Method for automatically closing the side doors of a car

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for automatically closing the side doors (4a, 4b) of an automobile (1). According to this method, the side doors of an automobile (1), which are movable between an open position and a closed position by an electrically driven unit (7a, 7b), are moved to the closed position by the drive unit (7a, 7b) when at least one radar sensor (6a, 6b) installed in the passenger compartment (2) detects that a passenger has entered the passenger compartment (2) of the automobile (1) while the side doors (4a, 4b) are open.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for automatically closing a side door of an automobile and an automobile having a control / regulating device configured / programmed to implement the method.

Background Art

[0002] Modern automobiles often have a radar sensor installed in the passenger compartment. With this radar sensor, it is possible to identify whether a child is staying in the passenger compartment. When a child is staying in the passenger compartment and the automobile is locked from the outside, an alarm signal can be output. In this way, it is prevented that a child is accidentally confined in the automobile and left unattended. An automobile having a radar sensor installed in the passenger compartment is known, for example, from Patent Document 1.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The problem of the present invention is to show a novel means in the development of an automobile having a radar sensor installed in the passenger compartment.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] Therefore, the idea on which this invention is based is to use a radar sensor, which is often already installed as standard equipment in the passenger compartment of an automobile, to identify a passenger entering the passenger compartment. When the radar sensor identifies that a passenger has entered the passenger compartment by passing through the open side door of the automobile, the side door will be automatically closed after the passenger has entered the passenger compartment, provided that it has a controllable electric drive. In this way, the process of passengers entering the vehicle becomes more comfortable, as it eliminates the need to manually close the door or manually trigger the automatic closing process.

[0006] The method according to the present invention is used to automatically close the side door of an automobile. According to this method, the side door of an automobile, which is movable between an open position and a closed position by an electric drive unit, is moved to the closed position by the electric drive unit when at least one radar sensor installed in the passenger compartment detects that a passenger has entered the passenger compartment of the automobile while the side door is open.

[0007] In one preferred embodiment, at least one radar sensor may be a UWB sensor ("ultra-wideband sensor"). This radar sensor sends radar pulses into the vehicle interior so that it can be detected whether or not a passenger is inside the vehicle, or even more so, movement within the vehicle interior which is almost compulsory when boarding. Thus, such a UWB sensor can detect the presence of a passenger inside the vehicle interior, and in particular the movement of the passenger, with very high reliability and accuracy. For this purpose, such a radar sensor or UWB sensor may have known components such as a system clock generator, a pulse wave generator, a signal amplifier, a transmitter, a pulse receiver, and a wave delay detector.

[0008] According to one advantageous development of the method according to the present invention, after the side door has successfully moved to the closed position, an informational signal, particularly an acoustic and / or visual informational signal, is output in the vehicle compartment. In this way, not only the vehicle passengers who are about to get into the vehicle, but also the driver of the vehicle can be notified after they have finished getting in whether the side door in question has been closed without any problems.

[0009] According to one other advantageous development of the method according to the present invention, if the side door fails to move to the closed position, a warning signal, in particular an audible and / or visual warning signal, is output in the passenger compartment.

[0010] The movement of the side door to the closed position may be obstructed, for example, by an obstacle present in the door opening. This problem can be indicated to passengers attempting to board, and especially to the driver of the vehicle, by the aforementioned warning signal, thereby enabling appropriate measures to be taken to resolve the issue.

[0011] According to one other preferred embodiment, after it is identified that a passenger has entered the vehicle compartment, all side doors that are in the open position and have an electric drive mechanism are automatically moved to the closed position. This measure brings the vehicle into a drivable state with respect to at least the position of each individual side door.

[0012] According to one other advantageous development, the automobile includes at least two side doors, each movable by an electric drive unit and closing their respective door openings in a closed position. In this development, a radar sensor located inside the vehicle detects which door opening a passenger entered the vehicle through. After the passenger enters the vehicle through the side door associated with that door opening, this side door is moved to the closed position by an electric drive unit. In other words, in this development, it is guaranteed that the side door associated with the door opening through which a passenger enters the vehicle is moved to the closed position.

[0013] Particularly preferable, the movement of the side door to the closed position can be initiated only when a radar sensor identifies that a passenger has boarded and is occupying a specific seating position in the vehicle compartment. In this way, the side door closing process is prevented from starting prematurely, especially excessively early. This prevents passengers from being irritated, or even damaged, by a side door that has already begun to close when boarding.

[0014] According to one other advantageous development of the present invention, a seat belt sensor installed in the vehicle detects whether a passenger who has entered the vehicle has fastened the seat belt associated with that seating position after occupying a seating position detected by a radar sensor. If it is determined that the seat belt is not being worn, an error signal is generated when the vehicle is driven after the side door has closed. In particular, a warning signal can be output in the passenger compartment. In this way, in addition to the automatic closing of the side door in question, it is possible to ensure that passengers who have entered the vehicle and are inside the passenger compartment fasten their seat belts before the vehicle is driven, as is usually required by law.

[0015] The present invention further relates to an automobile having a passenger compartment. The automobile according to the present invention further includes at least one side door that is movable between an open position and a closed position by an electric drive unit. The at least one side door closes a door opening associated with this side door in the closed position. In the open position, the side door opens this door opening so that a passenger can enter the passenger compartment through the door opening. Furthermore, the automobile according to the present invention includes at least one radar sensor capable of detecting the presence of a passenger in the passenger compartment. Furthermore, the automobile according to the present invention includes a control / adjustment device connected to the radar sensor in a data transmission manner to receive sensor data. The control / adjustment device is further configured to move the at least one side door between an open and a closed position by an electric drive unit. For this purpose, the side door can be driven and controlled by the control / adjustment device. Furthermore, the control / adjustment device is configured / programmed to carry out the method according to the present invention as described above. Thus, the advantages of the method according to the present invention described above are also applicable to the automobile according to the present invention.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the automobile according to the present invention includes at least one front side door and at least one rear side door, each of which side doors can be moved between an open position and a closed position by an electric drive unit. Particularly preferred, the left front side door and the right front side door may each be provided with an electric drive unit. Alternatively or additionally, the left rear side door and the right rear side door may each be provided with an electric drive unit. In this embodiment, a first radar sensor capable of detecting the presence of a passenger in the front interior area of ​​the passenger compartment is located in the passenger compartment, accessible through a front left door opening or a front right door opening associated with the left front side door or the right front side door. In this embodiment, a second radar sensor capable of detecting the presence of a passenger in the rear interior area of ​​the passenger compartment is further located in the passenger compartment, accessible through a rear left door opening or a rear right door opening associated with the left rear side door or the right rear side door.

[0017] Particularly preferably, at least one radar sensor present in the passenger compartment is an Ultra-Wide-Band (UWB) sensor. This radar sensor can, particularly preferably, emit radar pulses into the passenger compartment and thereby detect whether or not a passenger is present in the passenger compartment, and can detect the movement of a passenger within the passenger compartment, which is almost always necessary when boarding. Such UWB sensors can detect the presence of a passenger in the passenger compartment, and especially the movement of a passenger, with very high reliability and accuracy. Such radar sensors or UWB sensors may have known components such as a system clock generator, a pulse wave generator, a signal amplifier, a transmitter, a pulse receiver, and a wave delay detector.

[0018] Other important features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, drawings, and the description of relevant figures based on the drawings.

[0019] The features described above, and the features further described below, should be understood to be usable not only in the combinations shown, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the present invention. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0020] [Figure 1] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings and will be described in more detail below, where the same reference numerals represent the same or similar components, or functionally identical components. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0021] Figure 1, the only drawing, schematically shows a plan view of one embodiment of an automobile 1 according to the present invention. The automobile 1 includes a passenger compartment 2, which is appropriately enclosed by a vehicle body 8. Furthermore, the automobile 1 includes a left front side door 4a, a right front side door 4a, a left rear side door 4b, and a right rear side door 4b. All four side doors 4a, 4b are each movable between an open position and a closed position by an electrically driven unit 7a or 7b, known to those skilled in the art as a "Door Mover". In the closed position, each side door 4a, 4b closes the door opening 5a or 5b of the automobile 1 that is associated with that side door 4a, 4b. In the open position, each side door 4a, 4b opens the corresponding door opening 5a, 5b so that a passenger (not shown) can reach the automobile 1 or the passenger compartment 2 of the automobile 1 through this door opening 5a, 5b.

[0022] In an exemplary scenario, the motor vehicle 1 further includes a first radar sensor 6a and a second radar sensor 6b both arranged in the passenger compartment 2. The first radar sensor 6a can detect the presence of a passenger (not shown) in the front inner compartment area 2a of the passenger compartment 2, which is accessible through one of the two front door openings 5a. In this regard, the first radar sensor 6a can be particularly preferably arranged in the front inner compartment area 2a, as shown in FIG. 1. However, other suitable positions (not shown in FIG. 1) are also conceivable for the arrangement of the first radar sensor 6a in the passenger compartment 2.

[0023] The second radar sensor 6b can detect the presence of a passenger in the rear inner compartment area 2b of the passenger compartment 2, which is accessible through the two rear door openings 5b. In this regard, the second radar sensor 6a can be particularly preferably arranged in the rear inner compartment area 2b, as shown in FIG. 1. However, other suitable positions (not shown in FIG. 1) are also conceivable for the arrangement of the second radar sensor 6b in the passenger compartment 2.

[0024] Both radar sensors 6a, 6b can be configured as UWB sensors.

[0025] Furthermore, the motor vehicle 1 according to the invention includes a control / regulation device 3 connected to the two radar sensors 6a, 6b such that data transmission takes place to receive sensor data. The control / regulation device 3 is further configured to move the four side doors 4a, 4b between an open state and a closed state by corresponding drive control of the electric drive units 7a or 7b. Furthermore, the control / regulation device 3 is configured / programmed to implement the method according to the invention, which will be exemplarily described below.

[0026] According to this method, when the side doors 4a and 4b are open, if a passenger enters the passenger compartment 2 through the door opening sections 5a and 5b associated with these side doors 4a and 4b, this is identified by one of the two radar sensors 6a and 6b located inside the passenger compartment 2 and transmitted to the control / adjustment device 3. In this case, the side door 4a or 4b, which is in the open position, is moved to the closed position by the control / adjustment device 3 using its own electric drive unit 7a or 7b.

[0027] In one variation of this embodiment, the movement of the corresponding side doors 4a, 4b to the closed position is initiated only when radar sensors 6a, 6b identify that a passenger is occupying a specific position in the passenger compartment 2.

[0028] Optionally, after the side doors 4a and 4b have successfully moved to the closed position, an informational signal, such as an acoustic or visual informational signal, is output in the passenger compartment 2. Similarly, optionally, if the corresponding side door 4a or 4b has not successfully moved to the closed position, a warning signal, such as an acoustic or visual warning signal, is output in the passenger compartment 2.

[0029] As an option, in an exemplary scenario, after it is identified that a passenger has boarded, all side doors 4a, 4b that are in the open position and have electrically driven units 7a, 7b may be moved to the closed position.

[0030] In one further developed variation of the embodiment, a seat belt sensor located inside the vehicle 1 can check whether a passenger has fastened the seat belt associated with a seating position after the passenger has occupied a seating position detected by a radar sensor. If it is determined that the seat belt is not being worn, in this variation, the side doors 4a and 4b are closed, and an error signal can be generated when the vehicle 1 is driving following the closing of the side doors 4a and 4b. In particular, a warning signal, such as an audible or visual warning signal, can be output in the passenger compartment 2.

Claims

1. A method for automatically closing the side doors (4a, 4b) of an automobile (1), The method wherein side doors (4a, 4b), which are adjustable between an open position and a closed position by an electrically driven unit (7a, 7b), are moved to the closed position by the electrically driven unit (7a, 7b) when, while the side doors (4a, 4b) are open, at least one radar sensor (6a, 6b) located inside the passenger compartment (2) detects that a passenger has entered the passenger compartment (2) of the automobile (1).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that an information signal is output in the passenger compartment (2) after the side doors (4a, 4b) have successfully moved to the closed position.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that if the side doors (4a, 4b) fail to move to the closed position, a warning signal is output in the passenger compartment (2).

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, after it is identified that the passenger has boarded, all side doors (4a, 4b) that are in the open position and each have an electrically driven unit (7a, 7b) are moved to the closed position.

5. - The automobile (1) includes at least two side doors (4a, 4b), the at least two side doors being movable by their respective electric drive units, and the respective door openings (5a, 5b) being able to be closed in the closed position, - The radar sensors (6a, 6b) detect which door opening (5a, 5b) the passenger entered the automobile (1) through. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the side doors (4a, 4b) associated with the door opening section (5a, 5b) are moved to the closed position by the electrically driven section (7a, 7b) of the corresponding side door (4, 4b) after the passenger has boarded.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the movement of the corresponding side door (4a, 4b) to the closed position is initiated only when the radar sensor (6a, 6b) identifies that the passenger is occupying a specific seating position in the passenger compartment (2).

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a seat belt sensor provided in the automobile (1) detects whether or not the passenger has worn the seat belt associated with the seat position after occupying a specific seat position, and if it is determined that the passenger has not worn the seat belt, an error signal is generated when the automobile (1) is driven after the corresponding side door (4a, 4b) is closed, and a warning signal is output in particular in the passenger compartment (2).

8. Automobile (1), - Equipped with a passenger compartment (3), - The vehicle is equipped with at least one side door (4a, 4b) that is movable between an open position and a closed position by an electrically driven unit (7a, 7b), and the side door (4a, 4b) closes a door opening section (5a, 5b) associated with the side door (4a, 4b) in the closed position, and opens the door opening section (5a, 5b) in the open position, so that in the open position, passengers can enter the vehicle compartment (2) through the door opening section (5a, 5b). - The vehicle compartment (2) is equipped with at least one radar sensor (6a, 6b) capable of detecting the presence of the passenger, - The automobile (1) comprises a control / adjustment device (3) connected in a data transmission manner to the radar sensors (6a, 6b) to receive sensor data for moving the at least one side door (4a, 4b) between an open state and a closed state, wherein the control / adjustment device (4) is configured / programmed to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. - The automobile (1) includes at least one front side door (4a) and at least one rear side door (4b), - A first radar sensor (6a) is positioned in the passenger compartment (2), and the first radar sensor (6a) can detect the presence of a passenger in the front interior area (2a) which is accessible through the front door opening (5a) of the passenger compartment (2) and is associated with the front side door (4a). - The automobile according to claim 8, further comprising a second radar sensor (6b) in the passenger compartment (2), the second radar sensor (6b) capable of detecting the presence of a passenger in a rear interior area (2b) accessible through the rear door opening (5a) of the passenger compartment (2), which is associated with the rear side door (4b).

10. The automobile according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that at least one of the radar sensors (6a, 6b) is a UWB sensor.

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