Abstract: The anti-pinch protection device comprises a proximity sensor for detecting an obstacle, which penetrates the door gap between a hinge-side edge of the side door and a further vehicle component adjacent thereto. The anti-pinch protection device further comprises a control unit interacting with the proximity sensor, which is designed to output a signal indicating an imminent pinching situation whenever the proximity sensor detects an obstacle in the door gap during the closing of the side door. At least one component of the proximity sensor is thereby arranged on the inside of the further vehicle component.

Abstract: A method of producing a proximity sensor, comprising integrating an electrode carrier with an electronics housing, forming an electronic housing via plastic injection moulding, embedding at least one capacitive sensor electrode into the electrode carrier, arranging a sensor electronics system in the electronics housing of the electrode carrier and inside the electronics housing, wherein the sensor electronic system is contact-connected to at least one capacitive sensor electrode, and supplying energy to the sensor electronic systems utilizing a plug element, wherein the plug element is configured to serve for contact connection to an energy source provided by the motor vehicle, wherein the energy source is produced separately from the electrode carrier.

Abstract: An electronic control device for use in a motor vehicle includes an electronic housing for accommodating an electronics system that includes a circuit board, and a resistance sensor for detecting water that has penetrated into the electronic housing. The resistance sensor includes at least two sensor electrodes, each of which is present, at least in one section, in an uninsulated state with respect to the interior of the electronic housing, and a control unit that is configured to detect and evaluate a measured resistance value between the two sensor electrodes. The control unit is further configured to output a trigger signal when the detected measured resistance value or its deviation from a normal value meets a trigger criterion that is characteristic of a contact closure between the two sensor electrodes that is caused by the presence of water in the electronic housing.

Abstract: An electronic control device for use in a motor vehicle including an electronic housing, a capacitor sensor, and a control unit. The capacitor sensor may be provided with a capacitor sensor electrode arranged inside the electronic housing. The control unit may be configured to output a trigger signal in response to receiving a measured capacitance value deviating from a threshold value, from the capacitor sensor electrode, indicative of a conductive liquid in the electronic housing.

Abstract: A method displaces a side door of a motor vehicle which can be locked in a completely or partially open state by a self-inhibiting drive and/or by a brake and which is provided with a pinch protection sensor that is arranged at least partly on its closing edge. It is detected by use of the pinch protection sensor whether the closing edge is gripped by a hand. If necessary, the locking of the side door by the drive and/or brake is suspended or relaxed in order to permit the side door to be displaced manually.

Abstract: It is provided an adjustment device for the power-operated adjustment of a vehicle part that is adjustable on a vehicle along an adjustment path between a closed position and at least one open position, comprising a sensor device by means of which an obstacle in the adjustment path of the vehicle part can be detected in a contactless way and upon detection of an obstacle in the adjustment path of the vehicle part an obstacle signal can be generated, and comprising an electronic control device coupled to at least one drive for the adjustment of the vehicle part, at least one actuating element for generating an adjustment signal and the sensor device, by means of which on the basis of the adjustment signal the at least one drive can be actuated for the power-operated adjustment of the vehicle part.

Abstract: During operation of a capacitive proximity sensor that is provided with at least two measuring electrodes, a first capacitance measurement variable and a second capacitance measurement variable are detected. The first capacitance measurement variable is correlated with the capacitance of at least one of the measuring electrodes to earth, while the second capacitance measurement variable is correlated with the capacitance between at least one of the measuring electrodes and at least one further measuring electrode. A change in the first capacitance measurement variable is evaluated together with a synchronous signal profile of the second capacitance measurement variable in order to distinguish a proximity of a conductor coupled electrically to earth from the proximity of dielectric matter. In this manner, a body part passing into the detection space of the proximity sensor can be distinguished effectively from other substances and objects, particularly water.

Abstract: A capacitive proximity sensor for a motor vehicle contains a transmission electrode for producing a measurement field and a reception electrode for detecting at least part of the measurement field. Furthermore, the proximity sensor contains a screen electrode that is disposed to form the measurement field between the transmission electrode and the reception electrode. The proximity sensor is in particular provided for use in a collision protection device for the motor vehicle.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a measurement electrode for a capacitive proximity sensor of a motor vehicle, having an electrical conductor structure and having a flat carrier structure for holding the conductor structure, where a plurality of threading openings are provided in the carrier structure, at least one conductor of the conductor structure being threaded through said plurality of threading openings.

Abstract: An actuating apparatus for a vehicle part contains an actuating motor for generating an actuating force under the action of which the vehicle part can be adjusted between a closed state and an open state along an actuating path. The actuating apparatus also contains a control unit which is configured to carry out an actuating method in which, according to the method, a position measure is continuously ascertained when the vehicle part is adjusted, the position measure being characteristic of the current actuating position of the vehicle part along the actuating path. Furthermore, the position measure is set to a prespecified reference value when the vehicle part is in the closed state and when a further condition is additionally met, the further condition being linked in a reproducible manner with a specific actuating position.

Abstract: In the course of an easily implemented anti-trap protection method for an adjustable vehicle part, a test variable is continuously determined by way of a distance sensor during the adjustment of the vehicle part. A direct anti-trap protection test determines, based on the test variable, whether an obstacle is detectable in the adjustment path of the vehicle part. The adjustment is stopped or reversed if necessary. An indirect anti-trap protection test determines on the basis of the same test variable whether the movement of the vehicle part has slowed down irregularly or come to a stop, and the adjustment is stopped or reversed if necessary. An associated anti-trap protection device includes an anti-trap protection control unit, which is designed for automatically performing the method.

Abstract: An anti-trapping method and a corresponding apparatus for a vehicle door that can be adjusted between an open position and a closed position along an adjustment path by an adjustment motor. First, a proximity sensor is used to monitor an adjustment path region ahead of the vehicle door for the presence of an obstacle during a closing movement of the vehicle door. The closing movement is stopped or reversed when an obstacle is identified in the adjustment path region. Second, when the obstacle is identified during the closing movement of the vehicle door, an additional emergency measure is taken at least when the vehicle door is already closed down to a remaining gap having size does not exceed a prespecified threshold value, and when the presence of the obstacle within this remaining gap is detected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling an adjusting movement of a vehicle closing element of a vehicle to be closed in a manner actuated by an external force, such as a tailgate lid, wherein an obstacle in the path of adjustment of the vehicle closing element can be detected by means of a capacitive anti-trap system in order to prevent this obstacle from being trapped, and the vehicle closing element has a locking part, via which the vehicle closing element can be locked in a closed position. An obstacle in a monitoring region around the locking part provided on the vehicle closing element can also be detected via the capacitive anti-trap system in order to prevent a collision of this locking part with an obstacle at least as the vehicle closing element closes.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor for a vehicle includes an evaluation unit as well as a first transmission electrode and a second transmission electrode for transmitting a respectively associated first measurement signal and second measurement signal. The two transmission electrodes are connected to a respective first and second transmitter output of the evaluation unit through an assigned first and second transmission line respectively. The evaluation unit alternately outputs the first measurement signal via the first transmitter output and the second measurement signal via the second transmitter output. The evaluation unit also connects the respective non-transmitting second or first transmitter output to reference potential. Alternatively, a common transmission electrode may output the measurement signal which is then picked up by first and second receiver electrodes.

Abstract: A capacitive proximity sensor for a motor vehicle contains a transmission electrode for producing a measurement field and a reception electrode for detecting at least part of the measurement field. Furthermore, the proximity sensor contains a screen electrode that is disposed to form the measurement field between the transmission electrode and the reception electrode. The proximity sensor is in particular provided for use in a collision protection device for the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A method for testing the operation of a capacitive anti-trap system for an adjustable vehicle closing element actuated by external force, such as a side door, a window, a sunroof or a tailgate, wherein a body opening of a vehicle can be locked in a closed position and that is can be moved into a closed position by a motorized drive unit. The capacitive anti-trap system is configured for detecting the trapping of an obstacle when closing the vehicle closing element by evaluating an electrical capacitance that is changed by the obstacle. The electrical capacitance, which also changes when the vehicle closing element is opened, is evaluated on the basis of at least one measured value in order to test the proper operation of the anti-trap system.

Abstract: A door handle system for a vehicle door has a door handle and at least one flap for reversibly closing a grip recess set back to the rear of the door handle. An actuating device pivots the one or more flaps between a closed position that covers the handle recess and an open position that exposes the handle recess. A distance sensor is disposed on the flap. A control and evaluation unit uses a first measurement signal that is output by the distance sensor in the closed position, to deduce that a vehicle user is approaching so as to activate the actuation device to move the one or each flap into the open position. A second measurement signal that is output by the distance sensor in the open position indicates that the door handle is grasped by the vehicle user.

Abstract: A method measures a capacitance. According to the method, a first detection measurement for the capacitance which is to be measured is detected by a first measurement method during a first measurement phase. In this case, a second measurement phase is started when the first detection measurement satisfies a transition criterion. A second detection measurement for the capacitance which is to be measured is detected during the second measurement phase by a second measurement method which differs from the first measurement method. The second measurement method has higher measurement accuracy than the first measurement method but also greater energy expenditure.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor detects an object, in particular detects a collision in the case of a movable vehicle part. The sensor has an electrode arrangement which contains at least one sensor electrode. The sensor also has an evaluation circuit which is connected downstream of the sensor electrode and is intended to process a reception signal generated in the sensor electrode. In this case, the evaluation circuit contains a transimpedance amplifier which has a device for compensating for the frequency response.

Abstract: In the course of an easily implemented anti-trap protection method for an adjustable vehicle part, a test variable is continuously determined by way of a distance sensor during the adjustment of the vehicle part. A direct anti-trap protection test determines, based on the test variable, whether an obstacle is detectable in the adjustment path of the vehicle part. The adjustment is stopped or reversed if necessary. An indirect anti-trap protection test determines on the basis of the same test variable whether the movement of the vehicle part has slowed down irregularly or come to a stop, and the adjustment is stopped or reversed if necessary. An associated anti-trap protection device includes an anti-trap protection control unit, which is designed for automatically performing the method.