Method for operating a locking arrangement for a motor vehicle and corresponding locking arrangement

Abstract

A method for operating a lock assembly (1) for a motor vehicle, wherein the lock assembly (1) comprises a lock (2) which fixes a vehicle flap (4) movably mounted on the motor vehicle in a closed position when the lock (2) is in a locking position, holds it in the closed position when the lock (2) is in an unlocking position, or releases it for displacement into a first open position, and releases it for displacement into a second open position different from the first open position when the lock (2) is in a release position, wherein the lock (2) is actuated using an actuator (3) by means of which an actuating element (6) is displaceable, wherein the lock (2) is moved from the locking position to the unlocking position upon a first displacement of the actuating element (6) and from the unlocking position to the release position upon a second displacement of the actuating element (6).and wherein the actuator (3) only displaces the actuating element (6) when controlled by two separate control units (10, 12), characterized in that a first terminal (8) of the actuator (3) is electrically connected to a first switch (11) of a first of the control units (10, 12) and a second terminal (9) of the actuator (3) is electrically connected to a second switch (13) of a second of the control units (10, 12), wherein the respective terminal (8, 9) is electrically connected to a first electrical pole in a first setting of the respective switch (11, 13) and to a second electrical pole in a second setting of the respective switch (11, 13), and is electrically separated from the first electrical pole and the second electrical pole in a third setting of the respective switch (11, 13).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a lock arrangement for a motor vehicle, wherein the lock arrangement comprises a lock which fixes a vehicle flap movably mounted on the motor vehicle in a closed position when the lock is in a locking position, holds it in the closed position when the lock is in an unlocking position or releases it for displacement into a first open position, and releases it for displacement into a second open position different from the first open position when the lock is in a release position, wherein the lock is actuated using an actuator by means of which an actuating element is displaceable, wherein the lock is moved from the locking position to the unlocking position upon a first displacement of the actuating element and from the unlocking position to the release position upon a second displacement of the actuating element.and wherein the actuator only displaces the actuating element when controlled by two separate control units. The invention further relates to a lock arrangement for a motor vehicle.

[0002] For example, DE 199 23 703 B4 is known from the prior art. This document describes a hood locking / unlocking device, wherein the locking / unlocking device comprises a locking mechanism for locking the hood of a motor vehicle in its closed position, an electric drive coupled to the locking mechanism for unlocking the locking mechanism, and control means for selectively releasing the electric drive depending on certain status information of the motor vehicle.

[0003] It is provided that the control means only release the electric drive if the status information indicates an applied handbrake and / or a disengaged transmission of the motor vehicle and that the control means are designed such that, after a certain period of time has elapsed after the unlocking of the locking mechanism, they activate a closing mechanism for automatically closing the bonnet in order to bring the bonnet into its closed position and then activate the electric drive in order to relock the locking mechanism.

[0004] Furthermore, the document DE 10 2021 119 876 A1 discloses a device for controlling a lock of a vehicle hatch. This device comprises an operating element that can be actuated by a user to close an electrical circuit and thereby cause the lock of the vehicle hatch to open. Furthermore, the device comprises a circuit breaker configured to prevent the operating element from closing the electrical circuit when a vehicle door is closed and to enable the operating element to close the electrical circuit when the vehicle door is open.

[0005] The subsequently published document DE 10 2022 201 252 A1 relates to a lock arrangement, in particular for a bonnet or a tailgate of a vehicle, comprising at least one locking element, a rotary latch for the locking element, wherein the rotary latch and the locking element are coupled in a closed position of the lock arrangement, a safety element for securing the locking element in a secured position of the lock arrangement, a cam for unlocking and locking and an actuator which cooperates with the cam in such a way that upon a first actuation of the actuator in one step or in separate steps, the cam unlocks the rotary latch and locks the safety element or vice versa.

[0006] It is an object of the invention to present a method for operating a lock arrangement for a motor vehicle, which has advantages over known methods, in particular with a simpler structure meets the usual security requirements.

[0007] This is achieved according to the invention with a method for operating a lock arrangement for a motor vehicle with the features of claim 1. It is provided that a first connection of the actuator is electrically connected to a first switch of a first of the control units and a second connection of the actuator is electrically connected to a second switch of a second of the control units, wherein the respective connection is electrically connected to a first electrical pole in a first setting of the respective switch and to a second electrical pole in a second setting of the respective switch and is electrically separated from the first electrical pole and the second electrical pole in a third setting of the respective switch.

[0008] Advantageous embodiments with useful further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. It should be noted that the exemplary embodiments explained in the description are not limiting; rather, any variations of the features disclosed in the description, the claims, and the figures are feasible.

[0009] The method serves to operate the locking arrangement, which at least has the lock and the actuator. The locking arrangement is preferably a component of the motor vehicle, but can of course also be separate from it, particularly prior to mounting the locking arrangement on the motor vehicle. The lock is intended and configured to temporarily keep the vehicle lid closed and temporarily release it for opening. The vehicle lid is movably mounted on the motor vehicle, preferably pivotably, i.e., rotatable about a pivot axis.

[0010] The vehicle flap is designed and constructed to temporarily cover or extend over a space located in the body of the motor vehicle. This space is, for example, the front compartment of the motor vehicle, in particular an engine compartment. In this case, the vehicle flap can also be referred to as a front flap, front hood, or engine hood. Alternatively, the space is a rear compartment or trunk; in this case, the vehicle flap is referred to as a tailgate or trunk lid.

[0011] In any case, the body of the motor vehicle has a recess that serves as the opening of the compartment. The recess is at least partially overlapped by the vehicle door, at least temporarily. Preferably, the vehicle door, in one position, closes off the recess to a significant extent, in particular completely, apart from a gap present at the edge. In this case, the vehicle door can overlap the recess or be arranged within the recess.

[0012] The vehicle tailgate can be arranged in different positions, namely at least the closed position and the open position, which is also referred to here as the second open position. Between the closed position and the (second) open position, there may be another open position, which is referred to as the first open position. In the closed position, the vehicle tailgate closes the interior of the vehicle or the recess created in the body, at least more than in the open position. Thus, it at least overlaps the recess to a greater extent than is the case in the (second) open position.

[0013] In the second open position, the vehicle tailgate exposes the recess at least partially, in particular completely or at least almost completely. For example, the vehicle tailgate is designed in such a way that when the vehicle tailgate is in the second open position, a user of the motor vehicle can reach into the space from the outside through the recess, for example in order to place an item to be transported, in particular luggage, there. In the second open position, the user is therefore permitted to access the space from the outside through the recess of the vehicle tailgate. When the vehicle tailgate is in the closed position, access to the space through the recess is prevented; the user cannot therefore reach into the space through the recess when the vehicle tailgate is in the closed position.

[0014] The lock of the locking assembly can be set to three different settings: the locking setting, the unlocking setting, and the release setting. In the locking setting, the lock holds the vehicle lid in its closed position, preventing the lid from moving from the closed position toward the second open position. In the unlocking setting, the vehicle lid is unlocked, but the lock can still be set to hold the vehicle lid in the closed position, preventing the lid from moving from the closed position toward the second open position.

[0015] Alternatively, the lock allows the vehicle tailgate to be moved to the first open position in the unlocking position. In the first open position, the vehicle tailgate is only partially open, thus exposing the recess only in certain areas, in particular less than in the second open position. The distance between the first open position and the closed position is, for example, a maximum of 20%, a maximum of 10%, or a maximum of 5% of the distance between the second open position and the closed position.

[0016] The lock, for example, has a locking device and a safety catch. When the lock is in the locked position, the vehicle tailgate is held in the closed position by the locking device. When it is in the unlocked position, the locking device releases the vehicle tailgate for movement out of the closed position, but the movement of the vehicle tailgate is limited by the safety catch. For example, the safety catch is arranged in such a way that it continues to hold the vehicle tailgate in the closed position. Alternatively, it is arranged and designed in such a way that it allows the vehicle tailgate to be moved into the first open position. When the lock is in the released position, the vehicle tailgate is released by both the locking device and the safety catch, allowing the vehicle tailgate to be moved from the closed position to the second open position.This ensures a high level of safety, as it reliably prevents the vehicle door from being accidentally opened.

[0017] In order to achieve a structurally simple design of the lock arrangement, the lock should be operated using only a single actuator. The actuator is an electric actuator, for example it is designed as an electric motor or at least has one. The actuator is drive-coupled to the actuating element, which can be displaced using the actuator, for example between a first position and a second position. The actuating element is in turn drive-coupled to the lock, so that the lock can be actuated by the actuator via the actuating element. The actuating element can, for example, be in the form of a motor shaft of the actuator, a shaft coupled to the motor shaft of the actuator, a rod, or the like. The actuating element can be designed in any way as long as the lock can be actuated via the actuating element using the actuator.

[0018] The actuator is drive-connected to the lock in such a way that the first movement of the actuating element moves the lock from the locked position to the unlocked position. A second movement of the actuating element following the first movement moves the lock from the unlocked position to the released position. This means that two separate movements of the actuating element are necessary to move the lock from the locked position to the released position. The lock can therefore be described as a double-stroke lock because it requires two strokes of the actuator to fully release the vehicle tailgate. Preferably, the two movements of the actuating element must be spaced apart in time to move the lock from the locked position to the released position.It is therefore not sufficient that the first displacement and the second displacement are part of the same continuous displacement of the control element.

[0019] Since the lock is adjusted from the locked position to the unlocked position to the released position solely by the actuator, which is preferably the only actuator, a malfunction of the actuator or incorrect control of the actuator could result in the lock being inadvertently set to the released position and the vehicle tailgate opening. For this reason, both adjustments of the actuating element are necessary for this purpose, and the actuator should be controlled by two separate control units to further increase safety.

[0020] Only when controlled by these two separate control units does the actuator move the actuating element according to the first displacement or the second displacement, respectively. If only one of the two control units controls the actuator, or if one of the control units controls the actuator incorrectly, the actuator will not operate and thus the actuating element will not move, so the lock reliably retains its current setting. Each of the control units preferably meets the safety requirements according to ASIL-B separately. By combining the two control units to control the actuator, the lock arrangement therefore meets the safety requirements according to ASIL-D.

[0021] The actuation of the actuator to move the actuating element is initiated, for example, when an operating element is actuated. The operating element is preferably arranged in an interior of the motor vehicle, in particular in a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. For example, the operating element is located on a dashboard of the motor vehicle or in a footwell of a driver of the motor vehicle. The operating element is in the form of a switch, for example, preferably a pushbutton switch, rocker switch, pressure switch, or the like. In particular, the lock arrangement is designed such that when the operating element is actuated, the lock is moved from the locked position to the released position, even if the switch is only actuated briefly.

[0022] A further development of the invention provides that the actuating element can be displaced between a first position and a second position by means of the actuator, wherein the first displacement of the actuating element is a displacement from the first position to the second position and the second displacement of the actuating element is a further displacement from the first position to the second position. The actuating element can thus be present at least in the first position and the second position and is displaced between them by means of the actuator. The actuator can be operated at least to displace the actuating element from the first position to the second position. Preferably, an additional operation of the actuator to displace the actuating element from the second position to the first position is also provided, in particular this is absolutely necessary.While such a reset could in principle be achieved by means of a spring element that urges the actuating element toward the first position, this is disadvantageous for safety reasons. Therefore, the lock assembly is designed without such a spring element, meaning that the actuating element does not effect any change in the lock's setting other than its displacement by the actuator.

[0023] The first movement of the actuating element, which is necessary to move the lock from the locked position to the unlocked position, takes the form of the movement between the first position and the second position, namely the movement from the first position to the second position. It is therefore necessary for the actuating element to be moved completely from the first position to the second position in order for the lock to be moved from the locked position to the unlocked position. The same applies to the second movement. This also takes the form of the actuating element being moved between the first position and the second position, i.e. the movement from the first position to the second position.

[0024] To move the lock from the unlocking position to the release position, it is therefore necessary to move the actuating element completely from the first position to the second position. Both the first and second movements involve moving the actuating element by means of the actuator in the same direction and preferably over the same distance, namely from the first position to the second position of the actuating element. This ensures a high level of security for the lock arrangement.

[0025] A further development of the invention provides that a first connection of the actuator is electrically connected to a first switch of a first of the control units and a second connection of the actuator is electrically connected to a second switch of a second of the control units, wherein the respective connection is electrically connected to a first electrical pole in a first setting of the respective switch and to a second electrical pole in a second setting of the respective switch, and is electrically separated from the first electrical pole and the second electrical pole in a third setting of the respective switch. The actuator is in the form of an electrical actuator and has the first electrical connection and the second electrical connection, which are electrically connected to the control units.Specifically, the first terminal of the actuator is electrically connected to the first switch of the first control unit, and the second terminal of the actuator is electrically connected to the second switch of the second control unit. The switches are preferably electronic switches, i.e., in particular, power semiconductor switches, for example, field-effect transistors or bipolar transistors, or at least contain electronic switches. The switches are particularly designed as tri-state switches, meaning they can each have three different settings.

[0026] The actuator is therefore present in an electrical circuit which runs between the control units and, in addition to the actuator, contains at least the first switch and the second switch. Each of the switches can have three different settings: the first setting, the second setting, and the third setting. In the first setting and the second setting, the actuator terminal connected to the respective switch is connected to a specific electrical pole. In the third setting, the actuator terminal is electrically separated from the first pole and the second electrical pole via the respective switch. In the third setting of the switch, the terminal is therefore not electrically connected to either the first electrical pole or the second electrical pole via the switch.

[0027] The two electrical poles correspond to different electrical potentials. For example, the first electrical pole is a positive pole, and the second electrical pole is a negative pole. In each case, the poles or their electrical potentials are selected such that, when the actuator is connected to the two poles accordingly, the actuating element can be moved from the first position to the second position, as well as from the second position to the first position. This results in the advantages described above.

[0028] In the first setting of the first switch, the first terminal of the actuator is connected to the first electrical pole, and in the second setting of the first switch, it is connected to the second electrical pole. In the first setting of the second switch, the second terminal of the actuator is connected to the first electrical pole, and in the second setting, it is connected to the second electrical pole. Therefore, if both switches are in the same setting, both terminals of the actuator are electrically connected to the same electrical pole.

[0029] For example, the actuator is connected to the switches of the control units in such a way that when the first switch is in the first position and the second switch is in the second position, the actuator moves the control element from the first position toward the second position. When the first switch is in the second position and the second switch is in the first position, the actuator moves the control element from the second position toward the first position. This enables the aforementioned high level of security of the locking arrangement.

[0030] A further development of the invention provides that, when the lock is in the locking position, in a first step the actuating element is moved from the first position to the second position by means of the actuator for setting the unlocking position. In a second step the actuating element is moved from the second position to the first position by means of the actuator. In a third step the actuating element is moved from the first position to the second position by means of the actuator for setting the release position. Overall, it is therefore necessary to control the actuator in three steps to move the lock from the locking position to the release position.

[0031] In the first step, the actuating element is moved from the first position to the second position, in the second step from the second position to the first position, and in the third step again from the first position to the second position. In particular, it is provided that the actuator is moved from the first position to the second position in the first step in a first direction of movement of the actuating element, the actuating element is moved from the second position to the first position in the second step in a second direction of movement of the actuating element opposite to the first direction of movement, and the actuating element is moved from the first position to the second position in the third step again in the first direction of movement.To move the lock from the locking position to the release position, the actuator is moved in a different direction of movement, and the actuator is controlled accordingly using the two separate control units. This also serves to achieve the aforementioned high level of security.

[0032] A further development of the invention provides that, to move the actuating element from the first position to the second position, the first switch is set to the first setting and the second switch to the second setting, and / or to move the actuating element from the second position to the first position, the first switch is set to the second position and the second switch to the first setting. Such a procedure has already been mentioned. By setting the switches of the control units differently, the opposite directions of movement of the actuating element are achieved. The advantages achievable in this way have also already been discussed.

[0033] A further development of the invention provides that the switch of each control unit is in the third setting before the first setting or the second setting is set and / or that the switch of each control unit is set to the third setting after each movement of the actuating element. In order to prevent incorrect control of the actuator by the control units, the switches should always be set to the third setting between a setting from the first setting to the second setting or vice versa. In particular, each switch is set to the third setting when the setting is changed from the first setting to the second setting or vice versa until each of the switches is in the third setting. This ensures reliable control of the actuator and enables error checking.

[0034] A further development of the invention provides that each control unit evaluates at least one state variable of the motor vehicle separately from the other control unit and determines a release value from this, wherein the setting of the switches of the control units to the first setting and / or the second setting is permitted at a first value of the release variable and prevented at a second value of the release variable. Therefore, before the control units control the actuator to move the control element, for example due to actuation of the operating element, one of the release values ​​is determined by each of the control units. For example, the first control unit determines a first release value and the second control unit a second release value. The release values ​​are determined for the same release variable; in particular, the control units use the same state variable or the same state variables.

[0035] The release values ​​contain information about whether the respective control unit is permitted to control the actuator or not. If the first release value of the first control unit corresponds to the first value, setting the first switch to the first setting and / or the second setting is permitted; otherwise, it is prohibited. If the second release value of the second control unit corresponds to the first value, setting the second switch of the second control unit to the first setting and / or the second setting is permitted; otherwise, it is prohibited. Each of the control units therefore determines for itself whether the actuator may be controlled to move the control element, specifically as a function of at least one state variable of the motor vehicle. This ensures a high level of security for the lock arrangement.

[0036] A further development of the invention provides that at least one of the following variables is used as the least one state variable: driving speed of the motor vehicle, opening state of a door of the motor vehicle, opening state of the vehicle lid, connection state of a data transmission link between the control units, comparison result between the release values ​​of the control units and the voltage applied to the actuator. The at least one state variable is supplied to each of the control units, for example, via a respective data transmission link between a device determining the state variable and the respective control unit.

[0037] It may be intended to use only one of the specified variables as the state variable. Preferably, however, several of the specified variables, in particular all of the specified variables, are included in the release value, i.e., are taken into account when determining it. Wherever this description refers to the least one state variable or the state variable, the statements are always equivalent. The "state variable" refers to the at least one state variable, and conversely, the "at least one state variable" refers to the state variable.

[0038] The driving speed of the motor vehicle relates in particular to the current speed of the motor vehicle in its main direction of travel, in particular in the forward direction of travel. For example, the release value is only set to the first value if the driving speed of the motor vehicle is zero, i.e. the motor vehicle is at a standstill. If the driving speed of the motor vehicle is different from zero, the release value is preferably always set to the second value. The opening state of the motor vehicle door describes whether the door is completely closed or at least partially open. Only if the door is partially open is the release value set to the first value, otherwise it is set to the second value. Particularly preferably, the opening states of several doors or all doors of the motor vehicle are taken into account when determining the release value.Setting the lock to the release position is only permitted if at least one door of the motor vehicle is at least partially open.

[0039] The opening state of the vehicle tailgate itself can also influence the release value. For example, this prevents the lock from being moved further into the release position, as it is already in this position anyway. Furthermore, the connection status of the data transmission link between the control units is evaluated to determine the release value. The control units exchange data via the data transmission link, for example, the determined release value. To achieve a particularly high level of security, the vehicle tailgate is prevented from opening if the data transmission link is not available or is faulty. To achieve this, the lock is prevented from being set to the unlocking position by selecting the appropriate release value.If the connection status of the data transmission connection corresponds to a non-existent or faulty data transmission connection, the enable value is set to the second value. If, however, the connection status corresponds to a properly functioning data transmission connection, the enable value is set to the first value.

[0040] Additionally or alternatively, the comparison result between the release values ​​is taken into account. For example, the control units each determine a preliminary value of the release value and exchange it with each other. If the release values ​​or the preliminary values ​​of the control units differ, opening of the vehicle lid is not permitted, and the release value is set to the second value. Only if the release values ​​or their preliminary values ​​match is the release value set to the first value.

[0041] Furthermore, the voltage applied to the actuator can be used to determine the enable value. Each control unit measures the voltage applied to the actuator, namely at the terminal connected to the switch of the respective control unit. If a voltage other than zero is detected, it can be concluded that the switch of the other control unit is defective or is incorrectly connecting the actuator terminal to one of the poles. In this case, the enable value of the control unit that detects this is set to the first setting.

[0042] If multiple variables are used, the release value is preferably set to the first value only if all of the specified conditions are met. If even just one condition is not met, the release value is set to the second value to achieve a particularly high level of security and prevent the vehicle's tailgate from being opened accidentally.

[0043] A further development of the invention provides that an actuator is used as the actuator which is stable in the first position and / or the second position. This means that the actuator remains stable in the first position or the second position without power from the control units. For this purpose, it is designed, for example, to be self-locking or at least self-holding, so that a force applied to the actuator by the lock via the actuating element does not lead to a displacement of the actuating element or only does so if a certain actuating force is exceeded. If the actuator is self-locking, the actuating force never leads to a displacement of the actuating element, at least not without damage. In other words, if the actuator is self-locking, it does not allow a damage-free displacement of the actuating element.In the self-locking design of the actuator, displacement of the actuating element is permitted provided the actuating force acting on the actuating element reaches or exceeds the specified actuating force. If the actuating force is less than the specified actuating force, the actuator holds the actuating element stationary. In this case, damage-free displacement of the actuating element is possible even without energizing the actuator. Preferably, the actuator is stable in each of its two positions. In this case, the actuator can be said to be bistable. This also serves to achieve a particularly high level of safety.

[0044] The invention further relates to a lock arrangement for a motor vehicle, in particular for carrying out the method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the lock arrangement has a lock which fixes a vehicle flap movably mounted on the motor vehicle in its closed position when the lock is in a locking setting, holds it in the closed position when the lock is in an unlocking setting or releases it for displacement into a first open position and releases it for displacement into a second open position different from the first open position when the lock is in a release setting.

[0045] It is provided that the lock can be actuated using an actuator by means of which an actuating element can be displaced, wherein the lock is provided and designed to be brought from the locking setting into the unlocking setting upon a first displacement of the actuating element and from the unlocking setting into the release setting upon a second displacement of the actuating element, and wherein the lock arrangement is designed such that the actuator only displaces the actuating element when controlled by two separate control devices.Furthermore, it is provided that a first connection of the actuator is electrically connected to a first switch of a first of the control units and a second connection of the actuator is electrically connected to a second switch of a second of the control units, wherein the respective connection is electrically connected to a first electrical pole in a first setting of the respective switch and to a second electrical pole in a second setting of the respective switch and is electrically separated from the first electrical pole and the second electrical pole in a third setting of the respective switch.

[0046] The advantages of such a design of the locking arrangement or such a procedure have already been pointed out. Both the locking arrangement for the motor vehicle and the method for its operation can be further developed according to the explanations in this description, so reference is made to these in this regard. The vehicle lid can, but does not have to, be a component of the locking arrangement.

[0047] The features and feature combinations described in the description, in particular the features and feature combinations described in the following description of the figures and / or shown in the figures, can be used not only in the respective combination specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, embodiments are also considered to be encompassed by the invention that are not explicitly shown or explained in the description and / or the figures, but which follow from or can be derived from the explained embodiments.

[0048] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, without limiting the invention. Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a lock arrangement for a motor vehicle and a vehicle flap of the motor vehicle.

[0049] The Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a lock assembly 1, which has at least one lock 2 (only indicated) and an actuator 3 for actuating the lock 2. The lock 2 is associated with a vehicle door 4 movably mounted on a motor vehicle, which in turn is associated with a sensor 5 for determining the opening state of the vehicle door 4. The lock 2 can be present in different settings, namely a locking setting, an unlocking setting, and a release setting.

[0050] In the locked position, the lock 2 holds the vehicle lid 4 in a closed position. When the lock 2 is unlocked, it either holds the vehicle lid 4 in the closed position or releases it for movement to a first open position. In the released position, the lock 2 releases the vehicle lid 4 for movement to a second open position, which is different from the first open position.

[0051] The lock 2 is actuated using a single actuator 3, which is drive-connected to the lock 2 via an adjusting element 6. The actuator 3 is an electric actuator and preferably has an electric motor 7, which is drive-connected to the actuator 3 via the adjusting element 6. The electric motor 7 is preferably the only electric motor of the actuator 3. The actuator 3 has a first connection 8 and a second connection 9. The first connection 8 is electrically connected to a first control unit 10, more precisely to a first switch 11 of the first control unit 10. The second connection 9 is electrically connected to a second control unit 12, more precisely to a second switch 13 of the second control unit 12.

[0052] Each of the switches 11 and 13 can be present in three different settings. In a first setting, the respective switch 11 or 12 connects the respective terminal 8 or 9 to a first pole, and in a second setting, to a second pole. In a third setting, however, the respective terminal 8 or 9 is electrically separated from both poles. The two control units 10 and 12 can be identically designed and serve identical purposes. However, they can also be intended and designed for different purposes. Furthermore, they can also have a different structure.

[0053] The lock arrangement 1 is designed such that the lock 2 is moved from the locking position to the unlocking position upon a first movement of the actuating element 6 and from the unlocking position to the release position upon a second movement of the actuating element 6. Each of the two movements comprises a movement of the actuating element 6 by means of the actuator 3 from a first position to a second position of the actuating element 6. Between the first movement and the second movement, the actuating element is returned from the second position to the first position. For this purpose, the switches 11 and 13 of the control units 10 and 12 must each be set accordingly. This achieves a high level of security and reliably prevents unintentional opening of the vehicle lid 4. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS: 1 Lock arrangement 2 Castle 3 Actuator 4 Vehicle flap 5 Sensor 6 Control element 7 Electric motor 8 1. Connection 9 2. Connection 10 1. Control unit 11 1. Switch 12 2. Control unit 13 2. Switch

Claims

[1] A method for operating a lock arrangement (1) for a motor vehicle, wherein the lock arrangement (1) comprises a lock (2) which fixes a vehicle flap (4) movably mounted on the motor vehicle in a closed position when the lock (2) is in a locking position, holds it in the closed position when the lock (2) is in an unlocking position or releases it for displacement into a first open position, and releases it for displacement into a second open position different from the first open position when the lock (2) is in a release position, wherein the lock (2) is actuated using an actuator (3) by means of which an actuating element (6) is displaceable, wherein the lock (2) is moved from the locking position to the unlocking position upon a first displacement of the actuating element (6) and from the unlocking position to the release position upon a second displacement of the actuating element (6).and wherein the actuator (3) only displaces the actuating element (6) when controlled by two separate control units (10, 12), , characterized by in that a first terminal (8) of the actuator (3) is electrically connected to a first switch (11) of a first of the control units (10, 12) and a second terminal (9) of the actuator (3) is electrically connected to a second switch (13) of a second of the control units (10, 12), wherein the respective terminal (8, 9) is electrically connected to a first electrical pole in a first setting of the respective switch (11, 13) and to a second electrical pole in a second setting of the respective switch (11, 13), and is electrically separated from the first electrical pole and the second electrical pole in a third setting of the respective switch (11, 13). [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized bythat the actuating element (6) can be displaced between a first position and a second position by means of the actuator (3), wherein the first displacement of the actuating element (6) is a displacement from the first position to the second position and the second displacement of the actuating element (6) is a further displacement from the first position to the second position. [3] Method according to claim 2, characterized by that when the lock (2) is in the locking setting, in a first step the actuating element (6) is moved from the first position to the second position by means of the actuator (3) for setting the unlocking setting, in a second step the actuating element (6) is moved from the second position to the first position by means of the actuator (3) and in a third step the actuating element (6) is moved from the first position to the second position by means of the actuator (3) for setting the release setting. [4] Method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by in that, in order to move the actuating element (6) from the first position to the second position, the first switch (11) is set to the first setting and the second switch (13) is set to the second setting and / or in order to move the actuating element from the second position to the first position, the first switch (11) is set to the second setting and the second switch (13) is set to the first setting. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the switch (11, 13) of each control device (10, 12) is in the third setting before setting the first setting or the second setting and / or that the switch (11, 13) of each control device (10, 12) is set to the third setting after each displacement of the actuating element (6). [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat each control unit (10, 12) evaluates at least one state variable of the motor vehicle separately from the other control unit (10, 12) and determines a release value from this, wherein the setting of the switches (11, 13) of the control units (10, 12) to the first setting and / or the second setting is permitted at a first value of the release value and is prevented at a second value of the release value. [7] Method according to claim 6, characterized by that at least one of the following variables is used as at least one state variable: driving speed of the motor vehicle, opening state of a door of the motor vehicle, opening state of the vehicle flap (4), connection state of a data transmission connection between the control units (10, 12), comparison result between the release values ​​of the control units (10, 12) and voltage applied to the actuator (3). [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat an actuator is used as the actuator (3) which is stable in the first position and / or the second position. [9] Lock arrangement (1) for a motor vehicle, in particular for carrying out the method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the lock arrangement (1) has a lock (2) which fixes a vehicle flap (4) movably mounted on the motor vehicle in a closed position when the lock (2) is in the locking position, holds it in the closed position when the lock (2) is in the unlocking position or releases it for displacement into a first open position, and releases it for displacement into a second open position different from the first open position when the lock (2) is in the release position, wherein the lock (2) is operable using an actuator (3) by means of which an actuating element (6) is displaceable, wherein the lock (2) is provided and designed toupon a first displacement of the actuating element (6) from the locking position to the unlocking position and upon a second displacement of the actuating element (6) from the unlocking position to the release position, and wherein the lock arrangement (1) is designed such that the actuator (3) only displaces the actuating element (6) when controlled by two separate control devices (10, 12), , characterized byin that a first terminal (8) of the actuator (3) is electrically connected to a first switch (11) of a first of the control units (10, 12) and a second terminal (9) of the actuator (3) is electrically connected to a second switch (13) of a second of the control units (10, 12), wherein the respective terminal (8, 9) is electrically connected to a first electrical pole in a first setting of the respective switch (11, 13) and to a second electrical pole in a second setting of the respective switch (11, 13), and is electrically separated from the first electrical pole and the second electrical pole in a third setting of the respective switch (11, 13).

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