ASSEMBLY OF A VEHICLE WITH A CONTROL ELEMENT ARRANGED ON A VEHICLE DOOR

Abstract

An assembly of a vehicle comprises a vehicle door, a control element arranged on a door portion of the vehicle door, and a control device for controlling a closing function for closing the vehicle door and an opening function for opening the vehicle door. The control element comprises at least one first operating device for generating an operating signal on user operation at an outer portion and at least one second operating device for generating an operating signal on user operation at an inner portion. The control device is configured to trigger a closing function for closing the vehicle door with reference to an operating signal of the at least one first operating device and to trigger an opening function for opening the vehicle door with reference to an operating signal of the at least one second operating device.

Claims

1. An assembly of a vehicle, comprising a vehicle door, a control element arranged on a door portion of the vehicle door, the control element including an outer portion facing away from the door portion and an inner portion facing the door portion, and a control device for controlling a closing function for closing the vehicle door and an opening function for opening the vehicle door, wherein the control element includes at least one first operating device for generating an operating signal on user operation at the outer portion and at least one second operating device for generating an operating signal on user operation at the inner portion, and wherein the control device is configured to trigger a closing function for closing the vehicle door with reference to an operating signal of the at least one first operating device and to trigger an opening function for opening the vehicle door with reference to an operating signal of the at least one second operating device.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the control element is rigidly arranged on the door portion

3. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the triggering of the closing function comprises: controlling a door drive for carrying out an automatic closing movement of the vehicle door, controlling a door drive for carrying out a servo-electrically supported closing movement of the vehicle door and/or controlling a door lock for locking the vehicle door in a closed position.

4. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the triggering of the opening function comprises: controlling a door drive for carrying out an automatic opening movement of the vehicle door, controlling a door drive for carrying out a servo-electrically supported opening movement of the vehicle door and/or controlling a door lock for unlocking the door lock and/or for opening the door lock.

5. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first operating device and/or the at least one second operating device include a proximity sensor for generating an operating signal on approach of an object, a touch sensor for generating an operating signal when touched by an object and/or a force sensor for generating an operating signal in dependence on a force exerted by an object.

6. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first operating device and/or the at least one second operating device include a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, a radar sensor, an optical sensor, an ultrasonic sensor and/or a piezoelectric sensor.

7. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first operating device is configured to generate a first operating signal on user operation on a first control surface at the outer portion and to generate a second operating signal on user operation on a second control surface at the outer portion, wherein the control device is configured to trigger a first closing function in response to the first operating signal and to trigger a second closing function different from the first closing function in response to the second operating signal.

8. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one second operating device is configured to generate a first operating signal on user operation on a first control surface at the inner portion and to generate a second operating signal on user operation on a second control surface at the inner portion, wherein the control device is configured to trigger a first opening function in response to the first operating signal and to trigger a second opening function different from the first opening function in response to the second operating signal.

9. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein for controlling the closing function and/or for controlling the opening function the control device is configured to evaluate a functional state of the vehicle door, including a current position of the vehicle door and/or a position of a door lock, in addition to the operating signal of the at least one first operating device and/or the at least one second operating device.

10. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to trigger a first closing function in response to an operating signal of the at least one first operating device in a first functional state of the vehicle door and to trigger a second closing function different from the first closing function in a second functional state of the vehicle door, and/or to trigger a first opening function in response to an operating signal of the at least one second operating device in a first functional state of the vehicle door and to trigger a second opening function different from the first opening function in a second functional state of the vehicle door.

11. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to evaluate an operating time and/or an operating pattern with reference to the operating signal of the at least one first operating device and to trigger a first closing function or a second closing function in dependence on the operating time and/or the operating pattern, and/or to evaluate an operating time and/or an operating pattern with reference to the operating signal of the at least one second operating device and to trigger a first opening function or a second opening function in dependence on the operating time and/or the operating pattern.

12. The assembly according to claim 11, wherein the control device is configured to compare the operating time with a threshold value.

13. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the control element includes at least one third operating device for generating an operating signal on user operation at an end-face portion located between the outer portion and the inner portion, wherein the control device is configured to trigger a communication mode for an authentication communication with an external authentication device with reference to an operating signal of the at least one third operating device.

14. The assembly according to claim 13, wherein the end-face portion, with respect to the vehicle vertical direction, faces upwards or, with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction, faces rearwards.

15. The assembly according to claim 13, wherein the at least one third operating device comprises a proximity sensor for generating an operating signal on approach of an object.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] The idea underlying the solution will be explained in detail below with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the Figures, in which:

[0046] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a vehicle with a vehicle door arranged thereon.

[0047] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a control element of the vehicle door.

[0048] FIG. 3 shows another view of the control element.

[0049] FIG. 4 shows a view of an outer portion of the control element.

[0050] FIG. 5 shows a view of an inner portion of the control element.

[0051] FIG. 6 shows another view of the control element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] FIG. 1 shows a vehicle 1 that includes a vehicle door 10 in the form of a vehicle side door. The vehicle door 10 can be electromotively adjusted via an electromotive door drive 17. An electrically actuatable door lock 16 serves for locking the vehicle door 10 with the vehicle body of the vehicle 1 in a closed position.

[0053] The door drive 17 for example can be designed as it is described in WO 2021/023893 A1.

[0054] On the vehicle door 10 a control element 11 is arranged, which for example can be rigidly arranged on a door portion 100, for example in the region of the B-pillar of the vehicle 1. Such a control element 11, in contrast to a conventional handle element, is not mechanically adjustable, but is of rigid design and thus cannot be mechanically moved to the door portion 100.

[0055] A sensor system for operating the vehicle door 10, in particular for carrying out a closing function and for carrying out an opening function, is arranged on the control element 11.

[0056] A control device 15 serves for controlling closing functions and opening functions of the vehicle door 10 and therefor controls the door drive 17 and the electric door lock 16. The control device 15 also serves for evaluating operating signals that are obtained via the control element 11.

[0057] In particular, a communication with an external authentication device 2 of a user can also be effected via the control device 15, by which communication the user N is authenticated for an access to the vehicle 1. The external authentication device 2 of the user N can be designed, for example, by a radio key or a communication device such as a mobile phone or the like. When the user N approaches the vehicle, a communication with the control device 15 can be initiated, during which the control device 15 sends an authentication request to the external authentication device 2 and, if the response is positive, authenticates the user.

[0058] Different views of the control element 11 are shown in FIGS. 2-6. While in more recent vehicle concepts an access of a user N to the vehicle 1 can be possible in a keyless way by access being granted automatically, for example by automatically opening the vehicle door 10 on approach of a user N after successful authentication, a control element 11 is provided on the vehicle 1, for example to grant a third party access to the vehicle, for example in an emergency, or to create an operating possibility for a user for comfortable operation. The control element 11 provides for touching the vehicle door 11, wherein an operation is detected via a sensor system on the control element 11 and correspondingly an opening function or closing function of the vehicle door 10 can be triggered.

[0059] As this is shown in FIG. 2, the control element 11 in the illustrated embodiment is stationarily arranged on a door portion 100 of the vehicle door 10. The control element 11 can have a handle-like shape and forms an outwardly facing, outer portion 110 and an inner portion 111 facing inwards, towards the door portion 100, which are facing away from each other with respect to the vehicle transverse direction Y. The control element 11 also includes an upper (with respect to the vehicle vertical direction Z) end-face portion 112, a lower end-face portion 113 and a rearwardly facing (with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction X) end-face portion 114, which each are arranged between the outer portion 110 and the inner portion 111, and thus form an edge-like narrow portion at the transition between the outer portion 110 and the inner portion 111.

[0060] The outer portion 110, the inner portion 111 and also the end-face portions 112-114 can be of flat design. The portions 110-114, however, can also be curved.

[0061] The control element 11 includes a first operating device 12, which detects operating signals via control surfaces 120, 121 on the outer portion 110 and forwards the same to the control device 15. The control element 11 also includes a second operating device 13, which detects operating signals via control surfaces 130, 131 on the inner portion 111 and forwards the same to the control device 15.

[0062] On the outer portion 110, there is also provided a communication interface 122 for communication with a communication device, for example an NFC interface for near field communication. Via the communication interface 122, for example, an operation can be effected via a communication device, for example a mobile phone, when another authentication device 2, for example a radio key, is not ready for operation, for example when the battery of the radio key is empty.

[0063] Each operating device 12, 13 can include one or more sensor elements. Each control surface 120, 121, 130, 131 can be formed by one sensor element each. It is also conceivable, however, that the control surfaces 120, 121, 130, 131 on the outer portion 110 and the inner portion 111, respectively, are formed by a common sensor element that can detect an operating signal in a spatially differentiated way.

[0064] The first operating device 12 and the second operating device 13 can, for example, each include a touch sensor, a proximity sensor or also a force sensor or a combination of different sensors. The sensors of the operating devices 12, 13 can be formed, for example, by capacitive sensors, inductive sensors, optical sensors (in particular infrared sensors), ultrasonic sensors, radar sensors, piezoelectric sensors or also mechanical tip switches.

[0065] When the respective operating device 12, 13 includes a force sensor, information on an exerted force can also be determined in addition to information on an approach or a touch. This information can be used for example for controlling a servo mode, for example to determine a force exerted by a user on the vehicle door 10 during a manual adjustment, and to use said force for controlling the door drive 17 for a servo-electrically supported adjustment or to avoid false triggering by means of a plausibility check.

[0066] Via the control surfaces 120, 121, 130, 131 it can be detected whether a user for example touches the control element 10 with his hand in order to perform an operation on the control element 10. Operating signals, which are detected via the control surfaces 120, 121 of the first operating device 12, here are evaluated by the control device 15 in order to trigger a closing function. Operating signals, which are detected via the control surfaces 130, 131 of the second operating device 13 on the inner portion 111 of the control element 11, on the other hand, are evaluated by the control device 15 in order to trigger an opening function of the vehicle door 10.

[0067] The fact that all closing functions of the vehicle door 10 are triggered on the outer portion 110, whereas all opening functions are triggered on the inner portion 111, results in an intuitive operation for the user N. Thus, the user N will intuitively approach his hand to the control element 11 from outside for closing the vehicle door 10. For opening, however, the user N will intuitively act on the control element 11 from inside, and thus will act on the inner portion 110. The fact that for triggering a closing function the control surfaces 120, 121 are arranged on the outer portion 110 of the control element 11, and for triggering an opening function the control surfaces 130, 131 are arranged on the inner portion 111 of the control element 11, results in a comfortable, intuitive operation for the user N, with the risk of maloperation being reduced at the same time.

[0068] On the outer portion 110 and the inner portion 111 one or more control surfaces 120, 121, 130, 131 can each be arranged. Via several control surfaces 120, 121, 130, 131 different functions can be triggered in a simple way. When only one control surface is provided on each portion 110, 111, a comfortable operation on the other hand is obtained for a user, because the user can touch a larger control surface without any major spatial differentiation.

[0069] A closing function can, for example, be an automatic adjustment of the vehicle door 11 into the closed position, driven by the door drive 17. A closing function can also be a servo-electrically supported adjustment or the locking of the vehicle door 10 by the door lock 16.

[0070] An opening function, on the other hand, can be realized by an unlocking of the door lock 16 by an automatic opening of the vehicle door 10, driven by the door drive 17, or by a servo-electrically supported opening of the vehicle door 10.

[0071] When a user N for example touches a first control surface 120 on the outer portion 110, this can trigger an automatic closing of the vehicle door 10 out of an open position. On the other hand, when the user N touches a second control surface 121, this can cause a servo mode for a servo-electrically supported adjustment of the vehicle door 10 out of the open position in the direction of the closed position. Further control surfaces can be provided for further closing functions.

[0072] On the other hand, when a user N touches a first control surface 130 on the inner portion 111, this can cause an unlocking and opening of the door lock 16, wherein in addition—in case an authentication of a user N has not yet been effected—the control device 15 can start a key search for authenticating an external authentication device 2 of a user N in order to perform an unlocking of the door lock 16 only after successful authentication. On the other hand, when the user N touches a second control surface 131, this can trigger automatic opening of the vehicle door 10 by controlling the door drive 17 or a servo-electrically supported opening of the vehicle door 10 in a servo mode. Further control surfaces can be provided for further opening functions.

[0073] To a control surface 130, via which an unlocking and opening of the door lock 16 is triggered, an inductive sensor can be associated, for example, which provides for an operation for example in an emergency also under water.

[0074] In particular to provide for an operation over a minimized number of control surfaces 120, 121, 130, 131, preferably only one control surface each on the inner portion 111 and the outer portion 110, further parameters for controlling a closing function or an opening function can be taken into account in addition to an operating signal generated by the respective operating device 12, 13. For example, the control device 15 can evaluate a functional state of the vehicle door 10, for example the position of the vehicle door 10 or a state of the door lock 16. This provides for combining control surfaces on the outer portion 110 or the inner portion 111 so that a triggering of a closing function or an opening function is effected on operation of a control surface and additionally in dependence on a functional state of the vehicle door 10.

[0075] When the vehicle door 10 is in an open position and a user N touches a control surface 120, 121 on the outer portion 110, it can be provided that an adjusting movement is initiated for closing the vehicle door 10, for example an automatic closing or closing in the servo mode, but not a controlling of the door lock 16 for locking purposes.

[0076] When the vehicle door 10 is in the closed position and a user N touches a control surface 130, 131 on the inner portion 111, the control device 15 initially can trigger an unlocking and opening of the door lock 16. When the operating device 13 includes different sensors, for example a proximity sensor and a touch sensor, it can also be provided in this connection that on detection of an approach to the inner portion 111, the door lock 16 initially is unlocked (and possibly—in case an authentication of the user N has not yet been effected—a key search for authenticating an external authentication device 2 of a user N is started in advance in order to unlock the door lock 16 only upon successful authentication) and then, on detection of a touch of the inner portion 111, an adjusting movement of the vehicle door 10 is triggered for opening purposes.

[0077] In addition or as an alternative to the evaluation of a functional state of the vehicle door 10 a type of operation, for example an operating time or an operating pattern can also be evaluated.

[0078] With reference to an operating signal generated by the respective operating device 12, 13, the control device 15 can determine an operating time for which a user actuates the control element 11. The operating time can be determined, for example, as a time period of a high signal in the case of a touch sensor or a proximity sensor and can be measured with reference to a rising edge and a falling edge. When it is detected that a user only briefly taps on the control element 11 on the outer portion 110 or the inner portion 111, this can indicate that an automatic adjustment is to be triggered, and the control device 15 correspondingly can control the door drive 17. On the other hand, when a user N touches the control element 11 for a long time, this can indicate that a user wants to manually adjust the vehicle door 10 in a guided way in the servo mode so that the servo mode can be started by controlling the door drive 17.

[0079] For differentiating between the automatic adjusting mode and the servo mode, the operating time for example can be compared with a threshold value, wherein at an operating time that is smaller than the threshold value the automatic adjusting mode is started, and at an operating time that is greater than the threshold value the servo mode is started.

[0080] An operating pattern can be, for example, a particular type of operation, for example a particular pulse sequence with which a user taps on the control element 11, or a predetermined operating gesture that can be identified correspondingly by the control device 15 with reference to the generated operating signal of the respective operating device 12, 13. With reference to a particular operating pattern, a predetermined opening function or closing function can be triggered.

[0081] In the illustrated embodiment, as this is shown in FIG. 6, control surfaces 140, 141 of a further operating device 14 can be arranged on the end-face portions 112, 113, 114. Via the control surfaces 140, 141 it can be detected in particular that a user N for example approaches the inner portion 111 with his hand and thus (probably) wants to trigger an opening function.

[0082] The operating device 14 preferably includes one or more proximity sensors. Via the operating device 14 it can thus be determined whether a user N approaches one of the end-face portions 112, 114 with his hand.

[0083] Via the operating device 14 in particular an operating signal can be generated, which is evaluated by the control device 15 and leads to the triggering of an authentication communication with the external authentication device 2 of the user N. When the control device 15 detects that a user N approaches the inner portion 111 of the control element 11 and in doing so passes one of the end-face portions 112, 114 (which is detected by a proximity sensor of the operating device 14), the control device 15 starts a communication with the external authentication device 2, during which the authentication of the external authentication device 2 is queried. When the authentication is successful, the user N can trigger an opening function by operation at the inner portion 111, for example for unlocking and/or opening the door lock 16.

[0084] Due to the fact that the end-face portions 112, 114 are arranged at the transition between the outer portion 110 and the inner portion 111 on the narrow sides of the control element 11, a user N must pass the end-face portions 112, 114 when approaching the inner portion 111 due to the location of said end-face portions. Due to the sensory operating device 14 at these end-face portions 112, 114, an approach to the inner portion 111 can thus be detected at an early stage so that an authentication communication can be started at an early stage. The authentication of the user N can thus be started at an early stage so that, when an operation is effected at the inner portion 111, the authentication of the user N preferably is already completed. The authentication thus is triggered by approaching the control element 11 and can be performed prior to operation at the inner portion 111 so that a time delay due to the required authentication prior to operation at the inner portion 111 is not or at least only hardly perceptible for a user N.

[0085] An authentication communication also can be started when a user N touches the outer portion 110 or the inner portion 111, without an authentication having already been effected. Thus, during the operation on a control surface 120, 121, 130, 131 at the outer portion 110 or the inner portion 111, if no authentication has yet been effected, an authentication first is carried out.

[0086] The idea underlying the solution is not limited to the embodiments described above, but can also be realized in a different way.

[0087] The vehicle door can be formed by a vehicle side door or by a liftgate.

[0088] Different closing functions and opening functions can be performed on a vehicle door, wherein not all of the closing functions or opening functions described here have to be present. Moreover, further or other closing functions or opening functions, for example for moving a window pane or the like, can also be provided.