FR2723129A1 - Central locking system for car - Google Patents

Abstract

The central locking for a car uses a bus system for data transmission between the control circuits and the locks. The system works upon multiplexers of which one is installed in each of the individual control elements. For each door lock there is a microcontroller, a motor driver and control sensors, which are arranged in circuit behind the multiplexers. Apart from the sensors, they are all on the same circuit board. The boards are in dust-free and water-tight enclosures. The bus system is laid out as a digital single wire system with pulse width modulated bits. The multiplexers have three inputs (bus, power supply and earth).

Description

CLOSURE SYSTEM FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE
The invention relates to a closing system for a motor vehicle comprising a closing for each door of the vehicle, a central locking device comprising electrical control elements each of which is respectively associated with a door closing of the motor vehicle, and a circuit for electrical command and control for actuation and monitoring of the central locking device, which operates with control information and receives monitoring information. The expression "motor vehicle door" also applies to the trunks and tailgates and to the covers for covering the fuel filling pipes. The vehicle door closure may also include an anti-theft device apart from the usual functions such as locking and unlocking. The term "system" designates within the framework of the invention a unit coordinated according to a unitary principle. Locking systems for motor vehicles are known in various forms. This is also the case for motor vehicle door closings.

 In the known closure system which is the basis of the invention, the command and control circuit for the individual command and control functions comprises separate conductors which extend between the individual closings of the vehicle doors and a central unit. . This conventional measure, which is called arrangement of wires or "point-to-point" link wiring, requires not only a multiplicity of conductors but also an assembly which is costly in labor, even if it is known to mount in advance the conductors and the components connected to them in bundles of cables. Furthermore, modern electronics also knows for motor vehicles multiplex circuits and multiplex systems as well as bus systems which make it possible to simplify the electrical circuits compared to circuits comprising a wire arrangement or conventional wiring (see DE 34 17 956 C2, DE 41 41 504 A1). The known measures in this field cannot be reliably used without problems in conjunction with closure systems for motor vehicles.

 The object of the invention is to simplify the technical problem posed by the closing system for a motor vehicle and the constitution of which has been described in the preamble, as well as the aim also indicated in the preamble with regard to the electrical constitution without there is a negative influence on the reliability of the operation.

According to a first embodiment, the invention relates to a closure system for a motor vehicle comprising a door closure for each door of the vehicle, a central locking device comprising electrical control elements each of which is associated with a motor vehicle door closure, and a command and control circuit for actuating and monitoring the central locking device, which works with control information and receives monitoring information - and which additionally has the following features :
the command and control circuit comprises a bus system for the transmission of information,
the bus system works on elements of a multiplex system, each of which is arranged in the individual control elements,
a microcontroller, a motor control stage and control sensors which form part of the command and control circuit are mounted in the circuit behind the element of the multiplex system,
the multiplex system element, the microcontroller and the motor control stage are arranged for each door closing of the vehicle on a common printed circuit board which is mounted in the control element,
the printed circuit board being encapsulated in a dust and moisture tight manner.

According to a second embodiment, the subject of the invention is a closing system for a motor vehicle comprising a respective door closing for each door of the vehicle, a central locking device comprising an electric servomotor in the individual door closings of the vehicle. , a command and control circuit for actuating and monitoring the central locking device, which works with control information and receives monitoring information and which also has the following characteristics:
the command and control circuit comprises a bus system for the transmission of information,
the bus system works on multiplex system elements which are respectively mounted in the individual door closings of the motor vehicle,
a microcontroller, an engine control stage and control sensors for each door closing of the motor vehicle form part of the command and control circuit, which are mounted in the individual closings of the doors of the vehicle, and in fact in the circuit behind the multiplex system element,
the multiplex system element, the microcontroller and the motor control stage of each door closing of the vehicle are mounted on a common printed circuit board which is mounted in the door closing of the vehicle,
the printed circuit board being encapsulated in a dust and moisture tight manner.

 The term "bus" designates within the framework of the invention a connection conductor for the signals, which represent information, in digital technique. The bus connects the individual components of an information processing system. In general, a difference is made between the data bus, the address bus and the control bus. The data bus is used for the exchange of data, for example measurement data. The address bus and the control bus are used for the transmission of control and interrupt signals. A bus is therefore characterized by the fact that all the components are connected to the bus (unlike the arrangement of wires or the conventional wiring described in the preamble and being in the form of "point to point" connections). The conductors are generally bidirectional. This means that signals pass through the bus in several directions and that several active elements can be on the bus, each active element being able to trigger a data circulation.

The advantage of bus systems is that flexible components can be connected to them. The power capacity of a bus system is highly dependent on the speed of data transmission. If several active elements are connected to the bus, a priority command must be established to take them over. A bus system is a system of bus conductors, these being defined by the number and function of the individual conductors. The conditions for joining the devices and components to be connected depend on the definition of the bus system. A bus conductor is a system with one or more lines of control conductors to which several devices or stations are connected within a local network. News or order information is exchanged by multiplexing. For the implementation of multiplexing, the input channels are interrogated one after the other and connected one after the other over time to the transmission channel. In the receiver, the same explorer device and operating synchronously must distribute the signals to the associated outputs. A multiplex circuit contains the elements necessary for exploring the input channels and bringing them together in a bundle. These elements are, for example, controlled switches or modulators. In the multiplex system, the input channels are characterized by an address and are therefore likely to be combined. Their bundling consists of the additive gathering of the addressed signals of all the input channels into a bundle of signals proper. The address decoder screens the associated signals in the receiver and only separates from the beam that part of the signals which corresponds to their address. The input channels are therefore again available at the output of the multiplex system
The invention is based on the known fact that the measures described in the foregoing and known in electronics considerably simplify the locking system of a motor vehicle so that the electrical control and monitoring of the locking system can be implemented with few sons. The simplification goes far enough according to the invention for the printed circuit board to be mounted in the control element of the central locking device or in the door closure of the motor vehicle. In both cases, the printed circuit board is further protected. The control elements of the central locking installation or of the boxes for the door closings of the vehicle can also be formed in the form of dust and moisture-proof capsules, and can thus fulfill a double function. It goes without saying that in the locking system of the invention for a motor vehicle, the orders, such as locking, unlocking, additional anti-theft locking, deactivation of the anti-theft locking and possibly other , are transmitted via a key or a mechanical or electronic circuit.

 In more detail and within the framework of the invention, there are several possibilities for completing the construction and arrangement of the closure system.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bus system is constituted in the form of a one-wire bus system operating digitally with bits with pulse width modulation.

A preferred embodiment of the invention which can be used for most motor vehicle locking systems is characterized in that the elements of the multiplex system include three inputs (bus input, energy input, activation input ground) as well as a multiplicity of outputs depending on the internal circuit of the vehicle door closing device (for example for the central locking switch, the internal locking switch, the key actuation switch, the sensors control). In general, eight outputs are sufficient, three for addresses and five for the various functions. With the closure system according to the invention, it is advantageous for the control sensors to be constituted by sensors operating without contact, for example sensors
Hall, which work on the basis of the known Hall effect
Although according to the invention the printed circuit board is mounted in a vehicle door closure or in a control element of the central locking device, it is advantageous to further coat the printed circuit board in a sealed capsule dust and moisture, from which the conductors come out, which are also protected against dust and moisture.

 Locking systems are known which work with vehicle door closings of the "closed housing constitution" type, from which only the external actuating lever, an internal actuating rod, an internal safety rod and fittings for electrical cables. In the second embodiment described above and in such a closed housing closure system, the printed circuit board which can be encapsulated in the manner described is mounted in the closed housing and therefore additionally protected (see DE 35 26 501 C2).

The invention will now be described in more detail in the following by means of a single embodiment shown in the drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a diagram of a closure system according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a view on a substantially larger scale than that of Figure 1 of a vehicle door closure constituted according to the embodiment of the closure of Figure 1 and according to claim 1, with partial cutaway;
Figure 3 is a view on a substantially larger scale than that of Figure 1 of a motor vehicle door closure comprising the closure system of Figure 1 and the embodiment according to claim 2, with partial cutaway; and
4 shows the printed circuit board comprising the elements of Figures 2 and 3, with their functional elements.

 The closure system shown in FIG. 1 is intended for a motor vehicle. The vehicle can be fitted with a driver door 1, a door 2 for the passenger seated next to it, a left rear door 3 and a right rear door 4. In each of these doors 1 to 4 a motor vehicle door closure is provided 5. The door closings 5 comprise a central locking system comprising an electric servomotor 6 in each of the individual door closings 5. In addition, a command and control circuit is provided electric 7 for actuation and monitoring of the central locking device, which works with control information and receives monitoring information from the door closings 5 of the vehicle. On the diagram of FIG. 1, it has been indicated that it was possible to send in the closing system and by means of an electronic key 8 the control orders such as the activation of locking, unlocking, of the anti-theft device, deactivation of the anti-theft device, either by high frequency HF or by infrared IR.

 It can also be seen in FIG. 1 that the command and control circuit 7 comprises for the transmission of information 9 a bus system. The bus is a component known per se, in the form of a single-wire bus from which leave individual wires 10 going to the door closings 5 of the vehicle or to the control elements 6 of the individual doors 1 to 4 The control elements 6 are constituted for example by a motor and gears, and optionally include sensors.

 In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the bus system 9 acts on elements 11 of a multiplex system, each of which is mounted respectively in the individual control elements 6. An element 11 of this multiplex system is shown. see in Figure 4 its overall constitution with its functional elements. Figure 4 shows that a microcontroller 12, a motor control stage 13 and control sensors 14 are part of the command and control circuit, which are arranged in the circuit behind the multiplex system element 11.

 In the embodiment of Figure 3, the bus system 9 acts on multiplex system elements 11 which are respectively mounted in the individual door closings 5 of the vehicle. Such a multiplex system element 11 has been shown again. We can see in Figure 4 its overall constitution with the functional elements which have already been described previously.

 After comparing Figures 2 and 3 on the one hand and Figure 4 on the other hand, it can be seen that the multiplex system element 11, the microcontroller 12 and the motor control stage 13 of each control element 6 are mounted on a common printed circuit board 15 which is mounted in the control element 6 or in the door closure of a motor vehicle 5. The printed circuit board 15 on which the circuit components are mounted is encapsulated impervious to dust and humidity. It has been shown in Figure 1 that the bus system 9 which is a digitally operating one wire system is designed to operate with pulse width modulated bits. The multiplex system elements 11 are provided in this example with three inputs 16, namely the bus input, the energy input and the grounding input. The multiplex system elements 11 comprise, depending on the internal switches, vehicle door closings 5 or control elements 6, a plurality of outputs, for example for the central locking switch, the internal locking switch, the actuation switch key and control sensors. In this embodiment, eight outputs 17 are provided, three for the addresses and five for the various functions. The control sensors 14 which are shown in FIG. 2 are constituted in the form of sensors operating without contact and which can therefore be integrated without problems into the electronic circuit. The printed circuit board 15 can be coated in a dust-tight and moisture-proof capsule 18. The control element 6 is a particular component. It is separated by its housing from the vehicle door closure 5 and is simply functionally connected to the latter. However, this control element 6 could also be incorporated into the vehicle door closure 5. As regards the vehicle door closure 5 which is shown, it may be a vehicle door closure of the type " closed housing "(see DE 35 26 501 C2), the printed circuit board 15 being mounted in the closed housing 19 and therefore protected. It can also be encapsulated as described.

Claims (7)

CLAIMS 1. Locking system for a motor vehicle comprising a closure for each door (14) of the vehicle, a central locking device comprising electrical control elements (6) each of which is respectively associated with a door closure (5) of the motor vehicle, and an electrical control and monitoring circuit (7) for actuating and monitoring the central locking device, which works with control information and receives monitoring information, characterized in that 1.1) the circuit command and control (7) comprises a bus system (9) for the transmission of information, 1.2) the bus system works on elements of multiplex system (it) each of which is arranged in the control elements (6) 1.3), a microcontroller (12), a motor control stage (13) and control sensors (14) which are part of the control and control are mounted in the circuit at the rear of the multiplex system element. (11),  1.4) the multiplex system element, the microcontroller and the motor control stage are arranged for each door closing of the vehicle on a common printed circuit board (15) which is mounted in the control element,  the printed circuit board being encapsulated in a dust and moisture tight manner (18).  2. Locking system for a motor vehicle comprising a closure for each door (14) of the vehicle, a central locking device comprising an electric servomotor (6) in the individual door closings (5) of the vehicle, a control and control (7) for actuating and monitoring the central locking device, which works with control information and receives monitoring information, characterized in that  2.1) the command and control circuit (7) comprises a bus system (9) for the transmission of information,  2.2) the bus system works on multiplex system elements (11), which are respectively mounted in the individual door closings (5) of the motor vehicle,  2.3) a microcontroller (12), an engine control stage (13) and control sensors (14) for each door closing of the motor vehicle form part of the command and control circuit, which are mounted in the individual closings vehicle doors, and actually in the circuit behind the multiplex system element,  2.4) the multiplex system element, the microcontroller and the motor control stage of each vehicle door closure are mounted on a common printed circuit board (15) which is mounted in the vehicle door closure,  the printed circuit board being encapsulated in a dust and moisture tight manner (18).  3. Closure system according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the bus system is constituted in the form of a one-wire bus system operating digitally with bits with modulated pulse width.  4. Locking system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the elements of the multiplex system include three inputs (bus input, energy input, grounding input) as well as a plurality of outputs (17) depending on the internal circuit of the motor vehicle door closure, for example for the central locking switch, the internal locking switch, the key actuation switch, the control sensors.  5. Locking system according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the control sensors are constituted in the form of sensors operating without contact, for example in the form of Hall sensors.  6. Closure system according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the printed circuit boards are coated in a capsule which is dust and moisture proof.  7. Locking system according to one of claims 2 to 5 for a motor vehicle comprising door closings of the "closed housing" type, from which only the external actuation lever comes out, an internal actuation control rod, an internal safety control rod and the fittings for an electric cable, characterized in that the printed circuit board (15) is mounted in the closed housing (19).