Abstract:
An arrangement of a sensor device with at least one sensor for a contactless activation of at least one moving part of a vehicle, especially a vehicle hatch, the sensor being arranged on at least one support element on the vehicle, in order to permit a detection of an object in at least one detection range adjacent to the vehicle, so that activation of the hatch can be activated via the detection, where the sensor is arranged in shape-mated and/or force-fit fashion on support element.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The invention is directed toward an arrangement of a sensor device with at least one sensor for contactless activation of at least one moving part of a vehicle, especially a vehicle hatch, the sensor being arranged on at least one support element on the vehicle, in order to permit detection of an object in at least a detection area adjacent to the vehicle, so that operation of the trunk lid can be activated via the detection. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Sensor devices that sense the presence, and especially movement of a person, in order to recognize the person&#39;s desire to open the moving part of the vehicle, are known for contactless activation of movable parts of the vehicle. The moving part of the vehicle can concern a hatch, and especially a trunk lid of the vehicle, movable window elements also being known, for example, a rear window movable in a trunk lid, which can then be advantageously opened or closed by a generic sensor device, if manual operation of the trunk lid is not possible or hampered. The moving part is referred to subsequently as a hatch for simplification. 
         [0003]    The object detected by the sensor device can be a person, who is approaching the vehicle with the intention of opening the trunk. Activation of the trunk lid then describes both an opening process, for example, when the person would like to insert an object with both hands into the trunk, or activation of the trunk lid concerns a closure process of the trunk lid, when the person has removed an object from the trunk with both hands, in order to then close the trunk lid. 
         [0004]    The sensor device then includes at least one sensor arranged on the vehicle via a support element. The sensors for trunk lid activation are usually mounted inside the bumper, so that the support element is formed by the bumper itself. It is then known to glue or laminate the sensors on the inside surface of the bumper, the sensors being designed wire-like or film-like as capacitively acting electrodes. The wires or films of sensors formed by electrodes are then applied at least over part or preferably over the entire width of the bumper of the vehicle. Consequently, activation of the trunk lid of the vehicle is possible from different areas in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle trunk. The sensors are therefore a component of the rear bumper, which are glued to the inside of the bumper or fastened to the bumper with fastening devices. It is especially known to insert the sensors already in the plastic injection molding process to produce the bumper, in order to obtain a one-part component with the molded-on sensors. 
         [0005]    However, this produces the drawback that essential components of the vehicle, for example, the rear bumper, must be distinguished into components that have the sensor device or components that are designed without the sensor device. Consequently, a reduction in the variety of individual vehicle components is desirable. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The invention provides an arrangement of a sensor device that permits simplified arrangement of the sensor device in the vehicle. The invention also creates increased organizational flexibility for the arrangement of sensors for a sensor device in the vehicle. 
         [0007]    The invention further provides that the sensor is arranged shape-mated and/or force-fit on the support element. This achieves the advantage that a simplified arrangement of the sensor or sensors on the support element is made possible. A shape-mated and/or force-fit arrangement of the sensor on the support element then concerns any form of arrangement that is not based on a bonded joint between the sensor and the support element and does not require the use of additional fastening elements, like screws, rivets or the like. 
         [0008]    The present shape-mated arrangement of the sensor on the support element preferably involves a clip or snap connection that can be released again according to a further advantage. The support element can be arranged on the vehicle, in which the support element can also be a component of the vehicle. An arrangement “on” the vehicle then also includes an arrangement “in” the vehicle, for example, on the inside behind a rear bumper. 
         [0009]    Consequently, a support element can be provided in the vehicle that can be used as the base component for any vehicle and can satisfy a function of the vehicle both without a sensor device and with a sensor device, or at least can be present in the vehicle. According to another advantage, it can be decided in a very late state of assembly of the vehicle whether a sensor device is to be provided as an additional feature of the vehicle or not, since the sensor device can be alternately introduced to the vehicle or not, without having to make a decision concerning the use of additional components. 
         [0010]    According to an advantageous variant of the support element, it can be designed as a separately handled support module, so that the support module can be fastened as an essentially complete functional unit in and/or on the vehicle. A support module can then be based on a receptacle element, on which additional functional units, like at least one sensor, can be mounted. The support module can therefore only be mounted in a vehicle when a sensor arrangement for contactless activation of a hatch of the vehicle is also desired. If this feature is omitted on a vehicle, arrangement of the module as a complete functional unit in the vehicle can be omitted. 
         [0011]    On the other hand, the vehicle can have a bumper and/or structural component, in which the support element can be formed by the bumper or structural component itself. Consequently, the bumper and/or structural component can be made with the corresponding functional units of the sensor device, in order to then mount them or it on the vehicle. As a result, a separate support element is not necessary, if the support element is formed by a component that is present in or on the vehicle anyway. 
         [0012]    The sensors can preferably be designed as capacitively acting sensors, so that they have electrodes or form electrodes, on which a certain charge can be maintained by the electrical unit. If the capacitive coupling between the electrodes in the outer area of the vehicle changes, for example, by a person moving into the detection range of the sensors, the charge on the electrodes changes, which is measurable by the electrical unit. In particular, the electrical unit can have a reference charge, so that the mismatch between the reference charge, for example, in the form of a capacitor in the electrical unit, and the electrodes forms a measurable quantity of the presence of an object in the detection range of at least one sensor. In particular, an accumulation of charge in the reference capacitor can occur within the electrical unit, so that the summed charge can be converted by the electrical unit to an output signal, based on which the vehicle hatch is opened or closed. 
         [0013]    As a result, it is sufficient to accommodate the sensors within, on or through the support element unshielded in the vehicle, if the support element and bumper do not form metallic components that cause shielding of the sensors. Consequently, the support element is preferably made from a plastic material that is produced by a plastic injection molding process according to an additional advantage of the invention. The sensors are preferably arranged on the side of the support element facing in the direction toward the bumper of the vehicle, so that the sensors are inserted sandwich-like between the support element and the bumper of the vehicle. 
         [0014]    For shape-mated arrangement of the sensor on the support element, the support element can have at least one engagement element, via which the at least one sensor can be arranged in shape-mated fashion on the support element, in which preferably at least one engagement element is made in one part with the support element. In particular, one or more engagement elements can be designed in one part with the support element, which can be produced together with the support element in the plastic injection molding process. At least one engagement element can also be formed in one part with the support element, in which an additional engagement element can be designed as an individual part, in order to create a preferably releasable connection with the sensor on the support element. It is therefore particularly advantageous to provide a first engagement element, designed in one part with the support element, in which an additional engagement element can be provided, which is designed as an individual part and cooperates with the first engagement element of the support element, so that the sensor is arranged in shape-mated fashion on the support element. 
         [0015]    According to another advantageous variant, at least a first engagement element can be designed as a fastening tab, which extends especially L-shaped from an extension plane of the support element. The L-shaped fastening tab can have two arms, so that the fastening tab protrudes over one of the two arms in one part in the support element. A hook-like arrangement is then formed, in which the L-shape can also be curved or uniformly bent, so that the two arms grade one into the other in a uniform curvature, and a C-shaped or G-shaped arrangement is produced. 
         [0016]    According to a modification of the embodiment of the engagement elements, an additional engagement element can be designed as a hold-down, which protrudes from the extension plane of the support element and has a position relative to the fastening tab, so that the sensor can be arranged secure from loss between the fastening tab and the hold-down arm/support element. In particular, the hold-down can be mounted in one part on the side of the transmitting tab on the support element, so that the hold-down covers the opening side of the L-shaped fastening tab. If the hold-down is situated in an adjacent position to the fastening tab, the sensor can be mounted secure from loss between the fastening tab and the hold-down on the support element. 
         [0017]    For this purpose, the sensor can have an elongated, preferably tube-like extent, and preferably have a flexibility designed so that the sensor can be inserted by elastic deformation introduced between the fastening tab and the mounting supports that are preferably present in duplicate. If two hold-downs are arranged adjacent to the fastening tab oppositely in the extent direction, three engagement elements are produced, so that the two hold-downs are opposite a single fastening tab. If the flexible sensor is bent so that it can be inserted between the fastening tab and the two hold-downs, the flexible sensor relaxes again into an elongated straight shape. A shape-mated connection of the sensor between the hold-downs and the fastening tab is consequently created, so that loosening of the sensor from the engagement elements is not possible without elastic deformation of the sensor again. 
         [0018]    The support element can have a stretched shape in a width direction and be arranged in a vehicle, so that the width direction extends across the vehicle width. The support element can then preferably be integrated with parallel spacing to the bumper in the rear of the vehicle, in which a structural component can also be introduced in the rear area of the vehicle that serves to take up stronger mechanical effects on the vehicle, especially in the event of a crash. Consequently, the support element can be integrated between the structural component and the bumper of the vehicle, so that the sensors are shielded in the direction toward the outside of the vehicle only by the support element itself or at least the bumper. Since the support element and the bumper are preferably not made from a metallic material, no shielding is present between the sensors and the outer area of the vehicle, which could influence the detection range of the sensor. 
         [0019]    Preferably, the sensor, with its elongated extent in the width direction of the vehicle, can be arranged on it, so that the sensor extends over the vehicle width, preferably in the rear area of the vehicle. The sensor can have a flexible plastic or rubber material, in which an electrode in the form of a wire, a cable or a metallic ribbon material, is integrated. The sensor can also have at least one shielding, in order to create grounding opposite the detection range of the corresponding sensor, and in order to amplify the detection range or shield against an additional detection range of an adjacent sensor. The plastic or rubber element of the sensor is then shaped, so that at least the electrode and especially the shielding are integrated in the material of the sensor. 
         [0020]    According to another possible variant of the engagement element, it can be designed as a fastening dome, having a receptacle to accommodate the sensor. The fastening dome can also be designed for shape-mated arrangement of a clip that is designed as a mating element for the clamping arrangement of the sensor between the receptacle and the clip. The receiving cross section formed between the receptacle of the fastening dome and the clip can then correspond to the cross section of the sensor and especially the cross section of the plastic element, which represents the supporting, structure-forming part of the sensor. Several fastening domes can preferably be connected in one part with the support element, so that the fastening domes are also formed directly in the injection molding process to produce the support element. The fastening domes can then extend from the extension plane of the support element, in order to arrange the sensor at a certain spacing relative to the base structure of the support element. 
         [0021]    If the sensor is mounted on the fastening dome, this can initially be inserted into the receptacle or fastening dome, in order to then mount the clip. The clip can have a U-shaped configuration and have barbs on its free U-arms that are designed for snapping into snap openings on the fastening dome. 
         [0022]    The support element can have a first series of engagement elements running in its width direction and at least a second series of engagement elements running also in the width direction. The rows of engagement elements can preferably form an upper and lower row in the installed situation of the support element in the vehicle, in order to accommodate a first, upper sensor and a second, lower sensor. The two elongated sensors preferably run parallel to each other in their longitudinal extent, so that the engagement elements are preferably equally spaced relative to each other in at least one row on the support element. The sensor can therefore be mounted via several engagement elements on the support element, in which at least two engagement elements must be present, in order to create a defined arrangement of at least one sensor on the support element. In particular, the sensor can also consist of a rigid, non-flexible material, so that two engagement elements can be sufficient, in order to mount the sensor on the support element secure from loss and fixed in position. 
         [0023]    For reliable detection of an object and preferably a person and for reliable recognition of the opening desire relative to the vehicle hatch, it can be prescribed that the upper sensor has a first detection range that is essentially designed for horizontal recording in the region next to or behind the vehicle, and in which the lower sensor has a second detection range that is designed essentially for vertical recording in the region beneath the vehicle. A person, for example, can therefore approach the vehicle, which is initially recognized by the upper sensor. If the person executes a movement beneath the vehicle with the leg, or especially foot, a sensor message by the lower sensor is added to the sensor message of the upper sensor. This can already be recognized as an opening desire relative to the vehicle hatch, in which case a specific movement pattern can be impressed on the detection of movement of the extremities by the person and recording by the sensors, in order to avoid incorrect initiation or movement of the vehicle hatch. 
         [0024]    An ID transducer can also be provided for the operation of the sensor device according to the invention, which is effectively connected to the electrical unit or additional vehicle electronics, preferably by means of a wireless communication connection, and can communicate with it. Such ID transducers are also known as access authorization systems for a user of a vehicle and are frequently referred to as “Keyless-Go-Systems.” If the user of a vehicle has such an ID transducer, this is recognized by a transmitting-receiving unit within the vehicle. Authentication of the user of the vehicle occurs on this account, so that he can open the vehicle or operate the vehicle. Positive recognition of the ID transducer and authentication of the person connected with it can then be sent to the electrical unit. 
         [0025]    According to the invention, the control unit can be modified, so that activation of the trunk lid only occurs when the presence of an ID transducer is recognized by the electrical device and positively authenticated. For example, if the person with the ID transducer is not within the range of the vehicle, the capacitive sensors could detect the movement pattern of a person in the area of the rear bumper of the vehicle, but the control unit would not initiate opening or closing of the trunk lid. 
         [0026]    Only in the presence of the ID transducer and a positive authentication during detection of a movement pattern by the sensors does activation of the trunk lid occur. Recognition of the ID transducers by a query can then preferably only occur, if the approach of a person is detected by the upper sensor on the support element, so that only then is the lower sensor made active, in which case the query for authentication for the person can also occur before or after the detection of the person by one or both sensors. 
         [0027]    The initiation of the opening or closing of the trunk lid can also be made dependent on whether the vehicle is moving or stopped, in which case activation of the trunk lid is preferably only initiated when the vehicle is stopped and a speed of zero is recognized. 
         [0028]    The support element can also be designed to accommodate an electrical unit, and especially a control unit, in which the electrical unit can preferably be arranged on the support element via receptacles that act in shape-mated fashion. A mounting plane is then provided, on which the electrical unit is positioned flat. A snapping movement is then executed, since the receptacles extend at least partially over the mounting plane. A pocket-like mounting geometry is then produced and the electrical unit can be snapped into this mounting geometry. 
         [0029]    According to another possible embodiment for mounting the electrical unit on the support element, fastening devices can be provided, the fastening devices being preferably designed as screw elements. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0030]    Additional measures that improve the invention are provided below, together with description of a preferred practical example of the invention with reference to the figures. In the figures: 
           [0031]      FIG. 1  shows a practical example of an arrangement of a sensor device with a support element, on which several sensors can be arranged, 
           [0032]      FIG. 2  shows a first practical example of fastening devices in the configuration of a fastening tab and a hold-down, which is arranged on the support element, and via which a sensor can be arranged in shape-mated fashion on the support element, 
           [0033]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the arrangement of two sensors on a support element, 
           [0034]      FIG. 4  shows another view of the arrangement of a sensor on a support element with an additional variant of the engagement elements, 
           [0035]      FIG. 4   a  shows a first view of an engagement element, which is designed as a fastening dome, and in which a clip is snapped, 
           [0036]      FIG. 4   b  shows a fastening dome according to  FIG. 4   a  for an additional series of engagement elements for the arrangement of an additional sensor, 
           [0037]      FIG. 5  shows a view of a cross section through the support element with the arrangement of a first sensor for a first detection range and a second sensor for a second detection range, 
           [0038]      FIG. 6   a  shows a view of an electrical unit for the arrangement on the support element, 
           [0039]      FIG. 6   b  shows a view of a mounting plane and the assigned receptacles for the arrangement of an electrical unit on the support element, and 
           [0040]      FIG. 6   c  shows an arrangement of an electrical unit on a support element, fastening devices in the form of screw elements being provided for arrangement. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0041]      FIG. 1  shows a practical example of a support element  20 , as can preferably be arranged in the rear area in a vehicle. The support element  20  serves to accommodate at least one sensor  10 . In the view, a first sensor  10  is completely shown in an upper arrangement and a second sensor  10  in a lower arrangement indicated with a dash-dot line. As shown in the depiction, the support element  20  has an elongated extent, so that it can extend over the width of the vehicle and can be incorporated, for example, on the inside behind the bumper in the vehicle. 
         [0042]    For shape-mated mounting of the sensors  10  on support element  20 , engagement elements are used, which are designed according to the present practical example in the form of fastening tabs  21 , six fastening tabs  21  each for the upper sensor  10  and the lower sensor  10  being arranged in a corresponding row. Each fastening tab  21  is assigned to two hold-downs  22 , so that the sensor  10  can be accommodated by the fastening tips  21  and the hold-down  22  in shape-mated fashion on support element  20 . The shape-mated mounting of sensor  10  on support element  20  by the fastening tabs  21  and the assigned hold-downs  22  is further shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the mounting of a sensor  10  on the support element  20 . The support element  20  has an extent plane that runs roughly vertically. The sensor  10  also has an elongated, tube-like configuration and is accommodated on the support element  20  via a fastening tab  21  and two hold-downs  22 . Both the fastening tab  21  and the hold-downs  22  are designed in one part and of uniform material with the support element  20 . 
         [0044]    For the mounting of sensor  10 , it is prescribed that the sensor be elastically deformed by the installer by hand, the material of the sensor being preferably produced from a flexible substance. The hold-downs  22  are arranged adjacent to the fastening tab  21 , so that the fastening tab  21  is in an L-shaped configuration between the two hold-downs  22 . If the sensor  10  is now bent, so that the tube-like body of the sensor  10  can be threaded between the hold-downs  22  and the fastening tab  21 , after insertion of the sensor  10  between the fastening tab  21  and the hold-downs  22 , it can be relieved again. Consequently, the sensor  10 , by elastic rebound, recovers its original configuration and essentially extends in a straight direction. As a result, the sensor  10  is accommodated secure from loss in shape-mated fashion between the fastening tab  21  and the hold-downs  22  on support element  20 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of an arrangement of two sensors  10  on a support element  20 . A vehicle element  31  is also shown, which can represent a structural component in the rear area of the vehicle. A support element  20  can then be fastened by fastening devices (not further shown) directly to this structural component  31  of the vehicle. 
         [0046]    According to the depiction, a first sensor  10  is accommodated in an upper row of engagement elements, in which three fastening tabs  21  are shown with the corresponding hold-downs  22 . Like the first sensor  10  in the upper area, an additional sensor  10  is arranged in the lower area, which is also mounted via a number of fastening tabs  21  with corresponding hold-downs  22  on support element  20 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 4  shows another practical example of the shape-mated arrangement of sensors  10  on a support element  20 . According to this practical example, engagement elements are provided that are mounted in the form of fastening domes  23  on support element  20 . Clips  25  can then be inserted in the fastening domes, in order to create a shape-mated arrangement of the sensors  10  on the support elements  20 . The upper sensor  10  is objectively depicted, the lower sensor  10  merely being indicated by a dash-dot line. Both sensors are mounted on several fastening domes  23  on support element  20  and secured via clips  25  to the fastening domes  23 . The upper sensor  10  is situated in a groove on support element  20 , in which it is divided by a step  34  into an upper support area  20   a  and a lower support area  20   b . The groove then forms between the step  34  and the support area  20   a . The lower sensor  10  is then arranged on the bottom of the lower support area  20   b , so that spatial separation of the two sensors is produced. The fastening domes  23  extend roughly orthogonally from the plane of the support element  20 , in which an additional step  35  is present in the lower support area  20   b , so that the fastening domes  23  for the arrangement of the upper sensor  10  extend roughly horizontally and the lower fastening domes  23  in step  35  roughly vertically, when the support element  20  is mounted in the vehicle. As a result, a directed accommodation of the sensors  10  is produced, in which case a detection range is assigned to each of the sensors  10  and the detection range of the upper sensor  10  radiates roughly horizontally from the support element  20 , while the detection range of the lower sensor  10  radiates roughly vertically in the direction toward the ground, on which the vehicle is stopped or traveling. The arrangement of the sensors on the fastening domes  23  is more precisely shown in  FIG. 4   a  and  FIG. 4   b.    
         [0048]    Fastening domes  23 , each of which accommodates a sensor  10 , which is shown in section, are shown in  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b . For shape-mated arrangement of the clip  25  shown in  FIG. 4   a , the fastening domes  23  have snap-in openings  32 . The clips  25  then have barbs  25   a ,  25   b  and have a U-shaped configuration, in order to enclose the sensor  10  during snapping of the barbs  25   a  and  25   b  into the snap-in openings  32  of the fastening domes  32 , which is situated, consequently, between the clip  25  and a receptacle  24 , secure from loss on fastening dome  23 . For assembly, the sensor  10  can therefore be initially inserted into the receptacle  24  on the fastening dome  23 , in order to then snap the clip  25  via barbs  25   a  and  25   b  into the snap-in openings  32 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 5  shows a cross-sectional view through the support element  20 . An upper sensor  10  with a first detection range  26  and a lower sensor  10  with a second detection range  27  are accommodated in it, in which the sensors  10  point in the direction toward a bumper, which is situated on the right side of the support element, but not shown for simplification. According to the depiction, the sensors  10  have a specific contour, which essentially corresponds to a semicircular cross section. Roughly in the middle of the cross section of sensor  10 , a sensor electrode  36  and on the back a shield  37  can be present, the sensor electrode  36  and the shield  37  being cast in a base element that forms a flexible configuration of sensor  10 . By the specific arrangement of the shield  37  on the back behind the sensor electrode  36 , a directed detection range  26  and  27  is produced, which act separately from each other on the support element  20  and are directed to the right and downward through the bumper (not shown). Consequently, the approach of a person to the vehicle can be detected by the detection range  26 , in which movement of a body part through the detection range  27  is only recognized when the person, for example, moves his foot beneath the vehicle, in order to enter detection range  27 . The sensors  10  are introduced in the corresponding engagement geometry in support element  20 . 
         [0050]      FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  show the arrangement of an electrical unit  28  on support element  20 . For this purpose, the support element  20  has a mounting plane  33 , against which the electrical unit  28  can be positioned flat. Mounting devices  29  extend over the mounting plane  33 . If the electrical unit  28  is initially placed flat against the mounting plane  33 , in order to then move the electrical unit  28  downward in a stipulated direction in the plane of the figure, during which the electrical unit  28  slides on the mounting plane  33 , the mounting devices  29  can partially enclose the electrical unit  28 , so that a shape-mated arrangement of the electrical unit  28  on support element  20  is made possible. A snap-in tab  38  can snap into a snap-in opening  39  after complete displacement of the electrical unit  28  on the mounting plane  33 , so that, on the one hand, the mounting devices  29  enclose the electrical unit  28  and, on the other hand, sliding out of the electrical unit  28  from engagement upward in the plane of the figure is prevented by the mounting devices  29 , since the snap-in tab  38  is snapped into the snap-in opening  39 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 6   c  shows another possibility for an arrangement of the electrical unit  28  on the support element  20  via fastening devices  30 , designed as screw elements  30 . The electrical unit  28  is arranged between two sensors  10 , each of which has an electrical connection  40  to electrical unit  28 . According to another variant, the sensors can also have a common plug connection element for electrical connection to the electrical unit, so that a multi-pole plug-in element, for example, a 6-pole plug element, can be used. Another electrical connection  41  connects the electrical unit  28  to another electrical component of the vehicle. 
         [0052]    The invention is not restricted to the aforementioned preferred practical example. Instead a number of variants are conceivable that make use of the presented solution even with differently configured variants. All features apparent from the claims, description or drawings and/or advantages, including design details, spatial arrangements and process steps, can be essential to the invention both in themselves and in different combinations. In particular, it should be noted that the engagement elements can be designed in different ways and the different variations combined with each other. Consequently, both a combination of fastening tabs  21  and hold-downs  22  can be provided on a support element  20 , which can also be shaped with fastening domes  23  to accommodate sensors  10 , or especially to accommodate only one sensor  10  on a support element  20 . The support element  20  can also be designed as a bumper on the vehicle, so that the corresponding engagement elements for arrangement of the sensors inside the bumper can be present and can have an identical configuration, as shown on the separate support element  20 .