Motor vehicle locking system for a locking element of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle locking system for a closure element (2) of a motor vehicle (3), wherein the motor vehicle locking system (1) has a drive (4) with an electric drive motor (5) and a control arrangement (6) which controls the drive (4) to provide a motor-driven closing function for the closure element (2), wherein the motor vehicle locking system (1) has an energy store (8) for providing electrical energy for the drive (4) in emergency operation. It is proposed that the energy store (8) be arranged in an energy storage unit (9) which has an electronic coupling element (10) which provides the electrical energy to the drive (4) via a wireless energy transmission to an electronic coupling element (11) assigned to the drive (4).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a motor vehicle locking system for a closure element of a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for operating a motor vehicle locking system according to the preamble of claim 11.

[0002] The motor vehicle locking system in question is applicable to all types of motorized locking elements of a motor vehicle. This includes, in particular, locking elements such as side doors, rear doors, tailgates, trunk lids, hoods, and the like. These locking elements can generally be designed as swing or sliding doors.

[0003] The known prior art (DE 10 2014 105 873 A1), from which the invention is based, relates to a motor vehicle locking system with a motor vehicle lock having a lock latch and a pawl as locking elements. The lock latch can be moved into a closed position, in which it is in holding engagement with a locking part and in which it is fixed by the pawl. The motor vehicle lock is further equipped with an electric opening drive with which the pawl can be lifted out, so that the lock latch, releasing the locking part, can be adjusted to its open position. The opening drive is controlled by a control arrangement.

[0004] In order to meet the requirements for the safety of the power supply of such motor vehicle locks, the known control arrangement has an energy storage device, which ensures the electrical power supply of the motor vehicle locking system even in emergency operation, in particular in the event of a failure of the normal supply voltage of the on-board electrical system of the motor vehicle.

[0005] In order to provide a sufficient amount of energy for secure supply in emergency operation, the energy storage device of the known motor vehicle locking system can have one or more double-layer capacitors, which, however, require a lot of installation space.

[0006] It is a challenge, especially when the energy storage unit is associated with the vehicle lock, to keep the dimensions of the vehicle lock small to allow for use with different locking elements. It is also a challenge to ensure that the energy storage unit is as easy to replace as possible in the event of a defect. There is also a fundamental need to provide the energy storage unit as an optional component, so that, for example, identical vehicle locks with and without energy storage units can be used.

[0007] The invention is based on the problem of designing and developing the known motor vehicle locking system in such a way that a further optimization is achieved with regard to the arrangement of the energy storage device in the motor vehicle locking system.

[0008] The above problem is solved by the features of claim 1.

[0009] A fundamental consideration is to make the position of the energy storage unit in the vehicle locking system as flexible as possible, so that the energy storage unit can be accommodated in the locking element even in tight installation spaces. This is made possible, in particular, by the wireless energy transfer between the energy storage unit and the drive.

[0010] In detail, it is proposed that the energy storage device is arranged in an energy storage unit which has an electronic coupling element which provides the electrical energy to the drive via a wireless energy transmission to an electronic coupling element assigned to the drive.

[0011] On the one hand, it may be sufficient to use a specific arrangement of coupling elements in the vehicle locking system for the energy storage device. On the other hand, the energy storage device can be easily replaced or retrofitted using wireless energy transmission and the energy storage unit.

[0012] Particularly preferably, the motor vehicle locking system, as already mentioned, comprises a motor vehicle lock according to claim 2. The energy storage unit can meet the safety requirements for emergency operation of the motor vehicle lock. Furthermore, integration of the control arrangement into a lock housing of the motor vehicle lock according to claim 3 is particularly preferred, wherein the energy storage unit can be coupled to the lock housing.

[0013] In one embodiment according to claim 4, the energy storage unit has a sealed energy storage housing, allowing the energy storage unit to be designed as an independent, separate component. The energy storage unit can be easily mounted on another housing, such as the lock housing, and in particular, can be releasably fixed thereto to achieve interchangeability (claim 5).

[0014] In particular, the energy storage device comprises at least one double-layer capacitor according to the embodiments according to claims 6 and 7. The comparatively large dimensions of double-layer capacitors are unproblematic with the proposed solution, since, in particular, the orientation of the capacitors relative to the other components of the motor vehicle locking system can be largely freely selected.

[0015] The energy storage unit can advantageously comprise further electronic components for the operation of the energy storage device, in particular a charging circuit and / or diagnostic circuit, which is the subject of claims 9 and 10.

[0016] According to a further teaching according to claim 11, which has independent significance, a method for operating a motor vehicle locking system is claimed. It is essential in this method that the electrical energy is supplied to the drive via wireless energy transmission from the energy storage device.

[0017] According to claim 12, the described energy storage unit and the coupling elements can be used. Reference is made to all statements regarding the proposed motor vehicle locking system.

[0018] 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 motor vehicle door with a motor vehicle locking system comprising a motor vehicle lock with energy storage unit in a respective perspective view.

[0019] The embodiment shown in the figures and preferred in this respect relates to a motor vehicle locking system 1 for a closure element 2 of a motor vehicle 3. For the motor vehicle locking system 1, the embodiments of the closure element 2 mentioned in the introduction are particularly suitable, wherein Fig. 1 shows an example of a motor vehicle locking system 1 provided in the side door of the motor vehicle 3.

[0020] The motor vehicle locking system 1 has a drive 4 with an electric drive motor 5 and a control arrangement 6 which controls the drive 4 to provide a motorized closing function for the locking element 2.

[0021] The term "drive motor" 5 herein encompasses all types of electric actuators, in particular rotary and linear actuators. Preferably, the drive motor 5 is a rotary electric motor, which is further preferably configured as a brushed DC motor or a brushless DC motor.

[0022] A motorized closing function is understood to mean that the adjustable closure element 2 of the motor vehicle 3 is fixed or released, for example locked or unlocked, directly or indirectly by a movement generated by the electric drive 4, and / or that the adjustment element is adjusted, for example opened or closed.

[0023] The drive 4, and in particular the drive motor 5, is controlled via the control arrangement 6, which has control electronics for performing the necessary control tasks. The control arrangement 6 can be implemented with a microcontroller (not shown in detail), which controls a driver unit for the drive motor 5 to implement the motorized closing function. The control arrangement 6 can be part of a control unit 7 for the closure element 2, such as a door control unit or flap control unit. The control unit 7 can also perform further control functions for the closure element 2, such as controlling a window drive, a door drive, and / or a side mirror drive.

[0024] During normal operation, the drive 4 can be controlled based on a normal supply voltage, which here is preferably formed by a supply voltage of the on-board electrical system of the motor vehicle 3, which is provided, for example, by the central battery of the motor vehicle 3. The central battery is preferably the battery that provides the electrical energy required for starting the motor vehicle 3 and / or for driving the motor vehicle 3.

[0025] In emergency operation, however, such as in the event of a crash or when the central battery is largely discharged, the normal supply voltage is not reliably available. The motor vehicle locking system 1 has an energy storage device 8 for providing electrical energy to the drive 4 in emergency operation, particularly in the event of a failure of the normal supply voltage of the motor vehicle 3. In emergency operation, the control arrangement 6 can therefore be used to discharge the energy storage device 8 in order to supply an electrical drive voltage to the drive 4, whereby the motorized locking function is also available in emergency operation.

[0026] It is now essential that the energy storage device 8 is arranged in an energy storage unit 9, which has an electronic coupling element 10, which provides the electrical energy to the drive 4 via a wireless energy transmission to an electronic coupling element 11 assigned to the drive 4.

[0027] The energy storage unit 9 is designed as a structural unit to which at least the energy storage device 8 and the coupling element 10 are structurally connected. The coupling elements 10, 11 are designed for wireless energy transmission, in particular by means of an inductive coupling. Thus, the energy transmission between the energy storage device 8 and the drive 4 takes place, in particular, without contacting electrical contacts. Preferably, wireless energy transmission is the only form of energy transmission between the energy storage device 8 and the drive 4, thus eliminating the need for wired energy transmission between the energy storage device 8 and the drive 4.

[0028] Particularly preferred and in Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the motor vehicle locking system 1, in which a motor vehicle lock 12 is provided for the locking element 2 of the motor vehicle 3. The motor vehicle lock 12 is equipped with a lock latch 13 for the holding engagement with a locking part and with a pawl 14 assigned to the lock latch 13. The motor vehicle lock 12 is in Fig. 1 in a partially disassembled perspective view and is designed with a pivoting lock latch 13 for holding engagement with a locking part (not shown). The locking part can be a striker, a locking bolt, or the like. For example, the motor vehicle lock 12 is arranged on the locking element 2, while the locking part is arranged fixedly to the body of the motor vehicle 3.

[0029] The pawl 14 is, in particular, part of a pawl system with multiple pawls and can be brought into a locking state (not shown), in which the pawl 14 holds the lock latch 13 in a closed position. In principle, several closed positions, such as a pre-locking position and a main locking position, can be provided.

[0030] Preferably, the drive 4 is provided for the motorized lifting of the pawl 14. Here, the pawl 14 can be brought into an open position by means of the electric drive motor 5, whereby the pawl 14 releases the lock latch 13. For this purpose, the drive motor 5 is connected to the pawl 14 via a drive train 15 of the drive 4. In emergency operation, the function of the drive 4 used as an opening drive is ensured by the energy storage device 8.

[0031] In principle, it is conceivable that the drive 4 performs alternative or additional locking functions of the motor vehicle lock 12, for example unlocking and / or locking a mechanical actuating chain of the motor vehicle lock 12.

[0032] In addition to or instead of the locking function of the motor vehicle lock 12 explained in more detail here, the motor vehicle locking system 1 can also have a drive arrangement for motor-driven adjustment of an aforementioned locking element 2 of the motor vehicle 3, wherein the drive arrangement serves for motor-driven adjustment, in particular opening and / or closing, of the locking element 2. Further examples of locking functions include motor-driven adjustment of control elements as well as interior and exterior elements of the motor vehicle 3, such as fan elements, interior mirrors, side mirrors, lighting, or the like.

[0033] Particularly preferably, the motor vehicle lock 12 comprises a lock housing 16, in which the control arrangement 6 and the coupling element 10 associated with the drive 4 are provided. Additional lock components such as the lock latch 13 and the pawl 14 can also be provided in the lock housing 16.

[0034] Preferably, the control arrangement 6 and the coupling element 11 associated with the drive 4 are arranged on a common circuit board in the lock housing 16. The coupling element 11 can be provided on the circuit board in such a way that an energy storage unit 9 provided externally to the lock housing 16 can be easily arranged on the motor vehicle lock 12 to provide wireless energy transmission, wherein the coupling element 10 can interact with the coupling element 11.

[0035] As an alternative to integrating the control arrangement 6 into the motor vehicle lock 12, it is also conceivable for the control arrangement 6 to be part of a separate control unit 7 for the motor vehicle lock 12. Examples of such a control unit 7 are, as already mentioned, a flap control unit and a door control unit. The control arrangement 6 can be arranged in a control unit housing 17. The drive 4 for lifting the pawl 14 is arranged, for example, in the lock housing 16. In emergency operation, the energy from the energy storage device 8 can be provided wirelessly to the control unit 7. For example, the control arrangement 6 controls the drive 4 via a wired energy transmission between the control unit 7 and the motor vehicle lock 12. In principle, it is conceivable for the control arrangement 6 to be formed by several interacting components.

[0036] Preferably, the energy storage unit 9 comprises an energy storage housing 18 in which the energy storage device 8 and the coupling element 10 are arranged. The energy storage housing 18 is provided separately from a housing that accommodates the coupling element 11 assigned to the drive 4, here and preferably the lock housing 16 or the control unit housing 17.

[0037] The energy storage unit 9 thus has its own housing, the energy storage housing 18, which can be adapted to the requirements of the energy storage device 8 without necessarily requiring modifications to the lock housing 16 or the control unit housing 17. In particular, the energy storage housing 18 is designed to seal the energy storage device 8 and the coupling element 10, for example, to be dust-tight and / or moisture-tight, in particular according to a protection class such as IP55 or IP65. The energy storage housing 18 can, in particular, be encapsulated with the other components of the energy storage unit 9 or be formed by encapsulation.

[0038] The energy storage housing 18 is preferably designed to mechanically support the energy storage device 8. This can be achieved, for example, via an elastic encapsulation, elastic adhesive, and / or support elements such as foam elements for the energy storage device 8. The mechanical support refers to mechanical loads such as vibrations and shock loads that occur during operation of the motor vehicle 3 and in the event of a crash.

[0039] Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that the energy storage housing 18 is mounted on a housing accommodating the drive 4 and / or the control unit, in particular the lock housing 16 or the control unit housing 17, for wireless energy transmission. "Mounting" here means attaching it to the outside of the housing.

[0040] Preferably, the energy storage housing 18 is mechanically fixed to the housing via at least one connecting element. Examples of connecting elements are snap elements and adhesive elements. In particular, the energy storage housing 18 is releasably fixed, whereby the energy storage housing 18 can be separated from the other housing non-destructively, in particular without tools. The detachment of the energy storage unit 9 is preferably provided for during repair or maintenance. In particular, the energy storage unit 9 is not accessible during operation of the motor vehicle 3 and requires partial disassembly of the closure element 2.

[0041] In particularly preferred embodiments, the energy storage device 8 has at least one capacitor, in particular a double-layer capacitor. In a double-layer capacitor, the energy is stored in an electrochemical double layer, which is also known as a "Helmholtz layer". Such a double-layer capacitor is also referred to as a "supercapacitor", "supercap", "ultracap" or the like. In addition to the at least one capacitor, the energy storage device 8 can have further storage elements, such as primary and / or secondary cells. When using multiple capacitors, the capacitors can in principle be connected in series and / or in parallel. In the illustrated and particularly preferred embodiment, the energy storage device 8 has a single capacitor, in particular a single double-layer capacitor.

[0042] Preferably, a boost converter 19 is provided for boosting the energy storage voltage provided by the energy storage device 8 to a drive voltage for the drive 4. For example, the capacitor voltage of the capacitor is applied as an input voltage to an input of the boost converter 19. The boost converter 19 boosts the capacitor voltage to a comparatively higher drive voltage. The boost converter 19 is preferably configured here as a boost converter. The energy storage unit 9 can include the boost converter 19, so that the boosted voltage is supplied to the wireless energy transmission.

[0043] Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that a longitudinal axis of the capacitor is aligned along a plane of a circuit board of the coupling element 11 assigned to the drive 4, in particular the common circuit board of the control arrangement 6 and the coupling element 11 assigned to the drive 4. The longitudinal axis is to be understood as a geometric preferred direction of the capacitor. In the case of a cylindrical capacitor, the longitudinal axis is the cylinder axis. In many cases, double-layer capacitors have a large overall height along the longitudinal axis, which makes integration in the lock housing 16 difficult. However, the energy storage unit 9 allows more degrees of freedom with regard to the orientation of the capacitor. In particular, the motor vehicle locking system 1 can therefore be used in locking elements with a narrow installation space, such as sliding doors or the like.

[0044] As already mentioned, the coupling element 10 of the energy storage unit 9 and the coupling element 11 assigned to the drive 4 can be configured for wireless energy transmission using an inductive coupling. The coupling elements 10, 11 can be configured with a respective power converter and an inductive element.

[0045] Alternatively or additionally, the coupling element 10 of the energy storage unit 9 and the coupling element 11 assigned to the drive 4 can be configured for wireless energy transmission using a capacitive coupling.

[0046] Particularly preferably, the energy storage device 8 is designed to be rechargeable, for example, through the use of at least one capacitor. The motor vehicle locking system 1 can have a charging circuit 20 configured to charge the energy storage device 8, which is performed, for example, during normal operation based on the standard supply voltage. The charging circuit 20 can have a charging controller that, for example, implements a predetermined charging current profile and / or voltage profile of the energy storage device 8 during charging.

[0047] In addition to the aforementioned energy flow from the energy storage device 8 to the drive 4, the wireless energy transmission can also generate a reverse energy flow. The charging circuit 20 can be configured to charge the energy storage device 8 using the wireless energy transmission. Preferably, the charging circuit 20 is provided in the energy storage unit 9. Here, the charging circuit 20 is supplied with electrical energy based on the standard supply voltage using the wireless energy transmission, which is used for charging.

[0048] Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that the energy storage unit 9 has a diagnostic circuit 21 configured to detect at least one electrical characteristic of the energy storage device 8, in particular the state of charge, the capacitance, and / or a resistance value. The state of charge is monitored, for example, using a voltage sensor for the energy storage device 8. The capacitance and / or the resistance value, in particular an ESR of the at least one capacitor, can be determined in a diagnostic routine of the energy storage device 8, for example, via charging and / or discharging using the diagnostic circuit 21.

[0049] Based on the electrical parameter, for example, the charging routine in question can be monitored and / or triggered. Likewise, the electrical parameter can be used to detect errors and / or determine the service life of the energy storage device 8. It is conceivable that the energy storage unit 9 is configured to output the electrical parameter or a value dependent thereon. Preferably, the diagnostic circuit 21 is configured to transmit the electrical parameter or a value dependent thereon to the control arrangement 6, which takes place wirelessly, in particular, via the coupling element 10. The value dependent on the electrical parameter can be, for example, an error state or a trigger signal for the charging routine.

[0050] According to a further teaching of independent significance, a method is proposed for operating a motor vehicle locking system 1 for a locking element 2 of a motor vehicle 3. The motor vehicle locking system 1 has a drive 4 with an electric drive motor 5 and a control arrangement 6 which controls the drive 4 to provide a motorized locking function for the locking element 2, wherein the motor vehicle locking system 1 has an energy store 8 for providing electrical energy for the drive 4 in emergency operation, in particular in the event of a failure of a normal supply voltage of the motor vehicle 3.

[0051] It is provided that the electrical energy is provided to the drive 4 via a wireless energy transmission from the energy storage device 8.

[0052] Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that the energy storage device 8 is arranged in an energy storage unit 9, which has an electronic coupling element 10, which provides the electrical energy to the drive 4 via a wireless energy transmission to an electronic coupling element 11 assigned to the drive 4. 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 10 2014 105 873 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle locking system for a locking element (2) of a motor vehicle (3), wherein the motor vehicle locking system (1) has a drive (4) with an electric drive motor (5) and a control arrangement (6) which controls the drive (4) to provide a motorized locking function for the locking element (2), wherein the motor vehicle locking system (1) has an energy storage device (8) for providing electrical energy for the drive (4) in an emergency operation, in particular in the event of a failure of a normal supply voltage of the motor vehicle (3), characterized by , that the energy store (8) is arranged in an energy storage unit (9) which has an electronic coupling element (10) which provides the electrical energy to the drive (4) via a wireless energy transmission to an electronic coupling element (11) assigned to the drive (4). [2] Motor vehicle locking system according to claim 1, characterized by that a motor vehicle lock (12) is provided for the locking element (2) of the motor vehicle (3), that the motor vehicle lock (12) is equipped with a lock latch (13) for the holding engagement with a locking part and with a pawl (14) assigned to the lock latch (13), preferably that the drive (4) is provided for the motorized lifting of the pawl (14). [3] Motor vehicle locking system according to claim 2, characterized by that the motor vehicle lock (12) has a lock housing (16) in which the control arrangement (6) and the coupling element assigned to the drive (4) are provided, preferably that the control arrangement (6) and the coupling element assigned to the drive (4) are arranged on a common circuit board in the lock housing (16). [4] Motor vehicle locking system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the energy storage unit (9) has an energy storage housing (18) in which the energy storage device (8) and the coupling element (10) are arranged, in particular in a sealing manner, and which is provided separately from a housing which accommodates the coupling element (11) assigned to the drive (4). [5] Motor vehicle locking system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the energy storage housing (18) is placed on a housing accommodating the drive (4) and / or the control unit, in particular a lock housing (16) or control unit housing (17), for wireless energy transmission, preferably that the energy storage housing (18) is mechanically fixed, in particular releasably fixed, on the housing via at least one connecting element. [6] Motor vehicle locking system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the energy store (8) has at least one capacitor, in particular a double-layer capacitor, preferably that a boost converter (19) is provided for boosting the energy storage voltage provided via the energy store (8) to a drive voltage for the drive (4), further preferably that the energy storage arrangement has the boost converter (19). [7] Motor vehicle locking system according to claim 6, characterized by that a longitudinal axis of the capacitor is aligned along a plane of a circuit board of the coupling element assigned to the drive (4), in particular the common circuit board of the control arrangement (6) and the coupling element assigned to the drive (4). [8] Motor vehicle locking system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the coupling element of the energy storage unit (9) and the coupling element (11) assigned to the drive (4) are configured for wireless energy transmission by means of an inductive coupling and / or capacitive coupling. [9] Motor vehicle locking system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the energy store (8) is designed to be rechargeable and that a charging circuit (20) is set up to charge the energy store (8) by means of wireless energy transmission, preferably that the charging circuit (20) is provided in the energy storage unit (9). [10] Motor vehicle locking system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the energy storage unit (9) has a diagnostic circuit (21) which is designed to detect at least one electrical characteristic of the energy storage device (8), in particular the state of charge, the capacity and / or a resistance value, preferably that the diagnostic circuit (21) is designed to transmit the electrical characteristic or a value dependent thereon to the control arrangement (6). [11] Method for operating a motor vehicle locking system (1) for a closure element (2) of a motor vehicle (3), wherein the motor vehicle locking system (1) has a drive (4) with an electric drive motor (5) and a control arrangement (6) which controls the drive (4) to provide a motorized closing function for the closure element (2), wherein the motor vehicle locking system (1) has an energy store (8) for providing electrical energy for the drive (4) in an emergency operation, in particular in the event of a failure of a normal supply voltage of the motor vehicle (3), characterized by that the electrical energy is provided to the drive (4) via a wireless energy transmission from the energy storage device (8). [12] Method according to claim 11, characterized bythat the energy store (8) is arranged in an energy storage unit (9) which has an electronic coupling element (10) which provides the electrical energy to the drive (4) via a wireless energy transmission to an electronic coupling element (11) assigned to the drive (4).

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