Abstract: A sensor device for a motor vehicle for detecting an operation by a user, including at least one capacitive sensor which has a sensor electrode, which is coupled to a control and evaluation circuit. The sensor electrode has a primary detection section which extends adjacent to a detection region into which a body part of a user is moved for operation purposes. The sensor electrode is accommodated in a housing which runs, in sections, between the sensor electrode and the detection region. The sensor electrode is provided, in the region of the primary detection section, for increasing the electrical field in sections, with recesses and/or openings which are delimited by edges, so that a length at the limiting edges, which length is increased in relation to a continuous electrode area, is present in the primary detection section.

Abstract: A motor vehicle door handle arrangement includes a handle support and an outer shell which is fastened to the handle support. At least one electronics assembly comprising electronic components is arranged between the handle support and the outer shell. The handle support has at least one first chamber for receiving electronic components which are potted with a potting compound after the electronic components are inserted. A second chamber for receiving electronic components is formed between the handle support and the outer shell and the handle support has at least one aperture through which the second chamber can be filled with potting compound after the outer shell is fastened to the handle support. A method for producing a motor vehicle door handle arrangement of this kind is disclosed.

Abstract: An activation device for actuation of a vehicle function includes a cover element, a light distribution device arranged under the cover element, and a light source arranged under or in the light distribution device. The light source and the light distribution device are arranged for backlighting the cover element. The cover element includes an outward directed operation area at least partially formed of an electrically-conductive metallic material with the operation area being galvanically decoupled from the remaining components. A circuit board is arranged under the light distribution device with a capacitive sensor such that the capacitive sensor is coupled to the operation area. The control and evaluation circuit is coupled to the light source and the proximity sensor to control the light source depending on an approach.

Abstract: A sensor device for a motor vehicle includes a multi-layer circuit board on which a plurality of metallized planes are formed. A capacitive sensor electrode is formed on one of the planes for detection by capacitive approachment sensing. A control device controls the sensor electrode as a capacitive sensor electrode in order to detect approaches of a user towards the sensor electrode via an evaluation device. At least one planar electrode region is formed on each of the metallized planes, wherein each of the electrode regions is coupled to the control device. At least two of the electrode regions on different metallized planes are activated and evaluated as sensor electrodes and at least two of the electrode regions on different planes are activated and evaluated as the ground in a temporally offset manner.

Abstract: An operating device for a motor vehicle includes a plurality of proximity sensors for detecting contactless actuation. The operating device extends in a first plane and the sensors are disposed in that plane, separated from one another and oriented with their detection regions in the same spatial direction. A control and evaluation device is coupled to the sensors for detection of signals from each of the sensors. The sensors are covered with at least one electrically insulating plastic cover and, thus, separated from the detection region. At least one electrically conductive separating device is disposed between the sensors and oriented toward the side facing the detection regions, and directly adjacent to the plastic cover.

Abstract: A rear light module for a motor vehicle includes a housing, which has a connecting side facing toward the interior of the motor vehicle and an emission side facing toward the exterior of the motor vehicle. The housing includes multiple mountings at the connecting side, which are designed for implementing and mechanically supporting lamps mounted on sockets. The lamps with their sockets are arranged, respectively, in one of the mountings for forming a connection from the connecting side and extending into the housing. Besides the mountings for the lamps, at least one further mounting is designed, in which is selectively insertable a removable proximity sensor mounted on a socket, so that the proximity sensor can be connected from the connecting side, extends into the housing and detects when a user approaches the emission side.

Abstract: A sensor device for a motor vehicle includes a multi-layer circuit board on which a plurality of metallized planes are formed. A capacitive sensor electrode is formed on one of the planes for detection by capacitive approachment sensing. A control device controls the sensor electrode as a capacitive sensor electrode in order to detect approaches of a user towards the sensor electrode via an evaluation device. At least one planar electrode region is formed on each of the metallized planes, wherein each of the electrode regions is coupled to the control device. At least two of the electrode regions on different metallized planes are activated and evaluated as sensor electrodes and at least two of the electrode regions on different planes are activated and evaluated as the ground in a temporally offset manner.

Abstract: A sensor array for detecting the approach and movement gestures of a user at a motor vehicle includes a capacitive sensor array and at least one control device that is coupled to the sensor array and detects a change in the capacitance of the sensor array. The sensor array includes at least two sensor electrode arrays which are arranged at spatially offset positions on the motor vehicle. The sensor electrodes are configured as elongate electrode arrays and are arranged with the same spatial orientation. The control and evaluation device is designed for cyclical activation and evaluation of the sensor electrodes with changeable, electrode-specific, different cycle rates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for actuating a moving part (10) of a vehicle (1), particularly a trunk lid (10.1), a side door (10.2), or the like, without contact, comprising a first detection means (11) for detecting an object in a first detection area (11a) and a second detection means (12) for detecting an object in a second detection area (12a) so that the actuation of the moving part (10) can be activated through the detection means (11, 12). According to the invention, the first detection means (11) is designed as a first capacitance sensor (11), and the second detection means (12) is designed as a second capacitance sensor (12), wherein means (13, 14) are provided, with which the detection areas (11a, 12a) can be specified in areas separated from each other.

Abstract: A method for detecting a function actuation on a motor vehicle with a sensor device includes monitoring the signals of a proximity sensor as to a first signal reply S1. The signals of the proximity sensor are monitored for a time period Ts wherein the method is interrupted when the signal reply changes by more than a value St within the period of time Ts. The signal device is actuated after time Ts has expired in order to signal to the user that the actuation of time has expired. The signals of the proximity sensor are monitored for time Te wherein the method is continued when the signal of the proximity sensor changes by more than a predetermined value Se within the period of time Te. Otherwise, the method is interrupted. If the method is continued, the actuation of the function of the motor vehicle is detected and the function trigger is signaled to a control device in the motor vehicle.

Abstract: An activation device for actuation of a vehicle function includes a cover element, a light distribution device arranged under the cover element, and a light source arranged under or in the light distribution device. The light source and the light distribution device are arranged for backlighting the cover element. The cover element includes an outward directed operation area at least partially formed of an electrically-conductive metallic material with the operation area being galvanically decoupled from the remaining components. A circuit board is arranged under the light distribution device with a capacitive sensor such that the capacitive sensor is coupled to the operation area. The control and evaluation circuit is coupled to the light source and the proximity sensor to control the light source depending on an approach.

Abstract: A sensor array for the detection of movement gestures on a motor vehicle includes two elongated sensor electrode arrays offset from each other on the motor vehicle. At least one control and evaluation device is coupled to the arrays and detects a change in their capacitance. A longer array is deformed in the direction of a shorter array where the longer array protrudes over the shorter array. The control and evaluation device is designed to detect a time sequence of capacitance values for each of the arrays. The times when each array responds and stops responding are recorded, as is the time difference between the times when the arrays respond (response time difference), and the time difference between the times when the arrays stop responding (drop-out time difference). These are compared when assessing whether an actuation event has been recorded by the control and evaluation device.

Abstract: An assembly for actuating a vehicle function includes a cover element which is at least in part designed as a vehicle emblem, a light distribution device disposed beneath the cover element and a light source that is disposed beneath the light distribution device. The light source and the light distribution device are adapted for backlighting the cover element. A printed circuit board with a proximity sensor is disposed beneath the light distribution device. The proximity sensor is designed and configured for detecting proximity to the cover element. A control and evaluation circuit is coupled to the light source and the proximity sensor in order to switch on the light source as a function of proximity.

Abstract: An operating device for a motor vehicle includes a plurality of proximity sensors for detecting contactless actuation. The operating device extends in a first plane and the sensors are disposed in that plane, separated from one another and oriented with their detection regions in the same spatial direction. A control and evaluation device is coupled to the sensors for detection of signals from each of the sensors. The sensors are covered with at least one electrically insulating plastic cover and, thus, separated from the detection region. At least one electrically conductive separating device is disposed between the sensors and oriented toward the side facing the detection regions, and directly adjacent to the plastic cover.

Abstract: A rear light module for a motor vehicle includes a housing, which has a connecting side facing toward the interior of the motor vehicle and an emission side facing toward the exterior of the motor vehicle. The housing includes multiple mountings at the connecting side, which are designed for implementing and mechanically supporting lamps mounted on sockets. The lamps with their sockets are arranged, respectively, in one of the mountings for forming a connection from the connecting side and extending into the housing. Besides the mountings for the lamps, at least one further mounting is designed, in which is selectively insertable a removable proximity sensor mounted on a socket, so that the proximity sensor can be connected from the connecting side, extends into the housing and detects when a user approaches the emission side.

Abstract: A method for detecting a function actuation on a motor vehicle with a sensor device includes monitoring the signals of a proximity sensor as to a first signal reply S1. The signals of the proximity sensor are monitored for a time period Ts wherein the method is interrupted when the signal reply changes by more than a value St within the period of time Ts. The signal device is actuated after time Ts has expired in order to signal to the user that the actuation of time has expired. The signals of the proximity sensor are monitored for time Te wherein the method is continued when the signal of the proximity sensor changes by more than a predetermined value Se within the period of time Te. Otherwise, the method is interrupted. If the method is continued, the actuation of the function of the motor vehicle is detected and the function trigger is signaled to a control device in the motor vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a sensor system (10) for a vehicle (100), comprising at least one or two sensors (11, 12) which have respective detection regions (11b, 12b) and metrologically detect changes in these detection regions (11b, 12b) and emit them as measured signals (11a, 12a), a control unit (15), especially in the form of a microprocessing unit which is connected to the sensors (11, 12), the control unit (15) evaluating the measured signals (11a, 12a) and generating at least one control signal (16) based thereon, at least one memory (18) in which at least the last control signal (16) is stored, and an interface (19) via which the control unit (15) forwards at least the last control signal to an external control module (21). At least one measured signal (11a, 12a) of a sensor (11, 12) is detected by the control unit (15) in a number of measurement steps (11.1-4, 12.

Abstract: A method for operating a function in a motor vehicle employs a sensor arrangement with at least two spaced sensors for detecting operations caused by a user. Signals of a first sensor are monitored until a first characteristic signal answer is detected. A user-carried identification device is queried to verify authorization to access the requested function. Signals of a second sensor are monitored to determine an operation caused by approaching the second sensor. Signals from the first and second sensors are monitored for a predetermined time period t1. If the signals indicate a continued operation of the two sensors during t1, an expiration of t1 is signaled to the user. Signals of the first sensor are monitored for a predetermined time period t2. If the signal of the first sensor indicates a cancellation of the operation within t2, the function of the motor vehicle is triggered.

Abstract: A method for operating a function in a motor vehicle employs a sensor arrangement with at least two spaced sensors for detecting operations caused by a user. Signals of a first sensor are monitored until a first characteristic signal answer is detected. A user-carried identification device is queried to verify authorization to access the requested function. Signals of a second sensor are monitored to determine an operation caused by approaching the second sensor. Signals from the first and second sensors are monitored for a predetermined time period t1. If the signals indicate a continued operation of the two sensors during t1, an expiration of t1 is signaled to the user. Signals of the first sensor are monitored for a predetermined time period t2. If the signal of the first sensor indicates a cancellation of the operation within t2, the function of the motor vehicle is triggered.

Abstract: A sensor array for the detection of movement gestures on a motor vehicle includes two elongated sensor electrode arrays offset from each other on the motor vehicle. At least one control and evaluation device is coupled to the arrays and detects a change in their capacitance. A longer array is deformed in the direction of a shorter array where the longer array protrudes over the shorter array. The control and evaluation device is designed to detect a time sequence of capacitance values for each of the arrays. The times when each array responds and stops responding are recorded, as is the time difference between the times when the arrays respond (response time difference), and the time difference between the times when the arrays stop responding (drop-out time difference). These are compared when assessing whether an actuation event has been recorded by the control and evaluation device.