Integrated Capacitive Sensor Unit for Vehicle Door Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle door or hatch actuation systems are complex and prone to assembly errors due to the large number of distributed components, making installation expensive and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A compact electronic sensor unit with a capacitive sensor electrode and illumination device integrated within a housing, allowing for easy mounting and reduced wiring, featuring a self-cleaning coating and adjustable lens arrangement for optimal detection and marking of the target area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large number of distributed components are used for door actuation detection, then the detection function can be achieved, but the device complexity increases and installation becomes expensive and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple previously distributed components (capacitive sensor electrode, illumination device, control and evaluation device, and housing) into a single integrated electronic sensor unit. This merging eliminates the need for separate wiring and mounting of individual components, thereby reducing device complexity and installation errors while maintaining the door actuation detection function.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated sensor unit performs multiple functions within a single device: capacitive sensing for contactless detection, illumination for visual feedback, control and evaluation processing, and structural housing. This multi-functionality replaces the need for multiple separate components, reducing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If multiple distributed components are used, then the detection capability is sufficient, but the installation time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating all functional components into a single pre-assembled sensor unit, the installation process is simplified from mounting multiple separate components with extensive wiring to installing one compact unit. This dramatically reduces installation time and eliminates time-consuming wiring tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor unit is pre-assembled and pre-wired as an integral unit before installation. All internal connections and component arrangements are prepared in advance during manufacturing, so that during vehicle assembly, the unit is simply mounted as a complete package, saving significant installation time.
3Illumination intensity
If the illumination device is placed outside the housing, then the optical signal can be emitted freely, but the device complexity and mounting difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination device is integrated within the housing structure, with the housing itself serving as the mounting structure. The housing includes a passage opening that allows the optical signal to exit while providing structural support and protection. This eliminates the need for separate mounting brackets or external fixation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, protects internal components, defines the mounting interface, and includes the passage opening for optical signal emission. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional mounting components and simplifies installation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a constructively simple, quick, and error-free installation of the sensor unit, improving detection accuracy and reducing contamination, while being adaptable to various vehicle types and conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor electrode reacts to the approach of objects by changing the capacitance of the capacitor formed from the sensor electrode and the object. Essentially, this can be traced back to the fact that the capacitance of a capacitor depends on the distance between its plates.
Implementation Method 2
an illumination device with an illuminant that can emit an optical signal
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to an electronic sensor unit, particularly an electronic sensor unit with a lighting device for marking a target region (Y) in order to identify a detection region (X) of said sensor unit. Corresponding sensor units according to the prior art consist of a plurality of individual components, the assembly of which is laborious and error-prone. The electronic motor vehicle sensor unit (1) according to the invention comprises a housing (2), a control and evaluation device (3) arranged in the housing (2), and at least one capacitive sensor electrode (4a, 4b) with a detection region (X, X'), wherein the capacitive sensor electrode (4a, 4b) is coupled to the control and evaluation device (3) and is arranged in the housing (2). The sensor unit further comprises a lighting device (5a) with an illuminant (5c) that can emit an optical signal, wherein the lighting device (5a) is coupled to the control and evaluation device (3), and a target region (Y) identifying the detection region (X) can be marked outside the housing with the lighting device (5a). The housing (2), the control and evaluation device (3), the at least one capacitive sensor electrode (4a, 4b) and the lighting device (5a) form an integrated assembly.