Motor vehicle lock
By designing a replaceable, non-rechargeable lithium battery emergency power source within the lock housing of a motor vehicle lock, the problems of high cost and complex structure in existing technologies are solved, achieving a low-cost, lightweight, and easily replaceable emergency power supply solution.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- KIEKERT AG
- Filing Date
- 2021-12-10
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-15
AI Technical Summary
Existing emergency power sources for vehicle locks are expensive and complex, requiring special charging and boost modules, which increases the weight and manufacturing cost of the locks.
The emergency power source is designed as a non-rechargeable lithium battery, which is placed in the lock housing in a replaceable manner, eliminating the need for a connection to the vehicle-side energy supply system. It communicates with the vehicle-side controller through the control unit on the lock side to switch to emergency power source.
It reduces the weight and manufacturing cost of vehicle locks, simplifies the replacement process of emergency power sources, and makes it easy for non-professionals to replace them, ensuring normal power supply in emergencies.
Smart Images
Figure CN116783360B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to a motor vehicle lock, particularly a motor vehicle door lock, comprising: a locking mechanism mainly including a rotating locking fork and a locking pawl arranged in a lock housing; particularly an electric drive device for the locking mechanism; and an emergency energy source for providing emergency power to the drive device. Background Technology
[0002] Nowadays, vehicle locks, especially door locks, are increasingly equipped with electrically driven mechanisms, particularly for locking systems. This significantly improves comfort. However, in general, the aforementioned electrically driven mechanisms can also be used to achieve functional positions such as the locking position, child safety features, and anti-theft functions.
[0003] In general, electric drive units are used for electrically opening and closing locking mechanisms. This electric opening process is not only particularly comfortable because it eliminates the need for mechanical loading on the operator's end—more precisely, the operator must load the mechanism using switches, door handles, remote controls, etc.—to electrically open the locking mechanism. Electric opening also, in principle, particularly contributes to improving the aerodynamics of the vehicle, as it eliminates the need for exterior door handles.
[0004] Furthermore, this electric drive unit for the locking mechanism can also be used as a tensioning drive unit to tighten the locking mechanism, as described, for example, in such prior art according to DE 10 2018 123 264 A1. In the event of a decrease or disconnection in the vehicle-side energy supply to the electric drive unit, an emergency energy source ensures that the electric drive unit is operated via the emergency energy source. Thus, known vehicle locks can be opened in a structurally simple manner even in the event of an accident or collision.
[0005] Similar vehicle locks are the subject of US 10,378,251 B2. The aim in this case is also to overcome potential interference with the energy supply to the electric drive unit in the event of an accident or collision. A conceivable solution is to provide a mechanical backup solution. However, such a mechanical backup solution is structurally complex and increases the weight of the vehicle lock. However, the increased weight and price are practically unacceptable today.
[0006] For this reason, the known teachings of US 10 378 251 B2 are combined with an emergency energy source for providing emergency power to the drive unit. Within the scope of the known teachings, this emergency energy source specifically uses a so-called supercapacitor, i.e., a capacitor with particularly high capacitance, which is charged by an energy source forcibly installed on the vehicle body side. For this purpose, an additional charging module is specifically provided, and supplementarily, a so-called boost module is also provided, so that a voltage in the range of 9V to 16V, typically required for operating the electric drive unit, can be provided on the output side of the capacitor.
[0007] In US 10 378 251 B2, the emergency power source is located inside the lock housing. Furthermore, a control unit additionally located on the lock side within the lock housing ensures switching to the emergency power source in an emergency. This has been proven appropriate in principle.
[0008] However, there is still room for improvement in the existing technology. This is because the supercapacitors used in the known teachings according to US 10,378,251 B2 are expensive and require special charging modules and the aforementioned boost modules. Furthermore, a so-called equalizer module is often used, which ensures, for example, that the two supercapacitor cells used in the prior art have the same volt rate during operation. Since the aforementioned modules are arranged inside the lock housing along with the known emergency power source and must be operated, this increases the structural and economic costs of implementing known vehicle locks. Therefore, the present invention provides a remedy in its entirety. Summary of the Invention
[0009] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to further improve such vehicle locks, especially vehicle door locks, so as to further reduce structural and financial costs compared with the prior art, while ensuring that the emergency energy source is always fully functional.
[0010] To address this technical problem, the present invention proposes, in such vehicle locks and particularly vehicle door locks, that an emergency energy source is arranged in a replaceable manner within the lock housing.
[0011] The primary objective of this invention is that the emergency energy source can be removably housed within the lock housing. This implies the possibility of using conventional emergency energy sources. Another advantage is that the emergency energy source can be designed to be independent of the vehicle body side. This means that the replaceability of the emergency energy source within the lock housing according to this invention eliminates the need for electrical connection to the vehicle body side energy supply system, thereby allowing the emergency energy source to be designed as self-sufficient and independent of the aforementioned vehicle body side energy supply system.
[0012] Furthermore, it has proven particularly advantageous that the emergency power source is designed to be non-rechargeable. This design eliminates, in principle, the need for the charging module and mandatory boost module required by the prior art according to US 10,378,251 B2. The equalizer module is also unnecessary. This is because the emergency power source, according to the invention, is removably housed in the lock housing and designed to be self-sufficient and non-rechargeable, meaning that it provides the electric drive unit with the energy and matching voltage required for emergency operation from the outset.
[0013] Here, the present invention is based on the understanding that such emergency energy sources, for example in the form of non-rechargeable lithium batteries, are now readily available in large quantities, at low cost, and easily. In fact, such non-rechargeable inorganic lithium batteries, for example, provide an output voltage of 3.6V, so connecting three such batteries in series already produces a voltage of 10.8V. Four such batteries can even provide an output voltage of 14.4V, thus, combined with the typically required current intensity of several amperes, allowing the electric drive to be operated without problems in emergency operation, and, for example, continuously and consistently responsible for and capable of electrically opening the locking mechanism. Even in this case, so-called "button batteries" can be used simply.
[0014] In this manner, according to the invention, the replaceable emergency power source, arranged within the lock housing, can be replaced and renewed by non-professionals when necessary. For this purpose, it is often designed so that the replaceable emergency power source can be accessed via a lock slot / lock opening in the lock housing. The aforementioned lock slot is typically used to allow the lock retainer on the vehicle body side to interact with the locking mechanism inside the vehicle lock. Since vehicle locks, and particularly vehicle door locks, are typically installed inside the corresponding vehicle door, the aforementioned lock slot is, in principle, accessible at least when the relevant vehicle door is open.
[0015] When an openable cover or a replaceable insert for receiving an emergency power source is provided in the lock area, even non-professionals can easily replace the emergency power source. Furthermore, since the emergency power source within the scope of this invention is a readily available and commercially common non-rechargeable battery, there is clearly no need for complex accumulators, charging modules, etc. Thus, not only is the weight of the vehicle lock according to the invention kept exceptionally low, but its manufacturing cost is also kept exceptionally low.
[0016] Typically, a vehicle lock-side control unit is additionally installed within the lock housing. The advantage of mounting the vehicle lock-side control unit within the lock housing is that it is protected and, particularly, not damaged in the event of a collision. Thus, the vehicle lock-side control unit within the lock housing can maintain basic locking functions even after a collision, and in particular, ensures that the electric drive unit is consistently powered by an emergency power source. Furthermore, the vehicle lock-side control unit within the lock housing allows for the inspection of the emergency power source, which is also replaceable within the lock housing itself.
[0017] Therefore, it is conceivable, for example, that the control unit on the vehicle lock side periodically checks the voltage and state of charge provided by the emergency power source. Within the scope of this invention, once the voltage or state of charge of the non-rechargeable emergency power source falls below a certain threshold, the control unit on the vehicle lock side may, for example, issue a corresponding warning message to an additionally installed controller on the vehicle body side or generally to the vehicle, thereby alerting the operator or user to the need to replace the emergency power source.
[0018] The control unit on the vehicle lock side typically communicates with the controller on the vehicle body side, as described earlier. This communication is generally wired. A bus connection is particularly advantageous here. In practice, the bus connection can be, exemplary and non-limitingly, a so-called LIN bus (local interconnection network), i.e., a serial communication system, typically used to network sensors and actuators within the vehicle. Data transmission can be performed as a PWM signal (via pulse width modulation). Of course, this is merely exemplary and not mandatory. In any case, the control unit on the vehicle lock side communicates with the controller on the vehicle body side, more precisely advantageously via the described bus connection. This allows the controller on the vehicle body side to send an emergency signal to the control unit on the vehicle lock side in an emergency. Of course, communication between the control unit on the vehicle lock side and the controller on the vehicle body side can also be implemented and configured under normal circumstances.
[0019] The aforementioned emergency signal is transmitted from the controller on the vehicle body side to the control unit on the vehicle lock side via a bus connection. This is typically implemented serially, and exemplary, as a PWM signal. The emergency signal itself usually corresponds to a voltage drop or power failure in the vehicle body side energy supply system. This means that once the controller on the vehicle body side confirms a significant voltage drop or even a complete power failure in the vehicle body side energy supply system, the aforementioned emergency signal is generated and transmitted to the control unit on the vehicle lock side according to the present invention. Of course, an emergency signal typically triggers additional measures and scenarios, such as checking the collision sensors, and, if necessary, activating the seatbelt tensioner, airbags, etc.
[0020] Furthermore, it is advantageously designed that, upon receiving an emergency signal, the control unit on the vehicle lock side switches its power supply to at least the emergency power source, along with the power supply to the electric drive unit. This ensures that the control unit on the vehicle lock side, along with the electric drive unit, is completely independent of the vehicle's power supply system in terms of energy when an emergency signal is received. In most cases, receiving an emergency signal from the control unit on the vehicle lock side also additionally ensures that emergency sensors are monitored when necessary.
[0021] The emergency sensor can be an additional sensor, installed externally or internally in or on the relevant vehicle door. Most often, the emergency sensor is designed as an emergency switch. Furthermore, the emergency sensor may be specially marked to emphasize its importance. Because the control unit on the vehicle lock side only monitors the emergency sensor upon receiving an emergency signal, it ensures that the control unit can ignore unintended manipulation of the emergency sensor outside of emergency operation. Manipulation of the emergency sensor is only recorded and implemented by the control unit on the vehicle lock side during emergency operation and after receiving an emergency signal.
[0022] In an emergency operation, the manipulation of the aforementioned emergency sensor via the control unit on the vehicle lock side can be directly interpreted as a desire to perform an electric emergency opening in this example scenario. To achieve this electric emergency opening, an emergency energy source is used, which, during the aforementioned emergency operation, is responsible for supplying the necessary electrical energy to the electric drive unit independently of the vehicle-side energy supply system to load it. Therefore, the electric drive unit can electrically open the aforementioned locking mechanism in an emergency. Of course, other emergency operations using the electric drive unit are also feasible and conceivable.
[0023] Therefore, the design principle is as follows: in an emergency, the control unit on the vehicle lock side switches to the emergency power source and monitors the emergency sensors. Typically, the control unit on the vehicle lock side can also switch the power supply to the entire vehicle lock system to the emergency power source. Thus, emergency operation of the emergency sensors can be detected directly by the control unit on the vehicle lock side and, for example, converted into the desired electric emergency opening.
[0024] Therefore, this invention proposes a significantly simplified and particularly low-cost vehicle lock and its operating method. Essentially, this is due to the emergency power source being arranged in a replaceable manner within the lock housing. Furthermore, since the emergency power source is designed to be self-sufficient and non-rechargeable, commercially available non-rechargeable batteries can be used in this case, which can even be replaced by non-professionals if necessary. This is the main advantage of this invention. Attached Figure Description
[0025] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate only one embodiment; the drawings show:
[0026] Figure 1 A schematic overview diagram of a motor vehicle lock according to the present invention is shown; and
[0027] Figure 2 A detailed perspective view of the lock housing is shown. Detailed Implementation
[0028] A vehicle lock is shown in the accompanying drawings. This vehicle lock is a vehicle door lock, which, according to an embodiment, is arranged inside a vehicle door 1 shown only schematically. In the embodiment, vehicle door 1 is a side door of the vehicle, specifically the driver's door. However, in principle, vehicle door 1 can also be a vehicle hatch, a vehicle rear cover, a vehicle fuel tank cap, etc. This means that, within the scope of this application, the term "vehicle door 1" should be interpreted broadly.
[0029] As illustrated, a vehicle lock or vehicle door lock, in its basic structure, has locking mechanisms 3 and 4 arranged within the lock housing 2. Commonly, locking mechanisms 3 and 4 consist of a rotating locking fork 3 and a locking pawl 4. According to... Figure 1 The diagram shows the closed state of locking mechanisms 3 and 4, with the locking claw 4 falling into the rotating locking fork 3.
[0030] The basic structure of the vehicle lock also includes an electric drive device 5, which, according to an embodiment, acts on the locking pawl 4 and disengages the locking pawl from engagement with the rotating locking fork 3. Therefore, within the scope of this embodiment and without limitation, the electric drive device 5 is designed as an electrically operated opening drive for the locking mechanisms 3 and 4.
[0031] The electric drive unit 5 is controlled by the control unit 6 on the lock side. The control unit 6 on the lock side, like the locking mechanisms 3 and 4 and the electric drive unit 5, is located inside the lock housing 2. This also applies to the additionally installed emergency power source 7, by which the electric drive unit 5 can be powered in an emergency. The emergency power source 7 is also arranged and housed inside the lock housing 2.
[0032] According to the present invention, the emergency energy source 7 is arranged in a replaceable manner within the lock housing 2. In fact, according to the embodiment and in accordance with... Figure 2 As shown, the aforementioned emergency power source 7 can be accessed via the lock 8. Specifically, it can be... Figure 2The lock opening 8 is clearly visible. In fact, the rotating lock fork 3 is at least partially recessed into the lock opening 8 so that it can interact with a lock retainer (not explicitly shown) located on the vehicle body when the vehicle door 1 is closed. For this purpose, the mentioned lock retainer enters the lock opening 8. Furthermore, once the vehicle door 1 is opened, the mentioned lock opening 8 can be freely accessed. This allows for the possibility of placing an insert E in the lock opening 8, which can replaceably receive the emergency power source 7 and can be replaceably inserted into the lock housing 2. Simultaneously, the insert E is responsible for sealing the lock housing 2.
[0033] However, an openable flap can also be provided and implemented in the area of the lock opening 8 within the lock housing 2 to replace the insert E, allowing the emergency power source 7 to be accessed when the flap is opened. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The flip cover K is shown in the image. The emergency power source 7 can be replaced without any problems by non-professionals when necessary, as long as the vehicle door 1 is open.
[0034] In this embodiment, the emergency energy source 7 is a self-sufficient emergency energy source compared to the vehicle-side energy supply system 9. Furthermore, the emergency energy source 7 is not only designed to be self-sufficient or independent of the vehicle-side energy supply system 9, but is also designed to be non-rechargeable. Here, it has proven particularly advantageous to use one or more non-rechargeable and commercially available lithium batteries as the emergency energy source 7. These lithium batteries can even be in the form of button batteries and are designed to be inserted into a replaceable insert E or a retainer that can be accessed when the alternatively provided flip cover K is opened in the area of the latch 8.
[0035] The control unit 6 on the vehicle lock side communicates with the controller 10 on the vehicle body side. A bus connection 11 is provided for this purpose. The bus connection 11 can be the LIN bus mentioned earlier. Once the controller 10 on the vehicle body side records an emergency, it sends an emergency signal to the control unit 6 on the vehicle lock side. This emergency signal typically corresponds to a voltage drop or power outage in the vehicle body side energy supply system 9.
[0036] Once the control unit 6 on the vehicle lock side receives the emergency signal mentioned by the controller 10 on the vehicle body side, it switches its power supply to the emergency power source 7, as well as to the power supply to the electric drive unit 5. This means that during normal operation, the control unit 6 on the vehicle lock side and the electric drive unit 5 are supplied with the necessary electrical energy via the vehicle body side power supply system 9. However, once an emergency signal from the controller 10 on the vehicle body side is sent to the control unit 6 on the vehicle lock side, the power supply is switched, i.e., from the vehicle body side power supply system 9 to the emergency power source 7. In this case, the emergency power source 7 can be responsible for the entire power supply to the vehicle lock, i.e., not only powering the control unit 6 on the vehicle lock side and the electric drive unit 5, but also, if necessary, powering additional sensors, other motors, drive units, etc., installed within the vehicle lock. Crucially, the emergency power source 7 ensures the power supply to the control unit 6 on the vehicle lock side and the electric drive unit 5.
[0037] In this manner, in the event of an emergency or upon receiving an emergency signal from the controller 10 on the vehicle side, the control unit 6 on the vehicle lock side automatically switches to the emergency energy source 7. Furthermore, it is designed such that, in the event of the aforementioned emergency or upon receiving an emergency signal, the control unit 6 on the vehicle lock side also additionally monitors the emergency sensor 12. This emergency sensor 12 can be located inside the vehicle door 1, outside the vehicle door 1, or in other locations. Since the aforementioned emergency sensor 12 is monitored only and only upon receiving an emergency signal from the control unit 6 on the vehicle lock side, unintended loading of the emergency sensor 12 can be ignored during normal operation.
[0038] Currently, the activation of the emergency sensor 12 only triggers the electric emergency opening of locking mechanisms 3 and 4 in an emergency situation, upon receiving an emergency signal. This is because the activation of the aforementioned emergency sensor 12 is understood by the control unit 6 on the vehicle lock side in an emergency situation as requiring the desired emergency opening of locking mechanisms 3 and 4. In principle, emergency opening can be accompanied by a change in the rotation direction of the electric drive unit 5. However, this is not mandatory.
[0039] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram:
[0040] 1. Motor vehicle door
[0041] 2 Lock housing
[0042] 3, 4 Locking Mechanism
[0043] 3. Rotate the locking fork
[0044] 4 locking claws
[0045] 5. Electric drive unit
[0046] 6. Control unit on the vehicle lock side
[0047] 7 Emergency Energy Sources
[0048] 8 locks
[0049] 9. Body side energy supply system
[0050] 10. Controllers on the side of the vehicle body
[0051] 11 Bus Connection Section
[0052] 12 emergency sensors
[0053] K Flip
[0054] E Insert
Claims
1. A motor vehicle lock for a motor vehicle door (1), the motor vehicle lock having: a locking mechanism (3, 4) arranged in a lock housing (2), the locking mechanism mainly including a rotating locking fork (3) and a locking claw (4); an electric drive device (5) for the locking mechanism (3, 4); and an emergency energy source (7) for providing emergency power to the drive device (5). Its features are, The emergency energy source (7) is arranged in the lock housing (2) in a replaceable manner. The emergency energy source (7) is accessible via a lock port (8) in the lock housing (2), wherein the rotating lock fork (3) is at least partially recessed into the lock port (8) so as to interact with the lock retainer located on the vehicle body when the vehicle door (1) is closed, and the lock port (8) is accessible once the vehicle door (1) is opened. An additional control unit (6) on the vehicle lock side is provided in the lock housing (2). The control unit (6) on the vehicle lock side communicates with the controller (10) on the vehicle body side. In an emergency, the controller (10) on the vehicle body side sends an emergency signal to the control unit (6) on the vehicle lock side, and In addition, when an emergency signal is received, the control unit (6) on the vehicle lock side also monitors the emergency sensor (12), so that the loading of the emergency sensor (12) after receiving the emergency signal causes the locking mechanism (3, 4) to be electrically opened in an emergency.
2. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control unit (6) on the vehicle lock side communicates with the controller (10) on the vehicle body side via a bus connection (11).
3. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The vehicle lock is a vehicle door lock, and the emergency sensor (12) is located inside the vehicle door (1) or outside the vehicle door (1).
4. The motor vehicle lock according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, Emergency signals are transmitted serially as PWM signals, etc.
5. The motor vehicle lock according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, An emergency signal corresponds to a voltage drop or power failure in the vehicle-side energy supply system (9).
6. The motor vehicle lock according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, Upon receiving an emergency signal, the control unit (6) on the vehicle lock side will switch its energy supply and the energy supply to the drive unit (5) to the emergency energy source (7).
7. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 6, characterized in that, The control unit (6) on the vehicle lock side switches the energy supply to the emergency energy source (7) for the entire vehicle lock.
8. The motor vehicle lock according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The emergency energy source (7) is designed to be self-sufficient and cannot be recharged.