Motor vehicle hatch, in particular motor vehicle door

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle hatch, in particular a motor vehicle door, having a lighting unit (4) and an energy storage unit (3) arranged in the hatch leaf (2) for at least energizing the lighting unit (4). According to the invention, the energy storage unit (3) is coupled to the lighting unit (4) by at least one releasable electrical connection (8, 9, 12).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle hatch, in particular a motor vehicle door, comprising a lighting unit and an energy storage unit arranged in a hatch leaf / a hatch body for supplying energy at least to the lighting unit. Background Art

[0002] Lighting units in motor vehicle hatches, particularly motor vehicle doors, are particularly useful for improving safety. This is because, for example, pedestrians or cyclists can be visually informed of the opening of the vehicle hatch using the lighting unit. This improves safety and, in particular, helps prevent collisions. A motor vehicle hatch is any device that is movable relative to the vehicle body and closes an opening in or on the vehicle body.

[0003] For example, a motor vehicle hatch is a motor vehicle tailgate, a motor vehicle hood, a motor vehicle charging port flap, a motor vehicle fuel filler flap, etc. In particular, according to the invention, it is a motor vehicle door and in this case usually a motor vehicle side door.

[0004] In this type of prior art, DE 10 2016 105 987 A1 describes a locking device for a motor vehicle that includes an illumination element and an additional light-conducting element. This allows light to be guided and directed into the surroundings of the locking device. Furthermore, the light-conducting element includes an imaging element. This allows for the overall generation of variable display content. Furthermore, this display content can be projected, thereby displaying at least one text and / or symbol and / or pattern.

[0005] In this way, the display status can be reflected by displaying text and / or symbols. This clearly indicates, for example, a bad vehicle locking state to the vehicle user. This also allows for the projection of warnings. This has generally proven effective. However, the energy supply for the lighting unit is typically conventionally provided by an integrated battery permanently installed in the locking device housing.

[0006] In addition to such lighting units on or in the vehicle hatch, there are also additional devices that can be supplied with the required energy, at least in emergency situations, by an energy storage unit arranged in the hatch leaf. Within the scope of DE 10 2018 129 403 A1, this additional device is, for example, a driven door pre-opening system. Using the associated pre-opening actuator, the hatch leaf can be opened relative to the vehicle body at least to such an extent that the vehicle hatch can then be easily opened and pivoted manually. This also applies if the exterior door handle is completely omitted.

[0007] Furthermore, DE 10 2018 117 477 A1 describes a locking plate system for a motor vehicle. In addition to a pre-opening component, this locking plate system also includes a lighting component or lighting unit that can be mounted near the handle area and operated there. Of course, the energy supply is conventionally provided using an energy source that is already present in the motor vehicle.

[0008] The prior art has generally proven effective for operating lighting units, locking systems, and door pre-opening devices. However, all of these devices and their flawless functioning require an uninterrupted power supply. While DE 10 2018 129 403 A1 describes the basic concept of using a safety energy source to power the pre-opening system in an emergency, this applies particularly if the connection to the main power source, typically the vehicle battery, is interrupted or fails for other reasons.

[0009] However, the solution here is to use an energy storage unit permanently installed inside the vehicle hatch for energy supply, particularly in emergency situations. This has the disadvantage that, for example, the energy storage unit cannot be easily replaced after a certain operating period. Furthermore, there is no option for coupling other actuating or locking elements located in or on the vehicle hatch to the provided energy storage unit. The present invention remedies this overall. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The invention is based on the technical problem of developing a motor vehicle hatch of this type, in particular a motor vehicle door, in such a way that the energy storage unit can be replaced and can also be used to supply other components.

[0011] In order to solve this technical problem, within the scope of the invention, a generic motor vehicle hatch and in particular a motor vehicle door is characterized in that the energy storage unit is connected to the lighting unit via at least one detachable electrical connection.

[0012] Therefore, within the scope of the present invention, the energy storage unit is first designed to be replaceable inside the hatch cover leaf. The releasable electrical connection is used for this purpose. In addition to the releasable electrical connection to the lighting unit, other electrical connections from the energy storage unit can also be realized. Within the scope of an advantageous embodiment, in addition to the lighting unit, an electrically actuable actuating and / or locking element for the hatch cover leaf is usually also provided. Alternatively or in addition, actuating and / or locking elements for other hatch cover components that can be moved relative to the hatch cover leaf can also be realized. In this case, the actuating and / or locking elements mentioned are also releasably connected to the energy storage unit. In addition, the actuating and / or locking elements are usually also arranged inside the hatch cover leaf - like the energy storage unit - so that the electrical connection can be achieved without difficulty and in a protected manner.

[0013] Therefore, according to the present invention, the energy storage unit arranged in the hatch cover leaf assumes almost the primary function of the energy supply. This is because the energy storage unit has at least one, and typically multiple, releasable electrical connections. Firstly, the necessary lighting units are releasably connected to the energy storage unit. Furthermore, electrically actuable actuating and / or locking elements can also draw their electrical energy from the energy storage unit via another releasable electrical connection, particularly in emergency situations.

[0014] Typically, the actuating and / or locking element for a hatch leaf can be a door opener, as described in the applicant's DE 10 2015 003 918 A1. Alternatively or additionally, however, the actuating and / or locking element can also be designed as a door drive that acts on a door hinge or is integrated into such a door hinge. An example of this is described in the applicant's DE 10 2009 006 948 B4.

[0015] In principle, the actuating and / or locking element for the hatch sash can also be a vehicle lock or, in general, a locking system for the associated hatch sash, as described in DE 10 2006 002 119 A1. If the actuating and / or locking element acts on another hatch component that is movable relative to the hatch sash, this could conceivably include a window lifter drive, a mirror drive, or the like. Accordingly, in the first embodiment, the movable other hatch component is a window pane that can be acted upon by the window lifter drive. In contrast, the second embodiment provides a mirror that is acted upon by the mirror drive as an electrically actuatable actuating and / or locking element.

[0016] In any case, it has been shown that the replaceable energy storage unit according to the present invention can be connected not only to the lighting unit via one or more removable electrical connections, but can also be used to supply energy to other actuating and / or locking elements. This is particularly suitable for emergency operation. In fact, the energy storage unit can be used to supply the required electrical energy to the electrically actuable motor vehicle door lock as a locking element in order to enable and implement at least the opening of the vehicle door. However, as an alternative or in addition, the energy storage unit can also be used to provide emergency power to a door opener as an actuating element. This is particularly advantageous when the motor vehicle hatch or motor vehicle door in question does not have an external door handle and, during emergency operation, it is necessary to push the associated hatch leaf or door leaf open with the help of a door opener at least to such an extent that a gap is created for manually opening the motor vehicle hatch or motor vehicle door. Typically, this can also be achieved and implemented with the help of a drive device as an actuating element for the motor vehicle hatch.

[0017] According to advantageous embodiments, the energy storage unit and / or the lighting unit are each constructed separately or modularly / combined together. In other words, the energy storage unit and / or the lighting unit are each independent and closed functional units. Typically, the energy storage unit and, if necessary, the lighting unit together define a module. This module is also advantageously designed for subsequent installation in a housing.

[0018] Generally, both the energy storage unit and the lighting unit are designed for subsequent installation in such a housing. The housing houses the actuating and / or locking elements. It is particularly advantageous if the energy storage unit and, if necessary, the lighting unit together form a module for subsequent installation in the housing. The housing is often the housing for the locking element. Preferably, the housing is designed as a motor vehicle lock housing.

[0019] In other words, within the scope of the present invention, the motor vehicle lock housing is advantageously additionally equipped with a replaceable module consisting of an energy storage unit and, if necessary, a lighting unit. This allows the energy storage unit to be added or replaced as needed. Furthermore, in the example, the energy storage unit can be used not only for emergency operation or emergency opening of the associated motor vehicle lock, but also for charging the door opener and / or the opening drive. Thus, the energy storage unit assumes the primary energy supply during emergency operation, as already described.

[0020] The lighting unit has at least one LED. Three or more LEDs are often provided. Furthermore, the LEDs can be designed with different colors. This allows for different orientations and applications using the lighting unit. For example, an LED pointing backward, that is, toward the rear of the vehicle, can emit red light for warning purposes. This LED can then be used to indicate to pedestrians or cyclists behind that a door is open, for example.

[0021] Another LED can, for example, be designed to emit white light and shine downwards, in order to illuminate the swinging area of ​​the motor vehicle door in the example. Furthermore, a third LED can also be used to illuminate the interior. In any case, this allows the motor vehicle lock in the example to be equipped with additional functions.

[0022] The energy storage unit itself typically contains at least one battery. However, alternatively or additionally, it can also be equipped with one or more capacitors. These capacitors are advantageously so-called supercapacitors, i.e., capacitors with particularly high capacitance. During operation, the energy storage unit can be easily supplied with energy from the vehicle battery or generator, since the vehicle lock housing that receives the module, or a device located therein, is always connected to the vehicle's onboard power supply.

[0023] The result is a motor vehicle hatch and, in particular, a motor vehicle door that is firstly equipped with an additional lighting unit for assuming a warning function or a comfort function as described. Furthermore, an energy storage unit is provided, which can be used to supply not only the required electrical energy for the lighting unit but also other electrically actuable actuating and / or locking elements. This is particularly important for emergency operation, since the energy storage unit then assumes the entire function of a central emergency energy source.

[0024] This is all achieved particularly simply and with minimal structural complexity by virtue of the fact that the lighting unit and the energy storage unit can be combined to form a module for subsequent installation in the housing of the actuating and / or locking element, if necessary. Furthermore, since the energy storage unit is equipped with at least one releasable electrical connection to the lighting unit and the actuating and / or locking element or elements, the energy storage unit can be easily replaced as required. This is a significant advantage of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate only one exemplary embodiment;

[0026] Figure 1 A motor vehicle hatch according to the invention in the form of a motor vehicle door and in particular a motor vehicle side door is shown schematically in a schematic diagram.

[0027] Figure 2 A motor vehicle side door is shown in detail. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] In the figures, a motor vehicle hatch is shown which, according to an embodiment, is a motor vehicle door and corresponds in particular to a Figure 1 1 shows a front motor vehicle side door, which is equipped with a hatch leaf or door leaf 2 that can be pivoted about an axis 1 .

[0029] The motor vehicle side door or door leaf 2 is equipped with an energy storage unit 3 arranged in its interior. In addition, according to this embodiment, a lighting unit 4 is provided with three LEDs 4a, 4b, 4c of different colors. Figure 2 In the figure, the push-open element 5 can also be seen.

[0030] The lighting unit 4, energy storage unit 3, and push-opening element 5, or generally, electrically actuated actuating element 5, for the door leaf 2 are all housed in a housing 6. Obviously, the actuating element 5 can also be designed to be independent of the housing 6, but this is not shown. Within the scope of this exemplary embodiment, the housing 6 is a motor vehicle lock housing 6, that is, a housing 6 that, in addition to the lighting unit 4, energy storage unit 3, and push-opening element 5, also accommodates conventional lock elements, such as a locking mechanism including a rotary latch and a pawl, and an actuating / locking lever system. However, this is not shown in detail.

[0031] In addition to the push-open element 5 as an actuating and / or locking element 5, a drive 7 is provided for the door leaf 2. The drive 7 is also embodied as an actuating element 7. The locking element 6 corresponds to the motor vehicle lock housing 6 or the associated motor vehicle lock. The drive 7 is located in the area of ​​the door hinge defining the axis 1 and ensures that the door leaf 2 can be opened and locked as a whole.

[0032] By observing in a similar way Figure 1 and Figure 2 It is shown that according to the present invention, the energy storage unit 3 is connected to the lighting unit 4 via at least one detachable electrical connection 8, 9, 12. Figure 2 As can be seen from the diagram in FIG, according to this embodiment, three electrical connections 8, 9, and 12 are detachably connected to the energy storage unit 3. The electrical connection 8 is used to connect the energy storage unit 3 to the lighting unit 4. In contrast, a detachable electrical connection between the energy storage unit 3 and the drive 7 for the door leaf 2 is provided by means of a further electrical connection 9. A further third electrical connection 12 detachably connects the energy storage unit 3 to the push-opening element 5.

[0033] In this way, the energy storage unit 3 assumes the primary function of energy supply, in particular for emergency energy supply, i.e., if the motor vehicle lock housing 6 shown is (no longer) electrically connected to the vehicle body due to an accident causing an interruption or damage to the electrical connection. This emergency operation is also conceivable if the vehicle battery is completely discharged and the door leaf 2 can no longer be opened.

[0034] The energy storage unit 3 typically has at least one battery and / or capacitor, as explained above. Furthermore, the energy storage unit 3 and also the lighting unit 4 are often designed to be either individually constructed or modularly constructed. Often, the energy storage unit 3 and, if appropriate, the lighting unit 4 together define a module for subsequent installation in the housing 6. According to this embodiment, only the energy storage unit 3 is designed as a module for subsequent installation in the aforementioned housing 6. In other words, the energy storage unit 3 defines a closed functional module with its own housing for subsequent installation in the housing 6.

[0035] To this end, the housing 6 or, according to this embodiment, the motor vehicle lock housing 6 has a receptacle 10 in the housing 6 into which the energy storage unit 3 is releasably inserted. Once the energy storage unit 3 is inserted into the housing 6, interacting contacts simultaneously ensure that the required electrical energy is supplied to the lighting unit 4 by means of the energy storage unit 3, as the electrical connection 8 is subsequently closed. At the same time, the energy storage unit 3 serves as an emergency energy source for an electric drive (not explicitly shown) located within the housing or lock housing 6, which typically electrically opens the locking mechanism. Thus, if the main energy source provided in the motor vehicle body fails, the energy storage unit 3 ensures that the motor vehicle lock can be opened electrically as usual and unchanged.

[0036] At the same time, for subsequent installation in the housing 6 , the energy storage unit 3 or the module realized here is equipped with electrical contact elements so that the drive 7 for the door leaf 2 can also be loaded with the energy storage unit 3 in the event of emergency opening via the further detachable electrical connection 9 .

[0037] As already explained, the lighting unit 4 is arranged inside the vehicle lock housing 6 . To this end, the lighting unit 4 can be mounted on a circuit board or electronic component carrier, which is generally provided there. In this case, the LED 4a is used to direct its red light from the door leaf 2 in this example toward the rear, that is, into the area behind it, opposite the direction of travel. This LED 4a thus performs a warning function. In contrast, the other LED 4b is designed as a white light LED and can direct its light toward the interior of the associated vehicle. Finally, the third LED 4c, which is also provided, ensures, in conjunction with the indicated light-guiding element 11, that its light, also white, is directed into the swinging area of ​​the door leaf 2, that is, toward the ground. This allows the vehicle user to directly see, for example, whether they are stepping into a puddle when exiting the vehicle.

[0038] according to Figure 2 As can be seen from the diagram in , the energy storage unit 3 is not only equipped with a detachable electrical connection 8 connected to the lighting unit 4 and another detachable electrical connection 9 connected to the drive 7 for the door leaf 2. In addition, according to this embodiment, the other detachable third electrical connection 12 is realized, by means of which the energy storage unit 3 ensures that the required electrical energy for the push-open element 5 can also be supplied by the central energy storage unit 3 in emergency operation. Here, the required electrical energy for the energy storage unit 3 is supplied as a whole by a main energy source inside the vehicle body. For this purpose, the vehicle lock or the vehicle lock housing 6 is connected to the main energy source via an electrical connection that is not explicitly shown. The same situation applies to the push-open element 5 and the drive or actuator 7.

[0039] If the main energy source fails, the energy storage unit 3 first ensures that the locking mechanism inside the vehicle lock housing 6 is opened by means of the electric drive there. Subsequently, the push-opening element 5 ensures that the door leaf 2 is pushed away relative to the vehicle body by means of the energy provided by the energy storage unit 3 during emergency operation at least to such an extent that a user or rescuer can manually open the door leaf 2 completely through the gap formed between the door leaf 2 and the vehicle body.

[0040] However, alternatively or additionally, after the motor vehicle lock has been opened electrically, the door leaf 2 can also be loaded at least to such an extent by means of the drive device 7 using energy from the energy storage unit 3 that the door leaf 2 can then be fully opened manually. Of course, it is also possible and conceivable in principle to fully open the door leaf 2 by means of the drive device 7 during emergency operation.

[0041] List of reference numerals:

[0042] 1 axis

[0043] 2 Hatch fan

[0044] 3 Energy storage unit

[0045] 4 lighting units

[0046] 5 Pushing element / actuating element

[0047] 6 Lock housing / locking element

[0048] 7 Drive unit / actuating element

[0049] 8, 9, 12 electrical connections

[0050] 10 Receiving Department

[0051] 11 Light guide element

Claims

1. A motor vehicle hatch having a lighting unit (4) and an energy storage unit (3) arranged in a hatch panel leaf (2) for supplying energy to at least the lighting unit (4), It is characterized in that The energy storage unit (3) is connected to the lighting unit (4) via at least one detachable electrical connection part (8, 9, 12). In addition to the lighting unit (4), electrically actuatable actuating and / or locking elements (5, 6, 7) for the hatch cover leaf (2) are provided, wherein the actuating and / or locking elements (5, 6, 7) are likewise detachably electrically connected to the energy storage unit (3). The energy storage unit (3) can be releasably inserted into a receiving portion in the housing (6) of the actuating and / or locking element (5, 6, 7) and is supplied with the required electrical energy from a main energy source inside the vehicle body. The energy storage unit (3) has a plurality of detachable electrical connections and provides energy for at least the lighting unit and the actuating and / or locking elements during emergency operation.

2. The motor vehicle hatch cover according to claim 1, wherein: The energy storage unit (3) and the lighting unit (4) are constructed individually or in a modular combination.

3. The motor vehicle hatch cover according to claim 1, wherein: The energy storage unit (3) and / or the lighting unit (4) are designed for subsequent installation in a housing (6) of an actuating and / or locking element (5, 6, 7).

4. The motor vehicle hatch cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The energy storage unit (3) and the lighting unit (4) in combination define a module for subsequent installation in a housing (6).

5. The motor vehicle hatch cover according to claim 4, characterized in that The housing (6) is the housing of the locking element.

6. The motor vehicle hatch cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The lighting unit (4) has at least one LED (4a, 4b, 4c).

7. The motor vehicle hatch cover according to claim 6, characterized in that Three or more LEDs (4a, 4b, 4c) are provided.

8. The motor vehicle hatch cover according to claim 7, characterized in that The LEDs (4a, 4b, 4c) are designed with different colors.

9. The motor vehicle hatch cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The energy storage unit (3) has at least one battery and / or capacitor.

10. The motor vehicle hatch cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The motor vehicle hatch is a motor vehicle door.

11. The vehicle hatch cover according to claim 5, wherein: The housing (6) is a motor vehicle lock housing.

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