DE10362057B4 - Method and device for safeguarding hazardous areas - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for securing critical areas with respect to the pinching of limbs, in particular in the case of motor-driven equipment in the automotive sector. The invention has for its object to provide a method and an apparatus, by which or by which in each case an endangerment by motor-driven components, in particular in movement gap areas, can be prevented in an advantageous manner. This object is achieved according to the invention by a method for detecting the presence or movement of an object in a danger zone defined by motor-driven components by means of a monitoring system in which field electrical properties are detected in at least one electrode device in a monitoring area from the hazardous area and an upstream zone exists, and which are evaluated by means of a test procedure, based on the evaluation results generated by the examination procedure, a vote of a maximum allowable engine torque or the power consumption of the motors of the motor-driven components.

Description

The The invention relates to a method and a device for securing in terms of pinching limbs critical areas.

Especially in motorized equipment in the automotive sector, such as For example, by means of a motor driven sunroof facilities, motorized seat adjustment and motorized actuated Automotive convertible top facilities the problem is that for the reliable movement of the frame a positioning operation to moving components, such as seat, Roof or canopy components, high actuating forces are required and in Frame of a setting event any movement gap areas changed with great forces, in particular be narrowed. The moving with considerable forces elements can prove to be relevant to injury, especially if during a Setting unintentionally limbs or objects in the range of motion reach. In this respect to remedy provided, conventional Emergency shutdown systems is partly the problem that this sensitive setting already then cause a shutdown, if in permissible Way, e.g. only due to weather conditions temporarily larger actuation forces required are. In less sensitive setting there is the problem that critical processes, such as the pinching of fingers is not sufficient reliable be recognized. The defined by the movable components Movement gap areas pose danger areas insofar.

Out DE 198 36 056 A1 is an arrangement for the detection of obstacles, in particular in the automatic closing of convertible coverts, motor vehicle windows or the like. This arrangement comprises a capacitive sensor device with a sensor surface made of an electrically conductive material and an electrically conductive sensor wire. The sensor surface and the sensor wire are connected to an evaluation circuit. There is no distinction between a hazard area and a zone upstream of it.

Out EP 1 154 110 A2 a detector device is known which comprises a ground electrode and a sensor electrode spaced therefrom. This arrangement makes it possible to detect pinching situations in connection with deformations of a resilient structure carrying the sensor electrode as well as approaches of non-metallic objects, in particular a hand, to the sensor electrode.

Out EP 0 648 628 B1 For example, a window seal is known which comprises an integrated electrode device, wherein the presence of a hand or another body part of a person can be detected on the basis of changes in an electric field surrounding the electrode device.

In DE 102 48 761 A1 (post-published) a sensor arrangement for the detection of pinching situations is described. In this sensor arrangement, a plurality of sheetlike flat electrodes are provided. An entrapment situation is recognized as such when two adjacent capacitive sensors provide significant signals for this pinch situation. Again, there is no explicit distinction between a zone immediately preceded by an immediate area of danger and this area of danger.

Of the Invention is based on the object, a method and an apparatus to create, by which or by which in each case in an advantageous manner Way of endangering by motor-driven components, in particular in movement gap areas, can be prevented.

These The object is achieved by a method according to claim 1.

advantageous Embodiments of this method are the subject of the subclaims 2 to 8th.

On Basis of the inventive concept will it be possible in particular, a movement gap area, and one, a movement gap area with regard to existing in this area, or in this area moving objects, in particular human Limbs too observe.

By System tuning makes it possible, in particular, for aging, or environmental, in particular to compensate for moisture-related influencing variables.

It is possible in an advantageous manner, for the evaluation of the determined field electrical properties intended test procedure to be such that the test procedure for different system states takes into account different test criteria.

In it is particularly advantageous in a further aspect of the Invention also possible the electrode means further for generating input signals for a Touch sensor system consulted.

The verification procedure can be tuned such that they are different for different system states Provides testing priorities. So it is possible for example, only when critical gaps or Drive motor recording achievements into certain electrode zones, occupational or motion tests perform.

The Tuning of the shutdown criteria is preferably such that upon detection of an object, or object movement in particular a hand in the surveillance area a driving force control with higher sensitivity and / or a reduction of the drive speed takes place.

at Recognition of an object, or object movement, in particular a hand or a finger in the surveillance area can in advantageously be issued an acoustic warning or a reversal of the drive movement are caused.

Regarding a device for hazard prevention in movement mechanisms such as in particular automatic vehicle concealment The object mentioned above is also achieved by a device according to claim 10th

advantageous Embodiments of this device are subject of the dependent claims 11 to 15th

Further advantageous details of the invention will become apparent from the following Description in connection with the drawing. It shows:

1 a schematic representation for explaining a first preferred circuit construction for a convertible top protection;

2 a second schematic representation for explaining a circuit construction for a convertible top protection;

3 a third schematic representation for explaining a circuit construction for a convertible top protection;

4 a fourth schematic representation for explaining a circuit construction for a convertible top protection;

5 a fifth schematic representation for explaining a circuit construction for a convertible top protection.

1 shows a circuit arrangement for a vehicle folding top. The folding top of a convertible motor vehicle folds and sinks, for example, at the push of a button automatically in a designated space in the vehicle. The required driving force of this device may be sufficient to cause serious harm to a human hand held therebetween, for example by pinching. The electrode device provided according to the invention in the region of the folding top, in particular of the potential gap zones, can be arranged in such a way that it does not impair the optics of the top.

According to the invention, an electrode device is provided which, for example, as a wire 101 can be executed. This wire 101 , which can be rigid or flexible depending on the design, serves as a capacitive transducer. By defining the course of the same, for example by shaping the same, the zone to be monitored can be precisely defined. An end of the wire 110 becomes an RC or LC oscillator 100 supplied and connected to a frequency-determining capacitor C1 ( 1 ). An approach to this wire 101 eg with one hand 99 causes a slight capacitive change tion and thus a frequency shift. A second, stable oscillator 102 generates a frequency equal to that of the first oscillator 100 corresponds when there is no approach to the wire. Both signal outputs become a mixer 104 with subsequent low pass 103 fed. At the output of a low-frequency signal NF can be tapped, which is the higher, the more the oscillator 100 by approach, for example a hand 99 , is detuned.

With a following in connection with 2 described circuit can be determined in one operation, in which direction and at what speed the hand 99 is moved near the wire.

To determine one or more switching points, such as for alarm, shutdown or reclosure, the with the circuit according to 1 produced NF one or more Tondecodern 105 . 106 . 107 are supplied, which switch at different frequencies f1, f2, f3. In this case, the higher the frequency f1, f2, f3, the closer the approach to the wire 101 ,

From the time difference between two switching points, the speed of the approach can be determined, while the order of the switching points gives information about the direction of movement. This can be used to control an R / S flip-flop 108 used when approaching for a shutdown, and when removing the hand 99 from the danger zone ensures reclosing. In the area in between can warn of an alarm signal. This results in a simple way a certain "sensitive intelligence" of the sensor.

In 3 a second circuit according to the invention is shown. In this embodiment, the approximated NF is converted to an analog voltage and applied to a multiple comparator, such as is used for LED metering displays. Optionally, a dot or bar display 1 ... 14, 1, 16 can be used, the approach or removal of a hand can now be visualized. Taps for controlling can be realized via optocouplers.

In 4 a third circuit variant is shown. In this further embodiment, a suitable microcontroller generates 116 the fixed oscillator frequency is Osz.2 (PWM, or by software), and the mixing frequency is called analog voltage using an ADC 111 digitized. Software can now set switching points and outputs.

In 5 a fourth circuit variant is shown. In this further embodiment of the variant 3 Reduced effort described by the low pass 117 applied signal via a Schmittrigger 118 as a rectangle on a pin of the microcontroller 116 is applied. This can be programmed as a frequency counter. Functions can be executed via comparison operations. This makes the system more flexible and can adapt to changing environmental conditions, as described below.

A DSP as a controller 116 can also take over the functions of the mixer and the low-pass filter in order to further reduce the circuit complexity.

Simple environment analysis

For example, before a canopy is opened, a zero balance can be made to eliminate a false alarm. This reduces the microcontroller 116 its software-generated or modifiable fixed-frequency, which simulates the Osz.2 until it matches that of the oscillator 100 matches, the mixing frequency is then zero. He goes through a simple loop, like this:

In order to can influences like changing humidity or metallic objects in the Proximity (e.g. Light towers) are compensated.

Complex environment analysis

There If the exemplary convertible roof folds when opening, is a change the wire capacity even without approach human limbs imaginable. This change can be recorded and saved. So a map could be added from the factory which is opening corresponds to the top in different environmental conditions. That would leave at each opening angle one achieve optimal detection. As a side effect could be the roof in the rain or automatically close thunderstorms.

applications

If Folding headlamps, electrically raised windows, wiper blades u.v.m., There are many opportunities, where to find fingers, hands, Arms or other body parts can pinch painfully. By the malleable sensor wire should Remedy be created. Instead of a wire can also be a conductive foil used is due to the larger area the capacitive change higher, what u.U. may be advantageous, for example, seat occupancy to detect. Hazardous Machine parts and industrial robots could also be secured become. The circuit is known capacitive sensors, as they are for example, in level sensors be used, think, since first only work selectively and no overshoot lines or determinable Can secure zones.

98

Sensor after 1

99

hand capacity

100

oscillator 1, e.g. 4093, smearing trigger, e.g. 300 kHz

101

wire

102

oscillator 2, e.g. 4093, smearing trigger, e.g. 300 kHz

103

lowpass

104

Mixer, e.g. 4077

R1

resistance

R2

resistance (R2 = R1)

C1

capacitor

C2

capacitor (C2 = C1)

105

tone decoder; Frequency f1

106

tone decoder; Frequency f2> f1

107

tone decoder; Frequency f3> f2

108

R / S Flip-flop

109

bar display

110

f / U converter

111

A / D converter

112

lowpass

116

microcontrollers (Oscillator 2, e.g., 300 kHz)

117

lowpass

119

Mixer, e.g. 4077

118

Schmitt trigger, e.g. 4093

1

Point- or bar graph

14

Point- or bar graph

15

Point- or bar graph

16

Point- or bar graph

Claims (14)

Procedure for recording presence or Movement of an object in a motor driven component defined hazard area by means of a monitoring system, at which by means of at least one electrode device field electrical Properties in a surveillance area to be detected, which is out of the danger area and a zone upstream of this, and which means a test procedure be evaluated, being based on the part of the exam procedure generated evaluation results a vote of a maximum permissible Motor torque or the power consumption of the motors of the motor driven components takes place. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that the field electrical properties in the hazardous area or the upstream zone on the basis of a capacity detection by the electrode device and the adjacent surrounding area defined field electric Systems are determined. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that ascertained changes in the field-electrical properties of the monitoring area are used as the basis for the assessment of whether movement of an object into and / or out of the surveillance area. Method according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the electrode device further is used to generate input signals for a touch sensor system. Method according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that before initiating a movement process, or in the context of the initiation of a movement process, a vote of the monitoring system he follows. Method according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the examination procedure is conditional capacitive changes the field electrical properties in the hazardous area and this considered upstream zone. Method according to Claim 6, characterized that the vote of the shutdown criteria is such that at Recognition of an object, or an object movement a motor Driving force control with higher sensitivity and / or a reduction of the motor drive speed he follows. Method according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that upon detection of an object, or an object movement, an audible warning is issued. Method according to at least one of claims 1 to 8 characterized in that the activation of the monitoring system dependent on of selected ones State parameters of the motor-driven components takes place. Device for detecting the presence or movement of an object in a hazardous area defined by motor-driven components, With: - at least an electrode device for detecting field electrical properties in the danger area, and an upstream zone, and - An evaluation circuit device for processing a test procedure, - in which based on the part of the examination procedure generated evaluation results a vote of a maximum permissible Motor torque or the power consumption of the motors of the motor-driven Components takes place. Apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the electrode device as a wire ( 101 ) is trained. Device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the evaluation circuit device is configured in such a way that as a field electric property in the surveillance area, the capacity thereof is detected. Device according to at least one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the evaluation circuit means is configured such that detected changes in the field electric Properties of the surveillance area be used as a basis for assessment whether a movement of a Object in the surveillance area into and / or out of this. Device according to at least one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the electrode device part a touch sensor system is.