Sensor arrangement for a motor-vehicle locking device and an associated method

US7654147B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst GmbH & Co. KG · DE

Inventors

• Martin Witte · Ahaus, DE
• Helmut Schumacher · Coesfeld, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 21, 2006
• Grant date: Feb 2, 2010
• Expiry date: Jan 30, 2027

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H03K2017/9602
• WIPO field: Civil engineering
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

A method for detecting the application of an operator's body part to an operating point of a locking device for a motor vehicle is performed by first detecting the proximity of the operator's body part to the operating point via a proximity sensor. A change in the pressure exerted on the operating point by the operator's body part is detected using a mechanical sensor which is arranged on the operating point. An output signal, which indicates the application of the operator's body part, is generated by an evaluation circuit as a function of the sensor output signals from the proximity sensor and the mechanical sensor. When the evaluation circuit detects the beginning of the application of the operator's body part on the basis of the sensor output signal from the mechanical sensor, a sensor output signal value which is output at approximately the same time by the proximity sensor is detected. This is used to evaluate the subsequent changes in the sensor output signal in order to be able to detect in a more reliable manner that the operator's body part has been withdrawn from the operating point. Also disclosed is an associated sensor arrangement.