WO2016005368A1

WO2016005368A1 - Sensor module for the contactless actuation of an adjustable vehicle part

Info

Publication number: WO2016005368A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/065441
Authority: WO
Inventors: Renee Dietzel
Original assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile Gmbh & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Hallstadt
Priority date: 2014-07-09
Filing date: 2015-07-07
Publication date: 2016-01-14
Also published as: DE102014010177A1; CN207449820U

Abstract

The invention relates to a sensor module (5) for the contactless actuation of an adjustable vehicle part (3), comprising a capacitive proximity sensor (6) having a number of electrical functional parts (20, 21, 22), and comprising a substantially planar module carrier (15) for attaching to a vehicle part (8). All functional parts (20, 21, 22) of the sensor module (5) are mounted on the surface of a common panel side of the module carrier (15), said panel side being referred to as the assembly side (32). The module carrier (15) is oriented for assembly on the vehicle part (8) in such a way that, when assembled as intended, the panel side (32) of the module carrier (15) provided with the functional parts (20, 21, 22) is facing towards the vehicle part (8). In this way, all functional parts (20, 21, 22) are arranged in a protected manner between the vehicle part (8) and the module carrier (15). The sensor module (5) is characterised in that it is relatively simple to produce and assemble, while maintaining a functionally-reliable operation.

Description

description

Sensor module for the contactless actuation of an adjustable vehicle part

The invention relates to a sensor module for the contactless actuation of an adjustable vehicle part. The invention further relates to a vehicle or a bumper comprising the sensor module.

Modern vehicles are now often equipped with sensors that allow a contactless adjustment of vehicle parts. For example, a vehicle user, the non-contact pressing (ie opening or closing) allows a vehicle door. Often, such a contactless operation for a tailgate of the vehicle is provided, whereby the vehicle user can cause an opening or closing of the tailgate by a corresponding leg movement without having to store a hand-held charge ("hands-free access") Non-contact tailgate switch is known for example from DE 10 2010 049 400 A1.

As sensors for detecting an actuation command capacitive proximity sensors are often used. Typically, such a capacitive proximity sensor comprises as electrical components (hereinafter also referred to as electrical functional parts), one or more sensor electrodes and an electronic unit which is connected in each case via corresponding leads to the sensor electrodes.

To ensure easy mounting of the sensor, the functional parts are often pre-mounted on a common carrier with which the sensor can be mounted as a whole on a vehicle part, such as the rear bumper. The constructional unit formed from the carrier and the functional parts preassembled thereon is referred to as a sensor module. In order to enable simple wiring on the vehicle, usually the functional parts, but at least the electronics unit, are arranged on the carrier such that they are still accessible even when the carrier is already mounted on the vehicle. However, since the carrier is typically mounted on a bumper of the vehicle, there is a risk that the functional parts during driving by damaged objects such as stones directly (rockfall) or indirectly by their deposition in the area of the carrier are damaged. Disadvantageously, this can lead to premature failure of the proximity sensor.

The invention has for its object to provide a sensor module for non-contact operation of an adjustable vehicle part, which is comparatively easy to manufacture and assemble, but still functionally reliable to operate.

This object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Advantageous and partly inventive in themselves embodiments and further developments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims and the description below.

The sensor module according to the invention comprises a proximity sensor, which in turn comprises a number of functional parts. As a functional parts of the proximity sensor includes at least one electronic unit, at least one sensor electrode and optionally at least one electrical lead, via which the respective associated sensor electrode, which is connected to the electronic unit.

In addition, the sensor module comprises a flat extended (module) carrier for non-destructively removable or permanent attachment to a vehicle part. In principle, the vehicle part may be the vehicle part to be adjusted itself. As a rule, however, the sensor module is fastened to another vehicle part. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the vehicle part to be adjusted is a tailgate of the vehicle. In this case, the sensor module is preferably for mounting on the rear bumper or on which this flanking cross member determined and set up.

The term "planar" is to be understood to mean that the carrier has opposite surface sides and only a small thickness compared to the edges of these surface sides, but this surface does not necessarily have to be flat and closed, in other words the carrier can be used within the scope of the invention be profiled and in particular also vaults, hollows, recesses, incisions, molded brackets and the like included.

According to the invention, all functional parts of the proximity sensor are superficially mounted on a common, also referred to as mounting side, surface side of the carrier. In this case, the carrier is arranged for mounting on the vehicle part, that in its intended mounting state, the equipped with the functional parts surface side of the carrier faces the vehicle part. All functional parts are thus arranged in the assembled state between the vehicle part and the carrier.

According to the invention, therefore, the carrier is mounted on a vehicle part such that its mounting side faces the vehicle part, so that all functional parts between the carrier and the vehicle part are arranged.

As a result of the attachment of the carrier to the vehicle according to the invention, all functional parts are advantageously largely shielded from the environment on the one hand by the vehicle part and on the other hand by the carrier. In particular, all functional parts are protected from dirt and objects swirled up during the journey, such as pebbles. As a result, damage to the functional parts are avoided, so that the sensor module, in particular its proximity sensor, is particularly durable and low-wear. The protection of the functional parts is advantageously carried out without a further component - such as a lid - must be mounted. As a result, both the construction and the assembly of the carrier according to the invention is particularly simple. Also a typically provided housing of the electronic unit can in Compared to conventional designs to be designed less expensive, since it is not exposed to the direct burden of falling rocks, etc.

Due to the planar structure of the carrier and the superficial attachment of the functional parts on the carrier on the other hand, however, all functional parts in the pre-assembly (not mounted on the vehicle carrier) particularly well accessible, so that also the production of the sensor module itself, so the assembly of the carrier the functional parts, advantageously designed particularly simple.

In a preferred embodiment, a bushing is introduced into the carrier, which serves to contact at least one of the functional parts electrically. In particular, the implementation is used to connect a wiring harness associated with the proximity sensor to the electronics unit, so that an energy and data transmission between the electronic unit and a higher-level control unit of the vehicle is ensured. Due to the implementation of the demarcation of the functional parts to the environment by means of the carrier in a simple manner, a mounting-friendly design is realized.

Additionally or alternatively, the carrier comprises at least one reversibly openable and closable flap as access to at least one of the functional parts. Such a flap is in particular realized in that a part of the carrier by means of a hinge, in particular film hinge, and an associated latch can be opened or folded and closed. Preferably, when the carrier is permanently (i.e., not nondestructively removable) mounted to the vehicle part, the flap advantageously allows replacement or repair of functional parts.

In terms of an extended protective function is provided to protect against splashing water and fine dirt that the carrier is provided at its intended adjacent to the vehicle part outer edge with a seal. If the carrier is provided with a passage or flap, they are preferably also protected their edges with sealants against penetrating spray and the like.

In an advantageous embodiment, at least one edge of the carrier protrudes toward the mounting side, so that the entire carrier as a whole has at least approximately an "L-shape", "U-shape" or trough or shell shape. As a result, the functional parts are also protected from the edge side.

In order to realize a proximity sensor which is as error-prone as possible, the functional parts preferably comprise an electronic unit, two sensor electrodes and their respective supply lines to the electronic unit. Each sensor electrode can optionally be formed by a circular conductor electrode, a flat conductor electrode or a coaxial cable, wherein combinations are also possible.

In a preferred embodiment of the sensor module, the electronics unit is accommodated in a depression, which is introduced into the carrier, while the sensor electrodes are mounted on the region surrounding the depression of the carrier. Thus, the electronic unit is located in a plane offset from the sensor electrodes. In this way, a routing of the leads is advantageously made possible, which allows compliance with a required for a trouble-free (or at least low-interference) operation minimum distance to each other or to the respective other sensor electrode.

The bumper for a vehicle according to the invention comprises a sensor module according to the above description, wherein the sensor module is attached to a designated intended for the vehicle bumper inner side, so that all functional parts between the bumper inner side and the carrier are arranged.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing. Show: Fig. 1 in a rough schematic representation of a vehicle with a sensor module according to the invention comprehensive device for non-contact operation of a tailgate of the vehicle

Fig. 2 in a single representation of the sensor module of FIG. 1, with

Looking towards a mounting side, and

Fig. 3 is a roughly schematic cross-section through a bumper of the vehicle according to Fig. 1, wherein the sensor module is mounted on the bumper.

Corresponding parts are always provided with the same reference numerals in all figures. Due to the schematic representation, the individual figures are not drawn to scale in particular.

Fig. 1 shows a motor vehicle 1, which is shown in the direction of his rear part. The (power) vehicle 1 comprises a device 2 for the non-contact actuation of its tailgate 3. The device 2 comprises a sensor module 5, which in turn comprises a capacitive proximity sensor 6. Furthermore, the device 2 comprises a control and evaluation unit 7.

The vehicle 1 comprises a rear-side bumper 8, to which the sensor module 5 (in its longitudinal extent in the transverse direction of the vehicle 1, or in the longitudinal direction of the bumper 8) is fastened.

An operating request detected by means of the proximity sensor 6 is output to the control and evaluation unit 7, whereupon the control and evaluation unit 7 actuates a damper drive 9 and / or a door lock 10 of the vehicle 1 to open or close the tailgate 3 in accordance with the control request ,

The sensor module 5 shown roughly schematically in FIG. 2 comprises a (module) carrier 15 and the proximity sensor 6. The proximity sensor 6 is formed by a number of electrical functional parts, specifically by two sensor electrodes 20, an electronic unit 21 and two supply lines 22, wherein each of the sensor electrodes 20 is connected via a feed line 22 to the electronic unit 21. Each supply line 22 in this case comprises two individual lines, namely a signal line and a parallel line for functional testing of the supply line 22. The two sensor electrodes 20 including the leads 22 and the electronics unit 21 are fixed to the carrier 15 and thus fixed in particular in a predetermined relative position to each other.

In the illustrated embodiment, both sensor electrodes 20 are each formed as cylindrical, flexible circular electrodes in the form of an insulated circular conductor. The round conductor can be a solid wire, a stranded conductor or the sheath conductor of a coaxial cable. The inner conductor usually provided in a coaxial cable may hereby optionally be omitted or replaced by a core of non-conductive material, in particular plastic.

The electronic unit 21 comprises an evaluation electronics (not explicitly shown) as an essential component, which preferably again comprises a microcontroller. The evaluation electronics are accommodated in a housing 25. To the housing 25 22 corresponding connector 27 are formed for contacting the supply modules. A further connector 28 is used to connect a vehicle-side control line 30 (Fig.1 or Fig.3), via which the electronic unit 21 communicates on the one hand with the control and evaluation unit 7, and on the other hand the electronic unit 21 required for the operation of electrical energy is supplied.

The carrier 15 is formed by a one-piece shell-like plastic part, which is manufactured in an injection molding process and / or thermoforming process. In plan view, the carrier 15 has an elongated extent, substantially a rectangular shape. The sensor electrodes 20, the supply modules 22 and the electronics unit 21 are fastened to a common surface side of the carrier 15, which is hereinafter referred to as its mounting side 32 or inside, based on the intended installation position of the sensor module 5 on the vehicle 1, while the opposite Surface side (Fig. 3) as the outside 33 of the carrier 15 is designated.

For attachment, the electronic unit 21 is glued in the embodiment shown here in a receptacle 35 on the carrier 15. But it can also be attached to the carrier 15 in other ways, for example by screwing, riveting or welding.

The sensor electrodes 20, as well as the supply modules 22 are each fixed by resilient (holding) brackets 36 to the carrier 15, wherein these brackets 36 are integrally formed from the material of the carrier 15. The sensor electrodes 20 and the associated supply line modules 22 are thus clipped or clamped to the carrier 15. The clamps 36 are designed such that the sensor electrodes 20 are connected to the associated supply modules 22 - e.g. for replacement - can be removed from the carrier 15 nondestructive.

The two sensor electrodes 20 are mounted parallel and at a distance from each other along a longitudinal edge of the carrier 15. The position of the sensor electrodes 20 defines a ground plane 40 (FIG. 3) of the carrier 15, which is formed by the imaginary mathematical surface in which the two sensor electrodes 20 (more precisely their axes) are located.

The electronic unit 21 is arranged at least approximately in the surface center of the carrier 15 between the two sensor electrodes 20. The electronic unit 21 is secured in the receptacle 35, which is formed by a trough-like depression in the carrier 15. Deviating from the approximately square in the schematic representation base of the receptacle 35, this can also be designed with a recess, in particular in the region of the connector 28. As is apparent from Fig. 3, the electronic unit 21 is through their position in the recess out of the ground plane 40 out (away from the mounting side 32). This offset can ensure that between the individual supply modules 22 and to the sensor electrodes 20 each a necessary for trouble-free signal transmission minimum distance can be maintained.

On the mounting side 32 of the carrier 15 also indicated here in the edge region fasteners 42 are provided which serve to mount the carrier 15 as intended on the vehicle 1, specifically on the bumper 8. For example, the fastening means 42 are designed as projections, which can be clipped into corresponding openings on the bumper. However, it is also possible that the fastening means 42 serve in another way for material, force and / or positive fastening of the carrier 15 to the vehicle 1. The fastening means 42 may therefore also be, for example, splices, screw connection points or other latching elements, which correspond in each case to corresponding counter-elements provided on the vehicle 1 or bumper 8. In particular, the position of the fastening means 42 is not necessarily fixed to the schematically drawn positions.

Fig. 3 shows a section III-III (Fig. 1) through the bumper 8 of the vehicle 1, wherein the carrier 15 is mounted on the bumper 8. In the illustration, the front of the vehicle 1 is left, while the rear side of the vehicle 1 is located on the right. As can be seen from the illustration, the mounting side 32 of the carrier 15 faces the bumper 8 or its interior facing the vehicle 1 (bumper) inner side 45. As a result, the mounting side 32 of the carrier 15 is closed by the bumper 8, so that the carrier 15 and provided for mounting portion of the bumper 8 for the proximity sensor 6 act as a kind of protective housing. In this case, the carrier 15 is mounted in an oblique position such that the sensor electrodes 20 are aligned parallel to one another in the transverse direction of the vehicle 1, wherein they are offset with respect to the height and in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1. It can also be seen from the representation that the control line 30 is connected to the electronics unit 21 through a bushing 50. The bushing 50 is for this purpose in the region of the connector 28 in a side wall 51 of the receptacle 35 introduced. For wiring the sensor module 5 to the vehicle-side control and evaluation unit 7, a connector plug of the control line 30 is connected through the passage 50 to the connector 28 in the assembled state of the sensor module 5. The supply lines 22, in particular their position, are indicated by dashed lines for simplicity of illustration.

For replacement or repair of the electronic unit 21 or the sensor electrodes 20, the carrier 15 is designed hinged. For this purpose, the carrier 15 is made in two parts, with a first part in the Western forms a narrow, closed frame 52, while a second part forms a flap 53 (see also Fig. 2). In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the flap 53 comprises almost the entire surface of the carrier 15, so that the sensor electrodes 20 are also in the fold-out region. However, it is also conceivable that only a smaller part of the carrier 15, for example, the receptacle 35 is designed as a flap. The flap 53 is connected to the frame 52 by means of a film hinge 54 at a longitudinal edge of the flap 53. At a longitudinal edge opposite the film hinge 54, latching elements 55 are provided with the aid of which the flap 53 can be latched to the frame 52. The flap 53 is optionally provided at the transition to the frame 52 with a circumferential seal.

The outer edge 60 of the carrier 15 may be provided in the boundary region between the carrier 15 and the bumper 8 with a circumferential seal.

In a further (not shown) embodiment of the invention, the sensor module 5 or the carrier 15 is mounted analogously to the illustrated embodiment on a cross member of the vehicle 1, so that the functional parts of the proximity sensor 6 are arranged protected in this case between the carrier 15 and cross member , The object of the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Rather, other embodiments of the invention may be derived by those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. In particular, the described individual features of the invention and their design variants can be combined with each other in other ways.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 (power) vehicle

2 device

3 tailgate

5 sensor module

6 proximity sensor

7 control and evaluation unit

8 bumpers

9 damper drive

10 door lock

15 (module) carrier

20 sensor electrode

21 electronics unit

22 supply line

25 housing

27 connectors

28 connectors

30 control line

32 mounting side

33 outside

35 recording

36 (holding) brackets

40 ground level

42 fasteners

45 (bumper) inner side

50 implementation

51 sidewall

52 frames

53 flap

54 Film hinge

55 locking elements

60 outer edge

Claims

claims

1 . Sensor module (5) for the contactless actuation of an adjustable vehicle part (3),

with a number of electrical functional parts (20, 21, 22), namely at least one sensor electrode (20) and an electronics unit (21) electrically connected thereto, comprising a capacitive proximity sensor (6), as well as with a module carrier (15) which is expansively mounted for mounting on a vehicle part (8),

wherein all functional parts (20, 21, 22) of the proximity sensor (6) on a common mounting side (32) of the module carrier (15) are superficially mounted, and

wherein the module carrier (15) is arranged for mounting on the vehicle part (8) such that in its intended mounting state the assembly side (32) of the module carrier (15) equipped with the functional parts (20, 21, 22) faces the vehicle part (8) is, so that all functional parts (20, 21, 22) between the vehicle part (8) and the module carrier (15) are arranged.

2. Sensor module (5) according to claim 1,

wherein in the module carrier (15) has a passage (50) for electrically contacting at least one of the functional parts (21) is introduced.

3. sensor module (5) according to claim 1 or 2,

wherein the module carrier (15) comprises a reversibly openable and closable flap (53) as access to at least one of the functional parts (20, 21, 22).

4. Sensor module (5) according to one of claims 1 to 3,

wherein the module carrier (15) at its intended to the vehicle part (8) adjacent outer edge (60) is provided with a seal.

5. Sensor module (5) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the module carrier (15) for mounting on a bumper (8) or a cross member of a vehicle (1) is arranged.

6. sensor module (5) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the functional parts for the or each sensor electrode (20) each having an associated supply line (22) via which the sensor electrode (20) to the electronic unit (21) is connected.

7. Sensor module (5) according to claim 6, wherein the electronic unit (21) in a receptacle (35) is arranged, which is formed as a recess in the module carrier (15), while the sensor electrodes (20) on a receiving (35 ) are arranged surrounding area of the module carrier (15).

8. vehicle (1), in particular motor vehicle, with a sensor module (5) according to one of claims 1 to 7, which is mounted on a vehicle part (8), wherein the module carrier (15) is mounted on the vehicle part (8), in that all functional parts (20, 21, 22) are arranged between the vehicle part (8) and the module carrier (15) in order to protect them against environmental influences.

9. vehicle (1) according to claim 8,

wherein the vehicle part (8) is a bumper or a cross member.

10. Vehicle (1) according to claim 8 or 9,

wherein the module carrier (15) is removably or permanently attached to the vehicle part (8). A bumper (8) for a vehicle (1), comprising a sensor module (5) according to one of claims 1 to 7,

wherein the sensor module (5) is attached to a designated inside the vehicle (1) facing the bumper inner side (45), so that all functional parts (20, 21, 22) between the bumper inner side (45) and the module carrier (15) are arranged.