Method and device for impinging on a motor vehicle door in the sense of a deceleration, in particular for avoiding collisions

Abstract

A method and to a device for impinging on a motor vehicle door in the sense of a deceleration, in particular for avoiding collisions. There is at least one sensor assigned to the motor vehicle door. Furthermore, as a function of signals from the sensor, the control unit actuates the locking device for locking the motor vehicle door. The locking device applies a preferably variable braking torque to the motor vehicle door, taking into account a braking start predetermined by the control unit.

Claims

1. A method for impinging on a motor vehicle door during a deceleration to avoid collisions, wherein the motor vehicle includes at least one sensor, a locking device and a control unit, the method comprising: generating sensor signals via the at least one sensor, actuating the locking device using the control unit for locking the motor vehicle door based on the sensor signals received by the control unit, determining a start of a braking operation of the locking device using the control unit, impinging the locking device on the motor vehicle door based on the start of the braking operation predetermined by the control unit, and varying a braking torque of the locking device that acts on the motor vehicle door, which is variable, based on the sensor signals, wherein generating the sensor signals comprises using an alighting aid sensor to generate a corresponding one of the sensor signals that is received by the control unit which is configured to increase the braking torque of the locking device in response to the corresponding one of the sensor signals.

2. The method according to claim 1 further comprising generating sensor signals from at least two different sensors.

3. The method according to claim 2 further comprising generating sensor signals from an environment sensor and a door sensor.

4. The method according to claim 3 further comprising setting the start of the braking operation and an amount of the braking torque for the locking device based on the sensor signals of the environment sensor and the door sensor.

5. The method according to claim 1 further comprising determining a pivot area of the motor vehicle door and any obstacles therein via an environment sensor.

6. The method according to claim 1 further comprising using a door sensor for at least one of: detecting a relative position of the motor vehicle door compared to a motor vehicle chassis, and detecting a speed of the motor vehicle door.

7. The method according to claim 6 further comprising determining a pivot angle of the motor vehicle door relative to the motor vehicle chassis via a pivot angle sensor.

8. The method according to claim 1 further comprising: generating additional sensor signals via at least one of an operator sensor, a motor vehicle position sensor, and a wind sensor, and actuating the locking device based on the additional sensor signals.

9. The method according to claim 8 further comprising: arranging the operator sensor as a handle switch on an internal door handle or an external door handle; and detecting whether the motor vehicle door is operated by an operator from inside or outside the motor vehicle door via the handle switch.

10. The method according to claim 8 further comprising increasing the braking torque after at least one of: detecting wind via the wind sensor; and detecting a gradient of a motor vehicle chassis via the motor vehicle position sensor.

11. The method according to claim 1 further comprising actuating the locking device to act on the motor vehicle door in an immobile state with a holding torque independent from actuation by the control unit.

12. The method according to claim 11 further comprising applying the holding torque which is smaller than a maximum braking torque of the locking device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 a motor vehicle door together with sections of a motor vehicle chassis and the device for impinging on the pertaining motor vehicle door according to the invention in the sense of deceleration,

(2) FIG. 2 a detailed view of the object according to FIG. 1 in the area of a hinge for the motor vehicle door and

(3) FIG. 3 a flow chart which summarizes the individual process steps according to the invention again and correlates them

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(4) Shown in FIG. 1 is a motor vehicle door 1 which is pivotably connected to a motor vehicle chassis 2 with the aid of a hinge 3. The motor vehicle door 1 is not restrictedly a motor vehicle lateral door. However, in general, the motor vehicle door 1 can also be executed as a tailgate, a motor flap, a sliding door, etc., for example.

(5) In the detailed view according to FIG. 2, a toothed rack or generally an actuator 4 is also to be seen. The actuator 4 is connected to the motor vehicle chassis 2. Within the scope of the exemplary embodiment, the actuator respectively the toothed rack 4 is linked in a joint 5 to the motor vehicle chassis 2. An actuator 6 combs with the toothed rack 4 or its teeth as a component of a locking device 7. The actuator 6 is controlled with the aid of a control unit 8, if applicable with interposition of a driver stage which is not illustrated and mentioned in FIG. 3.

(6) The configuration is such that the actuator 6 is configured as an electromotor or comprises an electromotor, if applicable in conjunction with a gearbox. As soon as the actuator 6 or the electromotor is energized with the aid of the control unit 8, it generates a relevant braking torque which ensures by means of the engagement of the actuator 6 on the toothed rack 4 that this braking torque decelerates or even completely prevents pivoting movements of the motor vehicle door 1 compared to the motor vehicle chassis 2. For this purpose, the actuator 6 or the locking device 7 in the exemplary embodiment is arranged inside the motor vehicle door 1 or firmly connected to the motor vehicle door 1.

(7) In FIG. 2, a sensor 9 is also to be seen which is assigned to the motor vehicle door 1 and is configured as an environment sensor 9 in the exemplary embodiment. With the aid of the environment sensor 9, the entire possible pivot area of the motor vehicle door 1 depicted by respectively dot-dashed limit lines in FIG. 1 can be investigated and sensed as to whether any obstacles 10 are present or appear in the relevant pivot area.

(8) In addition to the environment sensor 9, the signals of which are processed by the control unit 8, a position sensor 11 is then executed. The position sensor 11 is assigned to the hinge 3 or may even be integrated into the hinge 3. This is because the position sensor 11 is a pivot angle sensor in the exemplary embodiment. With the aid of the position sensor 11 or the pivot angle sensor the pivot angle α completed by the motor vehicle door 1 compared to the motor vehicle chassis 2 and shown as an example in FIG. 1 can be recorded. Furthermore, the control unit 8 can attribute changes of the pivot angle α over time or temporally changing signals of the position sensor 11 to the speed of the motor vehicle door 1 during sweeping of the relevant pivot angle α.

(9) In addition to the environment sensor 9 and the position sensor 11 further sensors 12, 13, 14, 15 are realised in FIG. 2, the signals of which are received by the control unit 8 and are used and evaluated for control of the locking device 7 or the actuator 6 in the sense of deceleration of the motor vehicle door 1. The sensor 12 is configured as an operator sensor 12 and is formed as a door handle switch in the present case. With the aid of the operator sensor 12, for example, an opening desire of the operator can be recorded such that this opening desire in the exemplary embodiment corresponds to the operator operating a door handle assigned to the operator sensor 12 and only implied. The door handle can be an internal door handle or an external door handle for the motor vehicle door 1.

(10) A further sensor 13 is also realized which is formed as a motor vehicle position sensor 13 in the present case. In the simplest case, with the aid of the motor vehicle position sensor 13 any gradient of the motor vehicle and consequently of the motor vehicle chassis 2 can be ascertained and corresponding signals can be taken into account by the control unit 8 and evaluated, as described in the introduction. Furthermore, a wind sensor 14 is provided, the signal of which is also used by the control unit 8 to control the locking device 7. Reference is made to the start of the description in this regard. In the present case, the wind sensor 14 may be arranged in the front area of the motor vehicle chassis 2. In contrast, the motor vehicle position sensor 13 is regularly located in the area of the center of a vehicle. The alighting aid sensor 15 which is finally still to be seen is generally arranged on a door or also in the area of a dashboard, a central console, etc. The alighting aid sensor 15 is a switch or a contact sensor in the simplest case. With the aid of the alighting aid sensor 15 an operator can generate a relevant signal which is interpreted by the control unit 8 to the extent that the locking device 7 is actuated to generate a maximum braking torque. The motor vehicle door 1 is thus fixed and can be used as desired by the operator as an alighting aid or also an entry aid, for example.

(11) Finally, the locking device 7 is configured in such a way that the motor vehicle door 1 is impinged on with a holding torque in the immobile state. This holding torque lies adjacent and is regularly generated mechanically on the outlet side of the locking device 7, regardless of whether the control unit 8 actuates the actuator 6. Therefore as soon as the motor vehicle door 1 stands still, it is acted on by the locking device 7 with the relevant holding torque. The holding torque can be generated by the non-energized actuator 6 or also otherwise. The configuration is further such that during movement of the motor vehicle door 1 starting from the immobile state the locking device 7 is detached again.

(12) On the basis of FIG. 1, the method according to the invention is now described to act on the motor vehicle door 1 in the sense of deceleration to prevent a collision. In fact, it is initially proceeded in such a way that during an opening process of the motor vehicle door 1 the operator generates a relevant signal on the input side of the control unit 8 with the aid of the operator sensor 12. Thereupon the control unit 8 queries the environment sensor 9 and also the door sensor 11. If the environment sensor 9 in the example according to FIG. 1 registers the obstacle 10 in the pivot area of the motor vehicle door 1 already referred to, the control unit 8 ensures that the actuator 6 or the locking device 7 impinges on the motor vehicle door 1 taking into account a braking start predetermined by the control unit 8 and with a variable braking torque.

(13) The variable braking torque generated by the locking device 7 is dependent on signals of further sensors 13, 14, 15. For example, if the wind sensor 14 reports wind or gusts of wind, the braking torque is typically increased in order to confront a wind pressure attacking the motor vehicle door 1. A similar case applies where the position sensor 13 ascertains a gradient of the motor vehicle chassis 2 as described at the start.

(14) When the locking device 7 is actuated with the aid of the control unit 8 the control unit 8 takes into account the signals from the relevant sensors 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 such that the braking start and also the braking torque to be exerted is optimally adjusted to the respective situation and ensures that the motor vehicle door 1 stops at a minimum distance and safely before the obstacle 10.