DE102009047441A1 - Method for operating e.g. rear flap of flap system of motor vehicle, involves assigning position indication of provisional maximum open position, and limiting movement of flap toward open position to provisional maximum open position - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves detecting a position indication, and assigning momentary position indication of a current position of an electrically actuatable flap (2) after reaching a predefined position of the flap. The movement of the flap toward an open position is limited to a predetermined maximum open position. The momentary position indication of a provisional maximum open position is assigned after an application of energy supply to a flap system and before reaching the predefined position. The movement of the flap toward the open position is limited to the provisional maximum open position. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a device for operating an electrically actuatable flap of a flap system (2) a computer program product comprising a set of instructions for implementing a method operating an electrically actuatable flap of a flap system.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates generally to damper actuators, in particular controls for damper actuators in a motor vehicle, such as. B. a flap control for a tailgate.

State of the art

Motor vehicles generally have tailgates for luggage compartments, which are visibly electrically operated. The operation of such a flap system is usually carried out by means of a remote control or by means of a suitable control element in the driver cockpit of the motor vehicle. Such flap control are z. B. from the document DE 102 25 887 A1 known. The flap control described there provides that an opening angle can be specified as the maximum open position up to which the flap is maximally opened upon actuation of a corresponding actuating device. The maximum open position is adjustable by the user of the flap control.

To check the position of the flap, a position detector is usually provided, which gives a feedback about the position of the flap. For cost reasons, only relative position detectors are currently provided which indicate a change in position and the height of the position change in a movement of the flap, such as. B. Hall sensors. Information about valve position changes may be accumulated in a control unit based on the information provided by the position detector or a pulse generator so that information about the instantaneous position of the valve is available at any time in the control unit.

When operating the flap system, calibration must be performed when using relative position detectors. For this purpose, as a rule, a previously defined position is approached with the flap, which the control unit can assign to the value supplied by the position detector. In consequence, each value provided by the position detector can then be assigned to a position of the flap.

If the flap system is disconnected from the power supply, the information about the association between the value supplied by the position detector and the current position of the flap is usually lost. If a maximum open position of the flap, which may be approached by the flap system, specified, it can no longer be ensured in a corresponding movement of the flap in the direction of the open position that the predetermined maximum position of the flap is not exceeded. If the flap system is a tailgate of a motor vehicle, this can result in ignoring the maximum open position depending on the Abstellort of the motor vehicle, the tailgate abuts when opening a building ceiling or the tailgate opens so far that this of a small person can not be pulled down manually.

To solve this problem, such flap controls with a permanent power supply z. B. be provided with the help of a battery or a rechargeable battery, so that the information about the current position of the flap is not lost.

As a further measure, in order to prevent failure of the power supply of a flap system that the flap to be controlled is moved beyond a predetermined maximum open position, is to make a fresh calibration of the flap system immediately after a failure of the power supply. This can be done, for example, that the flap is fully moved into the closed position, which represents a defined position of the flap and which can be determined by monitoring a motor current of the damper drive. However, this may be for a user u. U. not be comfortable, since a closing of the door is not wanted at any time, z. B. when an object blocks the opening to be closed.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a method and a device for operating a flap system having a flap, in particular a tailgate of a motor vehicle, wherein it is avoided that the flap can be moved beyond the maximum open position after a failure of the power supply , Moreover, it is desirable that the user of the flap control after re-applying the power supply does not have to make immediately a calibration of the current position of the flap or this is performed automatically.

Disclosure of the invention

These objects are achieved by the method for operating a flap system with a flap according to claim 1 and by the device and the flap system according to the independent claims.

Further advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect, a method for operating an electrically operable flap of a flap system, in particular a tailgate of a motor vehicle, is provided. The flap is movable according to an operation by a user in the direction of an open position and in the direction of a closed position, wherein a position indication is detected indicating a relative position of the flap, wherein after reaching a predefined position of the flap, the current position indication of a current position of the Flap is assignable, so that the movement of the flap in the direction of the open position can be limited to a predetermined maximum open position. After applying a power supply to the flap system and before reaching the predefined position, the current position indication is assigned to a provisional maximum open position, so that the movement of the flap in the direction of the open position is limited to the provisional maximum open position.

An idea of the present invention is to provide a flap control so that immediately after the application of a power supply, such. Example, after a failure of a power supply for the flap control, the current relative position of the flap, resulting, for example, from a position indication of a relative position detector is assumed as provisional maximum open position, and wherein the flap according to an operation of the user between a closed position and the so provisional maximum open position is traversable. Only after reaching a predefined position of the flap, such. B. the closed position as an end stop of the flap, the position of the flap can be calibrated by the current position information is assigned to the predefined position of the flap, so that in a further movement of the flap on the respective position statement, the current position of the flap can be derived. In this way, a predetermined maximum open position can be approached exactly. Therefore, upon reaching the predefined position of the flap, the provisional maximum open position is replaced by the predetermined maximum open position. In other words, before the flap has reached the predefined position, movement of the flap to the open position beyond the position that the flap held when the power supply was applied is not permitted.

If due to a voltage circuit or a reset with the door open, the flap control loses information about the current position of the flap, it must be ensured that when approaching the flap this can not be moved beyond the maximum open position in the direction of the open position. This is achieved by the relative position of the flap is detected by means of a position sensor after re-applying the power supply and the flap is movable from there only in the direction of a closed position.

According to one embodiment, the movement of the flap can be moved in a first direction upon actuation of a control element, and upon subsequent actuation of the control element, the movement of the flap can be stopped, wherein the flap is moved in a second direction upon a subsequent actuation of the control element , and upon a subsequent actuation of the operating element, the movement of the flap is stopped.

It can be provided that the reaching of the predefined position of the flap is detected when the flap is moved to a closed position, which represents an end stop for the movement of the flap in the direction of the closed position.

• – einen Klappenantrieb zum Bewegen der Klappe in Richtung einer Offenstellung und in Richtung einer Schließstellung;
• – einen Stellungsdetektor zum Erfassen einer Stellungsangabe, die eine relative Stellung der Klappe angibt,
• – eine Klappensteuerung, die ausgebildet ist, – um nach einem Erreichen einer vordefinierten Stellung der Klappe die momentane Stellungsangabe einer aktuellen Stellung der Klappe zuzuordnen, so dass die Bewegung der Klappe in Richtung der Offenstellung auf eine vorgegebene maximale Offenstellung begrenzbar ist, und – um nach dem Anlegen einer Energieversorgung an das Klappensystem und vor dem Erreichen der vordefinierten Stellung die momentane Stellungsangabe einer vorläufigen maximalen Offenstellung zuzuordnen, so dass die Bewegung der Klappe in Richtung der Offenstellung auf die vorläufige maximale Offenstellung begrenzt wird.

According to a further aspect, an apparatus for operating an electrically operable flap of a flap system, in particular a tailgate of a motor vehicle, is provided. The device comprises:

• A flap drive for moving the flap in the direction of an open position and in the direction of a closed position;
• A position detector for detecting a position indication which indicates a relative position of the flap,
• - A flap control, which is designed to - after reaching a predefined position of the flap to assign the current position indication of a current position of the flap, so that the movement of the flap in the direction of the open position can be limited to a predetermined maximum open position, and - to the application of a power supply to the flap system and before reaching the predefined position to assign the current position indication of a provisional maximum open position, so that the movement of the flap in the direction of the open position is limited to the provisional maximum open position.

According to a further aspect, a flap system with a flap, in particular a tailgate of a motor vehicle, and the above device is provided.

Brief description of the drawings

Preferred embodiments will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

1 a schematic representation of a rear of a motor vehicle with a tailgate therein; and

2 a flowchart for illustrating a method for operating a flap control for the tailgate of 1 ,

Description of embodiments

1 schematically shows a vehicle rear 1 with a tailgate 2 , The tailgate 2 serves to close a trunk 3 of the vehicle and is at the rear of the vehicle 1 on a pivot axis 4 pivotally mounted.

The tailgate 2 is with the help of a damper drive 5 electrically adjustable. The damper drive 5 can be formed for example as a translatory drive. Alternatively, as a damper drive and a rotary motor may be provided which can cause a translatory travel by means of a gear to the tailgate 2 to adjust.

The actuator 5 is from a flap control 6 driven. The flap control 6 controls the damper drive 5 to the tailgate 2 in the direction of an open position O and in the direction of a closed position S to method. In the closed position is the tailgate 2 at the rear of the vehicle 1 on, leaving the trunk 3 is closed. In an open position is the tailgate 2 from the trunk 3 off, leaving the interior of the trunk 3 is accessible. The flap control 6 is with a position sensor 7 (Position detector) connected to the movement of the tailgate 2 detects the change in the position of the tailgate and a corresponding information to the flap control 6 transmitted. For cost reasons, in such damper actuators, a position detector for detecting the absolute position is generally dispensed with and instead only one position detector is used for a relative change in position (eg Hall sensors).

After the damper drive 5 the tailgate 2 in a defined position, z. B. the closed position has moved, what a defined position of the tailgate 2 represents the flap control 6 the defined position of the tailgate 2 the detector value of the position sensor 7 assign. In a subsequent procedure of the tailgate 2 to a further position then the relative position changes the tailgate 2 be evaluated and from this the current absolute position of the tailgate 2 be determined. This can be done, for example, by means of a counter in the flap control 6 take place during a movement of the tailgate 2 according to the position sensor 7 provided pulses is incremented or decremented, so that the count of such a counter an indication of an absolute position of the tailgate 2 represents when the counter previously at a predefined position of the tailgate 2 has been initialized. For example, the counter can be set to 0 when the tailgate 2 has reached the closed position. In alternative embodiments, the position sensor 7 even a counter included during a movement of the tailgate 2 is incremented or decremented.

The flap control 6 As a rule, provides an indication of a maximum open position of the tailgate 2 save. The maximum open position gives a position of the tailgate 2 on, up to which this may be opened maximum. This serves to avoid having an area of the tailgate 2 z. B. on a building ceiling 9 abuts, such. B. on a garage ceiling when the vehicle has been parked in a garage. With the help of suitable controls a user of the motor vehicle is able to the maximum open position in the flap control 6 to program. The maximum open position indication is permanently stored in a suitable memory element (not shown).

The flap control 6 as well as the damper drive 5 be powered by a power supply 10 , For example, the vehicle battery, supplied with a supply voltage.

To operate the tailgate 2 will usually be a single control 11 intended. The operating element 11 can be arranged on a radio transmitter and / or in the cockpit of the vehicle. When pressing the operating element 11 moves the tailgate 2 in one direction, ie either in the direction of the open position O or in the direction of the closed position S. When the control element is pressed again 11 will the movement of the tailgate 2 stopped. When pressing the control again 11 becomes the damper drive 5 so controlled that the tailgate 2 is moved in the opposite direction to the previous direction of movement. When pressing the control again 11 can the movement of the tailgate 2 be stopped again.

Becomes the operating element 11 not operated, the procedure of the tailgate 2 in the direction of the open position O only to the stored maximum open position and is then by the flap control 6 stopped. Towards the closed position S, the method of the tailgate takes place in this case 2 until the tailgate 2 the trunk 3 completely closes.

The condition in which the tailgate 2 the trunk 3 completely closes (end stop), can for example by a change of state of a lock on the tailgate 2 be recognized, for. B. upon actuation of the castle. This is possible because usually the function of the lock only when the trunk is completely closed 3 is activatable. In particular, the end stop is detected when the lock is moved from an open state to a closing state, since in this case it is ensured that the lock engages and the trunk 3 closes.

Alternatively, the end stop may be in the fully closed state by the flap control 6 be recognized by permanently a force is determined, the damper drive 5 must deploy to the tailgate 2 to move. The effort can be controlled by monitoring the flow of current through the damper actuator 5 to be appreciated. Depending on the effort is in the process of tailgate 2 recognized that the tailgate 2 has reached the closed position as an end stop. This can in particular by evaluating the current flow through the electrically operated damper drive 5 be recognized, ie the current in the damper drive increases quickly, it is closed to the closed position.

After a power failure 10 or a maintenance or repair conditional brief disconnection of the flap system from a supply source 10 , which provides a supply voltage, is the information about the current position of the tailgate 2 lost. Thus, in the flap control 6 (or in the position provider 7 ) stored information about the maximum open position useless, since the current position of the tailgate 2 is unknown after the reset of the supply voltage.

It is therefore intended, after re-applying the supply voltage, the current position of the tailgate 2 as an indication of a provisional maximum open position to save and subsequently moving the tailgate 2 only allow up to this provisional maximum open position. This ensures that the previously stored maximum open position is not exceeded if the user does not manually lift the tailgate 2 has moved beyond the previously applicable maximum open position.

Will the tailgate 2 completely moved in the closed position during further operation, it is possible to the defined closed position of the tailgate 2 to recognize again and the absolute position of the tailgate 2 to calibrate. During a movement of the tailgate 2 in the direction of an open position O can then change the position by the position sensor 7 recorded and from this the current absolute position of the tailgate 2 be determined. Was the defined closed position reached and the absolute position of the tailgate 2 If it has been possible to determine again, the information about the maximum open position previously valid, ie before the supply voltage fails, can be used as indication for the maximum open position.

A flowchart for illustrating an embodiment of the method according to the invention is shown in FIG 2 shown. In step S1, it is checked whether there has been a failure of the supply voltage. If this is not the case (alternative: no), then in a maximum position memory element in the damper control 6 provided an indication of a maximum open position previously z. B. has been preset by a user. Subsequently, the method is continued with step S2. If a failure of the supply voltage is detected in step S1 (alternative: yes), then in step S7 as an indication of the maximum open position, the current position of the tailgate when the supply voltage is restored 2 accepted by the locator 7 is shown. This indication is stored in the maximum position storage element as an indication of a preliminary maximum open position.

In a subsequent step S2, it is checked whether the operating element 11 for adjusting the tailgate 2 has been actuated. If this is not the case (alternative: no), the system returns to step S2 and the query repeats until an actuation of the operating element 11 has been found.

Became the operating element 11 actuated (alternative: yes), then, according to a direction indication, in a directional memory element of the flap control 6 is stored, the tailgate 2 moved either in the direction of the closed position S or in the direction of the open position O (step S3). The method is carried out in step S3 essentially by applying a corresponding drive voltage to the damper drive 5 through the flap control 6 , The drive voltage remains applied after the application in step S3 until switching off the drive voltage by the damper control 6 is signaled.

After applying the control voltage to the damper actuator 5 is checked in step S4, if the tailgate 2 either has reached the closed position or has reached the position which is indicated by the information stored in the maximum position storage element about the maximum open position. If this is the case (alternative: yes), it jumps to step S6, in which the damper drive 5 is disconnected from the drive voltage. The closed position (end stop) is as described above depending on an operation of a lock on the tailgate 2 or depending on a current flow through one through the damper drive 5 flowing current detected. If it is detected in step S4 that the tailgate 2 has reached the closed position, as an indication of the maximum open position, the information stored in the maximum position memory element is taken over and the information for the provisional maximum open position is discarded.

If it is determined in step S4 that the position of the tailgate 2 neither the closed position nor the position indicated by the indication for the maximum open position has reached (alternative: no), it is checked in step S5 whether the operating element 11 has been pressed again. If this is the case (alternative: yes), then it jumps to step S6, where the damper drive 5 is disconnected from the drive voltage to the damper drive 5 shut off and the movement of the tailgate 2 to stop. In step S6, the directional storage element is further rewritten so that subsequently upon a next actuation of the operating element 11 in step S3, a movement of the tailgate caused by the application of the drive voltage 2 in the opposite direction.

If it is not determined in step S5 that the operating element 11 has been pressed (alternative: no), then jump back to step S4 and the tailgate 2 moves further in the direction predetermined in step S3, since the drive voltage continues to the damper drive 5 is applied.

Only when it has been determined in step S4, (alternative: yes) that a closed position has been reached, is the original position stored in the maximum position memory element as an indication of the maximum open position, z. B. stored in a non-volatile memory specification for the maximum open position, since now the absolute position of the tailgate 2 is clearly determinable.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 10225887 A1 [0002]

Claims (7)

Method for operating an electrically operable flap ( 2 ) a flap system, in particular a tailgate of a motor vehicle, wherein the flap ( 2 ) is movable according to an operation by a user in the direction of an open position and in the direction of a closed position, wherein a position indication is detected, the relative position of the flap ( 2 ) indicates, after reaching a predefined position of the flap, the current position indication of a current position of the flap is assignable, so that the movement of the flap ( 2 ) can be limited in the direction of the open position to a predetermined maximum open position, characterized in that after applying a power supply to the flap system and before reaching the predefined position, the current position indication is assigned to a provisional maximum open position, so that the movement of the flap ( 2 ) is limited in the direction of the open position to the provisional maximum open position. The method of claim 1, wherein upon application of the power supply, the current position indication is assigned to a provisional maximum open position. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the movement of the flap ( 2 ) when operating a control element ( 11 ) is moved in a first direction, and in a subsequent actuation of the operating element ( 11 ) the movement of the flap ( 2 ) is stopped, whereby in a subsequent actuation of the operating element ( 11 ) the flap ( 2 ) is moved in a second direction, and in a subsequent actuation of the operating element ( 11 ) the movement of the flap ( 2 ) is stopped. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the achievement of the predefined position of the flap ( 2 ) is detected when the flap ( 2 ) is moved into a closed position, which is an end stop for the movement of the flap ( 2 ) in the direction of the closed position. Device for operating an electrically operable flap ( 2 ) a flap system, in particular a tailgate of a motor vehicle, comprising: - a flap drive ( 5 ) for moving the flap ( 2 ) in the direction of an open position and in the direction of a closed position; A position detector ( 7 ) for detecting a position indication that indicates a relative position of the flap, - a flap control ( 6 ), which is designed to - after reaching a predefined position of the flap ( 2 ) the current position indication of a current position of the flap ( 2 ), so that the movement of the flap ( 2 ) can be limited in the direction of the open position to a predetermined maximum open position, and - after assigning a power supply to the flap system and before reaching the predefined position to assign the current position indication of a provisional maximum open position, so that the movement of the flap ( 2 ) is limited in the direction of the open position to the provisional maximum open position. Flap system with a flap ( 2 ), in particular a tailgate of a motor vehicle, and a device according to claim 5. A computer program product containing a computer program which, when executed on a data processing unit, performs the method of any one of claims 1 to 4.

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