Electronically controlled door latch device

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electronically controlled door latch device for a vehicle (17), wherein the device comprises an external device (2), a supercapacitor group (3), and a current limiter (4), wherein the supercapacitor group (3) is connected to the external device (2) via galvanic conduction through a current limiter (4) connected therein, and the supercapacitor group (3) can be charged with the main power supply provided by the main power source (5) of the vehicle (17) during normal operation, so that when the main power supply is unavailable, auxiliary power supply is provided to the external device (2) using the supercapacitor group (3) during backup operation, and the current limiter (4) is configured to cut off the current from the supercapacitor group (3) to the external device (2) at a predetermined current limit value, thereby maintaining the charge of the supercapacitor group (3). In this way, a simple, inexpensive, and reliable solution for supplying power to an electronically controlled door latch in long-term parking situations is provided.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronically controlled door latch device for a vehicle, wherein the device comprises an external device and a supercapacitor group, and the supercapacitor group is connected to the external device via galvanic conduction through a current limiter connected therebetween, and the supercapacitor group is capable of being charged with primary power supplied by the vehicle's main power source during normal operation, so that when the primary power supply is unavailable, auxiliary power is provided to the external device using the supercapacitor group during a backup operation.

[0002] The present invention also relates to the use of an electronically controlled door latch device in a vehicle door, a vehicle including an electronically controlled door latch device, and a method for operating an electronically controlled door latch device. Background Technology

[0003] In various automotive systems, a backup power supply must be provided to replace or supplement the vehicle's primary power supply in the event of its failure or interruption. This backup power supply is typically kept charged by the vehicle's primary power supply during normal operation so that it can be immediately utilized when necessary, such as in the event of a vehicle accident or collision.

[0004] As electronically controlled door latches, or eLatch for short, gradually replace purely mechanical door latches, the question of how to unlock doors in the absence of main or emergency power sources is a critical safety issue. In the absence of mechanical Bowden cables or levers for electronically controlled door latches, opening vehicle doors without power can become extremely difficult. This situation can occur after an accident or damage to the vehicle. These eLatches are often equipped with other devices, such as electronically operated door handles or additional control units (ECUs).

[0005] Furthermore, vehicle manufacturers are increasingly focusing on long-term parking situations where the electronic control unit directly manages the power supply to the eLatch and switches to a power-saving mode to conserve energy. At the current level of technology, supercapacitors are used as storage devices, providing reserve power for several days. In specific cases where the main power supply fails during prolonged non-operation, such as in long-term parking situations, supercapacitors can guarantee power supply to the eLatch for a certain period. However, a common problem with supercapacitors is their high discharge rate. Therefore, particularly in the event of a main power supply failure during the aforementioned long-term parking situation, the question arises as to how long the supercapacitor can supply power to the eLatch to ensure it remains operational even after prolonged parking. This is especially true when the eLatch is used in conjunction with the aforementioned devices, which operate solely electrically; power supply to these devices must be guaranteed even in the situations mentioned here, as, for instance, access to the vehicle can only be guaranteed in this manner. The problem to be solved

[0006] Therefore, the objective of the present invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive, and reliable solution for supplying power to an external device in long-term parking situations. means of solving the problem

[0007] The object of the present invention is achieved by the features of the independent claim. Preferred embodiments are described in detail in the dependent claim.

[0008] Accordingly, an electronically controlled door latch device for a vehicle is provided, the device comprising an external device, a supercapacitor group, and a current limiter, the supercapacitor group is connected to the external device via galvanic conduction through a current limiter connected therebetween, the supercapacitor group can be charged with primary power supplied by the vehicle's main power source during normal operation, so that when primary power is unavailable, auxiliary power is provided to the external device using the supercapacitor group during backup operation, and the current limiter is configured to cut off the current from the supercapacitor group to the external device at a predetermined current limit value, thereby maintaining the charge of the supercapacitor group.

[0009] Therefore, during normal operation, the external device is typically powered by the main power supply. The external device is then used to open or close the vehicle's doors. Finally, in the event of a failure in the main power supply or if the main power supply becomes unavailable, the supercapacitor group provides auxiliary power that can be used to operate in the absence of the main power supply. Since the supercapacitor group continuously loses charge, for example during long-term parking, this phenomenon is offset by a current limiter. A current limiter is an electronic circuit or device used to limit and control the flow of current in an electrical circuit. In this case, the current limiter is a component that monitors the current flowing in from the supercapacitor group to determine whether a predetermined current limit has been reached, and subsequently disconnects the galvanic connection between the supercapacitor group and the external device. However, if the predetermined current limit has not been reached, the current limiter delivers the auxiliary power provided by the supercapacitor group, allowing the external device to operate. In principle, various external devices can be provided in this manner. However, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the external device is an electronically operated door handle or an additional control device. The electronically operated door handle is designed not to be mechanically operated and is integrated, for example, in the door of a vehicle to be flush with the vehicle body, and thus must be powered via an auxiliary power supply in the event of a failure in the main power supply.

[0010] Therefore, an important aspect of the present invention is that a current limiter monitors the current flowing in from the supercapacitor group and, when a predetermined current limit value is exceeded, interrupts the galvanic conduction connection between the supercapacitor group and the electronically operated door latch, thereby maintaining the charge of the supercapacitor group. It is not necessary to reach the exact predetermined current limit value; rather, the predetermined current limit value provides a threshold value at which the galvanic conduction connection between the supercapacitor group and the external device is interrupted when that value is exceeded. By interrupting the galvanic conduction connection between the supercapacitor group and the external device, auxiliary power is maintained in the form of charge within the supercapacitor group, and consequently, the supercapacitor group is not discharged, and auxiliary power is provided to the external device in a backup operation state even during long-term parking situations.

[0011] In principle, a predetermined current limit value can be set in various ways. However, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined current limit value corresponds to the auxiliary supply power from the supercapacitor group. In this way, the predetermined current limit value is adjusted to match and take into account the available auxiliary supply power, so that complete discharge of the supercapacitor group cannot occur; instead, at least reserve power is maintained, and it is still guaranteed that sufficient power is supplied to the external device so that the external device can operate thereafter.

[0012] The discharge of a supercapacitor group can be blocked under various conditions. However, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the current limiter is configured to cut off the current only in a backup operating state. Accordingly, unnecessary interruption by the current limiter is prevented when there is already sufficient power to supply power to an external device through the main power supply.

[0013] Generally, the galvanic conduction connection between a supercapacitor group and an external device can be interrupted in various ways. However, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the electronically controlled door latch device further comprises a switch connected in a galvanic conduction manner between a current limiter and an external device, wherein the current limiter is connected to the switch for signal transmission, so that the switch interrupts the galvanic conduction connection between the supercapacitor group and the external device in response to a signal from the current limiter or the absence of a signal at a predetermined current limit value. The switch is a simple, inexpensive, and, above all, rapid switching component. Thus, the current limiter detects that the supercapacitor group is discharging, and when the current detected by the current limiter reaches or exceeds a predetermined current limit value, the switch and the current limiter are configured to interrupt this connection so that auxiliary supply power within the supercapacitor group is maintained.

[0014] According to a particularly preferred additional embodiment of the present invention, an electronically controlled door latch device comprises a field-effect transistor galvanically connected between a current limiter and an external device, wherein the source terminal of the field-effect transistor is galvanically connected to the current limiter, and the drain terminal of the field-effect transistor is galvanically connected to the external device, and the current limiter is connected to the gate terminal of the field-effect transistor to transmit a signal, and the current limiter is configured to transmit a signal when the current is below a predetermined current limit value so that the field-effect transistor conducts, and the current limiter is also configured to terminate signal transmission at a predetermined current limit value so that the galvanically conducted connection between the supercapacitor group and the external device is cut off.

[0015] Field-effect transistors are ideal for temporarily isolating a group of supercapacitors from an external device. When there is no corresponding signal from the current limiter, the field-effect transistor is no longer conducting and thus disconnects or terminates the connection. Conversely, if the power output from the supercapacitor group—that is, the auxiliary supply power or the associated current—drops below a predetermined current limit, a signal is re-established at the gate terminal of the field-effect transistor, allowing the external device to operate.

[0016] In principle, various switches may be used. However, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the switch is a flip-flop switch, and the flip-flop switch has a set terminal, a reset terminal, and an output terminal; the output terminal of the flip-flop switch is connected to the gate terminal of a field-effect transistor for signal transmission, and in a backup operating state, a signal is supplied to the set terminal of the flip-flop switch so that the field-effect transistor conducts, and a current limiter is connected to the reset terminal for signal transmission, and the current limiter is configured to trigger the reset terminal at a predetermined current limit value so that the galvanic conduction connection between the supercapacitor group and the external device is blocked.

[0017] The set / reset flip-flop switch has the advantage of enabling memory functionality. It is a type of bistable multivibrator that has two stable states, can switch between them, and maintains each state until changed by a control signal. The set / reset flip-flop has two input terminals that receive the following inputs: a set input (S) and a reset input (R). The state of the flip-flop changes according to the input signals. When the set signal is active (typically a logic "1" signal), the flip-flop is triggered into the "set" state, and the output is set to "1". When the reset signal is active (typically a logic "1" signal), the flip-flop is triggered into the "reset" state, and the output is set to "0". If both the set and reset signals are activated / triggered simultaneously, the flip-flop's output remains "0". If the reset terminal of the flip-flop switch is triggered by a current limiter, there is no signal at the gate terminal until the trigger at the reset terminal is terminated by the current limiter. This means that even if a trigger occurs at the set terminal while the supercapacitor group is still losing charge, the field-effect transistor remains in the cut-off state, and the galvanic conduction connection between the supercapacitor and the external device is blocked.

[0018] In principle, a supercapacitor group may have a continuous galvanic conduction connection with a current limiter. However, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an electronically controlled door latch device includes an additional field-effect transistor, and

[0019] The source terminal of the additional field-effect transistor is connected to the supercapacitor group via galvanic conduction, the drain terminal of the additional field-effect transistor is galvanically connected to a current limiter, and the gate terminal of the additional field-effect transistor is connected to the vehicle's main power supply so that the additional field-effect transistor conducts in a backup operating state. In this specification, "connected to the main power supply so that the additional field-effect transistor conducts in a backup operating state" means that the gate connection is connected to the main power supply so that a signal is applied to the gate of the additional field-effect transistor due to a transition to a backup operating state or a failure of the normal operating state, and as a result, the additional field-effect transistor conducts so that the supercapacitor group can supply auxiliary power to an external device.

[0020] The set terminal of a flip-flop switch can be triggered in various ways. However, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the electronically controlled door latch device further comprises a control unit, and the control unit is configured to trigger the set terminal of the flip-flop switch in a backup operating state. According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control unit is a microcontroller.

[0021] In this context, according to a further embodiment of the present invention, it is particularly preferable that a control unit is connected to the gate terminal of an additional field-effect transistor for signal transmission, and that the control unit is configured to conduct the additional field-effect transistor in a backup operating state. In this case, the supercapacitor group is galvanically connected to a current limiter only when a failure occurs in the main power supply. Accordingly, the supercapacitor group is protected as it undergoes fewer charge and discharge cycles.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control unit is configured to trigger the set terminal of a flip-flop switch when the galvanic conduction connection between the supercapacitor group and an external device is interrupted, and the control unit is also configured to output an error when the reset terminal of the flip-flop switch is repeatedly triggered by a current limiter. Typically, the control unit is turned off in a backup operating state because too much power is required to maintain the operating state. However, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit is turned on to trigger the set terminal of the flip-flop switch so that the supercapacitor group can supply auxiliary power to the external device.

[0023] The present invention also relates to using the aforementioned electronically controlled door latch device in a vehicle door.

[0024] The present invention also relates to a vehicle comprising the electronically controlled door latch device and the main power supply described above, wherein the main power supply is connected to a control unit so that the control unit can trigger the set terminal of a flip-flop switch and an additional field-effect transistor in a backup operating state. Accordingly, the control unit detects a failure in the main power supply and conducts the additional field-effect transistor.

[0025] The present invention also relates to a method for operating an electronically controlled door latch device of a vehicle, wherein the device comprises an external device, a supercapacitor group, and a current limiter, wherein the supercapacitor group is connected to the external device via galvanic conduction through a current limiter connected therebetween, and the supercapacitor group is capable of being charged with primary power supplied by the vehicle's main power source during normal operation, so that when the primary power supply is unavailable, auxiliary power is provided to the external device using the supercapacitor group during a backup operation, and comprises the following steps:

[0026] A step of cutting off the current from the supercapacitor group to an external device as soon as the current limiter detects a predetermined current limit value.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the step of cutting off the current is performed only in a backup operating state where the main supply power from the main power source is unavailable.

[0028] According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for operating an electronically controlled door latch device of a vehicle comprises the following additional steps:

[0029] A step of attempting to reconnect the supercapacitor group to an external device after the connection is disconnected; and

[0030] Step to output an error if the connection is blocked again after repeated attempts.

[0031] Further embodiments and advantages of the present method can be derived by those skilled in the art from the electronically operated door latch described above. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0032] These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent and will be explained by referring to the embodiments described below. In the drawing: FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an electronically controlled door latch device and a main power supply according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a vehicle including an electronically controlled door latch device and a main power supply according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0033] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an electronically controlled door latch device (1) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The electronically controlled door latch device (1) for a vehicle (17) illustrated in FIG. 2 has an external device (2) connected to the drain terminal (9) of a field-effect transistor (7). In this case, the external device (2) is an electronically operated door handle provided on the door (16) of the vehicle (17). The source terminal (8) of this field-effect transistor (7) is galvanically connected to a current limiter (4). The current limiter (4) is again galvanically connected to the gate terminal (8) of an additional field-effect transistor (15). A supercapacitor group (3) is connected to the source terminal (8) of another field-effect transistor (15) through a voltage regulator (18) placed between them. In this case, the main power supply (5), which consists of the vehicle battery of the vehicle (17) of FIG. 2, is connected to the gate terminal (10) of the control unit (14) and the additional field effect transistor (15) for signal transmission. When a failure occurs in the main power supply (5) of the vehicle (17), the electronically controlled door latch device (1) switches from a normal operating state to a backup operating state. A signal is present at the gate terminal (10) of the additional field effect transistor (15), causing the additional field effect transistor (15) to conduct and the supercapacitor group (3) to provide auxiliary power to the external device (2).

[0034] This is made possible by the control unit (14) operating the set terminal (11) of the flip-flop switch (6), thereby causing the switch (6) to output a corresponding signal at the output terminal (13), and this signal then being present at the gate terminal (10) of the field-effect transistor (7), causing the field-effect transistor (7) to conduct. Now, when the current limiter (4) detects that the current from the supercapacitor group (3) exceeds a predetermined current limit value, the current limiter (4) outputs a signal to the reset terminal (12) of the flip-flop switch (6), and as a result, no further signal is output from the output terminal (13), and accordingly, the field-effect transistor (7) blocks the galvanic conduction connection between the current limiter (4) and the external device (2), and the charge of the supercapacitor group (3) is maintained.

[0035] Although the present invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the foregoing description, such illustrations and descriptions are to be considered illustrative or for illustrative purposes only and not restrictive, and the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations of the disclosed embodiments may be understood and implemented by a person skilled in the art by reviewing the drawings, the disclosures, and the appended claims in carrying out the claimed invention. In the claims, the term "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and the indefinite articles "a" or "an" do not exclude the plural. The mere fact that specific means are described in different dependent claims does not mean that a combination of such means cannot be used advantageously. No reference numerals in the claims should be interpreted as limiting the scope. Explanation of the symbols

[0036] 1: Electronically controlled door latch device 2: External device 3: Supercapacitor Group 4: Current limiter 5: Main power supply 6: Switch / Flip-flop switch 7: Field-effect transistor 8: Source terminal 9: Drain terminal 10: Gate terminal 11: Set terminal 12: Reset terminal 13: Output terminal 14: Control Unit 15: Additional Field-Effect Transistor 16: Door 17: Vehicle 18: Voltage Regulator

Claims

Claim 1 An electronically controlled door latch device (1) for a vehicle (17) comprises an external device (2), a supercapacitor group (3), and a current limiter (4), wherein the supercapacitor group (3) is connected to the external device (2) via galvanic conduction through the current limiter (4) connected therebetween, and the supercapacitor group (3) can be charged with the main power supply provided by the main power source (5) of the vehicle (17) during normal operation, so that when the main power supply is unavailable, auxiliary power is provided to the external device (2) using the supercapacitor group (3) during backup operation, and the current limiter (4) is configured to cut off the current from the supercapacitor group (3) to the external device (2) at a predetermined current limit value, thereby maintaining the charge of the supercapacitor group (3). Claim 2 In the prior claim, the predetermined current limit value corresponds to the auxiliary supply power from the supercapacitor group (3) in the electronically controlled door latch device (1). Claim 3 In any one of the prior claims, the current limiter (4) is configured to cut off the current only in the backup operating state, an electronically controlled door latch device (1). Claim 4 An electronically controlled door latch device (1) comprising, in any one of the prior claims, a switch (6) connected in a galvanic conduction manner between the current limiter (4) and the external device (2), wherein the current limiter (4) is connected to the switch (6) for signal transmission, and the switch (6) blocks the galvanic conduction connection between the supercapacitor group (3) and the external device (2) in response to a signal from the current limiter (4) or the absence of a signal at the predetermined current limit value. Claim 5 An electronically controlled door latch device (1) comprising, in any one of the prior claims, a field-effect transistor (7) galvanically connected between the current limiter (4) and the external device (2), wherein the source terminal (8) of the field-effect transistor (7) is galvanically connected to the current limiter (4), and the drain terminal (9) of the field-effect transistor (7) is galvanically connected to the external device (2), and the current limiter (4) is connected to the gate terminal (10) of the field-effect transistor (7) to transmit the signal, and the current limiter (4) is configured to transmit the signal when the current is less than the predetermined current limit value so that the field-effect transistor (7) conducts, and the current limiter (4) is also configured to terminate the signal transmission at the predetermined current limit value so that the galvanically connected connection between the supercapacitor group (3) and the external device (2) is cut off. Claim 6 An electronically controlled door latch device (1) comprising, in the prior claim, a flip-flop switch (6), wherein the flip-flop switch (6) has a set terminal (11), a reset terminal (12) and an output terminal (13), wherein the output terminal (13) of the flip-flop switch (6) is connected to the gate terminal (10) of the field-effect transistor (7) for signal transmission, wherein in the backup operating state, a signal is supplied to the set terminal (11) of the flip-flop switch (7) so that the field-effect transistor (7) conducts, wherein the current limiter (4) is connected to the reset terminal (12) for signal transmission, and wherein the current limiter (4) is configured to trigger the reset terminal (12) at the predetermined current limit value so as to block the galvanic conduction connection between the supercapacitor group (3) and the external device (2). Claim 7 An electronically controlled door latch device (1) comprising, in any one of the prior claims, an additional field effect transistor (15), wherein the source terminal (8) of the additional field effect transistor (15) is galvanically connected to the supercapacitor group (3), the drain terminal (9) of the additional field effect transistor (15) is galvanically connected to the current limiter (4), and the gate terminal (10) of the additional field effect transistor (15) is connected to the main power supply (5) of the vehicle (17) so that the additional field effect transistor (15) conducts in the backup operating state. Claim 8 An electronically controlled door latch device (1) according to claim 6 or 7, comprising a control unit (14), wherein the control unit (14) is configured to trigger the set terminal (11) of the flip-flop switch (6) in the backup operating state. Claim 9 In the prior claim, the control unit (14) is connected to the gate terminal (10) of the additional field effect transistor (15) for signal transmission, and the control unit (14) is configured to conduct the additional field effect transistor (15) in the backup operating state, an electronically controlled door latch device (1). Claim 10 An electronically controlled door latch device (1) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the control unit (14) is configured to trigger the set terminal (11) of the flip-flop switch (6) when the galvanic conduction connection between the supercapacitor group (3) and the external device (2) is interrupted, and the control unit (14) is also configured to output an error when the reset terminal (12) of the flip-flop switch (6) is repeatedly triggered by the current limiter (4). Claim 11 Use of an electronically controlled door latch device (1) according to any one of the prior claims in the door (16) of a vehicle (17). Claim 12 A vehicle (17) comprising an electronically controlled door latch device (1) and a main power supply (5) according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the main power supply (5) is connected to the control unit (14), and the control unit (14) can trigger the set terminal (11) of the flip-flop switch (6) and the additional field-effect transistor (17) in the backup operating state. Claim 13 A method for operating an electronically controlled door latch device (1) of a vehicle (17), wherein the device comprises an external device (2), a supercapacitor group (3), and a current limiter (4), wherein the supercapacitor group (3) is connected to the external device (2) via galvanic conduction through the current limiter (4) connected therebetween, wherein the supercapacitor group (3) can be charged with a main supply power provided by the main power source (5) of the vehicle (17) during normal operation, so that when the main supply power is unavailable, auxiliary supply power is provided to the external device (2) using the supercapacitor group (3) during backup operation, and wherein the current limiter (4) immediately cuts off the current from the supercapacitor group (3) to the external device (2) as soon as it detects a predetermined current limit value. Claim 14 In the previous claim, the step of cutting off the current is performed only in the backup operating state where the main supply power from the main power source (5) is unavailable. Claim 15 A method comprising, in claim 13 or 14, the following additional steps: attempting to reconnect the supercapacitor group (3) to the external device (2) after the connection is cut off; and outputting an error if the connection is cut off again after repeated attempts.

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