WO2015193037A1 - Determination of a pivot position of a vehicle door - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (30) for determining a pivot position of a vehicle door (11) of a vehicle (40). The vehicle door (11) is pivotably mounted on a chassis component (10) of the vehicle (40). The device (30) comprises an elongated element (13) which is fixed at a first end (14) onto the chassis component (10). The device (30) further comprises a feedthrough (17) for the elongated element (13), which feedthrough is to be mounted on the vehicle door (11) in such a way that the elongated element (13) extends with a second end (18) through the feedthrough (17) such that a position of the elongated element (13) in the longitudinal direction (25) changes depending on the pivot position of the vehicle door (11). The elongated element (13) has varying characteristics in the longitudinal direction and the feedthrough (17) comprises a sensor device (33) which is able to detect position information of the elongated element (13) in the feedthrough (17) based on the varying characteristics of the elongated element (13).

Description

 description

Determining a pivot position of a vehicle door

The present invention relates to a device for determining a pivot position of a vehicle door of a vehicle as well as a vehicle with a corresponding one

Door positioning device.

Information regarding an opening angle or a direction of movement of a

Vehicle door of a vehicle, such as a passenger car or a

Truck, may be useful or necessary for various functions of the vehicle. For example, functions for improving comfort when entering / leaving as well as loading and unloading the vehicle may include information regarding the current one

Opening angle or the current direction of movement of a vehicle door need.

For example, such a function may include collision protection to prevent a vehicle door from hitting an obstacle when opened or closed.

In this connection, DE 4425799 B4 discloses a controller for a stepless door check. The door arrester comprises a first part hinged on a door arrangement part, namely a door retaining bar, and a second part attached to another door arranging part, namely a braking and / or locking device. The cooperating with the first part brake and / or locking device has a means of a drive between a release and a braking or a locking position reciprocable braking member. The drive can be controlled by means of a control circuit as a function of a movement state of the door. To detect the state of motion of the door, a pulse generator disk driven in rotation as a function of the angular movement of the door at comparatively high speed, and a sensor are provided.

DE 10 2008 042 183 A1 relates to a device for opening and closing an opening on the motor vehicle by means of a movable part. The part is adjusted by means of a motorized drive. Upon the application of an additional external actuating force on the part means are activated, which slow the part in its movement. As a position detection, the motor drive on a speed detection, by means of which the position of the part, for example, the opening angle and the speed of movement, can be determined. The known in the prior art means for determining the opening angle and the direction of movement of a vehicle door are relatively expensive and require additional installation space.

Object of the present invention is therefore to provide a cost-effective and space-saving device for detecting an opening angle and / or a direction of movement of a vehicle door.

This object is achieved according to the present invention by a device for determining a pivot position of a vehicle door of a vehicle according to claim 1 and a vehicle according to claim 8. The dependent claims define preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention.

According to the present invention, an apparatus for determining a

Pivoting position of a vehicle door of a vehicle provided. The vehicle door is pivotally mounted to a body component of the vehicle. In the context of the present invention, the term "pivoting position" both an absolute

Pivoting position, so an opening angle, as well as a relative pivot position, ie an enlargement or reduction of the opening angle and a direction of movement of the vehicle door understood. The body component may include, for example, an A pillar, a B pillar or a C pillar of the vehicle to which the vehicle door is pivotally mounted. The device comprises an elongate member and a passageway for the elongated member. A first end of the elongate member is to be attached to one of the vehicle door and the body component. The bushing is to be attached to the other of the vehicle door and the body component. In other words, either attach the first end of the elongate member to the vehicle door and attach the grommet to the body component, or attach the first end of the elongated member to the body component and attach the grommet to the vehicle door. The passageway for the elongate member is to be attached to the vehicle door or body component such that the elongated member extends through the passageway with a second end of the elongated member such that a longitudinal position of the elongate member relative to the passageway is dependent upon the pivot position of the vehicle door changes. In other words, at one

Pivoting movement of the vehicle door with respect to the body component, the elongated member moves in the longitudinal direction through the passage. For example, in a closing movement of the vehicle door, the elongated element continues through the passage be passed through and further pulled out in opening the vehicle door in the opposite direction from the implementation. The elongate member has longitudinally varying properties. The implementation includes a

A sensor device capable of detecting position information of the elongate member in the duct based on the varying characteristics of the elongated member. The position information may include, for example, an absolute position of the elongated element or a relative position, for example a movement information of the elongate element. For example, the elongated member and the bushing may be attached to the vehicle door and body component such that there is a mathematically monotonic relationship between the pivotal position of the vehicle door with respect to the body component and the position of the elongate member with respect to the bushing. Thus, based on the position information of the elongated member, the swing position of the vehicle door can be determined and used for realizing the above convenience function, for example. By detecting a substantially linear movement or position of the elongate member and determining therefrom the pivotal position of the vehicle door, elaborate transmissions that transmit rotations associated with pivoting the vehicle door can be avoided. Thereby, the pivot position of the vehicle door can be determined inexpensively.

According to one embodiment, the elongated element has varying magnetic properties in the longitudinal direction. The sensor device comprises a

A magnetic field sensor device capable of detecting the positional information of the elongate member in the duct based on a magnetic field which is influenced by the varying magnetic properties of the elongate member. The magnetic field sensor device may comprise, for example, a Hall effect sensor, a Hall effect switch or an inductive sensor. Position capture using

Magnetic fields are particularly reliable in harsh environmental conditions, as they may occur in the area between the vehicle door and the body component.

In a further embodiment, the device further comprises a

Processing device which is coupled to the magnetic field sensor device. The processing device comprises, for example, an electronic controller, for example a microprocessor controller. The magnetic field sensor device generates an output signal in dependence on the detected magnetic field and the processing device is capable of the pivot position of the vehicle door in response to the output signal of

To determine magnetic field sensor device. The processing device may, for example use the aforementioned monotone relationship between the positional information of the elongated member and the pivotal position of the vehicle door, to prevent the

To determine pivot position of the vehicle door, for example, as the opening angle and to provide a comfort function of the vehicle.

In a further embodiment, the magnetic field sensor device comprises two

Magnetic field sensors, which are arranged at different positions in the passage. A respective magnetic field sensor of the two magnetic field sensors is capable of detecting a respective magnetic field influenced by the varying magnetic properties of the elongated element and generating a respective output signal depending on the respective detected magnetic field. The processing device is coupled to the two magnetic field sensors and capable of a direction of movement of a pivoting movement of the vehicle door in response to the signals of the two

To determine magnetic field sensors. If, for example, the longitudinal direction

varying magnetic properties of the elongated element comprises a periodic change in the magnetic field strength, by means of the two magnetic field sensors and a

Phase relationship of the output signals of the magnetic field sensors, the direction of movement of the elongated element are determined in relation to the implementation. Thereby, the pivot position of the vehicle door can be reliably determined even with swivel direction changes.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the elongated element comprises a ferromagnetic material, which in the longitudinal direction a toothing, a plurality of bores, a plurality of embedded permanent magnets, a plurality of plastic introduced

Permanent magnets in a plastic encased or overmolded elongated member and / or an embossment, which for example, a thickness of the ferromagnetic material changes in the longitudinal direction has. The toothing, the plurality of bores, the plurality of permanent magnets or the embossing serve to generate the varying magnetic properties of the elongated element in the longitudinal direction. The teeth, the several

Holes or embossing can be realized relatively inexpensively on the elongated element. The plurality of embedded permanent magnets can contribute to a reliable detection of the position information of the elongate member.

In yet another embodiment, the elongate member comprises a plastic material on a surface of the elongated member. For example, the elongate element may be overmolded with the plastic material on one or more surfaces or completely encapsulated. This may help to improve the sliding properties of the elongated element in the bushing.

In particular, the device may comprise a door arrester which is to be mounted between the vehicle door and the body component. In this case, the elongated element may be, for example, a retaining strap of the door arrester and the implementation of a corresponding tether bushing of the door arrester. Such door retainers are usually installed at least at the entrance doors of the vehicle. By holding the tether of the

Door arrester is used simultaneously as the elongated member of the device for determining the pivot position of the vehicle door, the elongated member can be realized inexpensively and requires no additional installation space. The

 Magnetic field sensor device can be integrated into the tether bushing of the door arrester, so that no or only a relatively small additional space is required for the magnetic field sensor device. As a result, the device can be realized inexpensively and compactly. The tether bushing of the door arrester is usually arranged in the edge region in the interior of the vehicle door, so that the

Magnetic field sensor device in the door lock with the door open is not visible and

Environmental influences and mechanical stresses on the magnetic field sensor device are low. In addition, the door can be easily connected to the door

Magnetic field sensor device made to the electrical system. The commonly available

Tether of the door arrester is merely provided with a toothing, a plurality of holes, a plurality of permanent magnets or an embossing. A recording for the

Magnetic field sensor device can be carried out inexpensively in the area of the holding band leadthrough of the door arrester.

According to the present invention, there is further provided a vehicle including a body, a vehicle door, and a door position determining device for determining a pivotal position of the vehicle door. The door position determining apparatus includes the above-described apparatus or one of its embodiments, and therefore, the vehicle also includes the advantages described above.

According to one embodiment, the vehicle additionally comprises a display device and, alternatively or additionally, a lighting device. The display device or the lighting device are in dependence on the with the

Door position determining device certain pivot position of the vehicle door

driven. The display device may, for example, a current pivot position of Show vehicle door with respect to the vehicle. The display device may be provided, for example, in a dashboard of the vehicle and symbolically indicate the current opening angle of the door with respect to the body of the vehicle. The

Lighting device, for example, illuminate an area below the vehicle door. In this case, for example, different circular segments can be illuminated depending on the pivot position of the vehicle door. For example, as the opening angle of the door increases, an increasingly larger circle segment can be illuminated so that, for example, the area between the door and the body of the vehicle is completely illuminated when the door is opened.

The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 shows schematically a door arrester according to the prior art.

Fig. 2 shows schematically a door arrester according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 shows schematically a door arrester according to another embodiment of the present invention.

4 schematically shows a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 1 shows a sectional view of a door arrester 12, which between a

Body component 10, for example, an A-pillar of a vehicle, and a

Vehicle door 1 1 is arranged. The door arrester 12 comprises a holding strap 13, which is coupled at a first end 14 via an attachment point 15 with the A-pillar 10. The first end 14 may, for example, in the direction of the arrow 16 rotatable about the

Attachment point 15 to be attached to the A-pillar 10. The door lock 12 further comprises a passage 17 for the tether 13, through which the elongate element 13 extends with a second end 18. The implementation 17 may, for example, two

Guide jaws 17 include, as shown in Fig. 1. The circular cutout 19, which shows a point of contact between the upper guide jaw 17 and the tether 13, is shown enlarged in Fig. 1 on the right side. The guide jaws 17 may for example be made of a plastic material. The tether 13 may For example, comprise a tether core 20 of, for example, a metal material and a plastic extrusion 21. Furthermore, in Fig. 1 seals 22, 23 between the vehicle door and the A-pillar 14 and a fastening screw 24, which connects the attachment point 15 with the A-pillar 10.

When opening and closing the door 1 1, the door 1 1 is pivoted with respect to the A-pillar 10 and the tether 13 moves relative to the passage 17 in the direction of arrow 25. At the same time, the tether 13 is about the attachment point 15 in the direction pivoted by the arrow 16. The function of a door arrester for holding the vehicle door in, for example, an open position is known to the person skilled in the art and therefore will not be described in detail here.

2 shows a door arrester 30 with an integrated device for determining a pivot position of the vehicle door 1 1 with respect to the A-pillar 10. The door arrester 30 of FIG. 2 substantially corresponds in its structure to the door arrester 12 of FIG. 1. However, the holding band 13 has magnetic properties varying in its longitudinal direction and a magnetic field sensor device 33 is provided in the passage 17. The longitudinally varying magnetic properties of the retaining band 13 are achieved by a toothing 31 in the edge region of the retaining band 13, as shown in the enlarged detail view in the right part of Fig. 2. The ferromagnetic retaining band core 20 has a plurality of teeth, which are, however, substantially mechanically compensated by the plastic extrusion coating 21 in order to allow easy sliding of the retaining band 13 through the bushing 17. Due to the different amounts of ferromagnetic material in the area of the teeth and tooth gaps, the magnetic property varies in the longitudinal direction. In each of the two guide jaws 17, a corresponding magnetic field sensor device is provided and the serrations on the two longitudinal sides of the tether 13 are offset, so that due to a phase relationship of the signals from the two magnetic field sensor means a direction of movement of the tether 13 can be determined. each

Magnetic field sensor device comprises a permanent magnet 32 and a

Magnetic field sensor 33. The permanent magnet 32 generates a magnetic field, which in

Depending on whether a tooth or a tooth gap of the toothing 31 in the region of

Magnetic sensor is present in its strength is affected. The magnetic field sensor 33 detects the strength of the magnetic field or a magnetic field change and outputs a corresponding signal to a processing device, which determines the pivot position of the vehicle door 1 1 as a function of the output signals of the magnetic field sensors 33. Although not shown in Fig. 2, only one longitudinal side of the tether 13 may have a toothing. In a Guide jaw 17 is then a corresponding magnetic field sensor with

Bewegungsnchtungserkennung 33 may be provided.

FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of a door arrester 30 with an integrated device for determining a pivot position of the vehicle door 1 1. Permanent magnets 34 are provided on a longitudinal edge of the retainer belt 13, as shown in the enlarged detail in FIG. which for example in the tether core 20th

can be inserted or introduced into the plastic extrusion 21. In the

Guide jaw 17 is a magnetic field sensor with Bewegungsnchtungserkennung 33 is provided which detects the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 34. Because the

Permanent magnets 34 in the longitudinal direction of an alternating polarity have (N = Norpol, S = south pole), the magnetic field strength and the polarity, which are measured by the magnetic field sensor 33, when the tether 13 in the longitudinal direction (in the direction of arrow 25 of FIG. 1) moves. The magnetic field sensor 33 outputs a corresponding signal to a

Processing device, which depends on the output signals of the

Magnetic field sensor 33, the pivot position of the vehicle door 1 1 determined. Although not shown in FIG. 3, permanent magnets 34 may be provided on both longitudinal sides of the holding band 13, and a respective one may be provided in each of the two guiding jaws 17

Magnetic field sensor 33 may be provided, for example, a determination of a

Movement direction of the retaining strap 13 with respect to the implementation 17 to determine.

4 shows a vehicle 40 with a vehicle door 1 1, which is pivotally mounted on an A-pillar 10 of the vehicle 40. A door lock 30 is mounted between the A pillar 10 and the vehicle door 11. The door check 30 is, for example, the door lock 30 shown in FIGS. 2 or 3 in which a device for determining a swing position of the vehicle door 11 is integrated. The magnetic field sensor 33 or the plurality

Magnetic field sensors 33 of the door arrester 30 are coupled to a processing device 41 which is capable of depending on the signals from the

Magnetic field sensors 33 to determine the pivot position of the vehicle door 1 1. The

Processing device 41 is coupled, for example, to a display device 42 of vehicle 40, which is provided, for example, in a dashboard of vehicle 40. On the display device 42, for example, an image of the vehicle 40 can be displayed, for example in a view from above, which in particular shows a position of the vehicle door 1 1. By the pivotal position of the vehicle door 1 1 using the

Door arrester 30 can be determined with high accuracy can on the graphic Representation of the vehicle 10 on the display device 42 a relatively accurate representation of the current door position are displayed. Although not shown in FIG. 4, the remaining doors of the vehicle 40 may also be provided with corresponding door stops to determine pivot positions of the remaining doors and the tailgate and to graph them on the display 42. The vehicle 40 further comprises a lighting device 43, which is coupled to the processing device 41. The lighting device 43 is able to illuminate different sized circular segment surfaces 44 on the ground in the area in front of the door 1 1 of the vehicle 10. For example, the lighting device 43 may be configured to illuminate circle segments with differently sized circle segment angle 45, wherein the radius and the center point of the

Circular segments 44 remain essentially unchanged. The angle 45 may, for example, in dependence on the pivot position of the vehicle door 1 1, which of the

Processing device 41 has been determined so that, for example, always a circular segment is illuminated, which includes the area between the longitudinal side of the vehicle 40 and the opened vehicle door 1 1.

In summary, in the door lock 30, the retaining strap 13 laterally with the

Guide jaws 17 out. At the points of contact between guide jaw 17 and retaining strap 13, the movement of the retaining strap 13 at the opening of the vehicle door 1 1 can be assumed as a longitudinal movement 25 and determined by measurement. The material of the holding band 13 has ferromagnetic properties. For example, a material removal, for example, a toothing, holes or an embossment is introduced in the sides of the retaining band 13. Alternatively or additionally, permanent magnets can be embedded. In the lateral guide jaws 17 are magnetic field sensors with or without

Movement direction detection 13 for measuring the caused by the material removal or by the permanent magnet magnetic field changes installed in longitudinal movement. An optionally required magnetic field can be generated by a permanent magnet or electromagnet 32 in the guide jaws 17. A processing device 41 calculates, for example, an opening angle and a movement direction of the vehicle door 11 from the measured values of the magnetic field sensors 33. In other words, the opening angle and direction of movement of the vehicle door 1 1 are determined by the rotational movement of the vehicle door 1 1 is implemented by a door hinge from the door lock 30 in a defined point in the door lock, namely at the guide jaws 17, in a longitudinal movement of the ferromagnetic retaining strap 13 and there metrologically is detected with magnetic field sensors 33. The metrological detection of the longitudinal movement in the guide jaws 17, the type of material removal on the tether 13 (eg straight teeth, oblique teeth, holes, Imprinting). Furthermore, a type, a number and a position of the magnetic field sensors can be adapted to the ferromagnetic properties of the retaining band 13. For example, Hall effect sensors, Hall effect switches or inductive sensors can be used. Due to the integration of the device for determining the pivotal position of the vehicle door in the door arrester, the measuring point to the

Guide jaws 17 with the vehicle door 1 1 is not visible and environmental influences and mechanical stresses on the measuring point are relatively low. By already existing in the door wiring to the electrical system a simple connection to the electrical system is possible.

Although in the foregoing description, the pivotal position of the vehicle door 1 1 has been described in detail using varying magnetic properties of the tether 13, the present invention is not limited to varying magnetic

Properties limited. The holding strap 13 may, for example, in the longitudinal direction 25 have varying optical or electrical properties, which can be detected with corresponding sensor devices in the guide jaws 17, for example by means of optical sensors or capacitive sensors.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

Body component, A-pillar

 vehicle door

 A door stay

 tether

first end

 attachment point

 arrow

 Execution, guide jaws

second end

 enlarged

 Tether core

 Plastic material, encapsulation

poetry

 fixing screw

 arrow

 A door stay

 Perforation

 permanent magnet

 magnetic field sensor

 permanent magnets

 vehicle

 processing device

 display device

 lighting device

 illumination area

 angle

Claims

 claims Device for determining a pivoting position of a vehicle door of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle door (1 1) is pivotally mounted on a body component (10) of the vehicle Vehicle (40) is mounted, wherein the device (30) comprises: an elongated member (13), wherein a first end (14) of the elongate member (13) is to be secured to one of the vehicle door (1 1) and the body component (10), and a passage (17) for the elongated element (13), the passage (17) being mounted on the other of the vehicle door (11) and the body component (10) such that the elongate element (13) is connected to a second one End (18) through the passage (17) extends so that a position of the elongate member (13) in the longitudinal direction (25) with respect to the passage (17) in dependence on the Pivoting position of the vehicle door (1 1) changes, characterized in that said elongated member (13) has longitudinally varying properties and that said passage (17) comprises sensor means (33) arranged to position information of said elongate member (13) in said passage (17) on the basis to detect the varying properties of the elongated element (13). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the properties of the elongated element (13) which vary in the longitudinal direction (25) comprise magnetic properties varying in the longitudinal direction and in that the sensor device (33) has a Magnetic field sensor device which is configured to detect the position information of the elongate member (13) in the passage (17) on the basis of a magnetic field influenced by the varying magnetic properties of the elongate member (13). Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the device (30) further comprises a processing device (41) which is coupled to the magnetic field sensor means (33), wherein the magnetic field sensor means (33) generates an output signal in response to the detected magnetic field and wherein the Processing device (41) is configured, the pivot position of the vehicle door (1 1) in response to the output of the magnetic field sensor device (33). Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the Magnetic field sensor means (33) comprises two magnetic field sensors, which are arranged at different positions in the passage (17), wherein a respective magnetic field sensor (33) of the two magnetic field sensors for detecting a respective of the magnetic properties of the elongated member (13) influenced magnetic field is designed and a respective output signal in Dependent on the detected magnetic field generated, and wherein the Processing device (41) is configured, a direction of movement of a To determine pivotal movement of the vehicle door (1 1) in response to the signals of the two magnetic field sensors (33). Device according to one of claims 2-4, characterized in that the elongated element (13) comprises a ferromagnetic material, which in the longitudinal direction a toothing (31), several holes, several embedded permanent magnets (34), a plurality in a plastic envelope of the elongated element (13) introduced Permanent magnets (34) or an imprint for generating the varying magnetic properties in the longitudinal direction (25). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elongate element (13) comprises a plastic material (21) on a surface of the elongate element (13). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises a door arrester (30) which is to be mounted between the vehicle door (1 1) and the body component (10), wherein the elongated element (13) comprises a retaining strap of the door arrester (30 ) and wherein the passage (17) comprises a tether bushing of the door arrester (30). 8. A vehicle comprising:  a body (10),  a vehicle door (1 1), and  a door position determining device (30) for determining a pivot position of the vehicle door (1 1), characterized in that the door position determining device (30) comprises a device according to any one of claims 1-7. 9. Vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that the vehicle (40) further comprises:  a display device (42), and / or  a lighting device (43), which are controlled in response to the pivot position of the vehicle door (11) determined by the door position determining device (30).