IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,317,251
Granted Patent B2
US 10,317,251 · App. 15/050,668 · Granted Jun 11, 2019

Device for contactless actuation of a vehicle door, and vehicle

Inventors: Felix Sterk (Schlier, DE); Udo Geuther (Bamberg, DE)
Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Hallstadt
G01D5/24B60R25/2054E05F15/73H02P1/00H03K17/955E05Y2400/852E05Y2400/858E05Y2900/531H03K2017/9613H03K2217/96077H03K2217/96078
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,317,251
App. No.
15/050,668
Granted
Jun 11, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A device for actuating a door of a vehicle in a contact-free manner includes a capacitive proximity sensor. The proximity sensor has at least one sensor electrode for emitting an electric detection field in a detection area in front of the sensor electrode. An insulated electric conductor is arranged in front of the sensor electrode for shaping the detection field.

Claims (20)

1. A device for actuating a vehicle door of a vehicle in a contact-free manner, the device comprising:

a capacitive proximity sensor having at least one sensor electrode which, upon being energized by an electrical alternating voltage, emits an electrical detection field into a detection space located in front of said sensor electrode; and

an insulated electrical conductor for shaping the detection field disposed in front of said sensor electrode;

said sensor electrode and said insulated electrical conductor together forming the detection field in front of said insulated electrical conductor for detecting a presence of an object in the detection field at a spacing distance from said insulated electrical conductor.

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said insulated electrical conductor is a planar foil or coating applied to a vehicle part located in front of said sensor electrode or introduced into the vehicle part.

3. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said sensor electrode is a round conductor.

4. The device according to claim 2 , wherein the vehicle door to be actuated is a tailgate, and wherein said insulated electrical conductor is applied to a rear bumper trim of the vehicle or is introduced into the rear bumper trim.

5. The device according to claim 4 , wherein:

said sensor electrode is one of two sensor electrodes mounted at a given distance one above the other behind the bumper trim and configured to emit an upper detection field and a lower detection field, respectively, into a respectively assigned detection space; and

said insulated electrical conductor is assigned to said upper sensor electrode and, in order to spatially separate said upper and lower detection fields, is arranged at least approximately at a same level height as, or higher than, said upper sensor electrode.

6. A vehicle having a vehicle door and a device for actuating the vehicle door in a contact-free manner, the device comprising:

a capacitive proximity sensor having at least one sensor electrode which, upon being energized by an electrical alternating voltage, emits an electrical detection field into a detection space located in front of said sensor electrode; and

an insulated electrical conductor arranged in front of said sensor electrode for shaping the electrical detection field;

said sensor electrode and said insulated electrical conductor together forming the detection field in front of said insulated electrical conductor for detecting a presence of an object in the detection field at a spacing distance from said insulated electrical conductor.

7. The vehicle according to claim 6 , wherein said insulated electrical conductor is a planar foil or coating applied to a vehicle part of the vehicle located in front of said sensor electrode or introduced into the vehicle part.

8. The vehicle according to claim 6 , wherein said sensor electrode is a round conductor.

9. The vehicle according to claim 7 , wherein the vehicle door to be actuated is a tailgate, and wherein said insulated electrical conductor is applied to a rear bumper trim of the vehicle or is introduced into the rear bumper trim.

10. The device according to claim 9 , wherein:

said sensor electrode is one of two sensor electrodes mounted at a given distance one above the other behind the bumper trim and configured to emit an upper detection field and a lower detection field, respectively, into a respectively assigned detection space; and

said insulated electrical conductor is assigned to said upper sensor electrode and, in order to spatially separate said upper and lower detection fields, is arranged at least approximately at a same level height as, or higher than, said upper sensor electrode.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 18, 2016
From: STERK, FELIX; GEUTHER, UDO
To: BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE GMBH & CO. KOMMANDITGESELLSCHAFT, HALLSTADT
Reel/Frame 040045/0398 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2013 014 142 · Aug 23, 2013 · national
Continuity (2)
Continuation PCTEP2014067334 · Aug 13, 2014
Related Publication 20160169708A1 · Jun 16, 2016