Method for Detecting an Actuating Motion for an Actuator of a Motor Vehicle Equipment Element and Actuator of a Motor Vehicle Equipment Element

A method for detecting operating motion for sensor-controlled activation of a vehicle equipment item by an operating device comprising at least two capacitive sensors having overlapping detection areas, wherein the method comprises:

• determining, based on a direction of the operating motion within the overlapping detection areas, that the operating motion is in a valid motion direction;
• detecting a motion through detection areas of the at least two capacitive sensors;
• determining a total duration of the motion through the detection areas of the at least two capacitive sensors;
• detecting an overlap duration of the motion in an overlapping area of the overlapping detection areas;
• calculating a quotient from the overlap duration and the total duration;
• comparing the quotient with a predetermined threshold separating a valid area from an invalid area;
• and
• determining that the motion is an operating motion with a valid motion direction if the quotient is in the valid area.

An operating device for a vehicle equipment item comprising:

• at least two capacitive sensors having overlapping detection areas;
• and
• a data processing unit configured to
• determine, based on a direction of the operating motion within the overlapping detection areas, that the operating motion is in a valid motion direction;
• detect a motion through detection areas of the at least two capacitive sensors;
• determine a total duration of the motion through the detection areas of the at least two capacitive sensors;
• detect an overlap duration of the motion in an overlapping area of the overlapping detection areas;
• calculate a quotient from the overlap duration and the total duration;
• compare the quotient with a predetermined threshold separating a valid area from an invalid area;
• and
• determine that the motion is an operating motion with a valid motion direction if the quotient is in the valid area.