A vehicle flap opening method using loaded arms, and a vehicle implementing such a method.

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for the motorized opening of a flap (1) of a vehicle (2) comprising obstacle detection means (3), the vehicle (2) comprising unlocking means (8) for the vehicle (2) when at least one identification means (9) is detected at a distance from the vehicle (2) allowing unlocking, the method comprising a detection step implementing the obstacle detection means (3), when the vehicle (2) is stationary, in order to detect the presence of a person (4) at a distance (D) from the vehicle (2) less than a threshold distance and maintaining said distance (D) for a duration greater than a first threshold duration, the method comprising an authentication step consisting of implementing the unlocking means (8) to detect an identification means (9), the method comprising a step of opening the flap (1) when the authentication and detection steps are carried out. (Figure 1)

Description

Title of the invention: A vehicle flap opening method using loaded arms, and a vehicle implementing such a method.

[0001] The technical field relates to the methods of motorized opening of a vehicle flap of the loaded arm type and the vehicles implementing such methods.

[0002] Automobile manufacturers offer their customers various options for equipping their vehicles, including motorized tailgates that allow the trunk lid to be opened automatically with a simple control, thanks to motorized means. Motorized tailgates are particularly attractive to customers who consider such an opening a significant improvement in the comfort offered by their vehicle when equipped with this feature.

[0003] The comfort offered to users can be further improved because some vehicles take advantage of such motorized rear flaps by allowing a user approaching the vehicle with their arms full to open the rear flap without using their arms.

[0004] Most existing automatic opening devices designed to automatically open a motorized shutter when the user's arms are full rely on the principle of disrupting a magnetic field through foot movement. To this end, a set of capacitive antennas, which produce a magnetic field, is installed in the vehicle's underbody below the bumper area. The user must move their leg and foot within the area of ​​the capacitive antennas in such a way as to disrupt the magnetic field. This disruption of the magnetic field then triggers, via an electronic control unit managing all the antennas, a request to open the motorized shutter. However, these automatic opening devices are not very precise, as leg and foot movements are not always detected by the capacitive antennas.Furthermore, performing the leg movement required to open the shutter when the user's arms are full necessitates standing on one leg; this complicates the precise execution of the required movement and creates a risk of imbalance, or even a fall, for the user whose arms are full. Existing devices also struggle to ensure the automatic opening function of a shutter when the user's arms are full, which represents a significant source of inconvenience for users of such devices.

[0005] Most modern vehicles also include a parking assistance system based on the use of ultrasonic sensors that detect and They measure the distance between the vehicle and surrounding objects. Such a parking assistance system alerts the driver with a beep if this distance is deemed too short. This provides the driver with the necessary information to perform parking maneuvers without risk of collision.

[0006] It is known from document FR 2 916 790 to use parking assistance systems to replace capacitive antenna opening devices: when the vehicle user carrying a vehicle remote control is detected by the vehicle, at least one ultrasonic sensor is activated, for a given time delay, and is dedicated to the function of opening the opening so that passing in front of this sensor causes the flap to open.

[0007] Such a vehicle has several disadvantages, including the activation of the opening function for a limited time and the risks of unwanted openings, for example, due to the unexpected passage of an animal behind the vehicle.

[0008] Thus, there is a need for a solution to improve the reliability of automated openings of a shutter when the user has their arms full.

[0009] The present invention aims to overcome the problems described above. In this technical context, one objective of the present invention is to provide a method for eliminating the need for a set of inaccurate capacitive antennas and for utilizing existing parking assistance systems.

[0010] To this end, the present invention relates to a method for the motorized opening of a movable flap of a motor vehicle, the vehicle being of the type comprising a flap capable of being opened by motorization, the vehicle comprising obstacle detection means designed to detect at least one obstacle or at least one person likely to be located near a face of the vehicle on which the flap is installed, the vehicle comprising remote unlocking means designed to allow the unlocking of at least the flap of the vehicle when at least one identification means, designed to authenticate an authorized user of the vehicle, is detected at a distance from the vehicle authorizing the unlocking, the method comprising a detection step consisting of implementing the obstacle detection means, when the vehicle is stationary, in order to detect the presence of a person,the detection step being carried out when a person is detected at a distance from the vehicle less than a predetermined threshold distance and maintains said distance for a duration greater than a first predetermined threshold duration, the method further comprising an authentication step consisting of implementing the unlocking means to detect at least one means of identification, the authentication step being carried out when at least one means of identification is authenticated at a distance from the vehicle authorizing the unlocking of the vehicle, the process comprising an opening step consisting of causing the shutter to open when the authentication and detection steps are completed.

[0011] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a flap capable of being opened by motorization, the vehicle comprising obstacle detection means designed to detect at least one obstacle or at least one person likely to be located near a face of the vehicle on which the flap is installed, the vehicle also comprising remote unlocking means designed to allow the unlocking of at least the flap of the vehicle when at least one identification means, designed to authenticate an authorized user of the vehicle, is at a distance from the vehicle allowing the unlocking, the vehicle being characterized in that it is designed to implement the method according to the invention.

[0012] Thus, the method according to the invention allows a motorized flap to open when a user approaches the vehicle with their arms full. The detection step utilizes the obstacle detection features present on most vehicles and eliminates the need for a set of imprecise capacitive antennas. The conditions for carrying out the detection step ensure the user's position is near the flap. Finally, the authentication step verifies that the detected person is indeed an authorized user of the vehicle and not an unauthorized person or an animal. The automatic opening function is available without time limitation.

[0013] Proximity should be understood as a distance between zero and a few meters, for example between zero and about ten meters. Similarly, a distance allowing the vehicle to be unlocked is on the order of a few meters to about ten meters.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the detection step is carried out when the vehicle is stationary and when either one of the vehicle's engines is off or the engine is running and no gear is engaged. Thus, the two possible uses of the obstacle detection means are employed under distinct conditions, ensuring that the method is only carried out when the vehicle is parked.

[0015] Advantageously, the predetermined threshold distance is equal to or less than 30 cm.

[0016] Advantageously, the first predetermined threshold duration is greater than or equal to 2 seconds.

[0017] According to one possibility, the method controls the emission of an audible alert by the vehicle when a person is detected at a distance from the vehicle less than the predetermined threshold distance and maintains said distance for a duration greater than a second predetermined threshold duration, which is less than the first duration. A predetermined threshold is set. This alerts the user to the impending opening of the shutter. If the opening is not desired, the user can interrupt the process using the appropriate command.

[0018] Advantageously, the second predetermined threshold duration is equal to 1 second.

[0019] Depending on a possibility of the vehicle, the unlocking means are designed To determine an angular sector within which an identification means is detected, as well as the distance between the vehicle and said identification means, the authentication step is then performed when the position of the detected identification means corresponds to the position of the person detected during the detection step, the user being considered the detected person. Position matching is ensured, for example, by comparing the distances measured by obstacle detection means and unlocking means, as well as knowledge of the position of the sensor(s) detecting the person and the angular sector of the identification means.

[0020] According to one possibility, the obstacle detection means are able to distinguish an obstacle, stationary, from a person moving relative to the front of the vehicle.

[0021] Advantageously, the flap is a rear trunk flap.

[0022] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following detailed description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

[0023] [Fig.1] [Fig.1] represents a view of a vehicle according to the invention in the presence of a person positioned to open a motorized flap by implementing a method according to the invention.

[0024] A method according to the invention allows a motorized flap 1 to be opened and installed on a motor vehicle 2 according to the invention, illustrated in the figure. In addition to the flap 1, the vehicle 2 comprises obstacle detection means 3 designed to detect obstacles or persons 4 that may be located near a face 5 of the vehicle 2 on which the flap 1 is installed. Conventionally, the obstacle detection means 3 comprise at least one ultrasonic sensor 6 each, located on the face 5, for example, in a bumper panel 7 of the vehicle 2. The obstacle detection means 3 provide parking assistance to help the driver park the vehicle: they emit audible beeps when obstacles are detected. In some cases, the obstacle detection means 3 are designed to present the driver of the vehicle 2 with a map symbolizing the vehicle 2 and the detected obstacles.The obstacle detection means 3 are thus used as parking assistance when vehicle 2 is moving or when vehicle 2 is stationary, that its . The engine is running and a gear is engaged. The obstacle detection means 3 are able to distinguish a stationary obstacle in the vicinity of vehicle 2 from a person 4 moving in the vicinity of vehicle 2, given that the vehicle 2's speed in its vicinity is known. To this end, the obstacle detection means 3 include appropriate computing resources.

[0025] The vehicle 2 according to the invention also includes remote unlocking means 8 designed to allow the unlocking of at least one flap 1 of the vehicle 2 when at least one identification means 9, shown in the figure, is detected at a distance from the vehicle 2 that permits its unlocking. Such a distance permitting unlocking is, for example, a distance between the vehicle 2 and the identification means 9 of less than ten meters. The identification means 9 is designed to authenticate an authorized user 10 of the vehicle 2. Such an identification means 9 is, for example, a remote control, a hands-free access card, or a smartphone paired with the vehicle 2 and allows the unlocking of the vehicle 2 to be controlled.Advantageously, the unlocking means 8 communicate with the identification means 9 in order to determine the distance between the vehicle 2 and the identification means 9, as well as an angular sector in which the identification means 9 is located relative to the vehicle 2. This is, for example, possible through the use of at least two radio frequency communication antennas, not shown, arranged in the vehicle 2 allowing triangulation calculations to be performed.

[0026] The method includes a detection step consisting of implementing obstacle detection means 3, when the vehicle 2 is stationary, in order to detect the presence of a person 4. The detection step is then carried out when a person 4 is detected at a distance D from the vehicle 2 less than a predetermined threshold distance and maintains said distance D for a duration greater than a first predetermined threshold duration. For example, the predetermined threshold distance is equal to or less than 30 cm. Also by way of example, the first predetermined threshold duration is greater than or equal to 2 seconds.

[0027] Advantageously, the method according to the invention triggers an audible alert from the vehicle 2 according to the invention when the detected person 4 is located at a distance D from the vehicle 2 that is less than the predetermined threshold distance and maintains said distance D for a duration greater than a second predetermined threshold duration, which is less than the first predetermined threshold duration. By way of example, the second predetermined threshold duration is equal to 1 second.

[0028] The method further includes an authentication step consisting of implementing the unlocking means 8 to detect at least one means of identification 9. The authentication step is then considered to be carried out by the The method according to the invention is carried out when at least one identification means 9 is authenticated at a distance from the vehicle 2 that allows the vehicle 2 to be unlocked. Advantageously, when the unlocking means 8 allow it, as described above, the authentication step is considered to have been completed when the position of the detected identification means 9 corresponds to the position of the person 4 detected during the detection step. Thus, the detected person 4 is considered to be the user 10. The correspondence of positions is determined by comparing the two measured distances, for example.

[0029] The method according to the invention includes a step of opening flap 1 consisting of causing flap 1 to open when the authentication and detection steps are carried out.

[0030] In the described embodiment, the detection step is performed when the vehicle 2 is stationary and when either the engine of the vehicle 2 is off or the engine is running and no gear is engaged. Thus, the obstacle detection means 3 have two distinct modes of operation depending on the operating state of the vehicle 2: in a first mode, the obstacle detection means 3 provide parking assistance, and in a second mode, the obstacle detection means 3 are activated by the method according to the invention to allow the automated opening of the flap 1.

[0031] Thus, the method according to the invention makes it possible to do away with conventional capacitive antenna assemblies while offering a solution for opening the flap 1 without time limitation. The method according to the invention makes it possible to obtain a vehicle 2 according to the invention offering the possibility of opening a motorized flap 1 when the user 10 has their arms full.

[0032] The invention is not limited to the method of implementation of the process according to the invention or to the embodiment of the vehicle described above, only by way of example, but other embodiments may be designed by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope and extent of the present invention.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for the motorized opening of a movable flap (1) of a motor vehicle (2), the vehicle being of the type comprising a flap (1) capable of being motorizedally opened, the vehicle (2) comprising obstacle detection means (3) designed to detect at least one obstacle or at least one person (4) capable of being located near a face (5) of the vehicle (2) on which the flap (1) is installed, the vehicle (2) comprising remote unlocking means (8) designed to permit the unlocking of at least the flap (1) of the vehicle (2) when at least one identification means (9), designed to authenticate an authorized user (10) of the vehicle (1), is detected at a distance from the vehicle (2) permitting the unlocking, the method further comprising an authentication step consisting of implementing the unlocking means (8) to detect at least one identification means (9),the authentication step being carried out when at least one means of identification (9) is authenticated at a distance from the vehicle (2) allowing the unlocking of the vehicle (2), the method comprising a detection step consisting of implementing the obstacle detection means (3), when the vehicle (2) is stationary, in order to detect the presence of a person (4), the detection step being carried out when a person (4) is detected at a distance (D) from the vehicle (2) less than a predetermined threshold distance and maintaining said distance (D) for a duration greater than a first predetermined threshold duration, the method comprising an opening step consisting of causing the opening of the flap (1) when the authentication and detection steps are carried out.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the detection step is implemented when the vehicle (2) is stationary and when either an engine of the vehicle (2) is stopped, or the engine is running and no gear is engaged.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the predetermined threshold distance is equal to or less than 30 cm.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first predetermined threshold duration is greater than or equal to 2 seconds.

5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it commands the emission of an audible alert by the vehicle (2) when a person (4) is detected at a distance (D) from the vehicle (2) less than the predetermined threshold distance and maintains said distance (D) for a duration greater than a second predetermined threshold duration, less than the first predetermined threshold duration.

6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that the second predetermined threshold duration is equal to 1 second.

7. A motor vehicle (2) comprising a flap (1) capable of being opened by motorization and motorization opening means, the vehicle (2) comprising obstacle detection means (3) designed to detect at least one obstacle or at least one person (4) capable of being located near a face (5) of the vehicle (2) on which the flap (1) is installed, the vehicle (2) also comprising remote unlocking means (8) designed to allow the unlocking of at least the flap (1) of the vehicle (2) when at least one identification means (9), designed to authenticate an authorized user (10) of the vehicle (2), is at a distance from the vehicle (2) permitting unlocking, the vehicle (2) being characterized in that it is designed to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. Vehicle (2) according to claim 7, characterized in that the unlocking means (8) are designed to determine an angular sector in which an identification means (9) is detected and to determine the distance between the vehicle (2) and said identification means (9), the authentication step then being carried out when the position of the detected identification means (9) corresponds to the position of the person (4) detected during the detection step, the user (10) being assimilated to the detected person (4).

9. Vehicle (2) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the obstacle detection means (3) are able to distinguish an obstacle, stationary, from a person (4) moving relative to the face (5) of the vehicle (2).

10. Vehicle (2) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the flap (1) is a rear trunk flap (1).

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