DE102015002350B4 - Anti-pinch device for a motorized vehicle door or vehicle flap that can be pivoted about an articulated axis and the associated vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Anti-pinch device (25) for a motor-driven vehicle door (2) or vehicle flap that can be pivoted about a joint axis (11), - with a sensor unit (26) which is set up to detect a detection space (30) which has a joint on the joint side between a closing edge (3 ) the vehicle door (2) or vehicle flap and a joint gap (20) formed in relation to it and a fixed vehicle frame (15) and / or a spatial area in front of the joint gap (20), to monitor for the presence of an object, as well as with a signaling technology with the Sensor unit (26) coupled control unit (28), which is designed to slow down, stop or reverse a closing movement of the vehicle door (2) or the vehicle flap when an object is detected in the detection space (30), the sensor unit (26) being used for Monitoring the detection area (30) comprises a proximity sensor (27), and wherein the proximity sensor (27) is located exactly or approximately centrally or near the joint axis on an outside of the vehicle door (2) or the vehicle lid or in or on an outside rear-view mirror ( 40) of the vehicle (1) is arranged.

Description

The invention relates to an anti-pinch device for a motor-driven vehicle door or vehicle flap, which can be moved in a pivoting movement between an open position and a closed position. The invention further relates to a vehicle which comprises a motorized pivotable vehicle door or vehicle flap and an anti-pinch device associated therewith.

Modern (motor) vehicles are often equipped with motor-adjustable vehicle parts, which are assigned an anti-pinch device (hereinafter also referred to as “anti-pinch protection”) for safety reasons. The anti-pinch protection serves to stop or reverse the adjustment process in a situation in which an object, in particular a body part, is in the travel path between the adjustable vehicle part and a vehicle part that is stationary in relation to it, with the risk of being trapped. Typically, such anti-trap protection is used for automatically operable vehicle doors, such as side doors or tailgates.

Out of DE 20 2012 102 047 U1 a system for the motor-driven adjustment of a motor-adjustable tailgate of a vehicle is known. The system includes an anti-pinch device which, at least when the closing element is adjusted in the closing direction, evaluates a measured variable in order to determine a pinching situation in which an obstacle is trapped between the vehicle structure and the closing element to be closed based on whether the measured variable exceeds or falls below a predetermined threshold value .

The system also includes at least one obstacle detector, by means of which it can be detected, regardless of a pinching situation, whether there is a potential obstacle in the area surrounding the vehicle. When a potential obstacle is detected by the obstacle detector, an electronic control unit changes the threshold value intended for determining a pinch situation in such a way that the anti-trap device of the system is switched to be more sensitive.

In DE 10 2007 030 085 B4 An automatic revolving door system is described with at least one revolving leaf pivotably mounted on a stationary frame. A drive device is used to motor open and/or close the revolving door leaf. Using a sensor device, body parts and/or objects can be detected in the area of a vertical secondary closing edge of the revolving door leaf. When detecting body parts and/or objects in the area of the vertical secondary closing edge of the revolving door leaf, the sensor device emits an output signal to a control device of the drive device, whereupon the control device can carry out a safety reaction. The sensor device has at least one sensor, which is arranged on a movable holder, which projects into the area of the secondary closing edge when the revolving door leaf is open and can be retracted into a profile of the revolving door leaf or the frame when the revolving door leaf is closed. The output signal of the sensor device is variable depending on the opening angle of the revolving door leaf.

Out of DE 20 2009 017 325 U1 a clamp protection for doors is known, which has an elastically designed shaped element to be attached to a lock side of the door. The shaped element is attached in such a way that when the door is closed or slammed, injury to a person's fingers or hand in the event of being trapped can be avoided by cushioning on the elastic shaped element.

The invention is based on the object of providing an anti-pinch protection for a motorized pivotable vehicle door or vehicle flap that is improved in terms of personal safety.

This object is achieved according to the invention with regard to an anti-pinch device by the features of claim 1. With regard to a vehicle that includes the anti-pinch device, the object is solved independently according to the invention by the features of claim 3. Advantageous and partly inventive Embodiments and further developments of the invention are set out in the subclaims and the following description.

The anti-pinch device according to the invention is intended for a (vehicle) door or (vehicle) flap of a vehicle that can be pivoted by a motor about a joint axis. In the context of the invention, the term “door” or “flap” refers to a pivotable vehicle part that can be adjusted between an open position and a closed position by means of a folding or pivoting movement about the joint axis. A joint gap (also referred to as a “hinge gap”) is typically formed on the side of the door or flap that faces the hinge axis, i.e. on the side on which the door or flap is mounted on a fixed frame of the vehicle. The joint gap is therefore on the joint/hinge side or on the suspension side between a closing edge of the door or flap and an opposite closing edge of a fixed one Door frame (“door cutout”) is formed. In a motor vehicle, the door frame is usually an integral part of the vehicle body. The width of the joint gap generally decreases steadily during a closing movement of the door or flap.

If an object, in particular a body part of a vehicle user (for example a finger), gets into the joint space during the closing process, there is a risk that the object will be trapped between the closing edge of the vehicle door and the closing edge of the door frame. In this case, the inertia of the vehicle door and the leverage of the door leaf threaten a vehicle user with serious injuries, since the clamping force of the door or flap in the area of the joint gap is particularly high due to the unfavorable leverage conditions.

This risk of injury is effectively eliminated by the anti-pinch device set up according to the invention to monitor the joint gap and/or an upstream spatial area.

The anti-pinch device according to the invention comprises a sensor unit and a control unit coupled to the sensor unit for signaling purposes. The sensor unit is set up to monitor a detection space for the presence of an object, the detection space according to the invention comprising the joint gap or a spatial area in front of the joint gap. The control unit is set up to slow down, stop or reverse a closing movement of the door or flap when an object is detected in the detection space.

The anti-pinch device according to the invention is particularly active when the door or flap is automatically closed. When the door or flap is stationary or when it is opened, the occurrence of a trapping event is usually ruled out per se, so that in these cases the trapping protection is preferably not active due to a lack of need. However, with certain geometries of the door or flap and the surrounding door frame, it can happen that the width of the door gap reaches a maximum over the course of the travel and, in contrast, is reduced even when the door is fully open. In this case, there is also a certain risk of trapping when opening the door or flap, which is why in this case the anti-trapping device is preferably also active when opening the door or flap.

The sensor unit comprises a proximity sensor, i.e. a sensor that detects an object that may be located in the joint gap or the spatial area in front of it without contact and at a certain distance. The advantage of using the proximity sensor is that an impending trapping event can be detected and prevented before it actually occurs. In a preferred embodiment, the proximity sensor is designed as an optical sensor (e.g. by scanning the detection space using infrared radiation, laser light or by capturing and evaluating images using a camera) or as a capacitive proximity sensor. Alternatively, the proximity sensor is designed as a radar or ultrasonic sensor.

In order to monitor the joint gap or the area in front of the joint gap in a non-contact manner for the presence of an object, the proximity sensor is expediently mounted in the vicinity of the joint gap on the vehicle or the door or flap. In a first variant of the invention, the sensor is arranged exactly or approximately centrally on (i.e. in the center of the surface) of the associated door or flap. Alternatively, the sensor is arranged near the hinge axis (i.e. between the center of the surface of the door or flap and the hinge axis) on the outside of the door or flap. If the door is a front side door of the vehicle, in a second variant of the invention the sensor is attached to a side (outside) rear-view mirror of the vehicle.

In an embodiment of the invention that provides a particularly high level of personal protection, the sensor unit is set up, on the one hand, to monitor the joint gap or the area of space in front of the joint gap for the presence of an object in the sense of anti-trap protection during a closing movement of the door or the flap, and, on the other hand, in the sense of a Collision protection to monitor an upstream positioning area of the door or flap for the presence of an object when the door or flap opens. The space through which the door or flap passes when the adjustment movement opens is therefore referred to as the upstream adjustment area. The proximity sensor is in particular set up to switch between different detection spaces (in particular oppositely aligned) depending on the direction of movement of the door or flap, and thus between collision protection on the one hand and anti-trap protection on the other.

With regard to rational implementation, it is in particular provided that the anti-pinch device provided for monitoring the joint gap accesses a proximity sensor, which is used as part of a collision protection device Direction for the door or flap is already available.

The anti-pinch device is preferably used for a side door of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle. However, within the scope of the invention, it is also possible for the anti-pinch device to be used for a tailgate or hood or a folding top of the vehicle. Optionally, the anti-pinch device according to the invention is also used to monitor the joint gap in vehicle flaps in the vehicle interior (e.g. glove compartment lids or trunk covers).

• 1 in einer Seitenansicht ein Kraftfahrzeug mit vier Seitentüren, die jeweils motorisch in einer Schwenkbewegung zwischen einer Schließstellung und einer Offenstellung verfahrbar sind, wobei jeder der Seitentüren eine Einklemmschutz-Vorrichtung zugeordnet ist,
• 2 in einer grob schematischen Draufsicht das Fahrzeug gemäß 1, wobei für eine der Seitentüren die Einklemmschutz-Vorrichtung gezeigt ist,
• 3 das Fahrzeug gemäß 1, wobei zwei unterschiedliche Erfassungsräume eines einer der vorderen Seitentüren zugeordneten Näherungssensors der Einklemmschutz-Vorrichtung gezeigt sind,
• 4 das Fahrzeug gemäß 1, wobei zwei unterschiedliche Erfassungsräume eines einer der hinteren Seitentüren zugeordneten Näherungssensors der Einklemmschutz-Vorrichtung gezeigt sind, und
• 5 in einer Draufsicht das Fahrzeug gemäß 1, wobei ein Näherungssensor der Einklemmschutz-Vorrichtung an einem Außen-Rückspiegel des Fahrzeugs angeordnet ist.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing. Show in it:

• 1 in a side view a motor vehicle with four side doors, each of which can be moved by motor in a pivoting movement between a closed position and an open position, with each of the side doors being assigned an anti-pinch device,
• 2 in a roughly schematic top view of the vehicle 1 , with the anti-pinch device being shown for one of the side doors,
• 3 the vehicle accordingly 1 , wherein two different detection spaces of a proximity sensor of the anti-pinch device assigned to one of the front side doors are shown,
• 4 the vehicle accordingly 1 , wherein two different detection spaces of a proximity sensor of the anti-pinch device assigned to one of the rear side doors are shown, and
• 5 in a top view of the vehicle 1 , wherein a proximity sensor of the anti-pinch device is arranged on an outside rearview mirror of the vehicle.

Corresponding parts and sizes are always provided with the same reference numbers in all figures.

1 shows a (motor) vehicle 1, which is shown looking towards its long side on the passenger side. The vehicle 1 includes four (side) doors 2 for people to get in and out, namely two front side doors and two rear side doors. Each of the side doors 2 is pivotally mounted in a manner known per se with the aid of a hinge on an edge 3 (front in relation to the vehicle) relative to a fixed door frame, which is formed integrally with a vehicle body 4.

How 2 As can be seen, each of the side doors 2 is motorized between a closed position by means of a drive 10 (shown in 1 ) and can be moved to an open position. When changing between the open position and the closed position, each door 2 performs a rotational movement about a hinge axis 11 (indicated by the arrows 12 in 2 ). If the door 2 is in the open position, a joint gap 20 (also “shear gap” or “hinge gap”) is formed between the front, i.e. bearing-side (closing) edge 3 of the door 2 and a fixed frame 15 of the vehicle body 4 When the door 2 is closed, it is not present or is only present to a marginal extent. This joint gap 20 therefore poses a risk of injury if a person gets into the joint gap 20 with a part of their body during the closing process of the door 2. In order to avoid this risk of injury, each of the doors 2 is assigned an anti-pinch device 25.

As an example, only the anti-pinch device 25 for one of the front side doors (here the passenger door) is shown in more detail.

The anti-pinch device 25 includes a sensor unit 26, which in turn includes a proximity sensor 27 based on an optical detection principle. The anti-pinch device 25 further comprises a control unit 28, which is connected in terms of signals on the one hand to the proximity sensor 27 and on the other hand to the drive 3.

The proximity sensor 27 is mounted approximately in the middle on the outside of the side door 2. A first detection area 30 (indicated by dots) and a second detection area 31 (indicated by hatching) are assigned to the proximity sensor 27. The first detection area 30 is aligned in such a way that, starting from the installation point of the proximity sensor 27, it is positioned in front of the joint gap 20 on the outside of the vehicle in the manner of a protective shield that shields the joint gap 20. In the vertical direction, the detection area 30 extends over the entire height of the joint gap 20 (cf. 3 ).

The second detection area 31, on the other hand, is located on the outside of the vehicle in front of the door. According to 4 the detection area 31 shields a large part of the door 2.

The proximity sensor 27 outputs a sensor signal S to the control and evaluation unit 28, which contains information about whether an object is in the respective detection space 30, 31 or not. If an object is detected in the detection space 30 or 31 during an adjustment process, the control and evaluation unit gives 28 sends a control signal X to the drive 3 to slow down, stop or reverse the adjustment movement (ie to reverse the direction of movement).

In the exemplary embodiment, the control and evaluation unit 28 is set up to activate the first detection area 30 when the door is closed (i.e. when moving from the open position to the closed position) and the second detection area when the door is opened (movement from the closed position to the open position). 31 to activate. That is, during the closing process, the joint gap 20 is monitored for a risk of entrapment, while during the opening process, the door 2 is monitored for an impending collision with people or objects located outside the vehicle 1.

In 4 the first detection space 30 for the closing movement and the second detection space 31 for the opening movement are shown in a proximity sensor 27 which is used for one of the rear side doors 2, whereby the joint gap 20 formed on the rear side door 2 is monitored for a risk of entrapment . In a variant of the embodiment shown, the proximity sensor 27 is designed such that the detection space 30 in the area of the B-pillar of the vehicle 1 extends in the vertical direction up to or at least in the vicinity of the roof edge of the vehicle 1. The proximity sensor 27 therefore also monitors the continuation of the joint gap 20 in the area of the B-pillar for an impending pinching event. In addition, the proximity sensor 27 preferably also monitors the handle-side edge of the adjacent front door of the vehicle 1.

5 shows a top view of the vehicle 1, the proximity sensor 27 again for one of the front side doors 2 according to a second embodiment of the anti-pinch device 25. In this embodiment, the proximity sensor 27 is (each) attached to a side exterior mirror 40 of the vehicle 1.

In a further embodiment, not shown here, it is provided that the proximity sensor comprises a capacitive sensor electrode which is mounted along the joint gap 20 on the edge 3 or the frame 15.

The subject matter of the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above. Rather, further embodiments of the invention can be derived by the person skilled in the art from the above description. In particular, the described individual features of the invention and their design variants can also be combined with one another in other ways.

Reference symbol list

1

(motor) vehicle

2

(side) door

3

(closing) edge

4

Vehicle body

10

drive

11

Joint axis

12

Arrow

15

Frame

20

joint space

25

Anti-pinch device

26

Sensor unit

27

Proximity sensor

28

Control and evaluation unit

30

Detection area

31

Detection area

40

Exterior mirror

S

Sensor signal

X

Control signal

Claims (3)

Anti-pinch device (25) for a motorized vehicle door (2) or vehicle flap that can be pivoted about an articulated axis (11), - with a sensor unit (26) which is designed to detect a detection space (30) which has a joint gap (20) formed on the joint side between a closing edge (3) of the vehicle door (2) or vehicle flap and a vehicle frame (15) which is fixed in relation to it and/or or includes a spatial area in front of the joint space (20) to monitor for the presence of an object, and - with a control unit (28) coupled to the sensor unit (26) for signaling purposes, which is designed to slow down, stop or reverse a closing movement of the vehicle door (2) or the vehicle flap when an object is detected in the detection space (30). the sensor unit (26) for monitoring the detection area (30) comprises a proximity sensor (27), and wherein the proximity sensor (27) is located exactly or approximately centrally or near the joint axis on an outside of the vehicle door (2) or the vehicle lid or in or is arranged on an outside rearview mirror (40) of the vehicle (1). Anti-pinch device (25). Claim 1 , wherein the proximity sensor (27) is arranged on a closing edge (3) of the vehicle door (2) or vehicle lid flanking the joint gap (20) or on a closing edge of the vehicle body (4) flanking the joint gap (20). Vehicle (1), in particular a motor vehicle, with a motorized vehicle door (2) or vehicle flap that can be pivoted about an articulated axis (11), and with an anti-pinch device (25). Claim 1 or 2 which is used for the vehicle door (2) or vehicle flap.

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