Distributed sensor system for sensing body parts and persons in a hazardous area of a convertible top

文档序号:1191852 发布日期:2020-08-28 浏览:4次 中文

阅读说明:本技术 用于感测在敞篷车顶的危险区域中的身体部位和人员的分布式传感器系统 (Distributed sensor system for sensing body parts and persons in a hazardous area of a convertible top ) 是由 A·施特拉塞尔 于 2018-12-05 设计创作,主要内容包括:本发明涉及一种用于检测在车辆(100)的危险区域中的身体部位的安全系统(10),涉及一种具有这样的安全系统的敞篷车顶(20)并且涉及一种相应的方法。根据本发明的安全系统(10)包括:至少一个传感器节点(11a、11b、11c),其分别具有电容传感器(15a、15b、15c)和处理单元(16a、16b、16c),其中,电容传感器(15a、15b、15c)具有至少一个电极,并且被设计为能够捕获由于身体部位接近电极而引起的电容变化,其中,处理单元(16a、16b、16c)被设计为能够基于通过电容传感器(15a、15b、15c)捕获的电容变化来产生电容变化数据;分析评估单元(13),其被设计为能够至少基于接收的电容变化数据检测在危险区域中存在身体部位;数据传输装置(12),其用于将产生的电容变化数据从传感器节点(11a、11b、11c)传输到分析评估单元(13)。(The invention relates to a safety system (10) for detecting body parts in a hazardous area of a vehicle (100), to a convertible top (20) having such a safety system and to a corresponding method. The security system (10) according to the invention comprises: at least one sensor node (11a, 11b, 11c) having a capacitance sensor (15a, 15b, 15c) and a processing unit (16a, 16b, 16c), wherein the capacitance sensor (15a, 15b, 15c) has at least one electrode and is designed to be able to capture capacitance changes due to the proximity of a body part to the electrode, wherein the processing unit (16a, 16b, 16c) is designed to be able to generate capacitance change data on the basis of the capacitance changes captured by the capacitance sensor (15a, 15b, 15 c); an evaluation unit (13) which is designed to be able to detect the presence of a body part in the hazardous area at least on the basis of the received capacitance change data; data transmission means (12) for transmitting the resulting capacitance change data from the sensor nodes (11a, 11b, 11c) to an evaluation unit (13).)

1. A safety system (10) for detecting body parts in a hazardous area of a vehicle (100), preferably a convertible top, the safety system comprising:

at least one sensor node (11a, 11b, 11c) having a capacitive sensor (15a, 15b, 15c) and a processing unit (16a, 16b, 16c), respectively,

wherein the capacitive sensor (15a, 15b, 15c) has at least one electrode and is designed to be able to capture a change in capacitance due to the proximity of a body part to the electrode,

wherein the processing unit (16a, 16b, 16c) is designed to be able to generate capacitance change data based on a capacitance change captured by the capacitance sensor (15a, 15b, 15 c);

an evaluation unit (13) which is designed to be able to detect the presence of a body part in the hazardous area at least on the basis of the received capacitance change data;

data transmission means (12) for transmitting the resulting capacitance change data from the sensor nodes (11a, 11b, 11c) to an evaluation unit (13).

2. The security system (10) of claim 1,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the data transmission device (12) comprises a communication connection with real-time capability, in particular in the form of a bus system, preferably in the form of a CAN bus or a FlexRay bus.

3. The security system (10) of claim 1 or 2,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

a plurality of sensor nodes, preferably all sensor nodes (11a, 11b, 11c) of the safety system (10) are connected to a single evaluation unit (13) via a data transmission device (12).

4. The security system (10) of any one of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the capacitance change data comprises a frequency ratio, in particular a ratio of a detuned resonance frequency of the resonance circuit to a reference frequency of the oscillation generating circuit, which preferably comprises an oscillation crystal.

5. The security system (10) of any one of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the evaluation unit (13) is designed to be able to receive temperature measurement data and/or humidity measurement data, in particular to be able to determine, preferably calculate, a capacitance change threshold value taking into account the received temperature measurement data and/or humidity measurement data.

6. The security system (10) of any one of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the first sensor node (11a) is designed to be able to sense body parts in a hazardous area of a roof (20), in particular a convertible roof linkage (22), of a vehicle (100); and/or

The second sensor node (11b) is designed to be able to sense a body part in a hazardous area of a dashboard (31) of the vehicle (100); and/or

The third sensor node (11c) is designed to be able to sense a body part in a hazardous area of a roof cover (24) of the vehicle (100).

7. The security system (10) of any one of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the first sensor node (11a), in particular the electrode of the capacitive sensor (15a) of the first sensor node (11a), can be fitted to a linkage (22), preferably a metal linkage, of a roof (20) of the vehicle (100) and/or can be connected in an electrically conductive manner to a linkage (22), preferably a metal linkage, of the roof (20) of the vehicle (100); and/or

The second sensor node (11b), in particular the electrode of the capacitive sensor (15b) of the second sensor node (11b), can be fitted to a dashboard (31) of the vehicle (100) and/or can be connected to the dashboard (31) of the vehicle (100) in an electrically conductive manner; and/or

The electrode of the third sensor node (11c), in particular of the capacitive sensor (15c) of the third sensor node (11c), can be fitted to a roof hatch (24) of the vehicle (100) and/or can be connected in an electrically conductive manner to the roof hatch (24) of the vehicle (100).

8. The security system (10) of any one of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

at least one sensor node (11a, 11b, 11c) comprises an evaluation unit which is designed to be able to detect the presence of a body part in the danger area assigned to the sensor node (11a, 11b, 11c) at least on the basis of capacitance change data generated by the processing unit (16a, 16b, 16 c).

9. A roof (20), in particular a convertible roof, for a vehicle (100), the roof comprising a security system according to any of the preceding claims.

10. Vehicle roof (20) according to claim 9,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the roof (20), in particular the linkage (22), preferably a metal linkage, of the roof (20) is electrically insulated, in particular with respect to the vehicle body.

11. Vehicle roof (20) according to claim 9 or 10,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the vehicle roof (20) has a roof cover (24) which is electrically insulating, in particular with respect to the vehicle body.

12. Method for detecting body parts in a hazardous area of a vehicle (100), preferably a convertible top, in particular the vehicle (100) having a safety system according to any of claims 1 to 8, the method comprising the steps of:

capturing a change in capacitance due to a proximity of a body part to an electrode of the capacitive sensor (15a, 15b, 15c) by means of a capacitive sensor (15a, 15b, 15c) of the sensor node (11a, 11b, 11 c);

generating capacitance change data by means of a processing unit (16a, 16b, 16c) of the sensor node (11a, 11b, 11c) based on the capacitance change captured by the capacitance sensor (15a, 15b, 15 c);

transmitting the generated capacitance change data from the sensor nodes (11a, 11b, 11c) to an evaluation unit (13) via a data transmission device (12), preferably via a bus system;

the presence of a body part in the hazardous area is detected by means of an evaluation unit (13) on the basis of at least the received capacitance change data.

13. Use of a capacitive sensor (15a, 15b, 15c) and a processing unit (16a, 16b, 16c) designed to be able to capture capacitance changes as sensor nodes (11a, 11b, 11c) for connection to a data transmission device (12), preferably a bus system, of a vehicle (100) and to generate capacitance change data for detecting body parts in a hazardous area, preferably a hazardous area of a convertible top.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a safety system for detecting a body part in a hazardous area of a vehicle, to a vehicle roof having such a safety system and to a corresponding method.

Background

Proximity sensors are known from the prior art which are based on capacitance measurement and which are able to sense the proximity of an object, for example a human body part, without contact by means of a change in capacitance. Such sensors can be used to avoid dangerous situations, for example by means of sensors which bring about an emergency stop of the drive motor or a timely stop of the moving machine part. Contactless sensors are usually installed in modern motor vehicles and ensure anti-trap protection, for example against fingers being caught in the gaps of windows which can be closed by means of power window lifters or in the gaps of tailgate or boot lids which can be closed automatically.

WO 2007/048640 a1 discloses a circuit for sensing sensor electrodes in an observation area near which a limb of an object, e.g. a person, is approaching. The circuit detects a change in the resonant behavior of the capacitor system in the form of a phase shift. The circuit aims to improve the sensitivity of the basic capacitive sensor. Such circuits, which are based at least in part on analog circuitry, have large dimensions and are therefore limited in the possible ways in which they can be arranged. Known proximity sensor systems based on such circuits and having a plurality of capacitive sensors for motor vehicles have a central processing unit which determines the capacitance change from the measured values captured by the sensors in a decentralized manner. For this purpose, for example, lines are laid from sensors at different measuring points within the vehicle to a processing unit in the trunk of the vehicle. The capacitance to be captured varies little. Therefore, the lines must be carefully shielded since even small disturbances will affect the measurement of the capacitance. For example, the bending, the change in position, the fastening of the lines or cables or the environment may have greatly influenced the capacitance change to be determined. The shielding of the lines is complex and expensive. Furthermore, dedicated and expensive connectors are required to connect the wires to the circuit board of the processing unit.

Disclosure of Invention

Based on this prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a safety system for detecting body parts in a hazardous area of a vehicle, which can be implemented at a low cost. Furthermore, the greatest possible flexibility with regard to the arrangement of the sensors is intended to be achieved.

This object is achieved by means of a security system according to claim 1, a vehicle roof according to claim 9, a method according to claim 12 and a use according to claim 13.

In particular, this object is achieved by means of a safety system for detecting body parts in a hazardous area of a vehicle, preferably a convertible top, comprising:

at least one sensor node having a capacitive sensor and a processing unit, respectively,

wherein the capacitive sensor has at least one electrode and is designed to be able to capture a change in capacitance due to the proximity of a body part to the electrode,

wherein the processing unit is designed to be able to generate capacitance change data based on the capacitance change captured by the capacitance sensor;

an analysis and evaluation unit which is designed to be able to detect the presence of a body part in the hazardous area at least on the basis of the received capacitance change data;

data transmission means for transmitting the generated capacitance change data from the sensor nodes to the evaluation unit.

The invention is based on the concept of assigning a capacitive sensor and a processing unit to sensor nodes, respectively, wherein the sensor nodes, in particular a plurality of sensor nodes, are connected to an evaluation unit via a data transmission device. By means of the safety system according to the invention, the capacitance changes can be captured in a decentralized manner by means of the sensor nodes and can be processed separately (directly) to form capacitance change data. After transmission to the evaluation unit, the capacitance change data, preferably from a plurality of sensor nodes, can be evaluated in a centralized manner in order to detect body parts in the hazard area and/or to evaluate information relating to body parts in the hazard area. The danger zone can be, for example, a pinch gap between moving parts of the vehicle, in which a body part, for example a finger or a limb, can be pinched.

Preferably, a separate processing unit is assigned to each capacitive sensor. A sensor node is understood to mean a structural unit which comprises a capacitive sensor and a processing unit, which are arranged (together), in particular on a printed circuit board or a circuit board and/or in a housing. The sensor node is preferably in the form of an Integrated Circuit (IC) and may comprise a microcontroller. Such sensor nodes have small dimensions and can be flexibly arranged at different locations.

In particular, the capacitive sensor captures a change in capacitance of the capacitor as a physical measurement variable, in particular by means of a measurement electrode relative to a ground electrode, wherein the measurement electrode and the ground electrode together form a capacitor. The capacitance change is caused, in particular, by the proximity of a (human) body part or object with conductive or dielectric properties to the measuring electrode, which causes a (measurable) change in the electric field. The capacitance change may be captured capacitively by means of a voltage change at the measuring electrode, a time change of the charging and/or discharging characteristics of the capacitor or a changed resonance characteristic of a resonance circuit comprising the capacitor and the inductor. The physical measurement variable depends in particular on the measurement method and can in particular be a captured analog voltage signal. A capacitive sensor may be understood to mean a proximity sensor or a contact sensor.

The processing unit is preferably in the form of an electronic circuit connected to the capacitive sensor. The capacitance change captured by the capacitance sensor may be determined by the processing unit in the form of a capacitance change value, e.g. a capacitance difference, a capacitance ratio, a frequency difference, a frequency ratio or a phase angle. In particular, the processing unit determines a change in capacitance relative to a reference as a capacitance change value based on the physical measurement variable captured by the capacitance sensor and generates capacitance change data therefrom. For example, the change in capacitance may be described by a frequency shift or change in frequency or a phase shift or angle of the captured voltage signal. Capacitance change data may be understood to mean those data from which information relating to a change in capacitance is obtained, in particular data suitable for (explicitly) describing a change in capacitance. The capacitance change may comprise a change in capacitance with respect to a reference to capacitance, preferably a change in capacitance with respect to a reference value of capacitance. The capacitance reference value or the series of capacitance reference values may be predefined, for example based on a plurality of stored values which are or from which the capacitance reference value may be generated. In this respect, a capacitance variation may be understood to mean a deviation from a reference capacitance or reference capacitance profile. The capacitance reference value may vary over time or may remain (temporarily) unchanged. The capacitance change data may also contain information indicating that a capacitance change or capacitance deviation from a reference has not been (currently) captured. In particular, the capacitance change data may also contain information which has been (partially) evaluated analytically and which indicates whether a body part is present in the danger area assigned to the sensor node. The capacitance change data can be transmitted, in particular transmitted, from the sensor nodes to the evaluation unit in the form of a digital signal or a signal sequence, in particular binary data, via a data transmission device. In particular, the sensor node comprises a transmitting/receiving unit (transceiver). The data transmission means may be wired or wireless, in particular may be in the form of a radio connection.

Transmitting the processed data in the form of capacitance change data instead of the physical measurement variable describing the capacitance change, for example in the form of an analog voltage signal, may make shielding of the transmission line unnecessary. Preferably, the lines of the data transmission device are not shielded, are not individually shielded or are only slightly shielded. The transmitted capacitance change data is less susceptible to interference from electromagnetic influences on the transmission line than the captured measurement signal itself. As a result, the security system according to the invention can be implemented at little expense. In particular, already existing data transmission devices, in particular data transmission devices in vehicles, can be used for connecting the sensor nodes.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the data transmission device comprises a communication link with real-time capability, in particular in the form of a bus system, preferably in the form of a CAN bus or a FlexRay bus. In particular, the sensor node comprises a bus connection, in particular a bus controller. In particular, the sensor nodes are connected to the bus system via at least one connection line, preferably a ground line. The plurality of sensor nodes may be communicatively connected to each other via a data transmission device. For security-related applications, it would be advantageous if data could be transmitted in real-time. The at least one sensor node CAN be connected to a vehicle bus, preferably a CAN bus (Controller area network) or a FlexRay bus, which is present in the vehicle. As a result, the existing data transmission line can be used for a security system with little design complexity.

In an advantageous development of the invention, a plurality of sensor nodes, preferably all sensor nodes, of the safety system are connected to a single evaluation unit via a data transmission device. As a result, the capacitance change can be captured and determined in a decentralized manner at a plurality of measurement locations in order to be used centrally at the evaluation location for detecting body parts in the hazardous area. As a result, the capacitance change data from a plurality of sensor nodes can be taken into account in order to obtain more reliable detection results on the one hand, while only a single evaluation unit has to be provided on the other hand.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the capacitance change data comprise a frequency ratio, in particular a ratio of a detuned resonance frequency of the resonance circuit to a reference frequency of the oscillation generating circuit, which preferably comprises an oscillation crystal. The oscillation generating circuit is designed to be able to generate a reference oscillation and includes, for example, an oscillation crystal or an RC oscillator. A frequency ratio may be understood to mean the quotient of two frequency values. In particular, the frequency value relates to a reference frequency, for example a natural frequency of the resonant circuit or a natural frequency of the oscillation generating element (for example an oscillation crystal), and a resonance frequency of the resonant circuit that is detuned, wherein the detuning is caused by a change in capacitance due to the proximity of a body part to the capacitive sensor. In particular, such a resonant circuit comprises a capacitor of the capacitive sensor. Alternatively, the capacitance change data may also comprise at least two frequency values, a frequency difference value, at least two capacitance values, a capacitance ratio, a capacitance difference value and/or a phase angle, in particular depending on the measuring method of the capacitance sensor and the circuit of the processing unit.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the evaluation unit is designed to compare the capacitance change values contained in the received capacitance change data with a stored capacitance change threshold value. In particular, the capacitance change data is read in order to obtain the capacitance change value contained therein. The predefined storage threshold value can be read from the storage unit by the evaluation unit. The evaluation unit can optionally be designed to be able to determine, preferably calculate, a capacitance change threshold value. In addition to the capacitance change value, the capacitance change threshold value may also take into account other parameters, such as a temperature value or a humidity value. The speed value or the rotation angle value of the drive motor of the adjustable device, for example of the roof, window, flap or sliding roof, can also be taken into account. By comparing the capacitance change value with a capacitance change threshold value, the evaluation unit can detect whether a body part is present in the hazardous area, in particular if the capacitance change value meets or exceeds the capacitance change threshold value.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the evaluation unit is designed to be able to receive temperature measurement data and/or humidity measurement data and in particular to be able to determine, preferably calculate, a capacitance change threshold value taking into account the received temperature measurement data and/or humidity measurement data. In particular, a temperature sensor and/or a humidity sensor can be connected to the data transmission device in order to transmit measurement data containing temperature values and/or humidity values to the evaluation unit. A speed sensor or a rotation angle sensor may also be connected to the data transmission device in order to take into account, for example, the current position or speed of the moving (opening or closing) device of the vehicle, for example, the roof, sliding roof, flap or window, when detecting a body part in the hazard area. The magnitude of the capacitance change, in particular the value of the capacitance change, may depend on temperature and/or humidity. Taking these parameters into account may allow to improve the accuracy of the safety system, i.e. body parts in the hazardous area may be detected in a more reliable way.

In an advantageous development of the invention,

the first sensor node is designed to be able to sense body parts in a hazardous area of a linkage of a roof, in particular a convertible roof, of a vehicle; and/or

The second sensor node is designed to be able to sense a body part in a hazardous area of a dashboard of the vehicle; and/or

The third sensor node is designed to be able to sense a body part in a hazardous area of a roof cover of the vehicle.

In this way, specific danger zones of the vehicle can be monitored individually by means of the sensor nodes. Preferably, the respective danger zone of the convertible top assigned with the sensor nodes can be monitored, wherein the evaluation unit can cause the opening or closing of the convertible top to be stopped in time if a body part is detected in one or more danger zones, so that the danger of the body part being pinched is avoided.

In an advantageous development of the invention,

the first sensor node, in particular the electrode of the capacitive sensor of the first sensor node, may be fitted to and/or may be connected in an electrically conductive manner to a linkage, preferably a metal linkage, of the roof of the vehicle; and/or the second sensor node, in particular the electrode of the capacitive sensor of the second sensor node, may be fitted to the dashboard of the vehicle and/or may be connected to the dashboard of the vehicle in an electrically conductive manner; and/or

The third sensor node, in particular the electrode of the capacitive sensor of the third sensor node, may be fitted to the roof hatch of the vehicle and/or may be connected in an electrically conductive manner to the roof hatch of the vehicle.

In particular, the electrodes, in particular the measuring electrodes, of the capacitive sensor may be in the form of surface electrodes, for example in the form of wire meshes or plates, preferably thin plates or strips. In particular, when the roof is mounted on a vehicle, the electrodes are connected in an electrically conductive manner to the linkage of the roof, the dashboard or the roof hatch of the vehicle. The first sensor node, the second sensor node and/or the third sensor node are preferably connected via connecting lines to a data transmission device, preferably a vehicle bus present in the vehicle or a bus system provided separately for the safety system.

In an advantageous development of the invention, at least one sensor node comprises an evaluation unit which is designed to be able to detect the presence of a body part in the danger area assigned to the sensor node at least on the basis of the capacitance change data generated by the processing unit. Such an evaluation unit can be understood to mean a (local) evaluation unit, in particular a separate evaluation unit, which is assigned to the sensor node and can be part of the structural unit of the sensor node. In particular, the capacitance change data transmitted to the upper-level (central) evaluation unit via the data transmission device contain an information item indicating whether a body part is present in the danger area assigned to the sensor node, for example in the form of a (binary) state value (yes/no). In this respect, the sensor node may also have the (sub-) functions described above in connection with the (superordinate) analytical evaluation unit. In this case, the superordinate evaluation unit can be designed to be able to centrally evaluate the capacitance change data containing information about the body parts in the danger area of the individual sensor nodes, for example to prioritize them, check their consistency or make decisions for the entire safety system comprising a plurality (or all) of the sensor nodes, in particular for a vehicle roof or a similar complex device.

In particular, the object is also achieved by means of a roof, in particular a convertible roof, for a vehicle comprising a security system according to the invention. The vehicle roof according to the invention has the same advantages as those already described in connection with the security system according to the invention.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the vehicle roof, in particular the linkage, preferably the metal linkage, of the vehicle roof, is electrically insulated, in particular electrically insulated with respect to the vehicle body. In particular, the sensor node is fitted to the linkage, wherein the electrodes of the capacitive sensor are preferably connected to the linkage in an electrically conductive manner, or the linkage itself forms the electrodes. The other electrode of the capacitive sensor may be connected to ground. Due to the electrical insulation of the linkage, the capacitance changes can be captured in a hazardous area in the vicinity of the linkage in a simple manner by means of electrodes formed on or connected to the linkage, in particular without being distorted by electromagnetic interference of the vehicle body.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the vehicle roof has a roof hatch which is electrically insulated, in particular with respect to the vehicle body. In particular, the sensor node is fitted to the roof hatch, preferably in order to monitor the gap between the vehicle body and the roof hatch which can be opened and closed. The electrodes of the capacitive sensor, preferably in the form of surface electrodes, are fastened, in particular fastened, on the roof hatch or to the roof hatch, preferably along the edge of the gap. The roof cover may be made entirely or partially of a metallic material. The other electrode of the capacitive sensor may be connected to ground. This results in advantages in a similar manner to those described in connection with the electrically insulating linkage of the vehicle roof.

In particular, the object is also achieved by means of a method for detecting body parts in a hazardous area of a vehicle, preferably a convertible top, in particular having a safety system according to the invention, comprising the following steps:

capturing a change in capacitance due to a body part approaching an electrode of the capacitive sensor by means of a capacitive sensor of the sensor node;

generating capacitance change data by means of a processing unit of the sensor node based on the capacitance change captured by the capacitance sensor;

transmitting the resulting capacitance change data from the sensor nodes to an evaluation unit via a data transmission device, preferably via a bus system;

the presence of a body part in the hazardous area is detected by means of an evaluation unit based on at least the received capacitance change data.

The method according to the invention has similar advantages to those already described in connection with the safety system according to the invention and the vehicle roof according to the invention and may implement some or all of the method features described in connection with the safety system or the vehicle roof.

In particular, the generated capacitance change data is transmitted via a CAN bus or a FlexRay bus, preferably in real time. The method preferably comprises: the capacitance change data are transmitted from the sensor nodes to the evaluation unit and are preferably also received from the sensor nodes, in particular all the sensor nodes, by means of the evaluation unit. The processing unit preferably encodes the capacitance change values to form capacitance change data, and the analysis and evaluation unit preferably reads the capacitance change values from the capacitance change data. The evaluation unit preferably receives capacitance change data from the sensor nodes, which data comprise frequency ratios. However, the (central) evaluation unit may also receive capacitance change data from a sensor node, preferably from a (local) evaluation unit assigned to the sensor node, which data contains information about the presence or absence of a body part in the hazardous area assigned to the sensor node. The method may also determine or calculate a capacitance change threshold, preferably based on temperature measurement data and/or humidity measurement data. In particular, the method according to the invention can be used to monitor a hazardous area of a vehicle, preferably a hazardous area of a convertible top, in order to detect body parts in the hazardous area. The method according to the invention can be implemented with little outlay and can enable the arrangement of sensor nodes in a flexible manner.

In particular, the object is also achieved by using a capacitive sensor and a processing unit which are designed to be able to capture capacitance changes as sensor nodes for connection to a data transmission device, preferably a bus system of a vehicle, and to generate capacitance change data for the purpose of detecting body parts in a hazardous area, preferably a hazardous area of a convertible top.

Drawings

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below on the basis of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a security system in accordance with the present invention in a block diagram;

fig. 2a shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a roof with a security system according to the invention in a side view, wherein the roof is mounted on a vehicle;

fig. 2b shows a schematic representation of the embodiment according to fig. 2a in a plan view.

Detailed Description

In the following description of the invention, the same reference numerals are used for the same and identically acting elements.

Fig. 1 shows by way of example an embodiment of a safety system 10 according to the invention having three sensor nodes 11a, 11b, 11c and an evaluation unit 13, which are connected to one another in a signal-conducting manner via a data transmission device 12. Each sensor node 11a, 11b, 11c comprises a capacitive sensor 15a, 15b, 15c and an associated processing unit 16a, 16b, 16c, respectively, which together form a structural unit, for example by arranging them together in a housing, on a circuit board or a carrier connected to each other. The sensor nodes 11a, 11b, 11c are connected in a signal-conducting manner to the data transmission means 12 via connection lines 14a, 14b, 14c, respectively, wherein the connection lines 14a, 14b, 14c may be in the form of electrical conductor tracks or wires, for example. The data transmission means 12 are in this case in the form of a CAN bus of CAN high bit lines 17 and CAN low bit lines 18, which CAN high bit lines 17 and CAN low bit lines 18 are connected to the respective sensor nodes 11a, 11b, 11c via connection lines 14a, 14b, 14c in each case. A shielding of the connecting wires or conductor tracks may be arranged between the capacitive sensors 15a, 15b, 15c and the processing units 16a, 16b, 16 c. However, the connection lines 14a, 14b, 14c and the data bus lines of the data transmission device 12, here the lines of the CAN bus systems 17 and 18(CAN high and CAN low), are preferably not shielded, at least not separately shielded. In this case, the security system 10 is shown in a right-hand section and may include other sensor nodes. In particular, other sensor nodes not functionally belonging to the security system 10 may be connected to the data transmission means 12.

The capacitive sensors 15a, 15b, 15c are in the form of proximity sensors with electrodes (not shown) that capture the proximity of a body part to the electrodes as a change in capacitance, preferably as a detuning of the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit relative to a reference frequency. The processing unit 16a, 16b, 16c has the function of determining a capacitance change value from the capacitance change captured using metrology and generating capacitance change data therefrom. These capacitance change data are transmitted to the evaluation unit 13 via the connecting lines 14a, 14b, 14c and also via the data transmission device 12. The capacitance change data preferably comprises a frequency ratio (explicitly) describing the captured capacitance change. The analysis and evaluation unit 13 has a function of detecting whether or not a body part is present in the hazardous area monitored by one of the capacitance sensors 15a, 15b, and 15c based on the capacitance change value contained in the capacitance change data. For detection, the evaluation unit 13 compares the received capacitance change data or values with stored capacitance change thresholds. The capacitance change threshold corresponds to a prescribed threshold value that defines a criterion whether the capacitance change is large enough to be able to infer the presence of a body part in the hazardous area. The security system 10 according to the invention has the advantage that: it can be implemented with little expense and the sensor nodes 11a, 11b and 11c can be arranged in a spatially flexible manner. The capacitance change data, in particular in the form of digital signals, are transmitted instead of the physical measurement variable, in particular in the form of an analog voltage signal. The capacitance change data is less susceptible to interference, particularly electromagnetic effects on the transmission line. As a result, shielding of the lines of the data transmission device 12 may not be required. The sensor nodes 11a, 11b, 11c may be placed with only the length of the connecting lines 14a, 14b, 14c having to be chosen appropriately.

Fig. 2a and 2b show an embodiment of a vehicle roof 20 according to the invention with a safety system 10 according to the invention as described in connection with fig. 1. The roof 20 is mounted on the vehicle 100, here a convertible, and thus takes the form of a convertible roof. The vehicle 100 has a trunk with a trunk lid 32, wherein the evaluation unit 13 is arranged in the trunk here, but may also be arranged at another location in the vehicle 100. The roof 20 is here in the form of a flexible roof (soft roof) and has a roof material 21 which is carried by a metal linkage 22, but may also be in the form of a foldable roof (hard roof) made of a stable material. The roof 20 is mounted in the body of the vehicle 100 via roof bearings 23 on both sides and may be stowed in a roof compartment (not shown) having a roof cover 24. The movement of the roof 20 is indicated by double-headed arrows. The first sensor node 11a is mounted to an electrically isolated linkage 22. The linkage 22 forms the electrode of the capacitive sensor 15a or is connected thereto in an electrically conductive manner. The capacitive sensor 15a of the first sensor node 11a monitors the hazard zone in the vicinity of the linkage 22 and preferably in the vicinity of those parts of the roof 20 which are electrically conductively connected to the linkage 22, for example the roof bow or other struts. The second sensor node 11b is fitted to the dash panel 31 of the vehicle 100 in order to monitor a danger zone along the front edge of the roof 20 or in the vicinity of the locking mechanism, in particular at the closure hooks on both sides. The third sensor node 11c is fitted to the roof cover 24 so as to monitor a hazardous area near the gap between the edge of the roof cover 24 and the vehicle body. In this case, the data transmission device 12 is in the form of a CAN bus system, wherein the sensor nodes 11a, 11b, 11c CAN be connected to a vehicle bus present in the vehicle, or a separate data bus CAN be provided for the security system 10, in particular for the vehicle roof 20. Other sensor nodes for monitoring the hazard zone of the vehicle roof 20 may be provided at other locations, preferably on both sides of the vehicle 100. Capacitance change data describing a change in capacitance or a capacitance deviation from a capacitance reference is transmitted via the data transmission device 12. For example, a series of reference values may be stored, preferably in a position-dependent manner, for the movement of the roof 20, which serves as a reference for determining a capacitance change or deviation from this reference. For example, if the capacitance change value exceeds a predetermined capacitance change threshold, the motion stops. The vehicle roof 20 according to the invention has the advantage that: the sensor nodes 11a, 11b, 11c can be arranged in a flexible manner and the security system 10 can be implemented with little outlay in terms of wiring. The roof 20 according to the invention may also be provided for vehicles other than motor vehicles, for example for boats.

It is pointed out here that all the above-described aspects of the invention are claimed as essential to the invention, in particular the details shown in the figures, individually or in any combination. The same applies to the method steps described. Variations thereof will be familiar to those skilled in the art.

List of reference numerals:

10 safety system

11a first sensor node

11b second sensor node

11c third sensor node

12 data transmission device

13 analysis and evaluation unit

14a, b, c connecting line

15a, b, c capacitive sensor

16a, b, c processing unit

17 CAN high bit line

18 CAN low bit line

20 vehicle roof

21 roof material

22 linkage device

23 roof bearing

24 vehicle roof cover

31 dash panel

32 trunk lid

100 vehicle

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