Sensor Device for a Vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a sensor device (10) for a vehicle (100), comprising a control unit (11) for actuating a movable part (101), in particular a tailgate, of the vehicle (100), and a sensor unit (12) for monitoring at least one first activation region (A1), wherein the control unit (11) is designed to actuate the movable part (101) of the vehicle (100) when at least one activation action (H1, H2, H3, B1, B2) of a user in the first activation region (A1) has been sensed by the sensor unit (12). The sensor unit (12) is designed to sense the at least one activation action (H1, H2, H3, B1, B2) of the user by means of electromagnetic waves in the radio frequency range.

Claims

1-31. (canceled)

32. A sensor device for a vehicle, comprising: a control unit for actuating a movable part of the vehicle, and a sensor unit for monitoring at least one first activation region, wherein the control unit is designed to actuate the movable part of the vehicle, when at least one activation action of a user in the first activation region has been sensed by the sensor unit, wherein the sensor unit is designed to sense the at least one activation action of the user by means of electromagnetic waves in the radio frequency range.

33. The sensor device according to claim 32, wherein the control unit is designed to control at least one assistance system of the vehicle, or the control unit can be brought into a communication connection with a vehicle-side control device of an assistance system of the vehicle or the sensor unit is designed for at least a distance measurement, a velocity measurement or an angle measurement within at least the first activation region or a second activation region or a third activation region.

34. The sensor device according to claim 32, wherein at least the sensor device comprises at least one first operating mode, a second operating mode or a third operating mode, or at least the first operating mode can be activated when the vehicle is stationary, the second operating mode can be activated when the vehicle is moving at a velocity between 3 km/h and 30 km/h or the third operating mode can be activated from a velocity from 10 km/h.

35. The sensor device according to claim 32, wherein at least in at least one operating mode the sensor device is operable to sense the at least one activation action of the user in the first activation region, or in at least one operating mode the sensor device is operable for at least a distance measurement, a velocity measurement or an angle measurement within at least the first activation region or a second activation region or a third activation region or in at least one operating mode the sensor device is operable to sense an obstacle when the movable part of the vehicle is actuated.

36. The sensor device according to claim 32, wherein at least in the first operating mode of the sensor device, the sensor unit is assigned a transmission frequency in the frequency range between 76 GHz and 77 GHz, or in the second operating mode of the sensor device, the sensor unit is assigned a transmission frequency in the frequency range between 77 GHz and 81 GHz, or in the third operating mode of the sensor device, the sensor unit is assigned a transmission frequency in the frequency range between 77 GHz and 81 GHz.

37. The sensor device according to claim 32, wherein at least in at least one operating mode of the sensor device the sensor unit is assigned a first range in the range of approximately 250 m, or in at least one operating mode of the sensor device the sensor unit is assigned a second range in the range of approximately 70 m, or in at least one operating mode of the sensor device the sensor unit is assigned a third range in the range of approximately 30 m.

38. The sensor device according to claim 32, wherein in at least one operating mode of the sensor device a first bandwidth or a second bandwidth is assigned to the sensor unit or at least the sensor unit is designed to sense at least a presence or an approach or at least a leg or foot movement of the user as the at least one activation action in the first activation region, or the sensor unit is designed to sense at least one first movement pattern or one second movement pattern by a hand of the user as the at least one activation action in the first activation region.

39. The sensor device according to claim 32, wherein the control unit is designed for a security query of the user, or the control unit can be brought into a communication connection with a security device of the vehicle in order to verify an access authorization of the user or the control unit is designed to execute or initiate a security query of the user when, by means of the sensor unit, at least a presence or an approach of the user has been sensed as the at least one activation action in the first activation region, or the control unit can be switched on by a security device of the vehicle in order to monitor the first activation region for at least one activation action by means of the sensor unit.

40. The sensor device according to claim 32, wherein the control unit is designed to actuate the movable part when, by means of the sensor unit, at least a leg or foot movement of the user has been sensed as the at least one activation action in the first activation region or at least the control unit is designed to sense at least the leg or foot movement of the user in the form of a movement with one leg of the user towards the movable part and a kicking movement with one foot under the movable part, or the control unit is designed to sense at least the leg or foot movement of the user in the form of a rocking movement with one foot under the movable part.

41. The sensor device according to claim 32, wherein the control unit is designed to actuate the movable part when a first movement pattern and a second movement pattern have been successively sensed as the at least one activation action in the first activation region or the control unit is designed to sense the first movement pattern in the form of a stroke movement with one hand in a first direction along the movable part and the second movement pattern in the form of a stroke movement with one hand in a second direction along the movable part.

42. The sensor device according to claim 32, wherein the control unit is designed to stop actuation of the movable part if an obstacle has been sensed which blocks the actuation of the movable part or at least one further sensor unit is provided to sense the at least one activation action of the user by means of electromagnetic waves in the optical frequency range or in the infrared range or by means of capacitive measurement or the sensor device can be arranged on the movable part, on an emblem, on a license plate, on a bumper or on a diffuser of the vehicle.

43. The sensor device according to claim 32, wherein at least the sensor device with the control unit, the sensor unit, and possibly a further sensor unit, is designed in the form of a modular assembly, or the sensor device comprises a carrier plate for the control unit, the sensor unit, and possibly a further sensor unit.

44. The sensor device according to claim 32, wherein the sensor unit comprises at least one transceiver or the control unit comprises at least one microcontroller or at least a housing is provided for the sensor device in order to receive the sensor device protected from at least environmental or weather influences, or the housing completely encloses the sensor device.

45. The sensor device according to claim 32, wherein at least the housing for the sensor device comprises a cover element through which the sensor device can be inserted within the housing, or an opening in an outer skin of the movable part, of a license plate, of a bumper or of a diffuser of the vehicle can be closed by the cover element, or the cover element for the housing is designed in the form of an emblem of the vehicle or at least the housing for the sensor device or the cover element is formed from a radar-transparent material or at least the housing for the sensor device or the cover element is provided at least partially with a coating, or the coating comprises at least metal particles or a semiconductor material.

46. The sensor device according to claim 32, wherein at least the housing for the sensor device comprises at least one or more assembling means for receiving the sensor device within the housing in at least a form- or force-locking manner, or the assembling means are designed to clamp the carrier plate of the sensor device inside the housing, or the assembling means comprise a circumferential groove for the carrier plate of the sensor device, into which the carrier plate can be inserted.

47. The sensor device according to claim 32, wherein at least the housing for the sensor device comprises at least one or more fixing means for fixing the sensor device in at least a form- or force-locking manner at least to a vehicle-side opening or to a vehicle-side carrier element or behind an outer skin of the movable part, of an emblem, of a license plate, of a bumper or of a diffuser of the vehicle, or the fixing means comprise engaging means which can be brought into mechanical operative connection with corresponding counter-engaging means at least on a vehicle-side opening or on a vehicle-side carrier element, or the fixing means comprise a guiding rail in order to simply push in the sensor device at a vehicle-side opening or at a vehicle-side carrier element.

48. An actuating device for a movable part of a vehicle, comprising at least one sensor device according to claim 32.

49. The actuating device according to claim 48, wherein at least a sensor device for monitoring at least one first activation region and a further sensor device for monitoring a further switching region of the movable part of the vehicle are provided, or the first activation region comprises an essentially horizontal extension and the switching region comprises an essentially vertical extension.

50. A method for operating a sensor device for a vehicle, wherein the sensor device is operated in at least one operating mode for sensing at least one activation action of a user in the first activation region in order to actuate a movable part of the vehicle, and the sensor device is operated in at least one operating mode for at least a distance measurement, a velocity measurement or an angle measurement within at least the first activation region or a second activation region or a third activation region in order to control at least one assistance system of the vehicle.

51. The method according to claim 50, wherein the sensor device uses electromagnetic waves in the radio frequency range to sense the at least one activation action of a user in the first activation region and for at least a distance measurement, a velocity measurement or an angle measurement within at least the first activation region or a second activation region or a third activation region.

Description

[0063] Further advantages, features and details of the invention result from the following description in which, with reference to the figures, embodiments of the invention are described in detail. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description may be individually or in any combination essential to the invention. The figures show:

[0064] FIG. 1 a schematic representation of a sensor device in the sense of the invention,

[0065] FIG. 2 a schematic representation of a vehicle with a sensor device in the sense of the invention as seen from above,

[0066] FIG. 3 a schematic representation of a vehicle with a sensor device in the sense of the invention in a side view,

[0067] FIG. 4 a schematic representation of a sensor device in a possible operating mode with an obstacle recognition,

[0068] FIG. 5 a schematic representation of a sensor device at different possible installation locations on a vehicle,

[0069] FIG. 6 a schematic structure of a sensor device in the sense of the invention in a sectional view through the sensor device, and

[0070] FIG. 7 a further possible structure of a sensor device in the sense of the invention in a sectional view through the sensor device.

[0071] In the following figures, the identical reference signs are used for the same technical features even from different embodiments.

[0072] FIG. 1 shows a sensor device 10 in the sense of the invention, which can be used in several locations in a vehicle 100, as shown in FIG. 5 below. The sensor device 10 comprises a control unit 11, which is used to actuate, e.g. lock, unlock, open or close a movable part 101, e.g. a tailgate 101, of the vehicle 100. For this purpose, the control unit 11 can contact a closing device 111 or a drive device 112 of the movable part 101, in particular the tailgate 101, of the vehicle 100 and transmit a corresponding control signal for a corresponding actuation (unlocking, locking, opening, closing) of the movable part 101. Furthermore, the sensor device 10 comprises a sensor unit 12 for monitoring at least one first activation region A1 of the movable part 101 of the vehicle 100. Within the scope of the invention, the control unit 12 is designed to actuate the movable part 101 of the vehicle 100 if at least one activation action H1, H2, H3, B1, B2 of a user in the first activation region A1 has been sensed by the sensor unit 12. In accordance with the invention, the sensor unit 12 is designed to sense the at least one activation action H1, H2, H3, B1, B2 of the user by means of electromagnetic waves in the radio frequency range (radar waves).

[0073] As can be seen from FIGS. 2 to 5, the sensor device according to the invention may preferably be designed to actuate a tailgate 101 of the vehicle 100. The sensor device 10 can be arranged directly at the movable part 101, i.e. at the tailgate 101. The sensor device 10 can be arranged at an opening in an outer skin of the tailgate 101 and/or on a carrier element and/or behind the outer skin of the tailgate 101. Since the radio waves can pass most plastics without interference, it is conceivable that the outer skin of the tailgate 101 can be formed from a radar-transparent plastic if the sensor device 10 is arranged behind it. Furthermore, it is conceivable that a housing 20 and/or a cover element 21 for the sensor device 10 can also be formed from a radar-transparent plastic. Furthermore, it is conceivable that a housing 20 for the sensor device 10 and/or a cover element 21 and/or the outer skin of the tailgate 101 could be provided with a coating 22 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) in order to adapt the appearance of the sensor device 10 or the tailgate 101 to the appearance of the vehicle 100. The coating 22 can be a lacquer coat, a spray layer, or a layer deposited by means of gas phase deposition (CVD, PVD) or by means of sputtering. The coating 22 can comprise a material thickness between 10 nm and 100 nm.

[0074] Nevertheless, it is also conceivable that such a sensor device 10 could be arranged behind an emblem 102 of the vehicle 100. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the sensor device 10 could be arranged at a distance from the tailgate 101, for example in the region of a license plate 103, a bumper 104 and a diffuser or could be installed there. Also there, the sensor device 10 can be arranged open or covered.

[0075] As FIG. 1 shows and FIG. 5 schematically indicates, the sensor device 10 in the sense of the invention may be in a communication connection with a closing device 111 and/or a drive device 112 of the tailgate 101 of the vehicle 100 in order to control these devices accordingly and thus actuate the movable part 101, i.e. the tailgate 101. In doing so, the control unit 11 of the sensor device can transmit 10 different control signals for locking, unlocking, opening and/or closing the tailgate 101 depending on the sensed activation action H1, H2, H3, B1, B2.

[0076] The sensor device 10 in the sense of the invention may further be in a communication connection ID with a security device 110 of the vehicle 100 to verify a user's authorization to actuate the movable part 101 of the vehicle 100. Furthermore, it is possible that the sensor device 10 itself can carry out a security query. Thus, the sensor device 10 can form part of a keyless-go system or a keyless-entry system of the vehicle 100. For the communication connection ID with the security device 110 a wireless connection, for example by means of radio waves, or a wired connection, for example via a bus CAN, LVDS or automotive Ethernet can be used.

[0077] According to the invention, electromagnetic waves in the radio frequency range or radar waves are used by the sensor device 10 to actuate the movable part 101, in particular the tailgate 101 (locking, unlocking, opening and/or closing) of the vehicle 100. The sensor unit 12 of the sensor device 10 is used for transmitting and receiving the radar waves. The control unit 11 of the sensor device 10 is used for analyzing, evaluating and processing the radio waves. With the help of radar waves different activation actions H1, H2, H3, B1, B2 of a user in the first activation region A1 of the sensor device 10 can be sensed. For a given process to actuate the movable part 101, a corresponding activation action H1, H2, H3, B1, B2 may be provided. Radar waves can be used to recognize complex gestures and 2D and/or 3D movement patterns. In the case of radar waves, a specific activation region A1, A2, A3, comprising the bandwidth W1, W2 and the range D1, D2, D3 of the activation region A1, A2, A3, can be adjusted in a simple way, for example, by means of a corresponding transmission frequency and/or transmission pulse period, which may change at a certain interval, at the sensor unit 12. Thus, the sensor device 10 can adjust different activation regions A1, A2, A3. Such a sensor device 10 is also relatively resistant to environmental influences.

[0078] On the one hand, the invention allows the sensor device 10 to use its own sensor unit 12 to sense the at least one activation action H1, H2, H3, B1, B2 of the user.

[0079] On the other hand, it is possible within the scope of the invention that the sensor device 10 can use the existing sensor technology of the vehicle 100, for example of an assistance system of the vehicle 100, to monitor at least one first activation region A1 of the vehicle 100 for at least one activation action H1, H2, H3, B1, B2 of the user. An assistance system for automated or autonomous driving, parking and/or reversing can serve as a corresponding assistance system of the vehicle 100.

[0080] Furthermore, it is possible within the scope of the invention that the sensor device 10 with its own sensor unit 12 can provide a corresponding sensor technology for at least one assistance system of the vehicle 100.

[0081] The sensor data of the sensor unit 12 can be used either to actuate the movable part 101 or to control an assistance system of the vehicle 100. A strict separation between these operating modes I, II, III of the sensor unit 10 can be advantageously applied to ensure security in the operation of the vehicle 100. Since the movable part 101 of the vehicle 100 is mostly actuated when the vehicle 100 is stationary and the assistance systems of the vehicle 100 are mostly activated when the vehicle 100 is moving, it may be advantageous to use the sensor device 10 either to actuate the movable part 101 of the vehicle 100 or to drive the vehicle 100 with assistance and/or autonomously, depending on the velocity V of the vehicle 100.

[0082] Within the scope of the invention, it is conceivable that the sensor device 10 may comprise at least one first operating mode I, a second operating mode II and/or a third operating mode III.

[0083] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first operating mode I can be activated to actuate the movable part 101 of the vehicle 100, and thus to control the closing device 111 and/or the drive device 112 of the tailgate 101. A prerequisite for the first operating mode I may be, for example, that the vehicle 100 is stationary or almost stationary or moving at a low velocity V below 3 km/h. This can provide the security that the tailgate 101 of vehicle 100 will not be opened unintentionally when the vehicle 100 is moving. Thus, the actuation of the movable part 101 of the vehicle 100 can safely only take place when the vehicle 100 is stationary or almost stationary (for example after parking).

[0084] In the first operating mode I of the sensor device 10, the sensor unit 12 can be assigned a transmission frequency in the frequency range between 76 GHz and 77 GHz (Long Range Radar or LRR). In this way, the sensor unit 12 can monitor the surroundings of the vehicle 100 using long-range radar waves. This can be advantageous for assistance systems with a first range D1 of up to 250 m. However, a high first range D1 can also be advantageous for recognizing a user approaching the vehicle 100.

[0085] The second operating mode II of the sensor device 10 can again be activated with a moving vehicle 100 at a velocity V between 3 km/h and 30 km/h, in particular between 3 km/h and 20 km/h, preferably between 3 km/h and 10 km/h. This situation is not shown in the figures. Such a situation is conceivable when the vehicle 100 is moving relatively slowly, for example when parking. In this second operating mode II, the sensor device 10 can be combined with an assistance system for automated parking.

[0086] In the second operating mode II of the sensor unit 10, the sensor unit 12 can be assigned a transmission frequency in the frequency range between 77 GHz and 81 GHz (Short Range Radar or SRR). This can be advantageous for assistance systems with a second range D2 of up to 70 m.

[0087] But also in the first operating mode I, the second range D2 can be advantageous to limit the first activation region A1 and still allow a fast sequence when actuating the tailgate 101.

[0088] The third operating mode III of the sensor device 10 can in turn be activated with a moving vehicle 100 from a velocity V from 10 km/h, in particular from 20 km/h, preferably from 30 km/h. This is the velocity range which can be advantageous for certain assistance systems of the vehicle 100, for example assistance systems for reverse parking. In such assistance systems, the sensor device 10 according to the invention can be used directly or indirectly.

[0089] In the third operating mode III of the sensor unit 10, the sensor unit 12 can be assigned a transmission frequency in the frequency range between 77 GHz and 81 GHz (Ultra Short Range Radar or USRR). This can be advantageous for assistance systems with a third range D3 of up to 30 m.

[0090] But also in the first operating mode I, the third range D3 can be advantageous to limit the first activation region A1 even further and still allow a fast sequence when actuating the tailgate 101.

[0091] Within the scope of the invention it is further conceivable that certain assistance systems can use the information of the sensor device 10 according to the invention in the second operating mode II and other assistance systems can use the information of the sensor device 10 according to the invention in the third operating mode III of the sensor device 10.

[0092] Within the scope of the invention, the control unit 11 may be designed to control at least one assistance system of the vehicle 100 or can be at least designed to transmit information of the sensor unit 12 to at least one assistance system of the vehicle 100.

[0093] As further shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the sensor unit 12 can be designed for a distance measurement D, a velocity measurement G and/or an angle measurement W within the first activation region A1 and/or a second activation region A2 and/or a third activation region A3. In this way, the sensor unit 12 can be used to collect information which may be useful for the operation of at least one assistance system of the vehicle 100 in the second operating mode II or in the third operating mode III of the sensor device 10.

[0094] As further shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, different bandwidths W1, W2, for example a first bandwidth W1 or a second bandwidth W2, may be assigned to the sensor unit 12 in at least one, in several or in all operating modes I, II, III of the sensor device 10. The respective bandwidth W1, W2 can easily determine the width of the respective activation region A1, A2, A3. The activation regions A1, A2, A3 can, for example, be designed in the form of sensing lobes. Different bandwidths W1, W2 can be advantageous for different functions. For example, a narrow activation region A1, A2, A3 can be advantageous for distance regulation for reverse parking. For another assistance system or for actuating the movable part 101, a wide activation region A1, A2, A3 can be advantageous to enable comprehensive monitoring of the activation region A1, A2, A3.

[0095] As further shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sensor unit 12 can sense a presence H1 and/or an approach H2 and/or a leg and/or foot movement H3 of the user as the at least one activation action H1, H2, H3, B1, B2 in the first activation region A1. In addition, the sensor unit 12 can be designed to sense at least one first movement pattern B1 or one second movement pattern B2 by a hand of the user as the at least one activation action H1, H2, H3, B1, B2 in the first activation region A1. In this way, the sensor device 10 can be used in combination with different technologies to actuate the movable part 101.

[0096] As mentioned above in the description of FIG. 1, the control unit 11 can be designed to request a user access authorization or can be in a communication connection ID with a security device 110 of the vehicle to verify a user access authorization.

[0097] According to an embodiment of the invention, it is conceivable that the control unit 11 may be designed to execute or cause a query of an access authorization of the user if, by means of the sensor unit 12, a presence H1 and/or an approach H2 of the user has been sensed as the at least one activation action H1, H2, H3, B1, B2 in the first activation region A1.

[0098] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the control unit 11 can be awakened by the security device 110 of the vehicle 100 in order to monitor the first activation region A1 for at least one activation action H1, H2, H3, B1, B2 by means of the sensor unit 12.

[0099] If an authorized user is subsequently recognized by the control unit 11 and/or verified by a vehicle-side control device, the sensor unit 12 can monitor the first activation region A1 for a specific leg and/or foot movement H3 of the user and/or a first movement pattern B1 and a second movement pattern B2 by a hand of the user. When the user has performed a suitable leg and/or foot movement H3 and/or a suitable first movement pattern B1 and a suitable second movement pattern B2, the tailgate 101 can be actuated. For this purpose, the control unit 11 can transmit appropriate control signals to the closing device 111 and/or the drive device 112 of the tailgate 101.

[0100] The leg and/or foot movement H3 of the user can be determined in the form of a movement with one leg of the user towards the movable part 101 and a kicking movement with one foot under the movable part 101 (see the arrows in FIGS. 3 and 4). Another conceivable leg and/or foot movement H3 of the user can be determined in the form of a rocking movement with one foot under the movable part 101 (see the arrows in FIG. 2).

[0101] Furthermore, the control unit 11 can be designed to actuate the movable part 101 if a first movement pattern B1 and a second movement pattern B2 have been sensed in succession as the at least one activation action H1, H2, H3, B1, B2 in the first activation region A1 (see the arrow in FIG. 2).

[0102] As further shown in FIG. 2, the first movement pattern B1 can be determined in the form of a stroke movement with one hand in a first direction along the movable part 101 and the second movement pattern B2 can be determined in the form of a stroke movement with one hand in a second direction along the movable part 101. The first direction and the second direction can be essentially horizontal and/or opposite (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0103] As further shown in FIG. 4, in the first operating mode I, the sensor device 10 can be designed to stop actuation of the movable part 101 if the sensor unit 12 senses an obstacle that prevents actuation of the movable part 101. Thus, the movable part 101 can be operated safely.

[0104] As FIG. 5 further shows, the sensor device 10 can be arranged on the movable part 101 itself, on an emblem 102, on a license plate 103, on a bumper 104 or on a diffuser of the vehicle 100.

[0105] As FIGS. 2 to 5 indicate, several sensor devices 10 may be provided within the scope of an actuating device 30 for the movable part 101 to actuate the movable part.

[0106] It can be seen that at least one sensor device 10 can be provided for monitoring at least one first activation region A1 in the region of the tailgate 101, for example on the tailgate itself, on an actuating device 30 for the tailgate 101 or on an emblem 104 of the vehicle 100. The first activation region A1 can comprise an essentially horizontal extension.

[0107] An additional or alternative sensor device 10 with a horizontal activation region A1 can be provided in the region of the license plate 103.

[0108] An even further or alternative sensor device 10 with a horizontal activation region A1 can be provided in the region of the bumper 104 or a diffuser of the vehicle 100.

[0109] Already by using several different sensor devices 10 with horizontal activation regions A1, complicated movement patterns B1, B2 and/or leg and/or foot movements H3 can be recognized with high accuracy.

[0110] In addition, a further sensor device 10 may be provided in the region of the bumper 104 or of a diffuser of the vehicle 100, which may be designed to monitor a further switching region S1 of the movable part 101 of the vehicle 100, which may comprise an essentially vertical extension. Advantageously, the monitoring in the vertical switching range S1 of the movable part 101 of the vehicle 100 may be used to confirm that the user actually intends to actuate the tailgate 101. For this purpose, the user can perform a kicking movement with his foot. However, it is also conceivable that the vertical switching region S1 can be used to sense a rocking movement with the foot under the movable part 101.

[0111] According to a particular advantage of the invention, one sensor device 10 may be sufficient to recognize different activation actions H1, H2, H3, B1, B2 of the user. Furthermore, the invention may provide several alternative locations and/or combinations for one or more sensor devices 10 in order to extend the range of application and functionality and the activation device 30.

[0112] As further shown in FIGS. 1, 6 and 7, a possible embodiment of the sensor device 10 may provide at least one additional sensor unit 13 to sense the at least one activation action H1, H2, H3, B1, B2 of the user by means of electromagnetic waves in the optical frequency range or in the infrared range or by means of a capacitive measurement. Thus, a combination sensor technology can be provided as part of a sensor device 10.

[0113] Furthermore, FIGS. 6 and 7 show that the sensor device 10 with the control unit 11, the sensor unit 12, and possibly another sensor unit 13, can be designed as a modular assembly to simplify the assembly of the sensor device 10.

[0114] Furthermore, FIGS. 1, 6 and 7 show that the sensor device 10 can comprise a carrier plate 3 for the control unit 11, the sensor unit 12, and possibly another sensor unit 13. Thus, an easy assembly of the sensor device 10 can be provided.

[0115] In addition, FIGS. 1, 6 and 7 show that the sensor unit 12 can comprise at least one or more, for example two or three transceivers 2. Each transceiver 2 can comprise at least one, preferably two, transmitting antennas SA and at least one, preferably four, receiving antennas EA. This provides improved recognition of different movement patterns B1, B2.

[0116] Furthermore, FIGS. 1, 6 and 7 show that the control unit 11 can comprise at least one microcontroller 1. FIG. 1 also shows that the microcontroller 1 further comprises at least one converter ADC, DAC, at least one signal processing unit SPT, at least one processor unit CPU, at least one memory unit RAM, at least one interface IF for further peripheral functions and/or at least one terminal CAN for communication and/or energy supply of the sensor device 10 with a voltage U, V. The microcontroller 1 can process and analyze the information of the sensor unit 12 to provide different operating modes of the sensor device 10.

[0117] Furthermore, FIGS. 6 and 7 show that a housing 20 can be provided for the sensor device 10 to receive the sensor device 10 protected from environmental and/or weather influences.

[0118] As shown in FIG. 6, the housing 20 can completely enclose the sensor device 10. Thus, the sensor device 10 can be received particularly protected and safely.

[0119] According to the embodiment of FIG. 7, the housing 20 for the sensor device 10 can comprise a cover element 21, which can be preferably opened, through which the sensor device 10 can be inserted into the housing 20 and/or removed for repair. The cover element 21 may be fixed to the housing 20 in a removable, rotatable (e.g. by means of a hinged connection, e.g. in the form of a hinge) or movable (e.g. by means of a labyrinth guide) manner.

[0120] Nevertheless, it is also conceivable that the cover element 21 in the context of the invention may be used to close an opening in an outer skin of the movable part 101, of a license plate 103, of a bumper 104 or of a diffuser of the vehicle 100. It is further conceivable that the cover element 21 can be arranged behind an outer skin of the movable part 101, of a license plate 103, of a bumper 104 or of a diffuser of the vehicle 100. It is also conceivable that the cover element 21 for the housing 20 could be designed in the form of an emblem 102 of the vehicle 100.

[0121] The housing 20 for the sensor unit 10 and/or the cover element 21 may be formed from a radar-transparent material, in particular plastic, preferably polymer, so as not to impair the functioning of the sensor unit 12.

[0122] The housing 20 for the sensor device 10 and/or the cover element 21 and/or the outer skin of the respective movable component may be provided at least partially with a coating 22 (see FIGS. 6 and 7). The coating 22 can comprise a material thickness of 10 nm to 100 nm. The coating 22 can, for example, be in the form of a lacquer coat, a spray layer or a layer deposited by means of gas phase deposition or by means of sputtering. The coating 22 may also comprise metal particles, preferably chromium, and/or a semiconductor material, preferably silicon, to obtain a metallic appearance.

[0123] As FIG. 6 further shows, at least one or more assembling means 23 may be provided within the housing 20 for the sensor device 10 to receive the sensor device 10 in a form- and/or force-locking manner and to facilitate the assembly of the sensor device 10. As assembling means 23, different engaging and/or clamping and/or guiding means are conceivable, for example in the form of a circumferential groove 23 for the carrier plate 3 of the sensor device 10. The carrier plate 3 can simply be inserted into the groove 23.

[0124] As further shown in FIG. 7, the housing 20 for the sensor device 10 may comprise at least one or more fixing means 24, for example in the form of engaging and/or clamping and/or guiding means, which may interact with corresponding counter-engaging means in order to fix the sensor device 10 in a form- and/or force-locking manner to a non-shown vehicle-side opening and/or to a non-shown vehicle-side carrier element.

[0125] The above description of the figures describes the present invention exclusively in the context of examples. Of course, individual features of the embodiments can be freely combined with each other, provided it is technically reasonable, without leaving the scope of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0126] 10 sensor device [0127] 11 control unit [0128] 12 sensor unit [0129] 13 further sensor unit [0130] 20 housing [0131] 21 cover element [0132] 22 coating [0133] 23 assembling means, groove [0134] 24 fixing means [0135] 30 actuating device [0136] 100 vehicle [0137] 101 movable part, tailgate [0138] 102 emblem [0139] 103 license plate [0140] 104 bumper [0141] 110 security device [0142] 111 closing device [0143] 112 drive device [0144] A1 first activation region [0145] A2 second activation region [0146] A3 third activation region [0147] H1, H2, H3, B1, B2 activation action [0148] B1 first movement pattern [0149] B2 second movement pattern [0150] H1 presence [0151] H2 approach [0152] H3 leg and/or foot movement [0153] D distance measurement [0154] G velocity measurement [0155] W angle measurement [0156] D1 first range [0157] D2 second range [0158] D3 third reach [0159] O obstacle [0160] W1 first bandwidth [0161] W2 second bandwidth [0162] U voltage [0163] V velocity [0164] I first operating mode [0165] II second operating mode [0166] III third operating mode [0167] 1 microcontroller [0168] 2 transceiver [0169] 3 carrier plate [0170] ID communication connection [0171] SAS transmitting antenna [0172] EA receiving antenna [0173] ADC analog-digital converter [0174] DAC digital-analog converter [0175] SPT signal processing unit [0176] CPU processor unit [0177] RAM memory unit [0178] IF interface [0179] CAN terminal for communication and/or energy supply