Method and device for controlling a tailgate lock

Abstract

Method for controlling a tailgate lock (1) of a tailgate (6) of a vehicle (2) comprising the following steps: detecting a status of the tailgate (6) and a position of an actuator (3) and / or a component (5) of the vehicle (2) in the pivot range (8) of the tailgate (6), triggering an opening signal for the tailgate lock (1) of the tailgate (6) with a first predetermined time delay after a time of actuation of an opening device, so that the actuator (3) and / or the component (5) is enabled to move out of the pivot range (8) of the tailgate (6), as well as unlocking and opening the tailgate lock (1) after a successful movement of the actuator (3) and / or the component (5) out of the pivot range (8) of the tailgate (6).

Description

[0001] The technical field of the invention is methods and devices for controlling a tailgate lock.

[0002] The state of the art includes various methods and devices for preventing collisions in the swing area of ​​a vehicle tailgate. Systems exist for the automatic closing of tailgates, coupled with actuators to prevent collisions, as well as methods for controlling the tailgate that include anti-pinch functions.

[0003] DE 10 2012 107 116 A1 discloses a method for controlling an adjustment movement of a power-operated vehicle locking element, wherein a capacitive anti-pinch system is used to detect an obstacle in a monitoring area around a locking part provided on the vehicle locking element, in order to prevent a collision of this locking part with an obstacle, at least when the vehicle locking element is closing. If an obstacle is detected in the monitoring area around the locking part, an adjustment movement of the vehicle locking element is stopped and / or reversed to avoid a collision with the obstacle.

[0004] DE 10 2018 201 798 A1 discloses a tailgate assembly for a vehicle.

[0005] DE 10 2019 102 989 A1 discloses a method and a device for preventing a collision with a coupling accessory. The method includes: detecting an input to open a flap or detecting an opening movement of a flap, determining whether the coupling accessory is present in a path of the flap opening movement, and, in response to determining that the coupling accessory is not present in the path, opening the flap.

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide a device and a method for controlling a tailgate lock that makes it possible to avoid a collision between the tailgate and an object located in the pivoting area.

[0007] The invention relates to a method for controlling a vehicle's tailgate lock, wherein the status of the tailgate and the position of an actuator and / or a component within the tailgate's pivoting range are detected. After actuation of an opening device, an opening signal is triggered with a predetermined time delay, allowing the actuator and / or the component to move out of the pivoting range before the tailgate lock is released for unlocking and / or opening, i.e., unlocked and / or opened.

[0008] The tailgate is the rear cover of a vehicle body, typically providing access to a trunk. The swing range encompasses the spatial zone occupied by the rear part of the tailgate during its opening movement. An actuator is a component that performs mechanical movements and may be located within the swing range, such as a cargo cover or a coupling component. The time delay describes a temporal shift between the opening signal and the resulting unlocking and / or opening of the tailgate lock after the opening device has been actuated or activated. This ensures that the tailgate lock is only released, unlocked, and / or opened after the actuator or component has been moved or removed from the swing range.

[0009] This enables precise and collision-free opening of the tailgate by protecting the tailgate's range of motion and swing area from collisions with components located within that area. This prevents damage to the tailgate and to the components within its swing area.

[0010] Advantageously, the method can include storing the position of the actuator and / or component in non-volatile memory (NVRAM), which is checked each time the opening device is actuated or activated. The non-volatile memory is a storage unit that retains its stored data even when the vehicle is switched off.

[0011] This means that with every request to open the tailgate, i.e., to open or unlock the tailgate lock, the current position of the actuator is retrieved, which enables timely control of the tailgate lock.

[0012] Advantageously, the time delay for controlling the tailgate lock, i.e., for unlocking or opening the tailgate lock, can be adjusted depending on the speed of the actuator and / or the component. The speed of the actuator and / or the component describes the speed at which the actuator and / or the component leaves its pivoting range.

[0013] This ensures that the time delay is optimally aligned with the movement sequence of the actuator and / or the component, enabling precise unlocking and / or opening of the tailgate and guaranteeing a high level of operational reliability.

[0014] Advantageously, the actuator and / or component can be detected by at least one sensor, such as an ultrasonic sensor, which continuously monitors the position of the actuator and / or component within the tailgate's swing range. An ultrasonic sensor is a sensor that uses sound waves to measure distances and positions.

[0015] This allows the position of the actuator and / or component to be monitored precisely and in real time, so that in the event of a malfunction of the actuator and / or component, the system automatically unlocks, but does not open the tailgate to avoid a collision.

[0016] Advantageously, an initial predetermined time delay for controlling the tailgate lock—that is, for unlocking and / or opening the tailgate lock—can be defined as a dynamic value in a parameter table within the vehicle's control unit. This dynamic value is adjusted depending on the vehicle model or the type of vehicle use, for example, the duration of the tailgate opening process for the respective vehicle model. A parameter table is a table of values ​​stored in the vehicle's control unit that stores different time delay parameters depending on the vehicle type or its use.

[0017] This allows for adaptation to different vehicle models and applications or vehicle uses, enabling flexible and specific control of the tailgate lock.

[0018] Advantageously, an acoustic, visual, and / or tactile warning can be triggered inside the vehicle if at least one sensor detects that the actuator and / or component has not been completely removed from the tailgate's swing range after a predefined period. This warning device provides additional safety and informs a user, such as the vehicle's driver, of a potential obstruction within the tailgate's swing range.

[0019] This actively involves the user in controlling the tailgate lock and allows them to manually control the tailgate opening if necessary.

[0020] A further object of the invention is a device for controlling a tailgate lock of a vehicle's tailgate when carrying out the method described above, comprising a control unit configured to detect the status of the tailgate and the position of an actuator and / or component in the tailgate's pivoting range, and to trigger an opening signal with a predetermined time delay after a manual actuation of an opening device. The control unit is an electronic circuit configured to receive and process signals relevant for controlling, in particular unlocking and opening, the tailgate lock and for sensor monitoring, especially the opening signal.

[0021] One advantage of this device is that the tailgate lock is only activated, in particular unlocked and / or opened, when the swing area has been confirmed as collision-free.

[0022] Advantageously, the device can include non-volatile memory, such as NVRAM, in which the position of the actuator and / or component is stored. This memory ensures the permanent storage of current position data, allowing the controller to access the last stored position even when repeatedly requesting unlocking and / or opening the tailgate lock.

[0023] This enables collision-free control, in particular unlocking and / or opening of the tailgate lock, even if the actuator and / or the component has changed its position.

[0024] Advantageously, the device can include at least one sensor, such as an ultrasonic sensor, which continuously monitors the position of the actuator and / or component and provides signals to the control system that enable automatic adjustment of the time delay for the actuation, i.e., the unlocking and / or opening of the tailgate lock, depending on the travel speed of the actuator and / or component.

[0025] This allows the control system to flexibly adapt the actuation of the tailgate lock to a movement sequence of the actuator and / or the component, ensuring high precision.

[0026] Advantageously, the device can include a warning device that triggers an acoustic, visual and / or tactile warning inside the vehicle if the actuator and / or component is / are not completely removed from the swivel range after a predefined period of time before the tailgate lock is unlocked and / or opened.

[0027] The warning device can be an acoustic signal generator, such as a buzzer or a speaker unit, which emits an audible warning signal to alert a user, e.g., the driver of the vehicle, to the danger of a potential collision. Alternatively or additionally, the warning device can activate a visual warning signal, for example, by flashing a warning light on the dashboard or a symbol on the vehicle display, which informs the user, e.g., the driver, about the current situation. Furthermore, the warning device can provide tactile feedback, such as vibrations in the steering wheel or driver's seat, to warn the user, e.g., the driver, through tactile feedback.

[0028] This actively alerts the user or driver to a potential blockage or misalignment of the actuator and / or component, allowing them to take appropriate action before the tailgate lock is unlocked and / or opened. This warning helps prevent potential damage to the tailgate, actuator, or component, thus increasing the vehicle's operational safety.

[0029] The invention is schematically illustrated with reference to embodiments in the drawings. It shows: Fig. 1 A schematic representation to illustrate an embodiment of a device according to the invention for controlling a tailgate lock of a vehicle.

[0030] Fig.Figure 1 shows a schematic representation to illustrate an embodiment of a device according to the invention for controlling a tailgate lock 1 of a tailgate 6 of a vehicle 2, as well as the sequence of an embodiment of a method according to the invention for avoiding collisions between a cargo cover 4, which is controlled by an actuator 3, and a fixed component 5 on the tailgate 6.

[0031] Within the swing range of the tailgate 6, the cargo cover 4 is visible, which is in a starting position 7 and could potentially collide with a fixed component 5 on the tailgate 6. This cargo cover 4 is controlled by the actuator 3, which is installed in the vehicle 2. The actuator 3 is a mechanical component that is electrically driven and is capable of moving the cargo cover 4 out of a swing range 8 of the tailgate 6 before the tailgate 6 itself is moved, i.e., after the tailgate lock 1 is unlocked and / or opened.

[0032] In step 9, indicated by the arrow, the load compartment cover 4 is moved backward by the actuator 3 to clear the swing area 8 of the tailgate 6. This movement occurs before the tailgate lock 1 is unlocked and / or opened. At least one sensor 10, such as an ultrasonic sensor, installed in the vehicle 2, monitors the precise position of the load compartment cover 4. This sensor 10 continuously detects the distance between the load compartment cover 4 and the surrounding components 5 and / or records the position of the load compartment cover 4 in real time. The detected position data is processed in a control unit in the vehicle 2, which triggers and outputs an opening signal to unlock and / or open the tailgate lock 1.

[0033] The control unit evaluates the sensor information and only triggers an opening signal for the tailgate lock 1 when the cargo cover 4 is completely removed from the pivoting area 8, indicated by the arrow. This process is executed with a defined time delay after the activation of a tailgate opening device 6 (not shown) to give the actuator 3 sufficient time to safely move the cargo cover 4.

[0034] In a further step 11, indicated by the arrow, the tailgate lock is unlocked and the tailgate 6 is automatically opened by an actuator after the cargo cover 4 has reached its end position outside the swing range 8. The tailgate lock 1 of the tailgate 6 is consequently unlocked and opened, so that the tailgate 6 can be opened without the risk of a collision.

[0035] In the present case, the load compartment cover 4 is designed so that it hooks onto the fixed component 5 on the tailgate 6, like a cover, in the initial position 7 in order to minimize rattling noises during driving on uneven roads. REFERENCE MARK LIST: 1 tailgate lock 2 vehicles 3 Actuator 4. Cargo area cover 5 Fixed component on the tailgate 6 Tailgate 7 Starting position of the cargo cover 8. Tailgate swing range 9. Movement of the cargo cover 10 Sensor 11. Unlocking the tailgate lock and opening the tailgate QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] DE 10 2012 107 116 A1

[0003] DE 10 2018 201 798 A1

[0004] DE 10 2019 102 989 A1

[0005]

Claims

Method for controlling a tailgate lock (1) of a tailgate (6) of a vehicle (2) comprising the following steps: detecting a status of the tailgate (6) and a position of an actuator (3) and / or a component (5) of the vehicle (2) in the pivot range (8) of the tailgate (6), triggering an opening signal for the tailgate lock (1) of the tailgate (6) with a first predetermined time delay after a time of actuation of an opening device, so that the actuator (3) and / or the component (5) is enabled to move out of the pivot range (8) of the tailgate (6), as well as unlocking and opening the tailgate lock (1) after a successful movement of the actuator (3) and / or the component (5) out of the pivot range (8) of the tailgate (6). The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises storing a position of the actuator (3) and / or the component (5) in a memory, such as a non-volatile memory (NVRAM), which is checked each time the opening device is actuated. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first predetermined time delay for triggering the opening signal after the time of actuation of the opening device is adjusted depending on a speed of the actuator (3) and / or the component (5) so that a precise and collision-free opening of the tailgate (6) is ensured. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator (3) and / or the component (5) is detected by at least one sensor (10) which continuously monitors the position of the actuator (3) and / or the component (5) in the pivot range (8) of the tailgate (6) and in the event of a malfunction of the actuator (3) and / or the component (5), the tailgate lock (1) is released or opened after a second defined time delay, but the tailgate (6) is not moved automatically, so that access to a trunk is granted, but damage to the tailgate (6) and / or the actuator (3) and / or the component (5) is prevented. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first predetermined time delay for controlling the tailgate lock (1) is defined as a dynamic value in a parameter table in a control unit of the vehicle (2), wherein this dynamic value is adapted depending on a vehicle model of the vehicle (2) or depending on a type of vehicle use. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an acoustic and / or visual and / or tactile warning is triggered inside the vehicle (2) if it is determined by means of at least one sensor (10) that the actuator (3) and / or the component (5) is not completely removed from the pivoting area (8) of the tailgate (6) after a predefined period of time. Device for controlling a tailgate lock (1) of a tailgate (1) of a vehicle (2) for carrying out a method according to one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a control unit configured to detect a status of the tailgate (6) and a position of an actuator (3) and / or component (5) in the pivot range (8) of the tailgate (6) and to trigger an opening signal with a first predetermined time delay after a time of actuation of an opening device in order to enable the actuator (3) and / or component (5) to leave the pivot range (8) before the tailgate lock (1) is released. Device according to claim 7, comprising a memory in which the position of the actuator (3) and / or the component (5) is stored, so that the control can access the stored position data each time the opening device is actuated, thus ensuring timely and collision-free actuation of the tailgate lock (1). Device according to one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the device comprises at least one sensor (10) which continuously monitors the position of the actuator (3) and / or component (5) and provides signals to the control system which enable automatic adjustment of the time delay for the actuation of the tailgate lock depending on a travel speed of the actuator (3) and / or component (5). Device according to one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the device comprises a warning device configured to trigger an acoustic, visual and / or tactile warning inside the vehicle (2) if the actuator (3) and / or the component (5) is not completely removed from the pivoting area (8) after a predefined period of time before the tailgate lock (1) is unlocked.

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