Motor vehicle lock

Abstract

The present invention relates to a motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, which is equipped with at least one printed circuit board (4) for accommodating electrical / electronic components (1, 2, 3; 5; 18). Furthermore, at least one energy storage unit (9) is provided for some or all of the electrical / electronic components (1, 2, 3; 5; 18). In addition, a flexible electrical connection device (11) is provided for coupling the energy storage unit (9). According to the invention, the electrical connection device (11) is designed as a conductive film (11).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, with at least one circuit board for accommodating electrical / electronic components, further with at least one energy storage unit for individual or all electrical / electronic components, and with a flexible electrical connection device for coupling the energy storage unit.

[0002] Motor vehicle locks of the aforementioned design, as described in DE 199 04 663 C2, for example, feature a so-called auxiliary opening drive, which is powered by the main battery of the associated motor vehicle via an on-board electrical system. In addition, an auxiliary battery, constantly recharged by the main battery and the on-board electrical system, is provided for active electrical redundancy. The auxiliary battery can be electrically connected to the electrical auxiliary opening drive in question inside the motor vehicle lock. The auxiliary opening drive ensures that a pawl is lifted out of a main notch or pre-notch of the associated rotary latch. This opens the motor vehicle door lock and thus the motor vehicle door. The auxiliary battery can be used to control the auxiliary opening drive even if the main battery fails.

[0003] DE 10 2012 018 452 A1 concerns a vehicle door and a motor vehicle equipped with it. For this purpose, the vehicle door is equipped not only with a door leaf but also with a door lock. Furthermore, a receptacle for a power source for driving the door lock is accessible on an outer side of the door leaf. The door lock can be selectively connected to the power source in question or to the power source in question using a selection circuit.

[0004] Energy storage unit and a main power source. The selection circuit only supplies the door lock with energy from the energy storage unit in question if the main power source does not provide sufficient energy. A monitoring circuit is also provided to monitor the charge level of the energy storage unit and generate a warning signal if the charge level is insufficient.

[0005] DE 10 2018 009 730 A1, which is also of the same type, concerns a fuse unit for at least one electrical circuit and an emergency power supply for an electrically operated door lock. The circuit is located in a housing in which at least one electrical fuse is provided for connecting or interrupting the circuit. Furthermore, an additional fuse location with a self-contained power supply unit or energy storage unit is provided. The power supply unit or energy storage unit is connected to plug contacts of the fuse location via flexible cables.

[0006] The state of the art has generally proven itself with regard to the general realization and implementation of an energy storage unit, which is typically used when an emergency power supply is required for electrical / electronic components inside the motor vehicle lock. In fact, the energy storage unit usually provides an emergency power supply for an electric opening drive or an associated electric motor as a component of the opening drive. This means that in the example described, the electric motor is an electrical component that is generally located on the at least one additional printed circuit board provided for this purpose. This often also applies to the energy storage unit, which is housed inside a housing of the motor vehicle lock and is also contacted via the printed circuit board.

[0007] Since such energy storage units for emergency power supply, for example, for an electric motor opening drive in a motor vehicle lock, are generally relatively bulky, for example when they involve capacitors or so-called supercapacitors or supercapacitors, their installation inside the housing of the motor vehicle lock results in a voluminous structure. This is problematic when the available installation space inside a corresponding motor vehicle door is limited. This is increasingly the case today because the installation space inside the respective motor vehicle door is additionally occupied by additional devices such as a window regulator, side impact protection, side airbags, mirror adjustments, positioning devices, loudspeakers, etc.

[0008] A further problem arises if a consistently safe electrical energy supply is to be ensured in the event of a crash using the energy storage unit. If the energy storage unit is attached, for example, on or to the inherently rigid circuit board inside the motor vehicle lock, problems can arise if the high forces associated with such a crash cause the circuit board to break or if a rigid connection between the energy storage unit and the circuit board, which is often implemented at this point, is otherwise compromised. In some cases, the prior art already uses a flexible electrical connection device to couple the energy storage unit. However, this has the disadvantage of often complex assembly. The invention aims to remedy this situation.

[0009] The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a motor vehicle lock in such a way that, taking into account a compact design and the possibility of flexible attachment, safety is increased, particularly in the event of a crash.

[0010] To solve this technical problem, the invention proposes, starting from a generic motor vehicle lock and in particular a motor vehicle door lock, that the electrical connection device is designed as a flexible conductor track foil.

[0011] According to the invention, the energy storage unit typically used for emergency power supply is generally not rigidly electrically connected to the motor vehicle lock or a (rigid) circuit board located inside. Rather, this is achieved by the flexible conductor foil. In this way, the energy storage unit can be varied, first of all, with regard to its installation location inside the motor vehicle door that houses the motor vehicle lock. For example, it is conceivable that the motor vehicle lock, on the one hand, and the energy storage unit, on the other, could be located separately from one another in different installation spaces or receptacles inside the motor vehicle door.

[0012] The flexible conductor foil ensures a flawless electrical connection between the energy storage unit and the vehicle lock. The flexible conductor foil is easy to install and establishes a permanent electrical connection, even in the event of a crash. Any associated deformation of the conductor foil can be easily accommodated due to its flexible nature.

[0013] In addition, the energy storage unit can be physically separated from the motor vehicle lock or a housing accommodating the motor vehicle lock in order to flexibly fill and utilize the available installation space inside the motor vehicle door or the multiple installation spaces. Nevertheless, the energy storage unit remains unchanged, particularly in its capacity to provide emergency power to electrical / electronic components inside the motor vehicle lock. The components in question are generally an electric motor, for example, as part of an electromotive opening drive. This means that the energy storage unit can continue to control and operate the electromotive opening drive even if a main power source inside the motor vehicle body fails.The same applies if the energy storage unit is used or functions as an alternative or in addition to the emergency electrical power supply of a mounting device. Combinations are also conceivable, of course.

[0014] Finally, assembly is simplified because a conductive foil combines the electrical connecting lines, which would normally have to be contacted separately. This means that the electrical connection of the energy storage unit to the vehicle lock or the circuit board located inside the vehicle lock is achieved solely by electrically connecting the flexible conductive foil to the energy storage unit on the one hand and to the circuit board on the other. This can be accomplished in a single, simple assembly step. Furthermore, incorrect wiring is eliminated. These are the key advantages.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment, the flexible conductor foil is connected to the rigid circuit board on the one hand and the energy storage unit on the other. For this purpose, it can be detachably connected, for example, to a base of the energy storage unit. This may be achieved via an electrical plug connection. For this purpose, the conductor foil usually has an electrically connected end connector strip, which is connected to a plug provided on the base of the energy storage unit for detachable connection.

[0016] In principle, the reverse procedure is also possible. In this case, the conductor foil is equipped with the end connector, which in turn is removably connected to the connector strip on the base of the energy storage unit.

[0017] In contrast, the conductor foil is usually firmly connected to the circuit board.

[0018] In this way, the conductive foil and the circuit board form a single structural unit, so that during subsequent assembly, the conductive foil only needs to be electrically detachably connected to the energy storage unit. This can be done outside or inside an associated housing for the vehicle lock.

[0019] For example, thanks to this design, the conductor foil can be easily passed through an opening in the housing of a motor vehicle lock and then electrically connected to the energy storage unit located outside the housing or to the socket provided there. In principle, however, the socket including the energy storage unit can also be provided and implemented inside the housing.

[0020] The firm connection of the conductor foil to the rigid circuit board also allows for the sealing of the contact points of the conductor foil on the circuit board with a potting compound. Typically, the circuit board is already coated with the respective potting compound, which, according to the invention, also covers the contact points of the conductor foil. The procedure is usually such that the rigid circuit board is not only coated with the electrical / electronic components, but also with the flexible conductor foil. The potting compound is then applied and seals both the electrical / electronic components on or at the circuit board and the conductor foil to the circuit board or the contact points created at this point. This provides a particularly durable structure that is protected from environmental influences.

[0021] The conductor foil is usually designed as a rectangular longitudinal strip. This allows the conductor foil to be easily fitted with the end-side connector strip and electrically connected to the connector provided on the base of the energy storage unit.

[0022] Furthermore, it has proven effective for the conductor foil to consist essentially of a lower insulating layer, an intermediate conductive layer, and an upper insulating layer. The middle conductive layer is usually made of copper or copper foil and serves to define the individual conductor tracks. The total thickness of the flexible conductor foil realized in this way is usually in the range of approximately one-tenth of a millimeter.

[0023] Both the lower and upper insulating layers are preferably made of a highly heat-resistant plastic. Polyimide has generally proven to be particularly suitable for this purpose. This is, of course, not a limitation. Finally, the conductor foil is generally also equipped with solder pads for accommodating electrical / electronic components. This means that additional electrical / electronic components can be mounted on the flexible conductor foil via the solder pads on the conductor foil.

[0024] This provides the additional possibility that, according to the invention, the flexible conductor foil not only couples the energy storage unit to the circuit board, but also functions or can function as a further component or addition to the circuit board, namely, it can accommodate at least some of the required electrical / electronic components. This essentially allows the circuit board inside the housing of the motor vehicle lock to be reduced in size compared to previous designs. This saves weight and simplifies assembly. These are the key advantages.

[0025] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing which merely represents an exemplary embodiment; in the drawings: Fig. 1 the motor vehicle lock according to the invention in an overview and Fig. 2 the conductor foil in a single view, partly in section.

[0026] The figures depict a motor vehicle lock, which is not limited to a motor vehicle door lock. For this purpose, the motor vehicle lock or motor vehicle door lock is equipped with a locking mechanism (not shown) arranged in a vertical plane (compared to the housing plane), consisting essentially of a rotary latch and pawl. The locking mechanism can be opened using the electric motor drive 1, 2, 3 shown. To do so, the electric motor drive 1, 2, 3 acts on the pawl (not shown) and lifts it from its engagement with the rotary latch. The design may be as described in detail in the applicant's DE 10 2021 111 341 A1.In fact, the electric motor drive 1, 2, 3 is not limited to an electric motor 1, a gear wheel 2 meshing therewith and an actuating cam 3, with the aid of which the pawl is directly or indirectly actuated to open the locking mechanism.

[0027] The basic structure also includes at least one printed circuit board 4 for accommodating electrical / electronic components 1, 2, 3; 5. In fact, the printed circuit board 4 according to the exemplary embodiment is designed as a rigid printed circuit board 4, which has a stamped sheet or stamped grid made of, for example, copper in the interior and a Fig. 1 additionally has a seal 6 that can be seen. A control unit 5 is placed on the circuit board 4 as an electronic component 5 next to the electric motor drive 1, 2, 3 as electrical components 1, 2, 3 and is contacted using the circuit board 4. In principle, the electric motor 1 can also be additionally electrically contacted using the circuit board 4, although this is not shown.

[0028] It is also conceivable that the circuit board 4 only contacts the control unit 5.

[0029] According to the exemplary embodiment, the electric motor drive 1, 2, 3 is controlled by means of the control unit 5, namely the control unit 5 ensures that the locking mechanism and thus also the associated motor vehicle door are opened by means of the electric motor drive 1, 2, 3. The electrical energy supply for the electric motor drive 1, 2, 3 is generally a main battery 8, which is located inside a motor vehicle body (not shown) and is coupled to the electric motor drive 1, 2, 3 via connecting lines 7. In the event of a crash or other failure of the main battery 8, an energy storage unit 9 is used as an alternative to the emergency energy supply, with the aid of which the electric motor drive 1, 2, 3 is supplied with current to open the locking mechanism.

[0030] The energy storage unit 9 for emergency power supply in the example case consists, but is not limited to, two capacitors or supercapacitors, so-called supercapacitors. These are electrically mounted on a separate base 10, which is designed to be spatially and functionally independent of the rigid circuit board 4.

[0031] To ensure that the electric motor drive 1, 2, 3 is supplied with the required electrical energy by the control unit 5 in emergency operation in the event of a failure of the main battery 8, the energy storage unit 9 is electrically connected via a flexible connecting device 11 to the electrical / electronic components 1, 2, 3; 5 in question, namely the electric motor drive 1, 2, 3 on the one hand and the control unit 5 on the other. For this purpose, the electric motor drive 1, 2, 3 is electrically connected to the circuit board 4, so that in this way the energy storage unit 9 not only ensures the required electrical energy for the electric motor drive 1, 2, 3 in emergency operation, but also supplies the control unit 5 with the required electrical energy during this emergency operation.

[0032] According to the invention, the flexible connecting device 11 for coupling the energy storage unit 9 is designed as a conductor foil 11, as shown in detail in the overview according to the Fig. 2, including a partial sectional view. The flexible conductor foil 11 ensures that the rigid circuit board 4, on the one hand, and the energy storage unit 9, on the other, are electrically connected to each other. For this purpose, the conductor foil 11, according to the exemplary embodiment, is detachably connected to the base 10 of the energy storage unit 9. This can be done via an electrical plug connection.

[0033] In fact, the design is such that the flexible conductor foil 11 in the exemplary embodiment is designed as a rectangular longitudinal strip. As a result, the conductor foil 11 has a connector strip 12 at its end, with the aid of which the flexible conductor foil 11 is electrically and detachably connected to the base 11 accommodating the energy storage unit 9. For this purpose, the connector strip 12 connected to the conductor foil 11 is contacted with a connector 13 provided on the base 10. In principle, the procedure can also be reversed, as explained in the introduction to the description.

[0034] However, the coupling of the flexible conductor foil 11 to the rigid circuit board 4 at the other end is non-removable and permanent. For this purpose, contact points (not explicitly shown) are provided on the circuit board 4, with the aid of which the conductor foil 11 is connected to the circuit board 4, for example, by soldering it. The corresponding contact points, like the circuit board 4 including the control unit 5, are sealed by the potting compound 6, so that the circuit board 4 and the conductor foil 11 together define a structural unit 4, 11, which, after its installation in a housing 14 of the motor vehicle lock, only needs to be electrically connected to the energy storage unit 9 or the connector 13 on the base 10.

[0035] Based on the schematic sectional view of the flexible conductor foil 11 in the Fig. 2 shows that the conductor foil 11 is essentially composed of a lower insulating layer 15, an intermediate conductor layer 16, and an upper insulating layer 15. The total thickness of the flexible conductor foil 11 may be in the range of approximately 1 / 10 mm or several 1 / 10 mm. The conductor layer 16 is made of copper and defines the individual conductor paths. The lower insulating layer 15 and the upper insulating layer 15 are each made of a highly heat-resistant plastic, for example, polyimide.

[0036] Finally, you can see from the Fig.2 also shows that the conductor foil 11 is equipped with solder pads 17. Using the solder pads 17, additional electrical / electronic components 18 can be placed on the flexible conductor foil 11. This, of course, is only an example and is not mandatory. In any case, the flexible conductor foil 11 is available in addition to the circuit board 4 in order to accommodate and contact the electrical / electronic components 1, 2, 3; 5; 18 in question in the example case. List of reference symbols 1 electric motor 1, 2, 3; 5; 18 components 2 gears 3 actuating cams 1, 2, 3 drive 4 circuit board 5 components 5 Control unit 6 Sealing 7 connecting lines 8 Main battery 9 Energy storage unit 10 sockets 11 Connecting device 11 Conductor foil 12 power strip 13 plugs 14 housings 15 Insulating layer 16 Conductor layer 17 solder pads 18 components 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 199 04 663 C2

[0002] DE 10 2012 018 452 A1

[0003] DE 10 2018 009 730 A1

[0005] DE 10 2021 111 341 A1

[0026]

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle lock, in particular motor vehicle door lock, with at least one printed circuit board (4) for accommodating electrical / electronic components (1, 2, 3; 5; 18), further with at least one energy storage unit (9) for individual or all electrical / electronic components (1, 2, 3; 5; 18), and with a flexible electrical connection device (11) for coupling the energy storage unit (9), characterized by that the electrical connection device (11) is designed as a conductor track foil (11). [2] Motor vehicle lock according to claim 1, characterized by that the flexible conductor foil (11) is connected to the rigid circuit board (4) on the one hand and to the energy storage unit (9) on the other hand. [3] Motor vehicle lock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the conductor foil (11) is detachably connected to a base (10) of the energy storage unit (9), for example via an electrical plug connection. [4] Motor vehicle lock according to claim 3, characterized by that the conductor track foil (11) has an end-side plug strip (12) for detachable electrical connection to a plug (13) provided on the base (10), or vice versa. [5] Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the conductor foil (11) is firmly connected to the circuit board (4). [6] Motor vehicle lock according to claim 5, characterized by that contact points of the conductor foil (11) on the circuit board (4) are sealed with a potting compound (6). [7] Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the conductor track foil (11) is essentially designed as a rectangular longitudinal strip. [8] Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the conductor foil (11) is equipped with soldering pads (17) for accommodating additional electrical / electronic components (18). [9] Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the conductor track foil (11) is essentially composed of a lower and upper insulating layer (15) and an intermediate conductor layer (16). [10] Motor vehicle lock according to claim 9, characterized by that the respective insulating layer (15) is made of a highly heat-resistant plastic, for example polyimide.

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