EP1103432B1 - Vehicle door lock system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a motor vehicle door locking system with the Features of the preamble of claim 1 and an outside door handle assembly for such a motor vehicle door locking system with the features of Preamble of claim 10.

Conventional electromechanical motor vehicle door locking systems are known with radio remote control, but without "passive entry" function. In these classic motor vehicle door locking systems actuates an operator a pushbutton on a remote control module. This will be a Control electronics activates and goes through their reaction phase immediately. by virtue of the distance of the operator pressing the button of the remote control module the operator reaches the outside door handle on the vehicle door with such a large time delay that the reaction phase of the control electronics already completed and the motor vehicle lock unlocked is. The operator opens the motor vehicle door by pulling on the outside door handle, wherein the motor vehicle lock either opens mechanically, ie the pawl is dug by the movement of the outside door handle, or electromechanically or pneumatically opens, with the outside door handle a control signal delivered to an opening drive for lifting the pawl becomes.

A control electronics with "passive entry" function is different from the previously explained classic motor vehicle door closing system in that the Remote control module no handling must be made to the motor vehicle lock to unlock when approaching the motor vehicle. Rather, it is done this automatically when approaching the operator to the motor vehicle.

Under "Passive Entry" function is thus here in particular an automatic, Motor vehicle-side data query or identification of an operator side Disk, transponders o. The like. To understand whether a the vehicle approaching operator or an operator, which is already about to open the motor vehicle or a motor vehicle door, is authorized to enter. This is usually done by an appropriate electronics of the motor vehicle checked. With appropriate authorization of the operator usually an automatic unlocking either one Central locking, the door lock the driver's door or at least the door lock the door the operator approaches or the outside door handle the operator touches or operates.

A motor vehicle door locking system with "passive entry" feature needed for the control electronics a certain reaction phase or time, resulting from a Start-up interval to the system when approaching the disk or Remote control module to activate, an authorization check interval to the operator based on the coding between the remote control module and control electronics to check exchanged signals for their authorization, and Finally, the actual action interval in which the action takes place, in particular the unlocking of the motor vehicle lock, is performed, composed. (Also when locking the motor vehicle door locking system is requires a corresponding reaction phase. This is less critical because the operator is not noticeable.)

The duration of the reaction phase of more than a hundred milliseconds is compared perceived as long with conventional motor vehicle door locking systems, if the start-up interval only starts when the outside door handle is pressed. The Pulling the outside door handle o. The like. That is, in a "passive entry" function u. U. already done when the reaction phase of the control electronics not finished yet. The operator must then the outside door handle pull a second time, which can be interpreted as a "malfunction".

Since the resulting total time of the reaction phase does not shorten arbitrarily has already tried to hide the delay time (DE - A - 195 21 024).

Another approach is not the start-up interval of the control electronics to start only when pressing the outside door handle, but already an approximation the hand of an operator to the outside door handle to start of the start-up interval. For this it is known on the outside door handle a capacitive Proximity sensor to provide (DE - A - 197 52 974, DE - A - 196 17 038), by which the approach of the hand of the operator already about 100 is detected up to 150 ms before the touch of the outside door handle by the hand. Starting the start-up interval of the control electronics, so the "waking" the Control electronics, then takes place so far before the actual pulling of the Outside door handle that the startup interval and usually the authorization check interval already completed when the outside door handle by hand the operator is actually moved.

The use of capacitive proximity sensors in motor vehicle door locking systems the type in question brings different difficulties with himself. It is difficult to set a stable threshold. external Influences such as rain, snow, dust and dirt change with capacitive proximity sensors the measured values. Further, the problem of the relative exists high quiescent current. Accordingly, a large amount of circuitry is required. Another problem is that between touching and an operation of the outside door handle can not be distinguished. often Therefore, an approach and / or touch with a first sensor and a Actuating the outside door handle detected with a second sensor. Finally, at capacitive proximity sensors the problem of electromagnetic energy emitted by them Interference relevant.

Due to the above-discussed difficulties, automotive door closing systems with "Passive Entry" feature, where only one touch or operation of the outside door handle by an operator's hand Start-up interval of the control electronics starts, but considerable advantages.

The known motor vehicle door locking system or the corresponding door outside handle arrangement, from which the invention now starts (WO 99/028170 A) has one on a handle shell pivotally mounted outside door handle. This mobile Outside door handle has an arm facing towards the handle Side carries a piezoelectric strip. This detects a bending of the arm due to its own resulting deformation. These Door outer handle assembly is accordingly complex and constructed in the Production expensive and error prone.

The teaching of the invention is now based on the problem to specify, as in a Motor vehicle door locking system or a corresponding outside door handle assembly in a simple and inexpensive way touching and / or Use an outside door handle with minimal energy consumption and good response can be detected.

The problem indicated above is in a motor vehicle door locking system with the features of the preamble of claim 1 by the features of characterizing part of claim 1. In an outside door handle assembly with the features of the preamble of claim 10 succeeds a corresponding Solution having the features of the characterizing part of claim 10th

Preferred embodiments and developments of the respective teaching are the subject the respective subclaims.

The proposed solution allows a simple and inexpensive Construction, since no moving parts are required. It reduces the Error-prone. The functional reliability is increased.

The touch sensing is used when Touch or actuation of the outside door handle the associated motor vehicle door lock to open. The outside door handle is rigid or fixed to the assigned Motor vehicle door, tailgate o. The like. Attached, so not somehow movable stored.

In general, when both a touch and an actuation of the Door outside handle successively separately detectable or detectable, corresponding Functions of the motor vehicle door locking system, the control electronics or, for example, other electronics of the motor vehicle in two stages, staggered in time, be activated.

The sensor element is preferably designed such that a load to preferably only minimal deformation paths, in particular only in the micrometer range, leads, so that when touching and / or pressing, in particular Pull the outside door handle, no deformation or movement for the operator is felt. This property is in particular by use a piezoelectric element realized as a sensor element.

Under "capture" is in particular the provision of data or measurement signals meant, whose evaluation allows detection or sensing, whether a Hand of an operator touches the outside door handle and / or operated. The Evaluation can in particular directly in a sensor associated Electronics and / or in a separate evaluation o. The like. Made. This is taken for granted by those skilled in the art, so that not closer is received, since it does not matter primarily where the evaluation takes place. However, it is advantageous if the a corresponding detection signal already provided evaluation electronics already at least partially in the Door outside handle or an outside door handle assembly is integrated.

The terms "pressure" and "pressure load" are in the present patent application in a broad sense, so that a grasping or Measuring a force in general and a stress by a pressure or tensile force are included. In particular, it does not primarily matter that a pressure in the sense of force per area is measured or detected.

However, based on the measured pressure and / or the measured force preferably a distinction between an (initial) touching and followed by a subsequent operation of the outside door handle.

In a preferred embodiment, the sensor element or the sensor is designed such that force or pressure loads in electrical signals or changes at least one electrical parameter, such as changes in resistance, converted become. So a simple evaluation and detection is possible.

Fig. 1

in einer schematischen und perspektivischen Ansicht ein Kraftfahrzeug mit einem grundsätzlich bekannten Kraftfahrzeug-Türschließsystem;

Fig. 2

eine Türaußengriffanordnung eines Kraftfahrzeug-Türschließsystems gemäß Fig. 1; und

Fig. 3

eine schematische Draufsicht einer Türaußengriffanordnung gemäß einer vorschlagsgemäßen Ausführungsform.

Further aspects, characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following explanation of preferred embodiments, which are illustrated in the drawing. It shows:

Fig. 1

in a schematic and perspective view of a motor vehicle with a basically known motor vehicle door closing system;

Fig. 2

an outside door handle assembly of a motor vehicle door locking system of FIG. 1; and

Fig. 3

a schematic plan view of an outside door handle assembly according to a proposal embodiment.

In Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a motor vehicle 1 with a motor vehicle door locking system 2 shown. The motor vehicle door locking system 2 has in particular a plurality of motor vehicle locks 3, in particular for motor vehicle doors, a motor vehicle tailgate u. Like., And a hood lock 4, whose Installation positions in Fig. 1 are indicated schematically.

As a result of the execution as an electric lock, each motor vehicle lock 3 the Possibility of a motorized opening, so the lifting of a not shown Locking pawl by means of an opening drive, not shown.

The motor vehicle door locking system 2 is preferably provided with a "passive entry" function ausgestatttet. Therefore, the motor vehicle door closing system 2 comprises Furthermore, a particular designed as a "Passive Entry" chip card or other Data carrier or transponder 5, by an operator, not shown is carried along and serves as an "electronic key". So can be a vehicle-triggered data query or identification of Data carrier or transponder 5, as indicated by signal waves 6 performed and the access authorization of the operator to be checked. With appropriate access authorization unlocking the motor vehicle locks 3 by means of the central locking not shown o. The like. With regard to this particular details is on the particular previously already referenced prior art referred.

The motor vehicle lock 3 of the driver's door and possibly the hood lock 4 are respectively a lock cylinder 7 for operation with a mechanical key 8 assigned. Thus, the motor vehicle lock 3 of the driver's door with the Key 8 mechanically operated in an emergency or unlocked and opened. A corresponding emergency release or emergency opening can if necessary also be provided for the other motor vehicle locks 3.

At least each vehicle door lock 3 of the vehicle side doors is a Assigned outside door handle assembly 9, as indicated in Fig. 1. Fig. 2 shows the Door outside handle arrangement 9 of the driver's door with integrated lock cylinder 7.

The outside door handle assembly 9 may also include an adjacent door area, which is not shown in Fig. 2, include, in particular when the outside door handle assembly 9 together with this adjacent door area as a unit is used in the associated motor vehicle door.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic plan view of an outside door handle assembly 9, for example as described with respect to Fig. 2 with, but also without lock cylinder 7 may be formed.

In the proposed outside door handle assembly 9, as indicated in Fig. 3, a sensor 12 associated with the outside door handle 10. In particular, this is a force or pressure-sensitive sensor element 13 is arranged on the outside door handle 10, as shown in Fig. 3, or otherwise connected thereto.

The sensor element 13 is in particular a piezoelement in the already mentioned meaning.

The proposed sensor 12 or the proposed sensor element 13 has a minimum or, in particular when using a piezo element, no energy requirement, so that at most a very low energy requirement for the evaluation, in particular continuously repeated, for verification, whether a touch or actuation of the outside door handle 10 has been detected is, exists.

The outside door handle 10 defines or defines an engagement space 14 for a not shown hand of an operator. Under "Intervention Room" is here Accordingly, in particular, to understand the space in which a not shown Hand of an operator usually for operating the outside door handle 10 engages.

The sensor element 13 is in the representation example on the engagement space 14 facing inner wall or inside 15 of the outside door handle 10 is arranged. In particular, the sensor element 13 covers the inner side 15 and / or adjacent areas of the outside door handle 10 over a large area, preferably substantially Completely. Alternatively or additionally, in particular depending on the design of the outside door handle 10, the sensor element 13 on another, usually of a Hand of an operator to operate the outside door handle 10 seized Actuating surface and possibly arranged in adjacent surface areas be. This is especially true when the outside door handle 10 no Eingreifraum 14 delimited or defined.

If necessary, on the inside 15 or the actuating surface also several pressure-sensitive sensor elements 13 of the sensor 12, so for example several Piezo (single) crystals or elements, possibly distributed, contiguous and / or spaced apart from each other. This can be especially redundant be meaningful, so that even in case of failure of a Sensor element 13 still the desired detection of a touch or an actuation can take place.

Alternatively or in addition to the arrangement of the sensor element 13 on a Surface area - such as the inside 15 or any other actuating surface - the outside door handle 10, at least one sensor element 13 also in the field of storage or attachment of the outside door handle 10 at an associated, in Fig. 3 schematically indicated door area 16 or at another Part of the outside door handle assembly 9 and / or on or in the outside door handle 10, especially in a range of particularly high shear and / or shear stresses, preferably at this optimized training of the outside door handle 10, such as relatively large deformability, arranged such or with the outside door handle 10 be connected, that the action of a force or a pressure on the outside door handle 10 from the outside door handle 10 on the at least one sensor element 13 transmitted and as a touch or operation of the outside door handle 10th can be detected.

In the present embodiment of the door outer handle assembly 9 assigned Motor vehicle lock 3 with a motorized opening drive is eliminated a movable mounting of the outside door handle 10 and the detected by the sensor 12 Touch or actuation of the outside door handle 10 is the corresponding Control of the opening drive, so to open the associated motor vehicle door lock 3, used. The outside door handle 10 is therefore fixed, d. H. rigid with the associated motor vehicle door or the associated Door area 16 or other parts of the outside door handle assembly 9 be connected.

If necessary, the sensor 12 is an evaluation or associated electronics 17, as indicated in Fig. 3, in particular in the outside door handle assembly 9 and the outside door handle 10 at least partially integrated is.

Alternatively or additionally, the transmitter 17 in an associated Motor vehicle door or a central motor vehicle or control electronics 18 of the Motor vehicle 1, which is indicated in Fig. 1, at least partially integrated.

If an unillustrated hand of an operator in the engagement space 14 is moved and detects the outside door handle 10, the hand touches the sensor element 13 and exerts a certain load on the sensor element 13. This leads to a corresponding change of measuring signals and / or characteristic values of the sensor 12, as the touch and / or operation of the outside door handle 10th can be evaluated. In particular, a corresponding signal from the transmitter 17, for example, to the central motor vehicle electronics 18, issued.

According to a preferred embodiment, the sensor 12 and the optional provided evaluation electronics 17 designed such that between an initial Touching and actually operating the outside door handle 10 be differentiated by an unillustrated hand of an operator can. In particular, this is the strength of Meßsignaländerung the sensor 12, so for example, the strength of the force or pressure load of the sensor element 13, recorded and evaluated. Here, the lateral increase in the Load and / or the time interval between exceeding certain Thresholds are taken into account, for example, the usual increase the measured values or changing the measured values in the normal course of touching and then pressing the outside door handle 10 to detect.

The motor vehicle or control electronics 18 of the motor vehicle 1 preferably has a "passive entry" feature, as in the prior art (DE - A - 195 21 024) explained. In particular, for unlocking a motor vehicle lock 3 or all motor vehicle locks 3 requires the control electronics 18 a time response phase with start-up interval, authorization check interval and action interval.

If a touch of an outside door handle 10 or at least the outside door handle 10 of the driver's door of the motor vehicle 1 sensed or detected takes place a "waking up" or activating the proposed motor vehicle door locking system 2 associated control electronics 18 to the start-up interval start. Alternatively, the "wake up" or start only at detection or sensing an actuation of any outside door handle 10 or the Door outside handle 10 of the driver's door. In any case, be as early as possible Start the start-up interval and check the access authorization early the approximate or the outside door handle 10 touching operator - By query or identification of the operator-side data carrier or transponders 5 - sought, with the result that the actual actuation or pulling the outside door handle 10 still takes so long that then already the action interval, regularly lifting the pawl, for the operator apparently can run without delay.

As already mentioned, both a touch sensing and a Betätigungssensierung done. For example, the evaluation can be a first Output the signal when detecting or sensing a touch to avoid the "Passive Entry "function or the startup interval of the control electronics 18 to start. However, the "passive entry" feature may also apply to any other, for example known in the art or by another, in particular remotely controlled unlocking be activated. Subsequently, at appropriate authorization and, in particular according to temporally correlated, Sensation of a stronger touch or operation of the outside door handle 10 carried out unlocking a central locking and / or the associated Open motor vehicle lock 3. So it is not necessary, the outside door handle 10 or a part of movably execute or store.

In addition, it should be noted that the touch sensing and / or actuation sensing also for controlling other motor vehicle functions and for Activation of other vehicle controls can be used. Preferably be this from the transmitter 17 or another Electronics issued corresponding control signals.

In addition, the sensor element 13, in particular when designed as a piezo element, work as a vibrator. The vibrations can, for example pulsed generated and their elaboration, decay or damping behavior, in particular again from the sensor element 13 or an additional Sensor, detected and with respect to a touch or operation of the outside door handle 10 are evaluated.

Claims (14)

1. A vehicle door locking system (2) with a vehicle lock (3), an exterior door handle (10) assigned to the vehicle lock (3) and a sensor (12) assigned to the exterior door handle (10) for detecting contact with and/or operation of the exterior door handle (10), wherein the sensor (12) has a force-sensitive or pressure-sensitive sensor element (13), which is arranged on the exterior door handle (10) or connected therewith and is designed as a piezo element,
   characterised in that
   the exterior door handle (10) is designed or arranged fixed, but deformable in itself and
   the sensor element (13) is arranged at least essentially solely in the area of an inner side (15) of the exterior door handle (10) facing the grasping space (14) bounded by the exterior door handle (10) and forms an operating face of the exterior door handle (10) and/or
   the sensor element (13) is integrated into the exterior door handle (10), in particular into an area of particularly great tangential and/or shear stresses and relatively great deformability of the exterior door handle (10).
2. The vehicle door locking system according to claim 1,
   characterised in that the sensor element (13) is designed in such a way that it converts force- and/or pressure-loads into electrical signals or changes of at least one electrical parameter.
3. The vehicle door locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that there is assigned to the sensor element (12) an evaluation electronics (17) for evaluating measurement signals of the sensor element (13) for the detection of contact with and/or operation of the exterior door handle (10).
4. The vehicle door locking system according to claim 3,
   characterised in that the evaluation electronics (17) is integrated at least partially into the exterior door handle (10) or an assigned exterior door handle arrangement (9).
5. The vehicle door locking system according to claim 3,
   characterised in that the evaluation electronics (17) is integrated at least partially into the sensor (12).
6. The vehicle door locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sensor (12) has several force-sensitive and/or pressure-sensitive sensor elements (13) arranged on the exterior door handle (10) and/or connected therewith.
7. The vehicle door locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a signal can be emitted indicating the contact and/or operation.
8. The vehicle door locking system according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that the vehicle lock (3) is designed so as to be unlockable and lockable in a motor-operated or circuit-operated manner, optionally also openable in a motor-operated manner,
   that a control electronics (18) with a "passive entry" function is provided, wherein the control electronics (18) requires chronologically a reaction phase with a start-up interval, an authorisation-check interval and an action interval at least for the unlocking of the vehicle lock (3), and
   that contact with and/or operation of the exterior door handle (10) picked up by the sensor (12) and/or detected by the evaluation electronics (17) can be evaluated as a signal for the commencement of the start-up interval.
9. The vehicle door locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the vehicle lock (3) is designed so as to be openable in a motor-operated manner, and that evaluation and/or control electronics (17, 18) are provided, which cause opening of the vehicle lock (3) in response to contact with and/or operation of the exterior door handle (10) detected by the sensor (12), in particular insofar as the vehicle lock (3) is already unlocked and/or an appropriate access authorisation is present.
10. An exterior door handle arrangement (9) for a vehicle door locking system (2), in particular according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the exterior door handle arrangement (9) has an exterior door handle (10) and a sensor (12) assigned to the exterior door handle (10) for detecting contact with and/or operation of the exterior door handle (10) by a hand of an operator, wherein the sensor (12) has a force-sensitive or pressure-sensitive sensor element (13), which is arranged on the exterior door handle (10) or connected therewith and is designed as a piezo element,
    characterised in that
    the exterior door handle (10) is designed or arranged fixed, but deformable in itself and
    the sensor element (13) is arranged at least essentially solely in the area of an inner side (15) of the exterior door handle (10) facing the intervention space (14) bounded by the exterior door handle (10) and forms an operating face of the exterior door handle (10) for a hand of an operator and/or
    the sensor element (13) is integrated into the exterior door handle (10), in particular in an area of particularly great tangential and/or shear stresses and relatively great deformability of the exterior door handle (10).
11. The exterior door handle arrangement according to claim 10, characterised in that the sensor (13) is designed in such a way that it converts force and/or pressure loads into electrical signals or changes of at least one electrical parameter.
12. The exterior door handle arrangement according to claim 10 or 11, characterised in that an evaluation electronics (17) for evaluating measurement signals of the sensor element (13) for the detection of contact with and/or operation of the exterior door handle is assigned to the sensor (12) and that the evaluation electronics (17) is integrated into the exterior door handle arrangement (9).
13. The exterior door handle arrangement according to claim 12, characterised in that the evaluation electronics (17) is integrated at least partially into the sensor (12).
14. The exterior door handle arrangement according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterised in that the sensor (12) has several force-sensitive and/or pressure-sensitive sensor elements (13) arranged on the exterior door handle (10) and/or connected therewith.

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