Control arrangement for operating a motor vehicle lock

Abstract

The invention relates to a control arrangement for operating a motor vehicle lock (2), which has a lock latch (3) for retentive engagement with a locking part, at least one pawl (4) and an electric drive (7) for the pawl (4), wherein the control arrangement (1) is configured, when an operator event is detected, to control the drive (7) to effect an opening process in which the pawl (4) is moved into an opening state, in which the pawl (4) releases the lock latch (3), wherein the control arrangement (1) is configured, at the end of the opening process, to release the pawl (4) such that the pawl (4) can be brought into a blocking state in which the pawl (4) retains the lock latch (3), wherein the drive (7) can be operated in normal operation on the basis of a normal supply voltage of the motor vehicle (6), wherein the control arrangement (1) has an emergency supply (18) with an energy store, said emergency supply providing an emergency supply voltage for the drive (7) in emergency operation. It is proposed that the control arrangement (1) determines the amount of energy fed to the drive (7) in an opening process, and that, in emergency operation, the control arrangement (1) carries out a retaining process depending on the determined amount of energy, in which holding process the pawl (4) moved into the opening state is retained in the opening state.

Description

[0001] Control arrangement for the operation of a motor vehicle lock

[0002] The present invention relates to a control arrangement for the operation of a motor vehicle lock according to the preamble of claim 1, a motor vehicle locking system according to claim 9 and a method for the operation of a motor vehicle lock according to the preamble of claim 10.

[0003] The motor vehicle lock in question can be assigned to all types of locking elements of a motor vehicle. This includes, in particular, locking elements such as side doors, rear doors, tailgates, trunk lids, hoods, or the like. These locking elements can generally be designed as swing or sliding doors.

[0004] The known prior art (DE 10 2020 112 946 A1) from which the invention is based relates to the operation of a motor vehicle lock having a lock latch and a pawl as locking elements. The lock latch can be moved into a closed position in which it is in holding engagement with the locking part and in which it is fixed by the pawl. The motor vehicle lock is further equipped with an electric drive with which the pawl can be lifted out, so that the lock latch can be adjusted to its open position, releasing the locking part.

[0005] In order to meet the requirements for the safety of the power supply of such motor vehicle locks, the known control arrangement has an emergency power supply with an energy storage device, whereby the electrical power supply of the motor vehicle locking system is ensured via an emergency supply voltage even in emergency operation, in particular in the event of a failure of the on-board power supply.

[0006] Since the amount of energy that can be drawn from the energy storage device is limited, the known control system implements a check of the energy storage device's charge level. If the charge level is sufficient, the locking pawl is released after an opening operation, allowing the vehicle lock to be closed again. Otherwise, to prevent the vehicle lock from locking when the energy storage device is discharged, the locking pawl is held in the raised position by the drive.

[0007] The invention is based on the problem of designing and developing the known control arrangement in such a way that further optimization is achieved with regard to safety in emergency operation.

[0008] The above problem is solved by the features of claim 1.

[0009] The invention is based on the realization that the amount of energy required for a motorized opening process can vary considerably. Among other things, aging effects, dirt, wear, and the like of the motor vehicle lock and the locking element can lead to changes in the forces required to adjust the pawl. Emergency operation can also occur in the event of a motor vehicle accident, in which case deformation of the body can cause the locking element to jam and thus, in particular, lead to higher adjustment forces.

[0010] The key idea is that by monitoring the drive's activation, the amount of energy required for an opening process in a specific situation can be determined. The decision as to whether the locking pawl should be released after the opening process for further use of the vehicle lock or whether the locking pawl should instead be held in the open position can thus be made taking the given boundary conditions into account. Accordingly, increased safety is achieved during emergency operation based on the energy storage device. Locking the operator in a discharged energy storage device can be reliably prevented, while also optimally utilizing the available amount of energy to ensure the vehicle lock can be used as usual in emergency operation to the greatest extent possible.

[0011] In detail, it is proposed that the control arrangement determines the amount of energy supplied to the drive in an opening process and that the control arrangement, in emergency operation, carries out a holding process depending on the determined amount of energy, in which the pawl adjusted to the opening state is held in the opening state.

[0012] Advantageous embodiments of determining the amount of energy are specified in claims 2 and 3.

[0013] In general, according to claim 4, a holding process can be performed when the energy storage device falls below a minimum charge level determined based on the determined energy quantity, thereby preventing, in particular, the vehicle lock from being closed when the energy storage device is discharged. According to claim 5, the minimum charge level preferably corresponds to a previous opening, taking into account the determined energy quantity.

[0014] Likewise, according to claim 6, a predetermined number of opening operations can remain, whereby the motor vehicle lock can be reset, in particular for continued operation, mechanically or by a reset signal. The holding operation and the required reset also inform the operator that only a limited number of opening operations are still available based on the energy storage device.

[0015] In the embodiment according to claim 8, a holding process is provided if the determined energy quantity exceeds a predetermined limit, regardless of the charge level of the energy storage device. This situation can occur particularly if a locking element is deformed in a crash, thus further increasing the safety of the vehicle lock during operation.

[0016] According to a further teaching according to claim 9, which has independent significance, a motor vehicle locking system is claimed with a motor vehicle lock, which has a lock latch for the holding engagement with a locking part, at least one pawl, and an electric drive for the pawl, and with a proposed control arrangement. Reference may be made to all statements regarding the proposed control arrangement. According to a further teaching according to claim 10, which also has independent significance, a method for operating a motor vehicle lock is claimed. It is essential that the control arrangement determines the amount of energy supplied to the drive during an opening process, and that the control arrangement, in emergency operation, carries out a holding process depending on the determined amount of energy, in which the pawl, which has been adjusted to the open state, is held in the open state.Reference may be made to all statements relating to the proposed control arrangement and the proposed vehicle locking system.

[0017] In the following, the invention is explained in more detail with reference to a drawing which merely represents exemplary embodiments. In the drawing,

[0018] Fig. 1 shows a motor vehicle door with a motor vehicle lock having a proposed control arrangement in a respective perspective view and

[0019] Fig. 2 the motor vehicle lock in a schematic side view with the pawl a) in a locked state and b) in an open state.

[0020] The invention relates to a control arrangement 1 for the operation of a motor vehicle lock 2. The motor vehicle lock 2 is shown in Fig. 1 in a partially disassembled perspective view and is equipped with a pivoting lock latch 3 for the holding engagement with a locking part (not shown) and at least one pawl 4 assigned to the lock latch 3. The locking part can be a striker, a locking bolt or the like. For example, the motor vehicle lock 2 is arranged on the locking element 5, while the locking part is arranged fixedly on the body of the motor vehicle 6. The locking element 5 is shown in Fig. 1 as an example as a side door of the motor vehicle 6, although other designs of the locking element 5 are also possible, for which reference is made to the introductory explanations. The at least one pawl 4 here forms a pawl system and can be integrated in the manner shown in Fig.2a), in which the pawl system holds the lock latch 3 in a closed position. In principle, several closed positions can be provided, such as a main closed position and a pre-closed position. The locking state of the pawl system can be identical or different for the closed positions.

[0021] The control arrangement 1 is configured to control the drive 7 upon detection of an operating event to effect an opening process in which the pawl 4 is moved into an open state in which the pawl 4 releases the lock latch 3. The control arrangement 1 monitors the presence of the operating event, which can be provided, for example, by an operator action such as operating a door handle 8 or the like. The presence of the operating event can be transmitted to the control arrangement 1, for example, by an operating signal from a sensor, a button, or the like arranged on the door handle 8.

[0022] The drive 7 is used here to electrically open the vehicle lock

[0023] 2 and has an electric drive motor 9, which can be connected to the pawl system via a drive train 10 of the drive 7. Starting from the locked state shown in Fig. 2a), the drive 7 causes the pawl system to be adjusted to the open state. Due to the associated release of the lock latch 3, it is possible to open the locking element 5 by moving the locking part out of engagement with the lock latch 3. Fig. 2b) accordingly shows the open state of the pawl system, wherein the lock latch

[0024] 3 has already taken an open position here.

[0025] The control arrangement 1 is further configured to release the pawl 4 following the opening process, so that the pawl 4 can be brought into the locked state in which the pawl 4 holds the lock latch 3. To release the pawl 4, the control arrangement 1 can reset the drive train 10 by means of a motor, in particular by reversing the drive motor 9. A spring-loaded release of the pawl 4 is also conceivable, wherein the drive train 10 is returned via a return spring, for example, after the end of the activation of the drive motor 9.

[0026] Here, and preferably, the pawl 4 is preloaded toward the locked state. Upon release of the pawl 4, the pawl 4 is able to return to the locked state via the preload. Here, and preferably, the pawl 4, starting from Fig. 2b), rests on a peripheral surface of the lock latch 3 (not shown) after release. If the lock latch 3 is adjusted toward the closed position by inserting the locking part, the pawl 4 can again fall into the locked state due to the preload.

[0027] Various designs are conceivable for the design of the pawl system and the preload. Here, and preferably, the pawl system in the locked state forms a toggle lever mechanism with two legs 12 coupled via a toggle joint 11, wherein one of the legs 12, as a pawl 4, is in contact with the lock latch 3. The illustrated toggle lever mechanism has a first outer joint 13 and a second outer joint 14. In the embodiment shown in the drawing, the first outer joint is designed as a fixed bearing, while the second outer joint is designed as a floating bearing. In the present case, such a fixed bearing is preferably realized by the respective joint being secured to a component of the housing 15.

[0028] The toggle lever mechanism is preferably designed in the manner of a classic toggle lever, in which two legs 12 are coupled via a toggle joint 11, and the ends of each leg 12 can be connected via an external joint to further movable components, to a housing 15, or the like. Such a toggle lever can generate high gear ratios in the extended state. This toggle lever function is utilized here to lock the lock latch 3 in the closed state.

[0029] Preferably, in the pawl system shown here with the toggle lever mechanism, the pawl 4 is preloaded toward the locked state via a lever, which can also serve as a sensor lever 16 for a sensor query of the pawl position. The preload can be provided by a spring 17, which also serves to preload the lock latch 3.

[0030] The drive 7 can be operated in normal operation based on a standard supply voltage of the motor vehicle 6. The standard supply voltage used in normal operation is preferably provided by the central battery of the motor vehicle 6. The central battery is preferably the battery that provides the electrical energy required for starting the motor vehicle 6 and / or for driving the motor vehicle 6. Accordingly, normal operation is provided when the standard supply voltage is available for operating the drive 7.

[0031] The control arrangement 1 has an emergency supply 18 with an energy storage device, which provides an emergency supply voltage for the drive 7 in emergency operation. Emergency operation is intended for situations in which the normal supply voltage is insufficient to operate the drive 7 or at least there is a risk of failure of the normal supply voltage. Examples of this include a failure of the on-board electrical system, for example due to a significant discharge of the central battery or a failure of electrical lines in the on-board electrical system, and a crash of the motor vehicle 6. The energy storage device is preferably charged via the normal supply voltage during normal operation and, for example, maintained at a predetermined charge level.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 1, it is further preferably provided here that the emergency supply 18 has at least one capacitor 19 as an energy store. The use of several capacitors in the emergency supply 18 is conceivable, which capacitors can be connected in series and / or parallel. However, the emergency supply 18 preferably has only a single capacitor 19, in particular a single double-layer capacitor. Such a double-layer capacitor is also referred to as a "supercapacitor", "supercap", "ultracap" or the like. A double-layer capacitor can provide a high power density for the motor vehicle locking system 20. The emergency supply 18 can further have a boost converter connected downstream of the capacitor 19, which is designed to increase the voltage of the capacitor 19.

[0033] It is now essential that the control arrangement 1 determines the amount of energy supplied to the drive 7 in an opening process and that the control arrangement 1, in emergency operation, carries out a holding process depending on the determined amount of energy, in which the pawl 4 adjusted to the opening state is held in the opening state.

[0034] In particular, during normal operation, the locking pawl 4 is released following the opening process, for example, after a predefined period of time has elapsed after the opening state has been reached. Accordingly, the motor vehicle lock 2 can then be closed again during normal operation.

[0035] In emergency operation, the subsequent release of the pawl 4 is subject to conditions defined here based on the determined energy quantity. The determined energy quantity is a quantitative measure of the amount of electrical energy supplied to the drive 7, here the drive motor 9. Depending on the determined energy quantity, the control arrangement 1 either implements a subsequent release of the pawl 4 or carries out the holding process. During the holding process, the pawl 4 remains in the open state, so that an attempt can be made to close the locking element 5 again by inserting the locking part into the lock latch 3, but in this case the locking element 5 is not secured via the motor vehicle lock 2.

[0036] The amount of energy can be determined here, preferably during the opening process, which is then followed by any holding process. Accordingly, in emergency mode, the motorized opening process is carried out and the amount of energy is determined. During this opening process and / or upon completion of the opening process, the control arrangement 1 uses the determined amount of energy to decide whether to release the door or to carry out the holding process. However, it is also conceivable that a previous opening process serves as the basis for determining the amount of energy. For example, the control arrangement 1 regularly determines the amount of energy during opening processes, particularly also during normal operation. In emergency mode, for example, the last stored value of the determined amount of energy can serve as the basis for deciding whether to carry out the holding process. In principle, the first opening process in emergency mode can also be used for the determination.The amount of energy can also be determined over several opening processes, for example to determine an average value used in the decision.

[0037] The holding process can be implemented in different ways. Here, and preferably, the drive 7 automatically maintains the state corresponding to the opening state after the activation has ended, for example, by designing the drive train 10 as self-locking. This prevents the pawl 4 from returning to the locked state, even under preload. Other measures are conceivable, and other mechanical elements such as additional levers or brakes of the drive 7 can also be provided to implement the holding function.

[0038] In general, the amount of energy can be determined from electrical parameters of the opening process detected by the control arrangement 1. Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that the control arrangement 1 determines the amount of energy supplied to the drive 7 during an opening process based on a detected energy storage voltage of the energy storage device and / or a detected energy storage current flowing from the energy storage device. Accordingly, for example, the electrical power can be determined, and the amount of energy can be determined from this.

[0039] In a particularly preferred embodiment, it is provided that the control arrangement 1 determines the energy storage voltage from a temporal voltage difference, in particular the voltage difference between the energy storage voltage at the beginning and at the end of the opening process. The amount of energy can therefore be easily determined from the voltage difference, which is determined, for example, based on the capacitor voltage of the capacitor 19. In particular, a current measurement is therefore not absolutely necessary. Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that the control arrangement 1 determines an energy storage capacity and that the control arrangement 1 determines the amount of energy supplied to the drive 7 in an opening process based on the energy storage capacity, preferably further based on an energy storage voltage at the end of the opening process.If the energy storage capacity is known, the amount of energy can thus also be easily determined, particularly during a first opening operation in emergency mode with the energy storage device previously charged. The energy storage capacity, here and preferably the capacitance of capacitor 19, can be determined, for example, during a diagnostic routine for the energy storage device, particularly regularly during normal operation.

[0040] Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that the control arrangement 1 carries out the holding process in emergency operation when the energy storage device falls below a minimum charge level determined on the basis of the determined energy quantity.

[0041] The minimum charge level can be determined in such a way that, given the current charge level and the determined amount of energy, only a certain number of opening operations remain.

[0042] In one embodiment, the minimum charge level is set such that, taking into account the determined energy quantity, no further opening operation is possible based on the energy storage device. Consequently, the holding operation prevents the motor vehicle lock 2 from being closed again without the energy storage device enabling another opening operation.

[0043] In a further embodiment, the minimum charge level is dimensioned such that, taking into account the determined energy quantity, only a predetermined number of opening operations based on the energy storage device is possible, with the number being at least two, preferably at least four. Further opening operations based on the energy storage device are therefore still possible, but the motor vehicle lock 2 is initially deactivated by the holding operation. This informs the operator that emergency operation is in effect.

[0044] The motor vehicle lock 2 can have a mechanical release arrangement for releasing the pawl 4. The release arrangement can be designed, in particular, as an access opening in the housing 15, as a tool attachment for the drive train 10, or the like, and can enable the release of the pawl 4 via manual intervention, in this case via resetting the drive train 10. Likewise, the control arrangement 1 can release the pawl 4 upon receiving a reset signal. The reset signal can be generated by operator intervention, such as the actuation of a switch or the like.

[0045] Consequently, the operator is given the opportunity to close the vehicle lock 2 again and to perform at least one more opening operation based on the energy storage device. Accordingly, it can also be avoided that the operator can no longer secure the vehicle 6 against unauthorized access during emergency operation.

[0046] Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that the control arrangement 1 performs the holding process after a predetermined number of opening operations in emergency mode. This measure can be performed in addition to the described consideration of the determined energy quantity, which is advantageous, for example, in the event of an incorrect determination of the energy quantity.

[0047] Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that the control arrangement 1 checks whether a predetermined limit value is exceeded by the determined amount of energy and carries out the holding process if the limit value is exceeded.

[0048] The limit value is representative, for example, of an exceptional situation such as a crash with a deformed locking element 5 or a malfunction of the drive 7. For safety reasons, the holding process can also be carried out independently of the charge level of the energy storage device. According to a further teaching, a motor vehicle locking system 20 is proposed, comprising a motor vehicle lock 2, which has a lock latch 3 for the holding engagement with a locking part, at least one pawl 4, and an electric drive 7 for the pawl 4, and comprising a proposed control arrangement 1 for controlling the drive 7. Reference may be made to all explanations regarding the proposed control arrangement 1.

[0049] It is particularly preferred that the control arrangement 1 is integrated with the energy storage device in the motor vehicle lock 2. As shown in Fig. 1, the control arrangement 1 is arranged here in the housing 15 of the motor vehicle lock 2.

[0050] It is also conceivable that the control arrangement 1 is part of a separate control unit 21 for the motor vehicle lock 2. Examples of such a control unit 21 are a flap control unit and a door control unit, which can also perform further electronic functions in the locking element 5.

[0051] According to a further teaching, a method is proposed for operating a motor vehicle lock 2, which has a lock latch 3 for the holding engagement with a locking part, at least one pawl 4 and an electric drive 7 for the pawl 4, wherein by means of a control arrangement 1 upon detection of an operating event, the drive 7 is controlled to effect an opening process in which the pawl 4 is adjusted to an open state in which the pawl 4 releases the lock latch 3, wherein following the opening process, the pawl 4 can be released so that the pawl 4 can be brought into a locked state in which the pawl 4 holds the lock latch 3, wherein the drive 7 can be operated in normal operation on the basis of a normal supply voltage of the motor vehicle 6, wherein the control arrangement 1 has an emergency supply 18 with an energy storage device,which provides an emergency supply voltage for the drive 7 in emergency operation. It is provided that the amount of energy supplied to the drive 7 during an opening operation is determined by means of the control arrangement 1, and that, in emergency operation, a holding operation is carried out by means of the control arrangement 1 depending on the determined amount of energy, in which the pawl 4, which has been adjusted to the open state, is held in the open state.

[0052] Reference may be made to all statements relating to the proposed control arrangement 1 and the proposed motor vehicle locking system 20.

Claims

Patent claims 1. A control arrangement for the operation of a motor vehicle lock (2), which has a lock latch (3) for the holding engagement with a locking part, at least one pawl (4), and an electric drive (7) for the pawl (4), wherein the control arrangement (1) is configured to control the drive (7) upon detection of an operating event to effect an opening process in which the pawl (4) is adjusted to an open state in which the pawl (4) releases the lock latch (3), wherein the control arrangement (1) is configured to release the pawl (4) following the opening process, so that the pawl (4) can be brought into a locked state in which the pawl (4) holds the lock latch (3), wherein the drive (7) is operable in normal operation on the basis of a normal supply voltage of the motor vehicle (6),wherein the control arrangement (1) has an emergency supply (18) with an energy storage device, which provides an emergency supply voltage for the drive (7) in an emergency operation, characterized in that the control arrangement (1) determines the amount of energy supplied to the drive (7) in an opening process and that the control arrangement (1) carries out a holding process in emergency operation depending on the determined amount of energy, in which the pawl (4) adjusted to the opening state is held in the opening state.

2. Control arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the control arrangement (1) determines the amount of energy supplied to the drive (7) in an opening process on the basis of a detected energy storage voltage of the energy storage device and / or a detected energy storage current flowing from the energy storage device, preferably in that the control arrangement (1) determines this from a temporal voltage difference of the energy storage voltage, in particular the voltage difference of the energy storage voltage at the beginning and at the end of the opening process.

3. Control arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control arrangement (1) determines an energy storage capacity and that the control arrangement (1) determines the amount of energy supplied to the drive (7) in an opening process on the basis of the energy storage capacity, preferably further on the basis of an energy storage voltage at the end of the opening process.

4. Control arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control arrangement (1) carries out the holding process in emergency operation when the energy storage device falls below a minimum charge level determined on the basis of the determined energy quantity.

5. Control arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that the minimum charge state is dimensioned such that, taking into account the determined amount of energy, no further opening process is possible on the basis of the energy storage device.

6. Control arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that the minimum charge state is dimensioned such that, taking into account the determined amount of energy, only a predetermined number of opening operations on the basis of the energy storage device is possible, and in that the motor vehicle lock (2) has a mechanical release arrangement for releasing the pawl (4) and / or in that the control arrangement (1) causes the pawl (4) to be released upon receipt of a reset signal.

7. Control arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control arrangement (1) carries out the holding process after effecting a predetermined number of opening processes in emergency operation.

8. Control arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control arrangement (1) checks whether a predetermined limit value is exceeded by the determined amount of energy and carries out the holding process if the limit value is exceeded.

9. Motor vehicle locking system with a motor vehicle lock (2) which has a lock latch (3) for the holding engagement with a locking part, at least one pawl (4) and an electric drive (7) for the pawl (4), and with a control arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8 for controlling the drive (7).

10. A method for operating a motor vehicle lock (2) comprising a lock latch (3) for engaging a locking part, at least one pawl (4), and an electric drive (7) for the pawl (4), wherein, upon detection of an operating event, the drive (7) is controlled by a control arrangement (1) to effect an opening process in which the pawl (4) is adjusted to an open state in which the pawl (4) releases the lock latch (3), wherein, following the opening process, the pawl (4) can be released so that the pawl (4) can be brought into a locked state in which the pawl (4) holds the lock latch (3), wherein the drive (7) is operable in normal operation based on a normal supply voltage of the motor vehicle (6), wherein the control arrangement (1) has an emergency supply (18) with an energy storage device,which provides an emergency supply voltage for the drive (7) in an emergency operation, characterized in that the amount of energy supplied to the drive (7) in an opening process is determined by means of the control arrangement (1), and in that a holding process is carried out by means of the control arrangement (1) in emergency operation depending on the determined amount of energy, in which the pawl (4) adjusted to the opening state is held in the opening state.

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