DE102021200149A1 - Method for checking the function of a parking lock device for a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for checking the function of a parking lock device (1) for a motor vehicle, which parking lock device (1) comprises a parking lock pawl (8) for blocking a parking lock wheel (9), which is in particular coupled to a shaft of a gear arrangement, which parking lock pawl (8) has an actuating element (7 ) is coupled, which actuating element (7) can be moved between an engaged state and a disengaged state by means of a parking lock actuator (2) and can be converted from the engaged state to the disengaged state by means of an emergency actuator (11), the parking lock device (1) having a detection device (13) for detecting a position of the actuating element (7), comprising the steps:
- Triggering of the emergency actuator (11) in the inserted state of the actuating element (7)
- Moving the actuating element (7) by means of the parking lock actuator (2) from the engaged state in the direction of the disengaged state
- Detecting the position or change in position of the actuating element (7) during the movement.

Description

The invention relates to a method for checking the function of a parking lock device for a motor vehicle, which parking lock device comprises a parking lock pawl for blocking a parking lock wheel, in particular coupled to a shaft of a transmission arrangement, which parking lock pawl is coupled to an actuating element, which actuating element can be switched by means of a parking lock actuator between an engaged state and a disengaged state and can be moved from the engaged state to the disengaged state by means of an emergency actuator, the parking lock device having a detection device for detecting a position of the actuating element.

Parking lock devices for motor vehicles which are designed to lock a transmission arrangement, for example by positive engagement of a parking lock pawl in a parking lock wheel, which in turn can be coupled to a shaft of a transmission arrangement, are known in principle from the prior art. Such parking lock devices are usually used to prevent unintentional movement of the motor vehicle, for example rolling away of the motor vehicle. The motor vehicle can thus be brought into a “safe” state by means of the parking lock device, in which the motor vehicle is parked and secured against movement, particularly unintentional movement. In parking lock devices known from the prior art, an emergency actuator is also usually provided, which can be triggered in order to transfer the parking lock device from a disengaged position to an engaged position. For example, the emergency actuator can be coupled to a pin that can be pulled out of a contour for triggering and thus triggers a spring-loaded actuating element for actuating the parking lock pawl.

Such an emergency actuator is not used in regular operation of the motor vehicle or the transmission arrangement, but the emergency actuator is only used when the transmission arrangement or the motor vehicle is to be transferred to a safe state spontaneously, for example in the event of a fault. This means that the emergency actuator is not usually used, but is only used in exceptional cases. This can result in an emergency actuator not being used for a comparatively long period of time in relation to the service life of the transmission arrangement or of the motor vehicle. Errors or damage to the emergency actuator can therefore potentially occur unnoticed over the comparatively long period of time without being detected, since, as described above, the emergency actuator is usually not used.

The invention is based on the object of specifying a method for checking the function of a parking lock device, which is improved in comparison thereto, it being possible in particular to check the function of the emergency actuator.

The object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1. Advantageous configurations are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

As described above, the invention relates to a method for checking the function of a parking lock device for a motor vehicle. The parking lock device has a parking lock pawl for blocking a parking lock wheel, which is or can be coupled, for example, to a shaft of a gear arrangement. The park pawl is coupled to an actuator such that the park pawl is moveable between an engaged state and a disengaged state by an actuator. The actuating element can move the parking pawl into the engaged state, for example, and the actuating element can be removed from the parking pawl so that it can be moved from the engaged state to the disengaged state, for example by spring action, with a corresponding movement of the actuating element.

In addition, the parking lock device has an emergency actuator, when it is actuated, the parking lock device is transferred from the disengaged state to the engaged state. The emergency actuator interacts with the actuating element in such a way that when the emergency actuator is activated, the actuating element is moved accordingly into the engaged state, so that the actuating element brings the parking lock pawl into engagement with the parking lock wheel. In relation to the parking lock actuator, the emergency actuator represents a redundant, in particular faster, possibility of putting the parking lock device into the engaged state. In addition, the parking lock device has a detection device, by means of which the position or a change in position of the actuating element can be detected. For the following description, it is particularly sufficient if a detection device is used that can only detect a relative position of the actuating element or a change in position, so that an absolute determination of the position of the actuating element is not necessary.

The invention is based on the finding that the parking lock device is basically in the engaged state for checking the function of the parking lock device or for checking the function of the emergency actuator. In other words, the method for checking the function starts when the actuating element is in the engaged state, so that the transmission arrangement or the motor vehicle is basically in a safe state, namely when the parking lock device is in the engaged state. The inserted state can thus either be established or already exist. In the inserted state of the actuating element, the emergency actuator is triggered. Since the parking lock device is already in the engaged state or the actuating element is set accordingly, the triggering of the emergency actuator does not cause any change in the actuating element. The actuating element can then be moved with the parking lock actuator from the engaged state in the direction of the disengaged state.

In other words, the parking lock actuator is controlled as it would be controlled because the parking lock device is to be brought from the engaged state to the disengaged state. In this case, an attempt is made to generate a movement of the actuating element by means of the parking lock actuator, so that the actuating element is brought from the engaged state into the disengaged state. A direct movement of the actuating element is not necessary here. Rather, a movement is generated by the parking lock actuator, for example by a motor of the parking lock actuator, which movement causes a movement of the actuating element in regular operation.

For example, the parking lock actuator can move a movement profile that is coupled to the actuating element and that is intended to convert the actuating element into the disengaged state. However, if the emergency actuator was triggered correctly, movement of the actuating element is not possible because, for example, the movement profile is mounted on a pin triggered by the emergency actuator and without the pin there is no support for the movement profile and therefore no change in the position of the actuating element.

The position or the change in position of the actuating element is recorded during the movement generated. Based on the detected position or change in position of the actuating element, it is possible to check whether the emergency actuator is working or whether there is a defect in the emergency actuator. Since the emergency actuator is in the activated or triggered state, it must not be possible, in particular, to change the position of the actuating element in the direction of the disengaged state by the movement generated. In other words, if there is no change in the position of the actuating element, it can be assumed that the emergency actuator is working. If a change in the position of the actuating element is detected, it is therefore possible to move the actuating element into the disengaged state by means of the parking lock actuator, but the triggering of the emergency actuator was not successful, so that the emergency actuator must be defective. It is thus advantageously possible to check the emergency actuator so that faults or damage to the emergency actuator can be detected and a corresponding reaction can be initiated. In particular, it is not necessary to check or move the parking lock device in the disengaged state; instead, the emergency actuator can be checked in an engaged state.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the method, provision can be made for the emergency actuator to be re-inserted if no change in the position of the actuating element is detected over a defined movement segment. Accordingly, the parking lock actuator can generate the movement usually required to move the actuating element, for example the parking lock actuator is coupled to a movement profile which is coupled to the actuating element. By moving the movement profile, which is supported on a bearing point, the actuating element is moved between the engaged state and the disengaged state.

The emergency actuator causes the actuating element to be brought into the engaged state regardless of the position of the movement profile, in particular by the emergency actuator removing the bearing point of the movement profile, for example pulling a pin out of the contour of the movement profile. If the emergency actuator is activated accordingly, the actuating element must remain in the engaged state, regardless of the movement of the parking lock actuator or the movement of the movement profile.

If no change in the position of the actuating element is detected despite the movement of the parking lock actuator, i.e. the desired movement of the actuating element from the engaged state to the disengaged state, the functionality of the emergency actuator is ensured and the emergency actuator can be engaged again in order to continue the regular operation of the parking lock device . Ultimately, any desired area over which the parking lock actuator is designed to move the actuating element can be used as the movement section. For example, can a complete movement between the engaged state and the disengaged state or over several such movement cycles can be performed in order to check whether a change in the position of the actuating element is detected.

Furthermore, a disengagement process can be carried out if no change in the position of the actuating element has been detected over a defined movement segment. for example, before the parking lock pawl is disengaged, it can be checked whether the emergency actuator is working. If it is detected that the position of the actuating element does not change when the emergency actuator is triggered, so that the parking lock device ultimately remains in the engaged state, the emergency actuator can be engaged and the disengagement process can be continued. It is advisable to check the function of the emergency actuator before each deployment process or a defined number of deployment processes, before the deployment process is actually carried out, so that it is ensured before the deployment process that the emergency actuator is working properly.

According to a further embodiment of the method, it can be provided that a movement of the actuating element is aborted when a change in the position of the actuating element is detected. Accordingly, it is provided that when the emergency actuator is triggered, the parking lock actuator causes the actuating element to move. As previously described, such a movement of the actuating element, ie a change in position, must not occur when the emergency actuator is triggered. If a change in the position of the actuating element is detected during the movement generated by the parking lock actuator, the emergency actuator was not triggered correctly. In this case, an error in the emergency actuator, in particular damage or a defect, must be assumed, so that the actuation of the actuating element by the parking lock actuator, ie the movement, must be aborted. It can thereby be ensured that, despite the error in the emergency actuator, the motor vehicle or the transmission arrangement remains in the safe state and the functional check does not lead to the parking lock device actually being disengaged. Instead, movement of the actuator is terminated before the parking pawl is actually disengaged.

Provision can also be made for the previously executed movement to be reversed when a change in the position of the actuating element is detected. The parking lock actuator can thus be controlled in such a way that, as in regular operation, it carries out a movement of the actuating element from the engaged position into the disengaged position. As also described above, when the emergency actuator is triggered, the movement generated by the parking lock actuator should not lead to a movement, ie a change in position, of the actuating element. If, as in the embodiment previously described, a change in the position of the actuating element was detected and a fault in the emergency actuator can therefore be assumed, the previously executed movement can be reversed according to this embodiment. Thus, if the actuating element has already been moved in the direction of the disengaged state, the movement carried out can be reversed, so that the parking lock device is again completely in the safe state.

Additionally or alternatively, an error signal can be generated when the change in the position of the actuating element is detected. For example, the error signal can be output to the user of the motor vehicle. The error signal can also be stored or output in the control device or elsewhere. In particular, the error signal provides information that the function of the emergency actuator is impaired. Based on the error signal, it is also possible to carry out the previously described establishment of the safe state or complete return to the safe state.

According to a further embodiment of the method, the movement of the actuating element can be carried out in a dead stroke area. As described above, the range of movement or the movement section in which the parking lock actuator attempts to move the actuating element can in principle be freely selected. Advantageously, the movement of the actuating element is only carried out in a dead stroke range, so that even if the actuating element moves, the parking lock pawl is not released, but the actuating element is moved in a detectable manner, but this movement of the actuating element does not move or release the parking lock pawl. The movement section over which the parking lock actuator attempts to move the actuating element is thus restricted to a dead stroke range that does not lead to the parking lock pawl being disengaged even if the actuating element is actually moved.

Thus, the parking pawl remains in the engaged state even if the actuator moves in the dead stroke range. In this case, a combination can also be provided, so that a movement of the actuating element is first carried out in the dead stroke area, with the movement space being able to be extended if a change in position is not detected for example from fully deployed to fully inserted and back or a movement of the movement profile by 360°. Advantageously, this means that even if there is a defect in the emergency actuator, the actuating element is only moved within the dead stroke area and thus the motor vehicle or the transmission arrangement does not transition into a potentially unsafe state even if there is a defect.

The method can also be carried out and/or repeated depending on a verification criterion, in particular based on time and/or based on events and/or controlled by the user. The verification criterion specifies in particular when and how often the method is to be carried out. In particular, based on the checking criterion, it can be determined that the method can be carried out not just once, but several times in succession, for example to validate the functionality of the emergency actuator. In this context, it can be determined in particular how many cycles of triggering the emergency actuator, moving by the parking lock actuator and engaging the emergency actuator are to be carried out until the operability of the emergency actuator is considered to be validated. It is also possible to provide for a time-based repetition or implementation of the method, for example after a defined number of days or weeks.

It is also possible to carry out an event-based implementation of the method, for example when damage is detected on the motor vehicle, depending on a service interval or a defined number of trips or operating hours, loading processes or dismounting processes or the like. Furthermore, there is the possibility of carrying out the checking procedure in a user-controlled manner, so that the user can decide for himself when the emergency actuator should be checked. This can be done, for example, by a user input, with the user being able to trigger the checking intervals or a one-time implementation via a user interface, for example.

In addition, the invention relates to a parking lock device for a motor vehicle, which is designed to carry out the method described. The parking lock device thus includes the elements or assemblies described above, in particular the parking lock actuator, the actuating element, a movement profile, the emergency actuator, the parking lock wheel and the parking lock pawl. For the functioning of the parking lock device, reference is made to the previous description. Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising such a parking lock device.

Of course, all advantages, details and features that have been described in relation to the method can be fully transferred to the parking lock device and the motor vehicle.

• 1 eine Parksperrenvorrichtung für ein Kraftfahrzeug;
• 2 ein schematisches Bewegungsprofil in einem ersten Zustand;
• 3 ein schematisches Bewegungsprofil in einem zweiten Zustand; und
• 4 ein schematisches Bewegungsprofil in einem dritten Zustand.

The invention is explained below using an exemplary embodiment with reference to the figures. The figures are schematic representations and show:

• 1 a parking lock device for a motor vehicle;
• 2 a schematic movement profile in a first state;
• 3 a schematic movement profile in a second state; and
• 4 a schematic movement profile in a third state.

1 shows a parking lock device 1 for a motor vehicle, not shown. The parking lock device 1 includes a parking lock actuator 2, which includes a motor 3 and a movement profile 4, which is coupled to the motor 3 via a transmission 5 and a gear wheel 6. The movement profile 4 is connected to an actuating element 7 which, depending on its current position, moves a parking lock pawl 8 between an engaged position and a disengaged position, with the parking lock pawl 8 being in engagement with a parking lock wheel 9 in its engaged position and thus blocking it. The parking lock wheel 9 can be coupled to an element of a transmission arrangement, not shown in detail, for example a shaft, so that the shaft, for example an output shaft, is blocked in the engaged state. The motor vehicle that has the parking lock device 1 is thus secured in this engaged state, so that it cannot roll away or be moved away in any other way.

The movement profile 4 is mounted on a pin 10 which is coupled to an emergency actuator 11 . The actuating element 7 and the movement profile 4 are also acted upon by a spring 12 so that the movement profile 4 is pressed against the pin 10 . As a result, the position of the actuating element 7 can be changed in that the motor 3 of the parking lock actuator 2 generates a rotational movement, which is transmitted to the gear wheel 6 via the gear mechanism 5 . As a result, the movement profile 4 rotates relative to the pin 10 on which it is supported. As a result, the position of the actuating element 7 changes. The actuating element 7 can thereby in particular between an in 1 shown engaged position to a disengaged position in which the operating member 7 is moved upwards in the figure and thus the parking lock pawl 8 releases. The parking lock pawl 8 can be moved out of the contour of the parking lock wheel 9 under the action of a spring, so that the parking lock device 1 is designed overall and the motor vehicle or the transmission arrangement is released.

In 1 It is also shown that the parking lock device 1 includes a detection device 13 which is designed to detect the position of the actuating element 7 . The functioning of the parking lock device 1 also includes that, when it is in the disengaged position, the actuating element 7 is accordingly in an in 1 shown upper position and thus the parking lock pawl 8 does not press into the contour of the parking lock wheel 9, a triggering by means of the emergency actuator 11 is possible, which immediately transfers the parking lock device 1 to the engaged state. It is provided in particular that the emergency actuator 11 can pull the pin 10 out of the contour of the movement profile 4, so that the actuating element 7 is pushed into the in 1 shown position is performed. As described above, based on the method described, it is possible to check the function of the emergency actuator 11, in particular without leaving a secured, ie engaged, state.

The functional check should be based in particular on the 2 until 4 to be discribed. 2 shows a schematic representation of the pin 10 in the movement profile 4 or relative to the movement profile 4. In the lower section of the 2-4 a top view is shown in which the pin 10 is shown in relation to the contour of the movement profile 4 . In the upper part of the 2-4 a side view of the movement profile 4 and the pin 10 is shown.

In 2 the pin 10 is therefore shown in an inserted state in relation to the movement profile 4, as is shown in the illustration in 1 is equivalent to. In the bottom of the 2 is shown, the pin 10 is pulled out of the contour of the movement profile 4 in this state. Subsequently, as in 3 , In particular represented by an arrow 14, the movement profile 4 can be moved relative to the pin 10. As described above, the movement of the movement profile 4 is achieved by means of the parking lock actuator 2 , in which it correspondingly converts the motor 3 into a movement of the movement profile 4 via the transmission 5 and the gearwheel 6 .

In this case, the detection device 13 detects whether the position of the actuating element 7 changes, which, as described above, is coupled to the movement profile 4 . If there is no change in movement, it can be assumed that, as shown, the pin 10 has been pulled out of the contour of the movement profile 4 and the movement profile 4 can therefore rotate without being in contact with the pin 10 . A rotation of the movement profile 4 therefore does not cause any change in height or position of the actuating element 7, so that the engaged state is retained. Thus, if there is no change in the position of the actuating element 7, as in 4 shown, the pin 10 can be moved back into the contour of the movement profile 4. In this case, the functionality of the emergency actuator 11 is considered to be confirmed and the disengagement process can be continued, for example.

If there is a defect in the emergency actuator 11 so that it is unable to pull the pin 10 out of the contour of the movement profile 4, this would result in the movement profile 4 being moved along the pin 10 in accordance with the regular function of the parking lock device 1 and thereby causes a change in the position of the actuating element 7 . In other words, in the in 1 illustrated situation, the rotational movement of the movement profile 4 generates a movement of the actuating element 7 upwards. Such a movement or change in position can be detected by the detection device 13 . In particular, a movement section within which the movement profile 4 and thus the actuating element 7 is to be moved can be placed or limited to a dead stroke range in which the actuating element 7 can be moved but the parking lock pawl 8 is not released.

If a change in the position of the actuating element 7 is determined, the disengagement process or the movement induced by the parking lock actuator 2 can be aborted. The movement that has been carried out can then also be reversed, so that the engaged position or the engaged state is restored and the transmission arrangement or the motor vehicle is thus once again in a safe state. Alternatively or additionally, it is also possible for an error signal to be output, for example the error in the emergency actuator can be displayed to the user. It is also possible to carry out further controls or to supply the error signal to the control unit.

In addition, there is also the possibility of carrying out the method described based on a verification criterion, ie the method can be repeated as desired, for example a specific number of test cycles must be run through before the function of the emergency actuator 11 is adequately verified. In particular, this can also be done in the verification criterion rium be stored when the method is carried out, for example based on time and / or event-based and / or user-controlled.

The method described offers the advantage that the function of the emergency actuator 11 can be checked without leaving the safe state, in particular the engaged position of the parking lock device 1 . If a malfunction of the emergency actuator 11 is thus detected, the transmission arrangement or the motor vehicle can remain in a safe state and a signal can be generated so that further necessary measures can be initiated. If no error occurs, the further disengagement process and the operation of the parking lock device 1 can be continued without any problems. In particular, this allows a functional check of the emergency actuator 11 using the already existing components, which can be carried out, for example, before each laying-out process.

Reference List

1

parking lock device

2

parking lock actuator

3

engine

4

motion profile

5

transmission

6

gear

7

actuator

8th

parking lock pawl

9

parking lock wheel

10

cones

11

emergency actuator

12

Feather

13

detection device

14

Arrow

Claims (10)

Method for checking the function of a parking lock device (1) for a motor vehicle, which parking lock device (1) comprises a parking lock pawl (8) for blocking a parking lock wheel (9), which is in particular coupled to a shaft of a gear arrangement, which parking lock pawl (8) has an actuating element (7 ) is coupled, which actuating element (7) can be moved between an engaged state and a disengaged state by means of a parking lock actuator (2) and can be converted from the engaged state to the disengaged state by means of an emergency actuator (11), the parking lock device (1) having a detection device (13) for detecting a position of the actuating element (7), characterized by - triggering the emergency actuator (11) when the actuating element (7) is engaged - moving the actuating element (7) by means of the parking lock actuator (2) from the engaged state to Direction of the laid out state - detecting the position or Change in position of the actuating element (7) during movement. procedure after claim 1 , characterized in that the emergency actuator (11) is inserted again if no change in the position of the actuating element (7) is detected over a defined movement segment. procedure after claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that a disengagement process is carried out if no change in the position of the actuating element (7) was detected over a defined movement section. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a movement of the actuating element (7) is interrupted when a change in the position of the actuating element (7) is detected. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when a change in the position of the actuating element (7) is detected, the previously executed movement is reversed. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an error signal is generated when a change in the position of the actuating element (7) is detected. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movement of the actuating element (7) is carried out in a dead stroke area. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method is carried out and/or repeated depending on a verification criterion, in particular based on time and/or based on events and/or controlled by the user. Parking lock device (1) for a motor vehicle, characterized in that the parking lock device (1) is designed to carry out the method according to one of the preceding claims. Motor vehicle comprising a parking lock device (1) according to the preceding claim.

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