Method for operating a motor vehicle locking system for a locking element of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle locking system for a locking element (2) of a motor vehicle (3), wherein the motor vehicle locking system (1) comprises a motor vehicle lock (4) with a latch (6) that can be moved into a main locked position, an open position, and an intermediate pre-locking position, wherein the latch (6) is engaged with a locking part (7) in the main locked position and the pre-locking position and releases the locking part (7) in the open position, wherein the motor vehicle lock (4) comprises a locking pawl system (8) that can be moved into a locked state, in which it locks the latch (6) in the main locked position and in the pre-locking position, and into an open state, in which it releases the latch (6) in the opening direction, wherein the motor vehicle lock (4) comprises an electric lock drive (9) with a drive motor (10),In the course of an opening process, the lock drive (9) up to and including the locking pawl system (8) forms a movement (11) and the locking pawl system (8) is moved from the locked state to the open state via the movement (11). It is proposed that at least one component of the movement (11) is pre-tensioned with a spring preload (13) such that, when the motor action of the lock drive (9) ceases, the locking pawl system (8) falls from the open state towards the locked state in a reset process solely by the spring preload (13), that the vehicle locking system (1) has a control arrangement (14) for controlling the lock drive (9), and that, in the course of the opening process, the locking pawl system (8) is held in the open state against the spring preload (13) by the lock drive (9) in a holding process by means of the control arrangement (14).until a trigger event occurs that indicates an upward movement (17) of the locking element (2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle locking system for a locking element of a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a motor vehicle lock for a locking element of a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 8 and to a motor vehicle locking system for a locking element of a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 13 and to a control arrangement for a motor vehicle locking system according to claim 15.

[0002] The method in question relates to the operation of a motor vehicle locking system associated with a locking element of a motor vehicle. The term "locking element" is to be understood broadly in this context. It encompasses, for example, a tailgate, a trunk lid, a hood, a side door, a cargo area lid, a window pane, a pop-up roof, or the like of a motor vehicle.

[0003] Depending on the vehicle's equipment, the vehicle locking system is equipped with a motorized lock and, if applicable, a locking element drive. To ensure the most convenient motorized opening process possible, the vehicle lock usually features a lock drive.

[0004] The known prior art (DE 19 927 416 A1), from which the invention is based, relates to a method for operating such a motor vehicle locking system. The associated motor vehicle lock comprises a locking mechanism consisting of a lock latch and a pawl system, whereby the lock latch can be locked in the main locking position and the pre-locking position by means of the pawl system, in this case the pawl. During an opening process, an electric lock drive with a drive motor forms a movement train up to and including the pawl, whereby the pawl is transferred from the locked state to the open state via the movement train.

[0005] A remarkable feature of the state of the art is the fact that the pawl is held open by the lock drive, without requiring a motorized action of the lock drive. The movement mechanism is designed with a self-locking effect. This is used in the known motor vehicle lock to prevent the pawl from engaging prematurely during the opening process. Such premature engagement of the pawl can, in particular, lead to the pawl undesirably locking the lock latch in the pre-locking position.

[0006] In the conventional method, the locking pawl is released by resetting the opening drive only when the lock latch has passed the pre-locking position. This is also referred to as the "snow load function."

[0007] The self-locking action of the movement cable described above can be problematic if the vehicle electrical system fails during or shortly after the opening process. In such a case, the locking pawl can no longer engage, which is considered a compromise to operational safety.

[0008] The invention is based on the problem of designing and developing the known method for operating a motor vehicle locking system in such a way that operational reliability is increased using simple means.

[0009] The above problem is solved by the features of the characterising part of claim 1.

[0010] The fundamental idea is that the pawl system can be held open during a holding process by a motor, for example, by applying additional current or by short-circuiting the lock drive motor. The holding effect can now be eliminated without having to drive the lock motor. This is particularly advantageous in the event of a vehicle power failure. The term "motor-driven" is to be understood here to mean that the respective holding force is due to an interaction between the stator and the rotor of an electric drive motor.

[0011] Furthermore, according to the proposal, it has been recognized that a spring preload is suitable for returning the pawl system, including at least part of the movement train, in a return process such that the pawl system falls toward the locking state and preferably into the locking state. This is generally understood to mean that the component(s) of the pawl system adjust(s) to approach or reach the locking state.

[0012] Finally, it has been recognized that motorized holding against the above spring preload allows for a holding process that is easily adjustable using a control system, namely, until a trigger event indicating an opening movement of the locking element occurs. In other words, the motorized holding of the pawl system takes place until an indication of an opening movement of the locking element, i.e., a trigger event indicating an opening movement of the locking element, occurs.

[0013] In detail, it is proposed that at least one component of the movement train is pre-tensioned with a spring preload in such a way that the pawl system, when a motor effect of the lock drive is eliminated, falls from the open state towards the locked state, preferably into the locked state, in a return process solely due to the spring preload, that the motor vehicle locking system has a control arrangement for controlling the lock drive and that, within the scope of the opening process, the pawl system is held in the open state in a holding process by means of the control arrangement via the lock drive by motor against the spring preload until a trigger event occurs which indicates a pivoting movement of the closure element.

[0014] The proposed solution allows the operational reliability of the method in question to be increased using simple means by holding the pawl system in place by a motor, and resetting the pawl system, including at least part of the movement, by a spring. This allows the holding process to be released without adjusting the lock drive, which increases operational reliability, especially in the event of a vehicle electrical system failure. As a result, the drive motor only needs to be energized in a single direction, which minimizes the circuitry complexity.

[0015] In the preferred embodiment according to claim 2, the entire movement train is reset during the reset process, thus also driving the drive motor back. This allows the entire movement train to be designed to be reversible, which simplifies the overall design of the movement train.

[0016] A particularly robust implementation can be achieved by defining the trigger event according to claim 3. In particular, reaching the open position of the lock latch guarantees that the pre-locking position has been safely passed.

[0017] According to claim 4, the occurrence of the trigger event can best be detected by means of a sensor arrangement which can be assigned to the motor vehicle lock or the locking element.

[0018] In this context, claim 5 emphasizes that the trigger event does not have to originate from the motor vehicle lock, but can also originate, for example, from a locking element drive. This can be advantageous if information about a certain pivoting of the locking element is already present in a locking element control.

[0019] In the preferred embodiment according to claim 6, the locking pawl system is held in place during the holding process by energizing the drive motor. This energization direction corresponds to the energization direction during the opening process. In the simplest case, the drive motor can therefore remain energized following the opening process.

[0020] Alternatively, according to claim 7, it can also be provided that the drive motor of the lock drive is connected to a short-circuit circuit for holding the pawl assembly, resulting in short-circuit braking. If necessary, the short-circuit braking, which will always be associated with a certain amount of reversing of the drive motor due to the above spring preload, can be combined with the above-mentioned current supply.

[0021] According to a further teaching according to claim 8, which has independent significance, the motor vehicle lock is claimed for a locking element of a motor vehicle as such.

[0022] It is essential that at least one component of the movement train is pre-tensioned with a spring preload in such a way that the pawl system, when a motor effect of the lock drive is no longer present, falls from the open state towards the locked state in a return process solely due to the spring preload, that the motor vehicle lock has a control arrangement for controlling the lock drive and that, within the scope of the opening process, the pawl system is held in the open state in a holding process by means of the control arrangement via the lock drive by motor against the spring preload until a trigger event occurs which indicates a pivoting movement of the locking element.

[0023] By equipping the motor vehicle lock with the control arrangement, the motor vehicle lock is suitable for autonomously implementing the proposed procedure.

[0024] Reference may be made to all statements relating to the proposed procedure for operating a motor vehicle locking system.

[0025] The preferred variants according to claims 9 and 10 show that the proposed motor vehicle lock does not only have to have a single pawl, which is referred to here as the primary pawl, but can also have two or more pawls without departing from the present invention.

[0026] The further preferred embodiment according to claim 11 provides a release lever that is driven by the lock drive during the opening process. What is interesting here is the fact that, with a suitable design, regardless of the design of the pawl system, a drive of the release lever is sufficient to transfer the pawl system to the open state.

[0027] A preferred coupling between the drive motor and the pawl system is the subject of claim 12. This coupling has a drive cable which can further preferably be wound onto the drive shaft of the drive motor of the lock drive for implementing the opening process.

[0028] According to a further teaching according to claim 13, which also has independent significance, the motor vehicle locking system for a locking element of a motor vehicle is claimed as such.

[0029] In this case, it is again essential that at least one component of the movement train is pre-tensioned with a spring preload in such a way that the pawl system, when a motor effect of the lock drive is no longer present, falls from the open state towards the locked state in a return process solely due to the spring preload, that the motor vehicle locking system has a control arrangement for controlling the lock drive and that, within the scope of the opening process, the pawl system is held in the open state in a holding process by means of the control arrangement via the lock drive by motor against the spring preload until a trigger event occurs which indicates a pivoting movement of the locking element.

[0030] Reference may be made to all statements relating to the proposed procedure for operating a motor vehicle locking system and the proposed motor vehicle lock.

[0031] The further preferred embodiment according to claim 14 relates to equipping the motor vehicle locking system with a motor vehicle lock and a locking element drive, wherein the trigger event originates from the locking element drive, as described above. Therefore, a sensor in the motor vehicle lock is not required to detect the trigger event.

[0032] According to a further teaching according to claim 15, which also has independent significance, a control arrangement for a motor vehicle locking system for a locking element of a motor vehicle is claimed. Reference may also be made in this regard to all statements regarding the proposed method for operating a motor vehicle locking system, motor vehicle lock, and the proposed motor vehicle locking system.

[0033] In the following, the invention is explained in more detail with reference to a drawing which merely represents exemplary embodiments. In the drawing, Fig. 1 a proposed motor vehicle locking system with a motor vehicle lock and a locking element drive in a schematic representation, Fig. 2 the motor vehicle lock according to Fig. 1 a) in the main closing position and b) in the pre-closing position, Fig. 3 the motor vehicle lock according to Fig. 1 a) at the beginning of the opening process and b) towards the end of the opening process, Fig. 4 the motor vehicle lock according to Fig. 1 in a further embodiment a) in the main closing position and b) in the pre-closing position and Fig. 5 the motor vehicle lock according to Fig. 4 a) at the beginning of the opening process and b) towards the end of the opening process

[0034] The proposed method preferably relates to the operation of a motor vehicle locking system 1 for a locking element 2 of a motor vehicle 3, wherein the motor vehicle locking system 1 has a likewise illustrated motor vehicle lock 4. The term "locking element" 2 is to be understood broadly, as explained in the introductory part of the description.

[0035] The exemplary embodiment shown in the figures and thus preferred relates very generally to a method for operating a motor vehicle locking system 1 for a locking element 2 of a motor vehicle 3.

[0036] The motor vehicle locking system 1 comprises a motor vehicle lock 4 with a lock latch 6 which can be pivoted about a lock latch axis 5 and can be brought into a main locking position, an open position and an intermediate pre-locking position. In this case, the lock latch 6 is in the main locking position ( Fig. 2a) and the pre-closing position ( Fig. 2b) is in holding engagement with a locking part 7, in particular a locking bracket, and releases the locking part 7 in the open position.

[0037] The motor vehicle lock 4 has a pawl system 8 which can be locked ( Fig. 2), in which it locks the lock latch 6 in the main locking position and in the pre-locking position, and in an open state ( Fig. 1), in which it releases the lock latch 6 in the opening direction.

[0038] The pawl system 8 can consist of one or more components. Accordingly, the locking state and the open state can each affect one or more components. Furthermore, the locking state can encompass different positions of the individual components, provided the locking and release effects are ensured.

[0039] The motor vehicle lock 4 has an electric lock drive 9 with a drive motor 10. During an opening process, the lock drive 9 up to and including the pawl system 8 forms a movement train 11 and transfers the pawl system 8 from the locked state to the open state via the movement train 11. The movement train 11 defined in this way comprises all components involved in transmitting a motor-generated force from the drive motor 10 of the lock drive 9 to the pawl system 8. Such an opening process is triggered, for example, by the actuation of an electric door handle 12.

[0040] It is now essential that at least one component of the movement train 11 is pre-tensioned with a spring pre-tension 13 in such a way that the pawl system 8, when a motor effect of the lock drive 9 is eliminated, falls in a return process solely by the spring pre-tension 13 from the open state towards the locked state, preferably into the locked state.

[0041] It is also essential that the motor vehicle locking system 1 has a control arrangement 14 for controlling the lock drive 9. The control arrangement 14 can be arranged at least partially as a door control unit 15 outside the motor vehicle lock 4. However, it is also conceivable in principle for the control arrangement 14 to be arranged at least partially as a lock control unit 16 inside the motor vehicle lock 4.

[0042] Finally, it is essential that during the opening process the pawl system 8 is held in the open state in a holding process by means of the control arrangement 14 via the lock drive 9 against the spring preload 13 until a trigger event occurs indicating a pivoting movement 17 of the closure element 2.

[0043] Thus, with the proposed solution, a snow load function in the above sense can be implemented purely in terms of control technology, whereby the spring preload 13 and the repulsibility of the movement train 11 ensure a particularly high level of operational reliability with regard to a failure of the on-board power supply voltage.

[0044] A preferred, proposed procedure is based on the Fig. 1 to 4 shown embodiment as follows: Starting from the Fig. 1, the drive motor 10 of the lock drive 9 is energized during an opening process, so that the pawl system 8 performs its Fig. 3a is reached. This adjustment of the pawl system 8 is carried out against the above spring preload 13 of the movement cable 11. As long as the trigger event does not occur, the pawl system 8 is motor-driven in the open state according to Fig. 3a. If the trigger event now occurs, for example by adjusting the lock latch 6 towards its open position ( Fig. 3b), the motorized holding of the pawl system 8 is eliminated. Then, as part of the reset process, the pawl system 8 is spring-driven and adjusted by the spring preload 13 towards the locked state. It finally reaches its Fig. 1, in which the pawl system 8 is supported on an outer circumference of the lock latch 6. When the lock latch 6 reaches its pre-locking position or main locking position due to the closure element 2 being closed, the pawl system 8 falls into its locking state due to the spring preload 13, as shown in Fig. 2b and Fig. 2a is shown.

[0045] During the above reset process, the drive motor 10 of the lock drive 9 is driven back here and preferably by the above spring preload 13.

[0046] Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that the trigger event during the opening process is an adjustment of the lock latch 6, seen from the main closing position, into a position beyond the pre-closing position, preferably into the open position.

[0047] In this case, the trigger event is preferably the receipt of a trigger signal generated by a sensor arrangement 18, which represents an adjustment of the lock latch 6, viewed from the main closed position, to a position beyond the pre-locking position, preferably to the open position. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the sensor arrangement 18 may be a lock latch sensor 19 for determining the lock latch position 6 ( Fig. 1). Alternatively or additionally, the sensor arrangement 18 may comprise a pawl sensor 20 for determining the position of a component of the pawl system 8. Finally, it may further be provided alternatively or additionally that the sensor arrangement 18 comprises a closure element sensor 21 for determining the closure element position 2, which in Fig. 1 is indicated.

[0048] A particularly preferred definition of the trigger event arises when the motor vehicle locking system 1 has a locking element drive 22, with which the locking element 2 can be adjusted in a pivoting process between a main pivot position and a pre-pivoting position. The locking element drive 22 is here and preferably designed as a linear drive with two drive connections 23, in particular as a spindle drive ( Fig. 1). Other designs of the closure element drive 22 are conceivable.

[0049] The main pivot position of the locking element 2 corresponds to the main closed position of the motor vehicle lock 4, and the pre-pivot position of the locking element 2 corresponds to the pre-locking position of the motor vehicle lock 4. Here, the trigger event during the pivoting-open process is preferably a displacement of the locking element 2, as seen from the main pivot position, into a position beyond the pre-pivot position. The trigger event is then preferably the receipt of a trigger signal generated by the locking element drive 22, which represents a displacement of the locking element 2, as seen from the main pivot position, into a position beyond the pre-pivot position.

[0050] For the motorized opening of the locking element 2, in this case the flap, the opening process of the motor vehicle lock 4 is first triggered. As explained above, this involves transferring the pawl system 8 from the locked state to the open state. Subsequently, the motorized adjustment of the locking element 2 in the opening direction is triggered by the locking element drive 22. As soon as the pivoting process has progressed as described above, the locking element drive 22, in particular a locking element drive control 24, generates a trigger signal representing the above trigger event, so that the holding of the pawl system 8 in the open state is deactivated and the pawl system 8 can fall towards the locked state under spring drive.

[0051] For example, the locking element drive 22 has a position sensor that monitors a corresponding adjustment of the locking element 2 and can generate a corresponding trigger signal. This makes it fundamentally possible to dispense with a corresponding sensor arrangement 18 in the motor vehicle lock 4, at least as far as the snow load function is concerned. This leads to a particularly resource-efficient implementation of the snow load function.

[0052] Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that during the holding process, the drive motor 10 of the lock drive 9 is supplied with a direct voltage, in particular a PWM-pulsed direct voltage, by means of the control arrangement 14. The duty cycle of the PWM-pulsed direct voltage can remain constant or vary during the holding process.

[0053] Preferably, the drive motor 10 of the lock drive 9 is supplied with a PWM voltage during the opening process. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the duty cycle of the PWM-pulsed voltage with which the drive motor 10 is controlled during the holding process is lower, preferably by more than 10%.

[0054] In general, it is preferable that the drive motor 10 of the lock drive 9 is controlled with a lower average voltage during the holding process than during the opening process.

[0055] Alternatively or additionally, during the holding process, the drive motor 10 is connected to a short-circuit circuit by means of the control arrangement 14, through which a short-circuit current flows to generate motor braking. The short-circuit circuit can also be designed such that a PWM-pulsed circuit results. In principle, it can also be provided that the control of the drive motor 10 with a, preferably PWM-pulsed, direct voltage and the connection of the drive motor 10 with a short-circuit circuit alternate, in particular cyclically. Thus, the locking pawl system 8 can fall slightly towards the locked state under spring drive while being connected to the short-circuit circuit and can be driven towards the open state while being controlled with the direct voltage.

[0056] According to a further teaching, which is of independent importance, the motor vehicle lock 4 is claimed as such for a locking element 2 of a motor vehicle 3, in particular for carrying out the proposed method.

[0057] What is essential here is that the motor vehicle lock 4 has a control arrangement 14 for controlling the lock drive 9, and that during the opening process, the pawl system 8 is held in the open state by means of the control arrangement 14 via the lock drive 9, motor-driven against the spring preload 13, until a trigger event occurs indicating a pivoting movement 17 of the locking element 2. The control arrangement 14 here is therefore a lock control 16, which ensures the proposed opening process.

[0058] Furthermore, reference may be made to all statements relating to the proposed procedure for operating a motor vehicle locking system 1.

[0059] The proposed solution is applicable to all possible types of pawl systems 8. In a first variant, which is described in the Fig. 1 to 3, the pawl system 8 has a primary pawl 26 pivotable about a primary pawl axis 25, which in the locking state ( Fig. 2a, b) is in locking engagement with the lock latch 6 in the main locking position and the lock latch 6 in the pre-locking position, in particular with the main catch 27 and the pre-catch 28 of the lock latch 6, and is adjustable in an opening direction out of locking engagement with the lock latch 6 (for example, transition from Fig. 2a on Fig. 3a). This is a self-locking locking mechanism in which the primary pawl 26 maintains itself in the locked state without the assistance of another pawl.

[0060] In a second variant, it can additionally be provided that the pawl system 8 has a secondary pawl 30 pivotable about a secondary pawl axis 29. This is shown in the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. The primary pawl 26 is in the locked state as in the first-mentioned embodiment both in the main closed position ( Fig. 4a) as well as in the pre-closing position ( Fig. 4b) in locking engagement with the preliminary catch 28 or the main catch 27 of the lock latch 6.

[0061] However, the locking state for the pre-locking position and the main locking position is solved differently. In the main locking position, the locking mechanism is self-opening, so that a secondary pawl 30 is required to hold the primary pawl 26. In the main locking position, the secondary pawl 30, in the locked state, is in locking engagement with the primary pawl 26 with its secondary locking contour 31 ( Fig. 4a).

[0062] In the pre-locking position, the primary pawl 26 holds itself in the locked state, so that in this position there is no need to lock the secondary pawl 30 ( Fig. 4b). In their opening direction, in Fig. 4 clockwise, the secondary pawl 30 is displaced from the locking engagement of the primary pawl 26 by means of the lock drive 9. The primary pawl 26 then pivots, also supported by the lock drive 9 in its opening direction, into Fig. 4a also clockwise. Here, and preferably, the primary pawl 26 and / or the secondary pawl 30 are preloaded counter to the opening direction as part of the spring preload 13 with a primary pawl spring 32 or a secondary pawl spring 33, respectively.

[0063] Furthermore, the basic functioning of the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, reference is made to DE 2020 13 004 589 U1, which originates from the applicant and which is made the subject of the present application in this respect.

[0064] In principle, it can also be provided that the pawl system 8, in addition to the primary pawl 26, has a pre-locking pawl, which, in the locked state, is in locking engagement with the lock latch 6 in the pre-locking position and can be adjusted in an opening direction out of locking engagement with the lock latch 6. The primary pawl 26 is then designed either to be self-locking, as in the first-mentioned embodiment, or to be self-opening, as in the second embodiment.

[0065] The proposed procedure in the second embodiment is basically as explained above: Starting from the Fig. 4, the drive motor 10 of the lock drive 9 is energized during an opening process, so that the pawl system 8 performs its Fig. 5a is reached. This adjustment of the pawl system 8 is again carried out against the above spring preload 13 of the movement cable 11. As long as the trigger event does not occur, the pawl system 8 is motor-driven in the open position according to Fig. 5a. If the trigger event now occurs, for example by adjusting the lock latch 6 towards its open position according to Fig. 5b, the motorized holding of the pawl system 8 is eliminated. Then, as part of the reset process, the pawl system 8 is spring-driven and adjusted towards the locked state by the spring preload 13. It finally reaches an intermediate state in which the primary pawl 26 rests against the outer circumference of the lock latch 6. When the lock latch 6 then reaches its pre-locking or main locking position due to the closure element 2 being slammed shut, the pawl system 8 falls into its locked state due to the spring preload 13, as shown in Fig. 4b and Fig. 4a is shown.

[0066] Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that the motor vehicle lock 4 has a release lever 34, which, during the opening process, driven by the lock drive 9, pivots in an opening direction and comes into or is in lifting engagement with the primary pawl 26 and / or the secondary pawl 30, if present, and / or with the pre-locking pawl, if present. The release lever 34 is further preferably pre-tensioned against the opening direction as part of the spring pre-tension 13 with a release lever spring 35.

[0067] It is noteworthy that both embodiments feature a release lever 34, which can be adjusted by the lock drive 9 for the opening process and held by the lock drive 9 for the holding process. For this purpose, the opening drive is in drive engagement with the release lever 34.

[0068] It is also noteworthy that the release lever 34 is coupled, directly or indirectly, to the primary pawl 26 in such a way that by holding the release lever 34, the primary pawl 26 can be held out of engagement with the lock latch 6. In this case, as shown in the Fig. 1 to 3 for the first embodiment, the release lever 34 may be connected to the primary pawl 26, or, as shown in the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 for the second embodiment, the release lever 34 can be brought into engagement with the primary pawl 26 via a lifting contour 36. In addition, the release lever 34 is preferably assigned a release contour 37 for the secondary pawl 30, with which the secondary pawl 30, in the Fig. 4a in a clockwise direction, can be lifted out of engagement with the primary pawl 26. In principle, it is possible for the secondary pawl 30 to be coupled or capable of being coupled to the primary pawl 26 in such a way that the primary pawl 26 can be adjusted by the release lever 34 via the secondary pawl 30 and, in particular, can be held out of engagement with the lock latch 6.

[0069] Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that a drive cable 38 is connected between the drive motor 10 of the lock drive 9 and the pawl system 8, in particular the release lever 34. Preferably, the drive motor 10 of the lock drive 9 has a drive shaft 39 onto which the drive cable 38 can be wound during the opening process and unwound during the resetting process. The unwinding of the drive cable 38 takes place during the resetting process, i.e., the retraction of the lock drive 9 or the drive motor 10, which takes place particularly quietly thanks to the use of the drive cable 38.

[0070] The motor vehicle lock 4 is further preferably equipped with a closing arrangement 40, which serves to adjust the lock latch 6 from the pre-locking position to the main locking position. Such a closing arrangement 40 is shown in the Fig. 4 and Fig.5 for the second embodiment. The closing arrangement 40 is associated with a closing drive, which is not shown in the drawing.

[0071] According to a further teaching, which also has independent significance, the motor vehicle locking system 1 for a locking element 2 of a motor vehicle 3 is claimed as such, which is particularly designed to implement the proposed method. At least one motor vehicle lock 4 as described above is used.

[0072] Furthermore, it is also provided here that at least one component of the movement train 11 is preloaded with a spring preload 13 such that, when the motor action of the lock drive 9 ceases, the pawl system 8 falls from the open state toward the locked state in a return process solely due to the spring preload 13. The motor vehicle locking system 1 has a control arrangement 14 for controlling the lock drive 9, wherein, during the opening process, the pawl system 8 is held in the open state in a holding process by means of the control arrangement 14 via the lock drive 9 by motor against the spring preload 13 until a trigger event occurs indicating a pivoting movement 17 of the locking element 2.

[0073] Reference may be made to all statements relating to the proposed method for operating a motor vehicle locking system 1 and the proposed motor vehicle lock 4.

[0074] In a particularly preferred embodiment, as already explained above, the motor vehicle locking system 1 has a locking element drive 22, with which the locking element 2 can be adjusted between a main pivot position and a pre-pivot position during a pivoting-open process, wherein the main pivot position corresponds to the main closed position and the pre-pivot position corresponds to the pre-closing position. The trigger property during the pivoting-open process is an adjustment of the locking element 2, viewed from the main pivot position, to a position located beyond the pre-pivot position. Further preferably, as also already explained, the trigger event is the receipt of a trigger signal generated by the locking element drive 22, which represents an adjustment of the locking element 2, viewed from the main pivot position, to a position located beyond the pre-pivot position.To generate the trigger signal, the closure element drive 22 is preferably equipped with a closure element drive control 24, which further preferably also serves to control further drive components of the closure element drive 22.

[0075] According to a further teaching, which also has independent significance, the above control arrangement 14 for a motor vehicle locking system 1 for a locking element 2 of a motor vehicle 3 is claimed as such. The control device is configured to implement the sequence of the proposed method, i.e., the holding of the pawl system 8 during the holding process until the trigger event occurs, in terms of control technology.

[0076] In this respect, reference may also be made to all statements relating to the proposed method, the proposed motor vehicle lock 4 and the proposed motor vehicle locking system 1.

[0077] Finally, it should be noted that the proposed method is implemented by a proposed motor vehicle locking system 1, which in turn comprises a proposed motor vehicle lock 4 and a proposed control arrangement 14. All embodiments of these independently independent objects are interchangeably applicable to one another. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 19 927 416 A1

[0004] DE 2020 13 004 589 U1

[0063]

Claims

[1] A method for operating a motor vehicle locking system for a locking element (2) of a motor vehicle (3), wherein the motor vehicle locking system (1) comprises a motor vehicle lock (4) with a lock latch (6) which can be brought into a main locking position, an open position and an intermediate pre-locking position, wherein the lock latch (6) is in retaining engagement with a locking part (7) in the main locking position and the pre-locking position and releases the locking part (7) in the open position, wherein the motor vehicle lock (4) comprises a pawl system (8) which can be brought into a locked state in which it locks the lock latch (6) in the main locking position and in the pre-locking position, and into an open state in which it releases the lock latch (6) in the opening direction, wherein the motor vehicle lock (4) comprises an electric lock drive (9) with a drive motor (10),wherein, during an opening process, the lock drive (9) up to and including the pawl system (8) forms a movement train (11) and transfers the pawl system (8) from the locked state to the open state via the movement train (11), , characterized bythat at least one component of the movement train (11) is pre-tensioned with a spring pre-tension (13) in such a way that the pawl system (8) falls from the open state towards the locked state in a return process solely due to the spring pre-tension (13) when a motor effect of the lock drive (9) ceases, that the motor vehicle locking system (1) has a control arrangement (14) for controlling the lock drive (9) and that during the opening process the pawl system (8) is held in the open state in a holding process by means of the control arrangement (14) via the lock drive (9) by motor against the spring pre-tension (13) until a trigger event indicating a pivoting movement (17) of the closure element (2) occurs. [2] Method for operating a motor vehicle locking system according to claim 1, characterized bythat the drive motor (10) of the lock drive (9) is driven back by the spring preload (13) during the resetting process. [3] Method for operating a motor vehicle locking system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the trigger event during the opening process is an adjustment of the lock latch (6), seen from the main closing position, into a position beyond the pre-closing position, preferably into the open position. [4] Method for operating a motor vehicle locking system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that the trigger event is the reception of a trigger signal generated by a sensor arrangement (18), which represents an adjustment of the lock latch (6), seen from the main closed position, into a position located beyond the pre-closed position, preferably into the open position, preferably in that the sensor arrangement (18) comprises a lock latch sensor (19) for determining the lock latch position (6) and / or a pawl sensor (20) for determining the position of a component of the pawl system (8) and / or a locking element sensor (21) for determining the locking element position (2). [5] Method for operating a motor vehicle locking system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the motor vehicle locking system (1) has a locking element drive (22) with which the locking element (2) can be adjusted between a main pivot position and a pre-pivot position in a pivoting-out process, that the main pivot position corresponds to the main closed position and the pre-pivot position corresponds to the pre-closing position and that the trigger event during the pivoting-out process is an adjustment of the locking element (2), viewed from the main pivot position, into a position located beyond the pre-pivot position, preferably that the trigger event is the reception of a trigger signal generated by the locking element drive (22), which represents an adjustment of the locking element (2), viewed from the main pivot position, into a position located beyond the pre-pivot position. [6] Method for operating a motor vehicle locking system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat during the holding process, the drive motor (10) of the lock drive (9) is supplied with a direct voltage, in particular with a PWM-pulsed direct voltage, by means of the control arrangement (14), preferably that the duty cycle of the PWM-pulsed direct voltage remains constant and varies over the holding process. [7] Method for operating a motor vehicle locking system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that during the stopping process, the drive motor (10) is connected by means of the control arrangement (14) to a short-circuit circuit through which a short-circuit current flows to generate motor braking. [8] Motor vehicle lock for a locking element (2) of a motor vehicle (3), in particular for carrying out a method according to one of the preceding claims, with a lock latch (6) which can be brought into a main locking position, an open position and an intermediate pre-locking position, wherein the lock latch (6) is in holding engagement with a locking part (7) in the main locking position and the pre-locking position and releases the locking part (7) in the open position, wherein the motor vehicle lock (4) has a pawl system (8) which can be brought into a locked state in which it locks the lock latch (6) in the main locking position and in the pre-locking position, and into an open state in which it releases the lock latch (6) in the opening direction, wherein the motor vehicle lock (4) has an electric lock drive (9) with a drive motor (10),wherein, during an opening process, the lock drive (9) up to and including the pawl system (8) forms a movement train (11) and transfers the pawl system (8) from the locked state to the open state via the movement train (11), , characterized bythat at least one component of the movement train (11) is pre-tensioned with a spring pre-tension (13) in such a way that the pawl system (8) falls from the open state towards the locked state in a return process solely due to the spring pre-tension (13) when a motor effect of the lock drive (9) ceases, that the motor vehicle lock (4) has a control arrangement (14) for controlling the lock drive (9) and that during the opening process the pawl system (8) is held in the open state in a holding process by means of the control arrangement (14) via the lock drive (9) by motor against the spring pre-tension (13) until a trigger event indicating a pivoting movement (17) of the closure element (2) occurs. [9] Motor vehicle lock according to claim 8, characterized byin that the pawl system (8) has a primary pawl (26) which, in the locked state, is in locking engagement with the lock latch (6) located in the main closed position and can be moved out of locking engagement with the lock latch (6) in an opening direction, preferably in that the pawl system (8) has a secondary pawl (30) which, in the locked state, is in locking engagement with the primary pawl (26) and can be moved out of locking engagement with the primary pawl (26) in an opening direction, preferably in that the primary pawl (26) and / or the secondary pawl (30) is pre-tensioned against the opening direction as part of the spring pre-tension (13) with a primary pawl spring (32) or a secondary pawl spring (33). [10] Motor vehicle lock according to claim 8 or 9, characterized bythat the pawl system (8) has a pre-locking pawl which, in the locked state, is in locking engagement with the lock latch (6) in the pre-locking position and is adjustable in an opening direction out of locking engagement with the lock latch (6). [11] Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized by that the motor vehicle lock (4) has a release lever (34) which, during the opening process and driven by the lock drive (9), pivots in an opening direction and comes into or stands in lifting engagement with the primary pawl (26) and / or the possibly present secondary pawl (30) and / or with the possibly present pre-closing pawl, preferably that the release lever (34) is pre-tensioned against the opening direction as part of the spring pre-tension (13) with a release lever spring (35). [12] Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized bythat a drive cable (38) is connected between the drive motor (10) of the lock drive (9) and the pawl system (8), in particular the release lever (34), preferably that the drive motor (10) of the lock drive (9) has a drive shaft (39) onto which the drive cable (38) can be wound during the opening process and unwound during the resetting process. [13] Motor vehicle locking system for a closure element (2) of a motor vehicle (3), in particular for carrying out a method according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the motor vehicle locking system (1) comprises a motor vehicle lock (4), in particular a motor vehicle lock (4) according to one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the motor vehicle lock (4) comprises a lock latch (6) which can be brought into a main locking position, an open position and an intermediate pre-locking position, wherein the lock latch (6) is in retaining engagement with a locking part (7) in the main locking position and the pre-locking position and releases the locking part (7) in the open position, wherein the motor vehicle lock (4) comprises a pawl system (8) which can be brought into a locked state, in which it locks the lock latch (6) in the main locking position and in the pre-locking position, and into an open state, in which it releases the lock latch (6) in the opening direction,wherein the motor vehicle lock (4) has an electric lock drive (9) with a drive motor (10), wherein during an opening process the lock drive (9) up to and including the pawl system (8) forms a movement train (11) and transfers the pawl system (8) from the locked state to the open state via the movement train (11), , characterized by , that at least one component of the movement train (11) is pre-tensioned with a spring pre-tension (13) in such a way that the pawl system (8) falls from the open state towards the locked state in a return process solely due to the spring pre-tension (13) when a motor effect of the lock drive (9) ceases, that the motor vehicle locking system (1) has a control arrangement (14) for controlling the lock drive (9) and that during the opening process the pawl system (8) is held in the open state in a holding process by means of the control arrangement (14) via the lock drive (9) by motor against the spring pre-tension (13) until a trigger event indicating a pivoting movement (17) of the closure element (2) occurs. [14] Motor vehicle locking system according to claim 13, characterized bythat the motor vehicle locking system (1) has a locking element drive (22) with which the locking element (2) can be adjusted in a pivoting-open process between a main pivoting position and a pre-pivoting position, that the main pivoting position corresponds to the main closed position and the pre-pivoting position to the pre-closing position and that the trigger property during the pivoting-open process is an adjustment of the locking element (2), seen from the main pivoting position, to a position located beyond the pre-pivoting position, preferably that the trigger event is the reception of a trigger signal generated by the locking element drive (22), which represents an adjustment of the locking element (2), seen from the main pivoting position, to a position located beyond the pre-pivoting position, [15] Control arrangement for a motor vehicle locking system (1) for a closure element (2) of a motor vehicle (3) according to claim 13 or 14.

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