Door locking system and method for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a door locking system for a motor vehicle, comprising a vehicle body, a vehicle door, a signal unit, an emergency power supply, an electrical power supply, an electronic control unit, a control device and a locking unit. The locking unit has a locking bolt and a locking catch. The locking catch is arranged on the vehicle body and the locking bolt is arranged in the vehicle door. The locking bolt has a receiving area which is designed to be complementary to the locking catch. The electrical power supply and the emergency power supply are connected to the electronic control unit. The electronic control unit controls the locking bolt. In a passive state, the locking catch is spaced apart from the receiving area. In an unlocked state, the locking catch is arranged in the receiving area and can be moved into the passive state. In a locking position of the locking bolt, the receiving area of the locking bolt is closed in a radial direction and the locking bolt is locked. The control device is connected to the electrical power supply, the emergency power supply and the signal unit in a signal technology. The electronic control unit enables the locking bolt to be moved into and out of the locking position. The emergency power supply supplies the electronic control unit in an emergency state. In the emergency state, the control device switches the supply of the electronic control unit from the electrical power supply to the emergency power supply.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle door locking system of the type given in the preamble of claim 1, a motor vehicle of the type given in the preamble of claim 7, and a method for locking a vehicle door of the type given in the preamble of claim 8. Background Technology

[0002] The development of modern vehicle door systems is a major challenge for automotive technology, particularly in terms of safety and reliability. In emergency situations, such as during a collision, door systems must meet specific requirements to protect occupants and facilitate rescue operations. Particular difficulties arise if the vehicle's electrical system fails due to damage or interruption, rendering the electronic door locking and unlocking systems inoperable.

[0003] Modern vehicle door systems are designed to unlock upon impact with a collision signal in the event of an accident, facilitating entry into the vehicle. However, in severe accidents with significant structural intrusion, the main onboard electrical system power supply may fail. In such cases, the mechanical interior and exterior door controls remain functional, while the electrical controls can only be used if an emergency power supply is available. This emergency power supply must be designed to provide sufficient energy for a preset number of door openings or for a specific duration after an accident.

[0004] DE 10 2021 102 595 A1 discloses a vehicle lock that can be operated electrically and mechanically. In the event of a collision, the vehicle door can be mechanically unlocked via a mechanical connecting element. Here, the connecting element is disengaged in the normal state and engages by means of an inertial element in the event of a collision, thereby activating the mechanical unlocking.

[0005] DE 10 2016 220 142 A1 discloses a door lock assembly having a mechanical emergency unlocking device. For this purpose, the lock assembly has an unlocking lever. In an emergency unlocking event, the unlocking lever is prevented from returning to the locked position by holding the open lever, thereby allowing the occupants of the vehicle to exit the vehicle after a collision and a power outage in the vehicle's electrical system.

[0006] DE 10 2020 123 596 A1 discloses an opening device for a motor vehicle door, which has an emergency power supply. This opening device is integrated into the vehicle's onboard electrical system. The emergency power supply is capable of operating the opening device in the event of a failure of the main onboard electrical system or a voltage interruption in the main onboard electrical system, thereby opening the vehicle door component.

[0007] Problems can arise if a vehicle door (such as the driver's door of a damaged vehicle parked on the side of a busy road) is repeatedly opened and locked after an accident. In such cases, the opening mechanism may fail to function after the emergency power is depleted, potentially rendering the door unusable. This poses a significant obstacle to rescue and relief efforts.

[0008] Extending the duration of functionality or increasing the number of times doors may be opened by using a larger emergency power supply comes with some drawbacks. In particular, it requires additional structural space, hindering the layout within the doors and increasing system weight, which can negatively impact vehicle design and efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to improve the electric door locking system with emergency power supply so as to ensure reliable access to vehicle occupants from the outside in the event of a collision while avoiding the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0010] This objective is achieved by combining the feature portion of claim 1 with the feature portion of claim 1 in the preamble.

[0011] Dependent claims 2 to 6 illustrate advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0012] In a known manner, a vehicle door locking system includes a vehicle body, a door, a signal unit, an emergency power supply, a power supply, an electronic control unit, a control device, and a locking unit. The locking unit has a latch and a strike plate. The strike plate is located on the vehicle body, while the latch is located in the door. The latch has a receiving area. The receiving area is designed to complement the strike plate. The power supply and emergency power supply are connected to the electronic control unit. The electronic control unit controls the latch. The electronic control unit is, in particular, a motor. Here, control may include moving the latch. Therefore, an electrically operated door locking system is provided, wherein the locking system is operated by actuating an electrical operating element, such as a button. In the passive / inactive state, the receiving area is spaced apart from the strike plate. In the unlocked state, the locking unit is designed such that the strike plate is located in the receiving area and can be moved to the passive state. This is achieved by an actuation signal from an internal or external door operating device. The latch has a locked position. In the locked position, the receiving area of ​​the latch is closed in the radial direction. Therefore, the receiving area cannot be accessed from the outside. The latch is locked in the closed position. The control unit is connected to the power supply, emergency power supply, and signal unit via signal technology. The electronic control unit controls the latch so that it can move into or out of the locked position. The emergency power supply powers the electronic control unit in an emergency. If there is no emergency, the electronic control unit is powered by the power supply. An emergency occurs if the power supply voltage drops while the vehicle is in a ready-to-drive state. In an emergency, a signal generated by the signal unit causes the control unit to switch the power supply to the electronic control unit from the power supply to the emergency power supply.

[0013] According to the present invention, a locking element with an active state is provided. The locking element is arranged on the door and / or the vehicle body. The locking element is in an active state when a passive state and an emergency state are present. The locking element in the active state is designed such that the locking unit has an unlocked state or a passive state. This ensures that the door remains open in the event of a power failure. Therefore, in the event of an accident, the interior space of the vehicle can be reliably used for rescue and assistance of the occupants.

[0014] According to another advantageous design aspect of the invention, the latch is designed as a locking element. When the latch is in the active state and the locking unit is in the passive state, the latch is designed to be in the locked position. This provides the possibility of easily integrating a locking element into the door locking system by additionally designing the existing latch as a locking element and keeping it in a passive state when the door is open.

[0015] Preferably, the locking element is designed as a latch. The locking element is designed such that, in the activated state, the locking unit is in the unlocked state. The latch can move such that it can partially or completely surround the latch in the receiving area. However, the latch is not locked in the locked state, so the latch can still be removed from the receiving area.

[0016] Preferably, the locking element is designed such that, in the activated state, the receiving area of ​​the latch is open. The latch is locked in this open state. Therefore, in the activated state, the latch can move into and out of the receiving area of ​​the latch. The door remains open.

[0017] According to another advantageous design of the invention, the locking element is arranged on the vehicle body or door. The locking element is designed as a spacer element and extends between the vehicle body and the door in the activated state. Here, the spacer element can be designed as a punch or push rod that works in conjunction with the door to keep the locking unit in a passive state, thereby spacing the latch and the receiving area of ​​the bolt by a distance.

[0018] Here, the locking element can also be designed as a spacer element on the door, through which the latch cannot move into the receiving area of ​​the bolt. Here, the locking element can be designed to lock the bolt or push rod of the bolt in the active state. Thus, the locking element is integrated into the existing locking unit in a simple manner.

[0019] The door locking system is designed to provide a reset function to restore the locking element from an active state to a passive state, thereby enabling normal operation of the locking unit after an accident or rescue, and allowing the door to be locked again.

[0020] Another aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle having at least one door, a door frame, and a door locking system. According to the invention, the door locking system is designed as described above.

[0021] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for operating a vehicle door locking system, the method comprising the following steps:

[0022] A first signal is generated by a signal unit in the event of a motor vehicle accident;

[0023] A second signal is generated by the signal unit based on the power failure;

[0024] The control device switches from the power supply to the emergency power supply based on the second signal to power the electronic control unit, thereby establishing an emergency state;

[0025] Based on the first signal, the unlocking state of the locking unit is established;

[0026] Establish a passive state, for example, in situations where the vehicle door is opened by passengers or rescue personnel.

[0027] The activation state of the locking element is established based on the second signal.

[0028] According to the present invention, the door locking system is designed as described above. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Other advantages and applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments shown in conjunction with the figures.

[0030] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the door locking system is shown, and

[0031] Figure 2 A schematic side view of the locking unit according to the invention is shown, wherein the latch is in the locked position. Detailed Implementation

[0032] exist Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a vehicle door locking system 10 is shown. The vehicle door locking system 10 has a locking unit 12. The locking unit 12 includes a latch 14 and a latch 16. Here, the latch 14 and the latch 16 work together to lock or unlock the vehicle door. Here, the latch 14 is arranged in the door, while the latch 16 is arranged on the vehicle body.

[0033] The latch 14 is connected to an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is designed as a motor 18. The motor 18 controls the movement of the latch 14 or unlocks it. Here, the motor 18 controls the latch 14 in such a way that the latch can move into or out of the locked position.

[0034] In addition, a power supply 20 and an emergency power supply 22 are provided.

[0035] Power supply 20 supplies power to motor 18 when the motor vehicle is running normally.

[0036] A signal unit 24 is also designed. The signal unit 24, power supply 20, emergency power supply 22, and motor 18 are connected to the control device 26 in terms of signal technology.

[0037] Signal unit 24 can be designed as part of a door control system located in the door.

[0038] Figure 2A schematic side view of the locking unit 12 is shown, with the latch 14 in the open position. The latch 14 has a receiving area 14a, which is designed to complement the latch 16. In the open position, the receiving area 14a is accessible to the latch 16. The latch 16 is located outside the receiving area 14a of the latch 14. A distance is spaced between the latch 16 and the receiving area 14a. The locking unit 12 is in the passive state.

[0039] In the locked position of the latch 14, the receiving area 14a of the latch 14 is locked outward. If the latch 16 is outside the receiving area 14a, the latch cannot move into the receiving area 14a, thus maintaining the passive state of the locking unit 12.

[0040] If the latch 16 is located in the receiving area 14a of the latch 14 when the latch 14 is in the locked position, the door is locked. In the locked state, the latch 14 is also locked, so the latch 16 cannot be removed from the receiving area 14a. The latch 16 is secured in the receiving area 14a, and the door is locked.

[0041] The locking unit 12 also has an unlocked state. In the unlocked state, the latch 16 is positioned in the receiving area 14a of the bolt 14. At this time, the bolt 14 can at least partially surround the latch 16. Since the bolt 14 is not locked in the locked position, the latch 16 can be removed from the receiving area 14a of the bolt 14.

[0042] By using the motor 18 to move the bolt 14, the locking unit 12 can be unlocked, and the bolt 14 can be locked.

[0043] In the event of a vehicle collision, signal unit 24 generates a first signal, a collision signal, which is sent to control device 26. Control device 26 then controls motor 18 to unlock latch 14. Therefore, the door is unlocked and can be opened.

[0044] In the event of a vehicle collision causing a failure of power supply 20 or a voltage drop in power supply 20, signal unit 24 generates a second signal, which is sent to control device 26. Control device 26 then switches the power supply to motor 18 from power supply 20 to emergency power supply 22. Locking unit 12 is then in an emergency state.

[0045] Alternatively, two different signal units 24 can be designed for the first signal and the second signal.

[0046] A locking element 28 is provided. Here, the locking element 28 can be arranged on the door and / or the vehicle body. Here, the locking element 28 is arranged in the area of ​​the latch 14 and / or the latch 16, and extends between the door and the vehicle body. The locking element 28 can also be arranged in any other part of the door and / or the vehicle body to prevent the latch 16 from falling into the latch 14. Furthermore, the locking element 28 can be designed as the latch 14.

[0047] If the door is opened in an emergency, thus establishing the passive state of the locking unit 12, the locking element 28 is activated, preventing the locking unit 12 from returning to the locked state.

[0048] According to Figure 1 In this implementation, the latch 14 is designed as a locking element 28. The latch 14 can be controlled by the motor 18, but the latch 14 is not locked, thus creating an unlocked state of the locking unit during the activation state of the locking element 28, and a locked position of the latch cannot be established. The door remains unlocked and can be opened mechanically.

[0049] In another embodiment, the latch 14 is designed as a locking element 28, wherein, in the activated state of the locking element 28, the latch 14 is switched to the locked position. The receiving area 14a of the latch is locked, so that the latch 16 cannot move into the receiving area 14a. The door remains open and the locking unit 12 is in a passive state.

[0050] According to another embodiment, the latch 14 is designed as a locking element 28, wherein, in the activated state of the locking element 28, the latch 14 is locked in the open position. In the open position of the latch 14, the receiving area 14a can be accessed from the outside. Therefore, the latch 16 can move into and out of the receiving area 14a without the latch 14 transitioning to the locked position. Thus, the door remains open.

[0051] Furthermore, the locking element 28 can also be designed within the area of ​​the latch 16 on the vehicle body, extending between the door and the body. The locking element 28 can also be located in other areas of the door and / or body, wherein the locking element 28 is arranged such that the latch 16 cannot fall into the bolt 14. In this case, the locking element 28 is designed as a spacer element that, in the active state, extends axially from the body towards the door. For example, in the active state, the locking element can extend. Thus, the locking element 28, in the active state, is designed to prevent the door from locking and maintain a distance between the receiving area 14a of the bolt 14 and the latch 16, thereby keeping the locking unit 12 in a passive state.

[0052] By means of the design of the door locking system 10 according to the present invention, it is achieved in a simple way that when the main power supply or the vehicle electrical system fails due to a collision, the electrically operable door of the motor vehicle can be reliably and continuously kept open, so that the interior space remains accessible for, for example, rescue or relief measures.

Claims

1. A door locking system (10) for a motor vehicle, the door locking system comprising a vehicle body, doors, a signal unit (24), an emergency power supply (22), a power supply (20), an electronic control unit, a control device (26), and a locking unit (12), wherein, The locking unit (12) has a latch (14) and a latch (16), wherein the latch (16) is arranged on the vehicle body and the latch (14) is arranged in the door, wherein the latch (14) has a receiving area (14a), wherein the receiving area (14a) is designed to complement the latch (16), wherein a power supply (20) and an emergency power supply (22) are connected to an electronic control unit, wherein the electronic control unit controls the latch (14), wherein in the passive state, the latch (16) is spaced apart from the receiving area (14a), wherein in the unlocked state, the locking unit (12) is designed such that the latch (16) is arranged in the receiving area (14a) and can move the latch (16) to the passive state, wherein the latch (14) has a locked position, wherein in the locked position, the receiving area (14a) of the latch (14) is closed in the radial direction and the latch (14) is locked. The control device (26) is connected to the power supply (20), the emergency power supply (22) and the signal unit (24) in a signal technology manner. The electronic control unit controls the latch (14) so ​​that the latch can move into the locked position and out of the locked position. The emergency power supply (22) supplies power to the electronic control unit in an emergency. In an emergency, the signal generated by the signal unit (24) causes the control device (26) to switch the power supply of the electronic control unit from the power supply (20) to the emergency power supply (22). The device is characterized by having a locking element (28) in an active state. The locking element (28) is arranged in the door and / or the body of the vehicle. The locking element is in an active state in both a passive state and an emergency state. The locking element (28) is designed in the active state such that the locking unit (12) has an unlocked state or a passive state.

2. The door locking system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The latch (14) is designed as a locking element (28), wherein the latch (14) is designed to be in the locked position when the latch (14) is in the active state and the locking unit (12) is in the passive state.

3. The door locking system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locking tongue (14) is designed as a locking element (28), wherein the locking element (28) is designed such that when the locking element (28) is activated, the locking unit (12) is in an unlocked state.

4. The door locking system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The locking element (28) is designed such that, when the locking element (28) is activated, the receiving area (14a) of the latch (14) is opened.

5. The door locking system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locking element (28) is arranged on the vehicle body or the door, wherein the locking element (28) is designed as a spacer element and extends from the vehicle body toward the door in the activated state.

6. The door locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, A door control system is installed in the door, wherein the door control system has a signal unit (24).

7. A motor vehicle having at least one door, a body, and a door locking system, characterized in that, The door locking system (10) is the door locking system according to any one of the preceding claims.

8. A method for operating a vehicle door locking system (10), wherein, The door locking system (10) is a door locking system according to any one of the preceding claims, and the method comprises the following steps: The first signal is generated by the signal unit (24) in the event of a motor vehicle accident; A second signal is generated by signal unit (24) based on the failure of power supply (20); The control device (26) switches from the power supply (20) to the emergency power supply (22) based on the second signal to power the electronic control unit, thereby establishing an emergency state; The unlocking state of the locking unit (12) is established based on the first signal; Establish a passive state when the car door is open; The activation state of the locking element (28) is established based on the second signal.

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