EP1167666B1 - Operating device for vehicle door lock - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an actuator with signal generator for a hereby automatically triggered regularly Motor vehicle door lock, in particular electric lock a motor vehicle door, the signal transmitter from a elastic, mostly elastomeric or rubbery Material is made and is electrically conductive, and where deformation-related electrical resistance changes the signal transmitter for triggering the motor vehicle door lock be evaluated.

With the help of the described actuator with signal generator an electric lock is usually applied, in such a way that this electric lock is an associated one Motor vehicle door, hood or flap opens.

Electric lock basically means a door lock (for in particular Motor vehicles), which after its unlocking the catch to release and issue an associated Locking bolt actuated by an electric motor. To this For this purpose, the pawl is lifted from the catch as long as until they fall within the range of Locking bolt is removed. At the same time it becomes regular the locking bolt and thus an associated motor vehicle door more or less issued.

The generic state of the art according to WO 99/28170 deals with a door handle unit with a door handle, which over mutually movable first and second parts. The second part can be flexible Include material that is relative to the first Part moves.

In addition, DE 197 55 843 A1 described to design the signal transmitter pneumatically. The pneumatic signal transmitter is located on the Inside of a motor vehicle door that closes to the outside Door leaf, which as it were the actuator represents as a whole. In addition, the known one requires Teaching a pneumatic feedthrough and a membrane, the overall a closed, with a gaseous Medium, e.g. B. air, filled system. At the Squeezing the known signal generator becomes a pressure pulse generated, which in turn via an electrical switch switches a control line to the electric lock on and off. This is relatively expensive and because of the recourse to the gaseous medium is not without problems. Because leaks cannot be ruled out in principle.

In the context of DE 198 05 659 C1 a device for Triggering an authorization query for a vehicle. This has a first switching means, at the activation of which triggers an authorization query. The switching means is arranged in a door handle of a vehicle. For this purpose there is a recess in the door handle provided which is a button of the first Switching means takes up. The switching means preferably come magnetic switches for use.

A lock for doors, hoods, flaps or the like for motor vehicles is through the European patent application EP 0 884 440 A1 has become known. That closure has a handle that when pressed the associated lock opens. That is the case when the locking cylinder is in a certain working position located. The handle is under a restoring force, which an associated handle flap from their Operating position transferred back to its starting position.

Through the German patent application DE 199 22 657 A1 a device for activating an opening aid for lockable parts on vehicles become known. In connection with this device becomes a manual actuator described in the actuation case on a contactor of a microswitch. The actuated microswitch a drive for opening a closure an associated flap or door effective.

An outside door handle arrangement to be taken into account under Article 54 (3) EPC is described in WO 01/40607 A1. The outside door handle is at least partially elastic formed deformable, wherein a deformation of the Outside door handle detected by means of a sensor as actuation becomes. In detail is a side wall of the outer door handle deformed when subjected to tensile or compressive loads, so that the distance from inside electrodes changes. A change is made accordingly of capacity.

Finally, the prior art deals with one Built-in push buttons for vehicle doors. With this built-in push button are two cup-like sensing elements with an intermediate one Compression spring in a perpendicular to the door plane running cylindrical recess used. Between an annular gap remains in the sensing elements, in which an actuator for a microswitch protrudes. As a result, in the utility model DE 84 32 429 A simple combined push button was created be what inner and outer tactile elements which act on a single contact.

The invention is based on the technical problem Actuator of the structure described above with signal transmitter for a motor vehicle door lock that can be triggered thereby to train so that a simple, reliable and easy loading of the motor vehicle door lock is guaranteed under all circumstances.

To achieve this object, the invention proposes a Generic actuator that the signal generator as a tubular profile element with a hollow chamber is formed and made of the elastic material therein embedded metal wires, conductivity sheets, conductivity foils or the like is produced. there is preferably a co-extrusion of rubber elastic Plastic with the metal wires embedded in it, Conductivity sheets, conductivity films or the like performed.

The conductor tracks embedded in the rubber-elastic material thus ensure the electrically conductive design of the signal generator. It may be the case with these conductor tracks are simple metal wires. But it can also conductivity made of semiconductors, electrically conductive plastics etc. find use.

Within the scope of the invention there is a hose element with hollow chamber for use, so that as a signal generator a known anti-trap device can be, as for example in the German Laid-open specification 26 44 608. How there lead deformations of the (strip-like) according to the invention Signal generator for its resistance changes. there can also in the context of the invention on a foam plastic can be used with conductive varnish, as can be seen from the the document in question is generally known.

Similar switching profiles are in DE 197 20 713 C1 and described in DE 43 29 535 C2. Suitable in both cases the profile elements shown there in detail Hollow chamber for realizing the signal transmitter according to the invention in the context of the described actuator.

The one made of rubber-elastic plastic with embedded Existing metal wires, conductivity sheets or profiles Signal generators according to the invention can be connected with, for example, the metal wires in the frame the coextrusion described, what special inexpensive and connected with high functionality is. To ensure reliable resistance measurements, become the metal wires, conductivity sheets or conductivity foils completely of the rubber-elastic plastic in the frame enclosed in the coextrusion.

The conductivity pathways can basically be for example, carbon particles embedded in the plastic act as long as it is guaranteed that at deformation-related approximations of these metal wires, Conductivity sheets or conductivity films their contact resistance is changed significantly and evaluably. This is usually the case when two (or more) embedded metal wires, conductivity sheets or conductivity foils with respect to the hollow chamber inside the Opposite profile element made of rubber-elastic plastic. Because then the transition resistance of the two Tracks or wires in an unloaded state through the current path predefined around the hollow chamber. With loaded and consequently deformed signal generator or profile element and compressed hollow chamber, however, can flow directly flow from wire to wire or web to web, whereby the desired change in resistance results. same for in the event that conductivity films on the concerned Places are embedded in the rubber-elastic plastic.

So that the signal generator is protected as possible on the motor vehicle door can be attached, the invention proposes this in the area of an undercut as an actuating device or in the area of a comparable closed Hollow chamber or a cavity of the motor vehicle door to arrange.

The changes in resistance to be evaluated can be particularly great advantageous to record and process for the case, if the signal generator is part of an electrical Resistance measuring circuit is. Because then you can change the resistance this measuring circuit usually by one Control unit for actuating the motor vehicle door lock evaluate. This control unit can be the act already existing central locking unit.

Finally, it is important that the motor vehicle door lock before the one specified by the signal transmitter electrical opening is unlocked, mechanically or remote controlled. In the former case, for example a key inserted in a locking cylinder for the electrical opening of the motor vehicle door lock upstream unlocking. That can be taken for granted also by an HF remote control or by means of an known code card. The result is a Actuator with signal transmitter available provided, which is initially simple and robust is. Because it dispenses with the state of the art well-known complex and failure-prone pneumatics. About that Proven manufacturing methods can also be used which are largely known on the production of Anti-trap devices are based and easy be mastered. This is also a particularly inexpensive one Realization possible.

Finally, the signal generator according to the invention delivers unambiguous Changes in resistance to deformation that are free of defects and reliably in corresponding lock openings have it implemented. Here are the main advantages to see the invention.

Fig. 1

eine Betätigungseinrichtung mit Signalgeber an einer Kraftfahrzeugtür schematisch im Schnitt und

Fig. 2

ein elektrisches Schaltbild zur Beaufschlagung des Signalgebers.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of a drawing illustrating only one exemplary embodiment; show it:

Fig. 1

an actuator with signal generator on a motor vehicle door schematically in section and

Fig. 2

an electrical circuit diagram for applying the signal generator.

In the figures there is an actuator with a signal transmitter 1 for a triggerable electric lock 2 a motor vehicle door 3 shown. In addition to the signal generator 1 an undercut 4 acts on the motor vehicle door 3 as a kind of actuator on which one Hand H can attack an operator.

The electric lock 2, which is not specified in more detail, includes how usual a rotary latch, which in the closed state of one Pawl is blocked. After triggering the electric lock 2 with the help of the signal generator 1 will not shown pawl by means of, for example, electromotive lifted off the catch at least as long as until the catch sufficiently out of the range of this removed locking bolt and the associated Motor vehicle door 3 has been opened.

In other words, unlocking the Electric lock 2 immediately the electrical described Open on - triggered by the signal generator 1. Here unlocking the electric lock 2 mechanically as usual, by remote control or by using one Code card or a transponder.

So that the signal generator 1 the electrical opening in question of the electric lock 2 can initiate acts reliably it is the signal generator 1 from one elastic material, the deformations of which are described Actuation of the motor vehicle door lock or electric lock 2 worries. For this purpose, the signal generator 1 is in detail electrically conductive, with deformation-related electrical resistance changes of the signal generator 1 for triggering the motor vehicle door lock or electric lock 2 can be evaluated.

The signal generator 1 is within the scope of the illustrated For example after the enlarged section in the Fig. 1 around a profile element 1 with a hollow chamber 5 from a elastomeric or rubber-like plastic. The hollow chamber 5 is flanked by two opposing metal wires 6, which in the profile element 1 as part of a coextrusion of rubber-elastic plastic can be embedded. Instead of the metal wires 6, conductivity tracks, for example made of carbon, or equivalent Use conductivity foils.

As a result of the opposite arrangement of the metal wires 6 with reference to the hollow chamber 5 arranged therebetween a current flows according to the simplified circuit diagram 2 of a battery 7 via a protective resistor 8 through the one metal wire 6 along the dash-dotted path through the profile element 1 into the other metal wire 6 and finally back to battery 7. This dash-dotted path along the periphery of the hollow chamber 5 corresponds to an extraordinarily high resistance because of the profile element 1 is usually non-conductive.

On the other hand, if the signal generator 1 is deformed with the help of the hand H. is dashed, as is the detail in FIG. 1 indicates the distance A between the Metal wires 6, so that an immediate current flow now through the touching and in the neighborhood to the Metal wires 6 arranged boundary surfaces B of the hollow chamber 5 can be done. At the same time there is resistance of the entire profile element 1 in the upper circuit Fig. 2 significantly back. These changes in resistance due to deformations of the profile element or signal transmitter 1 can be measured using a voltage measuring device 9 register the one falling along the profile element 1 Absorbs tension.

With high resistance of the profile element 1 within the electrical resistance measuring circuit implemented in this way (unloaded signal generator 1) almost the entire provided by the battery 7, voltage at Profile element 1 from. This voltage drop will decrease if that Profile element 1 according to the broken line is deformed in Fig. 1 (loaded signal generator 1). The Resistance and thus voltage changes on the voltage measuring device 9 are recorded by a control unit 10 and to actuate the electric lock connected to it 2 evaluated. A low resistance of the auto switch 1 mostly leads to the opening of the electric lock Second

Of course, are also within the scope of the invention Variations with separate door handle, although the Representation relates to a door handle-less tailgate. Also other variants of the profile element 1 recorded, for example those as in DE 197 20 713 C1 or DE 43 29 535 C2 are described without the basic mode of operation and the wiring 2 changes something essential. Besides can also the described signal generator 1, for example Side doors or an engine compartment flap are used. In this case too, the elastically deformable profile element 1 mostly behind a hand-graspable one Recess arranged on the edge of the door.

It is immediately clear that the signal generator 1 to a known in the context of the anti-trap protection Profile element 1 acts, which is extremely simple is built and easily in vehicle manufacture can be installed. Due to the robust and long-term stable Maintenance-free signaling can be designed in connection with the operation of corresponding Represent motor vehicle door locks 2.

Claims (6)

1. An actuation device with signal transmitter (1) for a vehicle door lock (2) that can be triggered thereby, particularly an electronic lock (2) on a vehicle door (3), wherein

   the signal transmitter (1) is made from an elastic material and is electrically conductive, and wherein

   changes in electrical impedance of the signal transmitter (1) caused by deformation thereof are evaluated in order to actuate the vehicle door lock (2),

   characterised in that

   the signal transmitter (1) is conformed as a tubular shaped element (1) with a hollow chamber (5) and

   is produced from elastic material with metallic wires (6), electrically conductive panels, electrically conductive films or similar embedded therein.
2. The actuation device according to claim 1, characterised in that the signal transmitter (1) is produced in a co-extrusion process from rubber-elastic plastic material that includes the metallic wires (6), electrically conductive panels, electrically conductive films or similar embedded therein.
3. The actuation device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the metallic wires (6), electrically conductive panels, electrically conductive films or similar are arranged opposingly with respect to the hollow chamber (5).
4. The actuation device according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the signal transmitter (1) is a component of an electrical impedance measuring circuit, the changes in impedance of the signal transmitter (1) being evaluated by a control unit (10) for purposes of actuating the lock (2) of the vehicle door.
5. The actuation device according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the signal transmitter (1) is arranged in the area of an undercut (4) or similar closed cavity of the vehicle door (3).
6. The actuation device according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the vehicle door lock (2) is unlocked, which can be effected either mechanically and/or via remote operation, before the opening operation that is triggered by the signal transmitter (1).

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