WO2006032357A2

WO2006032357A2 - Control device and method for controlling an adjusting device of a motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2006032357A2
Application number: PCT/EP2005/009519
Authority: WO
Inventors: Abert Carsten; Thomas Weingärtner; Wolf-Christian MÜLLER
Original assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile Gmbh & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Coburg
Priority date: 2004-09-20
Filing date: 2005-09-05
Publication date: 2006-03-30
Also published as: DE112005002053A5; WO2006032357A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a control device for controlling an adjusting device of a motor vehicle, which is adapted and equipped to control the movement of an adjustable part of the adjusting device in response to the detection of a body or object being trapped. Said control device comprises a waveguide on which a surface wave transceiver system for transmitting surface acoustic waves is mounted, evaluation means for evaluating the surface acoustic waves with respect to the detection of a body or object being trapped, and an additional functional unit configured for an additional function with the waveguide.

Description

description

Control device and method for controlling an adjusting device of a motor vehicle

The invention relates to a control device for controlling a Verstelleinrich¬ device of a motor vehicle.

Devices for controlling and in particular for monitoring the closing operation of motor-operated parts, such as doors, flaps or window panes of motor vehicles, use different technical principles for this purpose. A distinction is made between those who are bound to direct physical contact and non-contact systems.

From DE 42 15 744 C2 discloses a device with at least one elektromechanical transducer as actuator and at least one mechanical-electrical transducer as a sensor and an electronic evaluation and control device be¬ known, wherein the actuator and the sensor on a common, d , H. zusammen¬ hanging extending acoustic transmission path are arranged, wherein the transmission path is a part of a motor-movable part, for. As a window or a tailgate of a motor vehicle, and is the person's, his hands or lifeless objects particularly accessible or can be brought into contact with them. The actuator generates surface acoustic waves (Rayleigh waves) in the transmission path, of which the sensor generates at least one characteristic parameter, eg, a characteristic value. B. detects the amplitude or frequency and forwards to the evaluation and control device.

Altered external conditions, depending on the pane guide and pane position, can lead to attenuation of the signal as a result of damage, dirt or icing, and also to reflections of the signal. In this case, an adjustment is made by increasing and decreasing the output power and / or the frequency of the actuator. To minimize the technical complexity actuator and sensor can be made in one piece unit, with their Functions are executed one after the other. Piezocrystals are suitable for this purpose.

But the use of multiple actuators and sensors may be useful. Namely, it makes it possible to diagnose the aging of the transmission path or of the parts connected to it (eg the guide or sealing regions of a window pane or a flap of a motor vehicle) or else of a state changed at short notice, eg. B. by ice. In a simple way, the sensitivity of the system can be adapted to the new external conditions. It makes sense to do this automatically via an electronic unit.

In the transmission path, which is free of undesired discontinuities, the attachment of one (or possibly several) defined points of discontinuity can be used to increase the system sensitivity. The discontinuity changes the propagation characteristic of the surface waves to a predetermined extent and thus serves as a reference point on the transmission path.

Different types of discontinuities are applicable. As an abrupt widening or narrowing of the transmission path orthogonal to the propagation direction of the surface wave, they suddenly change the degree of absorption or the reflection behavior. Other variants are indentations or folds, waves or edges in the transmission path. The radius of the points of discontinuity lies in the order of magnitude of the wavelength of the first harmonic surface wave and is generally much smaller than itself.

If the transmission path is formed by a glass surface, z. As the circumferential end face of a window, are particularly suitable for influencing the surface waves notches. Their shape is very adaptable to the desired effects. Its shape and depth can be used to influence the ratio of the reflection component to the absorption component. The generation of a diode effect is possible. The surface wave passes the notch with only slight damping in one direction. In the other direction, however, the surface wave is prevented from continuing beyond the notch due to (quasi) total reflection. The use of notches allows the sensitivity of the measurement system to be increased if part of the transmission path does not belong to the monitoring area, but external conditions can considerably influence its transmission properties. An example of this is the vertically extending sealing or guiding region of a motor vehicle window pane, the absorption properties of which can vary greatly depending on the position of the pane, the pane distortion and many environmental influences. The possibility of blanking or the separate evaluation of these areas is often of crucial importance for reliable monitoring of the freely accessible upper edge of the pane. By forming the difference of the signals of different areas bounded by notches, a substantial increase in the sensitivity is achieved. To further increase and adapt the measuring and evaluation system, a calibration run can be provided between the upper and lower stop positions using a learning program.

An evaluation of the sealing ^'and management areas can also be used to control the drive power to an unvarying kinematics währleisten to ge. The use of two transmitter / receiver units, which are preferably each formed as a one-piece piezoceramic oscillator, leads to a redundant working device. By comparing the independently evaluated measurement results, the reliability of the statement increases. In particular, in the case of an apparatus which is designed symmetrically overall, the two measuring systems can also operate in cold operating redundancy.

The device explained above is used as collision protection for electrically operated window lifters, sliding roofs, doors, sliding doors or flaps. By contact of a colliding object with the transmission path, the transmission properties change. This registers the sensor and the control device and causes corresponding control commands. A complete or partial reversing of the adjusting movement (in the case of window regulators), but also the persistence in the achieved position, can be determined. Other applications may consist in the control of end and intermediate layers of an adjustment. It is such z. B. possible, the upper and lower end position "soft" an¬ approach or also Kurzhubabsenkungen the side window to control that facilitate the closing of doors.

Such a transmission path is suitable for collision protection such surfaces which can be influenced from the outside and which essentially represent the closing surfaces. Their plane is usually at an angle to the direction of movement of the motor-driven component. If this component is, for example, a window pane of a motor vehicle, then the peripheral end face which connects the outer and inner pane planes will be used as the transfer surface. The actuator and the sensor or a corresponding functional unit can be arranged on a component of the transmission path which is not directly visible, is not directly accessible and does not disturb the window movement sequence.

It offers itself to this the lower edge of the window. However, if the actuator and / or sensor are to be used on the transmission path in the region of the closing surfaces (eg upper edge of the disk), then the energy and signal lines are provided at the edge of the disk in the form of printed printed conductors. The coupling and decoupling of the energy takes place either via conductor tracks or cables or wirelessly (eg inductively), if the required energy density and reliability of the components permit this.

For signal evaluation, one or more of the following principles are used: transit time measurement, amplitude modulation, phase and frequency modulation. Decisive for this are the needs of safety (also redundancy) and the sensitivity.

In DE-OS 22 46 337 a safety device for motorized openings is disclosed which is a determinant of an acoustic source, for. B. the sound intensity measures, the acoustic receiver is connected via a the airborne sound lei¬ tende transmission path with the acoustic source. The transmission path can be an elastic one arranged in the region of a closing edge Be hose. When it is deformed by an obstacle, the sound intensity reaching the receiver is reduced. An evaluation device reacts to this with a control command to the motor.

DE-AS 24 32 063 describes a device for monitoring the Türschließ¬ process in local transport vehicles using the principle of a Lichtschran¬ ke. Radiation source and sensor are arranged substantially in a plane in the region of the closing edge. The transmission path within the relatively large volume elastic cover member is completed by a reflector at the opposite end of the closing edge. Upon deformation of the cover there is a damping of the light transmission, which leads via the sensor to the intended reaction of the device.

From DE-PS 27 19 955 a non-contact field sensor for detecting persons or objects in front of rectilinearly moving edges is known des¬ sen antenna capacitors by approaching objects undergo an asymmetric Kapa¬ tity change and lead via an evaluation to control commands.

DE-PS 30 34 118 and DE-PS 31 36 746 describe a method for electronic monitoring of the opening and closing operation of electrically operated units, wherein the temporal changes of the characteristic parameters of the unit and their evaluation in one Microcomputer a elektri¬ cal actuator can be influenced. In one of the divided into several sections closing areas the speed or the speed of the unit is continuously determined during the closing process and compared with a limit. If the limit value is exceeded, a short-term reversal of motion takes place and then the switch-off.

The generation and transmission of surface acoustic waves and a measurement method for their transit time and amplitude are known as such from the publications DE 35 28 380 A1, DE 34 38 050 A1 and DE 32 36 631 A1. Furthermore, the so-called Rayleigh waves, a special form of surface waves, be¬ known, which can occur at the stress-free surface of elastic media. These surface waves sound exponentially after the depth and are composed of shear waves oscillating perpendicularly to the surface and tangentially oscillating compression waves.

Shear oscillators or interdigital transducers can be used as an alternative to wedge converters. These can be attached directly to the edge of the area to be monitored. However, the production of such transducers is far more complicated than that of Dicken¬ swingers.

From WO 97/10468 a mode converter for a glass pane is known, which is in operative connection to the area to be monitored or to a conductively connected to this surface acoustic waves area. In this case, the mode converter converts a volume wave running to the monitoring area into a surface wave and / or a surface wave returning to the receiver into a volume wave. The mode converters used are periodically arranged geometric structures whose pitch corresponds to the wavelength of the surface wave to be generated. Such geometric structures can be, for example, rows of holes in the vicinity of the area to be monitored, that is to say the circumferential edge of a window pane, for example, of the wedge-like formations in the pane edge itself.

However, it is also possible to attach separate, that is to say additional elements, to the region to be monitored or to the region connected thereto in order to bring about a mode conversion from a bulk wave into a surface wave or vice versa. For example, printed, sintered or vapor-deposited structures can be used periodically with a pitch of approximately the wavelength of the surface wave on the edge of the pane, which visually barely discernibly visibly due to their very low height structure and which also do not interfere in the lateral guide region of the window pane.

The surface wavelength of the transducer material does not correspond exactly to the surface wavelength of the free glass edge due to the differing boundary surface conditions between glass / air on the one hand and glass / transducer on the other hand. Volume waves are sound waves which have both longitudinal components and transverse components, with one component usually predominating. Since solid bodies transmit shear stresses, transversal waves always occur in them, in addition to longi-tudinal waves.

A further "separate" mode converter provides for a connection of a flat wedge to the peripheral edge of the window pane, slit-like recesses being incorporated in the common contact surface of the wedge at a suitable angle of inclination 0, so that after the volume waves breaking in from the pane body to the wedge and reflection at the recesses substantially parallel to the disk edge, the bulk waves in the feedback coupling in the Schei¬ benkante be converted into surface waves.

If necessary, the mode conversion on the mode converter is always possible in both directions, that is to say that a volumetric wave propagating through the glass body of the windowpane (in particular a longitudinal wave) becomes in contact with the near the disk edge or the disk edge itself arranged moden¬ converter converted into a surface wave (in particular a Rayleigh wave). o If a surface wave reaches the effective range of one of the mode converters described above, then this is converted inter alia into a bulk wave. Because of the damping properties of the respective vibration-conducting bodies and because of the conversion losses, as few mode converters should lie within a path of the acoustic waves between the transmitter and the receiver. 5

The invention is based on the issue to provide a control device for controlling an adjustment of a motor vehicle, which extends the functionalities as possible.

o This object is achieved by the control device having the features of claim 1 An¬. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of dependent claims. Accordingly, a control device is provided for controlling an adjusting device of a motor vehicle, which is designed and set up to control a movement of an adjustable part of the adjusting device as a function of a detection of a pinching of a body part or object. By way of example, the control device may have a microcontroller in which a corresponding control program is implemented for the purpose of control.

The control device has a waveguide on which a surface wave transmitter-receiver arrangement for transmitting surface waves is arranged. In the case of a surface wave transmitter-receiver arrangement, the same component can be used with a time delay as the transmitter of the surface wave and as the receiver of a surface wave which is preferably reflected. Another embodiment of the surface acoustic wave transmitter-receiver arrangement provides a surface wave transmitter and a surface wave receiver disposed on the waveguide. In this case, the surface wave transmitter and the surface acoustic wave receiver are designed to detect pinching.

Furthermore, the control device has an evaluation means for evaluating the surface waves with respect to the detection of the entrapment of the body part or object. For example, the surface wave transmitter and the surface acoustic wave receiver are connected to a microcontroller of the control device as evaluation means, so that the received signal of the surface acoustic wave receiver can be evaluated by the microcontroller. In addition, by means of a control output of the microcontroller, the surface wave transmitter can be subjected to a transmission signal 5. For example, piezoelectric transducers can be used as the surface acoustic wave receiver and as the surface wave sensor.

Furthermore, according to the invention, at least one further functional unit is provided, which is designed together with the waveguide for a further function. Accordingly, the waveguide, which serves to transmit the surface waves for detecting the pinching case, is used for a further function, in particular different from the pinching case. For this purpose, the waveguide with the other functional unit coupled. For coupling, the waveguide and the further functional unit preferably have a mechanical, electrical or optical coupling.

The object according to the invention is achieved by a control device which has at least one light source. The light source is optically coupled to the light coupling with the optical waveguide formed as a light guide. The light source is spielsweise an incandescent lamp, a light emitting diode or a laser with a radiated light spectrum in the visible, ultraviolet and / or infrared range. Also, the emitted from the light source color vary over time.

An advantageous development of the invention provides that the light guide has a decoupling region for at least partial decoupling of the coupled-in light. In a refinement of this development of the invention, this decoupling region has reflection particles introduced into the optical waveguide. Another embodiment of the invention which can also be combined with the reflection particles provides that the outcoupling region of the waveguide formed as a light guide has a surface roughness suitable for coupling out light in a surface region. This decoupling area can take on different functions, such as a display function of a luminous text or a luminous graphic symbol. The decoupling region can decouple only locally determined parts of the light spectrum, for example by means of a prismatic arrangement, and thus fulfill a colored display function. Furthermore, this decoupling region can function as a transmitter of an optical sensor system in that the light is emitted in a directed manner from the surface region and arrives at an optical receiver.

Advantageously, it is provided that the waveguide formed as a light guide has a surface roughness suitable for coupling out light in the surface region. This surface roughness is advantageously brought in a range ein¬ which is not intended to sense a Einklemmfalles. Alternatively, it is possible to provide grain boundaries within the waveguide designed as an optical waveguide, which effects a coupling-out of light. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the control device is designed and controlled for controlling at least one optical property of the light source. The control is carried out by means of electronic signals or by the An¬ control electromechanical-optical actuators. Possible optical properties that can be controlled individually or in combination are advantageously one

Luminosity, a light duration, a luminous color and / or a polarization of ein¬ coupled light.

Further developing the invention, the control device is designed and set up to control the optical property as a function of a measured variable. Suitable measured variables are the measured variables which are available for other functions within an electric motor vehicle system and which can be interrogated, for example, via a bus, in particular a CAN bus. For example, the ambient light intensity can be detected by an optical sensor of the headlight lighting system and transmitted to the control device via the CAN bus. As a function of this ambient light intensity, for example, the coupled-in quantity of light is changed.

Furthermore, different variants of the invention for the material and structural design of the light guide are possible. In this case, the optical waveguide preferably comprises PMMA polymethyl methacrylate, also known as Plexiglas. In a double function, this material is advantageously suitable both for conducting light and for conducting surface waves.

An advantageous structural embodiment of the invention provides that the Wellen¬ conductor is adapted to a contour of the adjustable part of the adjusting device. For example, the waveguide is formed on the contour of the tailgate in the region of a possible pinching case. Alternatively or in combination, the waveguide or another waveguide is adapted to a contour of a stationary part of a body of the motor vehicle such that the pinching between this stationary part of the body and the adjustable part of the adjusting device can be detected. By using an additional, with the waveguide designed as an optical waveguide detachably or permanently attachable, further constructive element as Funktion¬ tion unit, the optical fiber can be optimized for its design function, while the surface wave transmitter and the surface acoustic wave receiver with a built-in light guide bar coupled to transmit the surface waves, wherein the non-light-conducting strip may have design functions. In this case, the strip is advantageously formed of a metal, preferably of aluminum.

Furthermore, the object according to the invention is achieved by a control device in which the waveguide has at least one electrically conductive electrode for transmitting the surface waves. This electrode extends at least over a partial length of the waveguide. For evaluating electrical variables, the electrode is preferably connected to an evaluation unit.

The waveguide preferably has a first electrically conductive electrode and a second electrically conductive electrode. According to a preferred refinement, the control device comprises a waveguide which has a first electrically conductive electrode and a second electrically conductive electrode, wherein a surface wave transmitter-receiver arrangement is arranged on the waveguide for transmitting surface waves. The surface wave transmitter-receiver arrangement serves to detect the pinching.

An advantageous development provides that both the first electrically conductive electrode and the second electrically conductive electrode extend at least over a partial length of the waveguide and are connected to an evaluation unit. The evaluation unit of the control device is advantageously connected to the two electrodes via insulated lines. Preferably, at least one line is shielded. The input of the evaluation unit connected to the electrodes is preferably of high impedance. The evaluation unit advantageously has means which make it possible to apply a specific electrical, time-constant or time-variable potential to at least one of the two electrodes. In one possible embodiment variant, it is provided that the evaluation unit is designed to determine an electrical resistance between the first conductive electrode and the second conductive electrode in order to detect a contact of the body part or of the object with both electrodes.

A preferred development provides that the evaluation unit is designed to determine a capacitance between the first conductive electrode and the second conductive electrode in order to detect an approach of the body part or of the object to the two electrodes. Such an approach is given in particular when a body part or an object is in the adjustment path of the adjustment device and would lead to a collision between the adjustable part of the adjustment device and the object or body part.

In a preferred development, the control device is designed and set to control or regulate a movement of the adjustable part of the adjusting device as a function of a detected approach of the body part or the object. For example, the adjustment speed or the adjustment torque is regulated or controlled. An advantageous variant of this development is that an adjustment speed is changed, advantageously reduced, for motion control. Another advantageous variant of this invention provides that the adjustment force or the adjustment torque is regulated in order to limit the pinching force to a maximum value.

The object according to the invention is likewise achieved by the fact that the same waveguide serves in a double function for detecting the pinching and as an operating unit for actuating a function of the adjusting device. To operate a contact of the waveguide is preferably required. Upon actuation, surface wave attenuation is caused by the contact. This damping is advantageously determined by an evaluation unit of the control device. Since the control device is preferably set up and designed to differentiate between a pinch case and an actuation. For this purpose, at least one further parameter, for example a control variable or a measured variable, is advantageously evaluated. In principle, any adjustment functions of the motor vehicle, such as the activation of interior lighting or the deactivation of a car radio, can take place by the actuation. However, an advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the adjusting function of the adjusting device is a closing of an opening of the motor vehicle by the adjusting device. If the sensor can also be actuated from the outside in the case in which the adjusting device is closed, opening of the adjusting device can also be realized as a function by means of the actuation. Furthermore, it is advantageously possible to control a plurality of functions by the respective associated actuation on the waveguide by means of actuating regions that can be differentiated from the control device.

Further development of the invention provides that preferably the waveguide has a visible graphic design that is associated with the function. The graphical embodiment is, for example, a text or a graphic symbol which indicates the actuatable adjustment function. An actuatable adjustment function is, for example, the closing of a tailgate. In this exemplary embodiment, the graphical embodiment has the "closing" and a symbol for the tailgate with an arrow for the direction of the closing movement.

Furthermore, the graphical embodiment may include a display that indicates a Freiga¬ be the operation of this function visually. For example, if the opening of the closing door during the movement of the motor vehicle is not released, the adjustment function of the opening of the sliding door is not released. Due to the graphic embodiment, this non-release is indicated, for example, by the fact that the graphic embodiment is not illuminated.

An advantageous development provides that, at least for released functions, the visible graphic design is illuminated. For illumination of the waveguide is advantageously designed as a light guide, which allows the transmission of light from a light source to the graphic design. At the location of the graphical embodiment, the surface roughness of the light guide can be adjusted in such a way the fact that light is coupled out of the light guide and radiates into the environment. The surface roughness can emulate a text, for example.

In another advantageous development, the waveguide has a haptic which is associated with the function. Such a haptic also makes it possible to recognize the associated function by the user without this having to visually perceive a graphical Ausges¬.

Another aspect of the invention is a use of a previously described control device for an optical warning function during the adjustment movement of the adjustable part of the adjusting device of the motor vehicle. Such an optical warning function is advantageously realized in a method for controlling an adjusting device of a motor vehicle. In this method, a movement of an adjustable part of the adjusting device is controlled as a function of a detection of a pinching of a body part or an object, wherein pinching during the movement of the adjustable part of the adjusting device is detected by one by a contact with the Body part or the Gegens¬ edge caused attenuation of a surface wave on a waveguide designed as a light guide is determined. At least during the adjustment movement, light is coupled into the light guide in such a way that it is associated with an optical warning function.

Another object of the invention is to specify a further developed method for controlling an adjusting device of a motor vehicle. This object is solved by the claims 25, 26 or 27.

For the solution, in a method, a movement of an adjustable part of an adjusting device of a motor vehicle is controlled as a function of a detection of a clamping of a body part or an object. In this case, pinching is detected during the movement of the adjustable part of the adjusting device by determining a damping of a surface wave on a waveguide caused by contact with the body part or the object. An actuation of the adjusting device is during a stoppage of the movement of the adjustable part detected by a caused by contact with the body part or the object damping of a surface wave on the same Wellen¬ conductor is determined.

Another solution provides a method for controlling an adjustment of a motor vehicle, which preferably runs as a program in a microcontroller. In this method, a movement of an adjustable part of the adjusting device is controlled in response to a detection of a pinching of a body part or an object. If, during an adjustment movement, an approximation of the body part or of the object is determined without contact, in particular capacitively, an adjustment speed of the adjustment movement is reduced as a function of this determination. Preferably, the adjustment movement is stopped when a Berüh¬ tion of the body part or the object is determined with the adjustable part or with a body part. The determination of the contact takes place in a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention by determining an attenuation of surface waves.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail in exemplary embodiments with reference to drawings.

Show

1 is a motor vehicle with a schematic representation of control devices for detecting a pinching,

2 is an enlarged view of a tailgate with a schematic Dar¬ position of a sensor device of a control device for Detekti¬ on pinching,

3 is a motor vehicle with a sliding door and a schematically dargestell¬ th control device on the B-pillar and on the closing edge of the sliding door for detecting a pinching, 4 shows a detail of a motor vehicle view with two wing doors in the rear region of the motor vehicle and a schematic illustration of a sensor device of a control device,

5 shows a detail of a motor vehicle view with a two-part tailgate,

6 shows a section of a schematically illustrated method sequence for controlling an adjusting device of a motor vehicle,

7 is a schematic representation of a control device,

8 shows a schematic sectional view of a first variant of a geometrical view of a surface waveguide of a control device,

9 is a schematic sectional view of a second variant of a geometrical embodiment of a surface waveguide of a control device, and FIG

10 is a schematic sectional view of a third variant of a geometrical embodiment of a surface waveguide of a control device.

FIGS. 1 to 5 show different arrangements of sensors 1a to 1j on assemblies of a motor vehicle. The sensors 1a to 1j are used for the direct detection of a pinching of a body part or an object during a closing movement or an opening movement.

In Fig. 1, this is for a sliding door and a tailgate of a motor vehicle darge presents. While the sensor 1 b is arranged on the inside of the tailgate and thus during the adjustment movement of the tailgate for the pivotable tailgate is moved, the sensor 1 a is arranged to detect a Einklemmfalles during the closing movement of the sliding door on the B-pillar of the vehicle body. In this case, the sensor 1a is not moved during the closing movement. Both the tailgate and the sliding door are driven by an electric motor and therefore perform automatic opening and closing movements. Both sensors 1 a and 1 b are connected to a control device SE, which controls the automatic Öff¬ nungs- and closing movements of the sliding door and the tailgate in response to the signal of at least one of the sensors 1 a and / or 1 b.

2 shows a detailed view of the tailgate of a motor vehicle, the sensor 1c being arranged circumferentially along the opening edges of the tailgate. At the same time, this sensor 1c is designed as an optical waveguide, which enables an apron lighting of the tailgate opening region. During the closing movement of the tailgate, the sensor 1c also emits an optical warning signal.

Fig. 3 shows a further sensor arrangement for the sliding door of a motor vehicle. In this exemplary embodiment, a first sensor 1e is arranged on the adjustable sliding door and a second sensor 1d is arranged on the B pillar of the vehicle body. If an object is detected between these sensors, an adjustment speed or an adjustment torque is controlled depending on, for example, reduces the Verstellgeschwindig¬ speed or downshifts the adjusting torque to a constant value. It is also possible to form a field for detecting the object or body part between the first sensor 1e and the second sensor 1d.

A further arrangement of sensors 1f, 1h and 1g is shown in FIG. 4. Around the opening of the motor vehicle, which can be closed by two hinged doors, a plurality of sensors 1h and 1g are arranged for different regions of the opening edge, which clamps them in one Detect areas. Another double sensor 1f is arranged on the front side of each wing door, so that pinching between these wing doors is detectable. These sensors 1 h, 1 g and 1 f can be interrogated successively by an evaluation unit. At the same time, this double sensor 1f emits light in the opened state of the respective door, so that this light causes a warning function for approaching vehicles. In addition, the double Sensor 1f a near field area during the opening of the wing doors, wherein the Öff¬ opening process is stopped when an obstacle in the Öff¬ is detected by the double sensor 1f opening.

Fig. 5 shows a partial view of a motor vehicle with a two-part tailgate. The sensors 1 h and 1 i are arranged such that they can detect both a Einklem¬ men between a part of the tailgate and the vehicle body as well as a pinching between the two parts of the tailgate. In addition, a further sensor 1j is provided on the vehicle body which, depending on a detection of a body part or object in the adjustment path, stops the closing process even before the sensors 1h or 1i are touched by the body part or the body Object allows.

Furthermore, the sensor 1j serves in double function as an actuating device for controlling a function of the motor vehicle. For this purpose, the sensor 1j may be arranged on the inside, but also on the outside, in order to allow both opening and closing by its actuation by the user. The adjustment of the tailgate is preferably controlled by the signals of this sensor 1j as the actuating device. For this purpose, it is provided in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5 that the sensor has an area that is graphically marked as operating area 6. In addition, a text instruction "dose" or a graphic symbol assigned to the function is preferably arranged on or near the sensor 1j This dual operating principle makes it unnecessary to use further switches for closing the tailgate, since the mere contact of one or more provided Areas 6 of the sensor triggers the desired switching effects.

All sensors 1a to 1f of FIGS. 1 to 5 can at the same time form a lining element which covers, for example, mounting openings or fastening means, such as screws or the like. For this purpose, the sensors 1a to 1f are designed, for example, as clip-on plastic panels or as aluminum trim strips. Another possibility is to form the sensors as a bondable film, which as a design means covering mounting edges, mounting slots or the like. FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of a sensor of FIGS. 1 to 5. A waveguide 1 is provided, which conducts surface waves along its shape on a surface which senses a pinch-up by contact. In FIG. 7, only the two end regions of the preferably continuous waveguide 1 are shown for the purpose of illustration. A contact of the waveguide 1 causes a measurable attenuation of the surface waves, which attenuation is detectable as Einklemmfall. Regarding this principle of operation of the detection of a trapping by means of the attenuation of surface waves is fully referenced at this point to the already published WO 97/10468 and DE 42 15 744 C2.

To detect the trapping case, a piezoactuator 4 is arranged on a first mode converter 14, which converts a volumetric wave into a surface wave, and operates as a wave generator. The surface waves continue on the waveguide 1 to a second mode converter 13, which is arranged on the piezoelectric sensor 3 for the conversion of the surface waves in bulk waves. The piezoelectric actuator 4 and the piezoelectric sensor 3 are connected via electrical lines to a control unit SE which has a surface wave transmitter SAW-S assigned to the piezoactuator 4 and a surface acoustic wave receiver SAW-R assigned to the piezoelectric sensor 3. The control unit SE is furthermore connected via a driver D to a drive M of an adjustment unit. The adjusting unit is, for example, the previously described tailgate or sliding door.

If the control unit SE receives a control command via the bus system CAN for automatic closing of the tailgate, the driver D is activated in accordance with the adjustment direction and the motor M is energized by the driver D in the assigned direction. At the same time, the control unit SE transmits wave information to the surface acoustic wave receiver SAW-R via the waveguide 1 by means of the surface wave transmitter OFW-S and continuously determines the attenuation of the signal, for example at short intervals. If the attenuation of the signal exceeds a threshold value, the drive movement is reversed by the motor M being energized at least temporarily in the opposite direction. In addition, further threshold values can be provided, which cause a slowdown of the adjustment speed or a change in the adjustment torque. Instead of an absolute damping threshold value, temporal attenuation changes (1st derivative, 2nd derivative after time) can also be evaluated by means of a threshold value.

In addition to conducting surface waves, the waveguide 1 fulfills at least one further function. The waveguide of Fig. 7 is formed as a light guide. For this purpose, the light guide 1 is optically coupled to a light source 5 as a further functional unit, for example a light bulb or a light-emitting diode, so that the light source 5 can feed light into the light guide 1. The light source 5 is electrically connected to the Steuer¬ unit SE, so that the light exit amount of the light source 5 is controlled by the control unit SE. The light fed into the optical waveguide 1 is coupled out of the optical waveguide 1 at positions of corresponding surface roughness of the optical waveguide 1 and radiates diffusely or directionally as visible light 51 into the surroundings of the sensor.

For the control of the emitted light quantity, it is provided that the control unit SE controls a strongly dimmed light for design purposes when the functional unit is in a position during the day. In contrast, a pulsating amount of light is controlled by the control unit SE, while the functional unit is adjusted by the drive M. Furthermore, a large amount of light can be controlled by the control unit SE if a constant illumination by the exiting light amount 51 is required in a dark environment. This type of light emission, in particular the pulsating amount of light, can also be controlled as a function of the actuation of the warning flasher system.

Furthermore, it is possible to provide a light sensor which detects an occurrence of a hindrance in the adjustment path, in that the light 51 decoupled from the light guide 1 is absorbed or reflected by the obstacle. For example, as a function of this obstacle detection, the adjustment speed can be reduced or the adjustment torque can be limited.

Another further function of the waveguide 1 is a particular capacitive near-field detection. For this purpose, the waveguide has two electrodes 21, 22, which are connected to the control unit SE. The control unit SE has a unit CAP-D for Generation and evaluation of a constant or time-variable electric Fel¬ 20 on. If hands or body parts reach the area of the electric field 20, the change in the electric field 20 is detected by the control unit SE, in particular by determining a changed capacitance between the two electrodes 21 and 22. The two electrodes 21, 22 are, for example, two conductive regions integrated in the waveguide 1 made of plastic, for example two aluminum metal strips.

Furthermore, the control unit SE is connected to a Hall sensor HS, which enables a measurement of an adjustment position and an adjustment speed of the functional unit by measuring the rotation of the drive.

All the sensor systems described above advantageously work in addition to each other and / or redundantly to each other, so that the risk of pinching or even injury to a person is minimized.

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 show various embodiments of a waveguide 10, 100, 101. In the embodiment variant of FIG. 8, a Kunststoffwellen¬ conductor 10 is shown, which is fastened via a shaft decoupler 108 on a body part 8. The wave decoupler 108 decouples the surface waves transmitted by the waveguide 10 from the body, so that the damping of the surface waves by the attachment of the waveguide 10 by means of the Wellenentkopplers 108 on the body 8 relative to a direct attachment of the waveguide 10 on the body. 8 is significantly reduced. The waveguide 10 also has two electrodes 210 and 220 which are fixed in the surface of the waveguide 10, for example, glued. By means of these electrodes 210, 220, the electric field 20 described in FIG. 7 can be generated. Furthermore, the surface of these electrodes 210, 220 serve as a contact surface, which allows a resitive evaluation of a contact of these electrodes by a material or a body part with an ohmic resistance.

Fig. 9 shows a waveguide 100, which is designed as a flat conductor. In this case, the electrodes 211 and 221 are laminated in layers of the flat conductor. Next to the Electric field 20 can be transmitted by means of the electrodes 211, and 221, which can serve in this case in a double function as signal line, information and / or supply current to a further functional unit, for example a Scheibenheizungs¬ control or light. The flat conductor 100 is connected to a body part 8 via an adhesive connection 1008 which does not significantly attenuate the surface waves for the function.

10, the waveguide is designed as a seal 101, which, for example, in the closed state of the tailgate, the tailgate seals against the vehicle body to a dry interior of the To separate Kraftfahr¬ zeugs of a wet exterior. For this purpose, the waveguide 101 spielsweise an elastic material, such as an elastomer, which fulfills the Dicht¬ function. In this refinement variant, the surface waves are transmitted via at least one of the two electrodes 212 or 222 of the waveguide 1, wherein the electrodes can additionally generate an electric field 20 for near-field detection.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a part of a process flow which allows the use of the waveguide 1 of FIG. 7 in a further function for actuating a function of the motor vehicle. In Fig. 6, the embodiment variant is shown in which an actuation of the adjustment of the adjustment is made possible by touching the waveguide 1 during the standstill of the drive M of the adjustment.

Within a procedure, in a first step of the illustrated part of the method, a query is made as to whether the drive is stationary. This state of the drive is determined by means of the evaluation of sensor signals. For example, no time-varying Hall signals are emitted by the Hall sensor HS of FIG. Subsequently, it is queried with the appropriate logic whether a contact of the waveguide 1 is present. If this is not the case, step one again follows. On the other hand, if there is contact with the waveguide 1, this is interpreted as an actuation of the desired function and the drive is subsequently activated in step three in the direction "closing". Since now the drive is no longer available, one arrives via step one to step four, in¬ which in turn a touch of the waveguide 1 is queried. If this has not been done, the drive continues to operate without interruption in the direction of "closing." In contrast, if a contact of the waveguide 1 has been detected in step four, this is interpreted as an entrapment event and the drive is immediately stopped in step five.

The further procedure and the procedure preceding the steps described are neither described nor illustrated in FIG. 6 for a simplified explanation.

The refinements and refinements of the invention explained above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10 can advantageously be combined with one another for different functionalities of the overall system so that security functions with comfort functions and / or design functions are used synergistically.

Irrespective of the use of the surface waves, it is preferably provided to use the same sensor system both for non-contact and for touching detection of a possible collision case. Advantageously, two electrical electrodes are designed in such a way that a near field is generated capacitively, so that the detection of a possible trapping case takes place without contact. In this case, for example, the adjustment speed can be reduced to a smaller value. The same electrodes are also used to detect the contact in Ein¬ terminal case. For this purpose, this electrode is moved or deformed by a pressure acting on the pinching case on at least one of the electrodes, so that the resistance between the two electrodes is changed. Advantageously, both electrodes are short-circuited. Alternatively, touching the electrodes causes a flow of current through the contacting object, so that a resistance change can be detected by measuring this current flow. Another alternative is the described attenuation of the surface waves. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1, 1a, I b ₁ Ic Id ₁ Ie ₁ If, waveguide, optical fiber

1g, 1 h, 1 i, 1 j

10 insulator, wave decoupler

100 flat conductors

101 waveguide, seal

13, 14 mode converter

1008 adhesive, adhesive

108, 1018 shaft decoupler

20 electric field

21, 22 electrode

210, 220 electrode with touchable surface

211, 221 laminated electrode

212, 222 structured electrode

3 piezo actuator

4 piezo sensor

5 light source, LED, laser

50 Surface roughness for decoupling light

51 outcoupled light

6 input field, control panel

8 body part, support plate, frame

SE control device, microcontroller

OFW-R surface acoustic wave receiver

OFW-S surface wave transmitter

CAP-D evaluation unit for capacitive or resistive signals

LE light control

D driver, semiconductor bridge, relay

HS Hall sensor

M engine, drive

CAN bus, bus system, CAN bus

Claims

claims

1. Control device for controlling an adjusting device of a motor vehicle, which is designed and configured to control a movement of an adjustable part of the adjusting device as a function of a detection of pinching of a body part or object,

- With a waveguide (1, 1 a-1 j) on which a Oberflächenwellensenderemp- catcher arrangement (OFW-S, OFW-R) is arranged for the transmission of surface waves, - with evaluation means (SE) for the evaluation of the surface waves in terms of

Detection of pinching of the body part or object and

- With a further functional unit (5, 6, 21, 22) which is formed with the waveguide (1, 1a-1j) for a further function.

2. Control device according to claim 1,

- In which the waveguide (1, 1 a-1 j) is designed as a light guide, and

- With a light source (5) as a further functional unit which is coupled to the light coupling with the optical waveguide (1, 1a-1j) formed as a light guide.

3. Control device according to claim 2, in which the optical waveguide (1, 1a-1j) has a coupling-out region (50).

4. Control device according to claim 2, in which the waveguide (1, 1a-1j) designed as an optical waveguide is designed as a decoupling region for at least partial decoupling of the injected light in at least one surface region (50), wherein the surface region (50) is preferably a has surface roughness suitable for coupling out light.

5. Control device according to claim 3, wherein in the decoupling region of the optical waveguide formed as a light guide (1, 1 a-1 j) reflection particles are introduced.

6. Control device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device for controlling at least one optical property of the light source (5) is formed and arranged, wherein the optical property in particular s - a luminous intensity,

a lighting period,

- a luminous color, or

- Is a polarization of the injected light. 0

7. Control device according to claim 6, wherein the control device is designed and set up to control the optical property as a function of a measured variable, in particular as a function of a measured ambient light intensity. 5

8. Control device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the optical waveguide (1, 1a-1j) formed as glass or plastic, preferably polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA).

9. Control device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the

Waveguide (1, 1 a-1j) is adapted to a contour of the adjustable part of the adjusting device.

10. Control device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the 5 waveguide (1, 1a-1j) is adapted to a contour of a fixed part of a body of the motor vehicle such that the pinching between this fixed part of the body and the adjustable part of the Verstelleinrich ¬ tion is detectable.

11. Control device according to one of the preceding claims, with an opti¬'s sensor operatively connected to the optical waveguide (1, 1a-1j) formed as an optical encoder for sensing an event, in particular an operation or a Einklemmfalles.

12. Control device according to one of the preceding claims,

- In which the waveguide (1, 1a-1j) in dual function for detecting the Einklem¬ mens and as a control unit (6) for actuating an adjustment function of the adjusting device is used, and

- In which as a further functional unit, a graphical embodiment (6) of the waveguide (1, 1 a - 1 j) is formed, which is associated with the adjustment function.

13. Control device according to claim 12, wherein the adjustment function of the adjusting device is a closing of an opening of the motor vehicle by the adjusting device.

14. Control device according to one of claims 12 or 13, in which the visible graphical embodiment (6) is illuminated, wherein preferably the waveguide (1, 1a-1j) is designed as a light guide, and in particular the visible graphic

Embodiment (6) is arranged for light extraction.

15. Control device according to one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the Wellenlei¬ ter (1, 1 a-1j) has a feel, which is associated with the adjustment function.

16. Control device according to one of the preceding claims,

- In which the waveguide (1, 1a-1j) at least one electrically conductive electrode (21, 22).

17. Control device according to claim 16, in which the at least one electrically conductive electrode (21, 22) extends over at least a partial length of the waveguide (1, 1a-1j) and is connected to an evaluation unit (CAP-D).

18. Control device according to one of claims 16 or 17, wherein the waveguide (1, 1a-1j) has a first electrically conductive electrode (21) and a second elec¬ risch conductive electrode (22).

19. The control device according to claim 18, wherein an evaluation unit for determining an electrical resistance between the first conductive electrode and the second conductive electrode is configured to contact the body part or the object with both electrodes , 22) to detect.

20. Control device according to one of claims 18 or 19, wherein an evaluation unit (CAP-D) for determining a capacitance between the first leit¬ the electrode (21) and the second conductive electrode (22) is formed to ei¬ approach of the body part or the object to the two electrodes (21, 22) to detect.

21. Control device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the control device is designed and set up, a movement of the adjustable part of the adjusting device, in particular an adjusting speed or an adjusting torque, depending on a detected approach of the

Body part or object.

22. Control device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the waveguide (1, 1 a-1 j) is a flat conductor, which arranged on the adjustable part of the adjustment and / or on a fixed part of the body of the motor vehicle, in particular glued is.

23. Control device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in particular a surface wave transmitter (SAW-S) and / or a surface wave receiver (SAW-R) of the surface wave transmitter receiver arrangement with a in the light guide (1, 1a-1j) integrated bar for Transmission of Oberflächenwel¬ len are coupled.

24. Use of a control device according to one of the preceding claims for an optical warning function during the adjustment movement of the adjustable part of the adjusting device of the motor vehicle.

25. A method for controlling an adjusting device of a motor vehicle, in which a movement of an adjustable part of the adjusting device is controlled as a function of a detection of a pinching of a body part or an object, in which s - pinching during the movement of the adjustable part of Verstellein¬ direction is detected by a, caused by contact with the body part or the object damping of a surface wave on a light guide formed as a waveguide (1, 1a-1j) is determined, and

- At least during the adjustment light in the optical waveguide ausgebil- o Deten waveguide (1, 1a-1j) is coupled, which is associated with an optical warning function.

26. A method for controlling an adjusting device of a motor vehicle, in which a movement of an adjustable part of the adjusting device is controlled in dependence on a detection of a pinching of a body part or an object, wherein

during an adjustment movement, an approximation of the body part or of the object is determined capacitively and an adjustment speed and / or an adjustment moment of the adjustment movement is reduced as a function of this determination, and

- The adjustment is stopped when a contact of the body part or the object with the waveguide (1, 1a-1j) is determined in response to a damping of surface waves.

27. Method for controlling an adjusting device of a motor vehicle by controlling a movement of an adjustable part of the adjusting device as a function of a detection of a pinching of a body part or an object, wherein

pinching is detected during the movement of the adjustable part of the adjusting device by determining a damping of a surface wave on a waveguide (1, 1a-1j) caused by contact with the body part or the object, and an actuation of the adjusting device is detected during a standstill of the motion of the adjustable part by determining a damping of a surface wave on the same waveguide (1, 1a-1j) caused by contact with the body part or the object.