DEVICE FOR ACTIONING ON AN ADJUSTABLE ELEMENT FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE, SUCH AS A VEHICLE DOOR, AND ASSOCIATED METHOD FOR OPERATING SUCH A DEVICE - Patent application

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for acting on an adjustable element (1) for a motor vehicle, for example a motor vehicle door (1). In its basic configuration, the device comprises a restraining device (4) and a drive device (3) and a control unit (5) which acts on one or both devices (3, 4) on the basis of signals from at least one sensor (6, 7, 8). According to the invention, the control unit (5) controls the non-energized fixed restraining device (4) and the drive device (3) on the basis of signals from the sensors (6, 7, 8), preferably with a time overlap.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for acting on an adjustable element for a motor vehicle, such as a vehicle door, comprising a restraint device and a drive device, and a control unit for acting on one or both devices according to signals from at least one sensor.

[0002]

[0002] This means that the control unit ensures that the restraint device, the drive device, or the restraint device and the drive device act in response to signals from the sensors. This allows different functional positions of the adjustable element for a motor vehicle to be realized. For example, the adjustable element for a motor vehicle, in particular a car door, can be moved forwards or backwards relative to the body of the motor vehicle by the drive device, or can be opened or closed. Intermediate states such as a half-open state are also possible. Furthermore, the associated adjustable element for a motor vehicle or the car door can also be fixed in any position. This is ensured by the restraint device.

[0003] In relation to the general prior art, EP 3 272 987 B1 describes in detail a device for the manual adjustment of such an adjustable element for a motor vehicle by external force, for which a drive device is provided, with which the adjustable element for a motor vehicle can be adjusted by external force both in the opening direction and in the opposite closing direction.

[0004]

[0004] The drive unit can also be switched between a hold position and a release position. A sensor can be used to detect the desired adjustment by the user. This means that the drive unit first makes an adjustment in the direction desired by the user before the drive unit is switched to its release position. This is intended to improve overall comfort during operation and when switching the drive unit between the hold and release positions.

[0005] The door drive provided therein is changed from the holding position to the release position, for example, by interrupting the connection between the drive motor and the drive element on the transmission side or by disengaging the clutch. The associated abrupt transitions are generally blocked within the framework of known teachings. However, both the holding position and the release position require control of the drive or known door drive. Depending on how long the adjustable element for the vehicle is in the associated functional position, this may correspond to an increase in power consumption.

[0006]

[0006] However, the energy consumption of today's vehicles must be critically evaluated. For this reason, the real objective is always to find solutions that operate with significantly reduced power consumption. This is where the present invention comes in. Summary of the Invention

[0007]

[0007] The present invention is based on the technical problem of further developing a device for acting on adjustable elements for motor vehicles, such as car doors, in such a way that the structure is functional while at the same time reducing the amount of power consumption required.

[0008]

[0008] In order to solve this technical problem, the present invention proposes that in a general device acting on adjustable elements for motor vehicles, a control unit controls preferably non-energized fixed restraint devices and drive devices depending on signals from sensors with time overlap.

[0009]

[0009] In the context of the present invention, firstly, two notable differences can be observed compared to the prior art according to EP 3 272 987 B1. Thus, according to the present invention, the restraint device preferably operates in such a way that the adjustable element for the vehicle is regularly secured in a current-free state by the restraint device. This means that when the restraint device securely secures or restrains the adjustable element for the vehicle, this is achieved periodically without current flow. The transition of the restraint device from the secured position to the unlocked or released position must be controlled by the drive motor, which is a component of the restraint device, and therefore by applying an electric current. However, while the adjustable element for the vehicle is secured, the restraint device is generally switched to a current-free state, at which point no electrical energy is consumed.

[0010]

[0010] As a further difference, and as a result of the design of the restraint device, which, so to speak, preferably operates in a currentless locked manner, the invention or the control unit ensures that the restraint device and the drive device are controlled with a time overlap, which means that, in contrast to the general teaching of EP 3 272 987 B1, there is no switching between the restraint device and the drive device in the sense of their respective alternatives.

[0011]

[0011] Rather, the present invention provides a functional position in which the functional position is clearly observed and the restraining device and the actuating device are controlled by the control unit in a time-overlapping manner in response to signals from the sensors, whereby, on the one hand, the restraining device ensures that the adjustable element for the motor vehicle is fixed in a predetermined position, and, on the other hand, the fixation is additionally performed by the actuating device.

[0012]

[0012] In this connection, it has proven particularly advantageous if the restraining device on the one hand and the drive device on the other hand are designed to be technically and functionally separated from one another. For example, a restraining device such as that described in detail in DE 10 2019 134 979 A1 of the applicant can be used as a restraining device within the scope of the present invention. In contrast, a drive device such as that described in detail in DE 10 2018 120 553 A1 can be used.

[0013]

[0013] In any case, the design according to the invention is facilitated by designing the restraint device on the one hand and the drive device on the other hand as locally and functionally separated, i.e. the two devices can be controlled by a control unit in a time-overlapping manner. However, in principle, the restraint device and the drive device can also be combined with each other. This means that a functionally separated design is not necessarily required, but is simply a particularly suitable option.

[0014]

[0014] In any case, the design according to the present invention firstly results in a significant reduction in electrical energy consumption compared to the prior art. This is because, for example, the currentless locking design of the restraint device ensures that electrical energy is not consumed unnecessarily during the entire period in which the adjustable element is locked by the restraint device. At the same time, functionality and safety are ensured, similar to the prior art. This is because, for example, the control unit ensures that the restraint device and the actuator are controlled, typically with a time overlap, as soon as an actuation signal from the user is detected by the sensor. This allows, for example, the restraint device to be moved from a previously locked position to a released position. In this case, the actuator is controlled simultaneously and with a time overlap, ensuring that during this process the adjustable element is not released uncontrolled, but is instead held in position by the currently active actuator.

[0015] The adjustable element for the vehicle is then acted upon by the user, with or without power assistance from the drive, which will release the adjustable element for the vehicle and allow the user to move it manually, or the manual movement can be assisted by the drive. These are the main advantages.

[0016] In a further advantageous embodiment, the sensor is an external force sensor that detects an external force acting on the adjustable element for the vehicle, which can be compared with a threshold value stored in the control unit, for example, and if this threshold value is exceeded, this is interpreted as a user signal for acting on the adjustable element for the vehicle.

[0017]

[0017] In principle, however, the sensor can also be a time sensor that can be represented by the control unit. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor can also be designed as a displacement sensor and, for example, an opening angle sensor of an adjustable element for a vehicle. In this case, the sensor or displacement sensor is used, for example, to measure a specific opening path of an adjustable element for a vehicle relative to the vehicle body. A corresponding opening angle can correspond to this.

[0018]

[0018] The subject of the present invention is also a method for operating the described device. In this case, when the adjustable element for the vehicle is open or has been opened relative to the vehicle body and the restraint device is activated, a user interaction is detected by an external force sensor. The actuating device is then activated in addition to the restraint device. This means that as soon as the external force sensor detects a user interaction, for example in the form of a user request to open a door, while the adjustable element for the vehicle is open and the restraint device is activated without current, the control unit ensures that the actuating device is also activated based on this sensor signal and, according to the present invention, accordingly. This means that, as described above, the restraint device and the actuating device are controlled in a time-overlapping manner.

[0019]

[0019] In particular, the restraint device can be released while the drive device is activated. Subsequently, a so-called release criterion of the adjustable element for the vehicle is usually checked. This release criterion can be, for example, a time measurement by a time sensor. If this release criterion is not met, the restraint device will be activated again.

[0020] In other words, a detected user interaction first ensures that the control unit activates the actuator in addition to the restraint device, so that the restraint device can be released when the actuator is activated simultaneously. In this case, the adjustable element for the vehicle is still fixed in position by the actuator. The release criteria already described are checked. This can correspond to the fact that a new user interaction has occurred within a specified period of time, or the fact that an already occurring user interaction continues. Typically, it is the latter.

[0021]

[0021] This means, for example, that if a user wishes to open an adjustable element for a vehicle, by applying force to the adjustable element to open it, the actuating device is first and simultaneously actuated, and the restraint device is released when the non-energized fixed restraint device is in place. If the user interaction continues for a certain period of time, this is interpreted as a genuine request to open the door. Therefore, the associated time measurement as the release criterion means that the user interaction meets the release criterion within the time period, and as a result, the actuating device immediately releases the adjustable element for the vehicle. However, it is also possible for the actuating device to provide power assistance for the user's desired opening movement.

[0022] However, if there is no new or continuing user interaction within the aforementioned period and during the time measurement, this is interpreted by the control unit as not meeting the release criteria, in which case the control unit ensures that the previously released restraint device is acted upon again, holding or securing the vehicle adjustable element.

[0023]

[0023] This prevents the adjustable element for the motor vehicle from being released and undergoing uncontrolled movement, for example, by a short, possibly unintentional, opening impulse, which the present invention effectively prevents.

[0024] Another variant involves using a displacement sensor and / or an external force sensor to detect when the target position is reached when the device in question is in operation, the adjustable element for the vehicle is closed, and the drive device is actuated to open it. Then, the restraint device is also actuated, with a time overlap between the drive device and the restraint device.

[0025]

[0025] Therefore, in this case, it is not a matter of releasing a previously locked adjustable element for opening or closing. Rather, it is a matter of opening or closing the adjustable element, and then locking it with the restraint device. For this purpose, the control unit can use a displacement sensor and / or an external force sensor to detect when the adjustable element reaches a target position. Once the target position is reached, the restraint device is activated in addition to the drive device.

[0026] However, the restraint device is typically only activated when a so-called retention criterion is met. This retention criterion can be linked to a time measurement, for example, by a time sensor. This means that, for example, if the adjustable element for the vehicle maintains a certain position for a predetermined period of time that can be measured via the time sensor, this is interpreted as the target position, with the effect that the retention criterion is met at the same time. The control unit then ensures that the restraint device is activated.

[0027]

[0027] After that, the restraint device is activated and, at the same time, the holding criterion is met, the drive can be deactivated. This means that the adjustable element for the vehicle is then fixed in place only with the help of the restraint device, which is switched to a currentless state. Since the drive is also deactivated at this point, unnecessary power consumption is also prevented in this case.

[0028]

[0028] The vehicle adjustable element can reach a target position corresponding to a predetermined completed path of the vehicle adjustable element, which can be detected by a displacement sensor or via the opening angle. However, it is also possible to determine that the target position has been reached using an external force sensor. In this case, the control unit determines, for example, that a force acting on the vehicle adjustable element is not (or has ceased to) act on the vehicle adjustable element. This may also correspond to the fact that the speed of the vehicle adjustable element or the force acting on it remains below a threshold for a defined time. In this case, the signal from the displacement sensor is differentiated with respect to time, and the speed of the vehicle adjustable element is then estimated. Alternatively, time-related changes in the signal from the external force sensor are used to infer when the target position has been reached.

[0029]

[0029] In any case, the procedure ensures that the restraint device is activated only when the retention criteria are met. This means that the restraint device is only activated when it can be safely assumed that the vehicle adjustable element has reached its target position, which is also desired by the user. If the retention criteria are then met, the drive device is subsequently deactivated so that it no longer contributes to power consumption.

[0030]

[0030] As a result, a device for acting on an adjustable element for a motor vehicle and a method for operating the same are provided that not only function properly but also can be operated with reduced electrical energy consumption. This is because the alternating action of the restraint device and the drive device, and in particular the possibility of controlling both devices with a time overlap, ensures that the adjustable element for the motor vehicle in question does not have unrelated functional states, on the one hand, and is operated and held in the desired position with minimal electrical energy consumption, on the other hand. These are the main advantages. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031]

[0031] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings, which show only one exemplary embodiment. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows the device according to the invention and the method associated with the operation of the switching device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows the device according to the invention and the method involved in the operation of the switching device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows the device according to the invention and the method involved in the operation of the switching device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows the device according to the invention and the method involved in the operation of the switching device. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows the device according to FIGS. 1 to 4 in relation to the opening process of an adjustable element for a motor vehicle and its subsequent fixing by a restraining device.

[0032] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0033]

[0032] The figure shows a device acting on an adjustable element 1 for a motor vehicle. In the illustrated context, the adjustable element 1 for a motor vehicle is a motor vehicle door, in particular a motor vehicle side door 1 that can rotate or pivot relative to the motor vehicle body 2. Of course, this applies only as an example and is not to be understood as limiting in any way. This means that the adjustable element 1 for a motor vehicle can in principle also be a sliding door, a flap or any other adjustable element of a motor vehicle that is adjustable relative to the body 2.

[0034] The basic configuration of the device comprises a drive device 3 and a restraint device 4. According to an exemplary embodiment, the drive device 3 and the restraint device 4 are designed to be functionally and technically separated from one another and can be acted upon together by a control unit 5. The control unit 5 is also provided and configured to evaluate signals from a sensor 6. The two devices 3, 4 can be used to move and fix the adjustable element 1 for a motor vehicle.

[0035] In addition to the sensor 6, here designed as an external force sensor 6, there is additionally provided another sensor or time sensor 7, which is integrated into the control unit 5 in this embodiment and which is used for time measurement. Furthermore, there is provided another sensor 8 in the form of a displacement sensor 8. In this embodiment, the displacement sensor 8 is an opening angle sensor 8, by means of which the opening angle of the swivellable motor vehicle adjustment member 1 relative to the vehicle body 2 can be determined.

[0036]

[0035] A first operating procedure of the device will now be described with the aid of the sequence shown in Figures 1 to 4. Thus, first, when the adjustable element 1 is open and the restraining device 4 is activated, the user's interaction can be measured and detected by the external force sensor 6. The actuation device 3 is then actuated by the control unit 5. Starting from Figure 1, for this purpose, the adjustable element or the vehicle door 1 is secured by the restraining device 4 in a currentless manner according to the exemplary embodiment and as already described above. For this purpose, the restraining device 4 can, for example, engage behind a recess or opening on or in the adjustable element 1 using a movable hook. If the thus secured or locked vehicle door 1 is now opened, according to the representation in Figure 2, this corresponds to a user's interaction acting on the adjustable element 1 with the force shown therein according to the exemplary embodiment. The force acting on the adjustable element 1 generates a corresponding signal in the external force sensor 6, which can also be detected by the control unit 5.

[0037]

[0036] The control unit 5 then ensures that the drive device 3 is actuated in addition to the restraint device 4. In the simplest case, this is done and designed so that the electric motor, as part of the drive device 3, is engaged with the vehicle adjustable element 1 and thus acts mechanically on the vehicle adjustable element 1. The restraint device 4 is then released, and at the same time the drive device 3 is actuated. In this exemplary case, this corresponds to the aforementioned hook, as part of the restraint device, being pivoted out of engagement with the release of the vehicle adjustable element 1.

[0038]

[0037] Next, a so-called release criterion is checked. According to the two variants of Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, this release criterion corresponds to a time measurement carried out by the time sensor 7. A specific predetermined detection period can correspond to this. If the control unit 5 observes a continuous user interaction or action on the external force sensor 6 within the detection period, this is interpreted by the control unit 5 as meaning that the release criterion has been fulfilled. As shown in the representation of Fig. 3, this means that the drive 3 releases the adjustable element 1 or supports the user interaction in the manner of a servomotor. This can be a closing or opening movement of the adjustable element 1. This movement can be servo-assisted by the drive 3.

[0039]

[0038] If the release criterion is not observed within the detection period, i.e. if there is no sustained or repeated user interaction within the detection period, the first user interaction is interpreted as an erroneous signal. In either case, the failure to fulfill the release criterion corresponds to the reactivation of the restraint device 4, as can be seen from Figure 4. As a result, the adjustable element 1 for the motor vehicle is fixed unchanged (de-energized) by the restraint device 4. If this has not already happened, the drive device 3 is switched off.

[0040]

[0039] Figure 5 shows another operating mode of the device. It is important to note that once the vehicle adjustable element is initially closed, the drive device 3 acts to open it. By means of the displacement sensor 8 and / or the external force sensor 6, the control unit 5 can detect that a specific target position of the vehicle adjustable element 1 has been reached during this opening process. Reaching the target position can correspond to the user no longer exerting (or no longer exerting) force on the vehicle adjustable element 1, in which case the force sensor 6 reports a decreasing force application signal to the control unit 5. However, reaching the target position can also be accompanied by a specific signal from the displacement sensor 6. For this purpose, the control unit 5 can store the target position. However, it is also conceivable to time-differentiate the signal from the displacement sensor 8. If the control unit interprets the speed signal determined in this way as meaning, for example, that the door speed has remained below a threshold value for a certain period of time, this is again interpreted as reaching the target position shown by way of example in Figure 5.

[0041]

[0040] In any case, once the target position is reached, the restraint device 4 will only be activated if an additional holding criterion is met. This holding criterion is linked to a time measurement by the time sensor 7. If, within a time period specified by the time sensor 7, the speed of the vehicle adjusting element 1 falls below a threshold or to zero, or if no force is applied within the time period, this is interpreted by the control unit 5 as a fulfilled holding criterion, which then causes the control unit 5 to activate the restraint device 4. At the same time, the fulfilled holding criterion also ensures that the drive device 3 is subsequently deactivated, thus reducing overall power consumption. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] Automotive adjustment element 1, Automobile side door 1, Main unit 2, Drive unit 3, restraint device 4, Control unit 5, Sensor / External Force Sensor 6, Force sensor 6, Time sensor 7, Sensors / Displacement Sensors 8, Opening angle sensor 8.

Claims

1. A device for acting on an adjustment element (1) for a motor vehicle, such as a motor vehicle door (1), comprising a restraint device (4) and a drive device (3), and a control unit (5) for acting on one or both devices (3, 4) based on signals from at least one sensor (6, 7, 8), The device is characterized in that the control unit (5) controls the restraint device (4) and the drive device (3), which are preferably fixed in a non-energized state, with a time overlap based on signals from the sensors (6, 7, 8).

2. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor (6, 7, 8) is an external force sensor (6) for detecting an external force acting on the adjusting element (1) for a motor vehicle.

3. 3. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that the sensors (6, 7, 8) are configured as time sensors (7).

4. 4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the sensor (6, 7, 8) is configured as a displacement sensor (8) of the motor vehicle adjusting element (1), for example as an opening angle sensor (8).

5. 5. A method of operating the device of claim 4, comprising the steps of: When the vehicle adjusting element (1) opens and the restraint device (4) is activated, a user interaction is detected by the external force sensor (6), after which the actuation device (3) is additionally activated.

6. 6. A method according to claim 5, characterized in that the actuation device (3) is activated at the same time as the restraint device (4) is released and a release criterion is checked.

7. 7. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that the release criterion is linked to a time measurement, for example by the time sensor (7), and if it is not fulfilled, the restraint device (4) is acted on again.

8. 5. A method of operating the device of claim 4, comprising the steps of: When an adjusting element (1) for a motor vehicle is closed and the drive device (3) acts to open it, the reaching of a target position is detected by a displacement sensor (8) and / or the external force sensor (6), after which the restraint device (4) is additionally activated.

9. 9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the restraining device (4) is activated only when a holding criterion, for example linked to a time measurement by the time sensor (7), is fulfilled.

10. 10. A method according to claim 9, characterized in that the actuation device (3) is deactivated when the restraint device (4) is activated and the retention criterion is met.

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