to rectify the problem. According to another preferred embodiment, it is conceivable that, once the passenger has been detected entering the vehicle interior, all side doors that are in the open position and have an electrical drive can be automatically adjusted to the closed position.This measure puts the motor vehicle into a state ready to drive away, at least with regard to the position of the individual side doors.

[0010] According to a further advantageous development, the motor vehicle comprises at least two side doors, each of which can be adjusted by means of an electric drive and closes a respective door opening in the closed position. In this development, the radar sensor present in the vehicle interior detects which door opening the passenger has entered the vehicle through. After the passenger has entered the vehicle interior through the side door assigned to this door opening, this side door is moved into the closed position by means of the electric drive. This development therefore ensures that the side door through whose assigned door opening the passenger entered the vehicle interior is moved into the closed position.

[0011] Particularly preferably, the adjustment of the relevant side door to the closed position can only be initiated once the radar sensor has detected that the passenger has assumed a certain seating position after boarding the vehicle. This prevents the side door from closing prematurely, especially too early. This, in turn, can prevent the passenger from being irritated or even injured by the side door already closing while boarding.

[0012] According to a further advantageous development of the method according to the invention, a belt sensor present in the motor vehicle detects whether the passenger who has entered the motor vehicle has fastened a seat belt assigned to this seat position after assuming the seat position detected by the radar sensor. If it is determined that this is not the case, an error signal is generated after the side door has been closed and the motor vehicle subsequently drives away. In particular, a warning signal can be emitted in the vehicle interior. In this way, in addition to the automated closing of said side door, it can be ensured that the passenger who has entered the motor vehicle and is in the vehicle interior has fastened a seat belt - as is generally required by law - before the motor vehicle drives away.The invention further relates to a motor vehicle having a vehicle interior. The motor vehicle according to the invention further comprises at least one side door that can be adjusted between an open and a closed position by means of an electric drive. In the closed position, the at least one side door closes a door opening associated with this side door. In the open position, the side door releases this door opening so that a passenger can enter the vehicle interior through the door opening. The motor vehicle according to the invention further comprises at least one radar sensor by means of which the presence of a passenger in the vehicle interior can be detected. Furthermore, the motor vehicle according to the invention comprises a control / regulation device that is connected to the radar sensor for transmitting data and for receiving sensor data.The control / regulation device is also designed to adjust the at least one side door between the open and closed states using the electric drive. For this purpose, the side door can be controlled by the control / regulation device. Furthermore, the control / regulation device is configured / programmed to implement the method according to the invention presented above. The advantages of the method according to the invention explained above are therefore transferred to the motor vehicle according to the invention.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the motor vehicle according to the invention comprises at least one front side door and at least one rear side door, each of which can be adjusted between the open and the closed position by means of an electric drive. Particularly preferably, a left front side door and a right such side door, each with an electric drive, can be provided. Alternatively or additionally, a left rear side door and a right rear side door, each with an electric drive, can be provided. In this embodiment, a first radar sensor is arranged in the vehicle interior, by means of which the presence of a passenger in a front interior region of the vehicle interior can be detected, which is accessible through a front left or front right door opening assigned to the front left or front right side door.In this embodiment, a second radar sensor is also arranged in the vehicle interior, by means of which the presence of a passenger in a rear interior region of the vehicle interior can be detected. This region is accessible through a rear left or rear right door opening associated with the rear left or rear right side door. Particularly preferably, the at least one radar sensor present in the vehicle interior is a UWB ("ultra-wideband") sensor. This can particularly preferably emit radar pulses into the vehicle interior and thereby detect whether a passenger is present within the vehicle interior, in particular whether they are moving, as is almost absolutely necessary when boarding. Such a UWB sensor can detect the presence and, in particular, movement of the passenger within the vehicle interior with the highest reliability and high positioning accuracy.UWB sensor may include well-known components such as system clock, pulse wave generator, signal amplifier, transmitter, pulse receiver, wave delay detector.

[0014] Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the subclaims, from the drawing and from the associated description of the figures based on the drawing.

[0015] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0016] Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein the same reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally identical components.

[0017] The sole Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an example of a motor vehicle 1 according to the invention in a plan view. The motor vehicle 1 accordingly comprises a vehicle interior 2 surrounded by a body 8. Furthermore, the motor vehicle 1 comprises a front left side door 4a, a front right side door 4a, a rear left side door 4b, and a rear right side door 4b. All four side doors 4a, 4b are adjustable between an open and a closed position by means of a respective electric drive 7a or 7b, known to those skilled in the art as a "door mover." In the closed position, the respective side door 4a, 4b closes a door opening 5a or 5b of the motor vehicle 1 associated with this side door 4a, 4b.In the open position, the respective side door 4a, 4b releases the door opening 5a, 5b assigned to it, so that a passenger (not shown) can enter the motor vehicle 1 or its vehicle interior 2 through this door opening 5a, 5b.

[0018] In the example scenario, the motor vehicle 1 further comprises a first radar sensor 6a and a second radar sensor 6b, both of which are arranged in the vehicle interior 2. The first radar sensor 6a can be used to detect the presence of a passenger (not shown) in a front interior area 2a of the vehicle interior 2, accessible through one of the two front door openings 5a. For this purpose, the first radar sensor 6a can be particularly expediently arranged in the front interior area 2a, as shown in Figure 1. However, other suitable positions (not shown in Figure 1) are also conceivable for the arrangement of the first radar sensor 6a in the vehicle interior 2.

[0019] The second radar sensor 6b can detect the presence of a passenger in a rear interior area 2b of the vehicle interior 2, accessible through both rear door openings 5b. For this purpose, the second radar sensor 6a can be particularly expediently arranged in the rear interior area 2b, as shown in Figure 1. However, other suitable positions (not shown in Figure 1) are also conceivable for arranging the second radar sensor 6b in the vehicle interior 2.

[0020] Both radar sensors 6a, 6b can be designed as UWB sensors.

[0021] Furthermore, the motor vehicle 1 according to the invention comprises a control / regulation device 3 connected to the two radar sensors 6a, 6b for receiving sensor data. The control / regulation device 3 is also designed to adjust the four side doors 4a, 4b between the open and closed states by appropriately controlling their electric drives 7a and 7b, respectively. Furthermore, the control / regulation device 3 is configured / programmed to carry out the method according to the invention, which is explained below by way of example.

[0022] According to the method, a side door 4a or 4b in the open position is moved into the closed position by the control / regulation device 3 by means of its electric drive 7a or 7b if one of the two radar sensors 6a, 6b present in the vehicle interior 2 has detected and transmitted to the control / regulation device 3 that a passenger has entered the vehicle interior 2 through the door opening 5a, 5b assigned to this side door 4a, 4b with the side door 4a, 4b open.

[0023] In a variant of the example, the adjustment of the respective side door 4a, 4b into the closed position can only be initiated after the radar sensor 6a, 6b has detected that the passenger in the vehicle interior 2 has taken a certain position.

[0024] Optionally, an information signal—for example, an acoustic or visual signal—can be emitted in the vehicle interior 2 after the side door 4a, 4b has been successfully moved to the closed position. Likewise, an optional warning signal—for example, an acoustic or visual signal—can be emitted in the vehicle interior 2 if the respective side door 4a or 4b has not been successfully moved to the closed position.

[0025] Optionally, in the example scenario, it is conceivable to move all side doors 4a, 4b that are in the open position and have an electric drive 7a, 7b to the closed position after the passenger has been detected boarding.

[0026] In a further refinement of the example, a belt sensor present in the motor vehicle 1 can be used to check whether the passenger has fastened a seat belt associated with that seat position after assuming the seat position detected by the radar sensor. If it is detected that this is not the case, an error signal can be generated in this variant after the side door 4a, 4b has been closed and the motor vehicle 1 has driven away following the closing of the side door 4a, 4b. In particular, a warning signal—for example, an acoustic or visual one—can be emitted in the vehicle interior 2.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Method for the automated closing of a side door (4a, 4b) of a motor vehicle (1), according to which the side door (4a, 4b), which can be adjusted between an open and a closed position by means of an electric drive (7a, 7b), is adjusted into the closed position by means of the electric drive (7a, 7b) when it is detected by means of at least one radar sensor (6a, 6b) present in the vehicle interior (2) that a passenger has entered a vehicle interior (2) of the motor vehicle (1) with the side door (4a, 4b) open.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that after the side door (4a, 4b) has been successfully moved into the closed position in the vehicle interior (2), an information signal is output.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that if the side door (4a, 4b) is not successfully adjusted to the closed position in the vehicle interior (2), a warning signal is emitted.

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that after the passenger has been detected boarding, all side doors (4a, 4b) which are in the open position and have a respective electric drive (7a, 7b) are moved into the closed position.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the motor vehicle (1) comprises at least two side doors (4a, 4b) which are adjustable by means of a respective electric drive and close a respective door opening (5a, 5b) in the closed position, the radar sensor (6a, 6b) detects which door opening (5a, 5b) the passenger has entered the motor vehicle (1) through, the side door (4a, 4b) assigned to this door opening (5a, 5b) is adjusted to the closed position after the passenger has entered by means of the electric drive (7a, 7b) of the relevant side door (4, 4b).

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjustment of the relevant side door (4a, 4b) into the closed position is only started when it has been detected by means of the radar sensor (6a, 6b) that the passenger in the vehicle interior (2) has assumed a certain seating position.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that by means of a belt sensor present in the motor vehicle (1) it is detected whether the passenger has fastened a safety belt assigned to this seating position after assuming a certain seating position and, if it is recognized that this is not the case, an error signal is generated when the motor vehicle (1) drives away following the closing of the relevant side door (4a, 4b) and a warning signal is emitted, in particular in the vehicle interior (2).

8. Motor vehicle (1) with a vehicle interior (3), with at least one side door (4a, 4b) adjustable between an open and a closed position by means of an electric drive (7a, 7b), wherein the side door (4a, 4b) closes a door opening (5a, 5b) associated with this side door (4a, 4b) in the closed position and releases it in the open position, so that in the open position a passenger can enter the vehicle interior (2) through the door opening (5a, 5b), with at least one radar sensor (6a, 6b) by means of which the presence of the passenger in the vehicle interior (2) can be detected, with a control / regulation device (3) which is connected to the radar sensor (6a, 6b) for receiving sensor data in a data-transmitting manner and for adjusting the at least one side door (4a, 4b) between the open and the closed state by means of the respective electric drive (7a, 7b), wherein the control / regulation device (4) is set up / programmed to carry out the method according to one of the preceding claims.

9. Motor vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that the motor vehicle (1) comprises at least one front side door (4a) and at least one rear side door (4b), a first radar sensor (6a) is arranged in the vehicle interior (2), by means of which the presence of a passenger in a front interior area (2a) can be detected, which is accessible through the front door openings (5a) of the vehicle interior (2) associated with the front side doors (4a), a second radar sensor (6b) is also arranged in the vehicle interior (2), by means of which the presence of a passenger in a rear interior area (2b) can be detected, which is accessible through the rear door openings (5b) of the vehicle interior (2) associated with the rear side doors (4b), 10. Motor vehicle according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the at least one radar sensor (6a, 6b) is a UWB sensor.

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