SENSOR DEVICE FOR THE CAPACITIVE DETECTION OF A USER ACTION IN A VEHICLE

Abstract

The invention relates to a sensor device (100) for the n capacitive detection of a user action in a vehicle (1), with a sensor element (110), which is configured as an electric line element, wherein the sensor element (110) comprises: an electrically conducting outer conductor element (112), at least one insulator element (120) for the electric insulation of the outer conductor element (112), an evaluation connection adaptation (20) on the outer conductor element (112) for the electrically-conducting connection of the outer conductor element (112) to an evaluation device (210) of the vehicle (1), whereby the detection can be performed.

A test connection adaptation (10) in provided on the outer conductor element (112), in order to test a functional test of the sensor device (100) based upon an electric circuit with the outer conductor element (112).

Claims

1. A sensor device for the capacitive detection of a user action in a vehicle, having a sensor element, which is configured as an electric line element, wherein the sensor element comprises: an electrically-conducting outer conductor element, at least one insulation element for the electric insulation of the outer conductor element, an evaluation connection adaptation on the outer conductor element for the electrically-conducting connection of the outer conductor element to an evaluation device of the vehicle, whereby the detection can be performed, wherein a test connection adaptation is provided on the outer conductor element, in order to test a functional test of the sensor device based upon an electric circuit with the outer conductor element.

2. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the evaluation connection adaptation comprises at least one or exclusively one first conductor, to connect the evaluation device to the outer conductor element for the evaluation of the detection, and the test connection adaptation comprises at least one or exclusively one second conductor and the first conductor, to connect the evaluation device to the outer conductor element and provide the electric circuit for performing the functional test.

3. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the test connection adaptation comprises at least one connection means, to connect the outer conductor element electrically to the evaluation device, so that the functional test can be performed by the evaluation device, wherein preferably the functional test is configured as a connection test.

4. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor element comprises an electrically-conductive inner conductor element, and the at least one insulation element surrounds the inner conductor element for the electric insulation.

5. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor element is configured as an electric cable and preferably comprises an inner conductor element as a core and the outer conductor element as a shield.

6. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the outer conductor element is configured as an electrically-conductive wire mesh.

7. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor element has a concentric structure, wherein preferably the outer conductor element is arranged coaxially to an inner conductor element of the sensor element.

8. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the insulation element comprises a first insulation element, and a second insulation element, which are arranged concentrically.

9. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor element has a longitudinal extent along a longitudinal axis between a first end, which preferably faces the evaluation device, and a second end, which preferably faces away from the evaluation device, and at least the test connection adaptation or the evaluation connection adaptation are exclusively provided on one of the ends on the sensor element, and preferably a first conductor and a second conductor are connected to the outer conductor element on only one of the ends, so that preferably the second end is electrically connected as a floating end.

10. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the outer conductor element, and preferably an inner conductor element, extend along the longitudinal extent of the sensor element, so that preferably the inner conductor element and the outer conductor element run parallel to one another.

11. A system for the capacitive detection of a user action in a vehicle, including: a sensor element, which is configured as an electric line element, an evaluation device for the evaluation of the sensor element, wherein the sensor element comprises: an electrically-conducting outer conductor element, at least one insulation element for the electric insulation of the outer conductor element, an evaluation connection adaptation on the outer conductor element for the electrically-conducting connection of the outer conductor element to the evaluation device, whereby the detection can be performed, wherein a test connection adaptation is provided on the outer conductor element, in order to test a functional test of the sensor device based upon an electric circuit with the outer conductor element.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein an electric connection interface, preferably a plug, is electrically connected to the evaluation device and a first and second conductor of the outer conductor element is electrically connected to the evaluation device via the connection interface.

13. The system according to claim 11, wherein a first conductor adjacent to a second conductor is electrically-connected to the outer conductor element, whereby the outer conductor element is serially integrated in a current path to the first and second conductors.

14. The system according to one of claim 11, wherein a sensor device for the capacitive detection of a user action in a vehicle, having a sensor element, which is configured as an electric line element, wherein the sensor element comprises an electrically-conducting outer conductor element, at least one insulation element for the electric insulation of the outer conductor element, an evaluation connection adaptation on the outer conductor element for the electrically-conducting connection of the outer conductor element to an evaluation device of the vehicle, whereby the detection can be performed, wherein a test connection adaptation is provided on the outer conductor element, in order to test a functional test of the sensor device based upon an electric circuit with the outer conductor element is provided.

15. A vehicle comprising a system for the capacitive detection of a user action in a vehicle, including a sensor element, which is configured as an electric line element, an evaluation device for the evaluation of the sensor element, wherein the sensor element comprises an electrically-conducting outer conductor element, at least one insulation element for the electric insulation of the outer conductor element, an evaluation connection adaptation on the outer conductor element for the electrically-conducting connection of the outer conductor element to the evaluation device, whereby the detection can be performed, wherein a test connection adaptation is provided on the outer conductor element, in order to test a functional test of the sensor device based upon an electric circuit with the outer conductor element.

16. The vehicle according to claim 15, wherein the sensor element is arranged in a bumper of the vehicle, in order to detect a movement of a foot of a user in the rear zone of the vehicle.

17. A method for operating a capacitive sensor device in a vehicle, wherein the following steps are provided: Performing a connection test in the sensor device by an evaluation device, wherein an electric current is conducted via at least two conductors through an outer conductor element of a sensor element of the sensor device, Performing a detection of a user action in a vehicle, wherein an electric evaluation is effected to that end by means of one of the conductors and the outer conductor element.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the following step is provided prior to the performing of the connection test: Connecting the sensor element of the sensor device to an evaluation device of the vehicle via a connection interface.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein a sensor device for the capacitive detection of a user action in a vehicle, having a sensor element, which is configured as an electric line element, wherein the sensor element comprises an electrically-conducting outer conductor element, at least one insulation element for the electric insulation of the outer conductor element, an evaluation connection adaptation on the outer conductor element for the electrically-conducting connection of the outer conductor element to an evaluation device of the vehicle, whereby the detection can be performed, wherein a test connection adaptation is provided on the outer conductor element, in order to test a functional test of the sensor device based upon an electric circuit with the outer conductor element or a system for the capacitive detection of a user action in a vehicle, including a sensor element, which is configured as an electric line element, an evaluation device for the evaluation of the sensor element, wherein the sensor element comprises an electrically-conducting outer conductor element, at least one insulation element for the electric insulation of the outer conductor element, an evaluation connection adaptation on the outer conductor element for the electrically-conducting connection of the outer conductor element to the evaluation device, whereby the detection can be performed, wherein a test connection adaptation is provided on the outer conductor element, in order to test a functional test of the sensor device based upon an electric circuit with the outer conductor element or a vehicle comprising a system for the capacitive detection of a user action in a vehicle, including a sensor element, which is configured as an electric line element, an evaluation device for the evaluation of the sensor element, wherein the sensor element comprises an electrically-conducting outer conductor element, at least one insulation element for the electric insulation of the outer conductor element, an evaluation connection adaptation on the outer conductor element for the electrically-conducting connection of the outer conductor element to the evaluation device, whereby the detection can be performed, wherein a test connection adaptation is provided on the outer conductor element, in order to test a functional test of the sensor device based upon an electric circuit with the outer conductor element is/are operated.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] Further advantages, features and details of the invention result from the following description, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, the features mentioned in the claims and in the description can each per se or in any combination be essential to the invention. The Figures schematically show in:

[0052] FIG. 1: different views of a vehicle according to the invention.

[0053] FIG. 2: an illustration of a sensor device according to the invention.

[0054] FIG. 3: a schematic representation of a cross-section of a sensor element, a sensor device according to the invention, and a system according to the invention.

[0055] Identical reference characters will be used throughout the figures for the same technical features even of different exemplary embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0056] FIG. 1 schematically shows different views of a vehicle 1, a side view (top left), a rear view (bottom left) as well as a plan view (right). Furthermore, parts of a system 300 according to the invention are shown, which serves for the capacitive detection of a user action of a user 9. Such a user action can, for example, be a movement in the region of a bumper 4 in the rear zone of the vehicle 1 and/or in the region of a door sill 3 in the lateral region of the vehicle 1. For example, the user action serves to trigger an opening movement, e.g. of a tailgate 2 of the vehicle 1, for example.

[0057] In order to detect the user action of the user 9, a sensor device 100 of the system 300 according to the invention can be provided on the vehicle 1. To that end, e.g. a sensor element 110 of the sensor device 100 is arranged in the bumper 4 and/or in the sill 3. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor element 110 can also be arranged in a door handle 5 and thus be used as a proximity sensor for unlocking. The elongated extension of the sensor element 110 can be clearly discerned in FIG. 1, which can likewise be configured as a cable. In order to perform the detection, a control unit 200 is provided and electrically connected to the sensor element 110. Furthermore, a test connection between the control unit 200 and the sensor element 110 can be used for a functional test, wherein the test connection is enabled by a test connection adjustment 10 of the sensor element 110.

[0058] FIG. 2 schematically shows the connection between the control unit 200 and the sensor element 110 in further detail. It is thus discernable that the control unit 200 may comprise an evaluation device 210, such as a microcontroller. The latter must be connected electrically to the sensor element 110 (exclusively) at a first end 115 of the sensor element 110 for the detection as well as for the functional test. A further opposite end 116 can be configured in a non-connected or floating manner (as a free end 116). For the connection, as the case may be, a control unit line 220 extends from the control unit 200 to a plug 230. In order to create the connection to the plug 230, the test connection adaptation 10 can be provided on the sensor element 110. Furthermore, a part of the test connection adaptation 10 can be configured as an evaluation connection adaptation 20, which provides an electrically-conductive connection between the evaluation device 210 and the sensor element 110 for the detection of the user action.

[0059] FIG. 3 schematically clarifies this structure. A cross-section of the sensor element 110 is shown here, which comprises an inner conductor element 111 (as a core 111), an outer conductor element 112 (as a shield 112), as well as a first insulation element 121 arranged therebetween. Optionally, a second insulation element 122, in particular as a protective jacket or jacket 122 of the sensor element 110 can be arranged on an outermost periphery of the sensor element 110. The at least one insulation element 120 serves to improve the sensor properties of the sensor element 110. In particular, the first insulation element 121 serves to shield the inner conductor element 111 from the outer conductor element 112.

[0060] It is advantageous here if the sensor device 100 is formed as a capacitive distance sensor 100 and the sensor element 110 forms a sensor electrode, for example. In particular, the outer conductor element 112, preferably exclusively the outer conductor element 112 forms an active sensor surface of the sensor device 100. The (first) insulation element 121 is formed as a cylindric support body of an electrically non-conducting material, and preferably comprises a round cross-sectional surface and particularly preferably is formed of a solid material. It can be provided that the outer conductor element 112 encloses the (first) insulation element 121 in the type of a jacket, and/or consists of a solid material. It is of further advantage, that the first insulation element 121 is formed completely separate and/or at a distance from the second insulation element 122.

[0061] It is of particular advantage here, if the inner conductor element 111 is surrounded by the insulation element 120 not only in the circumferential direction, but is insulated from all sides, or is at least non-connected on all sides, as the case may be. For example, the only electric connection of the sensor element 110 to a vehicle electronics, such as the evaluation device 210, can be provided by the illustrated electric conductors, i.e. the first conductor 15 and the second conductor 16. In this case, conductors 15, 16 concern the respective current paths, that is, can also be produced from multiple conductor means (such as wires or strands). The test connection adaptation 10 can for example comprise the illustrated connection points 12, which form two points of an electric circuit, in particular current path, through the outer conductor element 112. A connection to the evaluation device 210 can be established via the plug 230, in order to close this electric circuit. In particular, this electric circuit is closed in the functional test, such that a current can flow through the first conductor 15 via the outer conductor element 112 and then through the second conductor 16. This allows a reliable determination as to whether the connection at the connection points 12 is provided as required in terms of proper functioning. In the region of the plug 230, the connection to the evaluation device 210 can be established via connection means, preferably crimp connectors 11. To that end, at least one wire and/or at least one strand of the outer conductor 112 is connected to the crimp connector 11 in a form-fit and/or force-fit manner. This allows a simple and reliable mounting.

[0062] The above description of the embodiments describes the present invention exclusively by way of examples. Individual features of the embodiments, as long as technically reasonable, can be freely combined with one another without departing from the scope of the present invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0063] 1 Vehicle [0064] 2 Tailgate [0065] 3 Sill [0066] 4 Bumper [0067] 5 Door handle [0068] 9 User [0069] 10 Test connection adaptation, connection adaptation, crimp [0070] 11 Connection means, Crimp connector [0071] 12 Connection point [0072] 15 First conductor [0073] 16 Second conductor [0074] 20 Evaluation connection adaptation [0075] 100 Sensor device [0076] 110 Sensor element [0077] 111 Inner conductor element, core [0078] 112 Outer conductor element, shield [0079] 115 First end [0080] 116 Second end [0081] 120 Insulation element [0082] 121 First insulation element [0083] 122 Second insulation element, protective jacket [0084] 200 Control unit [0085] 210 Evaluation device [0086] 220 Control unit line [0087] 230 Connection interface, plug [0088] 300 System