Device for operating electrical or electromechanical entry or access systems on or in a vehicle

The invention relates to a device for operating electrical or electromechanical devices (10) in a vehicle, whereby a sensor (40) is used, operating on proximity or contact. According to the invention, the device can distinguish whether operation of the sensor (40) is actually carried out by a human hand, or by erroneous objects, whereby, in an initial adjustment phase, the device records at least one set of data for each signal and stores the same in a memory, which occur at at least some defined timepoints during the signal time course of the corresponding sensor (40). A set of operationally-typical valid data and/or a set of error-typical invalid data is thus obtained. During the subsequent operational phase for the device, an actual data set of analogue signals for the corresponding sensor (40) is recorded during the time course at the same defined timepoints as for the adjustment phase. Said actual data set is compared by a controller with at least one of the stored data sets. Operation of the device (10) is thus only permitted by the controller (44), when the actual data set matches the valid data set and/or is not contained within the invalid data set.

The invention pertains to an arrangement of the type indicated in the introductory clause of claim1. The sensor of the arrangement responds to approach or to contact.

It is known from DE 196 17 038 C2 that a capacitive sensor, which responds only when an authorized person approaches it, can be provided in a closing device of a vehicle. In the case of this known arrangement, the authorized person carries an identification transmitter (ID transmitter), to which an identification receiver (ID receiver) in the vehicle is assigned. When the person's hand approaches the sensor, a change in the capacitance occurs, which is detected by the sensor. If the person in question is authorized, data communications begin between the ID transmitter and the ID receiver. The actual data received are compared with nominal data in a memory unit. If the comparison is successful, the actuation function of the closing device is switched to an active state even before the handle of the closing device is in fact actuated by the authorized person. The person who actuates the handle notices nothing of these communications or of this data comparison. The door or hatch is opened and closed without any delay.

So that no unnecessary, energy-consuming communication takes place, a sensor should not respond to the approach of, or to contact by, any object at all but rather only to the approach of, or to contact by, a human hand. It is undesirable for any random external influence such as rain, snow, ice, or leaves to result in the actuation of the device. To solve this problem, a closing device with a capacitive sensor known from DE 196 20 059 A1 also determines the speed at which the capacitance changes when an object approaches or makes contact. In this known arrangement, use is made of the circumstance that the change in capacitance per unit time is greater upon the approach of a human hand to the sensor than upon the approach of foreign objects. When the change in capacitance per unit time is measured, the actuation function of the closing device is switched to an active state only if the change in capacitance over time exceeds a certain limit value. This method cannot be used in all cases, however.

A keyless actuation device for motor vehicles which provides two or more sensors to exclude the possibility that the operating function could be initiated mistakenly is known from WO 03/095776 A1. These sensors initiate one or more operating functions in the vehicle. Different operating functions are initiated as a function of the time pattern of the actuation of these multiple sensors. This excludes the possibility that operating functions could be initiated mistakenly when, for example, the user leans against the vehicle without paying attention and thus inadvertently initiates the start of the data acquisition process.

A process and an arrangement for evaluating contact is known from DE 42 22 990 A1, so that movable parts can be handled mechanically in a more effective manner, e.g., drives, merchandise transport devices, and counting devices for piece goods. Two surfaces of the moving parts are contacted, so that energy can be supplied to the moved part to generate mechanical vibration in it. This vibration is then scanned electronically or physically. Contact between the moved part and some other part has an effect on the amplitude and frequency of the vibration, which is evaluated. It is not stated that this process or a modification of it can be used to release arrangements in or on a vehicle. Encoded data are not transmitted.

The invention is based on the task of developing a reliable arrangement of the type indicated in the introductory clause of claim1which differentiates clearly between actuation of the sensor by a human hand and actuation by foreign objects, and which accordingly releases or does not release the actuation function of the device. This is achieved according to the invention by the measures cited in claim1, to which the following special meaning attaches.

The invention monitors the time change in the signals which are received when an object approaches or contacts a sensor. The invention has discovered that the signal curve generated by a human hand at the sensor differs considerably from the time change in all other signals generated by foreign objects such as leaves, rain, snow, etc., when they approach or contact the sensor. The inventive arrangement is able to learn. In an initial setup phase, the sensor is allowed to respond to various objects, so that the arrangement can record sets of signal data, which are obtained at defined points during the course of the signal. These data sets are then stored in memory. When the hands of various people approach or contact the sensor in various ways, several sets of data typical of actuation are acquired; in the following, these data sets are called “good data”. Alternatively or in addition, it is also possible to acquire and to store signal data obtained at the same defined points during the course of an analogous signal generated by the approach of foreign objects to the sensor. Such data sets typical of foreign objects are to be called “bad data”.

After this setup phase, the actual duty phase of the arrangement can begin. When the sensor responds now, the course of the actual signal being obtained is also recorded at the same defined points as during the setup phase. To determine whether the recorded values are to be assigned to a good data set or to a bad data set, the controller simply compares the actual data set received with at least one of the stored data sets. Depending on the result of the comparison, the controller either releases the actuation function or switches it to an inactive state. The intelligence of the inventive arrangement can be increased by storing a large number of such good and/or bad data sets. In actual use, the arrangement can then determine very accurately whether the right object, namely, the human hand, or a foreign object has caused the sensor to respond. On the basis of its intelligence, the arrangement can even tell what type of foreign object has activated the sensor.

It would also be possible to allow the setup phase of the arrangement to continue during the duty phase as well and thus to increase the intelligence of the inventive arrangement even more over the course of time. When the sensor responds but the device is not in fact actuated, the arrangement recognizes that the object in question is a foreign object. The arrangement can then file the data set in question as another example of “bad data” in its memory. As a result, the memory has grown and can distinguish even more accurately between good data and bad data as future events occur.

Because the data comparison takes a certain amount of time, it is recommended, according to claim12, that the device be released as soon as the actual data arrive but not in fact completely actuated. If, during the course of the further evaluation of the actual data, it is found that the data set in question is bad, the activation of the actuation function is cancelled, and further actuation is rendered impossible. In the opposite case, namely, if the data have been determined to be good, the actuation of the device can be completed immediately, because the actuation function of the device has already been switched to an active state. This offers the advantage that the device can react very soon after it has been actuated.

In the present case, we have an electromechanical device, designed as a closing device10, in of the inventive external door handle shown in the exemplary embodiment. The closing device10comprises a bracket11, which is mounted in the interior of a door12of a vehicle (not shown). Only the exterior panel13of the door12is shown in dash-dot line.

The closing device10also includes a handle20. One end21of the handle20is supported pivotably in the bracket11. The axis14of the pivot bearing is essentially vertical with respect to the door12, for which reason the handle20is a so-called a “pull-handle”. The other end22of the handle20has an extension with a hook at the end. The extension passes through an opening15in the exterior door panel13and in the bracket11. The hooked end of the extension grips a mechanical input element31on a lock30installed in the door12.

The lock30normally holds the door12in its closed position. The lock30can be in either one of two different operating positions, as desired, namely, a locked position and an unlocked position. When the handle20is pivoted in the direction of the arrow23inFIG. 1, the extension22carries the lock element31along with it in the direction of the arrow33inFIG. 1. When the lock30is in the unlocked position, this actuation23of the handle20is functionally effective. The lock30thus releases the door, and the door12can be opened. If, however, the lock30is in the locked position, the actuation23is not functionally effective; the lock element31is carried along in an “idling” manner, and the lock30thus does not release the door. In spite of the actuation23, the lock30remains locked in its closed position.

In an emergency, the lock30can be switched from one state to another mechanically, e.g., by the use of a lock cylinder. Although this is not shown in detail, another opening16in the bracket11and in the exterior door panel13can be seen, in which a lock cylinder of this type could be installed. The lock cylinder can be actuated by an emergency key. The front end of the lock cylinder, where the key can be inserted and removed, can be integrated into a cover piece17, which is attached to the bracket11and which is designed so that it is flush with the handle20. In the normal case, the lock30is switched between the unlocked position and the locked position by electrical means. For this purpose, the lock30has an electrical input32. A sensor40is the initiator of this electrical switching of the lock30.

The sensor40responds to approach or contact and, in the present case, is located in the interior24of the handle20. In the present case, the sensor40acts on the basis of capacitance and comprises at least one electrode41, which is located in the interior24of the handle. At least several electronic components42of the sensor, mounted on a circuit board (not shown), are also present there.

The electrode41cooperates with other components of the vehicle and/or the environment to build up an electrical field. When an object arrives in this electrical field, the capacitance between the electrode41and the vehicle or its environment changes. This is registered by the associated electrical components42of the sensor. Signals, illustrated by an arrow43inFIG. 1, are transmitted by the electrical components. These signals43are transmitted over electric lines18in the area of the handle20and over an extension of those lines in the form of an electric cable19in the door12and in the vehicle to a control unit25. This can be a central control unit25, which acts on the various locks30in the various doors and hatches of the vehicle by way of numerous electrical connections26. The electrical connection26is connected to the previously mentioned electrical input32of the lock30in question. Instead of an electrical connection26, the control unit25could also act mechanically on a second input element (not shown) of the lock30.

FIGS. 3-5explain in greater detail what happens when actuation occurs.FIG. 3shows the time change in voltage in the circuit of the components42as a human hand approaches the external door handle20according toFIGS. 1 and 2and actuates it briefly.

First, a change in voltage is seen, namely, a change to the voltage G1.1, at time t1. From this point on, the sensor records the voltages at defined time intervals t2to t16. These are the times at which the values G1.2to G1.16, indicated inFIG. 3, are obtained over the course of this subsequent period. The inventive arrangement has already recorded numerous other data sets during an initial setup phase and stored them in a memory unit, which represents one of the electrical components42in the handle20. When these data sets were recorded, the time change in the responding sensor was recorded at the same defined times t1to t16, these being the times at which the data sets are evaluated. A set G1of good data G1.1to G1.16typical of actuation was also obtained, which is the same as or at least very similar to the actual data shown inFIG. 3.

The electronic components42also comprise a controller (not shown), which compares the incoming actual data G1with the stored data sets and, in the case assumed here, establishes agreement between them. A signal43then arrives at the control unit25, which, if additional conditions are also satisfied, releases the lock30by way of the electrical connection26.

One such additional condition for releasing is derived from the circumstance that access to the vehicle is to be granted only to authorized persons, not to someone without such proper authorization. The authorized person carries an identification transmitter, referred to in the following in brief as an “ID transmitter”, for which a corresponding identification receiver, called in a similar manner the “ID receiver”, is provided in the vehicle. Normally, an ID transmitter of this type is passive. It works when the authorized person simply approaches the vehicle. There is no need for the person to perform any action on the ID transmitter or with the ID transmitter. It is also conceivable, however, that an active ID transmitter could be used, such as an electronic remote-control key, which, in order to become active, must be operated by a button. In both cases, one-way or two-way communication takes place with the ID receiver. If these communications are successful, the successful outcome is reported to the control unit25, which also receives the additional condition required for release. By way of the previously mentioned electrical or mechanical connection26, the control unit then switches the lock30to its previously mentioned unlocked position. Then when the handle20is now actually moved in the direction of the arrow23inFIG. 1, the lock30releases the door12.

As previously mentioned, the memory of the inventive sensor can contain not only the set G1of good data but also numerous other data sets, which are checked before the evaluation by the electronic components42results in the transmission of a release signal43to the control unit25. Sets of data B1and B2can also be included, the time curves of which are explained inFIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 4shows a curve B1, which is obtained when a surge of water falls on the handle20. This occurs when the vehicle is standing in heavy rain. Here, too, a first significant change in the recorded values occurs at time t1with value B1.1. From then on, the voltage values B1.2, etc, to B1.16are recorded at the additional times t2, t3, etc. The data of the B1data set have already been recorded in the previously mentioned initial setup phase and entered in the memory of the sensor. They are thus available during the later duty phase of the external door handle. When a heavy rain is falling during use, as indicated inFIG. 4, the data set B1is recorded at the defined times along the curve and compared by the controller with the previously stored additional data sets. If significant agreement is found with the previously stored “bad data” typical of foreign actuation, the control unit25will not release the lock30. If the lock was already in its locked position, the actuation23of the handle20remains ineffective, as previously described.

FIG. 5shows another set B2of “bad data”, which is obtained when sprays of water strike the handle. The bad data B2.1to B2.16are also recorded in the memory of the inventive external door handle and are available for evaluation by the controller during the later duty phase. If the controller finds complete or nearly complete agreement between the actual data and data set B2, no release occurs; the lock30remains in its locked position.

The inventive arrangement is applicable not only to a closing device but also to other electrical or electromechanical devices on vehicles. Another possibility, for example, involves a so-called start-stop switch for the vehicle's engine. A switch of this type comprises, again, a handle, which, when actuated, can be moved from a starting position to at least one other operating position when an authorized person actuates it intentionally. If the switch is actuated by an object which is not a human hand, the arrangement will detect this fact, and no release will occur. In spite of any possible actuation which might then still occur, the engine will not be switched from one to another of its various operating modes.

In addition to the capacitive sensor described above, it would also be possible to use other sensors known in and of themselves. One possibility would be to use an optical sensor. Another possibility would be to use sensors which can be actuated electromagnetically, e.g., sensors which act by way of radar.

It is important for the inventive arrangement to react as quickly as possible. For this purpose, it is recommended that the controller release the device for actuation as soon as the “begin” signal is received, but in fact actuation is not completed at this point. If, upon further evaluation, the controller arrives at a negative comparison, namely, that the actual data belong to a bad data set, the controller will then cancel the release. This is done so promptly that the actual actuation of the device will have no effect in this case either.

Normally, the various good data sets and/or bad data sets will have already been entered into memory by the manufacturer and are available to the buyer of the vehicle during the duty phase. It would also be possible, however, to give the arrangement the ability to learn. It is enough for this purpose to allow the setup phase to continue during the later use of the arrangement. The arrangement can identify whether current actual data being received are to be interpreted as bad data or as good data according to the following criterion.

If, namely, no concrete actuation of the device occurs after the actual data have been received, the arrangement can have this data set as bad data. Conversely, if actuation does occur after the actual data have been received, the arrangement can establish that the data are good. The arrangement can add these data to the memory and thus increase its ability to deal with future applications.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10device, closing device11bracket12door13exterior panel of1214pivot bearing of20on1115opening in11for2216opening in11for a lock cylinder17cover piece of1118electric line for43in2019electric cable for4320handle21first end of2022second end of2023arrow of the pivoting movement of20, actuation24interior of20, empty space25control unit26electrical connection30lock31mechanical input element of30, lock element32electrical input of3033arrow of the carry-along movement of3140sensor, capacitive sensor41electrode of4042electrical components of4043arrow of an electrical signal from42, release signal44release signal of25for32B1first set of bad data (FIG. 4)B1.1to B1.16data of B1B2second set of bad data (FIG. 5)B2.1-B2.16data of B2G1set of good data (FIG. 3)G1.1-G1.16data of G1t1time of first occurrence of a significant signalchange in G1, B1, or B2t2-t16additional defined times of G1, B1, or B2