Control components for motor vehicle doors

Abstract

This invention relates to a control assembly for a vehicle door (2), wherein the control assembly (1) is supplied with electrical power from a vehicle electrical network (4) in an installed state, wherein the vehicle door (2) has a vehicle lock (6) with an electrically operated actuator (7) for motorized unlocking of the vehicle lock (6), wherein the control assembly (1) has a door control unit (11) for operating the actuator (7), wherein when the control assembly (1) detects a predetermined emergency, the control assembly (1) switches from a normal operation mode to an emergency operation mode, wherein the control assembly (1) has a power delivery unit (12) and is configured to receive electrical power from a first type of mobile device (13) via the power delivery unit (12) in the emergency operation mode. It is proposed that the power delivery unit (12) is configured to wirelessly receive electrical power from the first type of mobile device (13) and the door control unit (11) is configured to receive electrical power from the first type of mobile device (13) via the power delivery unit (12) in the emergency operation mode and use the received electrical power to operate the actuator (7) to unlock the vehicle lock (6).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a control assembly for a motor vehicle door according to the preamble of claim 1, a motor vehicle door with such a control assembly according to claim 13, a motor vehicle with such a motor vehicle door according to claim 15, and a method for operating a motor vehicle door according to the preamble of claim 16. Background Technology

[0002] Modern motor vehicles are increasingly equipped with so-called "electronic locks" that can be opened electrically using an electric actuator. While this eliminates the need for manual operation and brings a significant improvement in comfort, additional measures must be taken to ensure operational safety in emergency situations, particularly in the event of a failure in the vehicle's electrical grid.

[0003] In the known control assembly (DE 10 2014 105 872 A1), each vehicle door is associated with a vehicle lock, which includes a lock pin, a pawl associated with the lock pin, and an electrically operated actuator for motorized lifting of the pawl. The vehicle lock is equipped with an additional energy storage device that provides power to the actuator in the event of a failure in the vehicle's electrical grid. A disadvantage here is that the constant recharging of the energy storage device is costly, and high reliability can only be ensured through periodic replacement of the energy storage device.

[0004] The present invention relates to a known control component (US 9118193 B2) that can switch from normal operation to emergency operation mode when the vehicle's electrical grid voltage fails, wherein the relationship between electrical power and mobile phone is established. For this purpose, the control component is equipped with a power delivery unit with a power plug to which a mobile phone for transmitting electrical power can be connected. This solution is technically costly to operate and requires significant implementation overhead.

[0005] Charging stations for mobile phones supplied by the door modules of motor vehicles are known from DE 10 2013 002 747 A1. This ensures that any mobile phones that may be present can always be wirelessly charged, thus providing the possibility of summoning a telephone for assistance in the event of a failure of the vehicle's electrical grid. However, improvements in vehicle technology regarding the handling of vehicle electrical grid voltage failures are not related to this. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to design and improve known control components in such a way that the opening of a motor vehicle door can be guaranteed in an emergency in a manner and form that is simple to operate.

[0007] The above-mentioned problem is solved in the control component described in the preamble of claim 1 by the features of the feature portion of claim 1.

[0008] The key consideration is that the electrical power can be received wirelessly by mobile devices, referred to herein as "type one mobile devices." This eliminates the need for separate power plugs for transmitting electrical power. Furthermore, there is a basic feasible solution: utilizing existing charging stations within the vehicle's interior space for mobile devices, particularly mobile phones, to receive the electrical power.

[0009] It is described in detail that the power delivery unit is configured to wirelessly receive electrical power from a first type of mobile device and the door control unit is configured to receive electrical power from the first type of mobile device via the power delivery unit in an emergency operation mode and use the received electrical power to control the opening driver to raise the pawl.

[0010] The door control unit may be equipped with a microcontroller, which is responsible for a predetermined process in controlling the opening actuator. However, in principle, the door control unit can also be a simple wiring network, through which power reception and transmission are determined according to the operating type.

[0011] The preferred dual use of the power delivery unit is the object of claim 2. Here, the power delivery unit is configured not only to wirelessly receive electrical power, but also to wirelessly transmit electrical power to either a first type of mobile device or a second type of mobile device. The power delivery unit can be, for example, a charging station as described in claim 3, which from now on gains the additional function of wirelessly receiving electrical power in emergency operation mode.

[0012] In another preferred design according to claim 4, the first type of mobile device is a mobile device for wirelessly transmitting electrical power, such as a power bank. In principle, it could also be a mobile phone, provided it is configured to wirelessly transmit electrical power.

[0013] The second type of mobile device is configured, in contrast to claim 5, for wirelessly receiving electrical power. Here, it may be a correspondingly equipped mobile phone.

[0014] Using the proposed solution, for example, the power delivery unit could be used to charge a second type of mobile device, such as a mobile phone, during normal operation, while in an emergency operation, it could receive electrical power from a first type of mobile device, such as a charging station. The advantage of this dual-use power delivery unit is particularly evident here.

[0015] To prevent unwanted discharge of the corresponding mobile device via the power delivery unit, according to claim 6, it is preferably configured such that a response from the user side is required before the discharge.

[0016] Furthermore, preferably, a necessary condition for motorized opening of the vehicle lock according to claim 7 is that the door operating element is operated electrically on the user side. This ensures that the operator will not be surprised by motorized opening of the vehicle in emergency operation situations.

[0017] In another preferred design according to claim 8, the power delivery unit acquires another function: establishing a wireless communication link to the mobile device. This can be achieved in principle by allowing an authentication dialogue to proceed, the outcome of which determines whether the electrical power is permitted to be received by the corresponding mobile device.

[0018] In principle, the received electrical power can be directly (i.e., without temporary storage) transmitted to the door control unit and / or the opening driver (claim 9). Alternatively, but also conceivably, an energy buffer (Zwischenspeicher) can be provided for temporary storage of the received power. The solution mentioned first is cost-effective, while the solution mentioned second provides even greater operational security because possible power fluctuations from the electrical power received by the mobile device through temporary storage are unaffected.

[0019] The preferred design according to claim 11 relates to defining the probability of a predetermined emergency situation, the detection of which triggers the control components to switch to an emergency operation type. In a preferred design, the detection of the emergency situation is attributed to the control components receiving a collision signal from a collision sensor. Alternatively, an emergency situation can be defined as the on-board electrical grid voltage falling below a predetermined minimum threshold.

[0020] Especially in collision situations, it is advantageous that, as claimed in claim 12, the control component, in an emergency operation type, issues a request to the operator via an input- / output unit to place the mobile device into a charging station. This request can also be made, particularly audibly, for example, through voice output. This measure increases the probability of accessing energy present inside the vehicle in the form of a mobile device during an emergency operation type.

[0021] According to another teaching that has independent significance as described in claim 13, a motor vehicle is thus required to have a vehicle lock and a control assembly according to the proposed control assembly. Reference may be made to all embodiments of the proposed control assembly.

[0022] In the preferred design according to claim 13, the lining of the vehicle door provides a charging station for either a first type of mobile device or a second type of mobile device. Similarly, in this regard, reference is allowed to embodiments of the teachings mentioned above.

[0023] According to another teaching that has the same independent meaning as claim 15, a motor vehicle is thus required to have at least one vehicle door according to the proposed design. Reference may be made to all embodiments for the proposed vehicle door and for the proposed control components.

[0024] According to another teaching that has the same independent meaning as that described in claim 16, a method for operating a motor vehicle door by means of a suggested control assembly is thus required.

[0025] In the proposed method, the control components are supplied with electrical power from the vehicle's onboard electrical grid in the installed state. In emergency operation mode, electrical power is received from a first-type mobile device via a power delivery unit.

[0026] Importantly, according to the recommended teachings, in emergency operation, electrical power is wirelessly received from the first type of mobile device via a power delivery unit, and the received electrical power is used by means of a door control unit to operate an opening actuator to raise the pawl. Thus, the recommended method relates to the operation of the recommended control components, thereby also allowing reference to an implementation scheme for the recommended control unit. Attached Figure Description

[0027] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings depicting embodiments. In the drawings:

[0028] Figure 1 A fully schematic illustration shows a motor vehicle with the proposed control components, and

[0029] Figure 2 Also illustrated in a fully schematic diagram according to Figure 1 The vehicle door of the motor vehicle. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The proposed control component 1 is associated with the vehicle door 2 of the vehicle 3. The vehicle door 2 can be any vehicle door of the vehicle 3. Herein and preferably, the vehicle door 2 is a side door, especially a front side door, of the vehicle 3. All related embodiments are accordingly applicable to all other vehicle doors 2, especially to rear vehicle doors or tailgates.

[0031] When installed, the control component 1 is supplied with electrical power from the vehicle's on-board electrical grid 4, which is supplied by the vehicle battery 5.

[0032] The vehicle door 2 has a vehicle lock 6 with an electrically operated actuator 7 for motorized opening. Preferably, the vehicle lock 6 is equipped with a ratchet mechanism 8 consisting of a locking pin 9 and a pawl 10. For motorized opening of the vehicle lock 6, the actuator 7 is technically coupled to or can be coupled to the pawl 10, so that the pawl 10 can be motorizedly lifted by means of the actuator 7.

[0033] Control component 1 has a door control unit 11 for operating the opening actuator 7. The door control unit 11 is preferably equipped with a logic unit that coordinates the motorized opening of the vehicle lock 6. However, in principle, the door control unit 11 may also simply provide a wiring network, which is required for energizing the opening actuator 7. Alternatively, the door control unit 11 may be provided by a central door control system, which accordingly operates the opening actuators of all other vehicle doors 2.

[0034] In normal operating conditions, the control component 1 is in normal operating mode, in which the motorized opening of the vehicle lock 6 is achieved by the operator via the electric door operating elements 2a, 2b.

[0035] Once control component 1 detects a predetermined emergency, it switches to emergency operation mode. The predetermined emergency is, for example, a failure of at least a portion of the vehicle's electrical grid voltage. Detection of the predetermined emergency is preferably performed by means of door control unit 11.

[0036] Figure 2 As shown, the control component 1 also has a power delivery unit 12, which is configured to receive electrical power from the first type of mobile device 13 via the power delivery unit 12 in an emergency operation type.

[0037] Importantly, the power delivery unit 12 is configured to wirelessly receive electrical power from the first type of mobile device 13. Wireless power delivery is currently achieved via inductive or capacitive connections. Various standards are known for this purpose, which are preferably used in the proposed solution. Examples include the Qi standard, the PMA standard, and the A4WP standard.

[0038] Importantly, the door control unit 11 is configured to receive electrical power from the first type of mobile device 13 via the power delivery unit 12 in emergency operation mode and use the received electrical power to operate the opening driver 7 to open the vehicle lock 6. The first type of mobile device 13 is preferably a mobile energy storage device, especially a mobile power source, as further explained.

[0039] The vehicle lock 6 is preferably an electronic lock, which can only be opened electrically, i.e., by means of the opening actuator 7. In other words, the pawl 10 can only be lifted by means of the opening actuator 7, and cannot be lifted, for example, by a mechanical force chain to the inside handle or outside grab handle. In the case of such an electronic lock, the proposed solution is particularly important because the functionality of the opening actuator 7 must be ensured even in the event of a failure of the vehicle's electrical grid voltage.

[0040] In the illustrated and, in this regard, preferred embodiment, it is interesting that the power delivery unit 12 is configured not only to receive electrical power but also to emit electrical power. This means that the power delivery unit 12 is configured to wirelessly emit electrical power to the corresponding mobile device 13, 14 in normal operation mode for charging either the first type of mobile device 13 or the second type of mobile device 14. For this purpose, the power delivery unit 12 has a wireless transmit / receive unit 15, which is used not only to receive electrical power but also to emit it. In this case, where the power delivery unit 12 operates inductively, the transmit / receive unit 15 has a coil assembly 16, which is correspondingly used dually, i.e., not only for receiving but also for emitting electrical power. This abstract illustration naturally includes the fact that the electrical power is temporarily converted into magnetic power for its delivery.

[0041] In the aforementioned dual-use scenario of the power transfer unit 12, it is preferable that the power transfer unit 12 is configured as a charging station 17 for a first type of mobile device 13 and / or for a second type of mobile device 14, wherein the respective mobile devices 13, 14 are hereby and preferably form-fittingly accommodated in the charging station 17. This ensures that the relevant mobile devices 13, 14 are located in proximity to the power transfer unit 12 in a power transfer sense. This takes into account the situation where the power transfer unit 12 is preferably configured for short-range power transfer.

[0042] The first type of mobile device 13 is preferably configured at least for wirelessly transmitting electrical power. Accordingly, the first type of mobile device 13 is preferably a power bank or the like mentioned above. However, in principle, it is also possible for the first type of mobile device 13 to be additionally configured for wirelessly receiving electrical power. In this respect, the first type of mobile device 13 could then be a power bank. However, it is also conceivable that the first type of mobile device 13 is a mobile phone, which is configured not only for wirelessly transmitting electrical power but also for receiving electrical power.

[0043] The second type of mobile device 14 is preferably configured at least for wireless receiving power. The second type of mobile device 14 is preferably a correspondingly equipped mobile phone.

[0044] Figure 2A first type of mobile device 13 is shown, designed according to a type of power bank. The power bank has an energy storage device 18 in the form of a battery, a charging control device 19, and a charging adapter 20 configured for bidirectional power transfer. A second type of mobile device 14 is designed here as a mobile phone, having an energy storage device 21 in the form of a battery, a charging control device 22, and a charging adapter 23, also configured for bidirectional power transfer. However, at least the charging adapter 20 of the first type of mobile device 13 is configured for wirelessly transmitting power, while the charging adapter 23 of the second type of mobile device 14 is configured for wirelessly receiving power.

[0045] To avoid unwanted discharge of mobile devices 13, 14 located in the vicinity of power transfer unit 12, it is preferably configured such that control component 1, in emergency operation mode, queries the operator's response via an input- / output unit (not shown) and / or via the relevant mobile devices 13, 14, and only releases the electrical power received via power transfer unit 12 after a response. This response function of control component 1 is preferably implemented in door control unit 11.

[0046] From the basis Figure 2 As can be seen from the diagram, control component 1 has electrically operated, more specifically mentioned, door operating elements 2a and 2b, wherein in emergency operation mode, operation of the opening actuator 7 can be triggered by operating the relevant electrically operated door operating elements 2a and 2b. This means that in the case of changing from normal operation mode to emergency operation mode, the motorized opening of vehicle lock 6 is not sudden, but is triggered by operating the electric door operating elements 2a and 2b as normally would. Depending on the equipment of vehicle door 2, it may be a door operating element 2a operable from the interior space of vehicle 3 and / or a door operating element 2b operable from the exterior of vehicle 3.

[0047] The power delivery unit 12 here, and preferably, also has the function of constructing a wireless communication segment. The power delivery unit 12 accordingly has a communication unit 24, which can be used to construct a communication segment to a corresponding mobile device 14. Preferably, this is a second type of mobile device 14, which has a corresponding communication unit 25. In the illustrated and, in this regard, preferred embodiment, the communication unit 24 of the power delivery unit 12 is designed separately from the transmit / receive unit 15. In a particularly preferred design, however, the communication unit 24 is provided by the transmit / receive unit itself. Here, in a particularly preferred design, the delivery of electrical power and the construction of the communication segment are implemented via the same delivery hardware. This results in a particularly simple hardware construction.

[0048] Regarding the aforementioned configuration of the communication segment between mobile devices 13, 14 and power delivery unit 12, another feasible solution is derived to avoid undesirable discharge of the relevant mobile devices 13, 14. Here, it is preferable that power is received via power delivery unit 12 only after the communication segment is configured, and especially after a successful authentication query regarding the communication segment. This means that power received by power delivery unit 12 is only released after a successful authentication query regarding the communication segment.

[0049] Figure 2 As shown, the power transfer unit 12 delivers the received electrical power to the gate control unit 11 without temporary storage in the energy register. Alternatively or additionally, the received electrical power can be delivered to the start driver 7 without temporary storage in the energy register. This is advantageous because the energy register can be omitted. Furthermore, there is no energy loss that is always associated with charging and discharging the energy register.

[0050] Alternatively, the power transfer unit 12 can be configured to transmit the received electrical power to an energy register, which is used to power the door control unit 11 and / or the opening driver 7. This is technically more expensive in terms of hardware. However, it leads to a feasible solution where the power supply to the door control unit 11 and / or the opening driver 7 is provided independently of possible fluctuations in the received electrical power.

[0051] To define a predetermined emergency situation (in which the detection control component 1 changes from a normal operation mode to an emergency operation mode), different advantageous variations can be envisioned. Here, and preferably, the predetermined emergency situation is defined as follows: the control component 1 receives a collision signal from the collision sensor 26. Figure 2 Such a collision sensor 26 is shown, which is particularly used to detect side collisions.

[0052] Alternative or additional scenarios are defined hereinafter as situations where the on-board electrical grid voltage falls below a predetermined minimum threshold. Other types of predetermined emergency scenarios can be envisioned.

[0053] To ensure that, especially in the event of a collision, all energy sources present in the interior space of the vehicle, in the form of mobile devices 13, 14, are available for motorized unlocking of the vehicle lock 6, the control component 1, in emergency operation mode, preferably issues a request to the operator via an input-output unit (not shown) to place the mobile devices 13, 14 into the charging station 17. The same input-output unit may be used here, possibly for the aforementioned response.

[0054] Based on another teaching that has independent significance, a motor vehicle 3 is thus required to have a motor vehicle lock 6 and a control component 1 as suggested. In this regard, reference is permitted to all embodiments for the control component 1.

[0055] In a particularly preferred design, the control component 1 is configured to receive electrical power from the interior space of the vehicle. In this context, it is preferable that the aforementioned charging station 17 is constructed from the lining 27 of the vehicle door 2.

[0056] According to another teaching that also has an independent meaning, a motor vehicle 3 is required to have at least one of the aforementioned motor vehicle doors 3. Similarly, in this regard, reference is permitted to all embodiments for the motor vehicle door 2 and, according to the proposed control assembly 1.

[0057] In the proposed motor vehicle 3, the aforementioned charging station 17 may be located at one or more of the vehicle doors 2. However, alternatively or additionally, the charging station 17 may also be located in other parts of the interior space of the motor vehicle, particularly at the center console.

[0058] According to another teaching that also has independent significance, the same requirement applies to the method of operating the recommended motor vehicle door 2 by means of the recommended control component 1.

[0059] According to the proposed method, in emergency operation mode, electrical power is wirelessly received from the first type of mobile device 13 via the power delivery unit 13, wherein the door control unit 11 uses the received electrical power to operate the opening actuator 7 to open the vehicle lock 6. Similarly, in this regard, all embodiments of the proposed vehicle door 2 and the proposed control component 1 are permissible.

Claims

1. A control assembly for a vehicle door (2), wherein the control assembly (1) is supplied with electrical power from a vehicle electrical network (4) in an installed state, wherein the vehicle door (2) has a vehicle lock (6) with an electrically operated actuator (7) for motorized opening of the vehicle lock (6), wherein the control assembly (1) has a door control unit (11) for operating the actuator (7). When the control component (1) detects a predetermined emergency, the control component (1) switches from normal operation mode to emergency operation mode. The control component (1) includes a power delivery unit (12) and is configured in an emergency operation type to receive electrical power from a first type of mobile device (13) via the power delivery unit (12). Its features are, The power delivery unit (12) is configured to wirelessly receive electrical power from the first type of mobile device (13), and the door control unit (11) is configured to receive electrical power from the first type of mobile device (13) via the power delivery unit (12) in an emergency operation mode and use the received electrical power to control the opening driver (7) to open the vehicle lock (6), wherein the vehicle lock (6) is equipped with a locking mechanism (8) consisting of a locking pin (9) and a pawl (10), wherein the opening driver (7) is technically driven to be connected to the pawl (10) for motorized opening of the vehicle lock (6), so that the pawl (10) can be motorizedly lifted by means of the opening driver (7).

2. The control component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The power delivery unit (12) is configured to wirelessly transmit electrical power to the corresponding mobile device (13, 14) in normal operation mode in order to charge the first type of mobile device (13) or the second type of mobile device (14).

3. The control component according to claim 2, characterized in that, The power delivery unit (12) is configured as a charging station (17) for the first type of mobile device (13) and / or for the second type of mobile device (14), and the mobile devices (13, 14) can be placed in the charging station (17) and thus can be brought to the vicinity of the power delivery unit (12) in the sense of power delivery.

4. The control component according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The first type of mobile device (13) is configured to wirelessly emit electrical power.

5. The control component according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The second type of mobile device (14) is configured to wirelessly receive electrical power.

6. The control component according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The control component (1) queries the operator for a response in an emergency operation mode via an input-output unit and / or the mobile device (13, 14) and releases the electrical power received via the power transfer unit (12) only after the response.

7. The control component according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The control component (1) has an electric door operating element (2a, 2b) and in emergency operation mode, the operation of the opening driver (7) can be triggered by operating the electric door operating element (2a, 2b).

8. The control component according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The power delivery unit (12) is configured to establish a wireless communication segment to the mobile device (13, 14) and the power delivery unit (12) releases the received power only after establishing the communication segment.

9. The control component according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The power transfer unit (12) delivers the received electrical power to the door control unit (11) and / or the opening driver (7) without temporary storage in the energy register.

10. The control component according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The power transfer unit (12) delivers the received electrical power to the energy register, which is used to power the door control unit (11) and / or the opening driver (7).

11. The control component according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The predetermined emergency situation is defined as follows: the control component (1) receives a collision signal from the collision sensor (26), and / or the predetermined emergency situation is defined as follows: the on-board electrical grid voltage falls below a predetermined minimum threshold.

12. The control component according to claim 3, characterized in that, In emergency operation mode, the control component (1) sends a request to the operator via the input-output unit to place the mobile device (13, 14) into the charging station (17).

13. The control component according to claim 2, characterized in that, The power transfer unit (12) has a wireless transmit / receive unit (15) which is used not only to receive electrical power but also to transmit electrical power.

14. The control component according to claim 3, characterized in that, The mobile devices (13, 14) can be fitted into the charging station (17) in a shape-fitting manner.

15. The control component according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first type of mobile device (13) is additionally configured to wirelessly receive electrical power.

16. The control component according to claim 8, characterized in that, The power transfer unit (12) releases the received electrical power only after successfully performing an authentication query regarding the communication segment.

17. A motor vehicle door having a motor vehicle lock (6) and a control component (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

18. The motor vehicle door according to claim 17, characterized in that, The power delivery unit (12) is configured as a charging station (17) for a first type of mobile device (13) or for a second type of mobile device (14), wherein the corresponding mobile device (13, 14) can be placed in the charging station (17) and thereby can be brought to the vicinity of the power delivery unit (12) in the sense of power delivery, and the vehicle door (2) has a liner (27) and the liner (27) constitutes the charging station (17).

19. The motor vehicle door according to claim 18, characterized in that, The corresponding mobile devices (13, 14) can be placed into the charging station (17) in a shape-fitting manner.

20. A motor vehicle having at least one motor vehicle door (2) according to any one of claims 17 to 19.

21. A method for operating a motor vehicle door (2) by means of a control component (1), wherein the control component (1) is supplied with electrical power from a motor vehicle electrical network (4) in an installed state, wherein the motor vehicle door (2) has an electrically operated actuator (7) for motorized opening of a motor vehicle lock (6), wherein the motor vehicle lock (6) is equipped with a locking mechanism (8) consisting of a locking pin (9) and a pawl (10), wherein, for motorized opening of the motor vehicle lock (6), the actuator (7) is driven technically connected to the pawl (10), such that the pawl (10) can be motorizedly lifted by means of the actuator (7). The control component (1) includes a door control unit (11) for operating the opening actuator (7). When the control component (1) detects a predetermined emergency, the control component (1) switches from normal operation mode to emergency operation mode. The control component (1) includes a power delivery unit (12), wherein in an emergency operation type, electrical power is received from a first-type mobile device (13) via the power delivery unit (12). Its features are, In the emergency operation type, electrical power is wirelessly received from the first type of mobile device (13) via the power transmission unit (12) and the door control unit (11) uses the received electrical power to operate the opening driver (7) to open the vehicle lock (6).

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