Functional arrangement for installation in a motor vehicle door

Abstract

Functional arrangement for installation in a motor vehicle door (2), comprising a motor vehicle lock (3) for holding the motor vehicle door (2) and a sensor device (4) for monitoring an exterior area (5) of the motor vehicle door (2), characterized in that the motor vehicle lock (3) and the sensor device (4) are mechanically coupled to each other in a pre-assembly state to form a pre-assembled unit (6) and can be installed in the motor vehicle door (2) as a pre-assembled unit (6) during final assembly.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a functional arrangement for installation in a motor vehicle door according to the preamble of claim 1, a motor vehicle door according to the preamble of claim 15 and a method for installing a proposed functional arrangement according to claim 18.

[0002] The functional arrangement in question serves to implement at least some of the functions of a motor vehicle door. The term "motor vehicle door" is to be interpreted broadly in this context. It includes side doors, rear doors, trunk lids, tailgates, hoods, and the like. In addition to swing doors, which can pivot around a horizontal or vertical axis, the term "motor vehicle door" also includes sliding doors, which can be moved along an exterior surface of the motor vehicle.

[0003] The functions to be implemented by the functional arrangement in question include holding the vehicle door in its closed position by means of a vehicle lock and monitoring the exterior of the vehicle door by means of a sensor device. Monitoring the exterior of the sensor device can be used, for example, to detect an impending collision of the opening vehicle door with an obstacle. The sensor device can also be used to detect operating events, for example, to trigger the motorized opening of the vehicle door by a user gesture.

[0004] The known functional arrangement (DE 10 2014 117 896 A1), from which the invention is based, is associated with a sliding door of a motor vehicle. The vehicle door is equipped with a vehicle lock for holding the vehicle door in its closed position and with a sensor device for monitoring the exterior of the vehicle door. When the sensor device detects a predetermined foot movement of the operator, the motorized opening of the vehicle door is triggered.

[0005] The familiar car door is regularly equipped with additional components such as an exterior door handle, a window regulator, or similar features. As the functionality of the car door increases, the need arises to integrate numerous components into the door, which can considerably increase manufacturing costs.

[0006] The invention is based on the problem of designing and further developing the known motor vehicle door in such a way as to reduce the manufacturing effort.

[0007] The above problem is solved in a functional arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1 by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1.

[0008] The essential consideration is that the functional arrangement can be brought into a pre-assembled state in which the vehicle lock and the sensor device are mechanically coupled to form a pre-assembled unit. This pre-assembled unit can then be easily installed in the vehicle door during final assembly.

[0009] It has been proposed that combining the vehicle lock with the sensor device into a pre-assembled unit is particularly advantageous. This is based on the consideration that the vehicle lock and / or the components connected to it are fundamentally suitable for accommodating a sensor device during pre-assembly. Furthermore, the vehicle lock is usually equipped with electrical connections and, if necessary, even its own lock control unit, so the electrical connection of the sensor device is also straightforward.

[0010] In practice, assigning the sensor device to the vehicle lock has led to the surprising effect that not only is pre-assembly simplified, but the compactness of the functional arrangement within the vehicle door is also increased.

[0011] In the particularly preferred embodiment according to claim 2, the functional arrangement comprises a support structure that accommodates both the vehicle lock and the sensor device. The resulting arrangement, which may optionally also include a window guide rail and / or a door handle assembly, is also referred to as a "mini-module" or a "multi-function bracket". The support structure, which is preferably designed as a plastic component, allows for a flexible design of the pre-assembled unit.

[0012] In the further preferred embodiment according to claim 3, in addition to the mechanical integration of the sensor device, electrical integration of the sensor device can also be achieved. Here, the sensor device is electrically coupled to the rest of the functional arrangement. This coupling can be cable-based or provided by conductor tracks integrated into the support arrangement.

[0013] Further preferred claims 4 and 5 relate to equipping the functional arrangement with a sensor carrier, which can be arranged on the carrier arrangement or on the vehicle lock. Attaching the sensor device to the sensor carrier is particularly simple if a snap-fit ​​attachment according to claim 5 is provided.

[0014] The term "fastening" is to be understood broadly in this context. It encompasses not only rigid fastenings, but also flexible or compliant fastenings in the sense that the components in question, here the vehicle lock and the sensor device, can be aligned with each other during final assembly in order to simplify the final assembly and to compensate for manufacturing tolerances.

[0015] In the further preferred embodiment according to claim 7, the motor vehicle lock has a lock housing that accommodates at least part of the sensor device. The lock housing can be at least partially enclosed. However, it is also conceivable that the lock housing merely provides at least partial support.

[0016] The further preferred embodiments according to claims 8 and 9 relate to a particularly compact integration of the sensor device into the vehicle lock. Here, the sensor device is arranged in the area of ​​an entry opening for a locking component, in particular for a locking bolt or a locking wedge. This is especially advantageous with regard to the fact that the entry opening is always open to the outside, so that sensor monitoring of the exterior of the vehicle door, especially when the vehicle door is open, is possible through the entry opening.

[0017] A further increase in compactness, specifically in terms of control technology, is achieved through claims 11 and 12, according to which the sensor device is electrically coupled to the lock control unit. Because the lock control unit is used for two purposes—on the one hand for controlling the vehicle lock and on the other hand for controlling the sensor device—this results not only in increased compactness but also in cost reduction. Furthermore, it is conceivable that this could lead to a reduction in wiring complexity.

[0018] According to a further teaching as per claim 15, which has independent significance, a motor vehicle door is claimed as such.

[0019] The proposed vehicle door is attached to a vehicle body. It is guided longitudinally like a sliding door or hinged like a swing door, so that the vehicle door can be adjusted relative to the vehicle body for opening and closing.

[0020] Essentially, according to the further teaching, a functional arrangement as described above is installed in the interior of the vehicle door. This allows the overall cost of such a vehicle door to be reduced by ensuring the pre-assembly of the functional arrangement. Reference is made to all related details of the functional arrangement.

[0021] In the particularly preferred embodiment according to claim 17, the motor vehicle door, in particular an outer door skin of the motor vehicle door, has an opening, wherein the sensor device monitors the exterior of the motor vehicle door through the opening. The opening can be a clear opening containing no material. However, it can also be advantageous for the opening to be filled with a material that does not impair the sensor function of the sensor device. For example, the opening can also be covered by a strip or any decorative element, in particular an emblem, that does not impair the sensor function of the sensor device.

[0022] However, it is also conceivable that at least the outer door skin is made, at least partially, of a material that does not impair the sensor function. In particular, if the sensor has a capacitive sensor, the outer door skin can be made, at least partially, of a plastic material, especially a fiberglass-reinforced plastic. This makes it entirely possible for the sensor to "transmit" through the relevant part of the outer door skin.

[0023] According to a further teaching as claimed in claim 18, which also has independent significance, a method for assembling a proposed functional arrangement is claimed.

[0024] The essential aspect of the proposed procedure is that the vehicle lock and the sensor device are mechanically coupled to form a pre-assembled unit in a pre-assembled state and are only installed in the vehicle door as a pre-assembled unit during initial assembly. It follows from the preceding considerations that this significantly simplifies the assembly effort for the proposed functional arrangement.

[0025] In principle, it can also be advantageous to first couple the vehicle lock with the sensor device in a further upstream pre-assembly step, and then couple this pre-assembled unit with the support structure and / or the sensor device. Such multi-stage pre-assembly can be advantageous depending on which supply chain is involved in the manufacture of the vehicle door in question.

[0026] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing that merely illustrates exemplary embodiments. The drawing shows Fig. 1 a motor vehicle with a proposed motor vehicle door in which a proposed functional arrangement is fitted, Fig. 2 the functional arrangement according to Fig. 1 in a first embodiment, Fig. 3 the functional arrangement according to Fig. 1 in a second version, Fig. 4 the functional arrangement according to Fig. 1 in a third version, Fig. 5 the functional arrangement according to Fig. 1 in a fourth version and Fig. 6 the functional arrangement according to Fig. 1 in a fifth version.

[0027] The proposed functional arrangement 1 is intended to be installed in a motor vehicle door 2. Regarding the broad interpretation of the term "motor vehicle door," reference may be made to the introductory part of the description.

[0028] The functional arrangement 1 is equipped with a motor vehicle lock 3, which serves to hold the motor vehicle door 2 in its closed position. For this purpose, the motor vehicle lock 3 is preferably equipped with the locking elements "latch" and "pawl" (not shown). The latch can be moved into at least one locked position, in particular a main locked position and a pre-locked position, in which it is held by the pawl. The latch in the locked position interacts with a locking element, in particular a locking bolt, a locking wedge, or the like, to hold the motor vehicle door 2 in its closed position.

[0029] The proposed functional arrangement 1 also includes a sensor device 4 for monitoring an exterior area 5 of the vehicle door 3.

[0030] The external area 5 is an area outside the motor vehicle, in particular outside the vehicle door 2. Preferably, it is the area located in front of the flat side of the vehicle door 2 when the vehicle door 3 is closed. Monitoring the external area 5 can serve to prevent collisions when opening the vehicle door 2 or to detect predetermined operating events, which can, in particular, trigger the motorized opening of the vehicle door 2. The sensor device 4 can have a single sensor. Depending on the desired detection range, however, the sensor device 4 can also have two or more than two sensors.

[0031] It is essential that the vehicle lock 3 and the sensor device 4 are mechanically coupled to each other in a pre-assembly state to form a pre-assembled unit 6 and can be installed in the vehicle door 2 as a pre-assembled unit 6 during final assembly. Here, and preferably, the pre-assembled unit 6 changes its mechanical structure during the transition from the pre-assembly state to the Fig. 1 shown final assembly state not, so that the mechanical structure of the pre-assembled unit 6 differs from the illustrations according to Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. 4 can be extracted.

[0032] According to the representation Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. It can be further inferred from paragraph 4 that the sensor device 4 no longer needs to be mounted as a separate component, but that the sensor device 4 is now a part of the pre-assembled unit 6 and therefore one assembly step for the assembly of the sensor device 4 is eliminated.

[0033] The Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. Figure 4 also shows that the functional arrangement 1 has a support arrangement 7 that accommodates the vehicle lock 3 and the sensor device 4. Here, and preferably, the support arrangement 7 consists at least partially, and preferably completely, of a plastic material, in particular a fiber-reinforced plastic. This results in a particularly cost-effective manufacturing variant in which the support arrangement 7 is produced by plastic injection molding.

[0034] Depending on the design of the support arrangement 7, different modular structures of the components accommodated by the vehicle door 2 can be achieved. Therefore, such a support arrangement 7 is also referred to as a "modular support".

[0035] It should be noted that the mechanical pre-assembly between the vehicle lock 3 and the sensor device 4, possibly via the support arrangement 7, can be designed such that the mechanical coupling created during pre-assembly already provides the final fastening of the vehicle lock and the sensor device. However, as indicated above, it is also conceivable that this coupling created during pre-assembly is merely a loose coupling with play and flexibility, so that additional fastening measures for the vehicle lock 3 and the sensor device 4 are required during final assembly.

[0036] In all five illustrated embodiments, the sensor device 4 is also electrically coupled to the functional arrangement 1. In the drawing, this is indicated by a cable connection 8. In principle, the electrical coupling can also be realized via the support arrangement 7, in particular via conductor tracks injected into the support arrangement 7 using a plastic injection molding process.

[0037] In the Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. In the 4 illustrated embodiments, the functional arrangement 1 has a sensor carrier 9 which accommodates at least a part of the sensor device 4.

[0038] At the in Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, which is preferred in this respect, the sensor carrier 9 is arranged on the support arrangement 7. Here, and preferably, the sensor carrier 9 is injection-molded onto the support arrangement 7 using a plastic injection molding process, which reduces the effort required to manufacture the sensor carrier 9 to a minimum.

[0039] An alternative, also preferred, design is shown in the representation according to Fig. 3, wherein the sensor carrier 9 is arranged on the motor vehicle lock 3, here and preferably on a lock housing 3a. In the event that the relevant part of the lock housing 3a is a housing component, in particular a lock housing, made of a plastic material, the sensor carrier 9 can again be injection molded using a plastic injection molding process.

[0040] In principle, the sensor device 4 can be materially bonded to the sensor carrier 9. Here, and preferably, the sensor carrier 9 is equipped with a fastening mechanism 10 for attaching the sensor device 4 to the sensor carrier 9. This fastening mechanism 10 can establish a force-fit and / or form-fit connection between the sensor device 4 and the functional arrangement 1. In the case described in the Fig. 2, Fig. In the 3 illustrated embodiments, the fastening mechanism 10 allows the sensor device 4 to be attached to the sensor carrier 9 in a snap-fit ​​manner. This makes it possible to attach the sensor device 4 with a single mounting movement in a single mounting direction.

[0041] It can be advantageous for the vehicle lock 3, on the one hand, and the sensor device 4, on the other, to be mounted separately from each other on the support assembly 7 and thus coupled to each other exclusively via the support assembly 7. This, in particular, prevents the formation of an undesirable tolerance chain resulting from the mechanical tolerances of the vehicle lock 3 on the one hand and the sensor device 4 on the other. Therefore, it is proposed that the support assembly 7 engage with the vehicle lock 3 on the one hand and the sensor device 4 on the other, with the vehicle lock 3 being mechanically coupled to the sensor device 4 exclusively via the support assembly 7.

[0042] Fig. Figure 4 shows another preferred embodiment in which the vehicle lock 3 has a lock housing 3a that accommodates at least part of the sensor device 4. The lock housing 3a can be, as shown here, at least partially enclosed. This allows the sensor device 4 to be at least partially encapsulated by the lock housing 3a. However, it is also conceivable that the lock housing 3a merely serves as a support. The term "lock housing" is to be interpreted broadly in this context.

[0043] Fig. Figure 5 shows a fourth, also preferred embodiment, in which an entry jaw 21 of the vehicle lock 3 is shown for the entry of a locking element 22 during a locking process. The locking element 22 interacts with a lock latch (not shown) as explained above. Here, and preferably, it is arranged on the body of the vehicle, while the vehicle lock 3, as also explained, is arranged on the vehicle door 2. At least part of the entry jaw 21 is preferably formed by the lock housing 3a.

[0044] At the in Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, at least part of the sensor device 4 is received by the vehicle lock 3 in the area of ​​the entry opening 3, here and preferably within the entry opening 21. Specifically, the entry opening 3 is designed as a groove extending in the entry direction of the locking element 22. Preferably, at least part of the sensor device 4 is arranged on a wall of the entry opening 3 that forms the base of this groove. This makes it possible, in principle, for the sensor device 4 to monitor the exterior area 5 of the vehicle door 2, particularly when the vehicle door 2 is at least partially open.

[0045] Fig. Figure 6 shows a further preferred embodiment in which at least part of the sensor device 4 is arranged next to the inlet opening 21 of the vehicle lock 3, preferably facing an end face 17, 18 of the vehicle door 2. Next to the inlet opening 21, in the final assembly state, there is usually a section of a door panel which has no further function. Therefore, an opening 20, which will be explained later, can readily be provided in this section, through which the monitoring of the exterior area 5 can be carried out by means of the sensor device 4. Here, too, monitoring is particularly effective when the vehicle door 2 is at least partially open.

[0046] As can be seen in the drawing of the five exemplary embodiments, the support arrangement 7 can accommodate other components. Here, and preferably, the support arrangement 7 forms a window guide rail 11. It is also possible, in principle, for a separate window guide rail 11 to be arranged on the support arrangement 7. Furthermore, it can be seen in the drawing that the support arrangement 7 accommodates a door handle arrangement 12, here and preferably an external door handle arrangement.

[0047] Alternatively or additionally, other components can be assigned to the support assembly 7. For example, it may be provided that the support assembly 7 accommodates a window regulator component.

[0048] The vehicle lock 3 is typically equipped with electrical components that can be used to set a locking state, for example, the locking states "locked" and "unlocked". Other electrical components of the vehicle lock 3 can be used to open the vehicle lock 3, in particular to motor-drive the release of the locking pawl. Still other electrical components can be used to electrically pull the vehicle door 2 closed from a pre-locked position to a fully closed position. Finally, it is conceivable that electrical components are provided for a push-open action, whereby the vehicle door 2 is slightly pushed open during the opening process, so that a gap between the vehicle door 2 and the vehicle body can be opened manually with one hand by the operator.

[0049] Accordingly, depending on its functionality, an electrical lock control unit 13 is assigned to the vehicle lock 3. In the illustrated and thus preferred embodiments, the interesting feature is that the sensor device 4 is electrically coupled to the lock control unit 13. Generally, the lock control unit 13 is designed to control the sensor device 4 for the generation and / or reception of sensor signals. This electrical coupling between the lock control unit 13 and the sensor device 4 can be limited to the lock control unit 13 supplying the sensor device 4 with a corresponding electrical voltage. However, here, and preferably, the lock control unit 13 is designed to evaluate the received sensor signals, particularly with regard to whether a switching threshold has been exceeded.Another possibility is that the lock control 13 filters the received sensor signals with regard to possible interference and that the evaluation of the filtered sensor signals is carried out by a higher-level control.

[0050] As shown in the drawing for all embodiments, the lock housing 3a of the motor vehicle lock 3 accommodates the lock control unit 13. In principle, the lock control unit 13 can also be designed separately from the lock housing 3a.

[0051] The sensor device 4 can comprise one or more sensors, as mentioned above. In the five preferred embodiments, the sensor device 4 has a capacitive sensor 14 equipped with an elongated sensor electrode 15. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor device 4 can have an inductive sensor, an optical sensor, a radar-based sensor, or an ultrasonic-based sensor. In all preferred sensor variants, the detection area of ​​the respective sensor is located on the exterior of the vehicle door 2, in particular in front of the flat side of the vehicle door 2.

[0052] The sensor device 4 is preferably a distance-measuring sensor device 4 with which the distance of an obstacle and / or a person to the sensor device 4 can be detected.

[0053] It has already been pointed out that different areas of application are conceivable for the sensor device 4. Here, and preferably, the sensor device is used to monitor whether an object and / or a person is located and / or moving in the area 5 outside the vehicle door 2. In the first case, the sensor device 4 serves to prevent collisions when opening the vehicle door 2. In the second case, the sensor device 4 serves to detect an operating event, in particular a predetermined movement of the operator's hand or foot, in order to trigger a motorized opening of the vehicle door 2, if necessary.

[0054] The motorized opening of the vehicle door 2 can, for example, simply involve opening the vehicle lock 3, in which case, preferably, the locking latch of the vehicle lock 3 is motorized. The motorized opening of the vehicle door 2 can also involve the aforementioned motorized pushing of the vehicle door 2 into the open position. Finally, the motorized opening of the vehicle door 2 can involve the motorized swinging of the vehicle door 2 into its fully open position, for which the vehicle door 2 is equipped with a separate adjustment drive (not shown here). Especially in the latter case, sensor monitoring of the exterior 5 of the vehicle door 2 is of particular importance to prevent collisions with obstacles standing next to the vehicle.

[0055] From a control engineering perspective, an arrangement in which a locking function of the vehicle lock 3 is triggered depending on the sensor signals from the sensor device 4 is particularly easy to implement. This is the case, for example, if the motorized opening of the vehicle lock 3, i.e., the motorized release of the locking latch, is to be triggered by the approach of an operator's hand to the sensor device 4. In this case, it is particularly advantageous for the lock control 13 to receive the sensor signals from the sensor device 4 without the need for an additional control device. The same applies to the aforementioned push-open function, in which the vehicle door 2 is pushed open, in particular by means of a motorized adjustment of the latch of the vehicle lock 3, into its push-open position.

[0056] Conversely, it is particularly advantageous if the sensor device 4 detects a potential collision resulting from a motorized locking function of the vehicle lock. This is again the case with the aforementioned motorized opening function when the vehicle lock 3 pushes open the vehicle door 2 as described above.

[0057] According to a further teaching, which has independent significance, the motor vehicle door 2 in whose interior 16 a proposed functional arrangement 1 is arranged is claimed as such.

[0058] The proposed vehicle door 2 is arranged on the vehicle body in its assembled state, preferably hinged. However, it is also conceivable that the vehicle door 2 is guided longitudinally along one side of the vehicle, similar to a sliding door. Reference may be made to all embodiments of the proposed functional arrangement 1 that are suitable for describing the vehicle door 2 as such.

[0059] The arrangement of the sensor device 4 is of particular importance for the proposed vehicle door 2. The vehicle door 2 has a flat outer door skin 2a, with end faces 17 and 18 arranged along the edges of the outer door skin 2a and essentially transversely to it. The sensor device 4, together with the vehicle lock 3, is located on one of these end faces 17 and 18, specifically the rear end face 18, of the vehicle door 2. This proximity to the vehicle lock 3 allows for the combination of the vehicle lock 3 and the sensor device 4 into a pre-assembled unit 6 in a particularly simple and efficient manner.

[0060] It can also be advantageous for the sensor device 4 to be arranged on an edge area of ​​the vehicle door 2, which, when the vehicle door 2 is installed, is a lower edge area 19.

[0061] Alternatively or additionally, the vehicle door 2, here and preferably the outer door skin 2a of the vehicle door 2, can have an opening 20, wherein the sensor device 4 is arranged in the area of ​​the opening 20 such that the sensor device 4 monitors the exterior 5 of the vehicle door 2 through the opening 20. This can be achieved, on the one hand, by arranging the sensor device 4 in the interior 16 of the vehicle door 2 behind the opening 20, as is the case in all five illustrated embodiments. However, it is also conceivable that the sensor device 4 projects through the opening 20. The term "projects through" is to be understood broadly and includes, on the one hand, that the sensor device 4 is flush with the outer surface of the outer door skin 2a, or that the sensor device 4 projects out of the opening 20. An opening 20 is in the Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig.4 is indicated by a dashed line as an example.

[0062] An opening 20 above is particularly advantageous if the sensor device 4 has a capacitive sensor 14 that would be shielded by a metallic door outer skin 2a. If the door outer skin 2a consists of a plastic material or the like, at least in the area of ​​the sensor device 4, such an opening 20 is unnecessary for the function of the capacitive sensor 14.

[0063] In principle, the openings 20 can be covered by a door strip or a decorative element, as indicated above. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the support assembly 7 itself provides a cover component that fills the opening 20, preferably completely. It is also conceivable that such a cover component is inserted into the opening 20 from the outside and attached to the support assembly 7, in particular by a snap-fit ​​connection.

[0064] According to another teaching, which also has independent significance, the method for assembling the proposed functional arrangement 1 is claimed as such.

[0065] Essential to the proposed procedure is that the vehicle lock 3 and the sensor device 4 are mechanically coupled to form the aforementioned pre-assembled unit 6 in a pre-assembly state and are then installed as a pre-assembled unit 6 into the vehicle door 2 during final assembly. It follows from the foregoing that the pre-assembly, which, as mentioned above, can also be multi-stage, simplifies the assembly of the components of the functional arrangement 1.

Claims

[1] Functional arrangement for installation in a motor vehicle door (2), comprising a motor vehicle lock (3) for holding the motor vehicle door (2) and a sensor device (4) for monitoring an exterior area (5) of the motor vehicle door (2), characterized by , that the motor vehicle lock (3) and the sensor device (4) are mechanically coupled to each other in a pre-assembly state to form a pre-assembled unit (6) and can be installed as a pre-assembled unit (6) into the motor vehicle door (2) as part of a final assembly. [2] Functional arrangement according to claim 1, characterized by that the functional arrangement (1) has a support arrangement (7) which accommodates the motor vehicle lock (3) and the sensor device (4), preferably that the support arrangement (7) is at least partially made of a plastic material, preferably that the support arrangement (7) is manufactured using the plastic injection molding process. [3] Functional arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, that the sensor device (4) is electrically coupled to the functional arrangement (1) in the rest. [4] Functional arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the functional arrangement (1) has a sensor carrier (9) which accommodates at least a part of the sensor device (4), preferably that the sensor carrier (9) is arranged on the carrier arrangement (7) or on the motor vehicle lock (3). [5] Functional arrangement according to claim 4, characterized by that the sensor carrier (9) has a fastening mechanism (10) for fastening the sensor device (4) to the sensor carrier (9), preferably that the fastening mechanism (10) allows a snap-fit ​​fastening of the sensor device (4) to the sensor carrier (9). [6] Functional arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the support arrangement (7) is in fastening engagement with the motor vehicle lock (3) on the one hand and the sensor device (4) on the other hand and that the motor vehicle lock (3) is mechanically coupled to the sensor device (4) exclusively via the support arrangement (7). [7] Functional arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the motor vehicle lock (3) accommodates at least part of the sensor device (4), preferably that the motor vehicle lock (3) has a lock housing (3a) that accommodates at least part of the sensor device (4). [8] Functional arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the motor vehicle lock (3) has an entry opening (21) for the entry of a locking part (22), in particular a locking wedge or a locking bar, during a locking process and that at least a part of the sensor device (4) is received by the motor vehicle lock (3) in the area of ​​the entry opening (3), preferably within the entry opening (21). [9] Functional arrangement according to claim 8, characterized by , that at least part of the sensor device (4) is arranged next to the inlet opening (3) of the motor vehicle lock (3), preferably facing an end face (17, 18) of the motor vehicle door (2). [10] Functional arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the support arrangement (7) accommodates a window guide rail (11) and / or forms a window guide rail (7), and / or that the support arrangement (7) accommodates a door handle arrangement (12), in particular a door exterior handle arrangement (12), and / or that the support arrangement (7) accommodates a window lifter component. [11] Functional arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the motor vehicle lock (3) is associated with an electrical lock control (13) and that the sensor device (4) is electrically coupled to the lock control (13), preferably that the lock control (13) controls the sensor device (4) for the generation and / or reception of sensor signals, further preferably that the lock control (13) evaluates the received sensor signals, in particular with regard to the exceeding of a switching threshold. [12] Functional arrangement according to claim 11, characterized by, that the motor vehicle lock (3), in particular a lock housing (3a) of the motor vehicle lock (3), accommodates the lock control (13). [13] Functional arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the sensor device (4) comprises a capacitive sensor (14) and / or an inductive sensor and / or an optical sensor and / or a radar-based sensor and / or an ultrasonic-based sensor. [14] Functional arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the sensor device (4) monitors whether an object and / or a person is located and / or moving in the outside (5) of the vehicle door (2). [15] Motor vehicle door which, in the assembled state, is arranged on a motor vehicle body, in particular guided longitudinally or hinged, characterized by, that a functional arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims is mounted in an interior (16) of the motor vehicle door (2). [16] Motor vehicle door according to claim 15, characterized by , that the motor vehicle door (2) has a flat outer door skin (2a) and that an end face (17, 18) is arranged on the edge of the outer door skin (2a) and substantially transversely to the outer door skin (2a) and that the sensor device (4), in particular together with the motor vehicle lock (3), is arranged on an end face (18) of the motor vehicle door (2). [17] Motor vehicle door according to claim 15 or 16, characterized by, that the sensor device (4) is arranged on an edge area of ​​the motor vehicle door (2), which, when the motor vehicle door (2) is installed, is a lower edge area (19), and / or, that the motor vehicle door (2), in particular an outer door skin (2a) of the motor vehicle door (2), has an opening (20) and that the sensor device (4) is arranged in the area of ​​the opening (20) such that the sensor device (4) monitors the outside (5) of the motor vehicle door (2) through the opening (20), preferably that the sensor device (4) is arranged in the interior (16) of the motor vehicle door (2) behind the opening (20), or that the sensor device (4) protrudes through the opening (20). [18] Method for assembling a functional arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 14 in a motor vehicle door (2), wherein the motor vehicle lock (3) and the sensor device (4) are mechanically coupled to each other in a pre-assembly state to form a pre-assembled unit (6) and are installed in the motor vehicle door (2) as a pre-assembled unit (6) during final assembly.

Images