Device for fully electric opening of a vehicle flap

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (200) for controlling a lock (102) of a vehicle flap (105). The device (200) comprises an operating element (106) which can be manipulated by a user in order to close a circuit and thereby cause opening of the lock (102) of the vehicle flap (105). The device (200) further comprises a cut-off switch (204) which is configured to prevent closing of the circuit by the operating element (106) when a door (108) of the vehicle (100) is closed and to enable closing of the circuit by the operating element (106) when the door (108) of the vehicle (100) is open.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a device for electrically opening vehicle covers, particularly the front cover of a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Dual-track vehicles typically have a front cover (also called a front cover) in the front area of ​​the vehicle in front of the passenger compartment. This front cover covers the front compartment of the vehicle, in which, for example, the vehicle's drive motor may be arranged and / or the front compartment may be configured as a luggage compartment.

[0003] A lever can be installed in the passenger compartment, which can be operated by vehicle occupants to open the front hood. By operating the lever, the front hood can be mechanically moved from the locked position to the pre-locked position. The front hood is therefore typically also secured by a latch, which can be manually moved by the vehicle user to open the hood. Thus, the front hood can be reliably prevented from opening while the vehicle is in motion and thus obstructing the driver's view.

[0004] Especially in electric vehicles, the front compartment can be used as a luggage compartment, which results in the front cover being opened and / or closed relatively frequently by the user. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical task of this study is to enable the safe and comfortable opening of vehicle covers, particularly the front cover, in a safe manner (especially in accordance with ASIL-D).

[0006] The task is accomplished by a device for locking a vehicle cover according to the invention and a vehicle according to the invention. It should be noted that additional features of a claim dependent on an independent claim may form an invention independent of all features of the independent claim, either without the features of the independent claim or simply in combination with some features of the independent claim, and may be the subject of an independent claim, divisional application, or subsequent application. This also applies to the technical teachings described in the specification, which may form an invention independent of the features of the independent claim.

[0007] According to one aspect, a device for controlling a lock on a vehicle cover is described. The vehicle cover may be a front cover (particularly an engine hood) of a vehicle, located in front of the passenger compartment. The lock on the vehicle cover may have a locking mechanism through which a lock pin is engaged to move the vehicle cover from a pre-locked position to a locked position. Furthermore, the lock may have a pre-lock actuator (e.g., a motor) configured to automatically move the lock pin from the locked position to the pre-locked position.

[0008] Furthermore, the lock may have a hook configured to hold the vehicle cover in a pre-locked position and prevent further opening of the vehicle cover. Additionally, the lock may have a hook actuator (e.g., a motor) configured to move the hook to enable further (full) opening of the vehicle cover.

[0009] The device includes an operating element (e.g., a button) that can be operated by a user to close a circuit. The operating element can be operated by the user to trigger a lock that (automatically) opens the vehicle cover. The operating element can be located in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The operating element can be configured to automatically open the lock of the vehicle cover (via a pre-lock actuator and via a hook actuator) in response to operation of the operating element, and, if necessary, fully open the vehicle cover.

[0010] The manipulation of the operating element can be indicated to the control module of the device by the closure of a circuit. The operating element may include a switching element for this purpose, which is closed when the operating element is manipulated to close the circuit. The circuit may be connected to the control module of the device, particularly to a port of the control module.

[0011] The device also includes a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker may be configured as, for example, a mechanical switch, a semiconductor-based switch, and / or a relay. The circuit breaker is configured to prevent the circuit from being closed by an operating element when at least one door of the vehicle (e.g., the driver's door) is closed and / or when all doors of the vehicle are closed. Furthermore, the circuit breaker may be configured to allow the circuit to be closed by an operating element when a door of the vehicle (e.g., the driver's door) (or at least one door of the vehicle) is open.

[0012] A circuit breaker can be installed within the circuit. The circuit breaker can then, in the open state, prevent the circuit from being closed (even by operating an actuating element). Conversely, the circuit breaker can, in the closed state, allow the circuit to be closed by operating an actuating element.

[0013] The device can therefore be configured to (e.g., according to ASIL-B) check whether a vehicle door (particularly the driver's door) is open or closed. The device can also be configured to (e.g., according to ASIL-B) identify manipulation of operating elements. Automatic unlocking of the vehicle cover lock can be achieved, or rather, only if not only an open vehicle door is identified, but also manipulation of operating elements is identified. Therefore, automatic unlocking of the vehicle cover can be achieved with high functional safety (e.g., according to ASIL-B).

[0014] The circuit breaker can be configured to be operated (directly) via the vehicle door, specifically to be opened or closed (e.g., via a mechanical switch directly mounted on the door). Operation of the circuit breaker can be particularly performed such that when the door is closed, the circuit breaker opens, thereby preventing the circuit from closing; and / or, when the door is opened, the circuit breaker closes, thereby enabling the circuit to close. Therefore, the circuit breaker can, if necessary, be directly installed in the door, for example, in the door frame. Thus, automatic opening of the vehicle cover can be achieved with a particularly high level of functional safety.

[0015] Alternatively or additionally, the control module of the device can be designed to either disconnect the circuit breaker based on sensor data from the (separate) door contact sensor of the door to prevent the circuit from closing, or close the circuit breaker to enable the circuit to close. Therefore, automatic and safe opening of the vehicle cover can be achieved in a particularly efficient manner.

[0016] The control module can be configured to check whether the circuit is closed or open. Therefore, at least one actuator of the lock can be actuated to open the vehicle cover only when, in particular, it is determined that the circuit is closed. Thus, safe and reliable opening of the vehicle cover can be achieved.

[0017] The control module can be designed to determine speed information about the vehicle's speed, particularly using the vehicle's speed sensor. The at least one actuator of the lock can then be actuated to open the vehicle cover lock based on the speed information. Specifically, the control module can be designed to check whether the vehicle's speed is less than or equal to a speed threshold (e.g., 0 km / h or between 0 km / h and 5 km / h) based on the speed information. Furthermore, the control module can be designed to actuate the at least one actuator to open the vehicle cover lock only when, particularly only when the vehicle's speed is determined to be less than or equal to the speed threshold. By additionally considering the vehicle's speed, functional safety during automatic opening of the vehicle cover can be further improved.

[0018] As described above, the lock may include a hook actuator for locking the hook and / or a pre-locking actuator for disengaging the locking pin, the hook being used to restrain the vehicle cover. The control module may be configured to, when a circuit is determined to be closed, operate exactly one of the actuators in a set of actuators including the hook actuator and the pre-locking actuator (or a combination of both actuators).

[0019] Furthermore, the control module can be designed to determine whether the door is open or closed based on sensor data (individually) from the door contact sensor. When it is determined that the door is open, another actuator in the actuator assembly can be operated in a complementary manner.

[0020] Therefore, it is possible to determine whether the door is open or closed in different ways. Furthermore, the two actuators of the lock can be operated or not operated independently based on the corresponding determined state of the door. Therefore, the functional security of automatically opening vehicle covers can be further improved.

[0021] The device may include a hook control module for controlling the hook actuator and a separate pre-lock control module for controlling the pre-lock actuator. Therefore, the functional safety of the device can be further improved.

[0022] According to another description, a (road) motor vehicle (particularly a passenger car, truck, or bus) may have the devices described herein.

[0023] The vehicle typically includes doors arranged in the door frame of the vehicle, and the doors are configured to transition from a closed state to an open state in order to enable the user of the vehicle to access the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0024] Furthermore, the vehicle includes a vehicle cover with an electrically operable lock. The vehicle cover may be specifically configured to be automatically opened (by unlocking the lock) (e.g., causing the cover to automatically move out of its frame). As explained above, the vehicle cover may be a front cover positioned in front of the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0025] The vehicle may also include operating elements (such as switches or buttons) configured to be operated by a user to trigger a lock that automatically opens the vehicle cover. The operating element may be configured to close a circuit, particularly a circuit for powering the lock, in response to operation of the operating element.

[0026] The operating element can be arranged on the vehicle's door frame such that it can be operated by the user when the door is open (and is accessible to the user for this purpose), and cannot be operated by the user when the door is closed (and is inaccessible to the user). Therefore, the safe and automatic opening of the vehicle cover can be achieved in a particularly efficient manner.

[0027] The door frame typically has an inner surface facing the door. In a preferred example, the operating element is arranged on the inner surface of the door frame (so that the operating element is inaccessible to the user when the door is closed). Therefore, it is possible to ensure in a particularly reliable manner that the operating element can only be operated when the door is open.

[0028] It should be noted that the devices and systems described herein can be used not only individually but also in combination with other devices and systems described herein. Furthermore, any aspect of the devices and systems described herein can be combined with each other in a variety of ways. In particular, the features of the claims can be combined with each other in a variety of ways. Attached Figure Description

[0029] The invention will be further described in detail with reference to embodiments. In the figures:

[0030] Figure 1 An exemplary vehicle is shown with a front cover, which is an example of a general vehicle cover.

[0031] Figure 2a and Figure 2b The diagram illustrates different states of an exemplary device for controlling a lock on a vehicle cover; and

[0032] Figure 3 An exemplary door frame with operating elements is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0033] As mentioned at the beginning, this paper investigates a comfortable and safe way to open vehicle covers. In this regard, Figure 1 An exemplary component of a vehicle 100 is shown, having a front cover 105 as an example of a vehicle cover. The vehicle 100 includes a lock 102 by means of which the vehicle cover 105 can be locked. The lock 102 may have a locked-in position in which the vehicle cover 105 is fully closed. Furthermore, the lock 102 may have a pre-lock position in which the vehicle cover 105 is disengaged but remains restrained by a latch. The vehicle cover 105 may be moved from the pre-lock position to the locked-in position (or vice versa) if necessary by a pre-lock actuator. Additionally, the vehicle 100 may have a latch actuator that actuates the latch to fully release the vehicle cover 105. The one or more actuators may be controlled by a control module 101 of the vehicle 100.

[0034] The vehicle 100 may also include an operating element 106 (e.g., in the interior space or passenger compartment of the vehicle 100) that can be operated by a user to open the vehicle cover 105. Additionally, the vehicle 100 may have a door contact sensor 104 that can identify whether a door of the vehicle 100 (e.g., the driver's door or the front passenger door) is open or closed.

[0035] Figure 2a and Figure 2bDifferent states of the device 200 for opening the vehicle cover 105 are shown. The device 200 is specifically designed to operate the pre-lock actuator 220 and the hook actuator 210 of the lock 102 of the vehicle cover 105 so as to enable safe and comfortable opening of the vehicle cover 105.

[0036] The device 200 includes a hook control module 211 designed to control the hook actuator 210 and a pre-lock control module 221 designed to control the pre-lock actuator 220. The pre-lock control module 221 may be configured to determine state information regarding the state of the vehicle 100. This state information may, in particular, include:

[0037] • Status information regarding one or more vehicle doors (which may be provided by door contact sensor 104). The status information may indicate whether at least one door is open; and / or

[0038] • Status information about vehicle speed (which may be provided, for example, by the speed sensor 201 of vehicle 100).

[0039] The pre-lock control module 221 may be configured to check, based on the status information, whether the pre-lock actuator 220 can be operated to automatically move the vehicle cover 105 from the locked position to the pre-lock position.

[0040] Device 200 includes a circuit breaker 204 configured to be opened or closed depending on the state of one or more doors of vehicle 100. Specifically, circuit breaker 204 can be opened when all doors of vehicle 100 are closed (as in...). Figure 2a (As shown in the diagram). On the other hand, when at least one door of the vehicle 100 (particularly the driver's door) is opened, the circuit breaker 204 can be closed (as shown in the diagram). Figure 2b (as shown in the image).

[0041] As shown above, vehicle 100 has an operating element 106 (e.g., a button) that can be operated by an occupant of vehicle 100 to cause the automatic opening of vehicle cover 105. Here, for example, the operating element 106 can cause the circuit to close. A circuit breaker 204 can be arranged in the circuit (in series with the operating element 106) so that the circuit can only be closed by operating the operating element 106 when the circuit breaker 204 is closed.

[0042] Therefore, the circuit breaker 204 can be configured to cause the operation of the operating element 106 to be recognized by the control modules 211, 221 of the device 200 only when the circuit breaker 204 is closed (and thus at least one door of the vehicle 100, particularly the driver's door) is open).

[0043] The grab hook control module 211 can be configured to manipulate the grab hook actuator 210 to release the grab hook upon detection of manipulation of the operating element 106. However, manipulation of the operating element 106 can only be detected if necessary when the circuit breaker 204 is closed (and therefore at least one door of the vehicle 100 is open). Furthermore, state information regarding the vehicle 100's speed can be taken into account if necessary. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the vehicle cover 105 from automatically opening while the vehicle 100 is in motion.

[0044] Therefore, a device 200 is described that enables the fully electric opening of the front cover 105 of vehicle 100 (without requiring manual disengagement of the grab hook by the user of vehicle 100). Here, device 200 preferably meets ASIL-D requirements regarding functional safety in order to avoid unintended opening while vehicle 100 is in motion (while operating element 106 typically only meets ASIL-B requirements).

[0045] Device 200 is configured such that the operating element 106 (e.g., a switch or button) can only be actuated to open the front cover 105 when the driver's door is open. This can be achieved, for example, by a microswitch 204 that closes the circuit for button 106 only when the door is opened sufficiently far. Alternatively or supplementarily, this can be achieved by switches in control units 101, 211, 221 that read sensor data from ASIL-B door contact sensor 104. When door contact sensor 104 reports an open door, the switches in control units 101, 211, 221 can energize operating button 106. On the other hand, for example according to ASIL-B, the switches can be deactivated (to prevent power supply to operating button 106) when door contacts are closed and / or when the speed signal regarding vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

[0046] Therefore, the circuit breaker 204 can be integrated into the voltage supply device for the operating element 106 used to open the front cover 105. The position (closed / open) of the circuit breaker 204 can be definitively coupled to the door position (of the driver's door). In the "door open" state, the circuit breaker 204 is closed, thereby closing the circuit by pressing the operating element 106, and thus transmitting the operation expectation to the control device 211 for reading. In the "door closed" state, the circuit breaker 204 is open, so the operation expectation cannot be released by the operating element 106 because the circuit itself is not closed when operating the operating element 106.

[0047] As a form of circuit breaker 204, a microswitch can be used in the door frame of the vehicle door. Alternatively or additionally, semiconductor-based circuit breakers and / or relays (designed according to ASIL-B, respectively) can be integrated into control units 101, 211, 221, which read the operating element 106 and supply voltage for it. The circuit breaker 204 in control units 101, 211, 221 can then be coupled to the state of the door contact sensor 104 (compliant with ASIL-B requirements). When the door contact sensor 104 indicates "door open," the operating element 106 is powered by closing the circuit breaker 204, so that the user can close the circuit by manipulating the operating element 106 to cause the vehicle cover 105 to open.

[0048] As shown above, the measures described herein should enable the automatic opening of the vehicle cover 105 with a high degree of functional safety. In particular, it should be ensured that the automatic opening of the vehicle cover 105 in response to the operation of the operating element 106 is only possible when at least one door, particularly the driver's door, is opened. Figure 1 An exemplary door 108, particularly the driver's door, is shown, which is arranged in a door frame 107. The door frame 107 is typically part of the body of the vehicle 100. Here, the door frame 107, and particularly the inner surface of the door frame 107 facing the door 108, is typically accessible to the user of the vehicle 100 only when the door 108 is opened.

[0049] Figure 3 A door frame 107 for the vehicle door 108 is shown, on which an operating element 106 for opening the vehicle cover 105 is arranged (particularly arranged on the inner surface of the door frame 107). The operating element 106 is arranged in such a way that it is inaccessible to the user when the door 108 is closed. In other words, the operating element 106 is arranged on the door frame 107 such that when the door 108 is closed (and thus covers the operating element 106), the operating element 106 cannot be operated by the user of the vehicle 100.

[0050] With this arrangement of the operating elements 106, (even without the additional circuit breaker 204) a high degree of functional safety can be achieved: the vehicle cover 105 is automatically opened only when at least one door 108, particularly the driver's door, is opened.

[0051] The measures described herein enable the automatic opening of the vehicle cover 105 with high functional safety.

[0052] This invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. In particular, it should be noted that the specification and drawings are intended to illustrate the principles of the proposed apparatus and system only by way of example.

Claims

1. A device (200) for locking (102) of a vehicle cover (105) for controlling a vehicle (100), wherein, The device (200) includes: - An operating element (106) that can be operated by a user to close a circuit and thereby cause the lock (102) of the vehicle cover (105) to be opened; and - Circuit breaker (204), the circuit breaker being configured such that: - When the door (108) of the vehicle (100) is closed, the circuit breaker (204) opens, thereby preventing the circuit from being closed via the operating element (106); and - When the door (108) of the vehicle (100) is opened, the circuit breaker (204) closes so that the circuit can be closed by the operating element (106); Wherein: the circuit breaker (204) is arranged in series with the operating element (106) in the circuit; or the circuit breaker (204) is integrated into the voltage supply device of the operating element (106) to energize the operating element (106) or block the power supply to the operating element (106).

2. The apparatus (200) according to claim 1, wherein, The circuit breaker (204) is configured to be operated via the door (108).

3. The apparatus (200) according to claim 2, wherein, The circuit breaker (204) is configured to be opened or closed via the door (108).

4. The apparatus (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The device (200) includes control modules (211, 221) designed to either disconnect the circuit breaker (204) based on sensor data from the door contact sensor (104) of the door (108) to prevent the circuit from closing, or to close the circuit breaker to allow the circuit to close.

5. The apparatus (200) according to claim 1, wherein, The device (200) includes control modules (211, 221) configured to, - Check whether the circuit is closed or open; and - When the circuit is determined to be closed, at least one actuator (210, 220) is caused to unlock the lock (102) of the vehicle cover (105).

6. The apparatus (200) according to claim 5, wherein, The control module is configured to cause the at least one actuator (210, 220) to unlock the lock (102) of the vehicle cover (105) only when it is determined that the circuit is closed.

7. The apparatus (200) according to claim 5, wherein, The control modules (211, 221) are designed for, - Determine speed information regarding the driving speed of the vehicle (100); and - Based on the speed information, the at least one actuator (210, 220) is prompted to unlock the lock (102) of the vehicle cover (105).

8. The apparatus (200) according to claim 7, wherein, The control modules (211, 221) are designed to determine speed information about the driving speed of the vehicle (100) by means of the vehicle's (100) speed sensor (201).

9. The apparatus (200) according to claim 7, wherein, The control modules (211, 221) are designed for, - Based on the speed information, check whether the driving speed of the vehicle (100) is less than or equal to the speed threshold; and - When it is determined that the speed of the vehicle (100) is less than or equal to the speed threshold, the at least one actuator (210, 220) is prompted to unlock the lock (102) of the vehicle cover (105).

10. The apparatus (200) according to claim 9, wherein, The control modules (211, 221) are designed to cause the at least one actuator (210, 220) to unlock the lock (102) of the vehicle cover (105) only when it is determined that the vehicle's travel speed is less than or equal to the speed threshold.

11. The apparatus (200) according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein, - The lock (102) includes a hook actuator for the hook of the lock (102) and a pre-locking actuator for disengaging the locking pin, the hook being used to restrain the vehicle cover (105); and - The control modules (211, 221) are configured to operate exactly one of the actuators in the set of actuators, including the hook actuator and the pre-locking actuator, when the circuit is determined to be closed.

12. The apparatus (200) according to claim 11, wherein, The control modules (211, 221) are designed for, - Determine the sensor data of the door contact sensor (104) of the door (108); - Based on the sensor data, determine whether the door (108) is open or closed; and - When it is determined that the door (108) is open, another actuator in the actuator set including the hook actuator (210) and the pre-locking actuator (220) is operated in a complementary manner.

13. The apparatus (200) according to claim 11, wherein, The device (200) includes a hook control module for controlling the hook actuator and a separate pre-lock control module for controlling the pre-lock actuator.

14. A vehicle (100), said vehicle comprising: - A door (108) arranged in a door frame (107) of the vehicle (100) and configured to transition from a closed state to an open state so as to enable the user of the vehicle (100) to enter the passenger compartment of the vehicle (100); - A vehicle cover (105) with an electrically operated lock; and - An operating element (106) configured to be operated by a user and, in response to operation of the operating element (106), to close a circuit to cause an automatic unlocking of the lock (102) of the vehicle cover (105), wherein the operating element (106) is arranged on the door frame (107) of the vehicle (100) such that... - When the door (108) is in the open state, the operating element (106) can be operated by the user; and - When the door (108) is closed, the operating element (106) cannot be operated by the user; The vehicle (100) includes the device (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The vehicle (100) according to claim 14, wherein, The vehicle cover (105) is the front cover of the vehicle (100), which is located in front of the passenger compartment of the vehicle (100).

16. The vehicle (100) according to claim 14 or 15, wherein, The operating element (106) is configured to close the circuit for powering the lock in response to actuation of the operating element (106).

17. The vehicle (100) according to claim 14 or 15, wherein, - The door frame (107) has an inner surface facing the door (108); and - The operating element (106) is arranged on the inner surface.

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