Procedure for resetting a tailgate control unit

Abstract

A method (20) for resetting a control unit (10) controlling the movement of a tailgate (12) is disclosed, wherein a malfunction of the tailgate (12) of a vehicle (100) is registered (21), wherein at least two control signals are simultaneously generated and received (22) by the control unit (10), and wherein, based on the simultaneously received control signals, at least one value stored in the control unit (10) is deleted and / or reset to an initial value (23). Furthermore, a control unit (10) and a vehicle (100) are disclosed.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for resetting a control unit that controls the movement of a tailgate. Furthermore, the invention relates to a control unit and a vehicle.

[0002] Vehicles with electronically operated tailgates are known. These tailgates are adjusted in their opening angle at a defined speed by actuators and may include sensors for obstacle detection. A control unit is used to control the actuator and to evaluate the measurement data received from the sensors. If such a control unit, a so-called tailgate control unit or a tailgate software module of a control unit, incorrectly stores important values ​​regarding the tailgate's end position or its electric opening and closing, the driver must regularly visit a workshop to have these erroneous values ​​deleted. This is because the tailgate may then exhibit an incorrect end stop, an incorrect opening speed, or may not function at all. Only after such a reset of the control unit can the tailgate function normally again.

[0003] DE 10 2013 222 579 A1 describes a method and a device for determining / recording a maximum opening angle of a side door of a vehicle. The maximum opening angle of the side door is limited when the side door is opened again, as long as the vehicle is stationary.

[0004] DE 10 2006 039 257 A1 discloses a method for adjusting a movable body part, in particular a tailgate. A recalibration process with respect to position values ​​is carried out at specific times by means of a control unit.

[0005] DE 10 2015 005 381 A1 discloses a method for adjusting a protective device against the automatic opening of a flap or door of a motor vehicle by detecting a deviation from a previously defined operating behavior.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a method by which a user can easily reset a tailgate control unit without having to visit a workshop.

[0007] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a method with the features of claim 1, a control unit with the features of claim 8, and a vehicle with the features of claim 9. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are described in the dependent claims.

[0008] The method according to the invention serves to reset a control unit that controls the movement of a tailgate. In one step of the method, a malfunction of the tailgate of a vehicle is detected by the control unit. The malfunction can be detected by the control unit itself or by observation by a user of the vehicle. For example, a deviation in the operation of the tailgate from its normal operation can be caused by a malfunction. Such a deviation can manifest itself, for example, as a change in the opening or closing speed and / or a change in the tailgate's end stop.

[0009] At least two control signals are generated and received by the control unit simultaneously. Based on these simultaneously received control signals, at least one value stored in the control unit is deleted and / or reset to an initial value.

[0010] According to a further aspect of the invention, a control unit is provided which is configured to execute the method according to the invention. The control unit can be designed as a tailgate control unit or be responsible for several different functions and actuators, wherein a tailgate software module is implemented in the control unit, which is configured to control at least one actuator of the tailgate.

[0011] According to a further aspect of the invention, a vehicle is provided. The vehicle has a tailgate that can be moved by at least one actuator, wherein the at least one actuator can be controlled by a control unit according to the invention. The control unit is furthermore connected to at least one sensor of the vehicle via a data transmission link and is configured to receive control signals from the at least one sensor.

[0012] If the tailgate no longer moves correctly, for example due to an excessively high or low travel speed, a malfunctioning obstacle detection system, an incorrect upper end position, or similar issues, the method allows for a user-defined reset. According to one embodiment, such a reset of the control unit can be performed via a key combination and delete the stored values ​​for, for example, the travel speed, zones, or end stops in order to perform a relearning cycle of the tailgate or the control unit responsible for the tailgate.

[0013] Advantageously, a software algorithm or memory area can ensure that only values ​​that do not affect the excess force limitation or the so-called anti-pinch functions are deleted and / or reset.

[0014] In another embodiment, the at least two control signals are generated by pressing at least two buttons on the vehicle. For example, simultaneously pressing a soft-touch area on the vehicle and an interior tailgate button for a configurable period can initiate the deletion and / or resetting of at least one value. This measure represents a particularly simple technical solution.

[0015] In a further embodiment, the at least two control signals are generated by an input in the vehicle's infotainment system, with the control signals being generated in the form of Controller Area Network (CAN) signals and transmitted to the control unit. This allows the vehicle user to delete and / or reset at least one value via a menu in the vehicle's infotainment system. This makes the process particularly convenient.

[0016] According to another embodiment, the at least two control signals are generated by actuating two ground contacts. This measure enables a particularly simple technical generation of signals that can be registered by the control unit.

[0017] In a further embodiment, the at least one value stored in the control unit is deleted and / or reset to an initial value when the at least two control signals are received by the control unit for a predefined period of time. The elapsed time can be acknowledged or confirmed by a visual and / or audible signal. Such a signal can be generated by the control unit and sent to at least one output unit on the vehicle. For example, an output unit could be implemented in the form of hazard warning lights to signal to the user a successful reset of the at least one value. The predefined period prevents unintentional deletion and / or resetting of the at least one value to an initial value.

[0018] If, however, the signals are not maintained beyond the predefined time period, for example by releasing keys, the function can be aborted. In this case, the previously stored values ​​remain in the NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random-Access Memory) of the control unit.

[0019] According to another embodiment, after deleting and / or resetting at least one value, a learning process is initiated when the tailgate is subsequently operated. This allows for automated learning of the tailgate after deleting and / or resetting at least one value.

[0020] According to a further embodiment, at least one value for the tailgate's operating speed and / or at least one value for the tailgate's end stop and / or at least one value for obstacle detection is deleted and / or reset in the control unit. This allows the vehicle user to selectively delete and / or reset a large number of parameters relevant to the tailgate's control in order to restore the tailgate's correct functionality.

[0021] The invention is schematically illustrated with reference to embodiments in the drawings and is further described with reference to the drawings. It shows: Fig. 1 a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2 a schematic flowchart to illustrate a process according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0022] Elements and components with identical or similar constructive or functional characteristics are provided with the same reference symbols across all figures.

[0023] Fig. Figure 1 shows a vehicle 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The vehicle 100 has a tailgate 12 that can be moved by at least one actuator 11. The at least one actuator 11 can be controlled by a control unit 10.

[0024] The control unit 10 is configured to execute a procedure 20, which is in Fig. 2 is described in more detail.

[0025] The control unit 10 can be configured as a tailgate control unit or be responsible for several different functions and actuators 11, wherein a tailgate software module is implemented in the control unit 10, which is configured to control at least one actuator 11 of the tailgate 12. The control unit 10 is also connected to at least one sensor 13 of the vehicle 100 via a data transmission connection and is configured to receive control signals from the at least one sensor 13.

[0026] The sensor 13 can be designed as a distance sensor, for example as an ultrasonic sensor, camera sensor, infrared sensor and the like, and contribute to determining a maximum opening angle of the tailgate 12.

[0027] If the tailgate 12 no longer moves correctly, for example due to an excessively high or low travel speed, a malfunctioning obstacle detection system, an incorrect upper end position, and the like, the method enables a user-defined reset. According to one embodiment, such a reset of the control unit 10 can be performed via a key combination and delete the stored values ​​for, for example, the travel speed, zones, or end stops in order to perform a relearning cycle of the tailgate 12 or the control unit 10 responsible for the tailgate 12.

[0028] The reset can be performed, for example, by pressing two buttons 14 and 15 on vehicle 100 for a defined period of time. For example, simultaneously pressing a soft-touch area 14 on vehicle 100 and an interior tailgate button 15 for a configurable time can initiate the deletion and / or reset of at least one value.

[0029] Alternatively or additionally, an unspecified user of vehicle 100 can initiate a reset by generating two control signals through an input in the vehicle's infotainment system 16. These control signals are generated as CAN signals and transmitted to the control unit 10. This allows the deletion and / or resetting of at least one value via a menu in the vehicle's infotainment system 16.

[0030] Fig.Figure 2 shows a schematic flowchart to illustrate a method 20 according to an embodiment of the invention. The method 20 serves to reset a control unit 10 that controls a tailgate movement of the tailgate 12.

[0031] In step 21 of procedure 20, a malfunction of the tailgate 12 of vehicle 100 is registered or detected by the control unit 10 or by a user (not shown). The malfunction can be detected, for example, by observation by the user of vehicle 100. A malfunction can be recognizable or detectable by anomalies in the opening or closing speed and / or the end stop of the tailgate 12.

[0032] In a further step 22, at least two control signals are generated simultaneously and received by the control unit 10. The reception preferably takes place for a predefined duration to prevent an unintentional reset of the control unit 10.

[0033] Based on the control signals received simultaneously, in a further step 23 at least one value stored in the control unit is deleted and / or reset to an initial value. REFERENCE MARK LIST: 100 vehicles 10 Control unit 11 Actuator 12 Tailgate 13 Sensor 14 buttons / soft-touch area 15 Button / Tailgate Interior Button 16 Infotainment system 20 procedures 21 Registering a malfunction 22 Receiving control signals 23 Deleting and / or resetting values

Claims

[1] Method (20) for resetting a control unit (10) controlling a tailgate movement of a tailgate (12), wherein a malfunction of the tailgate (12) of a vehicle (100) is registered (21), wherein at least two control signals are generated simultaneously and received (22) by the control unit (10), wherein at least one value stored in the control unit (10) is deleted and / or reset to an initial value (23) based on the control signals received simultaneously. [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the at least two control signals are generated by pressing at least two buttons (14, 15) on the vehicle (100). [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least two control signals are generated by an input in an infotainment system (16) of the vehicle (100), wherein the control signals are generated in the form of CAN signals and transmitted to the control unit (10). [4] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least two control signals are generated by actuating two ground contacts. [5] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one value stored in the control unit (10) is deleted and / or reset to an initial value when the at least two control signals are received by the control unit (10) for a predefined period of time. [6] Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein after deleting and / or resetting the at least one value, a learning process is initiated upon subsequent actuation of the tailgate (12). [7] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one value for a travel speed of the tailgate (12) and / or at least one value for an end stop of the tailgate (12) and / or at least one value for an obstacle detection in the control unit (10) is deleted and / or reset. [8] Control unit (10) which is configured to perform a method (20) according to any of the preceding claims. [9] Vehicle (100) comprising a tailgate (12) movable by at least one actuator (11), wherein the at least one actuator (12) can be controlled by a control unit (10) according to claim 8, wherein the control unit (10) is connected to at least one sensor (13) via a data transmission system and is configured to receive control signals.

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