Control regulations for the operation of a motor vehicle locking system

Abstract

The invention relates to a control arrangement (1) for operating a motor vehicle locking system (2) comprising an electric drive (3), wherein: during normal operation, the electric drive (3) is fed by a normal supply voltage in order to provide a motorised locking function for an adjustable closure element (5); the control arrangement (1) has an energy storage arrangement (8) having at least one energy store (10) designed as a capacitor (9); the energy storage arrangement (8) provides an energy storage voltage (10) during emergency operation; a main boost stage (11) is connected downstream of the energy store (10); and the energy storage voltage (10) is applied to an input of the main boost stage (11) during emergency operation and the main boost stage (11) boosts the energy storage voltage (10) to the emergency supply voltage. According to the invention, an auxiliary boost stage (12) is also connected downstream of the energy store (10) and can be connected upstream of the main boost stage (11) in such a way that the auxiliary boost stage (12) boosts the energy storage voltage (10) to at least a threshold voltage of the main boost stage (11) provided to start up the main boost stage (11).

Description

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

[0002] The present invention relates to a control arrangement for the operation of a motor vehicle locking system according to the preamble of claim 1, a motor vehicle locking system according to claim 8 and a method for the operation of a motor vehicle locking system according to the preamble of claim 10.

[0003] The motor vehicle locking system in question is used for all types of motorized locking functions for locking elements of a motor vehicle. These include, 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 pivoting or sliding doors. The motorized locking function particularly relates to a motor vehicle lock associated with the motor vehicle locking system. Further examples of the relevant locking functions of a motor vehicle are drive arrangements that provide motorized adjustment of the aforementioned locking elements.

[0004] The known control arrangement (US 2015 / 0330116 A1), from which the invention is based, relates to the operation of a motor vehicle locking system with 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

[0006] In order to be able to take motor vehicle mechanics into account, the known control arrangement has a rechargeable energy storage arrangement, which also in emergency operation, especially in the event of failure of the normal

[0007] Supply voltage, the electrical energy supply of the

[0008] The motor vehicle locking system is ensured by an emergency supply voltage. The energy storage arrangement of the known control arrangement is formed by capacitors. Since individual capacitors are limited in terms of the voltage they can provide, several capacitors are electrically connected in series to provide the emergency voltage. In addition, the known control arrangement provides a boost stage for the energy storage arrangement in order to achieve the required emergency supply voltage based on the energy storage voltage.

[0009] The problem here, however, is that the series-connected capacitors adversely impact both the space requirements and the manufacturing costs of the control system. Furthermore, the series-connected capacitors typically require a balancing circuit to ensure even charging of the capacitors, which also leads to a more complex design of the control system.

[0010] 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 the aforementioned challenge.

[0011] The above problem is solved in a control arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1 by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1.

[0012] In this case, a main boost stage is connected downstream of the energy storage device, whereby the energy storage voltage is applied to an input of the main boost stage in emergency operation and the main boost stage increases the energy storage voltage to the emergency supply voltage.

[0013] The proposed solution represents a departure from the prior art concept of requiring the energy storage device to be equipped with multiple capacitors connected in series. The proposed solution is based on the idea of ​​optimizing the boosting of the energy storage voltage instead of adjusting the energy storage device with respect to the emergency supply voltage.

[0014] By using a corresponding main boost stage with a comparatively high boost factor, the capacitor voltage of a single capacitor can be sufficient to provide the emergency supply voltage. It is important to consider that, although the comparatively high threshold voltage required to start the main boost stage may not be directly provided by the energy storage device, a secondary boost stage designed to provide the threshold voltage is used.

[0015] In detail, it is proposed that a secondary boost stage is further connected downstream of the energy storage device and can be connected upstream of the main boost stage in such a way that the secondary boost stage increases the energy storage voltage to at least one threshold voltage of the main boost stage provided for starting the main boost stage.

[0016] The intended use of the main boost stage can increase the efficiency of boosting the energy storage voltage. While this places increased demands on the main boost stage, the secondary boost stage can be designed particularly simply and cost-effectively.

[0017] This is further expressed in the preferred embodiments according to claims 2 and 3, according to which the auxiliary boost stage is designed differently from the main boost stage, particularly with regard to the boost factor and / or the threshold voltage. The coordination of the boost stages thus also allows for a reduction in the manufacturing costs of the control arrangement.

[0018] Particularly interesting is the embodiment according to claim 4, wherein the auxiliary boost stage serves a dual function to supply power to a drive control unit. Upon receiving an operating signal, the auxiliary boost stage can also take over the power supply of the drive control unit, thus activating the drive control unit as needed.

[0019] In the further, likewise preferred embodiment according to claim 5, the operation of the main boost stage can also be started specifically when the operating event occurs by providing the threshold voltage by means of the secondary boost stage.

[0020] According to claim 6, it is particularly preferred that the capacitor be designed as a double-layer capacitor in order to achieve a high electrical power density. The design-related limitation of the maximum capacitor voltage that occurs with double-layer capacitors is unproblematic with the proposed solution due to the design of the boost stages.

[0021] As already mentioned, the proposed control arrangement allows the use of an energy storage arrangement with only a single capacitor. However, in the likewise preferred alternative embodiment according to claim 7, the energy storage arrangement has at least two capacitors connected in parallel. By connecting the capacitors in parallel, the available capacity can be increased, and the capacitor to be used can also be selected using a switching device for redundancy of the energy storage arrangement.

[0022] According to a further teaching according to claim 8, which has independent significance, a motor vehicle locking system is claimed as such, which has an electric drive with an electric drive motor and a control arrangement according to the proposed method. Reference is made to all statements regarding the proposed control arrangement.

[0023] In the preferred embodiment according to claim 9, a motor vehicle lock is further provided for the locking element of the motor vehicle, wherein the electric drive is provided for the motorized lifting of the locking pawl of the motor vehicle lock. The proposed solution can take into account the special security requirements of motor vehicle locksmiths.

[0024] According to a further teaching according to claim 10, which also has independent significance, a method for operating a motor vehicle locking system as such is claimed. In this respect, reference may also be made to all statements regarding the proposed control arrangement.

[0025] In the following, the invention is explained in more detail with reference to a drawing which merely represents exemplary embodiments. In the drawing,

[0026] Fig. 1 is a schematic, perspective view of a motor vehicle with a proposed motor vehicle locking system, which has a motor vehicle lock and the motor vehicle lock with a proposed control arrangement in a partially disassembled side view, and

[0027] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the proposed control arrangement a) according to a first embodiment and b) according to a second embodiment.

[0028] According to a first teaching, the invention relates to a control arrangement 1 shown in Fig. 1 for the operation of a motor vehicle locking system 2. The motor vehicle locking system 2 has an electric drive 3 with an electric drive motor 4, wherein in normal operation the electric drive 3 is fed by a normal supply voltage in order to provide a motorized closing function for an adjustable locking element 5 of the motor vehicle 6.

[0029] The term "drive motor" herein encompasses all types of electric actuators, in particular rotary and linear actuators. The drive motor 4 is preferably a rotary electric motor, which is further preferably configured as a brushed DC motor or a brushless DC motor. The standard supply voltage used during normal operation is a supply voltage of the on-board electrical system 7 of the motor vehicle 6, which 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.

[0030] A motorized closing function is understood to mean that the adjustable locking element 5 of the motor vehicle 6 is adjusted, opened or closed, and / or locked or unlocked directly or indirectly by a movement generated by the electric drive 3. Regarding the design of the locking element 5, reference is made to the introductory explanations, whereby Fig. 1 illustrates the functionality of the motor vehicle locking system 2 for a locking element 5 designed as a tailgate. However, all explanations also apply to all other types of locking elements 5 of the motor vehicle 6.

[0031] Figures 2a) and b) show further representations of the control arrangement 1. For simplicity, only components for providing an emergency supply voltage, as explained below, are shown. The control arrangement 1 preferably has control electronics for implementing the control tasks associated with the motorized closing functions. In particular, the control arrangement 1 is configured to control the electric drive 3.

[0032] As can be seen from Fig. 2, the control arrangement 1 has an energy storage arrangement 8 with at least one energy storage device 10 designed as a capacitor 9, wherein the energy storage arrangement 8 provides an electrical energy storage voltage for providing an electrical emergency supply voltage for the electric drive 3 in emergency operation, in particular in the event of a failure of the normal supply voltage. The emergency supply voltage is provided here and preferably based on the capacitor voltage 9 of the at least one capacitor 9, as will be explained below. As a rule, the electric drive 3 is matched to the normal supply voltage and in particular to the voltage of the central battery of the motor vehicle 6 with regard to the required drive voltage. The energy storage voltage is lower than the normal supply voltage. A main boost stage 11 is connected downstream of the energy storage device 10.In emergency operation, the energy storage voltage 10 is applied to an input of the main boost stage 11. The main boost stage 11 is configured to boost the energy storage voltage 10 to the emergency supply voltage. Preferably, the input of the main boost stage 11 is directly connected to the energy storage device 10 or connectable to it without any additional electrical components being arranged between the energy storage device 10 and the main boost stage 11 that would significantly change the electrical voltage at the input of the main boost stage 11.

[0033] It is now essential that a secondary boost stage 12 is connected downstream of the energy storage device 10 and can be connected upstream of the main boost stage 11 in such a way that the secondary boost stage 12 increases the energy storage voltage 10 to at least one threshold voltage of the main boost stage 11 provided for starting the main boost stage 11.

[0034] The auxiliary boost stage 12, which can be connected upstream of the main boost stage 11, can thus be used additionally and specifically when the main boost stage 11 starts up to ensure the operation of the main boost stage 11. However, the actual boosting of the energy storage voltage to the emergency supply voltage is performed here, preferably exclusively, via the main boost stage 11.

[0035] Fig. 2a) schematically shows an embodiment of the control arrangement 1, wherein the main boost stage 11 is connected downstream of the energy storage device 10 via a main line 13. The secondary boost stage 12 can be connected upstream of the main boost stage 11 by means of a secondary line 14 provided parallel to the main line 13 to provide the threshold voltage.

[0036] The threshold voltage provided for starting is understood to be a minimum electrical voltage required for normal operation of the main boost stage 11. The threshold voltage provided for starting the main boost stage 11 is particularly important for the operation of a switching element (not shown), such as a MOSFET, of the main boost stage.

[0037] 11 is provided. After the main boost stage 11 has started up, the auxiliary boost stage 12 is in many cases no longer required for the operation of the main boost stage 11. Here and preferably, a supply circuit 15 is provided for the main boost stage 11, by means of which a self-supply of the main boost stage 11 is enabled after start-up.

[0038] The auxiliary boost stage 12 and the main boost stage 11 can each be constructed in various, conventional ways. Preferably, the auxiliary boost stage 12 and the main boost stage 11 are configured as boost converters.

[0039] Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that the auxiliary boost stage 12 is designed differently from the main boost stage 11, particularly with regard to the boost factor. In particular, the auxiliary boost stage 12 can be constructed particularly simply and cost-effectively, since the auxiliary boost stage 12 only needs to provide a lower boost factor with the threshold voltage of the main boost stage 11.

[0040] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the secondary boost stage

[0041] 12 has a lower threshold voltage intended for starting than the main boost stage 11, and that the threshold voltage of the secondary boost stage 12 is less than or equal to a predetermined energy storage voltage 10.

[0042] The specified energy storage voltage 10 is understood, in particular, to be a minimum voltage of the energy storage device 10, which is provided for operating the control arrangement 1. In particular, the specified energy storage voltage 10 corresponds to a charge state of the energy storage device 10, with which at least one execution of the motorized closing function is still possible. The auxiliary boost stage 12 can thus be adapted to the respective requirements of the energy storage device 10.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 2b), it is preferably provided here that the control arrangement 1 controls the drive 3 by means of a drive control unit 16 and that the auxiliary boost stage 12 provides an electrical supply voltage to the drive control unit 16 in emergency operation, preferably upon receipt of an operating signal representative of an operating event.

[0044] Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that the control arrangement 1, preferably the drive control unit 16, monitors the presence of the operating event and, when the operating event is present, connects the auxiliary boost stage 12 upstream of the main boost stage 11 to provide the threshold voltage of the main boost stage 11.

[0045] The drive control unit 16 has, in particular, a control logic which, for example, triggers the actuation of the drive 3 upon the occurrence of an operating event, for example upon the fulfillment of predetermined operating criteria. The drive control unit 16 is preferably designed as a microcontroller. For example, upon receiving an operating signal, the drive control unit 16 checks whether the currently existing locking state permits the triggering of the motorized locking function. Here, a door handle 17 is equipped with a sensor or the like which detects actuation of the door handle 17 and transmits the detection as an actuation signal to the control arrangement 1 via a control connection. However, the motorized locking function is only triggered, for example, when the motor vehicle locking system 2 is in the "unlocked" locking state.

[0046] By supplying the drive control unit 16 via the auxiliary boost stage 12, the energy consumption in emergency operation can be reduced, since the main boost stage 11 is not necessarily used to supply the drive control unit 16.

[0047] The auxiliary boost stage 12 is activated upon receipt of the operating signal. Here, and preferably, a self-holding circuit 18 is provided for the auxiliary boost stage 12, which can further preferably be deactivated by the drive controller 3, for example, if the test for the presence of the operating event fails.

[0048] Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that the capacitor 9 is designed as a double-layer capacitor. A double-layer capacitor is an electrochemical energy storage device 10. Energy is stored in an electrochemical double layer, also known as a "Helmholtz layer." 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 2.

[0049] The maximum voltage provided by capacitor 9 for the capacitor voltage is, in particular, a maximum of 3 V, in particular a maximum of 2.7 V. The emergency supply voltage can, in particular, be an order of magnitude higher than the maximum voltage for the capacitor voltage. In particular, the emergency supply voltage is at least 10 V. The boost factor of the main boost stage 11 is preferably at least 2, preferably at least 5.

[0050] According to a preferred embodiment, the energy storage arrangement 8 comprises a single capacitor 9, in particular a single double-layer capacitor. As already mentioned, the proposed solution can ensure the provision of the emergency supply voltage via the main boost stage 11, even at the correspondingly low capacitor voltage.

[0051] Alternatively, it is provided that the energy storage arrangement 8 has at least two capacitors 9 which are connected in parallel to one another, preferably that a switching device is provided by which it is possible to switch between two capacitors 9 of the energy storage arrangement 8 in order to generate the emergency supply voltage.

[0052] Consequently, increased capacity can be provided compared to a capacitor 9. In a further, particularly simple embodiment, the capacitors 9 are permanently connected in parallel to one another, so that the full capacity is always available in emergency operation.

[0053] A switching device (not shown) can also be provided, which switches between two capacitors 9 of the energy storage arrangement 8. The switching device can, in particular, switch the capacitors 9 based on their state of charge and, for example, select the capacitor 9 with the higher state of charge. It is also conceivable for a second capacitor 9 to be selected when the state of charge of a first capacitor 9 falls below a minimum value.

[0054] According to a further embodiment not shown, the control arrangement 1 is configured to charge the energy storage device 10. Here, the energy storage arrangement 8 preferably has at least one step-down stage connected upstream of the energy storage device 10 for charging the energy storage device 10 using the standard supply voltage. The step-down stage converts an electrical input voltage at an input of the step-down stage into an electrical output voltage at an output of the step-down stage. It is conceivable for the energy storage arrangement 8 to have a first step-down stage connected upstream of the energy storage device 10 for charging the energy storage device 10 and a second step-down stage connected downstream of the first step-down stage. The step-down stages can, for example, be identical or different.

[0055] Also claimed, according to a further teaching of independent significance, is a motor vehicle locking system 2 comprising an electric drive 3 with an electric drive motor 4 and a control arrangement 1 according to one of the preceding claims. Reference may be made to all the above statements in this regard.

[0056] Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that a motor vehicle lock 19 is provided for the locking element 5 of the motor vehicle 6. The motor vehicle lock 19 is shown in Fig. 1 in a partially disassembled side view and is equipped with a lock latch 20 pivotable about a lock latch axis 20 for the holding engagement with a locking part 21 and a locking pawl 22 assigned to the lock latch 20 and pivotable about a pawl axis 22. The locking part 21 can be a striker, a locking bolt or the like. For example, the motor vehicle lock 19 is arranged on a locking element 5, while the locking part 21 is arranged fixedly to the body of the motor vehicle 6.

[0057] The pawl 22 can be brought into a retracted position shown in Fig. 1, in which it holds the lock latch 20 in the closed position shown. Furthermore, the pawl 22 can be raised by a motor using the electric drive 3. For this purpose, the drive motor 4 is preferably connected to the pawl 22 by a drive cable 23. The motorized lifting of the pawl 22 in Fig. 1 is a pivoting of the pawl 22 clockwise about the pawl axis 22. In principle, the pawl 22 can also be part of a pawl system 22 consisting of two or more sequentially arranged pawls 22 and assigned to the lock latch 20. The motorized lifting of the pawl 22 is triggered, for example, by the actuation of the door handle 17.

[0058] In addition to or instead of the locking function of the motor vehicle lock 19 explained in more detail here, the motor vehicle locking system 2 can also have a drive arrangement 3 for the motorized adjustment of an aforementioned locking element 5 of the motor vehicle 6, wherein the drive arrangement 3 serves for a motorized adjustment, in particular an opening and / or closing, of the locking element 5. Further examples of locking functions include a motorized adjustment of operating elements such as operating levers, door handles 17, as well as interior and exterior elements of the motor vehicle 6, such as fan elements, interior mirrors, side mirrors, lighting, or the like.

[0059] Also claimed according to a further teaching, which is of independent significance, is a method for operating a motor vehicle locking system 2, wherein the motor vehicle locking system 2 has an electric drive 3 with an electric drive motor 4, wherein in normal operation the electric drive 3 is fed by a normal supply voltage in order to provide a motorized closing function for an adjustable closure element 5 of the motor vehicle 6 in response to an operating event, wherein a control arrangement 1 has an energy storage arrangement 8 with at least one energy storage 10 designed as a capacitor 9, wherein by means of the energy storage arrangement 8 in emergency operation, in particular in the event of failure of the normal supply voltage, an electrical energy storage voltage 10 is made available to provide an electrical emergency supply voltage of the electric drive 3,wherein the energy storage device 10 is followed by a main boost stage 11, wherein the energy storage voltage 10 is applied to an input of the main boost stage 11 in emergency operation and the energy storage voltage 10 is boosted to the emergency supply voltage by means of the main boost stage 11.

[0060] It is now essential that a secondary boost stage 12 is connected downstream of the energy storage device 10 and upstream of the main boost stage 11 in such a way that the secondary boost stage 12 increases the energy storage voltage 10 to at least one threshold voltage of the main boost stage 11 intended for starting the main boost stage 11. Regarding the proposed method, reference is also made to all explanations of the further teachings.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Control arrangement for the operation of a motor vehicle locking system (2) wherein the motor vehicle locking system (2) comprises an electric drive (3) with an electric drive motor (4), wherein in normal operation the electric drive (3) is supplied by a normal supply voltage in order to provide a motorized closing function for an adjustable locking element (5) of the motor vehicle (6) in response to an operating event, wherein the control arrangement (1) comprises an energy storage arrangement (8) with at least one energy storage device (10) designed as a capacitor (9), wherein the energy storage arrangement (8) provides an electrical energy storage voltage (10) in emergency operation, in particular in the event of a failure of the normal supply voltage, to provide an electrical emergency supply voltage for the electric drive (3), wherein a main boost stage (11) is connected downstream of the energy storage device (10),wherein the energy storage voltage (10) is applied to an input of the main boosting stage (11) in emergency operation and the main boosting stage (11) boosts the energy storage voltage (10) to the emergency supply voltage, characterized in that a secondary boosting stage (12) is further connected downstream of the energy storage stage (10) and can be connected upstream of the main boosting stage (11) such that the secondary boosting stage (12) boosts the energy storage voltage (10) to at least a threshold voltage of the main boosting stage (11) provided for starting the main boosting stage (11).

2. Control arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the secondary boost stage (12), in particular with regard to the boost factor, is designed differently from the main boost stage (11).

3. Control arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the secondary boost stage (12) has a lower threshold voltage intended for starting up than the main boost stage (11), and that the threshold voltage of the secondary boost stage (12) is less than or equal to a predetermined energy storage voltage (10).

4. Control arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control arrangement (1 ) controls the drive (3) by means of a drive control unit (16) and that the auxiliary boost stage (12) provides an electrical supply voltage to the drive control unit (16) in emergency operation, preferably upon receipt of an operating signal representative of an operating event.

5. Control arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control arrangement (1), preferably the drive control unit (16), monitors the occurrence of the operating event and, when the operating event occurs, connects the secondary boosting stage (12) upstream of the main boosting stage (11) to provide the threshold voltage of the main boosting stage (11).

6. Control arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the capacitor (9) is designed as a double-layer capacitor.

7. Control arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the energy storage arrangement (8) has a single capacitor (9) or at least two capacitors (9) connected in parallel to each other, preferably that a switching device is provided by which it is possible to switch between two capacitors (9) of the energy storage arrangement (8) to generate the emergency supply voltage.

8. Motor vehicle locking system comprising an electric drive (3) with an electric drive motor (4) and a control arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

9. Motor vehicle locking system according to claim 8, characterized in that a motor vehicle lock (19) is provided for the locking element (5) of the motor vehicle (6), that the motor vehicle lock (19) is equipped with a lock latch (20) for the holding engagement with a locking part (21) and a locking pawl (22) associated with the lock latch (20), and that - 16 - the electric drive (3) is provided for the motorized lifting of the locking pawl (22).

10. Method for operating a motor vehicle locking system (2) wherein the motor vehicle locking system (2) comprises an electric drive (3) with an electric drive motor (4), wherein in normal operation the electric drive (3) is supplied by a normal supply voltage in order to provide a motorized closing function for an adjustable locking element (5) of the motor vehicle (6) in response to an operating event, wherein a control arrangement (1) comprises an energy storage arrangement (8) with at least one energy storage device (10) designed as a capacitor (9), wherein in emergency operation, in particular in the event of a failure of the normal supply voltage, an electrical energy storage voltage (10) is provided by means of the energy storage arrangement (8) to provide an electrical emergency supply voltage for the electric drive (3), wherein a main boost stage (11) is connected downstream of the energy storage device (10),wherein the energy storage voltage (10) is applied to an input of the main boosting stage (11) in emergency operation and the energy storage voltage (10) is boosted to the emergency supply voltage by means of the main boosting stage (11), characterized in that a secondary boosting stage (12) is connected downstream of the energy storage stage (10) and upstream of the main boosting stage (11) in such a way that the energy storage voltage (10) is boosted to at least a threshold voltage of the main boosting stage (11) provided for starting the main boosting stage (11).