Body parts with anti-pinch systems

Abstract

To provide a vehicle body part for automobiles.SOLUTION: A vehicle body part (1) includes a plastic body (2) and a pinching prevention system. The part is equipped with a capacitive sensor with at least one first conductor (4) welded into the thickness of the body, and the capacitive sensor can detect the presence of an object or the hand of a user in the perimeter zone.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of the automotive industry, and more particularly to plastic body parts for installation in motor vehicles. [Background technology]

[0002] Many modern vehicles are equipped with plastic body parts such as tailgates, doors, and other opening and closing elements that are equipped with motors for opening and closing. These opening and closing elements can be equipped with anti-pinch devices that have capacitance sensors arranged at the lateral edge level of the outer periphery of the opening and closing element.

[0003] Capacitive sensors can detect the presence of an object or a change in capacitance due to the presence of an object within the detection field of the sensor at close range.

[0004] Therefore, these capacitance sensors typically detect the presence of an object within their detection range without contact by detecting a change in capacitance, and the device then stops the gate from closing before the obstacle becomes trapped between the opening and closing body and the vehicle body.

[0005] Such sensors can be used to detect the presence of obstacles in various types of openings and closings of a vehicle, such as electric window regulators, sunroofs, side doors, sliding doors, and tailgates.

[0006] These capacitive sensors have the advantage that they can sense both metallic and non-metallic objects, allowing them to detect the presence of any kind of object or material at short distances.

[0007] Capacitive sensors operate on the principle of a capacitor: their capacitance depends on the properties of the dielectric medium separating their electrodes and the distance between them. In this case, the dielectric medium is typically air. Therefore, any object with a different dielectric constant or relative permittivity (air is 1) will produce a detectable change when it comes close to the electrodes (for example, the human body has a permittivity of 81, very close to that of water). By detecting this change, the presence of the object can be detected.

[0008] One of the electrodes of the capacitor constituting the sensor can be made of a conductive wire or conductive film made of metal or the like.

[0009] Capacitive sensors currently used in the automotive industry are typically systems that are placed on openings and closing bodies in various sensitive zones.

[0010] "Caution zone" refers to a zone where there is a risk of getting caught. In particular, in the case of a rear opening / closing body, this refers to the zone located between the outer periphery of the opening / closing body and the body.

[0011] Therefore, there is a practical need to place such capacitive sensors in the immediate vicinity of the sensitive zone to ensure the best possible detection there.

[0012] However, as mentioned above, capacitance sensors are systems that generally must be placed on the opening and closing body and are based on conductors fixed to some kind of support, such as a flexible duct or plastic case that forms a harness.

[0013] As a result, these types of systems are difficult to integrate into the environment of the opening and closing device due to their bulkiness and rigidity, which in turn complicates and in some cases prevents optimal placement in close proximity to the sensitive zone for optimal detection.

[0014] Furthermore, fixing such additional capacitance systems requires additional fixing elements, which, depending on their nature, can increase the volume of the overall capacitance system and / or complicate the assembly steps between the system and the vehicle body part in question.

[0015] Finally, such systems are generally placed in a zone of the closure that is visible when the closure is in the open position, i.e., in a zone that is visible to the user, which, in addition to being unsightly, carries the risk of the user accidentally bumping into or getting caught in the device.

[0016] Furthermore, in the case of supports in the form of ducts forming a harness, the harness is usually fixed to the opening and closing body at several points spaced apart from one another, each of which immediately becomes a risk point, since it can become dislodged by the impact of closing or by the vibrations of the vehicle, thereby generating noises that are unpleasant for the user. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0017] The present invention has as its particular object to remedy all the above-mentioned drawbacks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0018] The present invention therefore relates to a bodywork part for a motor vehicle, comprising a plastic body and an anti-trap system, the anti-trap system comprising a capacitance sensor having at least one first conducting wire integrated by welding into the thickness of the body, flush or non-flush with the body, the first conducting wire being at least partially located within an outer peripheral zone of the body, the capacitance sensor being capable of detecting the presence of an object or a user's hand in the outer peripheral zone.

[0019] The body part according to the invention thereby provides detection in the immediate vicinity of the outer periphery zone of the body and the target critical zone. This allows for optimized detection by the capacitive sensor of the anti-trap system, since the sensor's conductors are integrated closest to the edge of the body of the part. The body part according to the invention also has the advantage of being equipped with an anti-trap system while maintaining a low bulkiness (thinness) in the thickness of its body. The conductors being "flush or non-flush with the body" here refer to the conductors forming a geometrically continuous or contoured surface, respectively, with the adjacent surface of the body.

[0020] Advantageously, the capacitive sensor comprises a second conductor integrated by welding into the thickness of the body so as to be flush or non-flush with the body, the second conductor being at least partially located within the outer peripheral zone of the body.

[0021] Therefore, the detection of an object in the zone of interest by a capacitive sensor is optimized by taking into account the difference in capacitance caused by the presence of the object between two wires, one of which is designated the "transmitting wire" and the other the "receiving wire."

[0022] Advantageously, the peripheral zone extends from the edge of the body to a distance of 20 mm, so that it is possible to detect the presence of an object in the immediate vicinity of the attention zone. Advantageously, the peripheral zone extends from the edge of the body to a distance of 10 mm. Even more advantageously, the peripheral zone extends from the edge of the body to a distance of 5 mm.

[0023] Advantageously, the welding of the wires is carried out with the application of ultrasonic vibrations.

[0024] This allows the groove to be made in the body and the conductor to be embedded in it almost simultaneously, resulting in a fast and reliable weld. - inserting a portion of the conductor into a cavity at the free end of the sonotrode; - applying ultrasonic vibrations to the sonotrode and inserting a conducting wire to create a groove in the thickness of the plastic body and embedding the conducting wire therein; This can be done through

[0025] Advantageously, the part comprises an element attached to the body by a bead of adhesive covering at least one of the conductors.

[0026] This protection of the conductor(s) covered by the adhesive bead ensures the durability of the capacitive sensor and ensures safe detection of objects in the sensitive zone.

[0027] Advantageously, the body and the add-on element form a sealed volume in which the first electrical conductor and / or the second electrical conductor are arranged.

[0028] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle equipped with at least one body part according to any one of the body part variants of the invention.

[0029] Advantageously, the bodywork part is an opening such as a tailgate, a side door, a bonnet or a sunroof.

[0030] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a gate for a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 2A, 2B, and 2C are a set of cross-sectional views (FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C) of the gate of FIG. 1 taken along section II-II. [Figure 3] 3A and 3B are a set of cross-sectional views (FIGS. 3A and 3B) of the gate of FIG. 1 taken along section III-III. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] A vehicle body part (in the form of a gate) according to various variant embodiments of the invention is shown in Figures 1 to 3B. This part is generally designated by the reference numeral 1.

[0033] The vehicle body part 1 according to the invention comprises a plastic body 2 and an anti-pinch system, the anti-pinch system comprising a capacitance sensor having at least one first conducting wire 4 integrated by welding into the thickness of the body 2, flush or non-flush with the body 2, the first conducting wire 4 being at least partially located within the outer peripheral zone of the body, the capacitance sensor being able to detect the presence of an object or a user's hand (not shown) in the outer peripheral zone.

[0034] 1 to 3B comprises an additional element 3, in this case an additional skin 3, relative to the body 2. The capacitive sensor of the anti-pinch system of the component according to the invention depicted in these figures comprises a second conductor 5, which is also integrated by welding into the thickness of the body 2, either flush or non-flush with the body 2. This second conductor 5 is also located at least partially within the outer peripheral zone of the body 2.

[0035] 2A to 3B, the first and second conducting wires 4 and 5 are ultrasonically welded to the body 2 so that they are contoured and not flush with the adjacent surfaces of the body 2. The two conducting wires 4 and 5 are elements of a capacitance sensor that also includes an electronic system (not shown) that can process the data received when an object or a user's hand is detected. The capacitance sensor is a subassembly of an anti-pinch system that includes a control system that can operate an actuator responsible for opening and closing the gate 1 to stop the gate 1 from opening or closing if there is a risk of pinching.

[0036] The conductors 4 and 5 may be welded flush and therefore flat to the adjacent surfaces of the body 2, thereby further reducing the bulk placed on that part of the body 2 in particular and further protecting the conductors from any harmful effects since the conductors are entirely embedded in the plastic material.

[0037] Conductors 4 and 5 are located within the outer perimeter zone of body 2, allowing for optimal detection of a vehicle being pinched in that critical zone after assembly of gate 1. Body 2 corresponds to the lateral uprights of gate 1 in Figures 2A to 2C, while it corresponds to the lower part of gate 1 in Figures 3A and 3B.

[0038] However, it is conceivable that the vehicle may have other critical zones in relation to the opening and closing of the gate 1, and therefore the gate 1 may be provided with at least one further capacitance sensor, as shown in Figures 2C and 3B. This second capacitance sensor is conceptually similar to that already described and is still a subassembly of the anti-trap system, with first and second conductors 7 and 8 welded flush to the adjacent surfaces of the body 2 in the immediate vicinity of the other critical zone. Thus, the anti-trap system may use multiple capacitance sensors, thereby enabling better detection of risk situations and more sophisticated instructions to be sent to the actuator of the gate 1.

[0039] As already mentioned, the gate 1 comprises a skin 3. This skin is applied to the body 2 and is fixed by means of an adhesive bead 6 located in the outer peripheral zone of the body 2.

[0040] As shown in Figures 2A, 2B, and 3A, one of the two conductors 4 or 5 is covered by an adhesive bead 6, which protects the entire conductor and ensures its durability over time, and ultimately the capacitive sensor. In the variant of the invention shown in Figures 2C and 3B, the two conductors 4 and 5 are covered by the adhesive bead 6, so that both conductors are protected by the adhesive bead. The body 2 and the outer skin 3 form a sealed volume 9, where the conductors 4 and 5 can be welded, in a location that is inaccessible to users and is immediately adjacent to the edge. This allows for better detection in the corresponding critical zone, since the conductors 4 and 5 are much less likely to be damaged during use of the vehicle (not shown) to which the gate 1 is attached. This configuration between the conductors 4 and 5 and the adhesive bead 6 also reduces damage to the conductors 4 and 5 caused by unwanted water flow, which could disrupt the operation of the sensor.

[0041] The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, and other implementations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, one or both of the conductors could be integrated into the inner surface of the outer shell facing the body. If one of the conductors is not integrated into the sealed volume, it can preferably be integrated flush into the thickness of the body, thereby providing better protection. If the sensor is provided with two conductors, they can be integrated simultaneously into the thickness of the body, and thus in particular parallel to each other in the thickness of the part. Their integration can also be carried out by the same device that applies the adhesive bead (for this purpose, the device can have a head equipped with a nozzle for laying the adhesive bead and a sonotrode for installing the conductors). [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1 Body Parts - Gate 2 Main unit 3 Hull 4 First lead of the capacitance sensor 5 Capacitive sensor second lead 6 adhesive beads 7 First conductor of second capacitance sensor 8 Second lead of second capacitance sensor 9 Sealed volume

Claims

1. 1. A body part for a motor vehicle, comprising: a plastic body; and an anti-pinch system, the anti-pinch system comprising a capacitance sensor having at least one first conducting wire integrated by welding into the thickness of the body so as to be flush or non-flush with the body, the first conducting wire being at least partially located within an outer circumferential zone of the body, an adhesive bead covering at least one of the conducting wires, the capacitance sensor being capable of detecting the presence of an object or a user's hand in the outer circumferential zone.

2. 2. The component of claim 1, wherein the capacitive sensor comprises a second conductor embedded in the thickness of the body by welding so as to be flush or non-flush with the body, the second conductor being at least partially located within an outer peripheral zone of the body.

3. 3. A part according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the peripheral zone is a zone extending from the edge of the body up to a distance of 20 mm from said edge.

4. 4. The component of claim 1, further comprising an element attached to the body by a bead of adhesive covering at least one of the conductors.

5. The component of claim 4 , wherein the body and the attached element form a sealed volume within which at least one of the electrical leads is disposed.

6. A motor vehicle comprising at least one body part according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. 7. The vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the part is an opening / closing body such as a tailgate, a side door, a hood, or a sunroof.

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