CN110832158A - Device for controlling the opening of a motor vehicle from the outside, functioning in the event of a blocked handle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (4) for controlling the external opening of a flap of a motor vehicle, comprising a support (8); in the deployed position (6)²) And a retracted position (6)¹) A handle movably mounted on the support (8); an electric actuator of the handle; an actuator control unit configured to control the actuator from the deployed position to the retracted position of the handle or from the retracted position to the deployed position of the handle in response to a control signal. The control unit is configured to detect an occlusion of the handle when controlling the actuator and, in case of detection of the occlusion, to adjust the stress exerted by the actuator on the handle and/or to transmit a faultA barrier signal.

Description

For controlling the opening of the motor vehicle from the outside, which works when the handle is blocked installation

technical field

The present invention relates to the field of motor vehicles, and more particularly to a device for controlling the external opening of a movable door.

Background technique

Devices now exist for controlling the opening of a movable door from the outside, which includes a flush-type handle also called "flush" in English terminology. The flush-type handle may be motorized, ie, open and close electrically. Therefore, since these handles move automatically, they may be prone to failures such as jamming, especially when they encounter obstacles located on their trajectory during deployment or retraction.

Published patent document DE 10 2008 021 979 A1 discloses a door for a motor vehicle comprising an automatic door opening system and an automatic stop system for the situation in which an obstacle is located on the opening trajectory of the door Automatically stop the door. The stop system includes a switch on the inner surface of the vehicle door. The switch includes a first position that allows power unlocking of the door. When the first position is activated, the door's obstacle detection system and automatic stop system are also activated, these systems are designed to stop the movement of the movable door when an obstacle is detected on the door's trajectory.

The published patent document FR 2 897 800 B1 discloses a motor vehicle comprising a device for warning of obstacles in the path of the doors of the vehicle. The vehicle includes means for controlling the inward opening of the doors, and one or more obstacle sensors connected to a central obstacle detection unit of the vehicle. The means for controlling the opening of the vehicle door include a lever movable between a rest position and an open position, and means for returning the lever to the rest position. The means for returning the lever to the rest position comprise an actuator controlled by a central detection unit to increase the strength of the restoring force on the lever after an obstacle is detected in the trajectory of the vehicle door. Therefore, the user cannot open the vehicle door if an obstacle is detected.

Published patent document US 2009/0039671 A1 discloses a device for controlling the external opening of a movable door of a motor vehicle comprising an electrically movable recessed handle. The opening control includes an electronic control module configured to control a motor of the opening control based on commands to deploy or retract the handle.

The prior art discloses a device for detecting an obstacle in a movable door, however, no solution is proposed in the case where the automatic handle may be blocked, especially when the handle encounters an obstacle during the movement, which may occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art described above. More particularly, the present invention aims to provide a simple, economical and stable solution to the problem that the handle of the opening control device may be blocked.

The present invention relates to a device for controlling the external opening of a moving door of a motor vehicle, the device comprising a support; a handle movably mounted on the support between a deployed position and a retracted position; an electric actuator for the handle a control unit of the actuator configured to control the actuator from a deployed position of the handle to a retracted position, or from a retracted position of the handle to a deployed position in response to a control signal; the device is distinguished by , the control unit is configured to detect obstruction of the handle when controlling the actuator, and in the event of detection of obstruction, adjust the stress exerted by the actuator on the handle and/or send a fault signal.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control unit is configured to, when the detected obstruction corresponds to one of the deployed or retracted positions, wherein this position corresponds to the starting position of the control of the actuator, to the actuator The adjustment of the stress exerted on the handle corresponds to an increase in this stress.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control unit is arranged to cancel and re-apply the stress of the actuator in case the release of the handle is not detected after the increase of the stress.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control unit is configured to repeatedly de-stress and re-apply the actuator on the handle without detecting a release of the handle after de-stressing and re-applying the actuator.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the re-stressing lasts for a period of time greater than 0.5 seconds and/or less than 5 seconds.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, increasing the stress of the actuator on the handle is achieved by modulating the pulse width of the control signal of the actuator.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control unit is configured to send a fault signal in case the release of the handle is not detected.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control unit is configured such that when the detected blocking corresponds to an intermediate position between the deployed and retracted positions, the adjustment of the actuator stress on the handle corresponds to the cancellation of the stress or the The deflection of the stress to return to one of the deployed and retracted positions, which corresponds to the controlled starting position of the actuator.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control unit is configured to send a fault signal upon detection of a blockage of the handle.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the detection of obstruction of the handle is based on the fact that the handle has not been detected in another of the deployed or retracted positions than the starting position of the control of the actuator within a given period of time.

The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one movable door and a device for controlling the external opening of the movable door, the vehicle characterized in that the device for controlling the external opening of the movable door is in accordance with the invention .

The measures of the invention are advantageous in that the device for controlling the external opening of a moving door of a motor vehicle comprises an actuator control unit configured to adjust the actuator application in the event of detection of an obstruction of the handle Stress on the handle. The control unit will adjust the control of the actuator according to the blocked position of the handle. Thus, when the handle is blocked in the deployed or retracted starting position, the control unit increases the stress exerted by the actuator on the handle, and in the event of failure to release the handle, repeats the operation of increasing the stress. This operation of the control unit will allow release of the handle when the handle is slightly blocked in the deployed or retracted starting position. Thus, the present invention allows to limit interventions on the vehicle with slight obstruction of the handle. The control unit is further configured to cancel or divert the stress exerted by the actuator on the handle in the event of detection of an obstruction of the handle in the neutral position, which may occur in particular when the handle encounters an obstacle in its trajectory. In this case, the invention allows to limit damage to the handle when it is blocked by an obstacle. Finally, the present invention also allows to protect the user's hand from crushing, which may occur when a person places a finger on the handle and the latter is retracted.

Description of drawings

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood with the help of the description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 shows a motor vehicle sliding door comprising an external opening control device for the sliding door according to the invention;

- Figure 2 is a sectional view of the external opening control device of the movable door along the axis II-II shown in Figure 1, showing the handle in the deployed and retracted positions;

- Figure 3 shows a detailed rear view of the external opening control for the sliding door shown in Figures 1 and 2;

- Figure 4 shows a flow chart of the control method implemented by the control unit of the device of the invention in the event that the handle is detected to be blocked;

- Figure 5 shows Figure 2 again, showing the handle in the blocked state in an intermediate position.

Detailed ways

FIG. 1 shows a sliding door 2 or door of a motor vehicle, in this case the left front door. The movable door 2 includes means 4 for controlling the opening of the movable door from the outside. The external opening control device 4 includes a handle 6 and a support (not visible in Figure 1 ) on which the handle 6 is movably mounted between a deployed position and a retracted position. In the retracted position, the handle is embedded in the movable door 2, while in the deployed position (not shown in Figure 1) the handle protrudes relative to the outer surface of the movable door so that the user can manipulate the handle to open the door. These handles are flush-type handles, also described as "recessed" in English.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the external opening control device 4 of FIG. 1 . The handle 6 is pivotally mounted on the support 8 at one end of the handle about an axis of rotation 10 for pivoting between deployed and retracted positions. The figure shows the handle 6 in a retracted position 6 ¹ and a deployed position 6 ² .

FIG. 3 shows a detailed rear view of the external opening control device 4 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 . The handle is not shown, only the support 12 of the handle is shown. The control device 4 includes an electric actuator 14 of the handle. The electric actuator 14 is fastened to the support 8 of the control device 4 . The electric actuator 14 may be, for example, an electric motor configured to drive a moving rod 16 connected to the handle's bracket 12 to move the handle. The axis of rotation of the rod 16 is shown in phantom. Thus, the actuator 14 places stress on the handle to move it between the retracted and deployed positions.

The external opening control device 4 of the movable door further comprises an actuator control unit 18 configured to control the actuator 14 from the retracted position of the handle to the deployed position, or vice versa, in response to a control signal. The control unit 18 sends commands to the actuator 14 to move the handle.

The control unit 18 of the present invention is configured to detect blockage of the handle when controlling the actuator 14 and to adjust the stress exerted by the actuator on the handle and/or to send a fault signal upon detection of blockage of the handle.

In the case where the electric actuator 14 is an electric motor, the stress exerted by the actuator on the handle is adjusted by adjusting the torque of the engine.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the detection of handle obstruction is based on the fact that the handle is not detected in another deployed or retracted position than the control starting position of the actuator within a given period of time. Thus, if the actuator 14 deploys the handle from the retracted position and the handle does not reach the deployed position within a determined time, the control unit 18 will detect a signal that the handle is blocked. The opening control means 4 may comprise a position sensor (not shown) of the handle, when the sensor has not been deployed or retracted in another deployment or retraction than the control starting position of the actuator for a given period of time as previously described When the position of the handle is detected, the sensor transmits a blocking signal to the control unit 18 of the actuator. Likewise, if at the end of a given period of time, the sensor detects the presence of a handle in the control home position of the actuator, the sensor will send a signal to the control unit that the handle is blocked in the home position. Conversely, if at the end of a given time period the sensor does not detect the presence of a handle in the starting position of the control of the actuator, the sensor will send a signal to the control unit that the handle is blocked in an intermediate position .

Figure 4 shows a flow chart of the control method implemented by the control unit of the present invention in the event that a handle blockage is detected. Step 100 corresponds to the retracted or deployed starting position of the handle. In response to the control signal, at step 102, the control unit controls the actuator. The actuator applies force to deploy or retract the handle. Step 104, when the control unit detects an obstruction, and the detection of the obstruction corresponds to the handle being obstructed in one of the deployed or retracted positions corresponding to the starting position for controlling the actuator, at step 106, to the actuator Adjustment of the stress exerted by the actuator on the handle corresponds to an increase in that stress. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the increase in the stress exerted by the actuator on the handle is achieved by modulating the pulse width of the control signal of the actuator.

At step 108, if the control unit does not detect the release of the handle after the increase in the stress exerted by the actuator on the handle, then at step 110, the force exerted by the actuator on the handle is cancelled and reapplied. The control unit is further configured to, at step 112, after the actuator has de-stressed and re-applied the handle, and in the event that the release of the handle is not detected, at step 114, repeat the de- and re-applying of the stress on the handle actuator stress. The duration for which the actuator re-stresses the handle is greater than 0.5 seconds and/or less than 5 seconds. The reapplication of the stress preferably lasts for a period of 1 second.

The control unit is configured to send a fault signal after the release of the handle is not detected. According to an embodiment of the invention, the control unit sends a fault signal to an intelligent service box (not shown) of the motor vehicle. According to the embodiment of FIG. 4 , after step 114 of de-stressing and re-applying the actuator, in the event that the release of the handle is not detected at step 116 , at step 118 , a fault signal is sent.

At step 104', when the detected occlusion of the handle corresponds to an intermediate position of the handle between the deployed and retracted positions, either by removing the stress exerted by the actuator on the handle at step 106", or by at step 106" ' diverting the stress, the control unit adjusts the stress so as to return to one of the deployed or retracted positions of the handle, at step 100, the one of the deployed or retracted positions corresponds to the control starting position of the actuator . The control unit is configured to send a fault signal when it is detected that the handle is blocked, advantageously to the intelligent service box of the motor vehicle. The application of the actuator to the handle can be cancelled in respective steps 108" and 108'. The failure signal is sent after the stress or the stress is diverted.

Thus, in the event that the control unit controls the deployment of the handle from the retracted starting position by the actuator, and detects that the handle is blocked in the intermediate position, the control unit diverts the stress exerted by the actuator on the handle for retraction handle. This situation is shown in Figure 5, where the unfolding handle encounters an obstacle 20 that blocks the handle in an intermediate position ⁶³ .

Conversely, if the handle is retracted from the deployed position and the control unit detects that the handle is blocked in the neutral position, the control unit diverts the stress exerted by the actuator on the handle to deploy the handle, thereby returning the handle to actuation The control start position of the controller, that is, in the unfolded position.

As an alternative to diverting the stress, as previously described, after detecting that the handle is blocked in the neutral position, the control unit removes the stress exerted by the actuator on the handle in order to maintain the handle in the neutral position. The control unit then sends a fault signal.

Claims (10)

1. Device (4) for controlling the external opening of a movable door of a motor vehicle, comprising:

-a support (8);

-a handle (6) in a deployed position (6)²) And a retracted position (6)¹) Is movably mounted on the support (8);

-an electric actuator (14) of the handle;

-an actuator control unit (18) configured to control the actuator (14) from the deployed position to the retracted position of the handle or from the retracted position to the deployed position of the handle in response to a control signal;

it is characterized in that

The control unit (18) is configured to detect an occlusion of the handle when controlling the actuator and, in case of an occlusion being detected, to adjust the stress of the actuator on the handle and/or to send a fault signal.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit (18) is configured to detect when an obstruction corresponds to the deployed position (6)²) And the retracted position (6)¹) Corresponds to a starting position of the control of the actuator, the adjustment of the stress of the actuator (14) on the handle corresponds to an increase of the stress.

3. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that the control unit (18) is configured to cancel and reapply the stress of the actuator in case no release of the handle is detected after an increase of the stress.

4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the control unit (18) is configured to repeat the cancellation and reapplication of the stress of the actuator on the handle in case no release of the handle is detected after the cancellation and reapplication of the stress of the actuator (14) on the handle.

5. A device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that increasing the stress of the actuator (14) on the handle (6) is achieved by modulating the pulse width of the control signal of the actuator.

6. A device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterised in that the control unit (18) is configured to send a fault signal if no release of the handle is detected.

7. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the control unit (18) is configured to detect when an obstruction corresponds to the deployed position (6)²) And the retracted position (6)¹) Intermediate position (6) therebetween³) Adjustment of the stress of the actuator on the handle corresponds to the cancellation of the stress or the diversion of the stress in order to return to the deployed position (6)²) And the retracted position (6)¹) Corresponding to a starting position of the control of the actuator.

8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that the control unit (18) is configured to send a fault signal when a blockage of the handle is detected.

9. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the detection of an occlusion of the handle is based on the absence, for a given period of time, of the deployed position (6) being different from a starting position of the control of the actuator²) And the retracted position (6)¹) The handle is detected in the other position.

10. Motor vehicle comprising at least one movable door (2) and means (4) for controlling the external opening of said door, characterized in that said external opening control means (4) of the movable door are according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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