Patent Application
20100207645
The invention relates to a sensor device, in particular for detecting at least one object in a swivel region of a convertible top, comprising at least one sensor which is formed at least partly by a convertible top rod system.
The invention further relates to a method for installing a sensor device which serves in particular for detecting at least one object in a swivel region of a convertible top, comprising at least one sensor which is formed at least partly by a convertible top rod system.
The invention further relates to a conductor path structure, in particular a conductor path structure which is flexible and formed substantially flat.
A generic sensor device is known from DE 10 2006 004 278 A1, for example. This prior art document describes a sensor device for detecting an object or an object in a swivel region of a convertible top, the sensor device comprising a sensor which can detect the characteristics of a field associated with the convertible top. This sensor device further comprises an evaluating device for evaluating the field characteristics detected by the sensor. For example, the convertible top, or one or more sections thereof, serves as a field source. The convertible top, or one or more sections thereof, can thus be formed as an electrode of the sensor. A further electrode of the sensor is then provided in this case by, for example, a vehicle body put on mass. Thus the electrode formed by the convertible top and the electrode put on mass formed by the vehicle body do at least partly form the sensor, the detected signals of which are evaluated by the evaluating device for detecting the object situated between the convertible top and the vehicle body. In order to form the convertible top as the electrode of the sensor, several possibilities are suggested in DE 10 2006 004 278 A1. On the one hand, a convertible top rod system of the convertible top, which is formed at least by a plurality of links of a link system rotatably coupled to each other, can be used at least partly as an electrode. To this end, the individual links are coupled to each other via electrically conductive bearings or joints. Such conductive bearings may be realized in particular at least partly by electrically conductive sockets. However, the conductivity of these sockets may be negatively affected by changing or varying ambient conditions which are caused for example by a variable climate, so that the conductivity of these sockets deteriorates. In the worst case these sockets may be affected such that they completely lose their electric conductivity so that only the links connected to each other in an electrically conductive manner still form the electrode. This may lead to the sensor detecting falsified field characteristics or being no more operational.
According to the prior art, in order not to be necessarily dependent on the conductivity of the bearing of the convertible top rod system, cable trees are retrofitted on the left side or on both sides within the convertible top rod system and clipped with the individual links, screwed, or joined by cable binders, wherein one or more cables of the cable tree may serve as an electrode. This measure represents a considerable cost factor and requires an adequate construction space required for mounting the cable tree. In particular, according to this solution, attention also needs to be paid to the cable trees not being kinked or bent over their required minimum bending radius during the pivoting of the convertible top.
DE 10 2006 004 278 A1 further suggests, instead of forming the convertible top rod system as an electrode, providing a cover tarpaulin having electrical conductor paths and covering the convertible top rod system, the electrical conductor paths forming essentially a fish bone pattern. Thereby, the convertible top cover tarpaulin of the convertible top acts as a field source and thus forms an electrode of the sensor. However, such an implementation of the convertible top tarpaulin is extremely elaborate and costly.
It is therefore an object of the invention to further develop the generic sensor devices and methods for installing such sensor devices and the conductor paths such that the above mentioned disadvantages may be overcome at least partly and in particular the required construction space and costs may be reduced.
This object is achieved by the features of the independent claims.
Advantageous embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.
The sensor device according to the invention is distinguished from the generic prior art in that the sensor further comprises a conductor path structure which is connected to the convertible top rod system in an electrically conductive manner so as to form a sensor electrode. The conductor path structure is preferably formed as a flat conductor or flexible substantially flat conductor plate individually manufactured for the convertible top rod system, in particular for a link system comprising a plurality of links. The conductor path structure may likewise be formed partly as a flexible printed conductor plate which comprises one or more printed two-dimensional conductor paths and which may optionally further comprise non-two-dimensional conductors which are fixed to the flexible conductor plate in a manner known to the person skilled in the art. In order to establish the electrically conductive connection between the conductor path structure and the convertible top rod system, preferably at least one conductor path of the conductor path structure is contacted through to the convertible top rod system.
The sensor device according to the invention may advantageously further be characterized in that the conductor path structure, or one or more sections thereof, is positioned adjacent to the convertible top rod system or alongside the convertible top rod system. Thus the conductor path structure is positioned and attached alongside and preferably directly adjoining links of a link system of the convertible top rod system. In order to attach the conductor path structure to the individual links, ears or 90-degrees-retractions may be provided, for example, via which in addition to the attachment, also the electrically conductive connection may be established by contacting through to the convertible top rod system. These ears or 90-degrees-retractions for fixing the conductor path structure comprise, for example, transverse nails, rivets, pins, screws, which are introduced into corresponding bores at the respective links. Solder joints or spot weldings may of course also serve to attach the conductor path structure.
In addition, the sensor device according to the invention may be implemented such that the conductor path structure is formed flexible and substantially flat and/or is attached to the convertible top rod system. In particular with the conductor path structure attached to a plurality of links of the link arrangement, an extremely flexible conductor path structure is advantageous, since very small bending radii of the conductor path structure may occur, for example, when the convertible top rod system is collapsed.
Furthermore, the sensor device according to the invention may be realized such that the convertible top rod system comprises a link system comprising a plurality of links which are rotatably coupled to each other and which are selectively coupled to each other in an electrically conductive manner via their couplings or isolated against each other. The couplings or bearings of adjacent links are preferably implemented at least partly as bearing sockets. For example, electrically conductive bearing sockets are thus used to establish an electrically conductive connection between adjacent links. Likewise, selected links can be purposely isolated from the remaining links of the link system and hence do not act as an electrode of the sensor. For example, in this case isolated bearings are used, which can be realized at least partly by electrically isolating plastic sockets.
Furthermore, the sensor device according to the invention can be realized such that the coupling of different links is formed such that it establishes an electrically conductive connection between the links or acts to isolate electrically, depending on the mutual orientation of the different links. Such an implementation of the coupling and the bearing of adjacent links, respectively, is advantageous primarily if a selected link is to be exempted from the sensor only after undergoing a predetermined pivot motion which corresponds merely to a portion of the complete pivot motion of the convertible top. Thus this link at first acts as at least one section of the electrode of the sensor but is electrically decoupled from the electrode of the sensor after performing its predetermined pivot motion.
The sensor device may furthermore be formed such that the sensor is a capacitive sensor. In this case, the links of the link system of the convertible cover rod system form an electrode of a capacitive sensor, for example.
The sensor device according to the invention may further be formed such that at least one conductor path of the conductor path structure is coupled to the convertible top rod system or to the links in an electrically conductive manner, wherein the conductor path is coupled at one or more sections to one or more links in an electrically conductive manner. The electrically conductive connection of adjacent links which are coupled together may be interrupted, for example directly at their coupling, due to constantly changing ambient conditions. The conductor path structure being electrically coupled respectively to a plurality of links and in particular to adjacent links, a redundancy is produced in a reliable manner, so that an interruption of the electric connection at the coupling of the links does at least not entail a failure of the sensor. In particular, the sections which serve to establish the electrically conductive connection between the conductor path structure and the respective links may be provided for fixing the conductor path structure to the links.
Preferably, the sensor device according to the invention is implemented such that the conductor path structure comprises one or more further conductor paths which are provided at least for supplying current, for transferring data, or as a mass conductor. Thereby the functionality of a cable tree can be achieved by the conductor path structure, yet without being affected by the above mentioned disadvantages of using a cable tree.
The sensor device according to the invention may furthermore be implemented such that the conductor path structure is formed such that components (SMD) which are surface-mountable by surface-mount technique (SMT), in particular surface-mountable electronic components, can be coupled to the conductor path structure. Likewise further electronic components such as further sensor elements can be integrated directly into the layout of the conductor path structure in an advantageous manner. This can be achieved in particular by SMD (surface-mounted device) technique.
The sensor device according to the invention may furthermore be formed advantageously such that the conductor path structure is formed with one or more attachment sections for being attached to the convertible top rod system or to the link system via which the electrically conductive connection is established.
The sensor device according to the invention is further distinguished in that one or more sensors are integrated by surface-mount technique (SMD) at least partly in the conductor path, which further sensors operate in particular on the basis of electromagnetic waves, in particular microwaves, or sound, in particular ultrasound. As the surface-mount technique (SMD) permits integrating further sensors in the conductor path structure, detection of an object in the swivel region of the convertible top may be rendered even more reliable. Thereby several sensors operating on the basis of different operating principles may be realized using the conductor path structure.
The sensor device according to the invention may furthermore be realized such that the electrically conductive connection between the convertible top rod system and the conductor path structure can be manufactured by a melting method, in particular a metal melting method. For example, the electrically conductive connection can be produced by spot welding or soldering.
In a preferred embodiment, the sensor device according to the invention is realized such that the conductor path structure is formed as a 2D or as a 3D conductor path structure.
The method according to the invention is distinguished from the generic prior art in that the sensor comprises a conductor path structure which is connected to the convertible top rod system in an electrically conductive manner so as to form a sensor electrode. Thus, the advantages mentioned in the context of the sensor device according to the invention are obtained in the same or similar manner. In order to avoid repetitions, reference is therefore made to the explanations relating to the sensor device according to the invention.
The same applies analogously for the following preferred embodiments of the method according to the invention. In order to avoid repetitions, reference is therefore made to the corresponding explanations regarding the sensor device according to the invention.
The method according to the invention may be advantageously further characterized in that the conductor path structure, or one or more sections thereof, is arranged adjacent to the convertible top rod system or alongside the convertible top rod system.
Furthermore, the method according to the invention can be implemented such that the conductor path structure is formed flexible and substantially flat and/or is attached to the convertible top rod system.
Furthermore, the method according to the invention can be realized such that the convertible top rod system comprises a link system comprising a plurality of links coupled rotatably to each other and which are selectively connected to each other in an electrically conductive manner via their couplings or are isolated against each other.
Furthermore, the method according to the invention can be realized such that the coupling of different links establishes an electrically conductive connection between the links or electrically isolates the links against each other, depending on the mutual orientation of the different links.
Preferably, the method according to the invention is performed such that the sensor is formed as a capacitive sensor.
The method according to the invention can further be realized such that at least one conductor path of the conductor path structure is connected to the convertible top rod system or to the links in an electrically conductive manner, wherein the conductor path is connected at one or more sections to one and/or more than one links in an electrically conductive manner.
The method according to the invention can further be realized such that the conductor path structure comprises one or more further conductor paths which are provided at least for current supply, for data transfer, or as a mass conductor.
Furthermore, the method according to the invention can be realized such that the conductor path structure is formed such that components (SMD) which are surface-mountable by surface-mount technique (SMT), in particular surface-mountable electronic components, can be coupled to the conductor path structure.
In addition, the method according to the invention can be realized such that the conductor path structure is formed with one or more attachment sections for being attached to the convertible top rod system or to the link system via which the electrically conductive connection is established.
The method according to the invention may be further distinguished in that one or more further sensors are integrated in the conductor path structure by surface-mount technique (SMD) at least partially, which further sensors operate in particular on the basis of electromagnetic waves, in particular microwaves or sound, in particular ultrasound.
Furthermore, the method according to the invention can be implemented such that the electrically conductive connection between the convertible top rod system and the conductor path structure is produced via a melting method, in particular a metal melting method.
The method according to the invention is preferably implemented such that the conductor path structure is formed as a 2D or 3D conductor path structure.
The conductor path structure according to the invention is distinguished from the generic prior art in that it can be attached to a convertible top rod system, in particular to one or more links of a link system of the convertible top rod system, wherein the conductor path structure can be connected to the convertible top rod system in an electrically conductive manner via one or more contact regions. Also in this case the advantages which were explained above in the context of the sensor device according to the invention are obtained in the same or similar manner. In order to avoid repetitions, reference is therefore made to the corresponding explanations concerning the sensor device according to the invention.
The same applies analogously for the following preferred embodiment of the conductor path structure according to the invention. In order to avoid repetitions, reference is therefore made again to the corresponding explanations regarding the sensor device according to the invention.
The conductor path structure according to the invention may be advantageously formed such that the contact regions at the same time serve as attachment regions at the convertible top rod system.
Preferred embodiments of the invention are subsequently explained by way of example, with reference to the figures.
In an alternative embodiment the bearings 30 and 32 may however be designed such that they establish an electrically conductive connection or provide an electric isolation, depending on the mutual orientation of the corresponding links 24 and 26 as well as 26 and 28.
In order to form the convertible top rod system, in particular the rod system comprising the links 24 and 26, as a sensor electrode of the sensor, the conductor path structure 12 is connected to the links 24 and 26 in an electrically conductive manner or is contacted through to the links 24 and 26. In particular, the conductor path structure 12 in this exemplary embodiment comprises, by way of example, three conductor paths 18, 20 and 22, wherein the conductor path 18 is connected to the links 24 and 26 via contact regions 14, 16 by means of via contacts 34 in an electrically conductive manner. In the case shown, the links 24 and 26 thus act as a sensor electrode of the sensor, whereas the link 28 is isolated from the links 24, 26 and in this case does not comprise a function related to the sensor.
In this exemplary embodiment, during operation of the sensor device 10 according to the invention, the capacity C1 which is present between the vehicle body 40 and the convertible top rod system, in particular the links 24 and 26 of the link system, is detected. For example, a characteristic capacity behaviour of a complete pivot motion of the convertible top, in particular the convertible top rod system, with no object situated in the swivel region, may thus be pre-stored in the evaluating device 48. If the object 44 is in the swivel region of the convertible top, the evaluating device can detect or capture changes or deviations with respect to the characteristic capacity behaviour between the electrodes using the sensor device 10, in particular the two electrodes, so that in this case a blocking protection control is performed by the evaluating device 38 or a control device associated with the evaluating device 38. The blocking protection may, for example, cause the pivot motion of the convertible top to stop or likewise perform a reversal of the pivot motion. The deviations from the characteristic capacity behaviour of the capacity C1 may in particular be detected by the object 44 contacting the convertible top rod system. Likewise it is also possible to detect the deviations from the characteristic capacity behaviour of the capacity C1 when the object is merely situated between the convertible top rod system and the vehicle body without however touching them.
The features of the invention disclosed in the above description, in the drawings and in the claims may be essential to realizing the invention either individually or in any combination.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2007 034 001.1 | Jul 2007 | DE | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/DE08/01012 | 6/24/2008 | WO | 00 | 3/30/2010 |
