JP7280389B2 - Circuits, vehicles, and methods for controlling electric motors in vehicle window lifters - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a circuit for controlling an electric motor of a window lifter of a vehicle, a vehicle equipped with a circuit for controlling an electric motor of a window lifter and a method of operating a circuit for controlling the electric motor of a window lifter of a vehicle.

Window lifters for opening and closing vehicle windows can be manually or electrically operated. An electric window lifter has an electric motor which, depending on the direction of rotation, raises or lowers the respective window along a guide for opening and closing. To control the electric motor, the window lifter has an electric circuit for setting the direction of rotation of the electric motor. When opening and closing a window with an electric window lifter, a driver usually needs to operate a switch of the window lifter. Under certain circumstances, it is expected to prevent the window from closing due to conscious or accidental actuation of the switch of the window lifter by the driver. Such situations include, for example, water intrusion into the vehicle. In this particular case the driver only needs to open the window.

For this purpose, the part of the electric circuit controlling the electric motor of the window lifter has an auxiliary circuit which under certain circumstances prevents the closing of the window. This auxiliary circuit is often a relay circuit. A purely relay-based circuit has the drawback of not being able to control the speed of the electric motor. This is because the speed control is usually performed by pulse width modulation using semiconductor switch elements. To overcome this drawback, hybrid circuits have been provided that include both relays and semiconductor switch elements. The semiconductor switch element allows operation of the speed-controlled window lifter in normal operation. If water intrusion is detected, it is controlled by a relay-based auxiliary circuit. However, this mixed circuit is costly.

US Pat. No. 6,515,377 discloses a circuit for controlling electric windows, sliding roofs or door locks of a vehicle. The circuit is configured to initiate emergency action after detecting a functional stoppage or failure of a component of the circuit.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2016-074332 discloses a controller for an actuator. The controller is configured to ensure proper operation of the actuator in response to user action in the event of water intrusion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a circuit that allows safe operation during water ingress and speed control during normal operation at a lower cost than known solutions.

The present invention includes a circuit for controlling an electric motor of a vehicle window lifter. In doing so, the following will be provided: A first pole of the electric motor is connected to the supply potential via a first switch element. A first pole of the electric motor is connected to ground potential via a third switch element. A second pole of the electric motor is connected to the supply potential via a second switch element. Via a fourth switch element, the second pole of the electric motor is connected to ground potential. In other words, the poles of the electric motor are connected to ground potential or supply potential via the switching elements. Thereby, the direction of the current through the electric motor and thus the direction of rotation of the electric motor can be set by means of the state of the switch element. The circuit comprises a control unit, which is adapted to switch the switch elements T1, T2, T3, T4 into a conductive state or a blocked state by applying respective control signals to respective control terminals of the switch elements. It is configured. In other words, the control unit is configured to bring the respective switch element into a conductive state or a blocked state by supplying a control signal to the control terminal of the switch element. The electric motor is configured to open the window corresponding to the window lifter when a power potential is applied to the first pole and a ground potential is simultaneously applied to the second pole. In other words, the electric motor is configured such that when a power potential is applied to the first pole and a ground potential is applied to the second pole, the window opens when current flows through the electric motor. there is Conversely, the electric motor is configured such that when a power potential is applied to the second pole and a ground potential is simultaneously applied to the first pole, the window associated with the window lifter closes. Therefore, the window is opened when the switch elements T1 and T4 are each set to a conducting state and the switch elements T2 and T3 are each set to a blocking state. The window is closed when switch elements T2 and T3 are each set to a conducting state and switch elements T1 and T4 are each set to a blocking state. The following are provided: The circuit comprises an operating element which, when operated, is arranged to supply an operating signal to the first input terminal of the auxiliary circuit. The auxiliary circuit applies the second power supply to the first pole of the electric motor when an operating signal is applied to the first input terminal and at the same time an activation signal is applied to the second input terminal of the auxiliary circuit. configured to provide an electrical potential. In other words, the first pole of the electric motor is connected to the second supply potential via the auxiliary circuit. The auxiliary circuit is then arranged to become conductive only when an activation signal is applied to the second input of the auxiliary circuit and an operating signal is applied to the first input of the auxiliary circuit. .

The invention has the advantage that the first pole of the electric motor can be connected to the respective supply potential via two different connections.

For example, it can be provided that the electric motor is arranged in a so-called pair bridge circuit. The two poles of the electric motor can then be connected to the supply potential via respective switch elements T1 and T2. The two switch elements T1 and T2 can then function as so-called high-side switch elements and have a blocking function in the absence of a control signal applied to their respective control terminals, thereby allowing the current to pass through them. can be prevented from flowing. The two poles can also be connected to ground potential via two switch elements T3 and T4. At that time, the switch elements T3 and T4 may be low-side switch elements, and similarly have a cutoff function in a state in which no control signal is applied to each control terminal. Said circuit, also called a so-called H-circuit, can have each pole connected to a supply potential or ground potential, thereby allowing current to flow in both directions through the electric motor. This allows the direction of motion of the electric motor to be determined. The rotational speed of the electric motor can be controlled by means of pulse width modulation using switching elements, ie by switching between a conducting state and a non-conducting state. In order to be able to control the state of the switch element, each control terminal of the switch element can be connected to a control unit. The control unit can supply control signals to respective control terminals of the switch units in order to switch the respective switch units into a conducting state or a non-conducting state. The first pole can be connected to the second supply potential through an auxiliary circuit. When the activation signal is applied to the second input terminal of the auxiliary circuit and at the same time the operating signal is applied to the first terminal of the auxiliary circuit, the second supply potential is applied to the first terminal through the auxiliary circuit. poles. There are two possibilities that it is thereby possible to provide a supply potential to the first pole, so that a current can flow through the electric motor in the direction of rotating the electric motor in the direction of opening the window. occur. A first possibility consists in that the second pole of the electric motor is connected to the ground potential and the first pole is connected to the supply potential via the switch element T1. A second possibility consists in that the second pole of the electric motor is connected to the ground potential and the first pole is connected via an auxiliary circuit to the second supply potential.

The invention also includes additional aspects that provide additional advantages.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the auxiliary circuit comprises a fifth switch element T5 and a sixth switch element T6. It is then provided that the first pole of the electric motor is connected to the second supply potential via the fifth switch element T5. The control terminal of the fifth switch element T5 is connected to the first input terminal of the auxiliary circuit via the sixth switch element T6. The activation terminal of the sixth switch element T6 is connected to the second input terminal of the auxiliary circuit. The sixth switch element T6 is configured to switch to a conductive state when an activation signal is applied to the control terminal of the sixth switch element T6. The fifth switch element T5 is configured to switch to a conductive state when an operation signal is applied to the control terminal of the fifth switch element T5.

In other words, the auxiliary circuit provides a logical AND operation. For this purpose, the first pole of the electric motor is connected to the second supply potential. This connection is made via a fifth switch element, which is set to a conductive state when an operating signal is applied to the control terminal of the fifth switch element. The operating signal can be applied to the first input terminal of the auxiliary circuit. Between the first input terminal and the control terminal of the fifth switch element, there is arranged a sixth switch element which can be in a conducting state or in a non-conducting state. Therefore, the operation signal can be transmitted to the control terminal of the fifth switch element only when the sixth switch element is set to the conducting state. However, the sixth switch element T6 is set to the conductive state only when an activation signal is applied to the activation terminal of the sixth switch element. An activation signal can be received at a second input terminal by the auxiliary circuit. This circuit results in the second supply potential being supplied to the first pole of the electric motor only if both the activation signal and the operating signal are simultaneously supplied to the respective input terminals.

A further aspect of the present invention provides that the fifth switch element T5 is connected in parallel with the first switch element T1 and connected to the power supply potential as the second power supply potential. In other words, the first pole of the electric motor is connected to the supply potential via both the first switch element and the fifth switch element arranged in parallel with the first switch element. Therefore, the second power supply potential is the same as the power supply potential. This has the advantage that only one supply potential source is required.

A further aspect of the invention is that the switch elements T1, T2, T3 and T4 have respective activation terminals, and the switch elements T1, T2 and T3 have activation signals at their respective activation terminals. configured to switch to a blocking state when applied, the switch element T4 being configured to switch to a conducting state when an activation signal is applied to the activation terminal; I will provide a. In other words, the switch elements T1, T2, T3 and T4 have respective activation terminals for placing the respective switch elements in a predetermined state upon application of an activation signal. Specifically, the switch elements T1, T2 and T3 are configured to switch to a blocking state when an activation signal is applied to their respective activation terminals. The switch element T4 is configured to switch to a conducting state when an activation signal is applied to the activation terminal. Advantageously, the switch elements T1, T2, T3 and T4 are thereby switched in such a way that, when an activation signal is applied, the window glass can be lowered and at the same time the window glass cannot be raised. There is In this circuit, current flow from the first pole of the electric motor to the second pole of the electric motor is allowed, but current flow from the second pole of the electric motor to the first pole of the electric motor is allowed. No flow. The activation terminal may be the control terminal of the relay if the switch element is a relay, or may be connected to the relay. The activation terminal may be the gate terminal of the semiconductor switch element if the switch element is a semiconductor switch element, or may be connected to the semiconductor switch element. The activation terminals of the switch elements T1, T2 and T3 may, for example, comprise transistors to which an activation signal may be applied to the gate terminals of the transistors in order to switch them into a conductive state. Ground potential can thereby be connected to the gate of the switch element, which in turn sets the switch element to the blocking state. Also, the activation terminal of switch element T4 may comprise a blocking diode. The activation signal is then fed to the anode of the blocking diode and the cathode can be connected to the control terminal of the switch element T4.

A further aspect of the invention is that the control unit has an activation terminal, the control unit being arranged to be deactivated when an activation signal is applied to the activation terminal. I will provide a. In other words, the control unit is prevented from supplying a control signal to the control terminal of the switch element when an activation signal is supplied to the activation terminal of the control unit. This has the advantage that the control of the switch element and thus the determination of the direction of movement of the motor is deactivated by the control unit. As a result, for example, a control unit that malfunctions under certain circumstances can be prevented from interfering with the operation of the window lifter. Alternatively, the control of the window lifter can be done by a fail-safe element.

A further aspect of the invention provides that the circuit comprises a sensor circuit, the sensor circuit being configured to provide an activation signal to the activation terminal upon sensing a predetermined condition. do. In other words, the circuit comprises a sensor circuit for sensing the predetermined condition. The sensor circuit is arranged to supply an activation signal to the switch element and/or the activation terminal of the control unit when a predetermined state is detected by the sensor circuit. This has the advantage that the fail-safe control of the motor is activated when certain conditions are detected. For example, it may be necessary to stop control of the electric motor by the control unit if a functional failure is detected as a predetermined condition by the sensor circuit. This may be necessary because in the event of a functional failure error-free operation of the window lifter may no longer be guaranteed under certain circumstances. In this case the control of the window lifter via the auxiliary circuit is more fail-safe and can therefore be advantageous in certain situations. The sensor circuit can include, for example, a transistor whose gate terminal is connected to ground potential via a predetermined resistor and capacitor. A power supply potential can be applied to the source terminal. The transistor can be turned off. In case of water intrusion, the potential of the gate terminal changes, which allows the transistor to conduct. The transistor thereby supplies the power supply potential to the drain terminal, where the power supply potential may be the activation signal.

A further aspect of the invention provides that the sensor circuit is formed as a water intrusion sensor and is configured to detect water intrusion into the vehicle as a predetermined condition. In other words, the sensor circuit is a circuit that can detect water intrusion into the vehicle. The sensor circuit may, for example, sense moisture within the vehicle and provide an activation signal accordingly. This has the advantage of preventing the window from rising in the event of water intrusion. For example, it may be necessary to prevent window lifting when water enters, in order to avoid false window lifting.

A further aspect of the invention provides that the switch elements T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6 are formed as semiconductor switch elements. In other words, the switch element is a transistor or other element that works on the basis of the semiconductor effect. This has the advantage that the speed of the motor can be controlled by pulse width modulation.

A further aspect of the invention provides that the switch elements T1, T2, T3 and T4 are formed as N-channel field effect transistors. In other words, the switch elements T1, T2, T3 and T4 are transistors that conduct when a positive potential is applied. This has the advantage that the switch element only conducts when the control signal is applied.

A further aspect of the invention provides that the switch element T6 is formed as a P-channel field effect transistor. In other words, the switch element T6 is a field effect transistor which is set to a conducting state as soon as a negative potential is applied to its activation terminal.

A further aspect of the invention provides that the switch element T6 is formed as a PNP transistor. In other words, the switch element T6 is a transistor in a positive-negative-positive configuration, with its activation terminal connected to the base of the PNP transistor.

A further aspect of the invention provides that the circuit comprises a functional safety circuit configured to switch the third and fourth switch elements to an interrupted state upon a predetermined error signal. The functional safety circuit is then configured to be deactivated when an activation signal is applied to the activation terminal of the eighth switch element of the functional safety circuit.

A further aspect of the present invention is that the auxiliary circuit has a Zener diode, the control terminal of the fifth switch element is connected to the sixth switch element via the Zener diode, and the fifth switch element provided that the control terminal is connected to the power supply potential via a resistor.

The invention also belongs to a vehicle comprising a circuit for controlling the electric motor of a window lifter of the vehicle. A vehicle may be, for example, an automobile, such as a passenger car or a truck.

Further belonging to the invention is a method of operating a circuit for controlling an electric motor of a window lifter of a vehicle. It is then provided that, when an operating element of the circuit is operated, the operating element supplies an operating signal to the first input of the auxiliary circuit. When an actuation signal is applied to the first input and at the same time an activation signal is applied to the second input of the auxiliary circuit, the auxiliary circuit causes the second supply potential to be applied to the first input of the electric motor. supply poles. An electric motor opens the window corresponding to the window lifter.

Also belonging to the invention are further aspects of the method according to the invention and of the vehicle according to the invention, which have the features already described in connection with the further aspects of the circuit according to the invention. For this reason, the method according to the invention and the corresponding further aspects of the vehicle according to the invention will not be explained again here.

The invention also includes combinations of features of the described embodiments.

Examples of the present invention are described below.

1 is a diagram showing a circuit for controlling an electric motor of a window lifter of a vehicle; FIG. FIG. 4 shows a sensor circuit; Fig. 3 shows a control unit; It is a figure which shows a switch state. It is a figure which shows a switch state. It is a figure which shows a switch state. Fig. 3 shows the steps of the method; Fig. 3 shows a further circuit for controlling the electric motor of the window lifter of the vehicle;

The examples described below are preferred embodiments of the present invention. In the examples, each component of the described embodiments represents an individual feature of the invention to be considered independently of the other. The features, each of which independently of each other further form the invention, may therefore also be considered components of the invention, either individually or in combinations other than those shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

In the figures, functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

FIG. 1 shows a circuit 1 for controlling an electric motor 2 of a window lifter 3 of a vehicle 4 . The electric motor 2 may, for example, be a DC electric motor and may have two poles 5,6. A first pole 5 of the electric motor 2 can be connected to the supply potential US via a first switch element T1. Via the third switch element T3, the first pole 5 of the electric motor 2 can be connected to the ground potential UM. A second pole 6 of the electric motor 2 can be connected to the supply potential US via the second switch element T2 and to the ground potential UM via the fourth switch element T4. The electric motor 2 can thus be arranged in a so-called H-bridge, whereby the switch elements T1 and T2 can be high-side switch elements and the switch elements T3 and T4 can be low-side switch elements. be able to. This arrangement allows the electric motor 2 to be supplied with current in two current directions in order to open and close the window 7 of the window lifter 3 . In order to allow opening of the window 7, the switch elements T1 and T4 can be set in a conductive state and the switch elements T2 and T3 can be set in a blocked state. A mains potential US is thereby applied to the first pole 5 of the electric motor 2 and a ground potential UM is applied to the second pole 6 of the electric motor 2 . The window 7 can be set to close when the switch elements T3 and T2 are switched into a conducting state and the switch elements T1 and T4 are switched into a non-conducting state. Switch elements T1, T2, T3 and T4 may be, for example, relays or semiconductor switch elements. The switch elements T1, T2, T3 and T4 can be formed as N-channel field effect transistors. The switch elements T1, T2, T3 and T4 have respective control terminals G1, G2 and G3 to which a control signal 8 is applied in order to set predetermined states of the respective switch elements T1, T2, T3 and T4. and G4. For example, when no control signal 8 is applied to the respective control terminals G1, G2, G3, G4, the respective switching elements T1, T2, T3, T4 can be switched to the blocking state. The switch elements T1, T2, T3, T4 can be configured to be set to a conductive state when a control signal 8 is applied to their respective control terminals G1, G2, G3, G4.

The circuit 1 can have an operating element 9 connectable to ground potential UM. The operating element 9 can be configured to supply an operating signal 10 to a first input terminal 11 of the auxiliary circuit 12 when operating the operating element 9 . The first input terminal 11 can be connected to the control terminal G5 of the fifth switch element T5. A fifth switch element T5 can be connected to the supply potential US and to the first pole 5 of the electric motor 2 . The auxiliary circuit 12 can have a sixth switch element T6 which can be arranged between the first input terminal 11 and the control terminal G5 of the fifth switch element T5. A sixth switch element T6 may have an activation terminal A6 that may be connected to the second input terminal 13 of the auxiliary circuit 12 . The switch element T6 can be switched into its normal state, ie when no activation signal 15 is applied to its activation terminal A6, into its blocking state.

Circuit 1 may comprise a sensor circuit 14 arranged to detect a predetermined condition. The predetermined condition can be, for example, water intrusion into the vehicle 4 . Sensor circuit 14 may be configured to provide activation signal 15 upon sensing a predetermined condition. The sensor circuit 14 may be connected to respective activation terminals A1, A2, A3, A4, A6 of switch elements T1, T2, T3, T4, T6. The switch elements T1, T2 and T3 can be arranged to switch to a blocking state when an activation signal 15 is applied to their respective activation terminals A1, A2, A3. Switch elements T4 and T6 may be configured to switch to a conductive state when an activation signal 15 is applied to their respective activation terminals A4 and A6. Closing of the window 7 can be prevented by blocking the switch elements T1, T2 and T3 and simultaneously switching on the switch element T4. Activation of the switch element T6 and its conduction switching make it possible to transmit the operating signal 10 to the control terminal G5 of the switch element T5. In this case, the switch element T5 can be switched conductive in order to connect the first pole of the electric motor 2 to the supply potential US.

Since no relay is required, there is an advantage of cost reduction. Furthermore, circuit board and housing area can be saved. In normal operation, characterized in that no activation signal 15 is supplied by the sensor circuit 14, the electric motor 2 can be controlled via the full-bridge driver. An activation signal 15 is provided via the sensor circuit 14 in the event of water intrusion. The low-side N-channel FET (T4), which is conducting during the downward movement of the window lifter, is switched to a conducting state by the activation signal 15. FIG. Therefore, it is impossible to raise the window lifter. At the same time, all other N-channel FETs (T1, T2, T3) of the full bridge are switched off by the activation signal 15. FIG. At the same time, it is also possible to deactivate the control unit 16 . At the same time, by applying an activation signal 15 to the activation terminal A6 of the switch element T6, the connection from the control terminal G5 of the P-channel FET (T5) to the operating element 9 is switched conductive. The operating element signals the lowering movement of the window lifter. By disconnecting it during normal operation, the switch of the window lifter can be read by the connected microcomputer or control unit 16 during normal operation. Only in the event of activation of the operating element 9 signaling the lowering movement of the window lift, the P-channel FET (T5) is switched into a conducting state, so that the electric motor 2 is energized in the lowering direction and the window 7 is opened. . Resistor RP should be of such a low resistance that the resistance of water is not sufficient to activate the P-channel FET (T5).

FIG. 2 shows sensor circuit 14 . The sensor circuit 14 may have a seventh switch element T7. At that time, the power supply potential US is applied to the source terminal S7, and the drain terminal D7 is connected to the activation terminals A1, A2, A3, A4 and A6 of the switch elements T1, T2, T3, T4 and T6. A ground potential UM can be applied to the gate terminal G7, which ground potential may be connected via a capacitor C and a resistor R to the gate terminal G7. In addition, it can be provided that the seventh switch element T7 becomes conductive when water enters the vehicle 4 .

FIG. 3 shows the control unit 16 . The control unit is arranged to provide the states of the switch elements T1, T2, T3, T4 by applying control signals 8 to respective control terminals G1, G2, G3 and G4. A switch element T16 having an activation terminal A16 is connectable to a reset terminal (reset) R16 of the control unit 16 . Its activation terminal can connect the reset terminal R16 to the ground potential UM. It can be provided that when the activation terminal A16 is supplied with the activation signal 15, the switch element T16 is set to the conducting state, whereby the ground potential UM is supplied to the reset terminal R16. The control unit 16 can be configured to be deactivated when a ground potential is applied to the reset terminal R16.

FIG. 4 shows the switch states in the state of the circuit 1 when no activation signal 15 is applied to the activation terminals A1, A2, A3, A4, A6 of the switch elements T1, T2, T3, T4 and T6. In this state, the switch elements T1, T2, T3, T4 can be opened and closed according to the control signal 8 applied. The switch element T6 is in the blocking state when the activation signal 15 is not applied. As a result, in this case the switching element T5 is likewise in the blocked state. When the operating element 9 is actuated, the switching element T5 cannot be switched into a conducting state, so that no connection from the supply potential US via the electric motor 2 to the ground potential UN is formed.

FIG. 5 shows the state of the switch element when the operating element 9 is closed and the activation signal 15 is applied. Due to the applied activation signal 15, the switch elements T1, T2, T3 are switched to the blocking state and the switch elements T4 and T6 are switched to the conducting state. As a result, when the operating element 9 is closed, the operating signal 10 can be applied to the control terminal G5 of the switching element T5, thereby making the switching element T5 conductive. By switching the switch elements T4 and T5 to the conducting state, a current can flow from the supply potential US to the ground potential UM, which energizes the electric motor 2 so that the window 7 opens.

FIG. 6 shows the switch state when an activation signal 15 is supplied and the operating element 9 is open. When the activation signal 15 is supplied, the switching elements T1, T2 and T3 are switched to the blocking state, while the switching elements T4 and T6 are set to the conducting state. If the operating element 9 is not actuated and thus no operating signal 10 is supplied to the control terminal G5 of the switching element T5, the switching element T5 is in the blocking state.

FIG. 7 shows the steps of the method. In a first step P1, a predetermined condition can be detected by the sensor circuit 14, whereby an activation signal 15 is provided.

By supplying the activation signal 15, the switch element T4 is switched to the conducting state (P2).

At the same time, the switching elements T1, T2 and T3 are switched to the blocking state (P3).

The switch element T6 is set to a conductive state by application of an activation signal, thereby establishing a connection between the first input terminal 11 of the auxiliary circuit 12 and the control terminal G5 of the fifth switch element T5 ( P4).

The control unit 16 can be deactivated (P5) by receiving an activation signal 15 at its activation terminal A6.

In step P6, the operating element 9 can be actuated so that it can supply an operating signal 10. FIG. The switch element T5 is thereby set to the conducting state, which energizes the electric motor 2 in the downward movement direction and the window 7 opens.

In the so-called water intrusion requirements in Japan, the requirement that the motorized window lifter 3 allows the window 7 to open and at the same time prevents the window 7 from closing when water enters the vehicle 4 is important. . Hitherto, this requirement has been met by providing a window lifter 3 circuit having a relay as a switch element. Control of the window lifter 3 by means of a relay-based circuit could not offer the possibility of speed control of the electric motor 2 during the opening and closing movements of the window 7 . Mixed solutions with relays and semiconductor switch elements are expensive compared to pure relay-based circuits.

The idea of the circuit 1 presented consists in using a window lift full bridge circuit in which the electric motor 2 is arranged. This window-lift full-bridge circuit can be controlled via a control unit 16, which can be a so-called gate driver or full-bridge driver component. The window-lift full-bridge circuit may have N-channel FETs as the switch elements T1, T2, T3, and T4. The states of the switch elements can be determined by the control unit 16 by applying control signals 8 to the control terminals G1, G2, G3, G4. The circuit 1 may comprise an auxiliary circuit 12 by means of which a P-channel FET can be connected as switch element T5 in the high-side path in parallel with the existing switch element T1. The N-channel FET as switching element T1 is switched to the conducting state during the window 7 falling. A switch element T5, provided as a P-channel FET, can be activated by an operating element 9, which can be the switch of a window lifter, in the event of water intrusion, thereby switching to a conductive state. At that time, the gate, which is the control terminal G5 of the P-channel FET, is connected to the source terminal of the FET via a resistor with a relatively low resistance value. This low resistance connection prevents the switch element T5 from being activated by water. The P-channel FET (T5) is activated only when the absolutely low resistance operating element 9 is activated. At this time, the connection between the control terminal G5 of the P-channel FET (T5) and the operating element 9 is permitted only when the sensor circuit 14 detects the entry of water. Furthermore, additional circuitry prevents a possible lifting operation of the window lifter. This is accomplished by having the sensor circuit 14 activate a low-side N-channel FET (T4) that must be activated during the window lifter lowering operation. In addition, the gates of all other N-channel FETs (T1, T2, T3) are pulled to the ground potential UM by the sensor circuit 14 and are therefore switched off. Similarly, the sensor circuit 14 can also deactivate the control unit 16 . A PNP transistor can be used as the fifth switch element T5 instead of the P-channel FET.

FIG. 8 shows a further circuit 1 for controlling the electric motor 2 of the window lifter 3 of the vehicle 4 . Circuit 1 may be an extended embodiment of circuit 1 shown in FIG. Compared to the circuit 1 shown in FIG. 1, the circuit 1 shown in FIG. 8 can be enhanced with a functional safety circuit 17 (also called FuSi for short). The functional safety circuit 17 may have two switch elements T9 and T10 which are N-channel FETs. The two switch elements T9 and T10 can connect their respective ground potentials UM to the gate terminals of the switch elements T3, T4 and are switched into a conducting state if no water intrusion is detected. As a result, the switching elements T3 and T4 are switched to the blocking state by the connected ground potential UM. In non-water ingress operation, the voltage supply to the electric motor 2 is cut off by the two switch elements T9 and T10 connected to the two low side N-channel FET gate terminals of the full bridge switch elements T3 and T4. be able to. This can occur, for example, in the presence of certain error signals. However, if there is water intrusion, blocking must be ruled out.

This functional safety circuit 17 is deactivated by the switch element T8, which may be a transistor, after water entry is detected by the sensor circuit 14 by applying the activation signal 15 to the activation terminal A8 of the switch element T8. can be done. Also, the circuit for the functional safety circuit 17 can basically be replaced with another. It is important for the circuit 1 that the switching element T4 is not erroneously switched to the blocking state by the functional safety circuit 17 when water intrusion is detected.

When the switch element T5 is a P-channel FET with a threshold voltage (gate-source threshold) of 1.5 to 2.5 V, in order to prevent the switch element T5 from being unintentionally switched to a conducting state, A very low resistance pull-up resistor RP of 10Ω or less should be used. If the resistance value of the pull-up resistor RP is low, the current through the operating element 9 will become extremely large. Therefore, such a design is not essential.

To avoid this, a Zener diode 18 and also a pull-up resistor R can be connected to the gate of the switch element T5 formed as a P-channel FET. In this case it is important that the circuit 1, and in particular the gate of the P-channel FET (G5) and the Zener diode 18, are waterproofed.

Even without the Zener diode 18 extension, it may be useful to waterproof the entire circuit 1 . This allows miniaturization of N-channel FETs and NPN transistors for deactivating G2, G1, G3 at reset terminal R16 of functional safety circuit 17 and control unit 16 (full bridge driver). This is because, in this case, a current that can flow from the power supply potentials US and US2 through intruding water does not flow through the NPN transistor.

Overall, this example shows how a semiconductor-based circuit that meets water intrusion requirements can be provided by the present invention.

1 circuit 2 electric motor 3 window lifter 4 vehicle 5 first pole 6 second pole 7 window 8 control signal 9 operating element 10 operating signal 11 first input terminal 12 auxiliary circuit 13 second input terminal 14 sensor circuit 15 activation signal 16 control unit 17 functional safety circuit 18 zener diode P1-P6 method steps T1-T10 switch element T16 control unit switch element G1-G10 control terminal A1-A8 switch element activation terminal A16 control unit activation terminal R16 Control unit reset terminal US Power supply potential US2 Second power supply potential UM Ground potential C Capacitor R Resistor RP Resistor

Claims (15)

A circuit (1) for controlling an electric motor (2) of a window lifter (3) of a vehicle (4), comprising:
A first pole (5) of said electric motor (2) is connected via a first switch element (T1) to a supply potential (US) and via a third switch element (T3) to a ground potential (US). UM),
A second pole (6) of said electric motor (2) is connected via a second switch element (T2) to said supply potential (US) and via a fourth switch element (T4) to said ground. connected to the potential (UM),
Said circuit (1) comprises a control unit (16) which applies respective control signals to control terminals (G1, G2, G3, G4) of said respective switch elements (T1, T2, T3, T4). By applying (8), the switch elements (T1, T2, T3, T4) are configured to switch to a conductive state or a cutoff state,
The electric motor (2) is driven when the supply potential (US) is applied to the first pole (5) and at the same time the ground potential (UM) is applied to the second pole (6). in a circuit (1) for controlling an electric motor of a window lifter of a vehicle, adapted to open a window (7) corresponding to said window lifter (3),
Said circuit (1) comprises an operating element (9) which, when operated, supplies an operating signal (10) to a first input (11) of an auxiliary circuit (12). is configured as
Said auxiliary circuit (12) is configured such that said operation signal (10) is applied to said first input terminal (11) and at the same time an activation signal (15) is applied to said second input terminal of said auxiliary circuit (12). (13) is arranged to supply a second supply potential (US2) to said first pole (5) of said electric motor (2) when applied to (13). circuit (1) for controlling the electric motor of the window lifter of the The auxiliary circuit (12) has a fifth switch element (T5) and a sixth switch element (T6),
said first pole (5) of said electric motor (2) being connected to said second supply potential (US2) via said fifth switch element (T5);
a control terminal (G5) of the fifth switch element T5 is connected to the first input terminal (11) of the auxiliary circuit (12) through the sixth switch element (T6),
an activation terminal (A6) of the sixth switch element T6 is connected to the second input terminal (13) of the auxiliary circuit (12);
The sixth switch element (T6) is switched to a conductive state when the activation signal (15) is applied to the activation terminal (A6) of the sixth switch element (T6). is configured to
The fifth switch element (T5) is configured to be switched to a conducting state when the operation signal (10) is applied to the control terminal (G5) of the fifth switch element (T5). A circuit (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it is The fifth switch element (T5) is connected in parallel with the first switch element (T1), and is connected to the power supply potential (US) as a second power supply potential (US2). 3. The circuit (1) according to claim 2, wherein said switch elements (T1, T2, T3, T4) having respective activation terminals (A1, A2, A3, A4),
The switch elements (T1, T2, T3) are configured to switch to a blocking state when the activation signal (15) is applied to the respective activation terminals (A1, A2, A3). cage,
Claim 3, characterized in that the switch element (T4) is arranged to switch into a conducting state when the activation signal (15) is applied to the activation terminal (A4). circuit (1) as described in . The control unit (16) has an activation terminal (A16),
Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said control unit (16) is arranged to be deactivated when said activation signal (15) is applied to said activation terminal (A16). 5. Circuit (1) according to any one of claims 4. Said circuit (1) comprises a sensor circuit (14) which, when detecting a predetermined condition, outputs said activation signal (15) to at least said activation terminals (A1, A2, A3, A4). 5. A circuit (1) according to claim 4 , characterized in that it is arranged to supply The sensor circuit (14) is formed as a water intrusion sensor, and is configured to detect intrusion of water into the vehicle (4) as the predetermined state. 7. Circuit (1) according to 6. Circuit (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the switch elements (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6) are formed as semiconductor switch elements. 9. Circuit (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the switching elements (T1, T2, T3, T4) are formed as N-channel FETs. 10. Circuit (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the switch element ( T5 ) is formed as a P-channel FET. 10. Circuit (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the switch element ( T5 ) is formed as a PNP transistor. The circuit comprises a functional safety circuit (17) configured to switch the switch elements (T3, T4) to an interrupted state by a predetermined error signal,
The functional safety circuit (17) is deactivated when the activation signal (15) is applied to the activation terminal (A8) of the switch element (T8) of the functional safety circuit (17). A circuit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is configured in Said auxiliary circuit (12) comprises a Zener diode (18),
The control terminal (G5) of the fifth switch element (T5) is connected to the sixth switch element (T6) through the Zener diode (18),
Circuit (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4 , characterized in that said control terminal (G5) is connected to said supply potential (US) via a resistor (R). A vehicle (4) comprising a circuit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13. A method of operating a circuit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13 for controlling an electric motor (2) of a window lifter (3) of a vehicle (4), comprising:
when the operating element (9) of the circuit (1) is operated, the operating element supplies an operating signal (10) to the first input terminal (11) of the auxiliary circuit (12);
when said operating signal (10) is applied to said first input terminal (11) and at the same time an activation signal (15) is applied to said second input terminal (13) of said auxiliary circuit (12). a second supply potential (US2) is supplied to the first pole (5) of the electric motor (2) by said auxiliary circuit (12);
A method of operating a circuit for controlling an electric motor of a window lifter of a vehicle, wherein said electric motor (2) opens a window (7) corresponding to said window lifter (3).

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