Device for detecting, by induction, intention of locking or unlocking an opening element of a motor vehicle with primary and secondary coils

Abstract

A device for detecting the intention to lock or unlock a vehicle opening element integrated into a handle and including a housing, a variation in the position of a target occurring under pressure from a user on the handle. A primary coil has turns wound in a plane parallel to the plane of the surface of the target. A receiver secondary coil that receives a magnetic field induced by the primary coil and has its turns wound in a plane parallel to the plane of the turns of the primary coil and with the target at least partially intercalated between the primary and secondary coils when pressure is applied to the handle. A variation in the magnetic field received by the secondary coil is detected by a measurement device for measuring a parameter resulting from the voltage induced in the secondary coil.

Claims

1. A device for detecting an intention of a user to lock or unlock an opening element of a motor vehicle, the device being intended to be integrated into an opening element handle or frame and consisting of a housing containing an element that is elastically deformable along a predetermined axis comprising a region of contact with the handle, the device comprising: a printed circuit board, a voltage source and at least one emitter primary coil, the deformable element being associated with an amagnetic metal target having a planar surface, a variation in the position of the target moving along the predetermined axis occurring under pressure from a hand of the user on the opening element handle or frame, wherein the primary coil has turns wound in a plane parallel to a plane of the surface of the target, at least one receiver secondary coil that receives a magnetic field and a voltage induced by said at least one primary coil and is located facing said at least one primary coil with its turns wound in a plane parallel to the plane of the turns of said at least one primary coil and with the target at least partially intercalated between said at least one primary coil and said at least one secondary coil when pressure from the user is applied to the opening element handle or the frame, a variation in the induced magnetic field received by said at least one secondary coil being detected by measurement means for measuring a parameter resulting from the voltage induced in the secondary coil when pressure from a hand of the user is applied to the opening element handle or frame.

2. The detection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one primary coil and secondary coil have their turns wound and centered around a width of the printed circuit board which is planar and perpendicular to the planes of said at least one primary coil and secondary coil, a normal to the plane of the turns of said at least one primary coil and secondary coil extending in the plane of the printed circuit board.

3. The detection device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the turns of said at least one primary coil and secondary coil are wound while passing through a thickness of the printed circuit board.

4. The detection device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the printed circuit board has a groove running widthwise in the printed circuit board, an end portion of the target being inserted into the printed circuit board when pressure from a hand of the user is applied to the handle, an internal contour of the groove corresponding to an external contour of the target, dimensions of the internal contour of the groove being at least slightly larger than the dimensions of the external contour of the end portion of the target in order to allow insertion of the end portion of the target with clearance.

5. The detection device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the groove passes through an entire thickness of the printed circuit board, one face of the printed circuit board opposite the face via which the target is inserted bearing a resilient deformable part having a flange that bears against the opposite face of the printed circuit board and an end piece that penetrates into the groove with a depth allowing it make contact and to be deformed by contact with the end portion of the target inserted into the groove in the maximum insertion position, the end piece returning to an undeformed position while pushing the end portion of the target out of the groove when no pressure from the hand of the user is exerted on the deformable contact element.

6. The detection device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising two emitter primary coils that are coupled on each side of the target or on the same side of the target.

7. The detection device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising two receiver secondary coils that are arranged on the same side of the target while being electrically independent.

8. The detection device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the two secondary coils are concentric, with a first secondary coil comprising two loops in opposite directions and of equal area generating a sine signal of said at least one parameter resulting from the voltage induced in the first secondary coil and a second secondary coil comprising three loops including one large loop and two small loops, the two small loops being in the same direction and in the opposite direction to the large loop, the second secondary coil generating a cosine signal of said at least one parameter resulting from the voltage induced in the second secondary coil, the sine or cosine signals of the first and second secondary coils, respectively, being temporally correlated by calculation means in order to precisely determine the position of the target in the detection device.

9. The detection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the target is made of a conductive material of low resistivity.

10. The detection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the element that is elastically deformable along a predetermined axis comprising a region of contact with the handle comprises a central body bearing the contact region and a longitudinal end of the target in opposition, the central body being borne by at least one member that is deformable along the predetermined axis, one end of which is connected to the central body and another, opposite end bears against the printed circuit board, a deformation of said at least one deformable member under pressure from a hand of the user on the handle resulting in a variation in the position of the target moving along the predetermined axis.

11. An external handle or frame of an opening element of a motor vehicle, comprising a detection device as claimed claim 1 and at least one elastically deformable external contour region that is aligned along the predetermined axis with the contact region.

12. A motor vehicle, comprising at least one opening element handle or frame as claimed in claim 11 on at least one opening element.

13. The detection device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the printed circuit board has a groove running widthwise in the printed circuit board, an end portion of the target being inserted into the printed circuit board when pressure from a hand of the user is applied to the handle, an internal contour of the groove corresponding to an external contour of the target, dimensions of the internal contour of the groove being at least slightly larger than the dimensions of the external contour of the end portion of the target in order to allow insertion of the end portion of the target with clearance.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Other features, aims and advantages of aspects of the present invention will become apparent on reading the detailed description that follows and on examining the appended drawings given by way of non-limiting examples, and in which:

(2) FIG. 1 schematically shows a sectional view of a motor vehicle door handle with a device for detecting the intention of a user to lock or unlock a motor vehicle door, this device, whose features are not identified in FIG. 1, potentially being a device according to an aspect of the present invention,

(3) FIG. 2 schematically shows a sectional view of a motor vehicle door handle at the level of the device for detecting the intention of a user to lock or unlock a motor vehicle door according to one embodiment of the present invention, the device comprising primary and secondary coils with a target moving in a plane parallel to the plane of each primary or secondary coil,

(4) FIG. 3 schematically shows a perspective view of a target intercalated between a primary coil and a secondary coil, the target and the coils forming part of the device for detecting the intention of a user to lock or unlock a motor vehicle door according to a first embodiment of the present invention, the turns of the primary and secondary coils being in respective planes parallel to the plane of the target,

(5) FIG. 4 schematically shows a perspective view of a printed circuit board and of a target forming part of the device for detecting the intention of a user to lock or unlock a motor vehicle door according to a second embodiment of the present invention, the turns of the primary and secondary coils being wound around and inside the printed circuit board bearing a groove in its width for the passage of the target into the position in which the hand of a user is being pressed against the handle of the opening element of the motor vehicle,

(6) FIG. 5 schematically shows a longitudinal sectional view of a printed circuit board and a target forming part of the device for detecting the intention of a user to lock or unlock a motor vehicle door according to a third further embodiment of the present invention, an elastically deformable end piece being inserted into the groove of the printed circuit board so as to push the target out of the groove when no pressure from the hand of the user is exerted on the handle, and

(7) FIG. 6 schematically shows a view from above of winding portions of two secondary coils forming part of the device for detecting the intention of a user to lock or unlock a motor vehicle door according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the windings being shown flat in this FIG. 6, whereas the windings are circular in shape in the detection device according to an aspect of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(8) In what follows, the detection device is associated with a motor vehicle opening element handle. However, it may also be associated with an opening element frame when the frame defines an empty interior space sufficient for receiving the detection device.

(9) With particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, although FIG. 1 does not show the features of the detection device, an aspect of the present invention relates to a device for detecting the intention of a user to lock or unlock an opening element 1 of a motor vehicle. The opening element 1 is advantageously a motor vehicle door but may also be the trunk of the motor vehicle or any other opening element.

(10) The device is intended to be integrated into a handle 2 and consists of a housing 4 containing an element 5a that is elastically deformable along a predetermined axis A comprising a region of contact with the handle 2.

(11) As can be seen with reference to FIG. 2, the device comprises a printed circuit board 9, a voltage source and at least one emitter primary coil 7. In FIG. 2, the primary coil 7 is recognizable by its turns, only two of which are drawn, highly schematically and spaced apart from one another, but the number of turns can of course be greater. The emitter primary coil 7 is shown to the right of a target 6 in this FIG. 2 but the primary coil 7 could just as well be located laterally to the left of the target 6.

(12) The deformable element 5, 5a is associated with an amagnetic metal target 6 having a planar surface. A variation in the position of the target 6 moving along the predetermined axis A occurs under pressure from a hand 3 of the user on the handle 2. In FIG. 2, there is only one primary coil 7, but this is not limiting.

(13) According to an aspect of the present invention, the primary coil 7 has turns wound in a plane parallel to the plane of the surface of the target 6. In addition, the detection device is provided with at least one receiver secondary coil 8 that receives a magnetic field induced by said at least one primary coil 7 and is located facing said at least one primary coil 7 with its turns wound in a plane parallel to the plane of the turns of said at least one primary coil 7. In FIG. 2, there is only one secondary coil 8, but this is not limiting.

(14) The target 6 is at least partially intercalated between the one or more primary coils 7 and the one or more secondary coils 8 when pressure from the user is applied to the handle 2. A variation in the magnetic field and in an induced voltage received by the one or more secondary coils 8 is detected by measurement means for measuring a parameter resulting from the voltage induced in the secondary coil 8 when pressure from a hand 3 of the user is applied to the handle 2.

(15) The proposed solution consists in using an element for transmitting the movement of the hand when it is pressed against the handle which is perpendicular to the surface used for the detection of the movement. A movement of this element perpendicular to the detection circuit is detected.

(16) In this case, the plane of the surface of the target 6 is perpendicular to the plane of the surface of the handle 2 against which the hand 3 of the user is pressed.

(17) For this detection, an emitter primary coil 7 is positioned in a plane parallel to the surface of the target 6. A receiver secondary coil 8 is also positioned, in another, parallel plane. The target 6 is made of amagnetic conductive metal. The variation in the position of the target 6 results in a variation in the coupling between the two, primary 7 and secondary 8, coils.

(18) An aspect of the invention also relates to an external handle 2 of a motor vehicle opening element comprising such a detection device and at least one elastically deformable external contour region that is aligned along the predetermined axis A with the contact region. This can also apply to an opening element frame.

(19) An aspect of the invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one such opening element handle 2 or frame.

(20) The one or more primary coils 7 and the one or more secondary coils 8 may have their turns wound and centered around a width of the printed circuit board 9, the printed circuit board 9 being planar and perpendicular to the planes of the one or more primary coils 7 and of the one or more secondary coils 8.

(21) A normal to the plane of the turns, hence the middle of a coil of the primary 7 and secondary 8 coils, may extend in the plane of the printed circuit board 9. The coils 7, 8 may therefore be centered on the printed circuit board 9, advantageously on a middle of a width of the printed circuit board 9.

(22) As non-essential features of an aspect of the present invention, the housing 4 containing the element 5a that is elastically deformable along a predetermined axis A comprising a region of contact with the handle 2 may rest on an internal portion 2b of the handle 2 opposite an external portion 2a of the handle 2 which is facing away from the vehicle and against which the finger 3 of the user is pressed.

(23) The internal portion 2b of the handle 2 rests against the opening element 1 of the motor vehicle or is facing the opening element 1 of the motor vehicle. It is between the internal portion 2b of the handle 2 facing the opening element 1 and the external portion 2a of the handle 2 facing away from the exterior of the vehicle that an empty space houses the detection device according to an aspect of the present invention in the housing 4.

(24) The housing 4 may be open at its end facing the exterior of the handle 2, that is to say facing its external portion 2a, and covered with a cover 13, which however lets a central body 5 of the elastically deformable element 5a protrude from the housing.

(25) According to one non-essential but advantageous feature of an aspect of the present invention, the element 5a that is elastically deformable along a predetermined axis A, advantageously perpendicular to the printed circuit board 9, may comprise a region of contact with the interior face of the external portion 2a of the handle 2 that is aligned with the region of contact of a finger 3 of the user against the exterior face of the external portion 2a of the handle 2.

(26) The elastically deformable element 5a may comprise a central body 5 that bears the contact region on one face and a longitudinal end of the target 6 on an opposite face. In FIG. 2, the end of the target 6 associated with the elastic element 5a penetrates into a slot made in the central body 5 over approximately ¼ to ⅓ of the length of the target 6, but this is not limiting.

(27) The central body 5 may be rigid and not be deformable. However, the central body 5 may be borne by at least one member 5a that is deformable along the predetermined axis A, for example one or more tabs.

(28) Said at least one deformable member 5a may comprise one end which is connected to the central body 5 and another, opposite end which bears against the printed circuit board 9. It follows that a deformation of said at least one deformable member 5a under pressure from a hand 3 of the user on the handle 2 causes a variation in the position of the target 6 moving along the predetermined axis A through flexion of said at least one deformable member 5a.

(29) To prevent said at least one deformable member 5a from twisting other than along the predetermined axis A, the cover 13 comprises means 14 for laterally supporting said at least one deformable member 5a that extend toward the printed circuit board 9.

(30) In its portion that serves as its base and is supported by the internal portion 2b of the handle 2, the housing 4 may have two lugs 15 on its interior that point toward the interior of the housing 4 in order to support the printed circuit board 9.

(31) Between a portion of the cover 13 and the internal wall of the external portion 2a of the handle 2, inside the handle 2, a layer of foam 10 may be locally inserted.

(32) FIG. 3 shows a first embodiment with an arrangement of the emitter primary 7 and receiver secondary 8 coils in relation to the target 6. It can be seen that the respective planes of the turns of, on the one hand, the emitter primary coil 7 and, on the other hand, the receiver secondary coil 8 are parallel to the plane of the target 6, the target 6 potentially being rectangular with its length oriented along the predetermined axis A.

(33) Referring more particularly to FIG. 4, in a second embodiment, the turns of said at least one primary coil 7 and secondary coil 8 may be wound while passing through a thickness of the printed circuit board 9. Alternatively, the turns could be wound around the printed circuit board 9 without penetrating into the printed circuit board 9, but this is not preferred.

(34) Independently of this preceding feature or in addition to this feature as shown in FIG. 4, the printed circuit board 9 may have a groove 11 running widthwise in the printed circuit board 9. An end portion of the target 6, opposite that inserted into the central body of the elastically deformable element, may be inserted into the printed circuit board 9 when a hand 3 of the user is pressed against the handle 2.

(35) The groove 11 may be configured to the dimensions of the target 6, an internal contour of the groove 11 corresponding to an external contour of the target 6. It is possible to choose the internal dimensions of the groove 11 to be slightly larger than the dimensions of the external contour of the target 6 just to allow insertion with limited clearance of the end portion of the target 6 in the groove 11.

(36) FIG. 5 shows a third, optional embodiment of the detection device according to the present invention. This embodiment also features the presence of a groove 11 passing through the thickness of the printed circuit board 9.

(37) In this embodiment, the groove 11 may pass through an entire thickness of the printed circuit board 9. One face of the printed circuit board 9 opposite the face via which the target 6 is inserted may bear a resilient deformable part 12, 12a having a flange 12a that bears against the opposite face of the printed circuit board 9 and an end piece 12.

(38) The end piece 12 penetrates into the groove 11 with sufficient depth to allow it to make contact and to be deformed by contact with the end portion of the target 6 inserted into the groove 11 in the maximum insertion position. Since the end piece 12 is elastically returned to its undeformed position, the end piece 12 can return to an undeformed position while pushing the end portion of the target 6 out of the groove 11 when no pressure from the hand of the user is exerted on the deformable contact element. This allows the target 6 to return automatically to its rest position without detection of intention to lock or unlock.

(39) It is also possible to envisage an elastic return means for returning the target into position. This elastic return means may be a metal strip bearing against the face of the printed circuit board facing the target.

(40) For a target that does not enter the printed circuit board, the return means may be an elastic rod connecting the target to a fixed support, one end of the elastic rod being connected to the target and the other end to the fixed support, the elastic rod tilting toward the printed circuit board as the target descends but returning to its original position while pushing the target back.

(41) As shown in FIG. 5, for a target that enters the printed circuit board 9, it is possible to envisage, in the printed circuit board 9, a primary coil 7 and a secondary coil 8, the primary and secondary coils being arranged on a respective side of the groove 11 that passes through the printed circuit board 9.

(42) With reference to FIG. 6, the detection device may comprise two receiver secondary coils 8, 8a that are arranged on the same side of the target 6 while being electrically independent.

(43) For simplicity, the loops of the secondary coils 8, 8a are shown flat in this FIG. 6 although this is not the case in reality.

(44) In this optional embodiment, the two secondary coils 8, 8a may be concentric. A first secondary coil 8 may comprise two loops 17 in opposite directions and of equal area generating a sine signal of said at least one parameter resulting from the voltage induced in the first secondary coil 8.

(45) A second secondary coil 8a may include three loops 16a, 16b, 16a including one large loop 16b and two small loops 16a, the two small loops 16a being in the same direction and in the opposite direction to the large loop 16b. The second secondary coil 8a may generate a cosine signal of said at least one parameter resulting from the voltage induced in the second secondary coil 8a.

(46) The sine or cosine signals of the first and second secondary coils 8, 8a, respectively, may be temporally correlated by calculation means in order to precisely determine the position of the target 6 in the detection device.

(47) The emitter primary coil, denoted by 7 in the preceding figures, allows a magnetic field to be generated as current flows through the turns of the primary coil. The magnetic field thus created is perceived by the two receiver secondary coils 8, 8a and induces a voltage in the secondary coils 8, 8a.

(48) When a target 6 made of a conductive material, in order to allow eddy currents to flow, moves relative to the coils 8, 8a and the target is opposite the primary winding and secondary windings 8, 8a, the target 6 modifies the magnetic coupling between the primary coil and the two secondary coils 8, 8a. By measuring the voltages across the terminals of the secondary coils 8, 8a, it is possible to deduce the precise position of the target 6 in the detection device.

(49) Specifically, with the target 6 present between the primary and secondary coils 8, 8a, each secondary coil 8, 8a receives a lower amount of magnetic field flux than if the target were absent. If, for example, for the first secondary coil 8 with two loops of opposite orientations 17, the target 6 moves past one and then the other of these loops, the first secondary coil 8 receives, with respect to a zero average value, a relative increase and then a relative decrease in the amount of magnetic field flux through it.

(50) With reference to all of the figures, many other embodiments, even ones not shown in the figures, may be implemented. The optional embodiments mentioned are not limiting.

(51) For example, the detection device may comprise two emitter primary coils 7 coupled on each side of the target 6 or on the same side of the target 6. Regarding the target 6, the target 6 may be made of conductive material of low resistivity.