Method for securing the opening of a door or window of a motor vehicle and associated securing device.

Abstract

Method for securing the opening of a motor vehicle door and associated securing device. Method for securing the opening of a vehicle door (10) (1), the method comprising: - determining the risk of mechanical action being exerted on the door (10) of the vehicle (1), and - depending on the risk, issuing an alert to a user of the vehicle (1). Figure for the abbreviation: 2

Description

Title of the invention: Method for securing the opening of an opening of a motor vehicle and associated securing device.

[0001] The invention relates to a method for securing the opening of a door or window of a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a device for securing the opening of a door or window of a motor vehicle. The invention further relates to a computer program implementing the aforementioned method. Finally, the invention relates to a recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

[0002] When a motor vehicle is parked on a slope and this is not usual for users, these users are systematically surprised by the handling of a motor vehicle opening which can open: - very easily and quickly, or - very with difficulty, due to its weight.

[0003] The same effects can occur when the motor vehicle is exposed to an outside airflow, typically when the vehicle is in a windy environment.

[0004] These effects can cause damage to the opening itself and / or to an obstacle, such as a wall, another vehicle, a bollard, a post or a person, encountered on the path of the opening.

[0005] A door opening conventionally includes cam-operated door stops with notches that allow for indexed opening positions of the door opening. These notches function well when no mechanical action other than user force is acting on the door opening, but are entirely insufficient to limit the movement of the door opening when significant external forces are exerted on it.

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide a device and a method for securing the opening of a door or window of a motor vehicle, remedying the above-mentioned drawbacks and improving upon devices and methods known in the prior art. In particular, the invention makes it possible to implement a device and a method that are simple and reliable and that allow for effective risk avoidance.

[0007] According to the invention, a method is used to secure the opening of a vehicle door. The method comprises: - a determination of the risk of mechanical action being exerted on the vehicle's opening, and - depending on the risk, an alert will be issued to a vehicle user.

[0008] The mechanical action may include an action due to wind.

[0009] Risk determination may include: - the determination of vehicle location data, and - the use of meteorological data instead of vehicle location.

[0010] The mechanical action may include an action due to terrestrial gravity.

[0011] The determination of risk may include a determination of a vehicle roll angle and / or a vehicle pitch angle.

[0012] The emission of an alert may include the emission of an audible alert and / or the emission of a visual alert and / or the emission of a haptic alert.

[0013] The issuance of an alert may include a failure to execute a command, in particular a failure to execute a command to open the opening, following a first order to execute this command given by the user.

[0014] The method may further include executing this command following a second order to execute this command given by the user, if the second order is given before the expiry of a timer triggered by the first command order, the timer duration being for example one second or two seconds.

[0015] An alert may be issued to a vehicle user if the roll angle value is greater than a first threshold, for example 4° or 8° and / or if the pitch angle value is greater than a second threshold, for example 12° or 16°.

[0016] An alert may be issued to a vehicle user if the vehicle's speed is zero or less than 2 km / h.

[0017] The opening can be a hinged type opening or a sliding type opening.

[0018] According to the invention, a device secures the opening of a vehicle door. The device comprises hardware and / or software elements implementing the method defined above, in particular hardware and / or software elements designed to implement the method defined above.

[0019] According to the invention, a device includes means for implementing the process defined above.

[0020] According to the invention, a vehicle includes a security device defined above.

[0021] According to the invention, a computer program product comprises program code instructions recorded on a computer-readable medium to implement the steps of the process defined above when said program runs on a computer.

[0022] According to the invention, a computer program product downloadable from a communication network and / or recorded on a data medium readable by a computer and / or executable by a computer, includes instructions which, when the program is executed by the computer, lead the latter to implement the process defined above.

[0023] According to the invention, a computer-readable data recording medium on which a computer program is recorded includes program code instructions for implementing the method defined above.

[0024] According to the invention, a computer-readable recording medium includes instructions which, when executed by a computer, lead the computer to implement the defined process.

[0025] The invention further relates to a signal from a data carrier carrying the computer program product defined above.

[0026] The attached drawing represents, by way of example, one embodiment of a vehicle according to the invention and two ways of executing a securing method according to the invention.

[0027] Fig. 1 represents an embodiment of a vehicle according to the invention.

[0028] Figure 2 represents an embodiment of a security device according to the invention.

[0029] Fig. 3 represents a flowchart of a first execution method of a security process according to the invention.

[0030] Figure [Fig. 4] represents a flowchart of a second execution method of a security process according to the invention.

[0031] An example of a motor vehicle according to the invention 1 is described below with reference to [Fig. 1]. The vehicle is, for example, a motor vehicle. This vehicle may be a passenger vehicle or a commercial vehicle. The motor vehicle may be powered by an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, or a hybrid system.

[0032] Vehicle 1 is associated with an orthogonal frame X, Y, Z, in which: - an X-axis extends along a longitudinal front-to-rear direction of the vehicle, oriented towards the rear, - a Z-axis extends in a vertical direction (when the vehicle is resting on a horizontal surface), oriented upwards, and - an axis Y extends along a transverse direction of the vehicle, oriented from left to right in driving situation, so that the orientation of the X, Y, Z coordinate system is direct.

[0033] The projection of the angle formed between the Z axis and the vertical direction in the Z, Y plane is called the "roll angle".

[0034] The projection of the angle formed between the Z axis and the vertical direction in the X,Z plane is called the "pitch angle".

[0035] The vehicle 1 comprises one or more movable openings 10 between an open and a closed position, allowing users to enter or exit a passenger compartment of the vehicle. For example, the vehicle 1 may comprise one or more hinged openings 10 (articulated to a body structure of the vehicle 1 along an axis substantially parallel to the Z-axis). Alternatively or complementarily, the vehicle 1 may comprise one or more sliding openings (translating relative to the body structure along an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal X-axis).

[0036] Due to the hinged opening (articulated along an axis substantially parallel to the Z-axis), under certain roll and / or pitch conditions of the vehicle 1, the weight (due to the action of gravity) of a hinged opening 10 tends to open or close the opening. The same effect can occur when the vehicle is exposed to wind. Indeed, in this situation, aerodynamic forces applied to the opening can tend to open or close it.

[0037] Furthermore, due to the connection of the sliding opening (along an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis X), under certain pitching conditions of the vehicle 1, the weight of a sliding opening 10 tends to open the opening or to close the opening.

[0038] As explained previously, these forces can surprise a vehicle user who is operating the opening. These forces can also pose risks to property and people in the vicinity of the vehicle and to the vehicle's opening itself.

[0039] In order to avoid this surprise and the associated risks, the vehicle 1 includes a device 90 for securing the opening of the opening(s) 10.

[0040] Advantageously, the security device uses components already present in currently produced vehicles.

[0041] An embodiment of a security device 90 is described below with reference to [Fig. 2]. The security device 90 comprises, for example: - a human-machine interface 20, - a risk data determination element 40, - a central gateway 30, and - a 50 computer for managing vehicle access.

[0042] The human-machine interface includes, for example: - a screen 21 capable of displaying information such as a symbol or text message, or an indicator light, and / or - a sound system including loudspeakers for emitting sound signals or messages, and / or - a haptic actuator 23 to emit a haptic signal to a user.

[0043] The determining element 40 includes, for example, an ABS-ESP module for managing braking and trajectory correction of vehicle 1. It includes components capable of measuring or determining a roll angle and / or a pitch angle of the vehicle. Alternatively and / or complementaryly, the determining element 40 includes, for example, a GPS module for determining the vehicle's position and means for downloading current meteorological data concerning that position. Alternatively and / or complementaryly, the determining element 40 includes, for example, a GPS module for determining the vehicle's position and means for downloading geographic data on the slope of the terrain concerning that position.

[0044] The computer 50 for managing access to the vehicle and associated openings can communicate via serial bus (CAN) through the gateway 30. For example, the computer 50 uses data from element 40 to define a possible alert message to users, via the gateway 30 and the human-machine interface 20.

[0045] In a particular embodiment, the opening(s) may further comprise: - an electromechanical lock 11, and - a button 12 for controlling the electromechanical lock 11. User actions on the control button 12 are analyzed by the computer 50 which controls the power supply of the electromechanical lock 11 accordingly to allow the locking and unlocking of the opening.

[0046] The security device 90 comprises all the hardware and / or software elements implementing or governing the security process according to the invention. These various elements may include software modules.

[0047] A first embodiment of the securing method is described below with reference to [Fig. 3]. This securing method can also be viewed as a method of operating a securing device 90 or as a method of operating a vehicle 1.

[0048] In step S100, it is determined that the vehicle is stationary. This can be done by checking whether the vehicle's speed is zero or less than 2 km / h. Additionally, it can be checked whether the engine is off and / or the ignition is off. If this is not the case, the procedure continues in step S100. If this is the case, it proceeds to step S110.

[0049] In step SI 10, it is tested whether the roll angle value is greater than a first threshold, for example a first threshold of 4° or 8°, and / or whether the pitch angle value is greater than a second threshold, for example 12° or 16°. By For example, preferably, in the case of hinged doors, the roll and pitch angle values ​​are tested. If this is not the case, the process loops back to step S100. If it is the case (the vehicle being parked on a slope), it proceeds to step S120. In step SI 10, the values ​​can be determined by element 40, the risk data determination unit, typically an ABS-ESP module. Alternatively, the vehicle's position can be determined, and geographic slope data for that position can be downloaded. The comparison of angle values ​​at the first and / or second thresholds can be performed by the vehicle access control unit 50.

[0050] In step S120, an alert is issued to a vehicle user 1. To this end, an alert message can be generated by the vehicle access control unit 50 and transmitted to the human-machine interface 20. The message is then conveyed to the user via the human-machine interface. The conveyance can be visual, audible, and / or haptic. The message can then disappear after a time delay and / or after a user operates an opening. The process then loops back to step S100.

[0051] A second embodiment of the security method is described below with reference to [Fig. 4]. This security method can also be viewed as a method of operating a security device 90 or as a method of operating a vehicle 1. This second embodiment is applied more specifically to openings with electromechanical locks 11 controlled by users using a control button 12, via the computer 50 for managing access to the vehicle and associated openings.

[0052] In step S200, it is determined that the vehicle is stationary. This can be done by checking whether the vehicle's speed is zero or less than 2 km / h. Additionally, it can be checked whether the engine is off and / or the ignition is off. If this is not the case, the procedure continues in step S200. If this is the case, it proceeds to step S210.

[0053] In step S210, it is tested whether a user manipulates, in particular presses, a control button 12 for the electromechanical lock 11. More generally, it is tested whether a user gives a command to open or unlock the door. If this is not the case, the process loops back to step S200. If this is the case, it proceeds to step S220.

[0054] In step S220, it is tested whether the order is a first order or a second order (i.e., a subsequent order). If the order is a first order, the process proceeds to step S230. If the order is a subsequent order, the process proceeds to step S250. A first order is a subsequent (or second) order. A command order is a first command order if it is given before the expiry of a timer triggered by a previous command. The duration of the timer is, for example, one second or two seconds. Alternatively, a command order is a first command order if it is given after the expiry of the timer triggered by a previous command.

[0055] In step S230, the roll angle value is tested to determine if it exceeds a first threshold, for example, 4° or 8°, and / or if the pitch angle value exceeds a second threshold, for example, 12° or 16°. For example, preferably, in the case of hinged doors, both the roll and pitch angle values ​​are tested. If this is not the case, the process loops to step S250. If it is the case (the vehicle being parked on a slope), the process proceeds to step S240. In step S230, the values ​​can be determined by element 40 of the risk data determination system, typically an ABS-ESP module. Alternatively, the vehicle's position can be determined, and geographic slope data for that position can be downloaded. The processing of comparing angle values ​​at the first threshold and / or the second threshold can be carried out by the vehicle access management computer 50.

[0056] In step S240, an alert is issued to a user of vehicle 1. For this purpose, an alert message can be generated by the vehicle access management computer 50 and transmitted to the human-machine interface 20. The message is then conveyed to the user by the human-machine interface. The conveyance can be: - visual, and / or - audible, and / or - haptic. The message may then disappear after a time delay and / or after a user operates a door or window. Furthermore, in step S240, the unlocking of the electromechanical lock 12 is not commanded. The process then loops back to step S210.

[0057] In step S250, the unlocking of the electromechanical lock 11 is commanded. To do this, the vehicle access control computer 50 controls the power supply to the electromechanical lock 12.

[0058] Thus, in this second mode of execution, a component of the emission of an alert includes a failure (i.e. an absence) of execution of a command, in particular a failure to execute a command to open the opening or to unlock the opening, following a first order to execute this command given by the user.

[0059] In the embodiments described above, an opening is secured with respect to the fact that the action of the Earth's gravitational field on the opening can generate risks.

[0060] In alternative or complementary embodiments, an opening can be secured against the risk of wind action on the opening. To this end, the securing device 90 determines wind force information likely to be applied to the vehicle, particularly in the event of: - the vehicle stopping on an emergency lane (air current from passing vehicles), and / or - meteorological phenomenon at the location of the vehicle. In these cases, as an alternative or complement to considering roll and / or pitch angles, wind conditions applicable to the vehicle are determined in step SI 10 or S230. This is done using element 40 for determining risk data. For example, the vehicle's position is determined, and current meteorological data for that position is downloaded.

[0061] Thus, in general, the solutions described above make it possible to secure the opening of an opening 10 of the vehicle 1: - by determining a risk that a mechanical action will be exerted on the opening 10 of vehicle 1 and that this mechanical action will be likely to cause an unwanted and uncontrolled movement of the opening, and - depending on the risk, by issuing an alert to a user of vehicle 1.

[0062] Unless otherwise stated, throughout this application, "locking of an opening" means an action or state preventing the movement of the opening when a mechanical action is exerted tending to move it as permitted by its mechanical connection (pivot or slide) to the body structure.

[0063] Unless otherwise stated, throughout this application, "unlocking of an opening" means an action or state allowing the movement of the opening when a mechanical action is exerted tending to move it as permitted by its mechanical connection (pivot or slide) to the body structure.

Claims

Demands

1. Method for securing the opening of an opening (10) of a vehicle (1), the method comprising: - determining a risk that a mechanical action will be exerted on the opening (10) of the vehicle (1), and - depending on the risk, issuing an alert to a user of the vehicle (1).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the mechanical action includes an action due to wind.

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the risk determination includes: - the determination of vehicle location data (1), and - the use of meteorological data at the location of the vehicle (1).

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mechanical action includes an action due to terrestrial gravity.

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the determination of the risk includes a determination of a roll angle of the vehicle and / or a pitch angle of the vehicle.

6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the emission of an alert includes the emission of an audible alert and / or the emission of a visual alert and / or the emission of a haptic alert.

7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the issuing of an alert includes a failure to execute a command, in particular a failure to execute a command to open the opening, following a first order to execute this command given by the user.

8. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the method further comprises an execution of this command following a second order to execute this command given by the user, if the second order is given before the expiry of a time delay triggered by the first command order, the time delay duration being for example one second or two seconds.

9. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the emission of an alert to a vehicle user occurs if the roll angle value is greater than a first threshold, for example 4° or 8° and / or if the pitch angle value is greater than a second threshold, for example 12° or 16°.

10. A method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the emission of an alert to a user of the vehicle takes place if the speed of movement of the vehicle is zero or less than 2 km / h.

11. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening is a hinged type opening or a sliding type opening.

12. Device (90) for securing the opening of an opening (10) of a vehicle (1), the device comprising hardware and / or software elements (20, 21, 22, 30, 40) implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, in particular hardware (20, 21, 22, 30, 40, 50) and / or software elements designed to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. Vehicle (1) comprising a securing device (90) according to the preceding claim.

14. Product computer program comprising program code instructions recorded on a computer-readable medium to carry out the steps of the process according to any one of claims 1 to 11 when said program is run on a computer.

15. A computer-readable data recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising program code instructions for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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