Assembly module for a motor vehicle with an optical sensor system for monitoring a detection region

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly module (20) for a motor vehicle (1), comprising an optical sensor system (30) which can be used a) to monitor a detection area (150) on the outside of the motor vehicle (1) in order to determine the proximity of a user (10), b) to measure the distance to the user (10) within the detection area (150) and c) to release a signal for carrying out an action on the motor vehicle (1) in the event a user (10) is detected in a predefined actuation area (180) within the detection area (150).

Claims

1. An assembly module for a motor vehicle comprising: an optical sensor system comprising at least one optical sensor, wherein the optical sensor system is configured a) for monitoring a detection region lying outside the motor vehicle in order to determine the proximity of a user by the assembly module, wherein monitoring the detection region is performed by one of the at least one optical sensor, b) for measuring the distance to the user within the detection region by the assembly module, wherein measuring the distance is performed by one of the at least one optical sensor, and c) in the case of identifying the user in a predefined actuation region within the detection region, triggering a signal for performing an action on the motor vehicle, wherein by the measurement of the distance to the user a volume of the actuation region is monitored, to ensure that body parts of the user above the actuation region do not lead to triggering of the signal, to avoid an incorrect triggering, wherein the measurement of the distance to the user provides additional information in a third dimension to a two-dimensional monitoring of the detection region, so that the measurement of the distance to the user allows, starting from a two-dimensional detection region, the volume of the actuation region to be monitored in the third dimension, wherein three-dimensional information regarding the geometric positioning of the user within the actuation region is provided.

2. The assembly module according to claim 1, wherein the optical sensor system is configured to perform step b) by means of an ultrasound measurement.

3. The assembly module according to claim 1, wherein the optical sensor system is configured to perform step b) by means of a radar measurement.

4. The assembly module according to claim 1, wherein the optical sensor system is configured to perform step b) by means of an evaluation of at least two images of the detection region recorded at different angles.

5. The assembly module according to claim 1, wherein the optical sensor system is configured to perform the following two substeps for step b), namely b1) emitting a laser light flash within the detection region and b2) identifying a reflection of the laser light flash by the user.

6. The assembly module according to claim 1, wherein the optical sensor system is configured in the case of identifying the user in the detection region to trigger a signal for starting an authentication check between an ID transmitter and an access control system of the motor vehicle and steps b) to d) are only executed in the case of a positive authentication process.

7. The assembly module according to claim 1, wherein the optical sensor system is configured to suppress steps b) to c) when no user has been determined in the detection region.

8. The assembly module according to claim 1, wherein the optical sensor system has a transmitting unit for emitting a laser light flash with a wavelength in the infrared range, in particular with a wavelength in the range of 905 nm+/about 10 nm.

9. The assembly module according to claim 8, wherein the optical sensor system has at least one optical filter, in particular an infrared filter, for the optical filtering of at least an emitted laser light flash or the reflection of the laser light flash.

10. The assembly module according to claim 8, wherein the optical sensor system has at least one polarizer for at least the polarization of an emitted laser light flash or the reflection of the laser light flash.

11. The assembly module according to claim 8, wherein the optical sensor system has an optical system for a broadening of the Gaussian distribution of the intensity of an emitted laser light flash in order to supply the edges of the detection region with sufficiently high intensity.

12. The assembly module according to claim 1, wherein the optical sensor system has a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical design.

13. The assembly module according to claim 8, wherein the optical sensor system is configured for a superposition, in particular a complete superposition of at least the detection region or the actuation region with an emitted laser light flash.

14. The assembly module according to claim 1, wherein the optical sensor system has a monitoring device with a transmitting unit for emitting a laser light flash, wherein the transmitting unit has an alignment with an emitting direction at an acute angle to the horizontal, in particular at an angle greater than 30.

15. The assembly module according to claim 1, wherein the optical sensor system has a monitoring device for an evaluation of the time difference between the emission of a transmitted signal, in particular a laser light flash and the identification of the reflection of the transmitted signal, in particular the laser light flash by the user for the distance of the user from the optical sensor system.

16. The assembly module according to claim 1, wherein the signal for performing at least one of the following actions on the motor vehicle is triggered: at least opening or closing the tailgate of the motor vehicle at least opening or closing a sliding door of the motor vehicle at least opening or closing a side door of the motor vehicle at least opening or closing a window of the motor vehicle at least opening or closing the bonnet of the motor vehicle at least opening or closing the filler cap of the motor vehicle at least switching on or switching off a vehicle heater of the motor vehicle at least switching on or switching off a heated windscreen of the motor vehicle at least switching on or switching off a light function of the motor vehicle at least folding in or folding out the side mirror of the motor vehicle at least switching on or switching off an alarm of the motor vehicle adjusting a user-specific setting in the motor vehicle, in particular a seat adjustment of the driver's seat at least retracting or extending a trailer coupling.

17. The assembly module according to claim 1, wherein the optical sensor system has a monitoring device with a detection unit for performing step a), a transmitting unit for performing step b) and an evaluation unit for performing step c).

18. The assembly module according to claim 17, wherein the transmitting unit comprises at least one laser light source for emitting a laser light flash and a receiving unit for receiving a reflection of the laser light flash from the user, in particular for the pulsed emission of a plurality of laser light flashes consecutively.

19. The assembly module according to claim 18, wherein the at least one laser light source is arranged next to the receiving unit.

20. The assembly module according to claim 17, wherein the transmitting unit is configured to emit a laser light flash along at least two emitting directions which meet at a focal point which is located inside the detection region, in particular inside an actuation region.

21. The assembly module according to claim 1, wherein the laser light flash is emitted into the actuation region which is configured to be smaller than the detection region inside the detection region.

22. A method for triggering a signal for performing an action on a motor vehicle, comprising the following steps: a) monitoring, using an optical sensor, a detection region lying outside the motor vehicle in order to determine the proximity of a user, b) performing, using the optical sensor, a measurement of the distance from the user within the detection region, and c) in the case of identifying the user in a predefined actuation region within the detection region triggering a signal for performing an action on the motor vehicle, wherein by the measurement of the distance to the user a volume of the actuation region is monitored, to ensure that body parts of the user above the actuation region do not lead to triggering of the signal, to avoid an incorrect triggering, wherein the measurement of the distance to the user provides additional information in a third dimension to a two-dimensional monitoring of the detection region, so that the measurement of the distance to the user allows, starting from a two-dimensional detection region, the volume of the actuation region to be monitored in the third dimension, wherein three-dimensional information regarding the geometric positioning of the user within the actuation region is provided, and wherein said method is for operating in an assembly module for the motor vehicle, wherein the assembly module comprises an optical sensor system comprising at least one optical sensor, wherein the optical sensor system is configured a) for monitoring the detection region lying outside the motor vehicle in order to determine the proximity of the user by the assembly module, wherein monitoring the detection region is performed by one of the at least one optical sensor, b) for measuring the distance to the user within the detection region by the assembly module, wherein measuring the distance is performed by one of the at least one optical sensor, and c) in the case of identifying the user in the predefined actuation region within the detection region, triggering the signal for performing the action on the motor vehicle.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein for step b), the following two substeps are performed: b1) emitting a laser light flash within the detection region and b2) identifying a reflection of the laser light flash from the user.

24. The assembly module according to claim 1, wherein the activation region within the detection region is smaller than the detection region, and is configured for determining an approach of the user by permanent monitoring of the detection region, and to provide monitoring within the detection region which is selectively performed when the user has been identified in the detection region.

25. The assembly module according to claim 1, wherein step a) and step b) are performed by the same optical sensor, and the optical sensor system is configured in the case of identifying the user in the detection region to trigger a signal for starting an authentication check between an ID transmitter and an access control system of the motor vehicle and steps b) to d) are only executed in the case of a positive authentication process.

26. The method according to claim 22, wherein the optical sensor system is configured to perform step b) by an evaluation of at least two images of the detection region recorded at different angles.

Description

(1) Further advantages, features and details are obtained from the following description in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and the description can be essential to the invention in each case individually for themselves or in any combination. In the figures shown schematically:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a rear region of a motor vehicle with an assembly module according to the invention and an authentication system according to the invention,

(3) FIG. 2 shows the rear region from FIG. 1 in a side view,

(4) FIG. 3 shows a side region of a motor vehicle with an assembly module according to the invention and an authentication system according to the invention in a side view,

(5) FIG. 4 shows the assembly module from FIG. 3 in another side view.

(6) FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of an assembly module according to the invention,

(7) FIG. 6 shows the embodiment of FIG. 5 with a user inside the actuation region,

(8) FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of an assembly module according to the invention,

(9) FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of an assembly module according to the invention and

(10) FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of an assembly module according to the invention.

(11) Elements having the same function and mode of action are designated with the same reference numbers in the figures.

(12) FIGS. 1 and 2 on the one hand and FIGS. 3 and 4 on the other hand each show how an assembly module 20 according to the invention and an authentication system 16 according to the invention are used in a motor vehicle 1. FIGS. 1 and 2 here show the use in a rear region of a motor vehicle 1 with a tailgate 2. The optical sensor system 30 of the assembly module 20 is disposed in the region of the tailgate 2, e.g. in a handle strip of the tailgate 2. A detection region 150 lying outside the motor vehicle 1 is produced by the optical sensor system 30. The optical sensor system 30 monitors the detection region 150 permanently when the motor vehicle 1 is parked. When a user 10, who is shown outside the detection region 150 in FIGS. 1 and 2, approaches the motor vehicle 1 and the optical sensor system 30 with an ID transmitter 13, the user 10 enters into the detection region 150. If the user 10 is identified in the detection region 150, preferably a signal for starting an authentication check is triggered.

(13) Since the optical sensor system 30 identifies that a user 10 is approaching the motor vehicle 1, and in the case of identifying the user 10 in the detection region 150, a signal for starting an authentication check is triggered, the user need not be active to initiate the authentication check. Thus, the user 10 need not hold the ID transmitter 13 in a hand but it is sufficient to carry the ID transmitter 13, for example, in a pocket. This therefore involves a passive keyless entry check.

(14) Since the optical sensor system 30 monitors the detection region 150, it can on the one hand be ensured that the signal for starting the authentication check is triggered before the user 10 reaches the motor vehicle 1. In this case, the authentication check is usually completed before the user 10 has come closer to the motor vehicle 1 than an actuation region 160. On the other hand, the detection region 150 is restricted to a predefined spatial section, which for example, comprises only a few m.sup.2 in a plan view so that the signal for starting the authentication check is only triggered rarely. As a result, the signal for starting the authentication check can be triggered in good time and specifically.

(15) In a plan view the detection region 150 has two legs 31, 32 which approach towards the optical sensor system 30. The detection region 150 also has a base 33 which delimits the detection region 21 on the side of the detection region 21 facing away from the optical sensor system 30. The detection region 21 ends on the base 33. The base 33 is configured as a straight line. The two legs 31, 32 form an angle . As a result of the detection region 150 tapering in the direction of the motor vehicle 1, the timely and nevertheless rare triggering of the signal for starting an authentication can be achieved particularly effectively.

(16) The angle in FIG. 1 is between 30 and 60. This prevents a user 10 who passes the motor vehicle 1 at the side from entering into the detection region 150. A length L obtained from the distance of the base 33 from the optical sensor system 30 is 1.5 m. As a result of the length L and the angle , x is also obtained as the maximum distance of a point of the detection region 150 from the optical sensor system 30. The detection region 150 is delimited by the selected parameters so that only a small amount of electrical power is required for monitoring the detection region 150. As shown in FIG. 2, the detection region 150 ends on a ground surface 15 on which the motor vehicle 1 is stopped. As a result, the detection region 150 comprises an oblique truncated cone. An angle mapped in FIG. 2 corresponds to an angle of the detection region 21 in a side view. In the present case the angle is selected to be different from the angle so that the detection region 150 is configured elliptically.

(17) Another possibility for requiring only a small amount of electrical power is achieved by dividing the detection region 150 into a far zone 24 and a near zone 23, where the near zone 23 has a shorter distance from the sensor system 30 than the far zone 24. If the user 10 initially enters into the far zone 24, the optical sensor system 30 determines that an object is located in the far zone 24. The optical sensor system 30 further checks whether the object has a predefined size. If the object has the predefined size and the object enters into the near zone 23 of the detection region 150, from a measurement of the distance of the object from an optical sensor 50 in the near zone 23 it is additionally concluded whether the object approaches the optical sensor. If this is confirmed, the user 10 is identified and a signal for starting an authentication check between the ID transmitter 13 and an access control system 14 of the motor vehicle 1 is triggered.

(18) By means of the signal, the access control system 14 is caused to send a wake-up signal to the ID transmitter 13. The ID transmitter 13 then transmits an authentication code to the access control system 14. The access control system 14 compares the authentication code with a stored code. If both codes agree, the authentication is successful and an unlocking signal is triggered. This can be an unlocking signal for all the doors of the motor vehicle 1 or however only one unlocking signal for the tailgate 2.

(19) FIGS. 1 and 2 further show the first actuation region 160. After a successful authentication, the optical sensor system 30 monitors the first actuation region 160. If the user 10 makes a predefined movement in the first actuation region 160 and for example, treads into the first actuation region 160 with a foot 11 for a certain time and within a predefined maximum actuation duration, a operating signal is triggered. The operating signal comprises a signal for opening the tailgate 2. Here it can only be the case that a door lock 8 of the tailgate 2 is unlocked and jumps slightly due to the pressure of a seal. On the other hand, it is feasible that at the same time a motor-driven opening aid is activated by the operating signal so that the tailgate 2 opens completely.

(20) The actuation region 160 is preferably formed visibly on the ground surface 15. For this purpose in this embodiment a first display element 43 is provided that makes the actuation region 160 visible to the user 10. To this end the first display element 43 can emit visible light. The first display element 43 is triggered after the successful authentication. In FIGS. 1 and 2 the first actuation region 160 lies within the near zone 23 of the detection region 150. The actuation region 160 has smaller spatial dimensions that the detection region 150.

(21) It can be the case that the first actuation region 160 is the only actuation region. Optionally, and therefore shown by the dashed line in FIG. 1, a second actuation region 160 is additionally shown. In this case, a user 10 must execute a predefined movement in both actuation regions 160 within a predefined actuation duration in order to provide the operating signal. A second display element 45 of the assembly module 20 is used to make the second actuation region 160 visible.

(22) FIGS. 3 and 4 show another exemplary embodiment as to how the assembly module 20 according to the invention is used. Insofar as this is not explained in the following, the operating mode and function of the assembly module 20 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 corresponds to the operating mode and function of the assembly module 20 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The assembly module 20 in FIGS. 3 and 4 is disposed in a B pillar 4 of a motor vehicle side. An approach to a side door 3 of the motor vehicle 1 is monitored by the detection region 150. The operating signal can be used for opening the side door 3. The predefined movement for providing the operating signal can be a predefined movement with a hand 12 of the user 10 in the region of door handle 5.

(23) In contrast to the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 the detection region 150 lying outside the motor vehicle 1 is located completely above the ground surface 15. The detection region 150 has a flat ground surface. The actuation region 160 of the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 comprises the region of the door handle 5. The only actuation region 160 lies outside the detection region 150.

(24) FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of an assembly module 20 according to the invention which is arranged in a motor vehicle 1 on the rear side. This assembly module 20 is fitted with a monitoring device 100 which is part of an optical sensor system 30. The monitoring device 100 of this embodiment has a detection unit 110, a transmitting unit 120 and a receiving unit 130.

(25) The detection unit 110 is capable of monitoring the detection region 150 located at the rear behind the motor vehicle 1. For this, the detection unit 110, for example, has a photosensor. Additional transmitting units 120 for monitoring the detection region by artificial light are also possible in order to achieve a corresponding independence of the ambient lighting. Pulsed light flashes can already be used here.

(26) According to the invention, a transmitting unit 120 for emitting a laser light flash 122 can additionally be provided now. The process steps to be carried out, which are possible using an assembly module 20 according to the invention are now explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

(27) It can be seen in FIG. 5 how a user 10 enters into the detection region 150, for example, with a body part or completely. Since the detection region 150 is monitored substantially continuously by the detection unit 110, the optical sensor system 30 identifies this movement of the user 10 with the aid of the monitoring device 100. Now, the laser light flash 122 can be emitted, preferably in a two-stage method in order to achieve additional position information for the user 10. Here a correlation of the position of the user 10 with an actuation region 160 is now possible. In this case, the laser light flash 120 is preferably emitted with an emitting direction 124 which overlaps the actuation region 160 or illuminates this exactly with a homogeneous intensity distribution.

(28) As can be deduced from FIG. 6, the laser light flash 122 is reflected at least partially by the user 10. The reflected light of the laser light flash 122 can now be received and evaluated by a receiving unit 130. An evaluation is made in particular on the basis of the so-called TOF measurement so that now additional distance information is available for more accurate positioning of the user 10 with a correlation to the actuation region 160.

(29) Since according to FIG. 6, the user 10 has now been identified within the actuation region 160, a signal can be triggered for performing an action on the motor vehicle 1. This can involve, for example, the opening of the tailgate or a lateral sliding door of the motor vehicle 1.

(30) FIG. 7 shows schematically in a side view a further embodiment of an assembly module 20 according to the invention. This is fitted with an optical system 30 which again comprises a monitoring device 100. Here it can be clearly identified that the transmitting unit 120 is located above the detection unit 110, where the detection unit 110 here also forms the receiving unit 130 in a functional union. For performing the individual process steps, in particular the evaluation, the monitoring device 100 of this embodiment has another evaluation unit 140.

(31) It can be clearly seen from FIG. 7 that volume information regarding the detection region 150 or the actuation region 160 can now be monitored by means of the fine position determination with the aid of the laser light flash 122. The movement of a foot 11 of a user 10 is shown here. If the foot 11 of the user 10 moves along the three depicted positions, it firstly penetrates into the volume of the detection region 150. Only at this time, preferably in the two-stage method, the pulsed laser light flashes 122 are emitted along the emitting direction 124 until it is identified that the foot 11 of the user 10 is now located in the volume of the actuation region 160. Now the signal for performing an action on the motor vehicle can be triggered.

(32) It can be further identified that according to FIG. 7, an angle is formed between the horizontal H and the emitting direction 124 of the laser light flash 122 which points downwards at an acute angle. Thus, a monitoring from top to bottom is possible so that a risk of injury to the human eye can preferably even be completely eliminated.

(33) FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of an assembly module 20 according to the invention in which the transmitting unit 120 comprises a plurality of laser light sources 126. These individual laser light sources 126 are arranged annularly and uniformly distributed around the receiving unit 130 which here also forms the detection unit 110. This results in a particularly uniform light distribution in relation to the emission of the laser light flash 122. At the same time, by reducing the distance between the distance between the transmitting unit 120 and the receiving unit 130, it is possible to have a negligible angle for the subsequent assessment using the TOF method.

(34) FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of an assembly module 20 according to the invention. Here a plurality of laser light sources 126 are formed at a distance from one another for the transmitting unit 120. This results in a plurality of emitting directions 124, here shown schematically two, which have a focal point B within the actuation region 160. This has the result that the individual laser light sources 126 can be operated with reduced energy since the corresponding energy density for the desired reflection at a user 10 is only provided at the focal point B. In addition to the energy requirement, this also reduces the risk of damage, e.g. to the human eye, since the high energy density is only achieved at the focal point B. It should be pointed out here that the focal point B can also be formed as a volume element inside the actuation region 160.

(35) The preceding explanation of the embodiments only describes the present invention within the framework of examples. Naturally individual features of the embodiments, if technically meaningful, can be freely combined without departing from the scope of the present invention.

REFERENCE LIST

(36) 1 Motor vehicle 2 Tailgate 3 Side door 4 B-pillar 5 Door handle 8 Door lock 10 User 11 Foot 12 Hand 13 ID transmitter 14 Access control system 15 Ground surface 16 Authentication system 20 Assembly module 23 Near zone 24 Far zone 30 Optical sensor system 31 leg of detection region 32 leg of detection region 33 Base 43 First display element 45 Second display element 100 Monitoring device 110 Detection unit 120 Transmitting unit 122 Laser light flash 124 Emitting direction 126 Laser light source 130 Receiving unit 140 Evaluation unit 150 Detection region 160 Actuation region Angle between the two sides of the detection region Angle H Horizontal B Focal point L Length x Maximum distance of a point of the detection region