Method for controlling a flush door handle of a motor vehicle

Abstract

System (100) for controlling the pivoting of a flush door handle (10) of a motor vehicle, from a rest position to a gripping position, the system comprising: - a detection unit (110), configured to transmit a transmitted signal (101), of the radiofrequency type, and to receive a return signal (102), resulting from the reflection of the transmitted signal (101) by a target (200); and - a command unit (120), configured to implement gesture sensing using data from the detection unit (110), in order to generate a command for the handle to pivot from one position to the other (103) upon detection of a gesture indicating a user's intent to gain access, and to transmit said command to a motor unit (300) configured to control the position of the flush door handle (10).

Description

Description Control system for a flush door handle of a motor vehicle Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the automotive field and more particularly to a system intended to be integrated into a flush door handle of a motor vehicle, to control a position of said handle. State of the art

[0002] Nowadays, flush, motorized door handles are becoming increasingly popular in the automotive industry.

[0003] A flush door handle is a door handle capable of taking up, in use, at least two positions among: - a rest position, in which it is flush with the external surface of the door, and - a gripping position, in which at least part of the handle is arranged offset relative to the external surface of the door, thus providing a grip for the user.

[0004] By "flush with the external surface of the door" is meant a negligible jump in surface topology, for example less than 3 mm, at the passage between the handle and the external surface of the door and without considering the gap between the two.

[0005] In the gripping position, at least a portion of the handle projects relative to the outer surface of the door, towards the outside of the vehicle. In other words, the handle extends towards the outside of the vehicle.

[0006] Alternatively, in the gripping position, at least part of the handle is arranged retracted inside a housing formed in the door, thus freeing up access to the housing for the user's hand. In other words, the handle folds towards the inside of the vehicle.

[0007] Such a handle is brought from one position with the help of a motor unit which includes an electric motor and its control system.

[0008] Such a door handle is shown schematically in Figures 1 A and 1 B. In the example illustrated in Figures 1 A and 1 B, the handle extends outwards from the vehicle, into the gripping position.

[0009] In Figure 1A, the handle 10 is shown in the rest position. It is housed inside the housing 11 formed in the door 20, and is flush with the external surface 21 of the door.

[0010] In Figure 1B, it is shown in the gripping position, with a gripping portion 12 located outside the housing 11, and a deployment portion taking a deployed position and extending between the door 20 and said gripping portion 12.

[0011] The control system may include: - a contact sensor, configured to detect direct physical contact between a user's hand and the handle; and - a control unit, configured to control the rest or gripping position of the handle based on data provided by the contact sensor.

[0012] A disadvantage of this solution is that it requires the user to touch the handle, even though it is simply flush with the surface of the door, with no possibility of gripping it. The user must then wait for the handle to swing into its gripping position before being able to grasp it and open the door. This means that there is a sequence of movements that is not fluid, and waiting times that can be unpleasant for the user.

[0013] One solution to overcome these drawbacks is to use user badge recognition. In use, the user wears a badge equipped with a radiofrequency device, for example of the UWB type, capable of communicating with a badge reader located in the door handle. When the presence of the badge is detected near the vehicle, a control unit controls the tilting of the handle into its gripping position.

[0014] A disadvantage, however, is the risk of the handle's position being accidentally tilted as soon as the user enters a wide area around the vehicle. In other words, as soon as the user is wearing the badge, the handle moves into the gripping position whenever he is near the vehicle, even if his real intention is not to access the vehicle.

[0015] An objective of the invention is therefore to propose a solution to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0016] In particular, an objective of the present invention is to propose a system for controlling the tilting of a flush door handle of a motor vehicle, from its rest position to its gripping position, the method offering optimized comfort of use while avoiding untimely tilting of position, unwanted by the user. Statement of the invention

[0017] This objective is achieved with a system for controlling a flush handle mounted in use on a door of a motor vehicle, the system comprising: - a detection unit; and - a control unit comprising at least one memory and at least one processor, configured to receive data from of the detection unit, to analyze this data and generate a command to switch from a rest position to a gripping position of the handle, when an intention to access the vehicle by a user is detected, and to transmit said command to a motor unit configured to control a position of the flush handle.

[0018] The rest position of said handle means the position in which, when installed on the vehicle door, in use, it is flush with the outer surface of the door.

[0019] The gripping position of said handle means the position in which, when installed on the vehicle door, in use, it directly or indirectly (by freeing access to a cavity) provides a grip for the user's hand.

[0020] According to the invention, the system has the following features: - the detection unit is configured to emit a named signal “emitted signal”, of radio frequency type, and to receive a return signal, resulting from the reflection on a target of the emitted signal; and - the control unit is configured to implement gesture detection using data from the detection unit, the detection of a gesture indicating the intention to access the vehicle.

[0021] In other words, the control of the handle position is carried out using gesture detection, the gesture indicating an intention of access by a user.

[0022] The access intention is therefore detected well before the user touches the handle. The handle position switching instruction can thus be sent well before the user touches the handle, and so that the handle is in the gripping position (or at least in an intermediate position between the rest position and the gripping position) when the user's hand comes into contact with the latter. Thus, it is possible to reduce, or even eliminate, a latency time separating the first physical contact between the user's hand and the door, and the moment when the handle is in the gripping position and able to be grasped by the user to access the vehicle. In particular, said latency time can be cancelled when user authentication has been carried out upstream, by radiofrequency communication with a user badge (communication in UWB, or BLE, for example).The comfort of use is therefore improved, in comparison with the prior art based on a contact sensor or an immediate proximity sensor (of the order of a centimeter).

[0023] Throughout the text, the term "radio frequency" refers to a signal whose carrier frequency is between 3 kHz and 300 GHz. Preferably, the carrier frequency is, in the invention, between 5 GHz and 20 GHz, more preferably between 5 GHz and 10 GHz.

[0024] The radio frequency signal is advantageously a pulsed signal, in which the pulses are carried by a carrier at a radio frequency as defined above. Advantageously, the frequency of the carrier is fixed. In variants, the frequency of the carrier varies as a function of time within each pulse.

[0025] Alternatively, it can be a continuous signal, for example a frequency modulated continuous wave, or FMCW. This is a continuous signal whose frequency varies over time, so that it can sweep a wide frequency range.

[0026] Advantageously, the gesture indicating an access intention is not a complex gesture. In particular, it is not a gesture comprising one or more changes of direction. Advantageously, the gesture indicating an access intention is simply the gesture by which the user approaches his hand to the detection unit, to grasp the handle. Thus, gesture detection does not require the implementation of complex algorithms, to recognize a very specific gesture. It may simply be a matter of detecting any movement, or simply a movement of approach of the target relative to the detection unit.

[0027] Preferably, the detection unit is configured to emit a transmitted signal for which a ratio of the bandwidth divided by the central frequency is greater than or equal to 20%, and / or whose spectral width is greater than or equal to 500 MHz. In other words, the transmitted signal is an ultra-wideband, or UWB, signal. Alternatively, it may be a continuous frequency-modulated signal, in which the frequency variation sweeps a spectral band satisfying these same conditions. The use of a wideband signal makes it possible to extract a portion of the return signal associated with a desired distance interval between the target and the system according to the invention.

[0028] Advantageously, the detection unit is configured to emit a pulse-type emitted signal, for which a ratio of the bandwidth divided by the central frequency is greater than or equal to 20%, and / or whose spectral width is greater than or equal to 500 MHz, and the detection unit and the control unit are configured together to: a / generate sampled data relating to the return signal; and b / for each of a plurality of successive time intervals ATj, extract sampled data located in said time interval ATj, and relating to sampling instants for which the time difference between the emission of a pulse of the emitted pulse signal and the reception of a corresponding pulse of the return pulse signal is less than a first predetermined threshold.

[0029] Step b / corresponds to an extraction of data relating to the detection of a target located at a distance from the system less than a predetermined threshold distance.

[0030] Advantageously, the detection unit and the control unit are configured together to then implement the following steps: c / for each of said successive time intervals, and using the values ​​extracted in step b / , calculation of a phase shift value between the return signal and the emitted signal; then d / use of the phase shift values ​​to perform the detection of a gesture.

[0031] Said first predetermined threshold advantageously corresponds to a distance d_1 between the detection unit and the target, between 150 cm and 5 cm, preferably between 40 cm and 5 cm.

[0032] Preferably, step b / performs an extraction of the sampled data relating to sampling instants for which the time difference between the emission of a pulse of the emitted signal and the reception of a corresponding pulse of the return signal is less than a first predetermined threshold and greater than a second non-zero predetermined threshold.

[0033] The control unit may further be connected to a door unlocking module receiving the flush handle, and the control unit is configured to generate an unlocking instruction, and to transmit said instruction to the unlocking module.

[0034] The control unit can be configured to transmit the unlocking instruction after a predetermined time interval from the transmission of the instruction to switch from the rest position to the gripping position, the time interval possibly being zero.

[0035] Alternatively, the system according to the invention further comprises a presence sensor configured to detect a presence in the immediate vicinity, and the control unit is configured to transmit the unlocking instruction based on data provided by the presence sensor.

[0036] Advantageously, the control unit is further capable of generating a tilting instruction from the gripping position to the rest position, and of transmitting said instruction to the motor unit controlling the position of the flush handle.

[0037] The system according to the invention may further comprise a pinch detection unit, capable of detecting the presence of an obstacle blocking tilting from one position to the other of the flush handle and of communicating this information to the control unit, and the control unit is configured to, in response, generate and transmit to the motor unit controlling the position of the flush handle, an instruction intended to suspend and / or reverse the tilting of the flush handle from one position to another.

[0038] The system according to the invention may further comprise: - an alert means, configured to emit a light and / or sound alert signal; and - a control unit for the alert means, connected to the control unit and configured to control the emission of a light and / or sound alert signal by said alert means.

[0039] The system according to the invention may further comprise said motor unit configured to control the position of the flush handle.

[0040] The invention also covers an assembly comprising a flush handle for a motor vehicle door, as well as a system according to the invention, with the detection unit of said system which is housed in the flush handle.

[0041] The invention also covers a motor vehicle with a door provided with a flush handle, the vehicle further comprising a system according to the invention, with the detection unit of said system which is housed in the flush handle.

[0042] The invention also covers a method of controlling a flush handle mounted in use on a door of a motor vehicle, the method comprising: - the emission of a radiofrequency type emitted signal and the reception of a return signal, resulting from the reflection on a target of the emitted signal, the emitted signal being a pulse type signal, with a ratio of the bandwidth divided by the central frequency which is greater than or equal to 20%, and / or whose spectral width is greater than 250 MHz; - the generation of sampled data relating to the return pulse signal; - for each of a plurality of successive time intervals, the extraction of the sampled data located in said time interval, and relating to sampling instants for which the time difference (At) between the emission of a pulse of the emitted signal and the reception of a portion of a corresponding pulse of the return signal is less than a first predetermined threshold; - gesture detection implemented using said extracted data, to detect a gesture indicating an intention to access the vehicle; - when such a gesture is detected, generating an instruction to tilt the flush handle from a rest position to a gripping position, and sending said instruction to a motor unit controlling a position of the flush handle between its rest position and its gripping position.

[0043] The method is implemented within a system for controlling a flush handle mounted in use on a door of a motor vehicle, the system comprising: - a detection unit is configured to emit a named signal “emitted signal”, of radio frequency type, and to receive a return signal, resulting from the reflection on a target of the emitted signal; and - a control unit comprising at least one memory and at least one processor, and configured to implement gesture detection using data from the detection unit, and to, when an intention to access the vehicle is detected associated with the detection of a gesture, generate a command to switch from a rest position to a gripping position of the handle and transmit said command to a motor unit configured to control a position of the flush handle. Description of figures

[0044] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from reading the description which follows. This description is purely illustrative and must be read in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:

[0045] [Fig. 1 A] Figure 1 A schematically illustrates a flush door handle of a motor vehicle, in a rest position;

[0046] [Fig. 1 B] Figure 1 B schematically illustrates a flush door handle of a motor vehicle, in a gripping position;

[0047] [Fig. 2] Figure 2 schematically illustrates a system for controlling the tilting of a flush door handle of a motor vehicle, from its rest position to its gripping position, according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0048] [Fig. 3] Figure 3 schematically illustrates sampled data relating to the return signal;

[0049] [Fig. 4] Figure 4 schematically illustrates a system for controlling the tilting of a flush door handle of a motor vehicle, from its rest position to its gripping position, according to a second embodiment of the invention. Detailed description of at least one embodiment

[0050] Figures 1 A and 1 B were described in the introduction, and show a flush door handle 10 of a motor vehicle in a rest position, respectively a gripping position.

[0051] In the example of Figures 1 A and 1 B, the rest position is more particularly a retracted position, the gripping position is more particularly a deployed position, and the tilting of the position of resting towards the grip position corresponds to a deployment of the handle.

[0052] First of all, with reference to FIG. 2, an example of a system 100 for controlling a flush door handle 10 as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, according to a first embodiment of the invention, is described.

[0053] The handle is located in use on the exterior side of the motor vehicle.

[0054] The elements relating to the system 100 are represented in solid lines, while the elements relating to the environment of said system are represented in dotted lines.

[0055] System 100 includes in particular: - a detection unit 110; and - a 120 control unit.

[0056] In use, the detection unit 110 is in the handle 10. The control unit 120 can be arranged in the handle 10, for example integrated with the detection unit 110 within the same module, or arranged remote from the handle 10.

[0057] The detection unit 110 advantageously comprises (not specifically shown): - an electrical oscillator, to generate an electrical signal capable of being converted into a radiofrequency signal, - at least one radiofrequency antenna, for the transmission and reception of radiofrequency signals, - at least one mixer, to implement signal mixing, and - at least one analog-to-digital converter, to perform time sampling and convert an analog signal into a digital signal.

[0058] The detection unit 110 is configured to emit a transmitted signal 101, of radiofrequency type, and to receive a return signal 102, resulting from the reflection on a target 200 of the transmitted signal 101. Here, but in a non-limiting manner, the transmitted pulse signal 101 and the return pulse signal 102 are pulse type signals.

[0059] In use, the target 200 is advantageously formed by a user's hand, approaching the door handle 10 and the detection unit 110.

[0060] The control unit 120 comprises at least one memory and at least one processor, not specifically shown.

[0061] It is configured to receive data from the detection unit 110, to analyze this data, to generate a setpoint deployment 103 when an intention of access by a user is detected, and to transmit said instruction 103 to a motor unit 300 controlling the position of the flush door handle 10.

[0062] The motor unit 300 preferably includes an electric motor and an electric motor control system.

[0063] According to the invention, the control unit 120 is configured in particular to implement gesture detection using the data provided by the detection unit 110, the detection of a gesture indicating an access intention by a user.

[0064] In the general case, the motor unit 300 is not part of the system 100 according to the invention.

[0065] Advantageously, the detection unit 110 is configured to emit a transmitted pulse signal 101 for which a ratio of the bandwidth divided by the central frequency is greater than or equal to 20%, and / or whose spectral width is greater than 250 MHz, preferably greater than or equal to 500 MHz. In other words, the transmitted pulse signal 101 is an ultra-wideband, or UWB, radiofrequency signal.

[0066] The use of a wideband signal in fact makes it possible to extract a portion of the return pulse signal, associated, for each pulse of the return pulse signal, with a desired time interval from the corresponding pulse of the emitted pulse signal. A portion of the return pulse signal is thus selected, associated with a predetermined distance interval between the target 200 and the detection unit 110 housed in the handle 10. It is thus possible to detect a gesture occurring only within a desired distance interval from the handle 10. Said distance interval is delimited by a maximum distance from the handle, d_1, and a minimum distance from the handle, d_2, where d_2 can take the value zero.

[0067] In an advantageous variant, the control unit 120 is therefore configured to extract data relating to the return pulse signal 102, and relating to sampling times for which the difference between a pulse of the return pulse signal and the corresponding pulse of the emitted pulse signal is less than a first predetermined threshold (fixing the distance d_1).

[0068] It is thus possible to detect only gestures sufficiently close to the handle 10, for which the probability that they indeed reflect an intention to access the vehicle is high. Such a gesture is, for example, a gesture by which the user brings his hand into contact with the handle 10.

[0069] It is further possible to detect gestures sufficiently far from the handle 10, to allow that, taking into account the time required for the handle 10 to move from the retracted position to the deployed position, the latter is in the deployed position when the hand actually comes into direct physical contact with it.

[0070] Preferably, the speed of deployment of the handle may be fixed, or variable. In any event, the time required for the handle 10 to move from the retracted position to the deployed position is a known time. It is therefore possible to determine at what distance to detect the gesture, so that, taking into account an expected speed of approach of the hand, the handle 10 completes its deployment movement at the moment when the hand comes into contact with it.

[0071] In an advantageous variant, the control unit 120 is configured to extract data relating to the return pulse signal 102, and relating to sampling instants for which the difference between a pulse of the return pulse signal and the corresponding pulse of the emitted pulse signal is less than a first predetermined threshold (fixing the distance d_1) and greater than a second predetermined threshold (fixing the distance d_2).

[0072] In an advantageous embodiment, the detection unit 110 is configured to generate sampled data relating to the return pulse signal 102. The extraction then consists of extracting data associated with predetermined sampling times.

[0073] For example, the control unit 120 is configured to extract the data from the return pulse signal 102 associated, for each pulse of the return pulse signal, with one or more consecutive sampling steps from the emission of the corresponding pulse of the emitted pulse signal 101. This corresponds to a time difference between the emission of a pulse of the emitted pulse signal 101 and the reception of the corresponding pulse of the return pulse signal 102, which is between two known values ​​depending on the sampling step. d_1 is advantageously between 150 cm and 10 cm, and d_2 is advantageously between 20 cm and 0 cm, with d_2 <d_1 .

[0074] For example, the control unit 120 is configured to extract the data from the return pulse signal 102 associated, for each pulse of the return pulse signal, with the second sampling step from the emission of the corresponding pulse of the emitted pulse signal 101. This corresponds to a time difference between the emission of a pulse of the emitted pulse signal 101 and the reception of the corresponding pulse of the return pulse signal 102, which is between one and two times the sampling step. For a sampling step of one nanosecond, this corresponds to d_1 = 30 cm and d_2 = 15 cm. In any case, d_1 is advantageously between 40 cm and 10 cm, and d_2 is advantageously between 20 cm and 0 cm, with d_2 <d_1 .

[0075] Advantageously, the detection unit 110 is configured more particularly to: - emit the emitted pulse signal 101, in the direction of the target 200 located in use outside the vehicle; - receive the return pulse signal 102, corresponding to a reflection (or backscattering) of the emitted pulse signal 101 on the target 200; -performing in-phase mixing and quadrature-phase mixing between the return pulse signal 102 and the transmitted pulse signal 101 or its carrier, so as to generate data l(t) relating to an in-phase component of the return pulse signal 102 and data Q(t) relating to a quadrature-phase component of the return pulse signal 102; and - carry out time sampling upstream or downstream of the mixing, to provide sampled data relating to the return pulse signal 102, here sampled data relating to the in-phase component l(t) and to the quadrature phase component Q(t) of the return pulse signal 102.

[0076] The sampling preferably has a sampling step between 0.8 ns and 2 ns, for example 1 ns. The sampling corresponds to the provision of sampled data relating to the return pulse signal 102, as mentioned above.

[0077] In Figure 3, sampled data relating to the return pulse signal 102 are schematically illustrated. They are presented in matrix form. One axis of the matrix corresponds to a pulse index k of the transmitted pulse signal 101. One axis of the matrix corresponds to an index i of a sampling instant, the value of the index being reset to zero at each new pulse of the transmitted pulse signal 101. A last axis of the matrix corresponds to the value S(k,i) taken by the sampled data, each value being associated with a pulse index k of the transmitted pulse signal and with a sampling instant index i. In Figure 3, a time difference At has been identified between the instant of emission of a pulse k of the transmitted pulse signal 101 and the instant of reception of the corresponding pulse of the return pulse signal 102.

[0078] The values ​​S(k, i) preferably correspond to the values ​​of the in-phase component l(t) of the return pulse signal 102, and to the values ​​of the quadrature phase component Q(t) of the return pulse signal 102. For example, we have a matrix for the values ​​of l(t) and a matrix for the values ​​of Q(t), or a single matrix for the values ​​of the square root of l 2 (t) plus Q 2 (t), etc.

[0079] Advantageously, the detection unit 110 is configured to store the data S(k,i), then send them in packets to the control unit 120. Sending is done at regular intervals AT].

[0080] The AT time intervals each have the same time width and follow one another directly. This time width is advantageously between 0.8 ms and 1.2 ms, for example equal to 1 ms.

[0081] The sampled data relating to the return pulse signal, here the data S(k, i), are received by the control unit 120.

[0082] The control unit 120 then performs an extraction of the data relating to sampling instants for which the difference between the instant of emission of a pulse of the emitted pulse signal 101 and the instant of reception of the corresponding pulse of the return pulse signal 102, is less than a first predetermined threshold. In other words, it is a question of extracting the data relating to a distance between the detection unit 110 and the target which is less than a first threshold distance d_1, or maximum distance to the handle.

[0083] In the example detailed above, the control unit 120 performs an extraction of the data, separately on each time interval AT,.

[0084] In an advantageous example, the sampling step is 1 ns. The control unit 120 performs an extraction of the data relating to sampling instants for which the difference between the instant of emission of a pulse of the emitted pulse signal 101, and the instant of reception of the corresponding pulse of the return pulse signal 102, is less than 2 ns, i.e. twice the sampling step. This corresponds to a first threshold distance d_1 equal to 30 cm. Other values ​​of d_1 are possible, depending in particular on the sampling step, and on the number of units of the sampling step chosen to fix the value of d_1, preferably 1 to 3 times the sampling step.

[0085] Advantageously, the control unit 120 then performs gesture detection using phase shift values ​​between the return pulse signal 102 and the transmitted pulse signal 101, said phase shift values ​​being obtained from the extracted data mentioned above.

[0086] Preferably, the control unit 120 calculates a phase shift value per time interval AT,, said phase shift value <p(ATj) étant obtenue à l’aide des valeurs S(k,i) mentionnées ci-avant et avec <f>(t)=arctan (Q(t) / I(t)).

[0087] Preferably, the extracted data relating to different pulses of the transmitted pulse signal, and possibly at different sampling times, are combined together in the form of an arithmetic mean for the calculation of <p(ATj) .

[0088] Where applicable, gesture detection specifically uses phase shift derivative values.

[0089] It has been described here how the control unit 120 controls the deployment of the flush door handle, in response to the detection of a gesture near said handle.

[0090] Advantageously, the control unit 120 is also capable of generating a tilting instruction from the gripping position to the rest position, here a folding instruction, and of transmitting this instruction to the motor unit 300 controlling the position of the handle 10.

[0091] In a first embodiment, the control unit 120 is configured to generate and transmit the folding instruction after a predetermined time interval from the sending of the deployment instruction. For this, the control unit 120 comprises in particular a clock, not shown.

[0092] Alternatively, the folding instruction is generated, like the deployment instruction, in response to the detection of a gesture. The choice between one or the other instruction, at the level of the control unit 120, can be a function simply of the current position of the handle, the command aiming to move the handle from one position to the other. Alternatively, the folding instruction is generated in response to the detection of a predetermined gesture, notably incorporating at least one change of direction.

[0093] Next, with reference to FIG. 4, a system 100' for controlling the deployment of a flush door handle 10 as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, according to a second embodiment of the invention, is described.

[0094] The system of Figure 4 will only be described for its differences relative to the system of Figure 2. The system 100' comprises a plurality of improvements in comparison with the system of Figure 2. These different improvements can be combined all together within the same system, as illustrated in Figure 4, or each combined separately with a system such as that of Figure 2.

[0095] In the embodiment of Figure 4, the control unit 120' is further connected to a door unlocking module receiving the handle 10. In Figure 4, this module is symbolized by the square bearing the reference 400. The control unit 120' is then able to generate an unlocking instruction, and to transmit said instruction to the unlocking module 400.

[0096] The unlocking module 400 advantageously comprises a mechanical locking system, as well as a control unit for said mechanical system.

[0097] In a first variant, not shown, the control unit 120' is configured to transmit said instruction to the unlocking module 400 at the same time as it transmits the instruction to deploy the handle, or otherwise after a predetermined time interval from the transmission of the instruction to deploy the handle.

[0098] In a second variant as illustrated in Figure 4, the system 100' further comprises a presence sensor 130, configured to detect a presence in its immediate environment.

[0099] The presence sensor 130 is arranged, in use, in the handle 10, and more particularly in the gripping portion as mentioned in the introduction. It is for example a capacitive, or inductive, or piezoelectric, or ultrasonic sensor, etc., capable of detecting direct physical contact or immediate proximity (less than one centimeter, typically) between the user's hand and the handle.

[0100] The presence sensor 130 is configured to transmit detection data to the control unit 120', and the control unit 120' is configured to transmit the unlocking instruction to the unlocking module 400 based on data provided by the presence sensor 130. In particular, the control unit 120' is configured to transmit the unlocking instruction to the unlocking module 400 as soon as a presence in the immediate vicinity of the sensor 130 is detected using the presence sensor 130.

[0101] In advantageous variants, the presence sensor 130 serves as a redundant detection means, to trigger the sending of the handle deployment instruction in the case where the gesture detection has not worked. In addition or as a variant, the presence sensor allows the control unit 120' to be informed of the presence of the user's hand on the handle, in order to prevent any sending of a tilting instruction to the rest position while the hand is in contact with the handle. One of the advantages is to prevent the hand from being pinched.

[0102] In still other variants, the module 400 is a door locking and unlocking module receiving the handle 10. The control unit 120' is then configured to transmit a locking instruction or an unlocking instruction to the module 400. Said instruction can be synchronized with the transmission of the instruction to deploy or fold the handle, or controlled by data provided by at least one presence sensor located in the handle.

[0103] In the embodiment of Figure 4, the control unit 120' is capable of generating a folding instruction and transmitting said instruction to the motor unit 300 controlling the position of the flush door handle, and the system 100' comprises a pinch detection unit 140.

[0104] The pinch detection unit 140 is capable of detecting the presence of an obstacle blocking the folding of the handle 10, and of communicating this information to the control unit 120'. The control unit 120' is configured to, in response, generate and transmit to the motor unit 300 an instruction intended to suspend the folding and / or deploy the handle 10.

[0105] The obstacle is, for example, a finger, trapped between the vehicle and the gripping portion mentioned above. The pinch detection unit 140 thus provides safety, to prevent a finger from being pinched when folding the handle 10.

[0106] In the presence of a mechanical obstacle blocking the folding of the handle 10, this will result in an increase in the intensity of a control current sent to the input of the electric motor, the control system of the electric motor adapting the control current to the mechanical resistance encountered. The presence of an obstacle blocking the folding of the handle 10 can therefore be detected via a measurement of the intensity of the control current sent to the input of the electric motor of the motor unit 300.

[0107] In the embodiment of Figure 4, the system 100' further comprises an alert means, here an indicator light 150, as well as a unit 151 for controlling the indicator light.

[0108] The indicator light comprises, for example, at least one LED. In use, the indicator light 150 is visible to a user located outside the vehicle and close to the handle 10. In particular, the indicator light 150 is located in use on the outside of the vehicle, directly on the handle 10 or otherwise in the immediate vicinity of the latter.

[0109] The indicator light control unit 151 is connected to the control unit 120', and configured to switch the indicator light from an off state to an on state when the control unit 120' transmits an instruction to the motor unit 300, in particular an instruction to fold the handle 10.

[0110] The indicator light 150 and its control unit 151 thus provide safety, to warn the user of the folding of the handle 10 and thus limit the risk of pinching.

[0111] Alternatively, the alerting means is configured to instead emit an alert signal, or a combination of an audible alert signal and an alert signal. bright.

[0112] The invention is not limited to the examples described above, and covers in particular variants in which the rest position of the handle is a deployed position, the gripping position of the handle is a retracted position (housed inside a housing internal to the door, to free access to a cavity), and the tilting from the rest position to the gripping position corresponds to a folding of the handle.

[0113] Also described is a system, not shown, for controlling a flush handle mounted in use on a door of a motor vehicle, the system comprising: - a detection unit; and - a control unit comprising at least one memory and at least one processor, configured to receive data from the detection unit, to analyze this data and generate an instruction for switching from a rest position to a gripping position of the handle, when an intention to access the vehicle by a user is detected, and to transmit said instruction to a motor unit configured to control a position of the flush door handle; in which: - the detection unit is configured to emit an emitted signal, of optical type, and to receive a return signal, resulting from the reflection on a target of the emitted signal; and - the control unit is configured to implement gesture detection using data from the detection unit, the detection of a gesture indicating the intention to access the vehicle.

[0114] The optical signal is advantageously an infrared signal. Gesture detection advantageously implements time-of-flight and / or frequency shift calculations linked to the Doppler effect.

[0115] Such a system, based on the emission of an optical signal, may comprise one or more of each of the characteristics of the system described above and based on the emission of a radiofrequency signal.< / f>

Claims

Claims

1. System (100; 100') for controlling a flush handle (10) mounted in use on a door of a motor vehicle, the system comprising: - - said flush handle (10), provided with a motor unit (300) configured to control a position of the flush handle (10) between a rest position and a gripping position; - a detection unit (110); and - a control unit (120; 120') comprising at least one memory and at least one processor, configured to receive data from the detection unit, to analyze this data and generate a tilting instruction (103) from the rest position to the gripping position of said handle (10), when an intention to access the vehicle by a user is detected, and to transmit said instruction to the motor unit (300); characterized in that: - the detection unit (110) is configured to emit a transmitted signal (101), of radiofrequency type, and to receive a return signal (102), resulting from the reflection on a target (200) of the transmitted signal (101), the transmitted signal (101) being a pulse type signal, for which a ratio of the bandwidth divided by the central frequency is greater than or equal to 20%, and / or whose spectral width is greater than 250 MHz; and - the control unit (120) is configured to implement gesture detection using data from the detection unit (110), the detection of a gesture indicating the intention to access the vehicle; and wherein the detection unit (110) and the control unit (120; 120') are configured together to: a / generate sampled data relating to the return pulse signal (102); and b / for each of a plurality of successive time intervals, extract sampled data located in said time interval, and relating to sampling instants for which the time difference (At) between the emission of a pulse of the emitted signal and the reception of a portion of a corresponding pulse of the return signal is less than a first predetermined threshold.

2. System (100; 100') according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit (110) and the control unit (120; 120') are configured together to then implement the following steps: c / for each of said successive time intervals, and using the values ​​extracted in step b / , calculating a phase shift value between the return signal (102) and the transmitted signal (101); then d / using the phase shift values ​​to perform the detection of a gesture.

3. System (100; 100') according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said first predetermined threshold corresponds to a distance d_1 between the detection unit (110) and the target (200), with d_1 between 150 cm and 5 cm.

4. System (100; 100') according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which step b / performs an extraction of the sampled data relating to sampling instants for which the time difference (At) between the emission of a pulse of the emitted signal and the reception of a portion of a corresponding pulse of the return signal, is less than a first predetermined threshold and greater than a second non-zero predetermined threshold.

5. System (100') according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit (120') is further connected to an unlocking module (400) of the door receiving the flush handle, and the control unit (120') is configured to generate an unlocking instruction, and to transmit said instruction to the unlocking module (400).

6. System (100') according to claim 5, wherein the control unit (120') is configured to transmit the unlocking instruction after a predetermined time interval from the transmission of the instruction to switch from the rest position to the gripping position, the time interval possibly being zero.

7. System (100') according to claim 5, characterized in that it further comprises a presence sensor (130) configured to detect a presence in the immediate vicinity, and in that the control unit (120') is configured to transmit the unlocking instruction based on data provided by the presence sensor (130).

8. System (100; 100') according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the control unit (120') is further capable of generating a command for tilting from the gripping position to the rest position, and of transmitting said command to the motor unit (300) controlling the position of the flush handle.

9. System (100') according to claim 8, characterized in that it further comprises a pinch detection unit (140), capable of detecting the presence of an obstacle blocking tilting from one position to another of the flush handle (10) and of communicating this information to the control unit (120'), and in that the control unit (120') is configured to, in response, generate and transmit to the motor unit (300) controlling the position of the flush handle, an instruction intended to suspend and / or reverse the tilting from one position to another of the flush handle.

10. System (100') according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it further comprises: - an alert means (150), configured to emit a light and / or sound alert signal; and - a unit (151) for controlling the alert means, connected to the control unit (120') and configured to control the emission of a light and / or sound alert signal by said alert means (150).

11. System (100; 100') according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it further comprises said motor unit (300) configured to control the position of the flush handle.

12. Assembly comprising a flush handle (10) for a motor vehicle door, as well as a system (100; 100') according to any one of claims 1 to 11, with the detection unit (110) of said system which is housed in the flush handle.

13. Motor vehicle with a door provided with a flush handle (10), the vehicle further comprising a system (100; 100') according to any one of claims 1 to 11, with the detection unit (110) of said system being housed in the flush handle.

14. A method of controlling a flush handle (10) mounted in use on a door of a motor vehicle, the method comprising: - the emission of a transmitted signal (101), of radiofrequency type, and the reception of a return signal (102), resulting from the reflection on a target (200) of the transmitted signal (101), the transmitted signal (101) being a pulse type signal, with a ratio of the bandwidth divided by the central frequency which is greater than or equal to 20%, and / or whose spectral width is greater than 250 MHz; - generating sampled data relating to the return pulse signal (102); - for each of a plurality of successive time intervals, the extraction of the sampled data located in said time interval, and relating to sampling instants for which the time difference (At) between the emission of a pulse of the emitted signal and the reception of a portion of a corresponding pulse of the return signal is less than a first predetermined threshold; - gesture detection implemented using said extracted data, to detect a gesture indicating an intention to access the vehicle; - when such a gesture is detected, generating an instruction to tilt the flush handle from a rest position to a gripping position, and sending said instruction to a motor unit (300) controlling a position of the flush handle (10) between its rest position and its gripping position; grip. 5

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