US 12,441,264 B2
Device having electromechanical transducers for detecting approach and/or contact in a motor vehicle
Bertrand Varoquie, Toulouse (FR); and Marina Labalette, Toulouse (FR)
Assigned to VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH, Regensburg (DE)
Appl. No. 18/685,059
Filed by Vitesco Technologies GmbH, Regensburg (DE)
PCT Filed Aug. 19, 2022, PCT No. PCT/EP2022/073231
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Feb. 20, 2024,
PCT Pub. No. WO2023/030928, PCT Pub. Date Mar. 9, 2023.
Claims priority of application No. 2109162 (FR), filed on Sep. 2, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2024/0351543 A1, Oct. 24, 2024
Int. Cl. B60R 21/013 (2006.01); B06B 1/02 (2006.01); G01S 15/04 (2006.01); G01S 15/931 (2020.01); G10K 9/122 (2006.01)
CPC B60R 21/013 (2013.01) [B06B 1/0215 (2013.01); G01S 15/04 (2013.01); G01S 15/931 (2013.01); G10K 9/122 (2013.01); B06B 2201/55 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A device for a system for detecting contact with and/or an approach toward a motor vehicle, the device being configured to be mounted on said vehicle, the device comprising:
a) a vibration generator, which comprises:
a first electromechanical transducer, configured to generate a mechanical movement in response to an electrical excitation signal, and configured to be mounted on an external element of said motor vehicle; and
an electrical signal generator, configured to deliver the electrical excitation signal to the first electromechanical transducer, the electrical excitation signal oscillating at an excitation frequency;
b) a rechargeable energy storage device, configured to supply electrical energy to the electrical signal generator; and
c) a vibration sensor, consisting of a second electromechanical transducer that is configured to generate an electrical response signal in response to a mechanical displacement and to be mounted on said external element of the motor vehicle;
wherein an output of the vibration sensor is electrically connected to the rechargeable energy storage device such that, during use, at least part of the electrical response signal recharges the rechargeable energy storage device.