Electric locking system for motor vehicle having emergency power supply device

Abstract

The invention relates to a motorized locking system (2) for a motor vehicle (1), comprising a plurality of locking devices (3), in particular electrically actuatable locks, each having an electrically actuatable actuator at least for unlocking and / or opening a motor vehicle door (9) and / or a motor vehicle flap (10), each locking device (3) comprises an emergency power supply device (5) having at least one energy store (6), which is provided for supplying the locking device (3) at least for unlocking and / or opening the locking device (3) during emergency operation resulting from a predetermined emergency situation, in particular in the event of a failure of a main power supply of the motor vehicle (1), the electric locking system is characterized in that the energy accumulators (6) of the emergency power supply device (5) are electrically connected to each other (8).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric locking system for a motor vehicle, and in particular to an electric locking system having an emergency power supply device, the emergency power supply device having at least one energy storage device. Background Art

[0002] Electric door locking systems for motor vehicle doors are known in the prior art and include a plurality of locking devices, in particular electrically actuatable locks with electrically actuatable actuators. Such electrically actuatable locks are, for example, motor vehicle door locks which, for example, electrically open the locking mechanism according to any unlocking method.

[0003] In the case of electrically actuatable locks, an electrically actuatable actuator or usually an electric motor usually ensures that, after an unlocking signal or an opening signal, for example, the pawl is removed from its engagement with the locking tongue. This means that in the example case, the unlocking / opening process requires an active electrical energy supply from the electric motor. In the event of a discharge of the vehicle battery or other functional impairments, for example, an emergency power supply is usually used.

[0004] This emergency power supply device ensures that the electrically operable lock can work normally even after the power supply provided for normal opening fails or is impaired in function. For this reason, an energy storage device that provides the required voltage is usually provided.

[0005] With the aid of this energy storage device, the actuator can be charged during an emergency operation, that is to say, the motor vehicle door can be unlocked / opened again at least as in normal operation. In normal operation, the actuator is powered by the main power supply, for example the vehicle battery. If the main power supply fails, the emergency power supply device can also ensure that the motor vehicle door can still be unlocked / opened instead.

[0006] A disadvantage of these known emergency power supply devices is that individual energy stores of the emergency power supply devices may fail. Summary of the invention

[0007] Based on this situation, the object of the present invention is to specify an electric locking system for a motor vehicle, in which the fail-safety of the locking device is further increased.

[0008] This object is achieved by the features of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are given in the dependent claims.

[0009] Therefore, the present invention is achieved by an electric locking system for a motor vehicle, which includes a plurality of locking devices, in particular electrically operable locks, each of which has an electrically loadable actuator, which is at least used to unlock and / or open a motor vehicle door and / or a motor vehicle hatch, wherein each locking device includes an emergency power supply device having at least one energy accumulator, which is configured to supply power to the locking device in an emergency operation caused by a predetermined emergency situation, in particular when the main power supply of the motor vehicle fails, so as to at least unlock and / or open the locking device, and the electric locking system is characterized in that the individual energy accumulators of the emergency power supply device are electrically connected to each other.

[0010] The essence of the invention is to provide a decentralized emergency power supply device with an energy store for electrical opening and locking / unlocking of motor vehicle doors for each locking device, wherein at least the energy stores of the individual emergency power supply devices are electrically connected to one another.

[0011] Within the scope of the present invention, motor vehicle doors and / or motor vehicle hatches are to be understood as doors, sliding doors, hatches or tailgates. This also includes hatches or doors in or on the vehicle as well as covers, such as engine bonnets. In this context, hatches are also to be understood as meaning, for example, glove boxes or storage boxes in the vehicle or storage boxes that are accessible / touchable from the outside.

[0012] If, within the scope of the invention, locking devices for motor vehicles are mentioned, this includes all electrically actuatable locks which fix a movable part in a position relative to the motor vehicle. In this case, the locks can be arranged, for example, in side doors, sliding doors, hatches or covers. In particular, all those places where a movable part is used by means of a locking device consisting of a locking mechanism and a locking tongue.

[0013] In a technically advantageous embodiment of the electric locking system, the individual energy accumulators are electrically connected in parallel or in series with one another. The individual energy accumulators of the emergency power supply device can be connected to one another in a variety of ways. Connecting two or more energy accumulators in parallel is advantageous because this allows a higher capacity to be achieved. The series connection of two or more energy accumulators allows a higher voltage to be achieved.

[0014] In another technical embodiment of the electric locking system, the locking device comprises a controller, wherein the emergency power supply device is connected to the controller. As a result, the voltage of the energy storage device can be monitored by the controller of the locking device, and a corresponding signal can be generated when a voltage drop or a fault is detected. For example, a fault message can be displayed on a display, such as a request to replace the battery. For example, a voltage drop caused by external manipulation can also be detected by monitoring.

[0015] In a technically advantageous embodiment of the electric locking system, the electric locking system comprises an energy management device, wherein the energy management device is configured to detect and / or compensate for deviations in the voltage supply of the locking devices. Fluctuations in the emergency power supply in each locking device can be compensated by means of the energy management device.

[0016] In another technical embodiment of the electric locking system, at least the energy storage device of the emergency power supply device is accessible from outside the motor vehicle. As a result, the energy storage device can be replaced in a simple manner.

[0017] In a technically advantageous embodiment of the electric locking system, the energy storage device can be inserted into the locking device at an accessible location on the outside of the motor vehicle. This has the advantage that the energy storage device can be easily replaced and exchanged.

[0018] In a further technical embodiment of the electric locking system, the emergency power supply device comprises at least one lighting component which serves a warning function and / or as a state monitor for the energy store.

[0019] In a technically advantageous embodiment of the electric locking system, the energy accumulator is also provided as a long-term energy source for unlocking and / or opening the locking device. The energy accumulator can provide the locking device with the required energy not only in emergency situations, such as in the event of an accident, but also when, for example, the motor vehicle is stationary for a long time and the main battery is discharged.

[0020] In another technical embodiment of the electric locking system, the locking device comprises a signal generator for providing an unlocking signal when actuated, wherein the signal generator is configured to be supplied with energy by means of an energy accumulator. In order to maintain the function of the signal generator, it is advantageous if the signal generator is also supplied with energy from the energy accumulator.

[0021] In a technically advantageous embodiment of the electric locking system, the control unit of the locking device comprises a wake-up function / sleep function in order to reduce the energy consumption of the control unit.

[0022] In another technical embodiment of the electric locking system, the energy storage device is an electric storage device and / or an electrochemical energy storage device. The electric storage device includes, for example, a capacitor that stores electrical energy in an electric field. The electrochemical energy storage device includes, for example, a battery storage device or a battery that stores electrical energy based on electrochemistry. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings according to a preferred embodiment. However, the following principle applies, namely, the embodiment does not limit the present invention, but only shows a design form. The features shown can be implemented alone or in combination with other features of the specification and the claims.

[0024] The accompanying drawings show:

[0025] Figure 1 A locking device having an emergency power supply device having an energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown;

[0026] Figure 2 A motor vehicle having an electric locking system with a plurality of locking devices according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown in a top view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Figure 1 A locking device 3 with an emergency power supply device 5 having an energy storage device 6 is schematically shown according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 The locking device 3 shown in the figure is a component of an electric locking system 2 of a motor vehicle 1, for example. The electric locking system 2 includes a plurality of locking devices 3, wherein the locking devices 3 are installed, for example, in a motor vehicle door 9 and / or a motor vehicle hatch 10. The term "locking device 3" is understood in particular to be an electrically actuatable lock. Such an actuatable lock includes an electrically loadable actuator, wherein the actuator is provided at least for unlocking and / or opening the motor vehicle door 9 and / or the motor vehicle hatch 10. Each of the locking devices 3 includes a control unit 4, for example an ECU ("electronic control unit"), for controlling the locking device 3. In addition, each locking device 3 includes an emergency power supply device 5 having at least one energy storage device 6. The emergency power supply device 5 is used to supply energy to the actuator with the aid of the energy storage device 6 even in the event of a failure of the central power supply, for example in the event of a failure of the motor vehicle battery. In this case, the individual energy storage devices 6 of the emergency power supply device 5 are electrically connected 8 to one another. For example, an electric storage device (for example a capacitor) and / or an electrochemical energy storage device (for example a battery or an accumulator) can be used as the energy storage device 6. In one embodiment, the energy storage device 6 for the emergency power supply 5 is directly accessible from the outside and can be replaced if necessary. For example, the energy storage device 6 can be located behind the cover plate, at the door end or in the area inside the door. In one embodiment, the energy storage device 6 can be directly inserted into the locking device 3 from the outside. This is Figure 1 It can also be provided that the energy storage device 6 can be inserted into a receiving portion connected to the control device 4 of the locking device 3, for example a battery compartment.

[0028] In one embodiment, the energy storage device 6 can also be arranged, for example, behind a pillar of the motor vehicle body. The locking device 3 is then supplied with energy by the contact between the locking device 3 and the corresponding locking device holder. This has the advantage, for example, that a closed door 9 of the motor vehicle 1 can be reliably detected. This can increase the functional safety of the electric locking system 2.

[0029] In another embodiment, the energy storage device 6 can be combined with a lighting component 12, such as an LED. In this case, the LED is used as a warning light or signal light and can, for example, inform a user of the state of the energy storage device 6.

[0030] In another embodiment, the controller 4 of the locking device may include a wake-up function to reduce the energy consumption of the controller 4. The wake-up function may be designed, for example, as a separate electronic circuit for waking up the main control of the controller 4. This may minimize the quiescent current consumption of the main control.

[0031] In another embodiment, the controller 4 of the locking device 3 reacts to an external signal generator 11. The signal generator 11 is used to transmit a signal to the controller 4, for example, that the door 9 should be opened. Different devices can be provided as signal generators 11, such as Hall sensors, capacitive sensors, door handles or various buttons or switches in the lock. In the emergency situation described above, the signal generator 11 can also be powered by the controller 4 or the energy storage device 6 of the emergency power supply device 5.

[0032] Figure 2 A schematic top view of a motor vehicle 1 with an electric locking system 2 according to another embodiment of the invention is shown, which has a plurality of locking devices 3. The locking devices 3 can be, for example, electrically actuatable locks provided for unlocking and / or opening a motor vehicle door 9 and / or a motor vehicle hatch 10. Each of the locking devices 3 includes an emergency power supply device 5 with an energy storage device 6. Figure 2 It is also shown that the energy storage devices 6 of the emergency power supply device 5 are electrically connected to each other 8. In one embodiment, the energy storage devices 6 are electrically connected in parallel to each other so as to achieve a higher capacity. In another embodiment, the energy storage devices 6 are electrically connected in series to each other, thereby increasing the voltage of the energy storage devices 6.

[0033] In addition, Figure 2 The electric locking system 2 shown in FIG. 4 has an energy management device 7. The energy storage devices 6 of the individual emergency power supply devices 5 are not only connected to each other, but also to the energy management device 7 in one embodiment of the invention. In this case, the energy management device 7 is configured to detect deviations in the voltage of the energy storage devices 6 and to compensate for the deviations, for example, by transferring energy from the energy storage devices 6 that are not affected by the deviation to the energy storage devices 6 that are affected. This achieves a high level of fail-safety of the individual locking devices 3 even in the event of a failure of the main power supply.

[0034] All features described in conjunction with the individual embodiments of the invention can be arranged in different combinations in the subject matter according to the invention in order to achieve their advantageous effects simultaneously.

[0035] The scope of protection of the present invention is given by the claims and is not limited by the features described in the description or shown in the drawings.

[0036] List of reference numerals:

[0037] 1Motor Vehicle

[0038] 2Electric locking system

[0039] 3 Locking device

[0040] 4 Locking device controller

[0041] 5 Emergency power supply equipment

[0042] 6 Accumulator

[0043] 7Energy management equipment

[0044] 8 Electrical connections

[0045] 9Motor vehicle doors

[0046] 10 Motor vehicle hatch covers

[0047] 11. Signal Generator

[0048] 12. Luminous components

Claims

1. An electric locking system (2) for a motor vehicle (1), the electric locking system comprising: A plurality of locking devices (3), in particular electrically actuatable locks, each having an electrically actuatable actuator for at least unlocking and / or opening a motor vehicle door (9) and / or a motor vehicle hatch (10), wherein Each locking device (3) comprises an emergency power supply device (5) having at least one energy storage device (6), which is designed to supply power to the locking device (3) in an emergency operation due to a predetermined emergency situation, in particular in the event of a failure of the main power supply of the motor vehicle (1), at least for unlocking and / or opening the locking device (3). It is characterized in that The individual energy storage devices (6) of the emergency power supply device (5) are electrically connected to one another (8).

2. The electric locking system (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The individual energy storage devices (6) are electrically connected in parallel or in series with one another.

3. The electric locking system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The locking device (3) comprises a controller (4), wherein an emergency power supply device (5) is connected to the controller (4).

4. The electric locking system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The electric locking system (2) comprises an energy management device (7) which is configured to detect and / or compensate for deviations in the voltage of the energy storage device (6).

5. The electric locking system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that At least the energy storage device (6) of the emergency power supply device (5) is accessible from outside the motor vehicle (1).

6. The electric locking system (2) according to claim 5, characterized in that: The energy storage device (6) can be inserted into the locking device (3) at an accessible location on the outside of the motor vehicle (1).

7. The electric locking system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The emergency power supply device (5) comprises at least one lighting component (12) which is used for a warning function and / or as a status monitor for the energy storage device (6).

8. The electric locking system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The energy storage device (5) is also provided to serve as a long-term energy source for unlocking and / or opening the locking device (3).

9. The electric locking system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The locking device (3) comprises a signal generator for providing an unlocking signal when actuated, wherein the signal generator is provided for supplying energy by means of an energy storage device (5).

10. The electric locking system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The controller (4) of the locking device (3) comprises a wake-up function in order to reduce the energy consumption of the controller (4).

11. The electric locking system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The energy store (5) is an electrical accumulator and / or an electrochemical energy store.

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