EP0493712B1 - Locking apparatus for a motor vehicle door - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an improvement of safety devices in a vehicle.

The invention is based on the special locking system defined in the preamble of claim 1, which by itself
- EP-A2-395 596
is known. In this prior art, an anti-theft device is actually described, in which the remotely controllable lock is only one of the components of the anti-theft device. There both the control unit installed in the vehicle and the handheld transmitter each have their own memory, for example an EEPROM. If the hand transmitter sends a locking command - or a command to activate the anti-theft alarm system of the device - and the control unit received this locking command and accordingly controlled the locking, the memory of the control unit stores an acknowledgment signal that this has happened; in addition, the control unit then sends the acknowledgment signal back to the hand transmitter, which in turn stores the received acknowledgment signal in its own memory. In this way, the owner of the handheld transmitter should be able to prove to his car insurance company at any time later that it has been properly locked using the memory in the handheld transmitter if the vehicle has been broken into or stolen.

This known device also includes various display options, in particular according to column 3, lines 19 to 28, column 4, lines 6 to 13 and column 5, lines 1 to 11, which are controlled directly or indirectly by the control unit attached to the vehicle. It is not just a matter of switching on the headlights or the horn if the anti-theft device detects that the vehicle is being broken into. In addition, there are also signal lamps, for example LED signal lamps, on the hand transmitter in order to indicate to the user of the hand transmitter, that the control unit really generated the receipt signal or that the receipt signal is now stored in the memory of the handheld transmitter and can serve as evidence for the motor vehicle insurance. This state of the art assumes that the locks are really locked when the control unit installed in the motor vehicle properly confirms receipt of the locking command and thus the release of the locking command to the locking element, by generating the acknowledgment signal and even storing it in the handheld transmitter .

However, a precise analysis showed that this known locking system does not actually perform its task reliably, namely to monitor whether the locks have really been locked properly: the locking system described there has the disadvantage that it also simulates the perfect locking when the control unit issued the bolt command in the direction of the bolt element, but nevertheless the bolt element no longer locked the lock due to some defect. E.g. then even the insurance using the PROM in the hand transmitter appears to prove that the vehicle has been locked, even though the locking element e.g. jammed and did not move into the locking position at all. In reality, this known locking system does not monitor fully automatically whether the locks in question have really been locked properly after the correct receipt of the locking command, but only whether the control unit issued the locking command and sent the acknowledgment signal. However, the invention monitors fully automatically whether the lock in question has really been locked properly.

Another disadvantage, which the invention additionally avoids, is present in this known locking system, even if the control of the position of its locking element is not defective, that is, even if its locking element is not jammed, for example: For example, optically displayed - acknowledgment signal, in particular by a specially attached Lamps on the handheld transmitter or in the motor vehicle can more or less clearly recognize that the locking took place properly. Such a display does not only require the additional effort, namely to attach such a lamp. In addition, however, such a lamp is comparatively generally quite inconspicuous, so that it can be overlooked - especially due to a habituation effect, especially if after a long period of time you have become accustomed to the fact that the lamp has been used anyway after each operation of the handheld transmitter lit up or never lit up after each actuation of the hand transmitter, so that the person accustomed to operating the hand transmitter no longer takes any notice of the light over time. This person can, as unfortunately was shown, not get used to if, after the remote control triggered by this person, the usual visual display of the acknowledgment signal failed to appear or the previously unusual visual display now occurs abnormally - e.g. because this person is exceptional is already too far away from the vehicle, so that the actuation signal could no longer trigger a lock, although the locking system itself is not defective. The invention thus also avoids this disadvantage that the person in question can insufficiently take into account the absence of the acknowledgment signal when getting used to it.

However, the invention allows the additional measures to be taken in accordance with this known document, so that the locking system designed according to the invention can additionally transmit the known acknowledgment signal and also store it in a PROM of the handheld transmitter.

The invention is not limited to the monitoring of remote locks of certain types of locks. Therefore i.allg. spoken of "locks" instead of "locks", because the invention relates to any lockable locks, for example also those which are always operated without any mechanical key, that is to say, for example, lockable exclusively by remote control Slider or closure members. It is only essential that the lock in question in its locked position prevents inadvertent opening of the lockable cover in question, for example in the event of wind, and that this lock can additionally be locked to protect against unauthorized and / or unintentional opening.

Through the
- DE-A1-37 40 770
Another, remote-controlled locking system for the doors of a motor vehicle is known, in which the hand transmitter automatically determines whether the hand transmitter - or whether the person who owns the hand transmitter - is within or already outside a certain maximum distance from the motor vehicle. As soon as the hand transmitter recognizes that it is already outside a maximum distance, although the locks have not yet been locked via the hand transmitter, the hand transmitter switches on a swinging mechanism with a mechanical imbalance. The vibration of the handheld transmitter should remind the owner of the handheld transmitter to refrain from locking. Incidentally, this document does not provide any details about the electronics in the motor vehicle, in particular not about a control unit of the locking system there, and certainly nothing about the sensors there. However, the motor vehicle should apparently contain its own transmitter, whereby the handheld transmitter can automatically recognize its respective distance from the motor vehicle from the transmitter field strength. In any case, it is a disadvantage of the locking system described there that the person remote-controlling the lock can recognize by vibrating, that is to say by a warning signal, that the hand transmitter has not yet been properly operated to lock the motor vehicle. However, the corresponding details about the electronics in the motor vehicle are not disclosed, which would be able to monitor fully automatically whether the locks in question were really properly locked despite receipt of the locking command.

A locking system, which the locking system defined in the preamble of claim 1 in some respects is similar is by the
- DE-A1-34 47 046
previously known. There is no remote control for remote control of the system; this system is only controlled by a mechanical key. There is a sensor, namely a door contact, attached to each cover, as is also customary for controlling the interior lighting, in order to determine whether the cover in question is either still open or only ajar, or whether it has been fully closed. The task of this known system is therefore only that its sensor should be able to detect whether the covers in question are already closed or still open, regardless of the state of its locks and, above all, regardless of the state of their locks.

The invention was initially developed for the remote-controlled locking system of a car, which automatically monitors the locking of the locks, that is, the locks or other lock-like locking elements of the covers of openings. The invention should primarily monitor the locking of the locks of the car doors and the trunk lid. However, it was finally found that the invention is not only suitable for the locking system of motor vehicles par excellence, but also for the locking system of other vehicles, e.g. for the fully automatic monitoring of the locking of the locks on the covers of the luggage compartment of an aircraft or a freight car or a ship's compartment.

The object of the invention therefore does not primarily relate to monitoring whether the covers in question have really been closed. The invention actually does not primarily relate to monitoring whether the organs which trigger the locks of the locks which protect against unauthorized actuation of the locks have been reliably controlled. The invention relates primarily to monitoring whether the relevant locking elements of such locks really reliably lock the lock and, first of all, the very conspicuous, displays that even get used to habits, if the locking with the hand transmitter was not carried out properly, while avoiding costly additional design work on the vehicle. The invention allows, however, that in addition those other monitors described in the known documents mentioned are carried out.

To install sensors in the locks of a locking system, which are formed by electrical contacts which can be moved by the associated locking element in order to recognize the actual position of the locking element, is already state of the art.

• mit besonders geringem Zusatzaufwand der die Verriegelung fernsteuernden Person eine deutlich wahrnehmbare warnende Anzeige zu bieten, wenn die betreffende Sperre bzw. die betreffenden Sperren trotz einer entsprechenden Betätigung des Handsenders nicht richtig verriegelt wurde,

wird durch die im Patentanspruch 1 definierten Maßnahmen gelöst. Sollte also die Fernsteuerung wirkungslos geblieben sein, z.B. weil der Verriegelungsmechanismus klemmte oder aus sonstigen Gründen defekt ist, dann informiert die Erfindung den Benutzer durch das Warnsignal. Danach kann dieser Benutzer z.B. die Möglichkeit ausnutzen, sein Fahrzeug auf andere Weise vollständig zu verriegeln, z.B. indem diese Person den Handsender nochmals in viel größerer Nähe zum Fahrzeug bedient und / oder indem diese Person mit anderen Mitteln, z.B. mit einem mechanischen Schlüssel, versucht, die betreffenden Sperren vollständig bzw. einwandfrei zu verriegeln.The object of the invention

• to offer a clearly perceptible warning display to the person remote-controlling the lock with particularly little additional effort if the relevant lock or locks has not been properly locked despite a corresponding actuation of the hand transmitter,

is solved by the measures defined in claim 1. If the remote control has remained ineffective, for example because the locking mechanism is stuck or is defective for other reasons, the invention informs the user by means of the warning signal. Thereafter, this user can, for example, take advantage of the possibility of completely locking his vehicle in another way, for example by operating this hand transmitter again in much greater proximity to the vehicle and / or by trying this person with other means, for example with a mechanical key, to lock the relevant locks completely or correctly.

After leaving the vehicle - or after leaving the relevant space of the vehicle - the invention therefore automatically monitors by means of the sensor or by means of several such sensors whether the relevant lock or the relevant locks have really been locked after the remote-controlled locking. This sensor can, for example, through a contact are formed, which is actuated by the locking element itself as soon as the lock is properly locked. This sensor can also be a piezoelectric element, for example, which, controlled by the locking element in accordance with its position, generates a signal as soon as the lock is properly locked. With the aid of such sensors, the control unit emits, for example, an unmistakable optical and / or acoustic failure signal, which is very noticeable for the person concerned, if the lock or the lock has not been properly locked.

2,

die Batterie des Fahrzeuges durch Sparen von Strom zu entlasten,

3,

unnötige vorübergehende Fehlalarme durch zu frühe Abgabe des Warnsignales zu vermeiden, wenn der Verriegelmechanismus im Regelfall - oder zumindest gelegentlich - eine gewisse Dauer benötigt, bis er einwandfrei verriegelte,

4,

besonders wenig Zusatzaufwand zur Realisierung der Erfindung zu benötigen,

5,

sicherzustellen, daß die dann besonders nötige Diebstahlwarnanlage eingeschaltet wurde, z.B.

• ° wenn der Besitzer des Handsenders völlig vergaß, das einwandfrei erzeugte Warnsignal auch ausreichend zu beachten, oder
• ° wenn der Verriegelmechanismus trotz des einwandfreien Empfanges des Verriegelungsbefehles defekt ist und der Besitzer der Handsenders im Moment verhindert ist, durch andere Mittel, z.B. mit einem mechanischen Schlüssel, nachträglich ordnungsgemäß die betreffende Sperre zu verriegeln,

6,

auf besonders auffällige Weise mit besonders wenig Aufwand des Besitzer des Handsenders auf die nicht ordnungsgemäße Verriegelung aufmerksam machen zu können,

7,

den Benutzer des Fahrzeuges rechtzeitig vor dem nächsten ferngesteuerten Verriegeln auf Defekte der Verriegelungsanlage aufmerksam machen zu können,

8,

auf besonders einfache Weise den Selbsttest - z.B. beim Öffnen der Abdeckung, beim Starten des Fahrzeugmotors und / oder während der Fahrt - durchführen zu können, sowie

9,

den Selbsttest automatisch beim - z.B. ferngesteuerten - Entriegeln durchführen zu können.

The objects defined in the subclaims allow additional advantages to be achieved. Among other things, the additional measures according to the patent claim allow

2,

relieve the vehicle's battery by saving electricity,

3,

to avoid unnecessary temporary false alarms by issuing the warning signal too early, if the locking mechanism generally - or at least occasionally - takes a certain amount of time to lock properly,

4,

to require particularly little additional effort to implement the invention,

5,

to ensure that the anti-theft alarm system that was particularly necessary was switched on, e.g.

• ° if the owner of the handheld transmitter completely forgot to pay sufficient attention to the correctly generated warning signal, or
• ° if the locking mechanism is defective despite the correct receipt of the locking command and the owner of the handheld transmitter is currently prevented from subsequently properly locking the relevant lock by other means, e.g. with a mechanical key,

6,

to be able to draw attention to the improper locking in a particularly conspicuous manner with particularly little effort on the part of the owner of the hand transmitter,

7,

the user of the vehicle in good time before the next one remotely controlled locking to be able to draw attention to defects in the locking system,

8th,

to be able to carry out the self-test in a particularly simple manner, for example when opening the cover, when starting the vehicle engine and / or while driving, and

9,

to be able to carry out the self-test automatically when unlocking, for example by remote control.

1

ein Beispiel für die Bestandteile einer erfindungsgemäßen Verriegelungsanlage zusammen mit deren Signalweiterleitungen, und

2

ein Kfz, in welchem die in der Figur 1 gezeigte Verriegelungsanlage eingebaut sein kann.

The invention and further developments of the same are further explained on the basis of the exemplary embodiments of the invention shown in the two figures, which have been shown as simply as possible for reasons of clarity. The figure shows

1

an example of the components of a locking system according to the invention together with their signal forwarding, and

2nd

a motor vehicle in which the locking system shown in Figure 1 can be installed.

The locking system shown in FIG. 1 is used to monitor the remote-controlled locking of the locks or locks in the motor vehicle doors T shown in FIG. 2, possibly also in the trunk lid thereof. These doors T and the trunk lid are covers for openings on the vehicle.

The lock in question contains - or contain the locks in question - in each case at least one locking element V, which in each case should prevent, or at least complicate, an unauthorized opening of the lock T in question.

The locking of the lock in question is triggered by a portable hand-held transmitter H, which can emit actuation signals C, namely, for example, ultrasound, infrared or radio signals C. The lock is assigned a movable locking element to lock it, cf. V, which can optionally lock and unlock the lock.

In addition, measures can be taken so that the lock in question is only finally locked when the cover in question, cf. T, closed and the lock is already in its locked position. The invention can also be covers T in which the associated lock can in principle also be locked when the cover T in question is still open; then i. the cover in question can also be closed after its lock has been locked, after which this lock, because of its prior locking, e.g. or the like despite operating a door handle. - is no longer easy to open.

The locking system also has an electronic control unit S for remote control of the lock, possibly in addition to remote control of the locks itself, and possibly also for the control of auxiliary motors for moving the covers T. This control unit S can also be used in a manner known per se serve to check codes if the actuation signals emitted by the hand-held transmitter H should have a code approved for the motor vehicle in question. This control unit can also be constructed exclusively from discrete components, but also e.g. be formed by a processor with appropriate software.

The locking system also has a receiver E for receiving the actuation signals C, cf. Figures 1 and 2. The receiver E consists e.g. from a photodiode if the handheld transmitter H, cf. Figures 1 and 2, optical actuation signals C emits. However, the receiver E can also receive acoustic actuation signals C or by radio e.g. actuation signals C transmitted in the MHz range or in the GHz range.

In principle, these two components S and E of the locking system can be fitted anywhere in the motor vehicle, for example also in the door T or cover T thereof, cf. the figure 2.

As soon as the control unit S receives the corresponding control signal B via the receiver E, triggered by a corresponding actuation signal C, the control unit S sends a corresponding switching signal R as a locking command R to the control element A, which here is, for example, a coil A magnetically moving the locking element V. . Depending on the position L of the locking element V, the lock in question is locked or unlocked.

The locking system shown also has the sensor F, which detects the respective positional state L of the locking element V. This sensor F can e.g. immediately feel the locking element V. However, this sensor F can also indirectly determine the positional state L of the locking element V, e.g. by sensing the position of an extension of the locking element V, or by determining the position or the correlating state of parts driving the locking element V or of parts driven by the locking element V.

This sensor F sends its locking signal Y corresponding to the respective position state L to the control unit S, so that the control unit S detects the respective position state of the locking element V on the basis of the locking signal Y. By means of this locking signal Y, the control device S can thus automatically monitor whether or not the lock of the cover T was additionally locked correctly after leaving the vehicle, that is to say whether or not the relevant interior of the motor vehicle was protected against unauthorized actuation of the lock.

In the absence of the locking signal Y, the control unit S emits a warning signal W to one or more components - for example to the headlights and the horn - which are already attached to the vehicle for other purposes and whose actuation provides a striking display of the warning signal W even for one represents a person who operates the handheld transmitter H from the limit range of the handheld transmitter H. For this purpose, a power amplifier can also be provided at the output of control unit S. Z inserted, which forwards the warning signal W with a high electrical power.

1.

ob der Riegelbefehl R auftrat, welcher vom Handsender H mittels des Betätigungssignales C ausgelöst wurde, und

2.

ob zusätzlich jenes Verriegelungssignal Y auftrat, welches dem verriegelten Zustand des Sperre entspricht.

Das gezeigte Gatter G ist deswegen eher als Symbol dieser Einrichtung aufzufassen, weil das Verriegelungssignal Y evtl. eine Verzögerung gegenüber dem Riegelbefehl R aufweisen kann, so daß zusätzlich z.B. ein Verzögerungsglied, also z.B. ein monostabiles Flip-Flop, in dieser Einrichtung, vgl. G, angebracht sein kann, z.B. um dem betreffenden Gatter G den Riegelbefehl R mit einer genügenden Verzögerung gegenüber dem Verriegelungssignal Y zuzuleiten. Statt eines solches Verzögerungsgliedes, ja sogar statt eines solchen Gatters G, kann dieselbe UND-Funktion digital mittels eines Prozessors und einer entsprechenden Software erreicht werden, - und zwar besonders leicht, wenn das Steuergerät S selbst zumindest weitgehend durch einen Prozessor gebildet wird.To this end, the example of the invention shown symbolically contains an AND gate G in the control unit S, namely a device which monitors whether two conditions are met:

1.

whether the bolt command R occurred, which was triggered by the hand transmitter H by means of the actuation signal C, and

2nd

whether in addition that locking signal Y occurred which corresponds to the locked state of the lock.

The gate G shown is rather to be understood as a symbol of this device because the locking signal Y may have a delay compared to the latch command R, so that in addition, for example, a delay element, for example a monostable flip-flop, in this device, cf. G, can be attached, for example in order to send the latch command R to the relevant gate G with a sufficient delay compared to the latch signal Y. Instead of such a delay element, even instead of such a gate G, the same AND function can be achieved digitally by means of a processor and corresponding software, and particularly easily if the control unit S itself is at least largely formed by a processor.

In order to offer the person remotely controlling the lock a conspicuously perceptible warning if the relevant lock or locks of the motor vehicle have not been properly locked despite a corresponding actuation of the hand transmitter H, the control device S according to the invention gives the warning signal W when there is no locking signal Y. from. This warning signal can activate a signal generator, e.g. the car's horn, and / or e.g. the hazard warning system of the motor vehicle, and / or another signal generator that is difficult to overlook or difficult to ignore, in order to emit an unmistakable failure signal to the person concerned.

The sensor F thus serves to determine whether the lock in question is really in the locked state after the actuation signal C has been sent, by this sensor F outputs a corresponding locking signal Y to the control unit S. This locking signal Y thus serves as an acknowledgment for a successful locking of the locks.

If this locking signal Y fails to appear, although the control device S, caused by the receiver E, controlled the locking element by means of the control element A, the control device S emits a warning signal W, which in turn actuates a signal generator element which is difficult to overlook in order to signal the person with a failure signal to warn.

So if the remote control is ineffective, e.g. because the locking mechanism is stuck or is defective for other reasons, the invention informs the user by means of the warning signal W. Then this user can e.g. take advantage of the opportunity to use other means, e.g. with a mechanical key to lock completely. The warning signal W or the failure signal triggered by it can also cause that person to try the remote-controlled locking again, e.g. by moving closer to the vehicle and then sending an actuation signal C again.

The invention thus avoids the disadvantage of other locking systems described above that thieves can easily penetrate into the motor vehicle if the person concerned accidentally fails to get used to the fact that after the remote control of the locking system there was no acknowledgment signal indicating positive locking. However, the invention allows additional measures - e.g. according to the known writings mentioned - are made so that the locking system designed according to the invention can additionally send out that acknowledgment signal.

In order to relieve the battery of the motor vehicle or to save electricity, the locking signal Y can be a short signal Y that only occurs at the beginning of the locking, instead of being a continuous signal Y for the entire duration of the locking.

In some locking systems, due to the inertia of the mechanics or pneumatics of the locking element A, there is even a particularly large time delay between the actuation of the locking element V by means of the unit A on the one hand and the mechanical engagement of the lock and thus the occurrence of the locking signal Y emitted by the sensor F on the other hand. It is therefore sensible that the control unit S only emits the warning signal W when the sensor F has not emitted the locking signal Y within a certain period of time after the hand transmitter H has been actuated. In order to avoid unnecessary false alarms due to the premature delivery of the warning signal W or the failure signal, if the locking mechanism usually - or at least occasionally - requires a certain amount of time until it locked properly, the control unit S can output the warning signal W with a delay. The control device S can thus e.g. issue the warning signal W if the sensor F is within e.g. No locking signal Y was emitted 1 second after the hand transmitter H was actuated. The delay can e.g. can be achieved by the above-mentioned monostable flip-flop - or also by a different type of delay element, also switched differently, namely e.g. also by suitably designed software of a processor installed in the control unit S.

In order to implement the invention with particularly little additional effort, the warning signal W can actuate an optical and / or acoustic signal transmitter present in the vehicle. In principle, this signal transmitter can also be an optical or acoustic signal transmitter that is already available for other purposes in the vehicle, that is to say, for example, a control unit for the high beams, indicators, horn or the signal transmitter of an anti-theft alarm system. If the warning signal W switches on the hazard warning lights and / or the vehicle horn, the owner of the handheld transmitter can be made aware of the improper locking in a particularly simple, eye-catching manner.

• ° falls der Besitzer des Handsenders völlig vergaß, das einwandfrei erzeugte Warnsignal W auch ausreichend zu beachten, oder
• ° falls der Verriegelmechanismus trotz des einwandfreien Empfanges des Verriegelungsbefehles defekt ist und der Besitzer der Handsenders im Moment verhindert ist, durch andere Mittel, z.B. mit einem mechanischen Schlüssel, nachträglich ordnungsgemäß die betreffende Sperre zu verriegeln,

kann das Warnsignal W zusätzlich eine Diebstahlwarnanlage einschalten, wobei man ja nach Bedarf die Verriegelungsanlage zusätzlich so gestalten kann, daß dieses Warnsignal W den Signalgeber dieser Anlage entweder zusätzlich einschaltet oder nicht zusätzlich einschaltet.To ensure that the anti-theft alarm system that was particularly necessary was switched on, e.g.

• ° if the owner of the handheld transmitter completely forgot to pay sufficient attention to the correctly generated warning signal W, or
• ° if the locking mechanism is defective despite the correct receipt of the locking command and the owner of the handheld transmitter is currently prevented from subsequently properly locking the relevant lock by other means, e.g. with a mechanical key,

the warning signal W can additionally switch on an anti-theft alarm system, and if necessary the locking system can also be designed such that this warning signal W either additionally switches on the signal generator of this system or does not additionally switch it on.

In order to be able to alert the user of the vehicle to defects in the locking system in good time before the next remote-controlled locking, the control unit S can carry out a self-test of the locking system from time to time and issue the warning signal W if an error occurs.

The self-test can be carried out in a particularly simple manner - e.g. when opening the cover T, when starting the vehicle engine and / or while driving - are carried out if the self-test represents a brief alternating back and forth between the locked and the unlocked state of the locking element V which is monitored according to the invention.

In order to automatically run the self-test at - e.g. remote-controlled unlocking can e.g. the actuation signal C triggering the unlocking trigger the self-test.

Claims (9)

1. Locking system for a door (T) on a motor vehicle,

   - having a lock, which is arranged on the door (T) and, in the locked position, prevents opening of the door (T),

   - having a bolt element (V) by means of which the lock is locked or unlocked,

   - having a controller (S) which supplies to the bolt element (V) a bolt command (R) for locking or unlocking depending on a control signal (B),

   - having a portable hand-held transmitter (H) which emits an operating signal (C), and

   - having a receiver (E), which is arranged in the vehicle, for reception of the operating signal (C) and for transmitting the control signal (B) to the controller (S) in order to initiate the bolt command (R),

   characterized in that

   - a sensor (F) is arranged in the vicinity of the bolt element (V), which sensor (F) determines the position of the bolt element (V) and emits a locking signal (Y) to the controller (S) when the bolt element (V) is in its locked position,

   - in that the controller (S) is connected to the sensor (F), the controller checking, after reception of the operating signal (C), whether the sensor (F) is emitting the locking signal (Y), and

   - in that the controller (S) is connected to a warning device, the controller emitting a warning signal (W) to the warning device when the control signal (B) has been received and there is no locking signal (Y).
2. Locking system according to Patent Claim 1, characterized in that the locking signal (Y) is present without interruption or only for a predetermined time period.
3. Locking system according to Patent Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the controller (S) emits the warning signal (W) with a delay if the sensor (F) has not emitted any locking signal (Y) within a predetermined time period after reception of the operating signal (C).
4. Locking system according to one of the preceding patent claims, characterized in that the warning device is a signal transmitter which is provided anyway for other purposes in the vehicle and emits a visual or audible signal continuously or intermittently on activation by the warning signal (W).
5. Locking system according to Patent Claim 4, characterized in that the controller is connected to a theft warning system which is activated by the warning signal (W).
6. Locking system according to one of the preceding patent claims, characterized in that the signal transmitter is implemented by front headlights, hazard flashers or the horn.
7. Locking system according to one of the preceding patent claims, characterized in that the controller (S) carries out a self-test of the locking system from time to time, and emits the warning signal (W) if a defect occurs.
8. Locking system according to Patent Claim 7, characterized in that the self-test represents a monitored, brief alternation between the locked position and the unlocked position of the bolt element (V).
9. Locking system according to Patent Claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the self-test is initiated by the operating signal (C).

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