CONTROL OF THE OPENING OF A MOTORIZED VEHICLE DOOR IN THE PRESENCE OF USER GESTURES

Abstract

A method controls the opening of a motorized vehicle door and includes a step (10-70) in which the opening of this motorized door is triggered upon receipt of a first signal following the first detection of a disturbance in an electromagnetic field present in an area associated with the motorized door. If a second signal is received following a second detection of a disturbance in the electromagnetic field before the motorized door has begun to open, this second signal is ignored, and the opening is carried out. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 3

Description

Title of the invention: CONTROL OF THE OPENING OF A MOTORIZED VEHICLE OPENING IN THE PRESENCE OF USER GESTURES Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to vehicles comprising a motorized opening whose opening can be triggered by a gesture of a user, and more specifically the control of the opening of such a motorized opening. State of the art

[0002] Certain vehicles, possibly automobiles, include a motorized opening (or flap), generally located at the rear to allow access to a rear trunk, and whose opening can be triggered by a gesture from a user, usually with a leg or a foot. For this purpose, the vehicle includes a detection device designed to emit an electromagnetic field in an area associated with the motorized opening and generally located under the rear bumper, and generating an alert if it detects a disturbance in this electromagnetic field caused by the user's gesture.

[0003] This information is then transmitted by the detection device to a vehicle door control unit, which is responsible for controlling the opening and closing of the motorized door. Upon receiving this information, the door control unit interprets it as a request to open the motorized door if it is closed, and in this case, it transmits an unlocking command to the motorized door's locking mechanism and an opening command to each actuator responsible for opening and closing the motorized door. All these transmissions generally occur via the vehicle's communication network, possibly a multiplexed network.

[0004] In many vehicles, the time required for the user's gesture to be detected, the decision-making process of the door control unit, the unlocking, the start of the opening, and all associated transmissions can be relatively long. This time is further increased when the locking mechanism must be activated to receive the unlocking command and unlock the motorized door, and when each actuator must be activated to receive the opening command and begin the opening process. Typically, the total waiting time for the user, from the moment they make the opening gesture until they observe that the opening has actually begun, is approximately 2.5 seconds.

[0005] Such a total waiting time may prove long for some users, in particular This is particularly noticeable when users are not accustomed to it and / or have their arms full. It can also be considered a malfunction or a design flaw that detracts from the perceived quality of the vehicle. Consequently, it frequently happens that the user makes a new gesture before the motorized opening has begun to open, thinking that this will speed up the opening process. However, this new gesture causes a new disturbance in the electromagnetic field detected by the opening sensor, which then generates new information. When received by the opening control unit, this information is interpreted as a request to close the motorized opening, since it occurs after an opening request. The opening control unit then sends a closing command to each actuator, which will cause the opening to stop and then close the motorized opening.The user is then forced to perform another action or use another opening method after freeing their arms. Such a situation can frustrate the user and lead them to believe that the motorized opening function is malfunctioning even more (and therefore needs to be checked by a service center) or that it actually suffers from a serious design flaw (which further damages the perception of the vehicle's quality). Some users even decide to stop using the motorized opening function of their vehicle altogether.

[0006] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention

[0007] In particular, it proposes for this purpose a control method intended to control the opening of a motorized opening (or shutter) of a vehicle, and comprising a step in which an opening of this motorized opening is triggered in the event of the receipt of a first information following a first detection of disturbance of an electromagnetic field present in an area associated with the motorized opening.

[0008] This control method is characterized by the fact that in its step, in the event of receiving a second piece of information, following a second detection of disturbance of the electromagnetic field, before the motorized opening has started to open, this second piece of information is not taken into account so that the opening is carried out.

[0009] Thus, the second action of the user in the zone cannot cause an interruption of the opening phase of the motorized opening and a triggering of the closing of this motorized opening, if it is carried out before the start of the opening.

[0010] The control method according to the invention may include other features which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0011] - in a first embodiment, in its stage from the receipt of the first information we can monitor an ongoing operating state of at least one cylinder responsible for performing the opening, and we do not take into account the second piece of information when the ongoing operating state at the time of receiving this second piece of information indicates that the cylinder has not started to operate;

[0012] - in a second embodiment, in its stage from the receipt of the first information can trigger a timer of a chosen duration representing a delay for at least one cylinder responsible for carrying out the opening to start working after the opening is triggered, and, if the second information is received before the expiry of this chosen duration, the second information is ignored so that the opening is carried out;

[0013] - in the presence of the last option, in its step the chosen duration can be understood between 1 s and 2.5 s;

[0014] - in its stage, in the event of receipt of the second piece of information after the opening Once the motorized opening has begun, the opening can be interrupted and a closing of the motorized opening can be triggered.

[0015] The invention also proposes a computer program product comprising a set of instructions which, when executed by processing means, is suitable for implementing a control method of the type presented above to control the opening of a motorized opening (or shutter) of a vehicle by detecting disturbance of an electromagnetic field present in an area associated with this motorized opening.

[0016] The invention also proposes a control device for controlling the opening of a motorized opening (or shutter) of a vehicle, and comprising at least one processor and at least one memory arranged to perform the operations of triggering an opening of this motorized opening in the event of receiving a first information following a first detection of disturbance of an electromagnetic field present in an area associated with the motorized opening.

[0017] This control device is characterized by the fact that its processor and memory are also arranged to perform the operations consisting, in the event of receiving a second piece of information, following a second detection of disturbance of the electromagnetic field, before the motorized opening has started to open, of not taking into account this second piece of information so that the opening is carried out.

[0018] The invention also proposes a vehicle, possibly of the automobile type, comprising, on the one hand, a motorized opening (or shutter) with opening by detection of disturbance of an electromagnetic field present in an area associated with it, and, on the other hand, a control device of the type of that presented above. Brief description of the figures

[0019] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from an examination of the detailed description below, and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] [Fig. 1] schematically and functionally illustrates an example of a vehicle comprising a rear trunk with access controlled by a motorized opening associated with at least one actuator controlled by an opening computer comprising a control device according to the invention and associated with a detection device,

[0021] [Fig.2] schematically and functionally illustrates an example of an embodiment of a window / door control unit controlling at least one actuator associated with a motorized window / door, and comprising an example of an embodiment of a control device according to the invention, and

[0022] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates an example of an algorithm implementing a control method according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0023] The invention aims in particular to provide a control method, and an associated DC control device, intended to allow the control of the opening of a motorized opening (or shutter) OM of a vehicle V by detecting disturbance of an electromagnetic field present in a zone ZC associated with this motorized opening OM.

[0024] In what follows, vehicle V is considered, by way of non-limiting example, to be of the automobile type. For example, it is a car, as illustrated in [Fig. 1]. However, the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. It relates to any type of vehicle comprising at least one motorized opening whose opening can be triggered by a user's action. Thus, it relates, for example, to land vehicles (commercial vehicles, motorhomes, minibuses, coaches, trucks, road maintenance vehicles, construction equipment, agricultural vehicles, recreational vehicles (snowmobiles), and tracked vehicles, for example), boats, and aircraft.

[0025] A vehicle V comprising a motorized opening OM associated with at least one actuator VO controlled by an opening computer CO, comprising a control device DC according to the invention and associated with a detection device DD, has been schematically represented in [Fig.1].

[0026] In the example illustrated non-limitingly on [Fig.1] the motorized opening OM is a flap allowing control of access to the rear trunk CR of the vehicle V. But the motorized opening OM could allow control of access to other sub-parts of a vehicle, and in particular to a front trunk or a side door (or door).

[0027] The detection device DD is responsible for emitting an electromagnetic field in a zone ZC which is associated with the motorized opening OM. For example, it may include a detection circuit coupled to a capacitive antenna or a capacitive sensor generating the electromagnetic field and located, here, under the windshield. Rear impact (or bumper) detection. The detection circuit is designed to generate information when it detects a disturbance in this electromagnetic field caused by the action of a vehicle user (for example, a foot or a leg). The detection circuit is also designed to transmit each piece of information it generates to the door control unit. This transmission occurs, for example, via a communication network of the vehicle, possibly of the multiplexed type.

[0028] The opening control unit CO is specifically responsible for controlling the opening and closing of the motorized opening OM, particularly when it receives information transmitted by the detection device DD. This control is achieved through an opening or closing command (or request) that is transmitted to each actuator VO responsible for opening and closing the motorized opening OM. This transmission occurs, for example, via the vehicle's communication network V.

[0029] The CO opening control unit is also responsible for controlling the unlocking of the MV locking mechanism, which is associated with the motorized opening OM, before each VO actuator begins to open the motorized opening OM. This control is performed by means of an unlocking command (or request) that is transmitted to the MV locking mechanism. This transmission occurs, for example, via the vehicle's communication network V.

[0030] As mentioned above, the invention proposes in particular a control method intended to allow control of the opening of the motorized opening OM of the vehicle V by detection of disturbance of an electromagnetic field present in a zone ZC which is associated with this motorized opening OM.

[0031] This (control) method can be implemented at least partially by the DC control device (illustrated in Figures 1 and 2), which for this purpose comprises at least one PR1 processor, for example a digital signal processor (or DSP), and at least one MD memory. This DC control device can therefore be implemented as a combination of electrical or electronic circuits or components (or "hardware") and software modules (or "software"). For example, it could be a microcontroller.

[0032] The MD memory is random access memory (RAM) to store instructions for the implementation by the PR1 processor of at least part of the control process. The PR1 processor may comprise integrated (or printed) circuits, or several integrated (or printed) circuits connected by wired or wireless connections. An integrated (or printed) circuit is defined as any type of device capable of performing at least one electrical or electronic operation.

[0033] In the example illustrated, but not limited to, in Figures 1 and 2, the DC control device is part of the CO opening control unit which is associated with the opening Motorized OM. But this is not mandatory. Indeed, the DC control device could include its own dedicated computer, which is then coupled to the CO opening computer.

[0034] As illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig.3], the (control) method according to the invention includes a step 10-70 which is implemented in the vehicle V whenever a disturbance of the electromagnetic field (caused by the gesture of a user of the vehicle V) is detected in the area ZC by the detection device DD.

[0035] In a sub-step 10 of step 10-70 on (the DD detection device) detects a first disturbance of the electromagnetic field and then transmits a first information to the CO opening computer.

[0036] Then, in a substep 20 of step 10-70, the opening control unit CO receives the first information (following the first detection), and the DC control unit considers this first received information to constitute a request to open the motorized opening OM if the latter (OM) is closed. Then, if the request to open is confirmed, and in a substep 30 of step 10-70, the DC control unit triggers the opening of the motorized opening OM. To do this, the DC control unit requests the activation of the locking mechanism MV and each actuator VO, and then transmits (the DC control unit triggers the transmission) unlocking and opening commands (or requests) respectively to the locking mechanism MV and to each actuator VO. These transmissions are carried out, for example, via the vehicle's communication network V.

[0037] Then, in the event of the CO opening computer receiving in a sub-step 40 of step 10-70 a second piece of information transmitted by the DD detection device, following a second detection of electromagnetic field disturbance, before the motorized opening OM has started to open, in a sub-step 60 of step 10-70 on (the DC control device) does not take into account this second piece of information so that the opening of the motorized opening OM is carried out.

[0038] In other words, if after the opening of the motorized opening OM is triggered by the control device DC, a second signal is received from the detection device DD before each actuator VO has begun to open the motorized opening OM, the control device DC ignores the second signal and therefore does nothing, allowing the motorized opening OM to open completely. This is particularly advantageous because the user's second action in zone ZC will not have interrupted the opening phase of the motorized opening OM and triggered its closing. Admittedly, the user will have waited the total time necessary for the detection of their first action and for the decision to be made. CO opening calculator, at unlocking, at the beginning of opening, and associated transmissions, but at most it will feel that the wait is relatively long and not the impression of a malfunction or a design flaw in the opening function.

[0039] It will be understood that the PR1 processor and the MD memory (of the DC control device) are arranged to perform the operations of triggering the opening of the motorized opening OM in the event of receiving a first information following a first detection of disturbance of the electromagnetic field, and, in the event of receiving a second information, following a second detection of disturbance of the electromagnetic field, before the motorized opening OM has started to open, to disregard this second information so that the opening is carried out.

[0040] It will also be understood that in the absence of reception of a second information by the CO opening calculator in sub-step 40 (and therefore in the absence of a second action by the user), nothing happens, which amounts to returning to perform sub-step 40 as long as the opening of the motorized opening OM is not complete and ending the process once this opening is complete.

[0041] At least two embodiments of the invention can be envisaged.

[0042] In a first embodiment, in substep 20 of step 10-70, upon receiving the first information, the DC control device can monitor the current operating state of at least one cylinder VO (responsible for performing the opening). In this case, in substep 60 of step 10-70, the DC control device disregards the second information received in substep 40 when the current operating state at the time of receiving this second information indicates that the cylinder VO has not yet started operating (substep 50).

[0043] Here it is the CO opening calculator which automatically receives or determines, for example periodically, the current operating state of the VO cylinder(s).

[0044] In a second embodiment, in substep 20 of step 10-70, upon receiving the first signal, the DC control device can trigger a time delay of a chosen duration, representing a delay for each cylinder VO (responsible for opening) to begin operating after the opening is triggered. In this case, if the second signal is received before the expiration of this chosen duration in substep 50, the DC control device disregards the second signal in substep 60 so that the opening is performed.

[0045] It is considered here that the total time (necessary for the detection of a gesture, for the decision-making of the CO opening calculator, for unlocking, for the start of the opening, and associated transmissions) is constant, and therefore we know that as long as the chosen duration (which constitutes a part of this total duration) has not elapsed the opening of the motorized opening OM has not yet started and therefore we must not take into account a second information received before the expiration of this chosen duration.

[0046] For example, the chosen duration can be between 1 s and 2.5 s. As an illustrative example, the chosen duration can be equal to 1.5 s.

[0047] It will be noted, as illustrated non-limitingly on [Fig.3], that in the event of receiving the second information after the motorized opening OM has started to open, the opening can be interrupted (the DC control device can trigger the interruption of) and the closing of the motorized opening OM can be triggered in a sub-step 70 of step 10-70.

[0048] It is considered here that when the user makes a second gesture after noticing that the motorized opening OM was starting to open, this means that he wants to cancel this opening and now wants the motorized opening OM to close.

[0049] The triggering of the closing is done at least by the transmission of a closing command (or request) to each cylinder VO, for example via the communication network of the vehicle V, and possibly after the complete closure of the motorized opening OM by the transmission of a locking command (or request) to the locking mechanism MV, for example via the communication network of the vehicle V.

[0050] It should also be noted, as illustrated but not limited to [Fig. 2], that the opening control unit CO (or the dedicated control unit of the DC control device) may also include a mass memory MM1, in particular for the temporary storage of the current operating state of at least one actuator VO, and any intermediate data involved in all its calculations and processing. Furthermore, this opening control unit CO (or the dedicated control unit of the DC control device) may also include an input interface IE for receiving at least the current operating state of at least one actuator VO and each piece of information transmitted by the detection device DD for use in calculations or processing, possibly after having been shaped and / or demodulated and / or amplified, in a manner known per se, by means of a digital signal processor PR2.Furthermore, this CO opening calculator (or the dedicated calculator of the DC control device) can also include an IS output interface, in particular to deliver commands (or requests) intended for the VO cylinder(s) and MV locking mechanism.

[0051] It should also be noted that the invention also proposes a computer program product (or computer program) comprising a set of instructions which, when executed by processing means such as electronic circuits (or hardware), such as the PR1 processor, is suitable for implementing the control method described above to control the opening of the motorized opening OM of the vehicle V by detecting disturbance of the electromagnetic field which is present in the zone ZC associated with this motorized opening OM.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for controlling the opening of a motorized opening (OM) of a vehicle (V), said method comprising a step (10-70) in which an opening of said motorized opening (OM) is triggered in the event of reception of a first piece of information following a first detection of disturbance of an electromagnetic field present in a zone (ZC) associated with said motorized opening (OM), characterized in that in said step (10-70), in the event of reception of a second piece of information, following a second detection of disturbance of said electromagnetic field, before said motorized opening (OM) has started to open, this second piece of information is not taken into account so that said opening is carried out.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that in said step (10-70) upon receipt of said first information, a current operating state of at least one cylinder (VO) responsible for carrying out said opening is monitored, and said second information is not taken into account when said current operating state at the time of receipt of this second information indicates that said cylinder (VO) has not started to operate.

3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that in said step (10-70) upon receipt of said first information, a time delay of a chosen duration representative of a delay for at least one jack (VO) responsible for carrying out said opening to begin to operate after said triggering, and, in the event of receipt of the second information before the expiry of said chosen duration, said second information is not taken into account so that said opening is carried out.

4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that said chosen duration is between 1 s and 2.5 s.

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that in said step (10-70), in the event of reception of said second information after said motorized opening (OM) has started to open, said opening is interrupted and a closing of said motorized opening (OM) is triggered.

6. Computer program product comprising a set of instructions which, when executed by processing means, is capable of implementing the control method according to one of claims 1 to 5. to control the opening of a motorized opening (OM) of a vehicle (V) by detecting disturbance of an electromagnetic field present in a zone (ZC) associated with said motorized opening (OM).

7. Control device (DC) for controlling the opening of a motorized opening (OM) of a vehicle (V), said device (DC) comprising at least one processor (PR1) and at least one memory (MD) arranged to carry out the operations consisting of triggering an opening of said motorized opening (OM) in the event of reception of a first piece of information following a first detection of disturbance of an electromagnetic field present in a zone (ZC) associated with said motorized opening (OM), characterized in that said processor (PR1) and memory (MD) are further arranged to carry out the operations consisting, in the event of reception of a second piece of information, following a second detection of disturbance of said electromagnetic field, before said motorized opening (OM) has started to open, of not taking this second piece of information into account so that said opening is carried out.

8. Vehicle (V) comprising a motorized opening (OM) opening by detecting disturbance of an electromagnetic field present in a zone (ZC) associated with it, characterized in that it further comprises a control device (DC) according to claim 7.

9. Vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that it is of the automobile type.

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