阅读说明：本技术 用于检测锁定或解锁机动车辆开启部件的意图的装置和方法 (Device and method for detecting the intention to lock or unlock an opening member of a motor vehicle ) 是由 G·斯皮克 O·埃利 于 2019-08-20 设计创作，主要内容包括：用于检测使用者锁定或解锁机动车辆开启部件的意图的检测装置(4),该装置(4)集成在把手(1)中,该装置(4)包括：感应传感器,其包括至少由线圈(7)和主电容器(C1、C2)组成的LC谐振电路(9)；把手的靶(8)；微控制器(6),其具有用于测量LC谐振电路(9)的谐振频率(F-(RM))的部件(13)；用于调节LC谐振电路(9)的总电容值(C-(total))的调节装置,该调节装置为LC谐振电路(9)提供至少两个不同的总电容值。(Detection device (4) for detecting the intention of a user to lock or unlock an opening member of a motor vehicle, the device (4) being integrated in a handle (1), the device (4) comprising: an inductive sensor comprising an LC resonance circuit (9) consisting of at least a coil (7) and a main capacitor (C1, C2); a target (8) of the handle; a microcontroller (6) having a resonant frequency (F) for measuring the LC resonant circuit (9) RM ) The member (13) of (1); for adjusting the total capacitance value (C) of an LC resonance circuit (9) total ) The adjusting device of (2) is provided with a plurality of adjusting devices,the adjusting means provide the LC resonance circuit (9) with at least two different total capacitance values.)

1. Method for calibrating a detection device (4), the detection device (4) being intended to detect the intention of a user to lock or unlock an opening member of a motor vehicle, the device (4) being integrated in a handle (1), the device (4) comprising:

an inductive sensor comprising an LC resonance circuit (9) consisting of at least a coil (7) and a main capacitor (C1, C2);

a target (8) of the handle located opposite the coil (7), the target (8) being displaceable from a rest position to a displaced position under the action of a user pressing the handle (1), the distance (D) between the coil (7) and the target (8) of the handle changing between the rest position and the displaced position;

a microcontroller (6) having a resonant frequency (F) for measuring the LC resonant circuit (9)_RM) The member (13) of (1);

for adjusting the total capacitance value (C) of the LC resonance circuit (9)_total) Providing the LC resonant circuit (9) with at least two different total capacitance values,

said method is characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

each total capacitance value (C) of the LC resonance circuit (9) provided for the adjustment means_total) Performing a resonant frequency measurement (F)_RMi）；

Identifying a measured resonant frequency value (F) in a saturation region of the microcontroller (6)_RMi) These resonant frequency values are substantially equal and correspond to the saturation frequency (F) of the microcontroller (6)_SAT）；

Identifying a first measured resonant frequency value outside the saturation region of the microcontroller (6) and identifying a corresponding optimum configuration (C) of the regulating device_OPT）；

Configuring the optimal configuration (C)_OPT) Is applied to a regulating device so that the LC resonance circuit (9) has a resonance frequency (F) corresponding to said first measured resonance frequency value outside the saturation region of the microcontroller (6)_RM）。

2. Calibration method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises storing the saturation frequency (F) of the microcontroller (6)_SAT) The step (2).

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the calibration method is at the resonance frequency (F) of the LC resonance circuit (9)_RM) Saturation frequency (F) with the microcontroller (6)_SAT) When the difference is a value less than a predetermined value.

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first measured resonant frequency value (F) outside the saturation region of the microcontroller (6) is identified_RMi) Identifying the first frequency value with a predetermined safety Margin (MS).

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it is carried out when the detection device (4) is energized.

6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it is carried out when the temperature variation exceeds a predetermined limit since the last implementation of the method.

7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it is carried out periodically with a predetermined periodicity.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of motor vehicles, and broadly to the field of vehicles, and relates to a device and a method for detecting the intention of a user to lock or unlock an opening member (ouvrant) of a motor vehicle, the device being integrated in the handle of the opening member.

Background

The handle of a vehicle opening device, such as a door handle, may be equipped with means for detecting an intention to lock or unlock, in order to transmit information enabling the manipulation of the opening or closing of the vehicle to the member for controlling the lock of the vehicle. These detection means are necessary to implement various locking systems commonly used in vehicles, such as "hands-free" systems, systems with deployable handles, or electrically-powered auxiliary systems.

The "hands-free" system detects the presence of a "hands-free" remote entry control electronic badge (badge) carried by a user in the vicinity of the vehicle. The detection of the badge, together with the detection of the intention to lock or unlock, triggers the locking or unlocking, respectively, of the opening member of the vehicle.

The system with the deployable handle implements a handle that: which is flush with the surface of the vehicle body to be fully integrated into the vehicle line. Here, the detection of a locking or unlocking intention triggers such a mechanism: which activates the handle by unfolding it so that it protrudes from the body and can then be held by the hand of the user.

The electric assist system implements a vehicle opening feature that: the opening or closing movement of which is mechanized. In this case, the detection of the intention to lock or unlock not only triggers the locking or unlocking of the opening member, but also the closing or opening movement of the opening member in question.

The systems listed above as examples require means for detecting the intention of locking or unlocking that are reliable, accurate and avoid false detections.

Patent application FR3044037 describes a device for detecting the intention to lock or unlock, which comprises in particular an inductive sensor to improve the reliability of the detection. The detection device includes:

an inductive sensor comprising an LC resonant circuit consisting of a coil and one or two capacitors;

a target (cible) of the handle located opposite the coil, the target being displaceable from a rest position to a displaced position under the action of a user pressing the handle, the distance between the coil and the target of the handle varying between the rest position and the displaced position;

a microcontroller having means for measuring the resonant frequency of the LC resonant circuit.

The object of the present invention is to improve the prior art devices for detecting an intention to lock or unlock with an inductive sensor by proposing such devices whose detection reliability is further improved.

Disclosure of Invention

To this end, the invention is directed to a device for detecting the intention of a user to lock or unlock an opening member of a motor vehicle, the device being integrated in a handle, the device comprising:

an inductive sensor comprising an LC resonant circuit consisting of at least a coil and a main capacitor;

a target of the handle located opposite the coil, the target being displaceable from a rest position to a displaced position under the action of a user pressing the handle, the distance between the coil and the target of the handle varying between the rest position and the displaced position;

a microcontroller having means for measuring the resonant frequency of the LC resonant circuit.

The device further comprises adjusting means for adjusting the total capacitance value of the LC resonant circuit, the adjusting means providing the LC resonant circuit with at least two different total capacitance values.

Such a device enables the capacitance value of the LC resonant circuit to be modulated so as to adapt it to external physical constraints which change, among other things, the position of the target of the handle. These physical constraints are, for example, mechanical construction tolerances and discrepancies which lead to uncertainties in the exact position of the target of the handle relative to the coil. Another example of a physical constraint is temperature, which causes the parts making up the handle to expand and contract with heat, possibly causing the distance between the target and the coil of the handle to vary, which may also cause the value of the electronic components to vary.

The modulation of the capacitance value of the LC circuit causes the resonant frequency of the circuit to change, thereby enabling the microcontroller to operate at the optimum resonant frequency.

Another subject of the invention is a method for calibrating a detection device as described above, the step of actuating the adjustment means to vary the total capacitance of the LC resonant circuit.

Such a calibration method enables the capacitance value of the LC circuit to be adapted such that the resonance frequency of the LC circuit is optimal, in particular for the microcontroller used and the actual physical constraints imposed at the time of calibration.

According to a preferred feature, the method comprises the steps of:

performing a resonance frequency measurement for each total capacitance value of the LC resonance circuit provided by the adjusting means;

identifying measured resonant frequency values in a saturation region of the microcontroller, the resonant frequency values being substantially equal and corresponding to a saturation frequency of the microcontroller;

identifying a first measured resonant frequency value outside the saturation region of the microcontroller and identifying a corresponding optimal configuration of the regulating device;

applying said optimal configuration to the conditioning means so that the LC resonant circuit has a resonant frequency corresponding to said first measured resonant frequency value outside the saturation region of the microcontroller.

This method makes it possible to precisely place the resonant frequency of the LC circuit at an optimum value, which is the maximum value of the resonant frequency before the saturation of the microcontroller used.

A maximum sensitivity of the device for detecting the intention of locking or unlocking is thus obtained. This maximum sensitivity enables fine tuning of the detection threshold of the device, which then exhibits improved detection reliability.

The detection means may comprise the following additional features, alone or in combination:

the adjusting means comprise at least one adjusting capacitor and associating means in the microcontroller for associating the adjusting capacitor with the main capacitor, these associating means being movable between a neutral position in which the adjusting capacitor is switched off and the LC resonant circuit then has a first total capacitance value and an adjusting position in which the adjusting capacitor is switched on and the main capacitor and the LC resonant circuit then has a second total capacitance value; this switching may for example comprise connecting a regulating capacitor in series or in parallel with the main capacitor;

the regulating device comprises three to five regulating capacitors and corresponding associated components;

the microcontroller comprises a frequency measurement input for measuring the resonance frequency of the LC resonance circuit;

the associating means comprise a switch adapted to disconnect the corresponding regulating capacitor or to ground the regulating capacitor; the disconnection of the conditioning capacitor and its grounding can be achieved by disconnecting or grounding a single terminal of the capacitor, while the other terminal remains permanently connected to the LC resonant circuit;

the LC resonance circuit comprises two main capacitors which are connected on the one hand to the LC resonance circuit and on the other hand to ground.

The calibration method of the detection device may comprise the following additional features, alone or in combination:

it comprises the step of storing the saturation frequency of the microcontroller;

the calibration method is implemented when the resonant frequency of the LC resonant circuit differs from the saturation frequency of the microcontroller by a value less than a predetermined value;

identifying a first measured resonant frequency value outside the saturation region of the microcontroller with a predetermined safety margin;

the method is carried out when the detection means are powered on, whether only on the first power on or each power on;

the method is performed when the temperature change exceeds a predetermined limit since the last performance of the method;

the method is performed periodically at a predetermined period.

Drawings

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 schematically shows a handle of an opening member of a vehicle, comprising a detection device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a portion of the detection device of FIG. 1;

fig. 3 is a graph representing the evolution of the measurement of the number of oscillations measured by the microcontroller over a fixed time with the actual resonant frequency of the LC circuit;

figure 4 is a diagram illustrating a calibration method according to the invention;

fig. 5 and 6 are graphs which show the frequency measured by the microcontroller during the calibration method for two embodiment variants of the method.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 schematically shows a motor vehicle handle 1 equipped with a detection device 4 according to the invention. The handle 1 may be, for example, a door handle or a handle of a vehicle trunk, or a handle of any other opening feature of the vehicle. The handle 1 is fixed to a body 2 of the vehicle.

The handle 1 comprises a press area 3 on which the user presses to signal their intention to lock or unlock the opening device.

A detection device 4 for detecting an intention of locking or unlocking is installed inside the handle 1. The detection means 4 comprise a printed circuit 5 on which a microcontroller 6 and a coil 7 are mounted. These elements are schematically shown in cross-section in the handle 1. The coil 7 is formed, for example, by a copper track spirally wound on the printed circuit 5, extending in the plane of the printed circuit 5. The printed circuit 5 also comprises the connections and cables necessary to couple it to the rest of the vehicle (not shown), in particular its voltage source and the wiring necessary for the detection device 4 to transmit information relating to the locking or unlocking intention of the user.

A target 8 of the handle is also mounted on the handle 1 just below the surface of the pressing region 3. The target 8 may be mounted by any known robot segment, which may for example be inserted into a recess provided in the handle 1, or according to another example, the handle 1 may be moulded around the target 8. The target 8 is preferably a parallelepiped or a disc of a non-magnetic, electrically conductive metal. The target 8 and the printed circuit 5 are mounted in the handle 1 such that the target 8 is arranged opposite the coil 7 by a distance D. In fig. 1, the target 8 is in the rest position, without stress of the handle 1.

When the user exerts pressure on the pressing area 3, for example with his thumb, the handle 1 deforms elastically in the region of the pressing area 3, resulting in a slight displacement of the target 8 in the direction of the coil 7, the target 8 then being placed in a position referred to as "displacement position". Thus, the pressure on the pressing area 3 causes the distance D to change between the rest position and the displaced position, and this change in distance will be detected by the device 4. When a change of the distance D of about 0.1 mm is detected, the detection means 4 are made to detect the intention of locking or unlocking.

Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram showing components mounted on the printed circuit 5 of the detection apparatus 4 of fig. 1.

The device 4 is a detection device with an inductive sensor. The microcontroller 6 is then connected to the LC resonant circuit 9 in a known manner. This LC resonance circuit 9 is conventionally constituted by a coil 7, two main capacitors C1 and C2, and an inverting gate 10 (not-type logic gate), thereby enabling the resonance of the LC circuit 9 to be induced and maintained. The main capacitor C1 is coupled between ground and a first branch 11 of the LC circuit 9, which first branch 11 extends between the coil 7 and the inverter gate 10. The main capacitor C2 is coupled between the second branch 12 of the LC circuit 9 and ground, which second branch 12 also extends between the coil 7 and the inverter gate 10.

The microcontroller comprises a frequency measurement input 13 connected to the LC circuit 9, which enables the oscillation frequency of the LC circuit 9 to be measured. Conventionally, the microcontroller 6 includes an oscillator (not shown). The microcontroller may also have the usual function of cutting off (or not) the feed to the inverter gate, thereby enabling the oscillation of the LC circuit to be stopped between two oscillation frequency measurements to reduce consumption.

In principle, the microcontroller 6 counts the number of oscillations per unit time occurring at the frequency measurement input 13 in a known manner, in order to determine the resonant frequency of the LC circuit 9. Measuring the resonant frequency of the LC circuit 9 enables detection of changes in this frequency caused by movement of the target 8 relative to the coil 7. The LC resonance circuit 9 constitutes an induction sensor.

The detection means 4 further comprise adjusting means for adjusting the capacitance value of the LC circuit 9. In the present example, the regulating device comprises two regulating capacitors CT1 and CT2 and respective association means 14, 15 enabling association of the regulating capacitors CT1, CT2 to the main capacitors C1, C2. The adjustment capacitor CT1 is connected on the one hand to the first branch 11 and on the other hand to the corresponding associated component 14. The regulating capacitor CT2 is connected on the one hand to the second branch 12 and on the other hand to the corresponding associated component 15.

The association means 14, 15 are located in the microcontroller 6 and, according to what is schematically shown in fig. 2, these association means 14, 15 are able to disconnect each of the regulating capacitors CT1, CT2 or to ground each of them. In the present example, the association means 14, 15 are able to disconnect the terminal of each of the adjustment capacitors CT1, CT2 or to ground the terminal. The association means 14, 15 are movable between a neutral position, in which the corresponding regulating capacitor is switched off, and an adjustment position, in which the corresponding regulating capacitor is grounded, which then is switched on (here in parallel) with the corresponding main capacitor.

The capacitor CT3 shown by a dotted line is related to a modification which will be described later.

When the associated components 14, 15 disconnect the regulating capacitors CT1, CT2 from the circuit, the behavior of the detection device 4 is the same as that of a prior art detection device with an inductive sensor. The LC circuit 9 will then be at its natural resonant frequency F_ROscillating, resonant frequency F_RThe values of (A) are:

wherein:

l = inductance value of coil 7; and is

C_total= total capacitance value of the LC circuit 9.

In the example of fig. 2, the conditioning capacitors CT1, CT2 are external to the circuit. One of its terminals is always connected to the circuit 9, but since the other terminal is open, they are inoperative. Thus, the total capacitance C of the LC circuit 9_totalHas the following values:

。

to simplify the present description, C1 and C2 represent both the main capacitor and its capacitance value.

Resonant frequency F of LC circuit 9_RAnd therefore depends inter alia on the capacitance value C_totalBy varying the value C_totalTo change the resonant frequency F_R. The function of the regulating means being to vary the value C_totalTo influence the value of the resonance frequency of the LC circuit 9.

According to the configuration shown in fig. 2, if the associated components 14, 15 are operated to ground the two regulating capacitors CT1, CT2, these regulating capacitors CT1, CT2 then form part of the LC circuit 9. Value C_totalThe following will then be indicated:

。

in the present example with two regulating capacitors CT1, CT2, four different values can be obtained for the resonance frequency of the LC circuit 9 depending on the configuration of the associated components 14, 15. Thus, corresponding to four C_totalFour possible configurations of values are as follows:

the association means 14 and 15 disconnect the regulation capacitors CT1 and CT2 from ground:

the association unit 14 connects the capacitor CT1 to ground, while the association unit 15 disconnects the capacitor CT 2:

the association unit 14 disconnects the capacitor CT1, while the association unit 15 connects the capacitor CT2 to ground:

the associated components 14 and 15 connect the regulating capacitors CT1 and CT2 to ground:

。

for C_totalCorresponds to the resonance frequency F inherent to the LC circuit 9_RA different value of (a).

The resonance frequency of the LC circuit can then be selected to best fit the mechanical mounting conditions in the handle 1, taking into account the capacitance of the microcontroller 6 used.

In fact, various mechanical installation tolerances within the handle 1 produce a dimensional chain (chaine de c ô te), and therefore uncertainty in the precise position of the target 8 of the handle relative to the coil 7. Since the detection device 4 is provided to detect small displacements of the target 8 with respect to the coil 7, these dimensional chains caused by mechanical tolerances and, in general, by mechanical play and, in particular, by aging negatively affect the detection accuracy. Likewise, aging of the handle 1 or its expansion or contraction under temperature also creates uncertainty in the relative position of the target 8 and the coil 7. Therefore, the initial distance D (see fig. 1) is affected by these random factors.

The detection device 4 enables to select the most suitable resonance frequency of the LC circuit 9 from the various possible resonance frequencies enabled by a set of association means 14, 15 and adjustment capacitors CT1, CT 2.

According to a preferred feature, for a given mechanical configuration, the most suitable resonance frequency of the LC circuit 9 is chosen just below the saturation limit specific to the microcontroller 6 used.

In fact, with reference to fig. 3, there is a limit saturation value LS beyond which it is no longer advantageous to increase the resonant frequency of the LC circuit 9. The curve of fig. 3 shows the variation of the number of oscillations N that the microcontroller 6 can measure through its input 13 with the actual resonance frequency of the LC circuit 9. N depends on the clock frequency of the microcontroller. Curve 3 shows the shannon theorem which theorizes the limit reached when the problem samples the signal at a given clock frequency (called saturation), which samples degrade considerably beyond a certain sampling signal frequency. However, before the saturation limit LS, N follows the resonance frequency F_RThe linearity increases. Thus, the larger the resonance frequency of the LC circuit 9 before the saturation limit LS, the larger the value of N, which means the higher the sensitivity of the detection device 4. However, if the resonant frequency F_RIncreasing beyond the saturation limit LS, N hardly increases any more and the sensitivity gain is lost. Thus, the resonant frequency F of the LC circuit 9_RIs just below the available resonance frequency F of the frequency corresponding to this value_R(in the context of F)_ROf the different possibilities of (a), the number is four in the above example).

The value of LS depends on the microcontroller 6 used and also on the relative mechanical positioning of the target 8 with respect to the coil 7. Thus, this value of LS is specific to each mechanical configuration and varies with handle aging, temperature conditions, and the like.

One example of a calibration method for calibrating the detection device 4, which method enables the optimum resonance frequency F to be selected for the LC circuit 9, will now be described_R。

The optimum resonance frequency F can be redefined for the LC circuit 9 each time it is considered appropriate_RThe calibration method is implemented, for example:

at the first power-on of the detection means 4, and if necessary at each power-on of the detection means 4;

in case the value of the resonance frequency of the LC circuit 9 measured through the input 13 approaches the saturation frequency of the microcontroller above a predetermined limit (see the examples described below);

in case the temperature variation exceeds a predetermined limit since the last calibration;

in general, after any changes are made to the physical configuration of the handle;

periodically with a predetermined periodicity.

Referring to the algorithm of fig. 4, a first step E1 of the calibration method comprises making an effective measurement F of the resonance frequency of the LC circuit 9 via the input 13_RMi, and this is the capacitance value C for the LC circuit 9_totalCorresponding to each possible configuration (in the foregoing example, the number is 4). According to this example, four values F are obtained_RM1、F_RM2、F_RM3、F_RM4. These values do not correspond to the actual resonance frequency occurring in the LC circuit 9, but to this resonance frequency measured by the microcontroller 6, that is to say taking into account the limitations of the microcontroller 6 due to the saturation phenomenon described above.

Fig. 5 shows the four values F obtained in step E1 according to an example in which the capacitors of the LC circuit 9 have four possible configurations_RMi, in the following. According to the method, for a capacitance value C different from four_total1、C_total2、C_total3、C_total4 corresponding to four actual resonance frequencies F possible for the LC circuit 9_total1、F_total2、F_total3、F_total4 effective measurement of the resonance frequency of the LC circuit 9F_RM1、F_RM2、F_RM3 and F_RM4. In this example, frequency F_total1、F_total2、F_total3、F_total4 are shown in descending order.

The first two values F_RM1 and F_RM2 are substantially equal, but the actual resonance frequencies of the LC circuits 9 corresponding to these two configurations are necessarily different, since they correspond to two different cs_totalThe value is obtained. These two measurements F_RM1 and F_RMThe fact that 2 are substantially equal indicates that these measurements are in the saturation region of the microcontroller 6.

From frequency F_total2 starting from, measuring the resonant frequency F_RMStarts to decrease, which indicates the measured resonant frequency value F_RM3 and F_RM4 are outside the saturation region.

In step E2 of the algorithm of FIG. 4, slave configuration C_total1、C_total2、C_total3、C_total4, selecting the optimal value C for the capacitance value of the LC circuit 9_OPT. In this example, the optimal configuration is C_total3, which corresponds to the frequency measurement F_RM3, which is the first frequency measurement outside the saturation region. This is therefore the capacitance C corresponding to the resonance frequency of the LC circuit 9 just below the saturation region_totalPossible values of (2).

In step E3, the saturation frequency F is recorded_SATThe value of (c). When measuring F at a plurality of frequencies_RMWhen i returns substantially the same frequency value, then this is the saturation frequency F_SAT(here, F)_RM1 and F_RMA value of 2). Saturation frequency F_SATCan be used, for example, at the resonant frequency of the LC resonant circuit and at the frequency F_SATThe calibration method is performed again when the difference is a value smaller than a predetermined value. In other words, the resonant frequency of the LC circuit is too close to the saturation frequency F_SATWhen (due to physical changes in the handle) the calibration method is performed again.

The calibration is then ended and the detection means 4 will then have a capacitance value C for the LC circuit 9_OPTFor configuration C, i.e. for configuration C_total3, the corresponding arrangement of the associated parts 14, 15.

Fig. 6 shows another embodiment of the detection apparatus 4 and associated method.

According to this variant, the detection device 4 has this time eight possible combinations of conditioning capacitors, corresponding to the total capacitance value C of the LC circuit 9_totalEight possibilities. This configuration corresponds, for example, to the addition of an additional regulating capacitor CT3, which is shown in dashed lines in fig. 2. The adjustment capacitor CT3 is associated to the corresponding associated component 16. Capacitance value C_totalThe eight possibilities of (c) correspond to the four preceding possibilities plus the following possibilities:

switching only the regulation capacitor CT3 on with the main capacitors C1, C2;

switching the regulating capacitor CT3 and the regulating capacitor CT1 on the main capacitors C1, C2;

switching the regulating capacitor CT3 and the regulating capacitor CT2 on the main capacitors C1, C2;

the three regulating capacitors CT1, CT2, CT3 are switched with the main capacitors C1, C2.

Fig. 6 is a graph showing the application of the calibration method to a frequency having eight frequency possibilities F_RM1' to F_RMSuch a detection device 4 of 8' is similar to the graph of fig. 5 (with the same numbering with the prime). From the saturation region (measurement F) as described previously_RM1' to F_RM3') to become the saturated outer region (measurement F)_RM4' to F_RM8') measuring F on the graph at the measured values_RM3' to F_RM4' are clearly visible.

FIG. 6 illustrates an optional additional feature of the calibration method, wherein in step E2 of the method, in selecting the optimal configuration C_OPTThe safety margin MS is taken into account. According to fig. 6, the selected optimal configuration is not the same as the measurement F immediately after leaving the saturation region_RM4' but corresponds to the measurement F after leaving the saturation region minus the predetermined safety margin_RM5' corresponding configuration. In the example of FIG. 6, the selected optimal configuration corresponds to F_total5'。

For example, in the above configuration, the coil 7 has an inductance of 1 μ H, the resulting capacitance values of the two main capacitors C1, C2 correspond to 300pF, and the three regulating capacitors CT1, CT2, CT3 have the values 10pF, 20pF and 30pF, respectively. The microcontroller 6 has a clock frequency of 32MHz, from which a resonance frequency of about 5 to 10MHz is possible for the LC circuit. When the saturation region is at 8MHz, the safety margin MS is, for example, 50 kHz.

Other implementation variants of the detection device 4 and of the related calibration method may be implemented without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the detection means 4 may comprise any number of conditioning capacitors, which enables a desired number of combinations of capacitance values of the LC circuit 9. In principle, too many combinations are not required, which requires a large amount of computing power to implement the calibration method. It has turned out that three adjusting capacitors enabling eight possible resonance frequencies of the LC circuit 9 are a good choice of the number of adjusting capacitors. According to a preferred feature, the LC circuit 9 comprises three to five regulating capacitors.

The detection means may also be coupled to other sensors, such as capacitive sensors.

The device can be used in the handle of any type of vehicle opening feature, in particular a deployable handle.