Method, control device, trigger unit, vehicle, computer program and computer-readable medium for triggering an operation for opening a vehicle part

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method, a control device, a trigger unit, a vehicle, a computer program and a computer-readable medium for triggering an operation for opening a vehicle part of a vehicle (10) which has an electric switching device (200), which has an actuatable trigger element (212) and a sensor device (214) which is designed to detect a movement of the trigger element (212) on actuation of said trigger element and to generate a movement signal which shows the movement profile of the trigger element (212) relative to the sensor device (214), and has a temperature detection device (300) which is designed to generate a temperature signal which shows the temperature of the electric switching device (200). The method according to the invention comprises receiving a movement signal from the sensor device (214), receiving a temperature signal from the temperature detection device (300), determining a target movement profile at least partially based on the received temperature signal and transmitting a trigger signal for triggering the operation for opening the vehicle part when the received movement signal shows a movement profile that substantially corresponds to the target movement profile.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Method, control device, triggering unit, vehicle, computer program and computer-readable medium for triggering an opening process of a vehicle part

[0003] The present invention relates to a method, a control device, a triggering device, a vehicle, a computer program and a computer-readable medium for triggering an opening process of a vehicle part, in particular a hatch of a vehicle, wherein the triggering device is designed to trigger the opening process of the hatch of the vehicle when actuated.

[0004] A variety of release devices for vehicles are known from the prior art. These are conventionally mounted on a movable vehicle part, such as a tailgate, to allow a user to open the movable vehicle part. The opening is triggered by an electrical switch, which emits an electrical release signal depending on the user's actuation. The known release devices are sometimes arranged in a recess in the vehicle's outer skin. Therefore, it is desirable to design such release devices as compactly as possible, in particular as flat as possible.

[0005] In such known triggering devices, an electrical switch is usually also located on the housing part that is fixed to the vehicle. However, since the housing part that is movable to actuate the respective triggering device usually only serves a sealing function, an additional metal part is usually integrated there, especially in the case of an electromagnetic switch, to trigger the switch.

[0006] DE 102020 121 603 A1 describes an actuating device for mounting on a vehicle part. The actuating device known therefrom comprises an electrical switching means with at least one electrical switching element for triggering a vehicle function and a housing unit with at least a first and a second housing section. The second housing section is movable, at least in part, relative to the first housing section from a rest position to an actuating position for actuating the switching element. Furthermore, the switching element is arranged on the second housing section such that the switching element is moved along with the movement of the second housing section from the rest position to the actuating position.

[0007] Further known devices are disclosed in EP 0 681 944 A1 , US 2005 / 0 231 987 A1 , US 2016 / 0 343 522 A1 , DE 10 2008 042 553 A1 and EP 2 960 497 A2.

[0008] Due to the different mechanics of the actuatable trigger element at different temperatures, the haptic perception of the electrical switching device can vary. This can cause the vehicle operator to feel uncomfortable and unsafe, as the temperature-dependent haptics can cause the triggering of the trigger device to feel different to the operator.

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to at least partially remedy the above-mentioned disadvantages known from the prior art. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to enable a triggering device that operates efficiently and reliably over a wide temperature range while providing a substantially consistent haptic feel.

[0010] This object is achieved with a method according to claim 1, a control device according to claim 8, a triggering unit according to claim 10, a vehicle according to claim 12, a computer program according to claim 13 and a computer-readable medium according to claim 14. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims. The present invention is essentially based on the idea of ​​at least partially compensating for the temperature-dependent haptics of a triggering unit for triggering an opening process of a vehicle part of a vehicle by taking the temperature into account, in order to provide the operator of the vehicle with essentially the same haptics over a large temperature range. In particular, the switching point and / or the switching hysteresis of an electrical switching device of the triggering unit can be set and adapted at least partially depending on the temperature.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a method for triggering an opening process of a vehicle part, in particular a lid of a vehicle, is disclosed. The vehicle comprises an electrical switching device having an actuatable trigger element and a sensor device configured to detect a movement of the trigger element upon actuation thereof and to generate a movement signal indicating the movement path of the trigger element relative to the sensor device, and a temperature detection device configured to generate a temperature signal indicating the temperature of the electrical switching device.The method according to the invention comprises receiving a movement signal from the sensor device, receiving a temperature signal from the temperature detection device, determining a target movement pattern based at least partially on the received temperature signal, and sending a trigger signal to trigger the opening process of the vehicle part if the received movement signal indicates a movement pattern that substantially corresponds to the target movement pattern.

[0012] Consequently, the target movement, for example, the switching point of the electrical switching device, is adapted to the currently prevailing temperature to provide the vehicle operator with a temperature-independent and thus similar haptic response when operating the trigger element. This can give the operator a comfortable and secure feeling, as the similar haptic response allows them to recognize whether a trigger request has been correctly detected.

[0013] The movement path preferably comprises a travel path that the trigger element travels when actuated from its initial position to an actuated position. This means that, according to such a preferred embodiment, the travel path, such as the insertion depth, of the trigger element relative to the sensor device can be adapted to the prevailing temperature conditions. For example, it may be advantageous that at a higher temperature of the electrical switching device, such as 30°C, the travel path for triggering the opening process of the vehicle part can be shorter than at a lower temperature of the electrical switching device, such as 5°C.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the movement path includes a speed that indicates the speed of the trigger element when actuated from its initial position to an actuated position. The speed can indicate the time derivative of the movement path. For example, it may be advantageous that at a higher temperature of the electrical switching device, such as 30°C, the speed for triggering the opening process of the vehicle part can be greater than at a lower temperature of the electrical switching device, such as 5°C.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the movement path includes an acceleration that indicates the acceleration of the triggering element when actuated from its initial position to an actuating position. The acceleration can indicate the time derivative of the speed or twice the time derivative of the movement path. For example, it can be advantageous that at a higher temperature of the electrical switching device, such as 30°C, the acceleration for triggering the opening process of the vehicle part can be greater than at a lower temperature of the electrical switching device, such as 5°C.

[0016] The parameters "movement distance," "speed," and "acceleration" of the trigger element can be determined based on the signal from the sensor device, which is based, for example, on the inductive or capacitive measuring principle. In particular, the signal from the sensor device of the electrical switching device can be evaluated over time, and the aforementioned parameters "movement distance," "speed," and "acceleration" can be determined. The evaluation time for the sensor device signal is typically in the range of approximately 20 ms to 50 ms.

[0017] Preferably, the temperature signal from the temperature sensing device indicates the temperature of a mechanical device of the electrical switching device, which is designed to provide a relative movement of the trigger element to the sensor device. Preferably, the mechanical device is made of plastic, whose mechanical properties depend on its temperature.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment, the method according to the invention further comprises generating a restoring force signal at least partially based on the temperature signal and sending the restoring force signal to a restoring force device which is designed to exert a restoring force on the triggering element counter to an actuation direction thereof.

[0019] As a result, the haptics of the electrical switching device can be further harmonized and standardized regardless of temperature. In particular, at a higher temperature of the electrical switching device, such as 30°C, the restoring force signal can indicate a smaller restoring force than at a lower temperature of the electrical switching device, such as 5°C, because the mechanics of the electrical switching device are softer at the higher temperature than at the lower temperature. According to a further aspect of the present invention, a control device is disclosed that is configured to carry out the steps of the method according to the invention.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the control device according to the invention comprises a first control device section for carrying out the step of receiving the movement signal, a second control device section for carrying out the step of receiving the temperature signal, a third control device section for carrying out the step of determining the desired movement course and a fourth control device section for carrying out the step of sending the trigger signal.

[0021] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a trigger unit for triggering an opening process of a vehicle part, in particular a vehicle lid, is disclosed. The trigger unit according to the invention comprises a trigger device with an electrical switching device having a trigger element and a sensor device configured to detect a movement of the trigger element and generate a movement signal indicating the movement path of the trigger element relative to the sensor device, and a temperature detection device configured to generate a temperature signal indicating the temperature of the electrical switching device, as well as a control device according to the invention.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the triggering unit according to the invention further comprises a housing unit with a first housing element and a second housing element, which has a triggering region which is designed to move relative to the first housing element upon actuation of the second housing element. The triggering region is designed to move the triggering element from its initial position into an actuation position upon actuation of the second housing element. Preferably, the second housing element has a vehicle emblem which forms an actuation surface for moving the second housing element from the initial position into the actuation position. Thus, an operator of the vehicle can press the vehicle emblem on the vehicle part, such as the tailgate, and thus submit and trigger his or her request for the automatic opening process of the vehicle part.

[0023] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle is disclosed which has an openable vehicle part, in particular a flap, and a triggering unit according to the invention.

[0024] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a computer program is disclosed which comprises instructions which, when executed by a computing unit, cause the computing unit to execute a method according to the invention for triggering an opening operation of the vehicle part.

[0025] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a computer-readable medium is disclosed on which a computer program according to the invention is stored.

[0026] Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art by practicing the teachings described herein and viewing the accompanying drawings in which:

[0027] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a vehicle with a triggering unit according to the invention for triggering an opening process of a vehicle part of the vehicle,

[0028] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a triggering device according to the invention for mounting on a vehicle part and for triggering an opening process of the vehicle part in a starting position, Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of the triggering device according to the invention of Fig. 1 in an actuating position, and

[0029] Fig. 4 is an exemplary flow diagram of a method according to the invention for triggering an opening process of a vehicle part of the vehicle of Fig. 1.

[0030] In the context of the present disclosure, the term "movement path" describes the relative movement of a trigger element relative to a sensor device designed to detect the relative movement of the trigger element. The movement path can comprise the movement path or amplitude of the trigger element that the trigger element travels from its initial position to an actuated position. Alternatively or additionally, the movement path comprises the speed of the trigger element during its movement, wherein the speed can be determined as the time derivative of the movement path. Alternatively or additionally, the movement path can comprise the acceleration of the trigger element to which the trigger element is subjected when it is actuated, wherein the acceleration can be determined as the time derivative of the speed or the second time derivative of the movement path.

[0031] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle 10 with a triggering unit 100 according to the invention for triggering an opening process of a vehicle part of the vehicle 10, such as a tailgate of the vehicle 10. Alternatively, it can also be a front flap or a side door of the vehicle.

[0032] The trigger unit 100 according to the invention has a triggering device 110 and a control device 120. The triggering device 110 comprises an electrical switching device 200 and a temperature detection device 300, which is designed to generate a temperature signal indicating the temperature of the electrical switching device 200. The temperature detection device 300 can be designed to directly detect the temperature of components of the electrical switching device 200. Alternatively, the temperature detection device 300 can be the ambient temperature sensor of the vehicle 10, wherein the temperature of the electrical switching device 200 can be estimated, extrapolated, or modeled from the detected ambient temperature.

[0033] The temperature sensing device 300 may, for example, be a so-called NTC, PTC or any other known temperature sensing device 300 that is designed to detect or estimate the temperature of the electrical switching device.

[0034] The control device 120 is electrically connected to the triggering device 200 and has a first control device section 122 for performing the step of receiving a movement signal from the electrical switching device 200, a second control device section 124 for performing the step of receiving the temperature signal from the temperature detection device 3000, a third control device section 126 for performing the step of determining a desired movement pattern, and a fourth control device section 128 for performing the step of transmitting a trigger signal. The individual control device sections 122, 114, 126, 128 and their functions are described in more detail below with reference to Fig. 4.

[0035] The control device 120 may include a processor and a memory. Alternatively, the control device 120 may be the processor coupled to the memory. The processor may be a central processing unit (CPU). The processor may further be another general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or another programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, or the like. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or the processor may be any conventional processor or the like.

[0036] Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of an electrical switching device 200 of a triggering device 110 according to the invention for mounting on a vehicle part (not explicitly shown) and for triggering an opening process of the vehicle part in a starting position. The triggering device 110 according to the invention can be attached to the outer skin of the vehicle or at least partially integrated into it.

[0037] The electrical switching device 200 of Fig. 2 has a trigger element 212 and a sensor device 214. The electrical switching device 200 further has a housing unit 220, which comprises a first housing element 222 and a second housing element 224, which is arranged to be movable relative to the first housing element 222. In Fig. 2, the first housing element 222 is shown as being pot-shaped by way of example and has a base that can be attached to the vehicle part, such as a tailgate of the vehicle, and a surrounding wall that extends from the base.

[0038] The first housing element 222 and the second housing element 224 define a housing interior 226 in which the electrical switching device 200 is arranged. In particular, the sensor device 214 is at least partially arranged in the first housing element 222 and is mounted substantially immovably therein. The trigger element 212 can also be arranged on the first housing element 222, but can be mounted so as to be movable at least in sections relative to the first housing element 222. Such mounting can be ensured, for example, by means of suitable mounting devices in the form of a plurality of projections 228, 229 or a circumferential projection. The projections 228, 229 thus form part of the first housing element 222 and can mount the trigger element 212 at least partially at a predetermined first distance 221 from the sensor device 214 and hold it in position.For example, the radially outer ends of the trigger element 212, which may be a plate-shaped body, for example, may be at least partially clamped between the radially inwardly projecting end of the circumferential wall of the first housing element 222 and the bearing device 228, 229 (see Fig. 2).

[0039] The second housing element 224 is arranged to be movable relative to the first housing element 222. This mobility can be provided, for example, by corresponding guides (not explicitly shown in the drawings) and at least one return element 232, 234. For example, the return element 232, 234 can be spring elements, such as a coil spring, a spring plate, or an elastomeric element with a predetermined spring rate. The return elements 232, 234 can simultaneously function as a seal that can prevent moisture from penetrating the housing interior 126. Alternatively, a separate sealing device, such as a sealing ring, can be provided, which at least partially seals the housing interior 226 from the environment.

[0040] The second housing element 224 can include a vehicle emblem that forms an actuating surface for moving the trigger area 225 from the initial position to the actuating position. The operator of the vehicle 10 can thus press the vehicle emblem located on the openable vehicle part to express their desire to open the vehicle part.

[0041] The bearing devices 228, 229 and the restoring elements 232, 234 can form a mechanical device of the electrical switching device 200, the elastic properties of which depend at least partially on the temperature of the respective components. The temperature detection device 300 can be designed to directly detect or at least partially estimate the temperature of the mechanical device, in particular of at least one component of the mechanical device. The electrical switching device 200 can further have a restoring force device (not explicitly shown) designed to exert a restoring force on the trigger element 212 counter to an actuation direction thereof. The restoring force device can thus be an active actuator that exerts a restoring force on the trigger element 212 to change the haptics of the electrical switching device 200.In one embodiment, the restoring force device can actively influence and adjust the mechanical device. The restoring force device can be, for example, a passive or active piezo actuator.

[0042] The second housing element 224 has a triggering region 225, which, according to the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 2, can be formed in the form of a projection that in turn is in contact with and can interact with the triggering element 212. Upon actuation of the triggering device 200 by pressing on the second housing element 224 in the vertical direction in Fig. 2, the triggering region 225 moves the triggering element 212 from the initial position shown in Fig. 2 to the actuating position shown in Fig. 3.

[0043] With reference to Fig. 3, it can be seen that due to the relative movement of the second housing element 224 to the first housing element 222, the trigger element 212 is elastically deformed at least in sections and thus the first distance 221 existing between the trigger element 212 and the sensor device 214 in the starting position has changed to a second distance 223 which is at least partially smaller than the predetermined first distance 221. The return elements 232, 234 are compressed in the actuating position shown in Fig. 3 such that they are no longer visible in Fig. 3.

[0044] Due to the section-by-section movement of the trigger element 212 relative to the sensor device 214, the sensor device 214 can detect such a section-by-section movement and generate a corresponding movement signal, which can indicate a desire to trigger the trigger device 100 and thus to open the vehicle part. Preferably, the trigger element 212 is formed at least partially from an electrically conductive material, and the sensor device 214 is an electromagnetic sensor device designed to electromagnetically, preferably inductively or capacitively, detect a movement of the trigger element 212.

[0045] The movement signal generated by the sensor device 214 can, in particular, at least partially quantitatively indicate the movement path and / or the speed and / or the acceleration of the trigger element 212 relative to the sensor device 214. In particular, the movement path and / or the speed and / or the acceleration of the trigger element 212 relative to the sensor device 214 can be derived at least partially based on the movement signal generated by the sensor device 214.

[0046] Fig. 4 shows an exemplary flow diagram of a method according to the invention for triggering an opening process of a vehicle part of the vehicle 10 of Fig. 1.

[0047] The method of Fig. 4 starts at step 400 and then proceeds to step 410, where a motion signal is received from the electrical switching device 200. Specifically, the first controller portion 122 of the controller 120 (see Fig. 1) may receive the motion signal from the sensor device 214 of the electrical switching device 200.

[0048] In a subsequent step 420, a temperature signal indicating the temperature of the electrical switching device 200 is received from the temperature detection device 300. In particular, in step 420, the signal generated by the temperature detection device 300 is evaluated to at least partially estimate the temperature of the electrical switching device 200. In this case, the second

[0049] Control device section 124 of control device 120 (see Fig. 1 ) receives the temperature signal from temperature detection device 300. In a subsequent step 430, a target movement profile is determined based at least partially on the received temperature signal. The target movement profile can indicate the optimal switching point and / or switching hysteresis of triggering device 110 for the respective prevailing temperature. In particular, the haptics of triggering unit 100 can thus be adapted to the prevailing temperature in order to convey a substantially similar switching feel to the operator of the vehicle. The target movement profile determined in step 430 based at least partially on the received temperature signal can have a target movement path and / or a target speed and / or a target acceleration of triggering element 212 relative to sensor device 214.In addition, the temperature-dependent initial position of the trigger element 212 can be taken into account. In particular, the third control device section 126 of the control device 120 (see Fig. 1) can be configured to determine the desired movement path.

[0050] Hysteresis is generally understood to be the difference between the switching point and the release point. In particular, switches of all types generally include a "hysteresis" switching function, regardless of whether they are mechanical or electronic. The hysteresis of electronic switches can be freely configured.

[0051] In a subsequent step 440, it is determined whether the movement signal received in step 410 indicates a movement pattern that substantially corresponds to the target movement pattern determined in step 430. If it is determined in step 440 that the movement signal received in step 410 indicates a movement pattern that substantially corresponds to the target movement pattern determined in step 430, the method proceeds to step 450, at which a trigger signal for triggering an opening process of the vehicle part of the vehicle 10 is sent before the method ends in step 470. Step 440 and step 450 can be executed by the fourth control device section 128 of the control device (see Fig. 1).However, if it is determined in step 440 that the movement signal received in step 410 indicates a movement pattern that does not correspond to the desired movement pattern determined in step 430, the method proceeds to step 460, at which the trigger signal is not sent before the method again ends in step 470. In particular, it can be determined in step 460 that the actuation is, for example, an unintentional actuation.

[0052] The present invention thus makes it possible to at least partially adapt the optimal switching point of a trigger unit 100 for triggering an opening process of a vehicle part of the vehicle 10 to the prevailing temperatures, in particular the temperature-dependent mechanical device of the electrical switching device 200. This allows the operator of the vehicle 10 to experience a substantially identical haptic experience at different temperatures.

[0053] Furthermore, the present invention makes it possible to enable at least partial aging compensation in addition to temperature compensation. Due to wear and / or abrasion and / or aging of the mechanical materials, the feel of the electrical switching device can also change over time. According to the invention, it can further be provided that the desired movement profile is determined at least partially based on the age of the electrical switching device 200 and / or the number of actuations of the electrical switching device 200 and / or the changed signal hysteresis behavior over time.

Claims

Patent claims 1. A method for triggering an opening process of a vehicle part, in particular a lid of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle has an electrical switching device (200) which has an actuatable trigger element (212) and a sensor device (214) which is designed to detect a movement of the trigger element (212) upon actuation thereof and to generate a movement signal which indicates the movement course of the trigger element (212) relative to the sensor device (214), and a temperature detection device (300) which is designed to generate a temperature signal which indicates the temperature of the electrical switching device (200), the method comprising: Receiving a movement signal from the sensor device (214), Receiving a temperature signal from the temperature detection device (300), Determining a target movement pattern based at least partially on the received temperature signal, and Sending a trigger signal to trigger the opening process of the vehicle part if the received movement signal indicates a movement pattern that essentially corresponds to the target movement pattern.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the movement course comprises a movement path which the trigger element (212) travels when actuated from its initial position into an actuating position.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the movement pattern has a speed which indicates the speed of the trigger element (212) when actuated from its initial position into an actuating position.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the movement path has an acceleration which indicates the acceleration of the trigger element (212) when it is actuated from its initial position into an actuating position.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the temperature signal indicates the temperature of a mechanical device of the electrical switching device (200) which is designed to provide a relative movement of the trigger element (212) to the sensor device (214).

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the mechanical device consists at least partially of plastic.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: generating a restoring force signal based at least in part on the temperature signal, and Sending the restoring force signal to a restoring force device which is designed to exert a restoring force on the trigger element (212) opposite to an actuation direction thereof.

8. Control device (120) designed to carry out the steps of the method according to one of the preceding claims.

9. Control device (120) according to claim 8, comprising: a first control device section (122) for Carrying out the step of receiving the movement signal, a second control device section (124) for carrying out the step of receiving the temperature signal, a third control device section (126) for carrying out the step of determining the desired movement course, and a fourth control device section (128) for carrying out the step of sending the trigger signal.

10. A trigger unit (100) for triggering an opening process of a vehicle part, in particular a hatch of a vehicle, wherein the trigger unit (100) comprises: a trigger device (110) with an electrical switching device (200) having a trigger element (212) and a sensor device (214) designed to detect a movement of the trigger element (212) and to generate a movement signal indicating the movement course of the trigger element (212) relative to the sensor device (214), and a temperature detection device (220) designed to generate a temperature signal indicating the temperature of the electrical switching device (210), and a control device (120) according to one of claims 8 and 9.

11. The trigger unit (100) according to claim 10, further comprising: a housing unit (220) having a first housing element (222) and a second housing element (224) having a trigger region (225) configured to move relative to the first housing element (222) upon actuation of the second housing element (224), wherein the trigger region (225) is configured to move the trigger element (212) from its initial position into an actuation position upon actuation of the second housing element (224).

12. Vehicle (10), comprising: an openable vehicle part, in particular a flap, and a triggering unit (100) according to one of claims 10 and 11.

13. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a computing unit, cause the computing unit to carry out a method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

14. A computer-readable medium on which the computer program according to claim 13 is stored.

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