Method and device for preventing injuries and material damage caused by motor vehicle doors

US7528704B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Siemens Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

• Chandan Das · Singapore, SG
• Henryk Frenzel · Regensburg, DE
• Christoph Hamann · Tauberbischofsheim, DE
• Stephan Voltz · Happurg, DE
• Ulrich Wagner · Bernburg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 22, 2004
• Grant date: May 5, 2009
• Expiry date: Jan 27, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC E): Fixed Constructions
• CPC primary: E05Y2900/531
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The invention relates to the prevention of injuries and material damage caused by doors (2) of stopped and/or parked motor vehicles (1) by means of at least one camera (4) which monitors the exterior (3) of, especially the space next to and/or above, the vehicle (1). According to the invention, a mode of operation monitoring the inner (7) and/or outer (8) door handle is activated and the exterior (3) of the motor vehicle (1) is monitored by means of the camera (4) if an evaluation unit (6) detects that a fixed or variable speed-related, acceleration-related, and/or distance-related threshold value (SW) is not met, e.g. when the vehicle (1) is stopped, or if said evaluation unit (6) detects that a signal unlocking the locking mechanism of the vehicle doors (2) is received while causing an acoustic, optical, and/or haptic warning signal to be issued as soon as a person actuates or unlocks optionally in an automated manner the vehicle door (2) handle (7, 8) even though a stationary (9) or approaching (10) object has been detected in the field of vision (5) of the camera (4).