DE102018120447A1 - Method for controlling a motor vehicle lock - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method, in particular an emergency opening method, for controlling an electrically operated motor vehicle lock (100), comprising the following steps: a) activating an electric opening drive (10) for direct or indirect actuation of a locking mechanism (20), b) detecting a malfunction the locking mechanism (20), in particular within a defined detection interval (T), c) activating an emergency actuation unit (30) when a malfunction is detected.

Description

The present invention relates to the field of locking systems for motor vehicles and relates to a method for controlling an electrically operable motor vehicle lock according to the independent method claim and a motor vehicle lock according to the independent device claim. Locking systems and in particular motor vehicle locks in this field are usually used for securing or releasing moving parts, in particular side doors, hoods or flaps, of a vehicle.

One problem with conventional motor vehicle locks is that in the case of an electrically opening lock, a drive is directly or indirectly on the pawl. If this is actuated, the rotary latch opens and a rotary latch switch changes its signal.
If the drive is not able to actuate the pawl, e.g. if the door seal pressure is too high or the drive is under-tensioned, the lock cannot be unlocked or opened so that a user can lock or unlock it can be.

There is therefore a need to create a possibility for opening a motor vehicle lock, in which a user can actuate the lock even in an exceptional case, in particular if the door seal pressure is too high or the voltage drops.

It is an object of the invention to at least partially overcome the above disadvantages known from the prior art. In particular, it is the object of the present invention to provide a method and an electrically actuable motor vehicle lock that reliably enables a possibility of opening in the event of a fault.

The above object is achieved by a method with the features of the independent method claim and a device with the features of the independent device claim.

The method steps can take place at least partially simultaneously or sequentially, the order of the method steps not being limited to the order defined by the numbering, so that individual steps can be carried out in different orders.

Further features, details, advantageous developments and improvements of the invention result from the subclaims, the description and the drawings. The features described in the patent claims, the description, the drawings and the subclaims can be combined or varied with one another in any desired, technologically sensible manner and show further refinements of the invention. It is pointed out that the exemplary embodiments described below explain the Invention are not limiting. Features and details that have been described in connection with the device according to the invention apply, of course, also in connection with the method according to the invention and vice versa, so that with respect to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention, reference can always be made to one another.

1. a) Aktivieren eines elektrischen Öffnungsantriebs zur direkten oder indirekten Betätigung eines Rastwerks,
2. b) Erkennen einer Störfunktion des Rastwerks, insbesondere innerhalb eines definierten Detektionsintervalls,
3. c) Aktivieren einer Notbetätigungseinheit bei erkannter Störfunktion.

The method according to the invention comprises at least the following steps:

1. a) activation of an electric opening drive for direct or indirect actuation of a locking mechanism,
2. b) detection of a malfunction of the raster structure, in particular within a defined detection interval,
3. c) Activating an emergency operating unit when a malfunction is detected.

If the opening drive is not able to operate the locking mechanism, e.g. Because the door seal pressure is too high or there is too little voltage on the opening drive, the lock is not unlocked or opened. According to the invention in such an accident / upon detection of such an accident d. H. In the event of a malfunction, an emergency actuation unit is activated by means of which unlocking and / or opening of the locking mechanism and thus the lock is made possible.

It is therefore an advantage of the invention that the user has an alternative opening option when a malfunction / malfunction is detected.

In the context of the invention, activation should in particular be understood to mean electrical control and / or regulation.

According to the invention, the latching mechanism comprises at least one pawl and one rotary latch, the pawl being able to hold the rotary latch in a pre-latching position and / or a main latching position. Furthermore, a generic motor vehicle lock comprises at least one energy source for the electric opening drive. This can be the vehicle battery, for example.

The opening command / the activation of the electric opening drive opens the latch mechanism directly or indirectly, in particular it actuates the pawl. Only if this is not possible, that is to say if a malfunction is recognized, can an alternative be used using the emergency actuation unit according to the invention Opening possibility to be released. Manipulation of the emergency actuation unit and thus improper activation can therefore be prevented. A malfunction can be mechanical or electrical.

The interference function is preferably detected within a defined detection interval. A detection interval is advantageously between approximately 1 ms and approximately 5 s.

Within the scope of the invention, the emergency actuation unit can release an electrical and / or a mechanical emergency actuation. An electrical emergency actuation can preferably take place by means of at least one replacement energy source for the opening drive. The replacement energy source can be designed as a supercap, battery and / or external energy connection. The replacement energy source is preferably arranged in, on the lock or on the movable part of the vehicle and is electrically connected to the electrical opening drive and / or the energy source of the opening drive. The opening drive or the (main) energy source can be energized by means of the replacement energy source. If an accident occurs as a result of a power failure / drop and the electric opening drive cannot be (sufficiently) supplied with electrical energy by the (main) energy source, the emergency actuation unit thus enables energy supply by means of a replacement energy source.

Alternatively or additionally, mechanical actuation can be made possible by the emergency actuation unit. The mechanical actuation can be designed such that the user can unlock / open the lock manually / mechanically.

It is also conceivable that the emergency actuation unit has a locking and / or unlocking mechanism or is designed as a locking and / or unlocking mechanism. In particular, the emergency operating unit has a central locking / a central locking mechanism. The activation of the emergency actuation unit can thus engage the central locking of the vehicle, so that the lock can then be opened manually.

The emergency actuation unit can advantageously control and / or regulate the electric opening drive, in particular a transmission of the electric opening drive. Because of the feature, there is the advantage that it is possible to switch to a different gear stage, as a result of which more opening force can be made available. In addition, the opening drive can switch the drive direction from left to right or vice versa, whereby the drive can be reversed in the event of a fault.

The emergency actuation unit preferably monitors at least one energy source for the opening drive and controls and / or regulates it as a function of a monitored voltage.

A technical effect is that an accident can be detected based on a change in the voltage of the opening drive. If a change in the voltage is detected that is outside of normal operation, the emergency actuation unit can be activated. Accordingly, a fault can be concluded on the basis of the deviation of a target value of the voltage of the opening drive and the emergency actuation unit can be activated. If, for example, a voltage drop is detected, a mechanical emergency actuation can be enabled according to the method according to the invention. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that a replacement energy source is activated after the detection of a voltage drop.

In addition, it is advantageous if the backup power source can be connected or activated from outside a motor vehicle by a user, in particular via a handle of the movable part of a motor vehicle. This has the advantage that, in the event of a power drop or power failure, electrical energy can be supplied from outside the vehicle.

The malfunction can advantageously be detected by means of at least one sensor, the sensor being operably connected to the locking mechanism and / or the opening drive. The sensor can be operatively connected to the opening or unlocking of the lock by the vehicle. It is conceivable that the sensor can be operatively connected to the pawl and / or the rotary latch. Only when it is determined that the locking mechanism does not open can e.g. unlocked and then mech. open or switched to another voltage source (external or internal on the vehicle).

According to the invention, the sensor can be designed as a microswitch or Hall sensor. A microswitch is inexpensive and easy to manufacture or assemble and delivers a clear signal about a position of the pawl or rotary latch. The use of a Hall sensor enables precise detection of the position of the rotary latch or pawl.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a motor vehicle lock is a latching mechanism with at least one rotary latch and at least one pawl, and an electronics unit claimed, wherein the electronics unit is designed to carry out the inventive method. A motor vehicle lock according to the invention thus has the same advantages as have been described in detail with reference to a method according to the invention.

Further measures improving the invention result from the following description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, which is shown schematically in the figures. It should be noted that the figures are only descriptive and are not intended to limit the invention in any way. Embodiments are thus also to be regarded and encompassed by the invention, which are not explicitly shown or explained in the figures, but which emerge from the explanations explained and can be generated by separate combinations of features. In the figures, the same reference numerals designate the same or functionally identical components, unless stated otherwise.

• 1 ein Ablaufdiagramm des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens und
• 2 ein erfindungsgemäßes Kraftfahrzeugschloss.

Show it:

• 1 a flow diagram of the inventive method and
• 2 a motor vehicle lock according to the invention.

In the 1 A possible embodiment of a method according to the invention is shown schematically in a flow chart. The method can be, for example, an emergency opening method for controlling an electrically operated motor vehicle lock. The method comprises at least the steps a) . b) and c) , In step a) an electric opening drive is used 10 of the motor vehicle lock is activated, whereby this directly or indirectly the locking mechanism 20 actuated the motor vehicle lock. The grid 20 regularly includes at least one pawl and at least one rotary latch. Furthermore, an actuating lever chain, for example an unlocking mechanism 40 be present, which can be used to unlock and / or lock the locking mechanism, also known as a ratchet. It is conceivable that the unlocking mechanism 40 as central locking 40 is trained. Subsequently or simultaneously, in one step b) a malfunction of the grid 20 or the operating lever chain recognized. The detection of an interference function is preferred within a detection interval T carried out. A detection interval is advantageously T between about 1 ms and about 5 s.

If a malfunction has been detected, especially during the detection interval T , is in one step c) an emergency operating unit 30 activated, causing an electrical and / or mechanical emergency actuation of the locking mechanism 20 or the operating lever chain is released.

The 2 schematically shows a possible embodiment of a motor vehicle lock according to the invention 100 having a rest mechanism 20 with at least one catch 21 and at least one pawl 22 , an emergency operating unit 30 , as well as an electronics unit 23 , the electronics unit 23 is designed to carry out the method according to the invention. Furthermore, the motor vehicle lock 100 an opening drive 10 on, with the opening drive 10 with the grid 20 is operatively connected, so that unlocking and / or locking by means of the opening drive 10 is possible.

In 2 points the lock 100 still an internal source of energy 11 and an externally located substitute energy source 12 on, whereby at least the opening drive 10 can be supplied with electrical energy.

A sensor 50 is like that in the castle 100 arranged that the sensor 50 in contact with the catch 21 can be brought, which means a position of the catch 21 is recognizable. Thus, e.g. B. a malfunction of the rest 20 or the actuating lever chain can be detected. The sensor 50 is exemplary as a microswitch 50 educated. The sensor 50 is advantageous with the opening drive 10 Signal-connected so that the actuator can be switched on or off when the rotary latch position is detected.

The grid 20 still has a pawl 22 on which with the catch 21 can be brought into contact or is in contact. In 2 is the position of the main catch of the rest mechanism 20 shown with the pawl 22 the catch 21 blocked. The emergency operating unit 30 is with the opening drive 10 and the release mechanism 40 active and / or signal connected. In addition, the opening drive 10 with the grid 20 operatively connected so that the locking mechanism can be unlocked and / or locked. The electronics unit 23 is with the motor vehicle lock 100 signal-connected. In particular, the electronics unit 23 with the drive 10 , the energy source 11 and or 12 , the sensor 50 and preferably with the emergency operating unit 30 signal-connected.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

opening drive

11

energy

12

Replacement energy source

20

detent mechanism

21

catch

22

pawl

23

electronics unit

30

Notbetätigungseinheit

40

unlocking mechanism

50

sensor

100

Motor vehicle lock

T

detection interval

Claims (10)

Method, in particular emergency opening method, for controlling an at least electrically operated motor vehicle lock (100), comprising the following steps: a) activating an electric opening drive (10) for direct or indirect actuation of a locking mechanism (20), b) detection of a malfunction of the locking mechanism (20), in particular within a defined detection interval (T), c) Activating an emergency actuation unit (30) when a malfunction is detected. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the emergency actuation unit (30) enables an electrical and / or mechanical emergency actuation. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the emergency actuation unit (30) has a locking and / or unlocking mechanism (40), in particular a central locking (40). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the emergency actuation unit (30) controls and / or regulates the electric opening drive (10), in particular a transmission of the electric opening drive (10). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the emergency actuation unit (30) monitors at least one energy source (11) for the opening drive (10) and controls and / or regulates it as a function of a monitored voltage. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the emergency actuation unit (30) controls and / or regulates a replacement energy source (12) for the electrical energy supply of the opening drive (10) as a function of the monitored voltage, in particular when a voltage drop is detected. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the backup power source (12) can be connected or activated from outside a motor vehicle by a user, in particular via a handle of a movable part of a motor vehicle. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the malfunction can be identified by means of at least one sensor (50), the sensor (50) being able to be brought into operative connection with the locking mechanism (20). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (50) is designed as a microswitch or Hall sensor. Motor vehicle lock (100) having a locking mechanism (20) with at least one rotary latch (21) and at least one pawl (22), an emergency actuation unit (30) and an electronics unit (23), the electronics unit (23) being designed, the method according to a of the preceding claims.

Images