Securing the opening of a motorized shutter by taking into account the vehicle's attitude

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for opening a flap (1) of a vehicle (2), the vehicle (2) comprising a motorized flap (1), means for detecting a leg movement (4) within a detection volume (6b), and pitch detection means (7) designed to measure a deviation (8) in the vehicle's (2) pitch relative to a reference pitch (9). The method comprises an opening step consisting of detecting the leg movement (4) within the detection volume (6b) to trigger the opening. The opening step is preceded by successive first and second steps; the first step uses the pitch detection means (7) to measure the deviation (8), and the second step defines the detection volume (6b) as a function of the deviation (8) so that the latter allows the leg movement (4) while preventing the flap (1) from striking the user (5) during its opening. (Figure 3)

Description

Title of the invention: Securing the opening of a motorized shutter by taking into account the vehicle's attitude.

[0001] The technical field relates to the methods of opening a motorized vehicle flap as well as vehicles implementing such opening 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 them.

[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 flap when the user's arms are full rely on the principle of detecting a leg and / or foot movement in a predetermined area at the rear of the vehicle, generally located under the bumper. Leg movement detection uses capacitive antennas that react to a disturbance in a magnetic field or radar. The use of radar appears to be preferred: indeed, as illustrated in [Fig. 1], a radar R allows for more precise and reliable detection of a leg movement J made within a radar detection zone ZD, the detection zone ZD being located outside the bumper at the rear of the prior art vehicle V.

[0005] Automatic opening devices, however, have a drawback, particularly those using radar, which users encounter when the vehicle is loaded with cargo or occupants: the prior art vehicle V then assumes a position such that the detection zone ZD, illustrated by solid lines in [Fig. 1], is displaced relative to the position of the prior art vehicle V when unloaded and / or unoccupied, illustrated by dashed lines in [Fig. 1], requiring the leg movement to be performed closer to the prior art vehicle V. As a result, the user of the prior art vehicle V performs the leg movement outside the detection zone or must move closer to the prior art vehicle V, creating a risk that the flap will strike the user when it opens. Furthermore, the leg movement required for opening, when The user has their arms loaded, requiring the user to temporarily position themselves on one leg; this creates a risk of imbalance or even a fall for the user whose arms are loaded, if the latter has to move back to avoid the flap.

[0006] Thus, there is a need for a solution that takes into account the loaded state of the vehicle for the control of opening the mobile flap of the vehicle.

[0007] 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 motorized opening of a flap that takes into account a change in the vehicle's attitude resulting from loading the vehicle.

[0008] To this end, the present invention relates to a method for motorized opening of a motor vehicle flap, the vehicle being of the type comprising, on the one hand, a flap capable of being opened motorically and, on the other hand, detection means designed to detect and identify at least one leg movement of a vehicle user carried out within a detection volume in order to authorize the opening of the flap, the vehicle also comprising attitude detection means designed to measure a deviation of the vehicle's attitude from a reference attitude, the process comprising an opening step consisting of implementing detection means to detect a leg movement of a user within the detection volume in order to authorize and control the opening of the shutter, The method is characterized in that the opening step is preceded by successive first and second steps. The first step consists of implementing the vehicle attitude detection means to measure the deviation of the vehicle's attitude from a reference attitude. The second step consists of defining the detection volume based on the deviation measured in the first step, such that the detection volume is positioned to allow the user to perform the leg movement at a distance from the vehicle that avoids contact between the stationary user and the flap during its opening. A stationary user is understood to be a user remaining at the distance from the vehicle at which they initiated the leg movement; that is, a user who does not move backward to allow the flap to pass.

[0009] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising, on the one hand, a flap capable of being opened by motorization and, on the other hand, detection means designed to detect and identify at least one movement of a leg of a user of the vehicle in a detection volume in order to authorize the opening of the flap, the vehicle also comprising attitude detection means designed to measure a deviation of the vehicle's attitude from a reference attitude, the vehicle being characterized in that it is designed to implement the method according to the invention.

[0010] Thus, the method according to the invention takes into account a change in the vehicle's attitude, linked for example to a load or occupants, to modify the detection volume within which the leg movement must be performed. By modifying the detection volume, the method thus guarantees to the user that they are positioned at a distance from the vehicle allowing the flap to open while avoiding contact between the user and the flap during its opening. Furthermore, the user's leg movement is detected when they are positioned at the usual distance, unlike the corresponding situation with a prior art vehicle.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the detection volume has a frustoconical shape, the second step consisting of modifying the orientation of the axis of the frustoconical shape.

[0012] Advantageously, the orientation of the axis of the truncated cone shape undergoes a rotation in a vertical plane of the vehicle.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the reference level corresponds to a level of the vehicle when the latter is empty of cargo and occupant.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the vehicle according to the invention, the detection means comprise at least one radar positioned behind a bumper skin of the vehicle.

[0015] According to one possibility of the vehicle according to the invention, the attitude detection means comprise at least one attitude sensor positioned on a front or rear axle of the vehicle.

[0016] 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 drawings in which:

[0017] [Fig. 1] [Fig. 1] represents a side view of a prior art vehicle V presenting a load and not implementing the process according to the invention;

[0018] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents a side view of a vehicle according to the invention, in a reference plate, showing a user making a leg movement within the detection volume;

[0019] [Fig. 3] [Fig. 3] represents a side view of the vehicle in [Fig. 1], comprising a loading which generates a different plate from the reference plate, [Fig.3] also showing a user making a leg movement in the detection volume.

[0020] In these figures, the same references are used to designate the same elements.

[0021] A method according to the invention controls the motorized opening of a flap 1 of a motor vehicle 2 according to the invention, illustrated in figures 2 and 3.

[0022] Vehicle 2 comprises, in addition to the flap 1 which can be opened in a way motorized, on the one hand, detection means 3 designed to detect and identify at least one movement of a leg 4 of a user 5 of the vehicle 1 carried out in a detection volume 6a, 6b in order to authorise the opening of the flap 1. The vehicle 2 includes, on the other hand, attitude detection means 7 designed to measure a deviation 8 of the attitude of the vehicle 2, illustrated on the [Fig.3], in relation to a reference attitude 9, illustrated on the [Fig.2].

[0023] In order to allow the motorized opening of the flap 1, the vehicle 2 is equipped, as standard, with at least one motorized cylinder, an on-board network allowing the exchange of information between the different sensors and / or elements of the vehicle 2 and in particular an electronic motorization control box allowing the control of a locking lock of the flap 1 and of each motorized cylinder.

[0024] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the detection means 3 comprise at least one radar 10 positioned behind a bumper skin 11 of the vehicle 2. Furthermore, the attitude detection means 7 comprise at least one attitude sensor, not shown, positioned on a front or rear axle of the vehicle 2. By attitude, it is understood that the orientation of a reference surface of the vehicle 2, such as the floor of the vehicle 2, is the orientation of the vehicle relative to the ground surface on which the vehicle 2 is located. For example, four attitude sensors are integrated into the vehicle 2, one on each of the wheels of the vehicle 2.Each ride height sensor, for example, is equipped with a computer designed to evaluate the height of the vehicle 2's underbody relative to the road and to adapt the shock absorbers or brakes of vehicle 2, on one side or the other depending on the direction of the turn, to ensure the most stable ride height possible for vehicle 2 in turns.

[0025] As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the detection volume 6a, 6b has a frustoconical shape 12 with axis A and whose apex is located on a face of the radar 10. The detection volume 6a, 6b extends from the radar 10, located behind the bumper skin 11 and is truncated by a part 13 of the ground located behind the vehicle 2.

[0026] The method according to the invention includes an opening step consisting of implementing the detection means 3 to detect a movement of the leg 4 of the user 5 carried out in the detection volume 6a, 6b to authorize and control the opening of the flap 1.

[0027] The method according to the invention is particular in that the opening step is preceded by successive first and second steps, the first step consisting of implementing the attitude detection means 7 to measure the deviation 8 of the vehicle's attitude relative to the reference attitude 9. The reference attitude 9 corresponds, for example, to an attitude of the vehicle 2 obtained when the latter is empty of cargo and occupant.

[0028] The second step consists of defining the detection volume 6b based on the gap 8 measured in the first step, such that the detection volume 6b is positioned to allow the user 5 to perform the leg movement 4 at a distance D from the vehicle that avoids contact between the stationary user 5 and the flap 1 during its opening. The distance D corresponds to the minimum distance measured during the opening of the flap 1 between a standard-sized user 5, approximately 1.70 m tall, and the flap 1. The distance D is, for example, on the order of 10 to 50 cm. In order to define the detection volume 6b, an electronic control unit for the radar 10 makes the necessary adjustments to the operation of the radar 10 to obtain the desired detection volume 6b.As an example, the electronic control unit selects, for example, a portion of the radar 10's field of view to be monitored, or modifies the orientation of the radar 10's field of view. Alternatively, the second step consists of modifying the orientation of the radar 10 mounted on a steerable support.

[0029] In the embodiment of the method according to the invention, the second step consists of modifying the orientation of the axis A, illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, of the frustoconical shape 12. In particular, the orientation of the axis A of the frustoconical shape 12 undergoes a rotation in a vertical plane of the vehicle 2: When the vehicle 2 is empty of occupants and cargo, it has the reference attitude 9 and the detection volume 6a forms an angle al measured from top to bottom with respect to the vertical of the vehicle 2, as illustrated in [Fig. 2]. When the vehicle 2 has a load, the attitude of the vehicle 2 is modified so that the deviation 8 is observed and measured. Without implementing the method according to the invention, the situation is that of the car illustrated in [Fig. 1]. By implementing the method according to the invention, the detection volume 6a is modified to obtain the new detection volume 6b, illustrated in [Fig. 1].3], to account for the 8-degree deviation. The transformation of the detection volume 6a consists of a rotation in the vertical plane of vehicle 2 such that the detection volume 6b forms an angle a2 with respect to the vertical of vehicle 2, measured from top to bottom. In order to compensate for the deviation 8, the angle a2 is less than the angle al.

[0030] Thus, the method according to the invention allows the user 5 of the vehicle 2 according to the invention to move their leg 4 and then remain in their seat while waiting for the flap 1 to fully open, without risking being struck by the flap 1. Indeed, the detection zone 6a, 6b is defined so as to guarantee a minimum safety distance D. Furthermore, the user 5 is not surprised since their leg movement 4 is detected, unlike in a situation involving a prior art vehicle V.

[0031] The invention is not limited to the method of implementing the process according to the invention or the embodiment of the vehicle according to the invention described above, only by way of example, but other embodiments may be devised by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope and scope of the present invention.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for the motorized opening of a flap (1) of a motor vehicle (2), the vehicle (2) being of the type comprising, on the one hand, a flap (1) capable of being opened by motorization and, on the other hand, detection means (3) designed to detect and identify at least one movement of a leg (4) of a user (5) of the vehicle (2) carried out within a detection volume (6a, 6b) in order to authorize the opening of the flap (1), the vehicle (2) also comprising trim detection means (7) designed to measure a deviation (8) of the trim of the vehicle (2) from a reference trim (9), the method comprising an opening step consisting of implementing the detection means (3) to detect a movement of a leg (4) of a user (5) carried out within the detection volume (6a, 6b) in order to authorize and control the opening of the flap (1),the method being characterized in that the opening step is preceded by successive first and second steps, the first step consisting of implementing the attitude detection means (7) to measure a deviation (8) of the vehicle's attitude (2) relative to a reference attitude (9), the second step consisting of defining the detection volume (6a, 6b) as a function of the deviation (8) measured in the first step so that the detection volume (6a, 6b) is arranged to allow the user (5) to perform the leg movement (4) at a distance (D) from the vehicle (1) avoiding contact between the stationary user (5) and the flap (1) during its opening.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the detection volume (6a, 6b) has a frustoconical shape (12), the second step consisting of modifying the orientation of the axis (A) of the frustoconical shape (12).

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the orientation of the axis (A) of the truncated cone shape (12) undergoes a rotation in a vertical plane of the vehicle (2).

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the reference platform (9) corresponds to a platform of the vehicle (2) when the latter is empty of cargo and occupant.

5. A vehicle (2) comprising, on the one hand, a flap (1) capable of being opened by motorized means and, on the other hand, detection means (3) designed to detect and identify at least one movement of a leg (4) of a user (5) of the vehicle (2) within a detection volume (6a, 6b) in order to allow the opening of the flap (1), the vehicle (2) also comprising trim detection means (7) designed to measure a deviation (8) of the trim of the vehicle (2) from a reference trim (9), the vehicle (2) being characterized in that it is designed to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 QA

6. d H-. Vehicle (2) according to claim 5, characterized in that the detection means (3) comprise at least one radar (10) positioned behind a bumper skin (11) of the vehicle (2).

7. Method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the attitude detection means (7) comprise at least one attitude sensor positioned on a front or rear axle of the vehicle (2).