Method for controlling an automotive door or automotive flap

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a related device for controlling an automotive door or an automotive flap. For this purpose, a drive device (11) is provided on a leaf (2) of an automotive door or an automotive flap which is movable relative to a body (1) of an automobile. The present invention also relates to sensors (9, 10) for detecting individual or multiple static and / or dynamic parameters of the leaf (2), and a self-learning control unit (8) for evaluating the values of the sensors (9, 10). According to the present invention, the control unit (8) evaluates the parameters of the leaf (2) for user identification.

Description

Technical Field

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for controlling an automotive door or a flap of an automotive flap movable relative to a vehicle body, comprising a drive device for a leaf of the automotive door or the automotive flap, at least one sensor for detecting individual or multiple static parameters and / or dynamic parameters of the leaf, and a self-learning control unit for evaluating sensor values.

[0002]

[0002] Control devices for automotive doors or flaps, such as side doors of a vehicle, rear doors of a vehicle, or front hoods of a vehicle, are now often carried out completely or partially by electric assist. For this purpose, a drive device for the associated leaf movable relative to the vehicle body is provided as a main component of the automotive door or the automotive flap. The leaf can be a side door leaf, a rear door leaf, or a front flap. In principle, other flaps or leaves such as loading flaps, sliding doors, etc. are also conceivable.

[0003]

[0003] The drive device of the movable leaf in question can be used in connection with the associated opening movement of the leaf, and in connection with the closing movement, or both. In both cases, i.e., during the opening process and during the closing process, the vehicle user is accustomed to supporting or at least initiating the suspicious movement of the leaf. As a result, only a part of the energy required for the drive device for the leaf is needed, not all of it. This ultimately depends on how the individual vehicle user acts on the leaf.

[0004]

[0004] In the prior art according to DE 10 2015 014 802 A1, for example, there already exists an approach for controlling and monitoring a passenger door system using a self-learning routine. Thereby, the opening and closing cycle can be adapted to an idealized opening and closing cycle taking into account a characteristic map related to environmental parameters. This is intended to ensure reliable and convenient operation under various ambient conditions. However, there is no adaptation to individual users.

[0005]

[0005] The comprehensive prior art according to DE 10 2006 057 679 B4 relates to a device for closing a driven movable component, in particular the rear door or flap of a motor vehicle. For this purpose, a first detector device is designed to signal the closed state of the component. With the help of a second detector device, the distance measurement is carried out as part of a switch-off device. Furthermore, a self-learning control system is implemented. In fact, a plurality of closing processes can be examined in order to derive an average value of the delay time during the closing process. As a result, the delay time can be dynamically varied, for example, as a function of the seasonal ambient temperature. Here too, there is no adaptation to the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006]

[0006] The present invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a method in such a way that conclusions about the user and conclusions about the user's action on the leaf of an automotive door or an automotive flap can be derived and implemented.

[0007]

[0007] To solve this technical problem, within the scope of the present invention, there is provided a general method for controlling an automotive door or an automotive flap, characterized in that a control unit evaluates the parameters of the leaf for user identification.

[0008]

[0008] In most cases, the control unit proceeds such that the dynamic parameters of the leaf are evaluated for the purpose of user identification. These dynamic parameters of the leaf include, for example, the temporal curve of the leaf movement. This can be the distance - time curve, speed - time curve, acceleration - time curve, etc., either individually or together. These dynamic parameters of the leaf are evaluated for the purpose of user identification according to the present invention.

[0009]

[0009] That is, for example, based on the action of the user on the leaf during opening and / or closing, a specific path - time curve characteristic of that user can be derived, and thus the speed - time curve and acceleration - time curve of the leaf during the closing or opening movement can be derived. This specific time curve of the user is evaluated for the purpose of user identification and considered by the control unit. As a result, the control unit can not only perform specific user identification based on the relevant time curve, but can also basically distinguish between different users based on the time curve. Of course, averaging can also be performed to improve accuracy and discrimination. For example, before the characteristic curve of the time curve is defined as user identification in the control unit, it is conceivable to evaluate the first 5 or 10 (or other number) of time curves when the user acts on the leaf of an automobile door. For further identification and user identification, of course, signals from upstream authentication checks can also be taken into account.

[0010] In any case, the control unit can perform user identification according to the present invention based on the dynamic parameters of the leaf and evaluate the parameter of the leaf problem for user identification. As a result of this user identification, the control unit can recalibrate the drive to act on the leaf. For example, if the user acts particularly "energetically" on the problematic leaf during opening and / or closing, this can not only be recognized by the user, but also be implemented and interpreted by the control unit such that the drive device undergoes the desired recalibration as a function of user recognition. In the case of this example, this means that the drive for the leaf is reduced with respect to the force acting on the leaf.

[0011] Conversely, if the user only acts on the leaf "hesitantly", the drive device is adjusted and, if necessary, recalibrated as a function of the performed user identification, and the drive device moves the leaf almost exclusively.

[0012] Additionally or alternatively, it is possible for the control unit to take into account static parameters of the leaf, such as its mass. Such static parameters can be stored in the control unit by the manufacturer, for example. As a result, when controlling the drive device, the control unit takes into account not only the specific action of the user on the leaf from the perspective of user recognition, but also the mass of the leaf.

[0013] Furthermore, other parameters of the leaf can also be taken into account. For example, it is considered that the leaf or its movement sequence depends not only on the action applied to it by the user, the aforementioned mass of the leaf, but also on the friction of the leaf against the bearing on the vehicle body. Ideally, the control unit can distinguish between these different influencing factors, namely the user, the mass of the leaf, and ultimately the friction of the leaf in the bearing or bearings. This distinction can be made based on the movement sequence of the leaf and, optionally, taking into account additional known values regarding the mass of the leaf.

[0014]

[0014] User identification is usually performed based on the motion sequence over time, for example, the maximum achievable speed, the speed curve, and the time reduction of the leaf speed when acted upon by the user. In contrast, the friction between the leaf and the vehicle body has a significant static influence on the motion sequence in question and thus results in a more or less significant attenuation of its speed. The same applies to mass. It is also possible to detect certain static parameters of the leaf, such as friction and mass in particular, using a current sensor on the drive device. This current sensor is used to determine the current consumed by the drive, which is a measure of the energy consumed by the drive device to move the leaf. Therefore, from the value of the current sensor, it can be concluded that the mass of the leaf has increased under certain circumstances, as well as that the friction of the leaf in the bearing against the vehicle body has increased or decreased.

[0015]

[0015] In contrast, the rotation angle sensor is mainly used to detect the dynamic parameters of the leaf, that is, to record and evaluate the motion sequence described as an example in the form of a path-time curve. All of these values, namely, the dynamic motion sequence of the leaf as a result of user recognition, any static parameters in the form of the mass of the leaf, and its friction in the bearing with the vehicle body, are overall implemented by the control unit, and the control unit recalibrates the drive device acting on the leaf as a function of the values of the sensors acting on the leaf. In fact, at this point, usually the values of both the current sensor and the rotation angle sensor are used.

[0016]

[0016] Furthermore, the control unit typically specifies different operating states as a function of the values of the sensors in question. That is, for example, it is possible to distinguish between normal operation, load operation, and even overload operation. Normal operation means that the control unit acts on the drive device so as to act on the leaf in a way that takes into account user identification as well as the detected mass and friction, and the drive device also corresponds to a situation where it has the drive power necessary for this. During load operation, the control unit ensures, for example, an increase in the driving force for the drive device, taking into account or being able to take into account an increase in the friction of the leaf with respect to the vehicle body. Finally, overload operation corresponds to a situation where the friction and / or mass of the leaf has increased to such an extent that the nominal driving force of the drive device is not at all sufficient (or is no longer sufficient) to move the leaf. In this case, the drive device is not controlled by the control unit, but rather an error message is issued or the overload operation is indicated.

[0017]

[0017] The invention also relates to a device particularly suitable for carrying out this method. As a result, methods and devices are described that can particularly carry out user identification. For this purpose, the control unit typically performs the user identification in question as a function of the time-dependent values from the sensors. In addition to the user identification as a result of the recorded dynamic parameters of the leaf, the control unit typically also takes into account the static parameters of the leaf in the form of its mass, or the friction with the vehicle body in one or more bearings. As a result, the drive device for acting on the leaf can be recalibrated in each case and ultimately the energy required for the drive device can be adjusted accordingly. All of these are achieved through the learning process of the control unit as a function of the dynamic and static parameters of the leaf. The corresponding recalibration can be carried out and implemented, for example, through routines using artificial intelligence.

[0018]

[0018] All of these are achieved, for example, without the need for calibration at the end of production. Additionally, the calibration performed during operation in this embodiment takes into account any changes in the movement of the leaf, including those related to the observed friction conditions. This provides an overall high-quality tactile operation of the leaf, especially as the implementation is easy and simple. These are the main advantages.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

[0019] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail using drawings showing only exemplary embodiments.

Figure 1

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

[0020] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0021]

[0020] The figures show a device for controlling an automobile door or flap. According to this embodiment, this device is a device for controlling the side door of an automobile. For this purpose, the automobile side door has a leaf 2 that is movable relative to the automobile body 1. The leaf 2 of the automobile door or the automobile side door is also equipped with an automobile lock 3, but here only the lock mechanism 4, 5 consisting of a rotary latch 4 and a claw part 5 interlocking therewith is schematically shown. The automobile lock 3 or its lock mechanism 4, 5 interacts with a lock holder or lock clip 6 on the body side. As soon as the automobile lock 3 is in a closed state relative to the automobile body, and thus relative to the leaf 2 of the automobile door, this is detected by at least one sensor 7 assigned to the lock mechanism 4, 5, and the signal from the sensor 7 is transmitted to the control unit 8, which receives and evaluates the signal from the sensor. Additionally, another sensors 9, 10 are realized.

[0022]

[0021] Actually, there is a rotation angle sensor 9 on one side and a current sensor 10 on the other side. In the illustrated embodiment, the current I consumed by the drive device 11 for the leaf 2 can be measured using the current sensor 10. Using this rotation angle sensor 9, in each case, the angle α formed by the leaf 2 with respect to the vehicle body 1 can be determined.

[0023]

[0022] The sensors 9, 10, or the two sensors 9, 10 record individual or multiple static parameters and / or dynamic parameters of the leaf 2. Here, the control unit 8 evaluates the values of the sensors 9, 10, or the value of the rotation angle sensor 9, as well as the value of the current sensor 10. According to the present invention, the control unit 8 evaluates the problem signals from the sensors 9, 10 for the purpose of user recognition, and thus evaluates the parameters of the leaf 2.

[0024]

[0023] For this purpose, referring to FIG. 2A, the movement sequence of the leaf 2, specifically two different curves of the speed v of the leaf 2 over time t are shown. These two speed curves start from the origin 0 and show the speed v of the leaf 2 increasing differently over time t. After time t1, the drive device 11 for the leaf 2 can, in each case, provide support for the closing movement of the leaf 2 indicated at this point. This means that in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, the leaf 2 is closed by both manual and motor means. Time t2 corresponds to the closed state of the leaf 2, which is indicated by the closed state of the associated vehicle lock 3. This closed state is notified to the control unit 8 via the sensor 7.

[0025]

[0024] In FIG. 2A, a speed threshold v s is also marked. This speed threshold is not exceeded by the first user associated with the lower (dashed) curve, but is exceeded by the second user associated with the upper (solid) curve. As a result, for example, the drive device 11 supports the closing movement of the leaf 2 with a threshold v sOperable by a first user with a speed curve below a threshold v s The closing movement of leaf 2 for a second user exceeding s is not additionally supported by the motor. Of course, the threshold v s can be variably and displaceably specified by the control unit 8.

[0026]

[0025] The speed-time curve v(t) in FIG. 2A ultimately represents the signal of the rotation angle sensor 9, and the current-time curve I(t) in FIG. 2B ultimately represents the value of the current sensor 10. In this case, the time t1 corresponds to the point in time when the current I consumed by the drive device 11 increases and reaches its maximum at time t2. That is, it is the case where leaf 2 is in the closed state with respect to the vehicle body 1. This locked state is detected again by the sensor 7 in the vehicle lock 3 and notified to the control unit 8.

[0027]

[0026] According to the present invention, the control unit 8 can evaluate the parameters of the leaf 2, i.e., the dynamic parameters of the leaf 2, i.e., the movement sequence of the leaf 2 according to FIG. 2A, and the static parameters of the leaf 2, i.e., the mass of the leaf 2 and, if applicable, the friction against the vehicle body 1. For user identification, the control unit 8 evaluates the dynamic parameters of the leaf 2 as can be seen from FIG. 2A. In fact, each user generates a movement profile over time or a characteristic movement sequence that is characteristic of that user, which is shown and reproduced here using the velocity-time curve v(t). Thereby, the control unit 8 can distinguish different users. As a result, the control unit 8 must intervene so that the drive device 11 supports when the leaf 2 is actuated by a first user associated with the lower (dashed line) velocity curve, and for a second user associated with the upper (solid line) velocity curve, "knows" that no additional support is needed or hardly any. In addition, the control unit 8 can take into account the static parameters of the leaf 2 in the form of its mass. The current sensor 10 can provide information about this, as well as the friction in the bearing between the door leaf 2 and the vehicle body 1. In fact, here the bearing is shown as the approximate point where the drive unit 11 of the leaf 2 acts.

[0028]

[0027] An increase in the mass of the leaf 2 and / or an increase in the friction of the leaf 2 in the bearing of the problem against the vehicle body 1 results in an increase in the current intensity I measured by the current sensor 10 and received by the drive device 11, as schematically shown in FIG. 2B. In fact, two different operating states are shown here. One operating state associated with the dashed curve of the current intensity I corresponds to normal operation, while the solid curve of the current intensity I over time t corresponds to a load operation. In this load operation, the drive device 11 of this embodiment is supplied with the maximum possible current intensity. For example, if a higher current intensity is required to supply the drive device 11 due to an increase in friction, a so-called overload operation is recognized, which occurs beyond the threshold of the current Is in FIG. 2B.

[0029]

[0028] This overload operation corresponds to a state in which the control unit 8 is not acting on the drive device 11 of the leaf 2.

[0030]

[0029] That is, the control unit 8 takes into account the static parameters of the leaf 2 in the form of the mass of the leaf 2 or the friction against the vehicle body 1. The corresponding values are recorded using a current sensor 10 provided in the drive device 11 and provided for detecting the static parameters of the leaf 2. As a result of these measurements, the control unit 8 ensures that the drive device 11 is recalibrated according to the values of the sensors 9 and 10 acting on the leaf 2.

[0031]

[0030] For example, when the friction between the leaf 2 and the vehicle body 1 corresponding to the load operation shown by the solid line in FIG. 2B increases, the control unit 8 enables the drive device 11 to consume a correspondingly increased current, or ensures that the drive device 11 and its action thereon are recalibrated accordingly. As a result, the control unit 8 can identify different operating states already described in FIG. 2B according to the values of the sensors 9 and 10, for example, the normal operation of the dashed line, the load operation shown by the solid line, and finally, the overload operation exceeding the threshold value Is.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0032] 1…Vehicle body, 2…Door leaf, 3…Vehicle lock, 4,5…Lock mechanism, 6…Lock clip, 7…Sensor, 8…Control unit, 9…Rotation angle sensor, 10…Current sensor, 9,10…Sensors, 11…Drive device, v…Speed, v s …Speed threshold, v(t)…Speed-time curve, t, t1, t2(I(t))…Time, i…Current, I, Is... the current intensity.

Claims

1. A drive device (11) for a leaf (2) of a motor vehicle door or flap that is movable relative to a motor vehicle body (1), at least one sensor (9, 10) for detecting individual or multiple static parameters and / or dynamic parameters of the leaf (2), a self-learning control unit (8) for evaluating the values of the sensors (9, 10), A control method for a motor vehicle door or flap, comprising: The control unit (8) evaluates the parameters of the leaf (2) for user identification, characterized in that it is a method.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit (8) evaluates the dynamic parameters of the leaf (2) for user identification.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control unit (8) derives the parameters of the leaf (2) from its motion curve, such as a path-time curve, a speed-time curve, an acceleration-time curve, etc.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the control unit (8) takes into account static parameters in the form of the mass and / or friction of the leaf (2).

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a rotation angle sensor (9) for detecting the dynamic parameters of the leaf (2).

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the drive device (11) is provided with a current sensor (10) for detecting the static parameters of the leaf (2).

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the control unit (8) recalibrates the drive device (11) as a function of the values of the sensors (9, 10) acting on the leaf (2).

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the control unit (8) identifies different operating states, such as normal operation, load operation, overload operation, etc., as a function of the values of the sensors (9, 10).

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the control unit (8) performs the user identification as a function of the time-dependent values of the sensors (9, 10).

10. A drive device (11) for a leaf (2) of a motor vehicle door or flap that is movable relative to a motor vehicle body (1), At least one sensor (9, 10) for detecting individual or multiple static parameters and / or dynamic parameters of the leaf (2); A self-learning control unit (8) for evaluating the values of the sensors (9, 10); A device for controlling an automotive door or an automotive flap for carrying out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising: The control unit (8) is characterized in that it evaluates the parameters of the leaf (2) for user identification.

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