MOTOR VEHICLE LOCK, ESPECIALLY ELECTRIC LOCK

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock, in particular an electric lock, with a locking mechanism consisting essentially of a rotary latch and a pawl, furthermore with an electric motor opening drive for the locking mechanism, and with an energy storage device for emergency power supply to the opening drive and thus for emergency opening of the locking mechanism in emergency operation.

[0002] Motor vehicle locks, and especially electric locks, are characterized by the fact that they offer the user a particularly convenient experience when opening a corresponding motor vehicle door. The motor vehicle door can generally be a side door, but also a tailgate, a fuel tank flap, a loading flap, etc. The opening process is usually initiated by a remote control or by the operator activating a sensor or switch. This can be located, for example, on or in an outside door handle.

[0003] In a motor vehicle lock, and in particular an electric lock, as disclosed in this context in DE 10 2019 128 296 A1, a so-called mechanical redundancy is implemented in addition to the electromotive opening drive. This mechanical redundancy enables a mechanical coupling for manually lifting the locking pawl, for example, in order to be able to open the associated motor vehicle door in emergency operation in the event of an electrical power failure. The mechanical redundancy is implemented and implemented at this point by providing a coupling element, whereby the actuator implemented at this point can be connected to the said coupling element using a Bowden cable. Internal and / or external actuation can then be implemented via the Bowden cable, particularly in emergency operation.

[0004] In this context, the generic prior art according to DE 10 2019 126 570 A1 provides a drive arrangement for a motor vehicle lock, which is equipped with a main drive operating on an actuating lever mechanism. Furthermore, an auxiliary drive is implemented for emergency unlocking or emergency opening of a locking mechanism. The auxiliary drive is designed as a component of an auxiliary module that is mechanically connected to the motor vehicle door lock and functionally independent. The auxiliary module, in turn, can be equipped with an energy source or auxiliary energy source. This can be an accumulator, one or more capacitors, or combinations thereof.

[0005] Furthermore, an electric lock with the features of the preamble of claim 1 is known from WO 2004 / 040089.

[0006] The entire state of the art has proven itself fundamentally successful when it comes to realizing and implementing emergency operation of the motor vehicle lock for emergency opening of the locking mechanism. However, the state of the art relies on mechanical redundancy as described in DE 10 2019 128 296 A1 and an auxiliary drive as described in the generic DE 10 2019 126 570 A1. In both cases, this requires additional devices, mechanical connections, etc. As a result, the design is complex and, in some cases, bulky. The invention aims to remedy this situation.

[0007] The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a motor vehicle lock, and in particular an electric lock, in such a way that the design effort is reduced and a particularly compact design is achieved. In the generic motor vehicle lock, the locking mechanism is held in its "open" state by means of the opening drive during emergency operation as well as during or following an opening process or during or following an emergency opening. The "open" state of the locking mechanism is maintained until a mechanical and / or electronic reset.

[0008] To solve this technical problem, a generic motor vehicle lock and in particular an electric lock is characterized in the context of the invention in that the electronic reset is carried out by querying at least one sensor.

[0009] The invention therefore fundamentally operates in such a way that emergency operation corresponds to the locking mechanism assuming its open state during or following an emergency opening and maintaining this open state. This is generally ensured in emergency operation by the energy storage device for emergency powering the opening drive. This is because in emergency operation, the main energy source used in normal operation to power the electric motor opening drive, for example, a battery in the vehicle, has usually failed or does not provide sufficient power to move the electric motor opening drive. In emergency operation, this is ensured by the energy storage device, which is designed independently of the main energy source.

[0010] This is usually done in such a way that the locking mechanism is held in the "open" state during or following a first emergency opening or opening process. This means that as soon as the vehicle or an associated control device or control unit switches to emergency mode, a first opening process and thus the first emergency opening results in the opening drive being supplied with emergency power using the energy storage device, thereby transferring the locking mechanism to its "open" position. The locking mechanism is then (permanently) held in this "open" state.

[0011] In fact, emergency operation can occur, for example, when a motor vehicle has been parked for an extended period of time and the voltage of the vehicle's main power source has dropped so low that it is no longer able to power the electric motor opening drive for the locking mechanism. With the help of the control unit mentioned above, the system switches to emergency operation in such a case, for example when the operating voltage provided by the main power source falls below the level specified. This means that the locking mechanism remains closed and unchanged when the vehicle is parked. Emergency opening is only initiated when a user in emergency operation attempts to open a motor vehicle door belonging to the vehicle lock, for example by activating a sensor or remote control.

[0012] It goes without saying that in emergency operation, the sensor in question, as well as an optimal transmitting / receiving unit, are usually powered by the energy storage device or additionally by the main energy source in order to be able to detect the operator's opening request in emergency operation. In either case, a first emergency opening following the operator's opening request or a first opening process (after initiating emergency operation) results in the opening drive being supplied with emergency power by means of the energy storage device. This enables the opening drive to transfer the locking mechanism to its "open" state. This generally corresponds to the electromotive opening drive acting on the pawl and distancing it from the rotary latch. This means that the "open" state of the locking mechanism corresponds overall to the release of the rotary latch by means of the opening drive, which is supplied with emergency power by the energy storage device in emergency operation.

[0013] This spaced position of the pawl is generally maintained until a mechanical and / or electronic reset occurs. The same applies to the "open" state of the locking mechanism. A mechanical reset means that the locking mechanism is mechanically returned to its closed state, or in this specific example, the pawl is reattached to the rotary latch. This allows the associated vehicle door to be subsequently closed without any problems because, for example, a locking bolt on the body side can then be caught by the rotary latch and secured by the pawl, which is then free (from the opening drive), through a locking engagement with the rotary latch.

[0014] According to the invention, an electronic reset is used to cancel the "open" state of the locking mechanism and, specifically, to actuate the opening drive in the opposite direction so that it no longer holds the pawl in its spaced-apart position relative to the rotary latch. As a result, the pawl can then easily re-engage the rotary latch as soon as it has caught the locking bolt. This means that upon reset, the locking mechanism returns to its closed basic position.

[0015] The electronic reset is usually performed by querying at least one sensor. It is particularly advantageous to perform a reset by activating two sensors to prevent incorrect operation or tampering. The reset usually involves a predefined sequence of activation of the two sensors.

[0016] This not only ensures flawless emergency opening of the locking mechanism, but also achieves this entirely without mechanical redundancy or even an auxiliary drive, as is the case with the state of the art. This means that the design effort is significantly reduced compared to previous approaches. At the same time, the elimination of additional components ensures cost reduction and weight optimization.

[0017] In addition, because the locking mechanism remains in the "open" state until reset, a user or operator can no longer close the corresponding vehicle door after the emergency opening or initial emergency opening. This then leads to the user or operator being intuitively informed of the emergency operation immediately due to this phenomenon and thus being able to initiate any necessary countermeasures, such as calling a towing service. Furthermore, the operator or user is encouraged or forced to deal with this in order to be able to cancel the "open" state and close the vehicle door. This requires them to consult, for example, a manual, an app, or somewhere else, or to have to look up how to perform the electronic reset in the example case in order to be able to close the vehicle in question again.This requires special attention and immediate action by the user to restart the vehicle or recharge the main power source. All of this is accomplished without any additional information or warnings simply because the lock remains in the "open" state until reset.

[0018] A further advantage is that the energy storage device only has to provide for at least the first and one second emergency opening. This is because at least the second emergency opening is regularly required in order to be able to open the motor vehicle subsequently for repair purposes. This means that a relatively small energy storage device can be used and the motor vehicle lock described according to the invention also works if the energy storage device itself has a low charge level (for example due to its age). As a result, capacitors or so-called supercapacitors can advantageously be used as energy storage devices because generally only a limited number of actuations or emergency actuations are necessary (at least two emergency actuations). Of course, the energy storage device can also be in the form of a battery or a combination of a capacitor orSupercapacitor with a battery can be designed as several capacitors, several batteries, etc.

[0019] The sensor mentioned above for implementing the electronic reset is usually a door operating switch. The operating sequence typically implemented in this context corresponds, for example, to an interior door handle and an exterior door handle having to be operated simultaneously to implement the electronic reset and to control the electromotive opening drive in such a way that, in the example case, it no longer holds the pawl in the "open" position of the locking mechanism at a distance from the rotary latch. Of course, other operating sequences or operating patterns are also conceivable. For example, a specific sequence of operations can be implemented in the event that only one sensor or door operating switch is used. In either case, this is only used in emergency mode, thus eliminating any possible operating errors during normal operation.Furthermore, even in emergency operation, it is necessary for the operator or user wishing to access the vehicle to authorize themselves to the vehicle, for example by conducting a question / answer dialogue with the vehicle or by the user simply having the (remote control) key that guarantees access.

[0020] The result is a motor vehicle lock, and in particular an electric lock, which for the first time and fundamentally makes it possible to completely dispense with mechanical redundancy or even an auxiliary drive. All of this is achieved without compromising security in any way. Rather, emergency operation is directly linked to the user or operator being intuitively informed of this. This applies both in the case where the associated motor vehicle switches from normal operation to emergency operation while locked or closed. Likewise, problem-free emergency opening is achieved in the event that the motor vehicle switches to emergency operation while the door is already open or even during the opening process.In any case, the invention ensures that, in emergency operation, the locking mechanism is held in its "open" state by means of the electric motor-driven opening drive until it is reset. This is where the key advantages lie.

[0021] In the following, the invention is explained in more detail with reference to a drawing which merely represents an embodiment; the only Fig. 1 shows a motor vehicle lock according to the invention in its essential features for the invention.

[0022] In the Fig. 1A motor vehicle lock is shown, which according to the exemplary embodiment is a motor vehicle door lock. The motor vehicle door lock is designed as an electric lock, i.e., in normal operation, it can only be opened electrically and not mechanically. For this purpose, the motor vehicle lock shown has a locking mechanism 1, 2 consisting essentially of a rotary latch 1 and a pawl 2. In addition, an electric motor-driven opening drive 3 is provided for the locking mechanism 1, 2. Furthermore, an energy storage device 4 for emergency power supply to the opening drive 3 and a control unit 5 can be seen, with the aid of which the electric motor-driven opening drive 3 is controlled and which can also, for example, Fig. 1 indicated main energy source 6 is monitored. The main energy source 6 is located inside a motor vehicle body and is designed as an accumulator.

[0023] If the control unit 5, which is usually also provided on the motor vehicle side, detects, for example, a drop in the electrical voltage provided by the main energy source 6, such that the electric motor-driven opening drive 3 can no longer be powered by the main energy source 6 during normal operation, the control unit 5 switches to emergency operation. In emergency operation, the opening drive 3 is supplied with emergency power using the energy storage device 4 to open the locking mechanism 1, 2 in an emergency.

[0024] The energy storage device 4 can advantageously be one or more capacitors, so-called supercapacitors. These can typically be placed in a space-saving manner inside a lock housing 7 (only indicated) that houses the locking mechanism 1, 2 and the electromotive opening drive 3. If emergency operation occurs, the energy storage device 4 ensures that the locking mechanism 1, 2 is kept in its "open" state by supplying emergency power to the opening drive 3 and thus opening the locking mechanism 1, 2 in emergency operation. This applies at least following an opening process initiated by an operator.

[0025] This opening process is usually initiated by the operator actuating a door actuation switch 8, 9. According to the exemplary embodiment, two door actuation switches 8, 9 are implemented, namely an interior door actuation switch 8 and an exterior door actuation switch 9. The opening process is usually initiated by the operator actuating the exterior door actuation switch 9. This applies both in normal operation and in emergency operation.

[0026] The actuation of the external door actuation switch 9 is detected by the control unit 5 and results in the control unit 5 sending a command to the electromotive opening drive 3 so that it opens the locking mechanism 1, 2. In the example shown, this corresponds to the fact that the opening drive 3, via a worm gear on the output side and actuated in a clockwise direction with actuating pin, acts on the pawl 2, which can be pivoted about an axis 2a, at its end remote from the rotary latch, so that the pawl 2, starting from the illustration, after the Fig. 1 counterclockwise and is thereby spaced from the rotary latch 1. At the same time, the Fig. 1The indicated process for lifting the pawl 2 with the aid of the opening drive 3 ensures that the rotary latch 1 is released. This corresponds to a clockwise movement of the rotary latch 1 about its axis 1a, so that a locking bolt 10 previously captured by the locking mechanism 1, 2 is released and the associated motor vehicle door can be opened.

[0027] In emergency operation and following the described opening process, the opening drive 3, powered by the energy storage device 4, ensures that the locking mechanism 1, 2 not only assumes its "open" state, but is also held in this "open" state by the opening drive 3 until a reset occurs. This is ensured by the control unit 5, which detects the emergency operation and actuates the opening drive 3 accordingly. According to the exemplary embodiment, an electronic reset is implemented. During this reset, the locking mechanism 1, 2 returns to its closed basic position. For this purpose, the opening drive 3 is powered by the control unit 5 and supplied by the energy storage device 4 in such a way that the pawl 2 is no longer held at a distance from the rotary latch 1. Rather, the opening drive 3 releases the pawl 2 so that it can, for example, spring-assistedly return to its Fig. 1As soon as the locking bolt 10, in this position of the pawl 2 in contact with the rotary latch 1, moves into the opened rotary latch 1 and pivots it counterclockwise during a closing process, the pawl 2 can then fall back into its locking position as shown in the Fig. 1 is shown.

[0028] According to the invention, the electronic reset and the release of the locking pawl 2 are initiated by querying at least one sensor 8, 9. The sensor 8, 9 is the two door operating switches 8, 9. This means that the actuation of these two sensors 8, 9 or the door operating switches 8, 9 corresponds to the electronic reset. This is initiated when a predetermined actuation sequence of the two sensors 8, 9 or the door operating switches 8, 9 is observed.

[0029] According to the exemplary embodiment, this actuation sequence corresponds to the fact that both the interior door actuation switch 8 and the exterior door actuation switch 9 are actuated simultaneously. As a result, the control unit 5 sends a signal to the electromotive opening drive 3 so that it releases the locking pawl 2 so that the locking pawl 2 can move from its raised position into the closed position as shown in the Fig. 1 can return with spring support. The vehicle door equipped with the illustrated vehicle lock or vehicle door lock can now be closed again.

[0030] To open the respective vehicle door, the opening process must be initiated by the operator, resulting in the described emergency opening in emergency mode. Following this, another electronic reset is required. This means that in emergency mode, each door opening requires a subsequent electronic reset. This immediately alerts the operator to the emergency mode, as they cannot close the respective vehicle door with the associated vehicle lock until the described operating sequence has been completed.

[0031] Since operators are generally unfamiliar with this sequence of operations and must first consult a manual or app, for example, they are clearly informed of the emergency operation and made aware of it. At the same time, this process serves as a starting point for any repair work. This represents the key advantage. List of reference symbols

[0032] 1 Rotary latch 1a Axis 1, 2 Locking mechanism 2 Pawl 2a Axis 3 Opening drive 4 Energy storage 5 Control unit 6 Main energy source 7 Lock housing 8 Interior door operating switch 8, 9 Door operating switch, sensor 9 Exterior door operating switch 10 Locking bolt

Claims

1. Motor vehicle latch, in particular an electric latch, comprising a locking mechanism (1, 2) consisting substantially of a catch (1) and a pawl (2), further comprising an electromotive opening drive (3) for the locking mechanism (1, 2), and comprising an energy storage unit (4) for emergency power supply of the opening drive (3) and thus for emergency opening of the locking mechanism (1, 2) in emergency operation, the locking mechanism (1, 2) being held in its "open" state by means of the opening drive (3) in emergency operation and during or following an opening process, the "open" state of the locking mechanism (1, 2) being maintained until a mechanical and / or electronic reset, characterized in that the electronic reset is carried out by querying at least one sensor (8, 9).

2. Motor vehicle latch according to claim 1, characterized in that, during the reset, the locking mechanism (1, 2) returns to its closed starting position.

3. Motor vehicle latch according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the actuation of two sensors (8, 9) corresponds to the reset.

4. Motor vehicle latch according to claim 3, characterized in that the reset implies a predetermined actuation sequence of the two sensors (8, 9).

5. Motor vehicle latch according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each sensor (8, 9) is a door actuating switch (8, 9).

6. Motor vehicle latch according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the "open" state of the locking mechanism (1, 2) corresponds to the pawl (2) being acted upon, spaced apart from the catch (1) and released by means of the opening drive (3).

7. Motor vehicle latch according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the energy storage unit (4) is designed as a capacitor, in particular a supercapacitor, battery, or a combination of one or more of these storage elements.