Locking system, motor vehicle and method for operating a locking system

Abstract

Locking system (7) for a motor vehicle (1), comprising at least one electrically actuated fuel filler cap locking unit (8) which can be converted by electrical actuation from a locking state in which the fuel filler cap locking unit (8) locks a fuel filler cap (5) of the motor vehicle (1) in a closed position to a release state in which the fuel filler cap locking unit (8) releases the fuel filler cap (5), and vice versa, and at least one electronic actuating unit (12) for electrically actuating the fuel filler cap locking unit (8), characterized by the fact that the actuating unit (12) is equipped to electronically determine whether an internal combustion engine (13) of the motor vehicle (1) has been ignited, and to transfer or keep the fuel tank cap locking unit (8) in the release state when the internal combustion engine (13) has been ignited.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a locking system for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one electrically actuated fuel filler cap locking unit, which can be switched by electrical actuation from a locked state, in which the fuel filler cap locking unit locks a fuel filler cap of the motor vehicle in a closed position, to a released state, in which the fuel filler cap locking unit releases the fuel filler cap, and vice versa, and at least one electronic actuating unit for electrically actuating the locking unit. The invention further relates to a motor vehicle with at least one door that, in a closed state, closes access to a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, at least one fuel filler cap that, in a closed state, covers a fuel filler neck of the motor vehicle, and at least one cargo area hatch that, in a closed state, closes a cargo area of ​​the motor vehicle.Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating an electric locking system of a motor vehicle.

[0002] A motor vehicle can be equipped with a central locking system that allows various locking devices of the vehicle to be simultaneously switched from their respective locked states to their respective unlocked states, and vice versa. In conventional central locking systems, a fuel filler cap locking mechanism is also actuated simultaneously, allowing the fuel filler cap to be locked in its closed position, where it covers the vehicle's external fuel filler neck. The central locking system is controlled by an activation signal generated by a unit wirelessly connected to the vehicle, such as an electronic key fob, or by a manually operated unit within the vehicle's passenger compartment.It is also known to automatically generate a corresponding activation signal when the motor vehicle exceeds a certain minimum driving speed.

[0003] For example, for safety reasons, it may be desirable to separately release the aforementioned locking mechanism of a fuel filler cap when the vehicle is at a fuel pump, while the other locking devices of the central locking system remain locked. During such a refueling process, the driver remains in the vehicle with the doors and tailgate locked, while external personnel carry out the refueling. Traditionally, this can be achieved by manually operating a control unit installed in the passenger compartment, such as a lever, button, or similar device, which separately releases the locking mechanism of the fuel filler cap when it is in its closed position.

[0004] US Patent 8,627,860 B2 relates to a fuel delivery system with a fuel coupler designed to transfer fuel from a source to the vehicle via the vehicle's fuel port. The fuel coupler has a switch that, when activated, wirelessly transmits a control signal over a short distance. Upon receiving the control signal, a receiver integrated into the vehicle and located near the fuel port unlocks a fuel filler flap, allowing the fuel filler flap to be moved into the open position to provide access to the fuel port.

[0005] German patent DE 10 2008 016 551 A1 relates to a central locking system for a motor vehicle, which includes an electronic control unit that receives signals generated outside the vehicle and signals generated inside the vehicle for locking and unlocking the vehicle's doors and / or hatches. The central locking control unit detects the source of an incoming locking signal and only locks a fuel filler flap if the control unit receives a locking signal generated outside the vehicle.

[0006] US 7,905,535 B2 relates to a fuel filler flap assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising a hinged arm designed to support a fuel filler flap and pivotally mounted about a pivot axis, a locking section that moves with the fuel filler flap, and a locking element that is movable by a control unit between a locking position, in which the locking element engages the locking section, and a release position, in which the locking element does not engage the locking section, for locking and unlocking the fuel filler flap. The locking element has a chamfered surface arranged such that, during a closing movement of the fuel filler flap while the locking element is in the locked position, the locking section engages the chamfered surface.Alternatively, the locking section may have a chamfered section surface arranged such that it contacts the locking element when the fuel filler flap closes while the locking element is in the locked position. The chamfered surface(s) are arranged such that the locking element and the locking section slide against each other when the fuel filler flap closes while the locking element is in the locked position.

[0007] US 9,080,354 B2 concerns a motor vehicle with a fuel filler cap and a sliding door located on the same side of the vehicle. The sliding door can be locked in its closed position by a central locking system and a child safety lock. To prevent the sliding door from obstructing the fuel filler cap during refueling, a locking control responds to a movement of the fuel filler cap into its open position by maintaining a present external locked or unlocked state and a present internal locked or unlocked state of the sliding door, initiating or maintaining the external locked and internal locked states, and, after the fuel filler cap has been moved into its closed position, restoring or maintaining the maintained present external locked or unlocked states and the maintained present internal locked or unlocked states.

[0008] US Patent 5,544,508 A relates to a central locking system for the locks on the doors and hatches of a motor vehicle, which has a tailgate and a fuel filler flap in the rear. A single actuator for the central locking system, along with its drive mechanism, is located in the rear of the vehicle. Two mechanical power transmission systems are directly or indirectly connected to the actuator. One power transmission system operates the tailgate lock. The other power transmission system operates the fuel filler flap lock. The central locking system can be operated, for example, at the driver's door of the vehicle, using a mechanical and / or an electronic key.

[0009] German patent application DE 10 2012 018 489 A1 discloses a locking system with holding means, actuator, actuating means, and control means for a motor vehicle. The locking system includes an electrically actuated fuel filler cap locking unit with holding means and actuator, which can be electrically actuated from a locked state, in which the fuel filler cap locking unit locks the fuel filler cap of the motor vehicle in a closed position, to a released state, in which the fuel filler cap locking unit releases the fuel filler cap, and vice versa. The locking system also includes an electronic actuating unit with actuating means and control means for electrically actuating the fuel filler cap locking unit.

[0010] The invention is based on the objective of providing a locking system for a motor vehicle that is more cost-effective to manufacture and easier to handle.

[0011] According to the invention, the problem is solved by a locking system with the features of claim 1, in which the actuating unit is configured to electronically determine whether an internal combustion engine of the motor vehicle has been ignited, and to bring the fuel tank cap locking unit into the release state or to keep it in this state when the internal combustion engine has been ignited.

[0012] It should be noted that the features and measures listed individually in the following description can be combined in any technically sensible way and demonstrate further embodiments of the invention. The description further characterizes and specifies the invention, particularly in conjunction with the figure.

[0013] According to the invention, the fuel filler cap is automatically unlocked when the electrical actuation unit electronically detects that the vehicle's internal combustion engine has been started. Other locking mechanisms of the vehicle, which lock / unlock individual doors or tailgates, are not affected by the electrical actuation of the fuel filler cap locking unit, so these locking mechanisms remain in their respective locked states. Even if the fuel filler cap was locked by a central locking system before the engine was started, this lock is automatically released by the actuation unit after the engine has been started, independently of other locking mechanisms.Since the actuating unit is also designed to maintain the release state of the fuel tank cap locking unit assumed after ignition of the combustion engine, the fuel tank cap will not be locked even if, after ignition of the combustion engine or during operation of the combustion engine, for example during a journey with the motor vehicle, an actuating signal is received by the actuating unit, which is generated automatically, for example depending on the vehicle speed, or by manual actuation of a control element.

[0014] During driving, all locking mechanisms except the fuel filler cap locking mechanism can remain in their respective locked positions. When the driver approaches a gas station, the fuel filler cap is already unlocked, while the doors and tailgate remain locked. A gas station attendant can manually move the unlocked fuel filler cap to the open position, which provides access to the fuel filler neck located behind the closed fuel filler cap for refueling. Therefore, no separate mechanical or electromechanical means are required to unlock the fuel filler cap by manually operating a control element in the vehicle's passenger compartment. This results in cost savings compared to conventional locking systems.Furthermore, the handling of the locking system according to the invention is simplified compared to conventional locking systems.

[0015] If the actuating unit detects that the combustion engine has been started, and if no actuation signal to move locking units to their respective locked states is received from the actuating unit, the fuel filler cap is not locked. If the actuating unit detects that the combustion engine has not been started, and if an actuation signal to move locking units to their respective locked states is then received from the actuating unit, the fuel filler cap is locked. If the actuating unit detects that the combustion engine has been started, and if an actuation signal to move locking units to their respective locked states is then received from the actuating unit while the fuel filler cap is unlocked, the fuel filler cap is not locked.

[0016] The actuating unit can electronically determine whether the vehicle's internal combustion engine has been started or not, based on signals from at least one sensor device or using an algorithm to which at least one state parameter of the vehicle is supplied. The actuating unit can be implemented as software within existing vehicle electronics or be designed as a separate unit. The actuating unit can be connected to the fuel filler flap locking unit via a cable, for example, a vehicle bus system, or wirelessly, for example, a radio link or similar.

[0017] The tank cap locking unit can have at least one movable locking element that engages the tank cap in its closed position and at least one electrically controllable actuating means for operating the locking element.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment, the locking system comprises at least one door locking unit which can be electrically actuated from a locking state, in which the door locking unit locks a door of the motor vehicle in a closed position, to a release state, in which the door locking unit releases the door, and vice versa, and at least one flap locking unit which can be electrically actuated from a locking state, in which the flap locking unit locks a cargo flap of the motor vehicle in a closed position, to a release state, in which the flap locking unit releases the cargo flap, and vice versa, wherein the actuating unit is configured to receive an actuating signal and, after receiving the actuating signal, to simultaneously electrically actuate the door locking unit and the flap locking unit.The actuating unit is part of the central locking system of the motor vehicle. Preferably, the locking system has a separate door locking unit or tailgate locking unit for each door or tailgate. The actuating signal can be generated, for example, based on speed, by triggering it when the motor vehicle exceeds a predetermined minimum speed. Alternatively, the actuating signal can be generated by manually pressing an actuating button or similar device located inside the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.

[0019] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the actuating unit is configured to move the fuel filler cap locking unit into the locked state or to hold it in this state when the internal combustion engine has not been started and the actuating unit has received the actuating signal. This allows all locking units of the locking system to be moved simultaneously into their respective locked states, for example, to secure the vehicle against theft in one location.

[0020] The above problem is further solved by a motor vehicle with the features of claim 4, which has at least one locking system according to one of the above-mentioned embodiments or any combination of at least two of these embodiments.

[0021] The advantages mentioned above regarding the locking system are correspondingly associated with the motor vehicle. The motor vehicle can be a passenger car or a commercial vehicle. The door is located on the side of the motor vehicle. The motor vehicle can also have two or four such doors. The fuel filler cap can be located on the side of the motor vehicle. The tailgate can be located at the rear or front of the motor vehicle.

[0022] The above problem is further solved by a method with the features of claim 5, in which it is electronically determined whether an internal combustion engine of the motor vehicle has been ignited, wherein a fuel tank cap locking unit, which can be transferred via an electrical actuator from a locking state in which the fuel tank cap locking unit locks a fuel tank cap of the motor vehicle in a closed position to a release state in which the fuel tank cap locking unit releases the fuel tank cap, and vice versa, is transferred to the release state or held in this state when the internal combustion engine has been ignited.

[0023] The advantages mentioned above with regard to the locking system are correspondingly associated with this method. In particular, the locking system can be used to carry out the method according to one of the above-mentioned embodiments or any combination of at least two of these embodiments.

[0024] An advantageous embodiment provides that the fuel filler cap locking unit is moved into or held in the locked position when the internal combustion engine has not been started and an actuation signal has been received for the simultaneous electrical actuation of at least one door locking unit, with which a vehicle door of the motor vehicle can be locked in a closed position, and at least one flap locking unit, with which a cargo area flap of the motor vehicle can be locked in a closed position. This embodiment offers the advantages mentioned above with reference to the corresponding embodiment of the locking system.

[0025] In the context of the invention, ignition of the internal combustion engine also includes the state in which an ignition key is turned to a pre-ignition position, but the internal combustion engine is not yet running. This makes it possible to ensure that the internal combustion engine does not need to be running during refueling.

[0026] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims and the following description of the figures. It shows: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of an embodiment of a motor vehicle according to the invention.

[0027] Fig.Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a motor vehicle 1 according to the invention, comprising two doors 2 and 3 arranged laterally on the motor vehicle 1, each of which, in the closed position shown, closes an access (not shown) to a passenger compartment 4 of the motor vehicle 1. Furthermore, the motor vehicle 1 has a fuel filler cap 5 arranged laterally on the motor vehicle 1, which, in the closed position shown, covers a fuel filler neck of the motor vehicle 1 (not shown). In addition, the motor vehicle 1 has a cargo compartment hatch 6 arranged at the rear of the motor vehicle 1, which, in the closed position shown, closes a cargo compartment of the motor vehicle 1 (not shown). The motor vehicle 1 also has a locking system 7.

[0028] The locking system 7 includes an electrically actuated fuel cap locking unit 8, which can be switched electrically from a locked state, in which the fuel cap locking unit 8 locks the fuel cap 5 in the closed position, to a released state, in which the fuel cap locking unit 8 releases the fuel cap 5, and vice versa. Furthermore, the locking system 7 includes a door locking unit 9 or 10 for each door 2 or 3, respectively, which can be switched electrically from a locked state, in which the respective door locking unit 9 or 10 locks the respective door 2 or 3 in the closed position, to a released state, in which the respective door locking unit 9 or 10 releases the respective door 2 or 3, and vice versa.Furthermore, the locking system 7 has a flap locking unit 11 which can be transferred via an electrical actuator from a locking state, in which the flap locking unit 11 locks the cargo compartment flap 6 in the closed position, to a release state, in which the flap locking unit 11 releases the cargo compartment flap 6, and vice versa.

[0029] Furthermore, the locking system 7 includes an electronic actuating unit 12 for electrically actuating the fuel filler cap locking unit 8, the door locking units 9 and 10, and the flap locking unit 11. The actuating unit 12 is configured to electronically determine whether an internal combustion engine 13 of the motor vehicle 1 has been started and to move the fuel filler cap locking unit 8 into the unlocked state or to hold it in this state if the internal combustion engine 13 has been started. In addition, the actuating unit 12 is configured to receive an actuating signal and, after receiving the actuating signal, to simultaneously actuate the door locking units 9 and 10 and the flap locking unit 11 electrically.Furthermore, the actuating unit 12 is designed to bring the tank cap locking unit 8 into the locked state or to keep it in this state when the internal combustion engine 13 has not been ignited and the actuating signal has been received by the actuating unit 12. Reference symbol list 1 motor vehicle 2 doors 3 Door 4 passenger compartment 5 Fuel tank caps 6. Cargo area flap 7 Locking system 8 Fuel tank cap locking unit 9 Door locking unit 10 Door locking unit 11 Flap locking unit 12 Actuating unit 13 Internal combustion engine

Claims

[1] Locking system (7) for a motor vehicle (1), comprising at least one electrically actuated fuel filler cap locking unit (8) which can be converted by electrical actuation from a locking state in which the fuel filler cap locking unit (8) locks a fuel filler cap (5) of the motor vehicle (1) in a closed position to a release state in which the fuel filler cap locking unit (8) releases the fuel filler cap (5), and vice versa, and at least one electronic actuating unit (12) for electrically actuating the fuel filler cap locking unit (8), characterized by , that the actuating unit (12) is equipped to electronically determine whether an internal combustion engine (13) of the motor vehicle (1) has been ignited, and to transfer or keep the fuel tank cap locking unit (8) in the release state when the internal combustion engine (13) has been ignited. [2] Locking system (7) according to claim 1, characterized by at least one door locking unit (9, 10) which can be converted by an electrical actuator from a locking state in which the door locking unit (9, 10) locks a door (2, 3) of the motor vehicle (1) in a closed position to a release state in which the door locking unit (9, 10) releases the door (2, 3), and vice versa, and at least one flap locking unit (11) which can be transferred via an electrical actuator from a locking state in which the flap locking unit (11) locks a cargo compartment flap (6) of the motor vehicle (1) in a closed position to a release state in which the flap locking unit (11) releases the cargo compartment flap (6), and vice versa, wherein the actuating unit (12) is designed to receive an actuating signal and, after receiving the actuating signal, to simultaneously electrically actuate the door locking unit (9, 10) and the flap locking unit (11). [3] Locking system (7) according to claim 2, characterized by , that the actuating unit (12) is configured to bring the tank cap locking unit (8) into the locked state or to keep it in this state when the internal combustion engine (13) has not been ignited and the actuating signal has been received from the actuating unit (12). [4] Motor vehicle (1) with at least one door (2, 3) which in a closed state closes an access to a passenger compartment (4) of the motor vehicle (1), at least one fuel filler cap (5) which in a closed state covers a fuel filler neck of the motor vehicle (1), and at least one cargo compartment flap (6) which in a closed state closes a cargo compartment of the motor vehicle (1), characterized by at least one locking system (7) according to one of the preceding claims. [5] Method for operating an electrical locking system (7) of a motor vehicle (1), characterized by , that It is determined electronically whether an internal combustion engine (13) of the motor vehicle (1) has been ignited, and a fuel tank cap locking unit (8) which can be transferred by an electrical actuator from a locking state in which the fuel tank cap locking unit (8) locks a fuel tank cap (5) of the motor vehicle (1) in a closed position to a release state in which the fuel tank cap locking unit (8) releases the fuel tank cap (5), and vice versa, to the release state or is held in this state when the internal combustion engine (13) has been started. [6] Method according to claim 5, characterized by, that the fuel filler cap locking unit (8) is moved into the locked state or is held in this state when the internal combustion engine (13) has not been ignited and an actuation signal for the simultaneous electrical actuation of at least one door locking unit (9, 10) with which a door (2, 3) of the motor vehicle (1) can be locked in a closed position and at least one flap locking unit (11) with which a cargo compartment flap (6) of the motor vehicle (1) can be locked in a closed position has been received.

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