MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING AN OPENING DEVICE CONFIGURED TO OPEN AN OPENING ELEMENT AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE OPENING OF AN OPENING ELEMENT OF SUCH A MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle (1) comprising at least one seat (5c), at least one opening element and an opening device (11) configured to open or close said at least one opening element, characterized in that said motor vehicle (1) comprises a supervision member (13) configured to detect the use or non-use of the seat (5c), said opening device (11) being configured to activate:– a first mode of opening said opening element when the use of at least one seat (5c) is detected by said supervision member (13);– a second mode of opening said opening element when the non-use of at least one seat (5c) is detected by said supervision member (13). Abstract figure: [Fig. 2]

Description

Title of the invention: MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING AN OPENING DEVICE CONFIGURED TO OPEN AN OPENING PANEL AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE OPENING OF AN OPENING PANEL OF SUCH A VEHICLE CAR

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of motor vehicles, and more particularly to the field of opening an opening of the motor vehicle under certain conditions.

[0002] Indeed, a motor vehicle generally comprises a passenger compartment in which seats are arranged in several rows, for example two front seats, two or three rear seats among others arranged in the form of a rear bench seat, and sometimes also one or more folding seats located behind the rear bench seat, therefore located at least partly in a loading volume of the trunk of the vehicle.

[0003] For safety reasons, it is advisable to provide a device for opening the openings allowing the occupants of the rear bench seat and / or the folding seats to open the opening closest to each of the occupants, whether this is a side door for the rear bench seat or the trunk door for the folding seat(s).

[0004] In the case of folding seats, the occupants do not have access to the side doors, so it is necessary to provide an opening mechanism or device, such as a button, allowing the trunk door to be opened from the inside.

[0005] However, when the folding seats are not in use or unoccupied and objects are placed in the loading volume of the trunk, one of the objects may activate the opening device, in particular when the vehicle accelerates, and thus cause the unwanted opening of the trunk door.

[0006] This is of course an unacceptable consequence, as it poses a risk to objects located in the loading volume, but also to vehicle users, as well as to third-party vehicles (particularly when the objects end up falling onto the road).

[0007] The present invention thus proposes to remedy at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a new type of motor vehicle, for example thermal, electric or hybrid, comprising a plurality of seats, at least one opening and an opening device configured to open (or close) said at least one opening, characterized in that said motor vehicle comprises a supervision member configured to detect the use or non-use of one or more seats, said opening device being configured to activate: - a first mode of opening said opening when the use of at least one seat is detected by said supervisory body; - a second mode of opening said opening when the non-use of at least one seat is detected by said supervisory body (and preferably the non-use of all the seats associated with said at least one opening).

[0008] The vehicle according to the invention thus makes it possible to modify the opening modes of an opening depending on the use or non-use of the seats located near said opening, in particular by making it more difficult or complicated to open the opening when at least one seat is not in use, and thus to provide a safety gain for users of the vehicle, in particular by limiting the risk of accidental opening of the trunk door (for example by moving objects).

[0009] According to a possible characteristic, said vehicle comprises a trunk, said at least one opening being a tailgate closing said trunk, and said at least one seat located in said trunk being supervised by said supervision member. The invention advantageously applies to at least one seat, for example a folding seat, located in a loading volume of the trunk and whose only exit from the vehicle is the tailgate of the trunk.

[0010] According to another possible characteristic, the first opening mode comprises only a single pulse to open said at least one opening element, and the second opening mode comprises at least two pulses to open said at least one opening element. Advantageously, when the seat is occupied, its user can thus, thanks to the first opening mode, open the opening in the simplest and quickest way, whereas if the seat is not in use, the second opening mode makes it possible to limit the risks of unwanted opening, for example when objects located in the loading volume hit the opening device.

[0011] According to another possible characteristic, the first opening mode comprises two opening sub-modes, a first sub-mode and a second sub-mode, each of the sub-modes allowing the opening of the opening by means of a pulse, the pulse of the first sub-mode being shorter than the pulse of the second sub-mode. It may be advantageous to be able to adjust the duration of the pulse required to be applied to the opening device to open said at least one opening, for example depending on the type of occupant of said at least one seat, such as a child, and limit the risk of said opening being opened by mistake.

[0012] According to another possible characteristic, the pulse of the second sub-mode has a duration of at least 500 milliseconds, and preferably has a duration of between 500 milliseconds and 5 seconds.

[0013] According to another possible characteristic, the supervision body comprises at least one camera configured to detect the use or non-use of one or more seats.

[0014] According to another possible characteristic, the supervisory body comprises one or more sensors configured to detect the use or non-use of one or more seats. Advantageously, the sensor(s) are, for example, pressure sensors located in the seat(s). This type of sensor is generally already implemented in the seats of a motor vehicle for other reasons, so it is advisable to reuse these pre-existing elements to control the opening mode of the opening device of an opening, and thus limit the costs of implementing the invention.

[0015] According to another possible characteristic, said motor vehicle comprises a human-machine interface configured to indicate to the supervision member and / or to the opening device that said at least one seat is in use or not in use. Advantageously, the occupant of the vehicle can manually indicate the use or non-use of seats and thus adjust the opening mode of the opening associated with said seats.

[0016] The invention also relates to a method for controlling the opening of at least one opening of a motor vehicle by means of an opening device configured to open (or close) said at least one opening, characterized in that there is: - detection of the use or non-use of one or more seats of the vehicle; - activation of a first opening mode of the opening device if the seat(s) are used; - activation of a second opening mode of the opening device if the seat(s) are not in use.

[0017] According to a possible characteristic, the first opening mode comprises only one pulse to open said at least one opening element, the second opening mode comprises at least two pulses to open said at least one opening element.

[0018] According to another possible characteristic, said opening is a tailgate (or a door) closing a trunk of the vehicle, the detection of the use or non-use of one or more seats being carried out on the seat(s) located in a loading volume of said trunk.

[0019] The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, characteristics and advantages thereof will appear more clearly during the following description. of a particular embodiment of the invention, given solely for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: - [Fig.l] illustrates a very schematic, side and semi-transparent view of a motor vehicle according to the invention; - [[Fig.2]] is a very schematic and partial view of elements of the vehicle of [Fig.l]; - [[Fig.3]] illustrates a flowchart of a method for controlling the opening of at least one opening of the motor vehicle of [Fig.l].

[0020] In the following description, the term "comprise" is synonymous with "include" and is not limiting in that it allows the presence of other elements in the vehicle, or the structure to which it relates. It is understood that the term "comprise" includes the terms "consist of".

[0021] Similarly, the terms "lower", "upper", "front", "rear", "longitudinal" and "transverse" will be understood in relation to the general orientation of the motor vehicle, unless otherwise indicated. The term "lower" will designate a greater proximity to the ground than "upper" along the vertical axis. Furthermore, it will be noted that in the different figures, the same references designate identical or similar elements.

[0022] [Fig.l] illustrates a very schematic view, from the side and in semi-transparency, of a motor vehicle 1 according to the invention, vehicle 1 which is for example a thermal, electric or hybrid vehicle.

[0023] Said motor vehicle 1 comprises an interior space designated by the term passenger compartment 3 in which a plurality of seats 5 are arranged, generally arranged in rows of two or three, as well as a trunk 7.

[0024] Said trunk 7 comprises a loading volume 7a closed by an opening 7b or tailgate, the volumes 7a and opening 7b being generally located at the rear end of the vehicle 1. It will be noted that the loading volume 7a can be a sub-part of the passenger compartment 3 or a volume separated from it, for example by a partition.

[0025] Said seats 5 comprise, for their part, different types of seats: - first types of seats 5a, called “front seats”, located as close as possible to the front end of the vehicle 1, therefore generally located in front of and next to a steering wheel (not shown) of the vehicle 1; - second types of seats 5b, called “rear seats”, for example two or three rear seats 5b arranged in the form of a rear bench; - third types of seats 5c, for example folding, located at least partly in the loading volume 7a of the trunk 7 of the vehicle 1 (and therefore located behind the rear bench seat).

[0026] It will be noted that by “folding seat” 5c is meant a seat 5c configured for adopt two distinct positions: - a first position, called the “folded position” or “folded position”, in which the seat 5c is arranged flat and allows the use of the loading volume 7b for storing objects; - a second position, called the “use position”, which allows someone to sit on said seat 5c.

[0027] Said vehicle 1 thus comprises several openings 9, 7b allowing access to the passenger compartment 3 and / or to the loading volume 7a: - one or more side doors 9a and 9b arranged on each side of the vehicle 1, such as front side doors 9a, called “front doors”, allowing access to the front seats 5a, and rear side doors 9b, called “rear doors”, allowing access to the rear seats 5b; - the tailgate 7b which provides access to the loading volume 7a, but also to at least one of the folding seats 5c.

[0028] [Fig. 2] is a very schematic and partial view of different elements of the vehicle 1. Said vehicle 1 thus further comprises an opening device 11 configured to open (or close) one or more of said openings 9, 9a, 9b, 7b, as well as a supervision member 13 configured to detect the use or non-use of one or more seats 5.

[0029] In the embodiment currently described, the seat(s) considered are the seats 5c located in the loading volume 7a of the trunk 7, the opening device 11 being configured to control the opening of the tailgate 7b, and the supervision member 13 to detect (or supervise) the use or non-use of at least one of the seats 5c located in the loading volume 7b.

[0030] The opening device 11 may be a button, a handle, etc. or any other mechanical and / or electronic device which allows an occupant of the seat 5c to open the tailgate 7b by interacting with it.

[0031] Said opening device 11 is configured to adopt or to operate according to at least two distinct opening modes: - a first mode of opening said tailgate 7b when the use of at least one seat 5c is detected by said supervisory body 13; - a second mode of opening said tailgate 7b when the non-use of at least one seat 5c, preferably the non-use of all the seats 5c, is detected by said supervisory body 13.

[0032] The supervisory body 13, for its part, may comprise one or more of the following elements: - at least one camera configured to detect the use or non-use of one or more 5c seats; - one or more sensors configured to detect the use or non-use of one or more 5c seats; - additional sensors configured to detect whether the 5c seat(s) are in the folded position or not.

[0033] Furthermore, said motor vehicle 1 may also comprise a human-machine interface 15 configured to indicate to the supervision member 13 and / or to the opening device 11 that said at least one seat 5c is in use or not in use.

[0034] It will be noted that the term “man-machine interface” means all of the elements allowing the user to interact with the vehicle 1, for example to exchange information with the vehicle 1, and / or to control and / or adjust the opening device 11 and / or the supervision member 13.

[0035] The human-machine interface 15 comprises for example one or more of the following elements: button(s), keyboard, screen, touch screen, wheel(s), indicator lights, etc.

[0036] The vehicle 1 may also include an on-board computer ECU connected to the various elements mentioned above: opening device 11, supervision member 13, human-machine interface 15, etc. Said on-board computer ECU makes it possible to control these elements 11, 13, 15 and to recover information from them for the implementation of the invention (for example to control the opening mode of said device 11).

[0037] [Fig. 3] illustrates a method 100 for controlling the opening of at least one opening of a motor vehicle. Thus, said vehicle 1 is configured to implement a method 100 for controlling the opening of at least one opening, here the tailgate 7b, of the motor vehicle 1 by means of the opening device 11.

[0038] Said method 100 thus comprises at least the following steps: - detection SI of the use or non-use of one or more seats 5c of the vehicle 1, here the seat(s) 5c located in the loading volume 7a; - activation of the first opening mode S2 of the tailgate 7b if the seat(s) 5c are detected as being used by the supervisory body 11; - activation of the second opening mode S3 of the tailgate 7b if the seat(s) 5c are detected as not being used by the supervisory body 13.

[0039] Preferably, the first opening mode comprises only one impulse to open the tailgate 7b, while the second opening mode comprises at least two impulses to open said tailgate 7b.

[0040] It will be noted that "impulse" means the action which must be applied to the opening device 11, for example a push or a pull, to thus trigger the opening of the tailgate 7b, a single impulse in the case of the first opening mode and at least two impulses in the case of the second opening mode.

[0041] In an alternative embodiment not shown, the first opening mode comprises two opening sub-modes, a first sub-mode and a second sub-mode, each of the sub-modes allowing the tailgate 7b to be opened by means of a pulse, the pulse of the first sub-mode being shorter than the pulse of the second sub-mode.

[0042] Advantageously, the pulse of the second sub-mode has a duration of at least 500 milliseconds, and preferably has a duration of between 500 milliseconds and 2 seconds.

[0043] The selection of the first or second sub-mode can be selected by: - the user of vehicle 1 via the human-machine interface 15 and / or, - via the additional sensor(s), for example depending on the size and / or weight of the occupant of at least one of the seats 5c (located in the loading volume 7a). Advantageously, the second sub-mode is activated if the occupant of the seat 5c has a size less than or equal to lm40 and / or has a weight less than or equal to 40 kg.

[0044] In another variant embodiment not shown, there is deactivation of the opening device 11 for example, at the initiative of the user of the vehicle 1, via the human-machine interface 15 and / or when the supervision member 13 detects that all of the seats 5c are in the folded position (for example by means of additional sensors).

[0045] It will also be noted that the present embodiment of the invention relates to the seat(s) 5c located in the loading volume 7a and the tailgate 7b, but may also relate to the rear seats 5b and the associated rear door(s) 9b.

Claims

Claims

1. Motor vehicle (1) comprising a plurality of seats (5, 5a, 5b, 5c), at least one opening (9b, 7b) and an opening device (11) configured to open said at least one opening (9b, 7b), characterized in that said motor vehicle (1) comprises a supervision member (13) configured to detect the use or non-use of one or more seats (5, 5b, 5c), said opening device (11) being configured to activate: - a first mode of opening said opening (9b, 7b) when the use of at least one seat (5, 5b, 5c) is detected by said supervision member (13); - a second mode of opening said opening (9b, 7b) when the non-use of at least one seat (5, 5b, 5c) is detected by said supervision member (13).

2. Motor vehicle (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said vehicle (1) comprises a trunk (7), said at least one opening being a tailgate (7b) closing said trunk (7), and said at least one seat (5c) located in said trunk (7) being supervised by said supervision member (13).

3. Motor vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first opening mode comprises only a single impulse to open said at least one opening element (9b, 7b), the second opening mode comprises at least two impulses to open said at least one opening element (9b, 7b).

4. Motor vehicle (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first opening mode comprises two opening sub-modes, a first sub-mode and a second sub-mode, each of the sub-modes allowing the opening of the opening (9b, 7b) by means of a pulse, the pulse of the first sub-mode being shorter than the pulse of the second sub-mode.

5. Motor vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supervision member (13) comprises at least one camera configured to detect the use or non-use of one or more seats (5, 5b, 5c).

6. Motor vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supervision member (13) comprises one or more sensors configured to detect the use or non- use of one or more seats (5, 5b, 5c).

7. Motor vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said motor vehicle (1) comprises a human-machine interface (15) configured to indicate to the supervision member (13) and / or to the opening device (11) that said at least one seat (5, 5b, 5c) is in use or not in use.

8. Method for controlling (100) the opening of at least one opening (9b, 7b) of a motor vehicle (1) by means of an opening device (11) configured to open said at least one opening (9b, 7b), characterized in that there is: - detection (SI) of the use or non-use of one or more seats (5, 5b, 5c) of the vehicle; - activation of a first opening mode (S2) of the opening device (11) if the seat(s) (5, 5b, 5c) are in use; - activation of the second opening mode (S3) of the opening device (11) if the seat(s) (5, 5b, 5c) are not in use.

9. Method (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first opening mode comprises only one pulse to open said at least one opening (9b, 7b), the second opening mode comprises at least two pulses to open said at least one opening (9b, 7b).

10. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said opening is a tailgate (7b) closing a trunk (7) of the vehicle (1).

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