LOCKING ASSEMBLY WITH BACKUP POWER SOURCE VOLTAGE TESTING

Abstract

A locking assembly 1 for a locking plate 2 of a motor vehicle 3, wherein the locking plate 2 is operable between an open and a closed state. The locking assembly 1 comprises an actuating group 6, which is operable to control the locking of the locking plate 2, and includes an electric motor 6d, which is controllable to drive the actuating group 6. Under normal operating conditions, the electric motor 6d is supplied by a main power source 4 of the motor vehicle 3, which provides a main supply voltage Vbatt. The locking assembly 1 further comprises a backup power source 20 with a backup supply voltage and is configured to supply the electric motor 6d during a fault operating condition that differs from the normal operating condition, and when the main supply voltage Vbatt from the main power source 4 is not available.A control unit 21 is configured to determine the backup supply voltage available from the backup power source 20 and, based on the available backup supply voltage, to generate one or more drive signals to actuate the actuation group 6.

Description

AREA

[0001] The present application relates to the field of door locks and in particular door locks as they can be used in motor vehicle applications. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] It is known that electric locking mechanisms are provided in motor vehicles, for example to control the opening and closing of the side doors.

[0003] One of the defining characteristics of an electric door lock (e-latch) is the absence of a mechanical connection to an exterior or interior door handle. Instead, the door is released by an actuator in response to an electrical signal from the handles. The e-latch generally includes a latch that rotates selectively relative to a striker plate attached to a door jamb to lock and unlock the door. The e-latch also includes a locking pawl that selectively engages the latch to prevent rotation. Finally, the e-latch includes an electric motor that is electrically connected to a main power supply of the vehicle (for example, the vehicle's 12V battery) to drive the locking pawl, either directly or indirectly via an electrically operated actuator.This allows an e-latch to achieve many features that would require complex mechanical designs in conventional mechanical door locks. In case the vehicle's main power supply is interrupted or otherwise lost, some e-latches can also include one or more backup power sources. However, it is recognized that maintaining the backup power source so that it remains fully available even when the vehicle's main power supply is unavailable can be challenging.

[0004] Therefore, there remains a need for the development of alternative locking assemblies or e-latches and operating methods that address and overcome the limitations and disadvantages associated with known locking assemblies, while providing greater convenience and improved operating capabilities. SUMMARY

[0005] One objective of the present disclosure is to provide a locking assembly and a method for operating a locking assembly that address and overcome the aforementioned deficiencies.

[0006] Accordingly, one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a locking assembly for a motor vehicle's locking plate. The locking plate is operable between an open and a closed state. The locking assembly includes an actuating group that is operable to control the locking of the locking plate and includes an electric motor that is controllable to drive the actuating group. Under normal operating conditions, the electric motor is supplied by a main power source of the motor vehicle, which provides a main supply voltage. The locking assembly also includes a backup power source with a backup supply voltage and is configured to supply the electric motor during a fault operating condition that differs from the normal operating condition and when the main supply voltage from the main power source is unavailable.A control unit is configured to determine the backup supply voltage available from the backup power source and, based on the available backup supply voltage, to generate one or more drive signals to actuate the actuating group.

[0007] It is a further aspect of the disclosure to provide a method for operating a locking assembly of a motor vehicle's flap. The flap is operable between an open and a closed state. The method includes the step of determining a backup supply voltage available from a backup power source to supply, during a fault operating state other than normal operation and when a main supply voltage from a main power source of the motor vehicle is unavailable, an electric motor of an actuating assembly that is operable to control the locking of the flap. The electric motor is controllable to drive the actuating assembly and is supplied by the main power source in normal operation.The procedure also includes the step of generating, based on the available backup supply voltage, one or more drive signals to operate the actuating group.

[0008] Further areas of application will become apparent from the description provided herein. DRAWINGS

[0009] The drawings described herein serve only to illustrate selected embodiments and not all possible implementations and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present disclosure. Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle with a locking assembly according to aspects of the disclosure; Fig. Figure 2 is a modular block diagram of an embodiment of the locking assembly of Fig. 1 according to aspects of revelation; and Fig. Figure 3 illustrates the steps of an exemplary operating procedure for a locking assembly according to aspects of the disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] Number 1 in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 specifies an electronic locking assembly (hereinafter referred to as E-Latch Assembly 1 or Locking Assembly 1) that is coupled to a locking plate 2 (e.g., door) of a motor vehicle 3. However, it is emphasized again that the E-Latch Assembly 1 can be coupled to any type of locking device of the motor vehicle 3, such as, but not limited to, trunk lids or tailgates.

[0011] With reference to Fig. 1 The E-Latch assembly 1 is electrically connected via an electrical connecting element 5, for example a power cable, to a main power source 4 of the motor vehicle 3, for example a main battery which provides a battery voltage Vbatt of 12 V (the main power source 4 may also include another source of electrical energy within the motor vehicle 3, for example a generator).

[0012] The E-Latch assembly 1 includes an actuating group 6 with an electric motor 6d, which can control the actuation of the door 2 (or, more generally, the vehicle locking device). In one possible embodiment, the actuating group 6 includes a latch 6a rotatably mounted on a housing 11, which is selectively rotatable to engage with a locking bar 6b ​​(which is attached to the body of the motor vehicle 3 in a manner not shown, for example, at the so-called "A-pillar" or "B-pillar"). The latch 6a rotates between the unlocked, secondary locked / closed, and primary locked / closed positions and is biased into the unlocked position by a preload element (e.g., a spring). When the latch 6a is rotated into the locked position with respect to the locking bar 6b, the door 2 is in a closed state, either locked and pulled back (e.g.,(primary closed state) or locked and not retracted (i.e., secondary closed state). It should be noted that the retraction action of the locking plate 2 is optional, so the actuating group 6 may, if desired, not have a retraction lever.

[0013] A pawl 6c selectively engages the detent 6a to prevent rotation, driven directly or indirectly by an electric motor 6d to move between detented positions (one for the primary closed position and one for the secondary closed position) and an undetented position. In the Fig. In the illustrated embodiment, the pawl 6c selectively engages a first notch 17 when the detent 6a is in the secondary closed position and engages a second notch 19 when the pawl 6a is in the primary closed position; however, other detent configurations can also be provided. The pawl 6c is rotatably mounted on the housing 11 and positioned to engage the detent 6a and hold it in the primary and / or secondary closed position. The pawl 6c can be biased to continuously engage the detent 6a via a biasing element (e.g., a spring).

[0014] It is recognized that the motor 6d is responsible for being engaged by a release signal (an opening command – e.g., by actuation of the door handle 15, key fob, detection of the operator's presence, etc.) in order to rotate and position the locking pawl 6c and / or the detent 6a (and all other components of the actuating group 6) in the open position / state as part of a power release process. It is recognized that the motor 6d can be coupled to the detent 6a and / or the locking pawl 6c by a motor shaft, for example, to rotate the detent 6a and / or the locking pawl 6c under the guidance of a control unit 21 (see Fig. 2) to effect via a drive / command signal Sd, as described in more detail below. Once the locking plate 2 has been opened and is then in the process of returning to the closed position / state (or has returned to it), the motor 6d is then instructed by the control unit 21 (e.g., reset command Sd) to rotate back to the motor output position (i.e., motor reset) as part of a reset operation to be in position to open the E-latch assembly 1 by actuating the components of the actuating group 6. It is preferred to perform the reset of the motor 6d when the locking plate 2 is closing, as detected by one or more of the sensors 9, 13 described below.

[0015] The actuating group 6 can optionally include a pull-back lever 6e, which is mounted in the housing 11 of the E-Latch assembly 1. A spring (not shown) can exert a preload force on one side of the pull-back lever 6e, which pushes the pull-back lever 6e, for example, toward the latch 6a. Alternatively, the pull-back lever 6e can be configured to act directly on the locking bar Sb, instead of indirectly on the locking bar 6b ​​via the latch 6a. The pull-back lever 6e is configured to receive a drive input from an actuator of the electric motor 6d to provide a drive movement / rotation of the pull-back lever 6e toward a pulled and / or unpulled position. The pull-back lever 6e can rotate the latch 6a until the pawl 6c engages in its primary closed position, thus holding the latch 6a in the primary closed position.Once the retraction process is complete, the retraction mechanism, controlled by the electric motor 6d, can “reset” the retraction lever 6e or return it to a retraction starting position (i.e., retraction reset) in order not to block the detent 6a from rotation into the release position once the pawl 6c is disengaged to release the detent 6a from the primary closed position to the secondary closed position or to release the pawl 6a from the secondary closed position to the unlocked or open position.

[0016] The pull-through lever 6e of the actuating group 6 can therefore be actuated by the electric motor 6d to pull the E-Latch assembly 1 from the secondary closed position to the primary closed position and to return the pull-through lever 6e to its initial position once the E-Latch 1 has been pulled through. It is recognized that the pulled-through position can be defined as the engagement of the pull-through lever 6e with the detent 6a and / or locking bar 6b ​​to drive the locking bar 6b ​​into the locked primary closed position of the E-Latch assembly 1 (e.g., the door 2 is locked and pulled through). It is recognized that the unpulled or initial position can be defined as the disengagement of the pull-through lever 6e from the detent 6a and / or locking bar 6b.In the unengaged or starting position of the pull lever 6e, the detent piece 6a is held in engagement with the locking bar 6b ​​in the primary locking position by the locking pawl 6c.

[0017] With renewed reference to Fig. 1 The E-Latch assembly 1 further includes an electronic control circuit 10, which, for example, as discussed in detail below, includes a microcontroller or other known computing unit with associated memory for storing instructions for execution by the computing unit (see Fig. 3) includes, which in one possible embodiment is conveniently embedded and arranged together with the actuating group 6 of the E-Latch assembly 1 in a housing or box 11 (shown schematically), thereby providing an integrated, compact and easy-to-assemble unit. The electronic control circuit 10 is coupled to the actuating group 6 and provides suitable drive signals Sd to the electric motor 6d.

[0018] The electronic control circuit 10 is electrically coupled via an electrical connection element 14, for example a data bus, to a vehicle management unit 12, which is configured to control the general operation of the motor vehicle 3, to exchange signals, data, commands and / or information Vd indicating a state of the vehicle 3, including the positioning of the individual components of the actuation group 6, the state of the main power source 4 and / or the circuit integrity of the connection of the main power source 4 with the electronic control circuit 10 and / or the vehicle management system 12.

[0019] With reference to Fig. 2 is the vehicle management unit 12 in addition to Fig. 1 is also coupled with (power) sensors 9, for example, voltage, current, and / or power sensors, which can provide signals Vd that indicate to the vehicle management unit 12 and / or the control circuit 10 (e.g., the state of the main power source 4 and its electrical connections to the E-Latch assembly 1, as well as the current locking state of the E-Latch assembly 1, etc.). An integrated backup power source 20 can also be a "passive" device accessed by the E-Latch assembly 1, so that the backup power source 20 is available to power the E-Latch assembly 1 if the main power source 4 is unavailable.

[0020] Furthermore, the signals Vd can be sent from the vehicle management unit 12 and / or the control unit 21 (see Fig. 2) can be interpreted as part of the electronic control circuit 10 to represent one or more of a variety of operating conditions experienced by the vehicle 3 and / or the E-Latch assembly 1. These operating conditions may include, for example, fault conditions of the main power source 4 (including a connection circuit fault between the main power source (battery) 4 and the E-Latch assembly 1), the operating position of the components in the actuation group 6 (including the position of the pull lever 6e relative to the locking state of the E-Latch assembly 1, and the position of the motor 6d relative to the locking state of the E-Latch assembly 1), and / or emergency conditions of the vehicle 3 itself (e.g., a crash condition).

[0021] Therefore, it is recognized that the operation of motor 6d under the influence of the control unit 21 can be in a motor output or reset mode, wherein the positioning of motor 6d is controlled to position motor 6d in a reset or output position (which, for example, corresponds to the primary closed position of the E-latch assembly 1). Alternatively, the operation of motor 6d under the influence of the control unit 21 can be in a motor operating mode, wherein the positioning of motor 6d is controlled to move any of the actuating components 6 from the closed position to the open position (for example, an open state or a secondary position state of the E-latch assembly 1).

[0022] Therefore, it is recognized that the actuation of the pull-in lever 6e under the influence of the control unit 21 can be in a pull-in operating mode, whereby the positioning of the pull-in lever 6e is controlled to position the locking bolt 6b in a pulled-in position (e.g., the primary closed position of the E-latch assembly 1). Alternatively, the actuation of the pull-in lever 6e under the influence of the control unit 21 can be in a pull-in homing operating mode, whereby the positioning of the pull-in lever 6e is controlled to move the pull-in lever 6e from the pulled-in position to the non-pulled-in position (e.g., the initial pull-in or reset state of the E-locking assembly 1).

[0023] Advantageously, the electronic control circuit 10 receives feedback information on the actuation of the E-Latch assembly 1 from the position sensors 13, such as Hall sensors, which are configured to detect the operating position of the actuation group 6 (e.g., locked state, unlocked state, open state, closed state, retracted state (e.g., primary closed state), non-retracted state (e.g., secondary closed state), etc.), for example, the latch 6a and / or the locking pawl 6c and / or the retraction lever 6e and / or the locking bar 6b; and also receives (directly and / or indirectly via the vehicle management unit 12) information Vd on the user actuation of the (external and / or internal) vehicle handles 15 from handle sensors 16, which detect the user activation of the internal and / or external handles 15 of the doors 2 of the motor vehicle 3.It is also recognized that the information from sensors 9, 13 can indicate the switching of the locking plate 2, indicating whether the locking plate 2 is tilted / open or closed.

[0024] The electronic control circuit 10 can also be coupled to the main power source 4 of the vehicle 3 to receive the battery voltage Vbatt; the electronic control circuit 10 can check whether the value of the battery voltage Vbatt falls below a predetermined threshold. The electronic control circuit 10 can include the embedded and integrated backup power source 20, which is configured to supply electrical energy to the interlocking electric motor 6d and to the electronic control circuit 10 itself in the event of a failure or interruption of the main power source 4 of the vehicle 3.

[0025] More precisely, the electronic control circuit 10 includes the control unit 21, which is equipped, for example, with a microcontroller, microprocessor, or analog computing module 21a (which provides the drive / command signal Sd to the actuating group 6 of the E-Latch assembly 1 in order to control the operation of the actuating group 6 of the E-Latch assembly 1). The control unit 21 has an embedded memory 21b, for example, a non-volatile random-access memory, which is coupled to the computing module 21a and stores suitable programs and computer instructions (for example, in the form of firmware).It is recognized that the control unit 21 could alternatively comprise a logic circuit made up of discrete components to perform the functions of the computing module 21a and the memory 21b, including acting on the vehicle status signals Vd, the signals Vd of the handle sensor 16, the signals Vd of the position sensor 13, and / or detected or otherwise recognized fault conditions of the main power source 4 from the sensors 9, as described below. The power to generate the drive signals Sd and the operating power for the electric motor 6d can be provided by the main power source 4, and in the event of a fault condition of the main power source 4, then by the backup power source 20.

[0026] The control unit 21 is configured to control the E-Latch assembly 1 for controlling the operation of door 2 based on signals Vd detected by the handle sensors 16, indicating, for example, the user's intention to open door 2 of the vehicle 3, and optionally based on signals Vd received by the vehicle management unit 12, indicating, for example, correct authentication of the user carrying suitable authentication means (such as a key fob), and / or indicating the status of the vehicle 3 (one or more detected or otherwise recognized fault states of the main power source 4). It is also recognized that the handle sensors 16 can include signals Vd generated by the operation of buttons or other release controls by the vehicle occupant (e.g., tailgate or trunk release lever or button located inside the vehicle 3).

[0027] According to a specific aspect, the control unit 21 is also configured to manage the pull signals Vd received from the handle sensors 16 and to locally control a suitable control algorithm (e.g., instructions stored in memory 21b for execution by the computing module 21a) within the E-Latch assembly 1 itself to control the E-Latch assembly 1 in order to facilitate the release of the locking lever 6b from the detent 6a of the actuating group 6 of the E-Latch assembly 1. It should be noted that the release of the locking lever 6b may depend on the corresponding positioning of the follow-up lever 6e, if it is present within the actuating group 6 (e.g., in the un-followed position), and / or the release of the locking lever 6b may depend on the corresponding positioning of the motor 6d (e.g., in the initial position).

[0028] In particular, the control unit 21 can, with regard to the receipt of the vehicle status information signal Vd (which, for example, indicates one or more fault states of the main power system 4) from the vehicle management module 12, the signals from the position sensor 13 (which, for example, indicate the locked state of the E-Latch assembly 1), and / or the door actuation signals Vd received from the handle sensors 16 (which, for example, indicate the wish of the occupant of the vehicle 3 to open the door 2), initiate the power release process internally in the E-Latch assembly 1 or otherwise complete it in order to enable the opening of the doors 2 of the vehicle 3. The pull-out lever 6e (if present in the actuation group 6) can also be moved to the initial or non-pulled position by active positioning during the power release process (e.g.,to account for the transition of the E-Latch assembly 1 from the primary to the secondary closed position z, or after the E-Latch assembly 1 has moved from the secondary to the primary closed position). Furthermore, the motor 6d is controlled by active positioning (i.e., rotation) to the open position (e.g., to account for the change of the E-Latch assembly 1 from the primary to the secondary or open position), or active positioning (i.e., rotation) to the output or reset position can also occur during the power release process (e.g., to account for the change of the E-Latch assembly 1 from the secondary / open position to the primary closed position).

[0029] As discussed above, the locking plate 2 can be operated between an open and a closed state, and the locking assembly 1 can include the actuating group 6, which is actuated to control the locking of the locking plate 2, and the electric motor 6d, which is controllable to drive the actuating group 6. Under normal operating conditions, the electric motor 6d is supplied by the main power source 4 of the vehicle 3, which provides the main supply voltage Vbatt. The backup power source 20 (e.g., supercapacitors) has a backup supply voltage and is configured to supply the electric motor 6d during a fault operating condition that deviates from the normal operating conditions and when the main supply voltage Vbatt from the main power source 4 is unavailable.It is desirable to ensure that a user of a motor vehicle 3 with an interlock assembly 1 starts with a fully charged backup power source 20, in order to reduce the probability of situations in which the backup power source 20 is not adequately charged. Therefore, the control unit 21 is configured to determine the backup supply voltage available from the backup power source 20. The control unit 21 is also configured to generate, based on the available backup supply voltage, one or more drive signals Sd to operate the actuation group 6.

[0030] More specifically, and according to further aspects, the control unit 21 is also configured to detect the operational fault condition and to detect a power release. The control unit 21 determines whether the backup supply voltage available from the backup power source 20 is sufficient to complete a power release operation. The control unit 21 is also configured to determine whether the backup supply voltage available from the backup power source 20 is sufficient to complete the reset operation. In addition, the control unit 21 controls the electric motor 6d to perform the power release operation in response to the determination that the backup supply voltage available from the backup power source 20 is sufficient to complete the power release operation and the reset operation.In addition to detecting that the locking assembly 1 is open, the control unit 21 is configured to respond to the determination that the backup supply voltage available from the backup power source 20 is sufficient to complete the power release and reset process.

[0031] The control unit 21 also controls the electric motor 6d to perform the reset operation using the backup supply voltage available from the backup power source 20, in response to the determination that the backup supply voltage available from the backup power source 20 is sufficient to complete the power release operation and the reset operation. Additionally, the control unit 21 controls the electric motor 6d to perform the power release operation in response to the determination that the backup supply voltage available from the backup power source 20 is insufficient to complete at least one of the power release operations or the reset operation.The control unit is further configured to detect that the locking assembly 1 is open in response to a determination that the backup supply voltage available from backup power source 20 is insufficient to complete at least one of the power release or reset operations. The control unit is also configured not to perform the reset operation in response to a determination that the backup supply voltage available from backup power source 20 is insufficient to complete at least one of the power release or reset operations.

[0032] According to further aspects, the interlocking assembly 1 can also include a comparator device configured to check the backup supply voltage. A first backup supply voltage threshold (e.g., a first supercapacitor voltage threshold, SCapVTH1) can be defined below which the energy stored in the backup power source 20 (e.g., supercapacitors) is insufficient to ensure power release within a predetermined time period after falling below this first backup supply voltage threshold. Therefore, the control unit 21 can also be configured, using the comparator device, to determine that the backup supply voltage available from the backup power source 20 is insufficient to complete a power release operation in response to the backup supply voltage falling below the first backup supply voltage threshold.

[0033] The control unit 21 is configured to determine that the backup supply voltage available from the backup power source 20 is sufficient to complete the power release process in response to the backup supply voltage being equal to or greater than a first backup supply voltage threshold. The control unit 21 is also configured to charge the backup power source 20 until the backup supply voltage is equal to or greater than a second backup supply voltage threshold in response to the backup supply voltage being less than the first backup supply voltage threshold. Therefore, under all conditions, especially when the vehicle is idle, the control unit 21 charges the backup power source 20 until the backup supply voltage is equal to or greater than a second backup supply voltage threshold (e.g.,a second supercapacitor voltage threshold, SCapVTH2), if it falls below the first backup supply voltage threshold (e.g. a first supercapacitor voltage threshold, SCapVTH1).

[0034] In one possible configuration, the controller 21 can periodically wake up during sleep mode to charge the backup power source 20 (sCap) to a specific charge level. In another possible configuration, the controller 21 measures the state of charge of the backup power source 20 in hardware, and if the state of charge of the backup power source falls below a certain threshold, the controller 21 begins charging the backup power source 20. This ensures that, in the event of an impending accident, the user can exit the vehicle after the user, who initiates the battery disconnection, has entered the vehicle. In yet another possible configuration, the controller 21 measures the state of charge of the backup power source 20 in hardware, and the controller 21 can transmit a signal via the vehicle bus, e.g., status information about the backup power source 20, so that the vehicle control unit, e.g.,BCM can determine whether the backup power source 20 has enough power to open the door immediately in the event of a possible accident.

[0035] According to an additional aspect, the control unit 21 is further configured to perform the power release operation and not to perform a reset operation in response to the detection that the power release and backup voltage supply are lower than the first backup voltage threshold and are independent of the main supply voltage Vbatt. Thus, if the user of vehicle 3 requests a power release while the backup supply voltage (e.g., supercapacitor voltage) is below the first backup voltage threshold (e.g., the first supercapacitor voltage threshold, SCapVTH1), the power release is performed, but the reset is avoided, regardless of the status of the main supply voltage 4. Such a strategy may, for example, only be available under certain conditions, such as when the ignition is switched on.

[0036] Fig.Figure 3 illustrates the steps of an exemplary operating procedure for the locking assembly 1. The procedure includes the step of determining a backup supply voltage available from a backup power source 20 to supply an electric motor 6d during a fault operating condition other than normal operation, and when a main supply voltage Vbatt from a main power source 4 of the vehicle 3 is not available, to actuate an actuating group 6 that is actuated to control the locking of the locking plate 2, wherein the electric motor 6d is controllable to drive the actuating group 6 and is supplied by the main power source 4 during normal operation. The procedure also includes the step of generating, based on the available backup supply voltage, one or more drive signals Sd to operate the actuating group 6.

[0037] More specifically, and depending on other aspects, the procedure can include step 304 for detecting the faulty operating state ("Emergency Operation Detected"). The procedure then proceeds to step 306, where a power release is detected ("Power Release Detected"). The procedure can continue with step 308, which determines whether the backup supply voltage available from backup power source 20 is sufficient to complete a power release operation. Additionally, the procedure can include step 310, which determines whether the backup supply voltage available from backup power source 20 is sufficient to complete a reset operation.

[0038] The procedure can additionally include step 312 to control the electric motor 6d to perform the power release operation (“Power Release Interlock”) in response to the determination that the backup supply voltage available from backup power source 20 is sufficient to complete the power release operation and the reset operation. Next, step 314 detects that the interlock assembly 1 (“Interlock Open Detected”) is open, in response to the determination that the backup supply voltage available from backup power source 20 is sufficient to complete the power release operation and the reset operation.

[0039] The method can proceed to step 316 by controlling the electric motor 6d to perform the reset operation using the backup supply voltage available from the backup power source 20, in response to the determination that the backup supply voltage available from the backup power source 20 (“Perform Reset Using Backup Power”) is sufficient to complete the power release operation and the reset operation. Additionally, the method can include step 318 for controlling the electric motor 6d to perform the power release operation (“Power Release Interlock”) in response to the determination that the backup supply voltage available from the backup power source 20 is insufficient to complete at least one of the power release operation and the reset operation.Next, 320 detects that the interlock assembly 1 (“interlock open detected”) is open in response to the determination that the backup supply voltage available from backup power source 20 is insufficient to complete at least one of the power release or reset operations.

[0040] The procedure can also configure step 322 to not perform the reset operation (“Do not perform reset”) in response to the determination that the backup supply voltage available from backup power source 20 is insufficient to complete at least one of the power release operations or the reset operation.

Claims

[1] Locking assembly 1 for a locking plate 2 of a motor vehicle 3, wherein the locking plate 2 is operable between an open state and a closed state, wherein the locking assembly 1 comprises: an actuating group 6 which is operable to control the locking of the locking plate 2 and includes an electric motor 6d which is controllable to drive the actuating group 6, wherein the electric motor 6d is supplied during a normal operating state by a main power source 4 of the motor vehicle 3 which provides a main supply voltage Vbatt; a backup power source 20 with a backup supply voltage and configured to supply the electric motor 6d during a fault operating condition that differs from the normal operating condition, and when the main supply voltage Vbatt from the main power source 4 is not available; and a control unit 21 that is configured to: Determining the backup supply voltage available from backup power source 20 and Generate, based on the available backup supply voltage, one or more drive signals to operate actuation group 6. [2] Locking assembly 1 according to claim 1, wherein the control unit 21 is further configured to: Detecting the faulty operating state; Recording a performance release; Determine whether the backup supply voltage available from backup power source 20 is sufficient to complete a power release operation; and Determine whether the backup supply voltage available from backup power source 20 is sufficient to complete a reset operation. [3] Locking assembly 1 according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit 21 is further configured to: Controlling the electric motor 6d to perform the power release process in response to the determination that the backup supply voltage available from the backup power source 20 is sufficient to complete the power release process and the reset process; Detect that the locking assembly 1 is open in response to the determination that the backup supply voltage available from backup power source 20 is sufficient to complete the power release and reset process; and Controlling the electric motor 6d to perform the reset operation using the backup supply voltage available from backup power source 20, in response to determining that the backup supply voltage available from backup power source 20 is sufficient to complete the power release operation and complete the reset operation. [4] Locking assembly 1 according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit 21 is further configured to: Controlling the electric motor 6d to perform the power release process in response to the determination that the backup supply voltage available from the backup power source 20 is insufficient to complete at least one of the power release or reset processes; Detect that the locking assembly 1 is open in response to the determination that the backup supply voltage available from backup power source 20 is insufficient to complete at least one of the power release or reset operations; and Failure to perform the reset operation in response to the determination that the backup supply voltage available from backup power source 20 is insufficient to complete the power release operation or the reset operation. [5] Locking assembly 1 according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a comparator device configured to check the backup supply voltage, and wherein the control unit 21 is further configured using the comparator device to: Determine that the backup supply voltage available from backup power source 20 is insufficient to complete a power release operation in response to the backup supply voltage falling below an initial backup supply voltage threshold; Determine that the backup supply voltage available from backup power source 20 is sufficient to complete the power release process in response to the backup supply voltage being equal to or greater than an initial backup supply voltage threshold; and Charging backup power source 20 until the backup supply voltage is equal to or greater than a second backup supply voltage threshold, in response to the backup supply voltage being less than the first backup supply voltage threshold. [6] Locking assembly 1 according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit 21 is further configured to perform the power release operation and not to perform a reset operation in response to the detection that a power release and the backup power supply are less than the first backup supply voltage threshold and independent of the main supply voltage Vbatt. [7] Method for actuating a locking assembly 1 for a locking plate 2 of a motor vehicle 3, wherein the locking plate 2 is actuable between an open state and a closed state, the method comprising: Determining a backup supply voltage available from a backup power source 20 to supply, during a fault operating condition other than a normal operating condition and when a main supply voltage Vbatt from a main power source 4 of the motor vehicle 3 is not available, an electric motor 6d of an actuating group 6 which is actuable to control the locking of the locking plate 2, wherein the electric motor 6d is controllable to drive the actuating group 6 and is supplied by the main power source 4 during the normal operating condition; and Generate, based on the available backup supply voltage, one or more drive signals to operate actuation group 6. [8] The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of: Detecting the faulty operating state; Recording a performance release; Determine whether the backup supply voltage available from backup power source 20 is sufficient to complete a power release operation; and Determine whether the backup supply voltage available from backup power source 20 is sufficient to complete a reset operation. [9] Method according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising the steps: Controlling the electric motor 6d to perform the power release process in response to the determination that the backup supply voltage available from the backup power source 20 is sufficient to complete the power release process and the reset process; Detect that the locking assembly 1 is open in response to the determination that the backup supply voltage available from backup power source 20 is sufficient to complete the power release and reset process; and Controlling the electric motor 6d to perform the reset operation using the backup supply voltage available from backup power source 20, in response to determining that the backup supply voltage available from backup power source 20 is sufficient to complete the power release operation and complete the reset operation. [10] Method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, further comprising the steps: Controlling the electric motor 6d to perform the power release process in response to the determination that the backup supply voltage available from the backup power source 20 is insufficient to complete at least one of the power release or reset processes; Detect that the locking assembly 1 is open in response to the determination that the backup supply voltage available from backup power source 20 is insufficient to complete at least one of the power release or reset operations; and Failure to perform the reset operation in response to the determination that the backup supply voltage available from backup power source 20 is insufficient to complete the power release operation or the reset operation.

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