EP1741865A2 - Sensor system for an anti-entrapment device - Google Patents

Abstract

The system has a sensor (1) e.g. piezoelectric sensor, arranged to detect an object crushed between an active vehicle part e.g. e.g. window pane (3) in a motor vehicle door, a body (2) or a door frame (21) of a vehicle or an additional vehicle part. The sensor is layer-shaped and applied on the active part, the body or the frame and/or the additional part. The sensor (1) is adjusted to a shape of the active part, the body or the frame and/or the additional part. Sensor borders are arranged to form-fit to the active vehicle part, the body or the frame and the additional part.

Description

The invention relates to a sensor system for an anti-trap device on a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

Known sensor systems for anti-jamming devices on vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, are designed as contact strips, ultrasonic barriers or infrared light barriers which cooperate as a safety device with the anti-pinch device, for example to detect an object trapped between a vehicle part, for example in the form of a closing window pane, and a body section. to prevent the closing of the window pane and thus to prevent damage to the object, the window pane or the window pane moving window regulator. In addition, tactile sensors, for example piezoelectric or pyroelectric sensors, are used as sensors for anti-pinch devices, which are designed as pressure sensors or heat sensors and react to pressure or heat applied.

The object of the present invention is to provide a sensor system for an anti-pinch device for monitoring a movement of a vehicle part provide that a jammed object safely detected and can be produced in a simple and cost-effective manner.

This object is achieved by a sensor system with the features of claim 1.

According to the invention, the sensor of a sensor system is configured in a layered manner, is applied to the moving vehicle part, the body section and / or the further vehicle part and adapted to the shape of the moving vehicle part, the body section and / or the further vehicle part.

The solution according to the invention thus provides a sensor system for an anti-trapping device for monitoring the movement of a vehicle part, in which the sensor is arranged in layers on the moving vehicle part itself, the body section of a motor vehicle or the other vehicle part and thereby adapted to the shape of its surroundings it is inconspicuous from the outside and can not be recognized as a separate component due to the layered and shape-adapted application from the outside. The sensor is connected to the moving vehicle part, the body portion or the other vehicle part that no special fasteners, such as screw or connectors, openings, recesses, indentations or the like, are required and the assembly cost for attaching the sensor is significantly reduced. In this way, a sensor is provided, which can extend by the manner of its application in areas of the vehicle, in which the mounting of a sensor has been difficult or even impossible.

Preferably, the sensor is generated by a layered deposition on the moving vehicle part, the body portion of a motor vehicle or the other vehicle part. By means of the deposition and using suitable materials, thin layers can be created which at least partly cover the moving vehicle part, the body section or the further vehicle part and, due to the type of layered application of the shape of the surface of the moving vehicle part, the body section or the other Adapt vehicle part and are firmly connected to the body portion or the vehicle part.

The sensor can be arranged both on the moving vehicle part, the body section or the other vehicle part. The other vehicle part can be in another Function attached to the vehicle and also serve as a carrier for the sensor. For example, the sensor may be deposited on a sealing element forming the further vehicle part or on a lining element which is assigned to the body. By applying to such a vehicle part, the handling of large body parts for the production of the sensor can be omitted, and the necessary process for applying the sensor process is facilitated. Serving as a carrier vehicle part can be fixed together with the arranged on the vehicle part sensor to the body and, depending on the type and use of the vehicle part glued to the body, plugged, screwed or otherwise connected to the vehicle.

The sensor system is preferably designed so that it already detects the approach of an object to the moving vehicle part, the body portion or the other vehicle part, so as to avoid a possible pinching of the object early. For this purpose, the sensor may have, for example, on the moving vehicle part, the body portion or the further part of the vehicle layered antennas, which are part of a sensor system and detect an approaching object.

In one variant of the sensor, the sensor detects a pressure force exerted on the body section or one of the vehicle parts, which pressure force can be caused by an object clamped between the moved vehicle part and the body section or the further vehicle part. For this purpose, the sensor of the sensor system is preferably designed as a piezoelectric sensor, which is applied in layers to the moving vehicle part, the body section or the further vehicle part and partially covered. The piezoelectric sensor detects a compressive force exerted by an object on the sensor, converts it into an electrical signal that can be passed on and evaluated, and thus indicates the object.

The piezoelectric sensor preferably has a piezoelectric layer and the piezoelectric layer at least partially overlapping electrodes, which can be generated by the deposition of suitable piezoelectric materials on the moving vehicle part, the body portion or the other vehicle part. Upon exertion of a compressive force perpendicular to the surface of the layer, a voltage directed perpendicularly to the surface, which can be tapped off by electrodes below and above the layer, and which induces a charge displacement and thus an electrical signal, arises over the piezoelectric layer. The piezoelectric Sensor is formed by thin layers generated by the deposition, is thus almost invisible from the outside and does not disturb the visual design of the vehicle. So there are no separate measures for attaching the sensor on the vehicle or on the vehicle body necessary and the design and layout of the body does not need to be changed.

When using a sensor system with a piezoelectric sensor, the piezoelectric layer of the sensor is at least partially covered with electrodes made of a conductive material. Since usually the body consists of a metal and thus of a conductive material, it is conceivable to use the body portion as one of the electrodes of the sensor and to apply the piezoelectric layer directly to the conductive body. Similarly, even if the sensor is mounted on a vehicle part, the vehicle part, if it is conductive, can serve as an electrode for the sensor. Advantage of this variant of the sensor system is that supply lines for the sensor can be partially eliminated. It is also conceivable to electrically isolate the sensor by means of an insulating layer of the body portion or the vehicle part and to provide the piezoelectric layer on both sides with electrodes in a further variant, so that none of the electrodes is forced to the ground potential of the body or the vehicle part.

In addition, the leads required to contact the sensor can also be made by applying suitable conductive materials to the body portion or the vehicle part to avoid cables and to simplify the assembly and mounting of the sensor and the anti-trap device.

It is conceivable that the electronic control circuit required for the sensor is likewise produced directly on the moving vehicle part, the body section or the further vehicle part by depositing suitable materials together with the piezoelectric sensor. As a result, an additional simplification of the structure of the sensor can be achieved, short line lengths can be created between the piezoelectric sensor and the drive circuit, and disturbing influences can thus be minimized.

The sensor of the sensor system can be arranged on or under a lacquer layer or under components, such as a seal. By means of a coating layer covering the sensor, it is possible to ensure that the sensor is color-matched to the environment in order to make the piezoelectric sensor invisible from the outside.

In addition, components, such as a seal, the sensor can be arranged wholly or partially overlapping on the body, without the piezoelectric sensor, the positioning of the components difficult or affected or the components must be adapted to the piezoelectric sensor in their design.

On the one hand, the sensor of the sensor system can cover a body section over a large area in order to detect a possible risk of pinching in a large area by means of a single sensor. On the other hand, however, a plurality of small-area sensors can also be arranged on the moving vehicle part, the body section or the further vehicle part, which are spatially offset and thus receive a spatially differentiated signal. By means of such a sensor arrangement, the position of the pressure and thus of possible pinching can be determined, and depending on the detected position, different measures can be taken. If the sensors are designed as piezoelectric sensors, the small area sensors have the additional advantage that the parasitic capacitance of a sensor, which is caused by the piezoelectric layer covered with electrodes, can be kept small.

In one variant, the sensor system is part of an anti-pinch device for a window pane forming the moving vehicle part in a motor vehicle door. The sensor may be arranged on a door frame of the motor vehicle door forming the body section or, in the case of a frameless door, on a stationary body section of the vehicle body surrounding the door opening. In this case, the sensor faces the closing window pane and is mounted in a region which receives the moving window pane, so that an object which is clamped between the window pane and the door frame or the body section on the vehicle body during the closing operation of the window pane is detected. It is also conceivable that the sensor is formed directly on the window pane, preferably in the region of the upper pane edge.

Figur 1

eine Seitenansicht einer Kraftfahrzeugtür mit einem großflächigen, am Türrahmen angebrachten Sensor für eine Einklemmschutzvorrichtung;

Figur 2

eine Seitenansicht einer Kraftfahrzeugtür mit mehreren am Türrahmen angebrachten Sensoren;

Figur 3

eine Schnittansicht quer zum Türrahmen mit einem auf den Türrahmen aufgebrachten piezoelektrischen Sensor und

Figur 4

eine Schnittansicht durch einen piezoelektrischen Sensor.

Based on the embodiments illustrated in the following figures, the idea underlying the invention will be explained in more detail and further. Show it:

FIG. 1

a side view of a motor vehicle door with a large, mounted on the door frame sensor for a anti-trap device;

FIG. 2

a side view of a motor vehicle door with a plurality of sensors attached to the door frame;

FIG. 3

a sectional view transverse to the door frame with a force applied to the door frame piezoelectric sensor and

FIG. 4

a sectional view through a piezoelectric sensor.

Fig. 1 shows a side view of a vehicle door 2 with a body portion forming a door frame 21 for receiving a moving vehicle part forming window pane 3, to which a sensor 1 is mounted, which partially covers the upper part of the door frame 21 on the side facing the window 3 , The sensor 1 is part of a sensor system of a pinch protection device, which serves as a safety device when moving the window 3 and the closing closes when an object between the window 3 and door frame 21 is detected and there is a risk that the object is trapped. The sensor 1 is attached to the closing window 3 facing the door frame 21 and covers the door frame 21 in particular in the areas in which the pinching of an object is possible. If, when closing the window pane 3, an object is sandwiched between the window pane 3 and the door frame 21, then, when using a pressure-sensitive sensor, the object exerts pressure on the sensor 1, the sensor 1 generates a signal and conducts it to a drive circuit of the anti-trap device. The drive circuit evaluates this signal and prevents the closing of the window 3.

The sensor 1 is applied to the door frame 21 and is completely adapted to the shape of the door frame 21, may additionally be covered by a lacquer layer and is therefore not visible from the outside. The leads of the sensor 1 are attached to points not visible from the outside or can also be prepared by deposition of conductive material on the door frame 21.

Fig. 2 shows a side view of the body forming the vehicle door 2 with a plurality of sensors 1 a - 1 j, which are arranged spatially offset on the door frame 21 and each cover a relatively small portion of the door frame 21. The sensors 1a-1j are connected via supply lines to the drive circuit of the anti-pinch device, which evaluates the signals of the individual sensors 1a-1j and initiates suitable measures as a function of the signals. For example, it is conceivable that the drive circuit sooner or later inhibits or slows down the closing operation as a function of the position of the signal-generating sensor 1a-1j. A Arrangement according to FIG. 3 is connected with a higher integration effort and a more complex drive circuit, but can be produced by successive deposition steps of suitable materials and the automated application of the sensors 1a-1j together with their supply lines to relatively simple, minimizing the assembly effort.

3 shows a cross-section through a door frame 21 forming the body with a sensor 1 mounted on the door frame 21. The sensor 1 is arranged in the form of a thin layer on the door frame 21 and is partially covered by a component in the form of a seal 4 for sealing the window pane 3 is covered in the closed position. The sensor 1 is firmly connected to the door frame 21 and conforms to its contour and can thus be produced on complex shaped, curved body areas. If an object is clamped between the window pane 3 and the door frame 21, pressure is applied to the sensor 1 at a point or in an area of the door frame 21 when using a pressure-sensitive sensor, a signal is generated by the sensor 1 and the closing process is interrupted. The anti-trap device can be designed so that even an object that touches the sensor 1 only slightly or just approaches the sensor, the closing operation of the window glass 3 interrupts so as to react early on the risk of possible pinching. In addition to pressure-sensitive sensors, tactile sensors or distance-sensitive sensors, for example near-field radar systems can be used for this purpose, whose antennas are applied as patch antennas as shown in Fig. 3 conforming to the surface of the door frame.

Preferably, the sensor 1 is designed as a pressure-sensitive piezoelectric sensor. Fig. 4 shows a sectional view through a piezoelectric sensor 1, which has a piezoelectric layer 11 and two electrodes 12, 13 and is formed as a pressure sensor in the form of a pressure-sensitive layer. The piezoelectric sensor 1 is applied to the body 2 of a vehicle and separated from the body 2 by means of an insulating layer 14.

For the production of the piezoelectric sensor 1, known piezoceramic materials can be used which are applied to the body 2 in a layered manner by deposition. The piezoelectric layer 11 is covered on both sides at least partially with electrodes 12, 13. To apply the sensor, an electrode 13 facing the body is first produced on an insulating layer 14, the piezoelectric layer 11 is deposited on the electrode 13 and then deposited on the electrode piezoelectric layer 11, the second electrode 12 produced. Due to the layered production of the piezoelectric sensor 1 is adapted in its shape of the body 2, is firmly connected to the body 2 and covers the body 2 uniform.

Since usually the body 2 of the vehicle is made of metal, that is conductive, the lower electrode 13 may be formed by the body 2. The insulating layer 14 and the body-facing electrode 13 can then be omitted, and the piezoelectric layer 11 is directly on the body 2 and is connected thereto. In this case, the electrode formed by the body 2 is electrically at a ground potential.

In order to make the piezoelectric sensor 1 as inconspicuous as possible to the outside, it can be coated with a lacquer layer and thereby also color matched to the body 2, without the functionality of the sensor 1 is impaired.

When exerting a compressive force from the outside, that is from the side facing away from the body 2 on the layered piezoelectric sensor 1, a voltage is generated over the layer 11, which causes a charge shift and thus a signal to the piezoelectric layer 11 on both sides covering electrodes 12, 13 which is processed and evaluated by the drive circuit of the anti-trap device.

Other embodiments making use of the invention are conceivable. In addition to piezoelectric sensor systems distance-sensitive sensors such as near-field radar systems are conceivable, the antennas are deposited directly on the body or a vehicle part. In addition, anti-pinch systems are also conceivable for other vehicle parts, for example in the area of a vehicle door or the tailgate for monitoring the door closing movement. The idea of the invention can be applied to a large number of possible applications, in particular a motor vehicle, in which layers are applied to the body or vehicle parts, which are adapted to the surface contour of the vehicle.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Piezoelectric sensor

1a - 1y

Piezoelectric sensors

2

body

3

windowpane

4

poetry

11

Piezoelectric layer

12

electrode

13

electrode

14

Insulating layer

21

doorframe

Claims (20)

Sensor system of an anti-trap device for monitoring a movement of a vehicle part (3) with a sensor (1, 1a - 1j) for detecting an object clamped between the moving vehicle part (3), a body section (2, 21) or another vehicle part, wherein the sensor (1, 1a-1j) is layered, - On the moving vehicle part (3), the body portion (2, 21) of the vehicle and / or the further vehicle part (3) is applied and - The shape of the moving vehicle part (3), the body portion (2, 21) and / or the further vehicle part is adapted. Sensor system according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor (1, 1a-1j) to the moving vehicle part (3), the body portion (2, 21) of the vehicle and / or the other vehicle part is positively adjacent. Sensor system according to claim 2, characterized in that the sensor (1, 1a-1j) in its shape with the moving vehicle part (3), the body portion (2, 21) of the vehicle and / or the other vehicle part is identical. Sensor system according to claim 3, characterized in that the sensor (1, 1a-1j) by a layered deposition on the moving vehicle part (3), the body portion (2, 21) of the vehicle and / or the further vehicle part is formed. Sensor system according to claim 4, characterized in that the sensor (1, 1a-1j) is applied in layers to the further vehicle part forming a carrier means, wherein the further vehicle part is mounted in a different function on the vehicle body. Sensor system according to claim 5, characterized in that the carrier means is fixed together with the sensor applied to the carrier means (1, 1 a - 1 j) on the vehicle. Sensor system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (1, 1a - 1j) detects the approach of an object so as to detect a possible pinching of the object. Sensor system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (1, 1a - 1j) detects a touch on the moving vehicle part (3), the body portion (2, 21) or the further vehicle part touch, in particular a compressive force. Sensor system according to claim 8, characterized in that the sensor (1, 1a - 1j) a compressive force which is exerted by a between the moving vehicle part (3) and the body portion (2, 21) or the other vehicle part clamped object detected and converted into an electrical signal. Sensor system according to claim 9, characterized in that the sensor as a piezoelectric sensor (1, 1a - 1 j) is formed. Sensor system according to claim 10, characterized in that the sensor (1, 1a - 1j) has a piezoelectric layer (11) and at least one the piezoelectric layer (11) at least partially overlapping electrode (12, 13). Sensor system according to one of claims 10 to 11, characterized in that the body portion (2, 21) and / or one of the vehicle parts (3) represents a further electrode (12, 13) of the sensor (1, 1a - 1 j) and the piezoelectric layer (11) without an intermediate layer directly on the moving vehicle part (3), the body portion (2, 21) and / or the further vehicle part is applied. Sensor system according to one of claims 10 to 11, characterized in that the sensor (1, 1a - 1j) is applied to an insulating layer (14) comprising the moving vehicle part (3), the body portion (2, 21) and / or covers the other vehicle part and the sensor (1, 1a - 1j) galvanically separated from the moving vehicle part (3), the body portion (2, 21) and / or the other vehicle part. Sensor system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the leads of the sensor (1, 1a - 1j) by the deposition of conductive materials on the moving vehicle part (3), the body portion (2, 21) and / or the other vehicle part are made , Sensor system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (1, 1a - 1j) together with an electronic drive circuit on the moving vehicle part (3), the body portion (2, 21) and / or the other vehicle part is made. Sensor system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (1, 1 a - 1 j) is arranged on or under a lacquer layer or under components (4). Sensor system according to claim 16, characterized in that the sensor (1, 1a - 1 j) is covered by the lacquer layer and in this way is inconspicuous from the outside. Sensor system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (1) is formed by a plurality of distributed sensors (1a-1j) spatially offset on the moving vehicle part (3), the body section (2, 21) for detecting a jammed object ) and / or the further vehicle part are arranged. Sensor system according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the sensor (1, 1a - 1j) as part of an anti-trap device for a moving vehicle part forming window pane (3) on a body portion forming the door frame (21) is arranged to a between the door frame (21) and the window pane (3) to capture an object. Sensor system according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the sensor (1, 1a - 1j) is arranged as part of a jam protection device for a moving window pane (3) of a frameless vehicle door on a body portion bordering the door opening to a between the body portion and the window pane (3) to capture a jammed object.

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