TAX REGULATIONS FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE DOOR

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a control arrangement for a motor vehicle door according to the preamble of claim 1, a motor vehicle door with such a control arrangement according to claim 13, a motor vehicle with such a motor vehicle door according to claim 15, and a method for controlling a motor vehicle door according to the preamble of claim 16.

[0002] The doors of modern vehicles are increasingly equipped with so-called "electric locks," which can only be opened electrically using an electric drive. While this significantly increases convenience by eliminating manual operation, additional measures must be taken to maintain operational safety in emergencies, particularly in the event of a power failure.

[0003] In a known control arrangement (DE 10 2014 105 872 A1), each vehicle door is equipped with a vehicle lock comprising a latch, a locking pawl associated with the latch, and an electric opening drive for motorized release of the locking pawl. The vehicle lock is equipped with an additional energy storage device that takes over the electrical supply to the opening drive in the event of a power failure. A disadvantage of this arrangement is that the constant recharging of the energy storage device is costly, and high reliability can only be guaranteed through regular replacement of the energy storage device.

[0004] The known control arrangement (US 9118193 B2), from which the invention is based, can be switched from a normal operating mode to an emergency operating mode in the event of a failure of the vehicle's electrical system voltage. In this emergency mode, electrical power is drawn from a mobile phone. For this purpose, the control arrangement is equipped with a power transmission unit and a power connector to which the mobile phone can be connected to transmit electrical power. This solution is technically complex and requires significant implementation effort.

[0005] A charging station for a mobile phone, provided by a door module of a motor vehicle door, is known from DE 10 2013 002 747 A1. This ensures that any mobile phone present can always be charged wirelessly, so that in the event of a power failure, it is possible to call for help. However, this does not improve the vehicle's functionality in the event of a power failure. Wireless signal and power transmission systems are known from WO 2013 / 103943 A1, EP 2 425 516 A2, FR 2 917 112 A1 and DE 102 69 68 A1.

[0006] The invention is based on the problem of designing and further developing the known control arrangement in such a way that, in an emergency, opening the vehicle door is guaranteed in a technically simple manner.

[0007] The above problem is solved in a control arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1 by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1.

[0008] The essential consideration is that the mobile device, referred to here as a "mobile device of the first type," can receive electrical power wirelessly. This eliminates the need for any power connectors for transmitting electrical power. Furthermore, it is generally possible to use existing charging stations for mobile devices, especially mobile phones, within the vehicle interior to receive electrical power.

[0009] Specifically, it is proposed that the power transmission unit is configured for the wireless reception of electrical power from the mobile device of the first type and that the door control unit is configured to receive electrical power from the mobile device of the first type via the power transmission unit in emergency operating mode and to use the received electrical power to control the opening drive to lift the locking latch.

[0010] The door control unit can be equipped with a microcontroller that ensures a predetermined sequence for controlling the opening mechanism. However, the door control unit can also be a simple network of wires that, depending on the operating mode, allows for the reception and transmission of electrical power.

[0011] A preferred dual use of the power transmission unit is the subject of claim 2. Here, it is provided that the power transmission unit is configured not only for wirelessly receiving electrical power, but also for wirelessly delivering electrical power to the mobile device of the first type or to a mobile device of the second type. The power transmission unit can, for example, be a charging station according to claim 3, which now has the additional function of wirelessly receiving electrical power in emergency operating mode.

[0012] In the more preferred embodiment according to claim 4, the mobile device of the first type is a mobile device for the wireless delivery of electrical power, for example, a power bank. In principle, this could also be a mobile phone, provided it is configured to wirelessly deliver electrical power.

[0013] The second type of mobile device, according to claim 5, is designed for the wireless reception of electrical power. This could be a suitably equipped mobile phone.

[0014] For example, with the proposed solution, it is conceivable that the power transfer unit, in normal operating mode, serves to charge the second type of mobile device, such as a mobile phone, while in emergency operating mode it serves to receive electrical power from the first type of mobile device, such as a power bank. The advantage of the dual use of the power transfer unit is particularly evident here.

[0015] To prevent unwanted discharge of the respective mobile device via the power transfer unit, it is preferably provided according to claim 6 that user acknowledgment is necessary before discharge.

[0016] A further preferably necessary condition for the motorized opening of the vehicle lock according to claim 7 is that an electric door actuation element has been activated by the user. This ensures that the operator is not surprised by the motorized opening of the vehicle lock in emergency operating mode.

[0017] In the equally preferred embodiment according to claim 8, the power transmission unit has an additional function, namely the establishment of a wireless communication link to the mobile device. This makes it possible, in principle, to conduct an authentication dialogue, the outcome of which determines whether or not electrical power may be received from the respective mobile device.

[0018] In principle, the received electrical power can be forwarded directly to the door control unit and / or the opening drive without intermediate storage (claim 9). Alternatively, it is also conceivable that an energy storage device is provided for the intermediate storage of the received power. While the first solution is cost-effective to implement, the second solution achieves even greater operational reliability, since any fluctuations in the electrical power received from the mobile device are irrelevant due to the intermediate storage.

[0019] The preferred embodiments according to claim 11 relate to possibilities for defining the predetermined emergency, the detection of which triggers the switching of the control arrangement to emergency operating mode. In a preferred embodiment, the detection of the emergency is based on the control arrangement receiving a crash signal from a crash sensor. Alternatively, the emergency can be defined by the vehicle electrical system voltage falling below a predetermined minimum threshold.

[0020] Particularly in the event of a crash, it can be advantageous if, as proposed in claim 12, the control arrangement in emergency operating mode sends a prompt to the operator via an input / output unit to insert a mobile device into the charging station. This prompt can also be given audibly, for example, by voice output. This measure increases the likelihood that the energy available within the vehicle in the form of mobile devices can be accessed in emergency operating mode.

[0021] According to a further teaching as claimed in claim 13, which has independent significance, a motor vehicle door with a motor vehicle lock and a proposed control arrangement is claimed as such. Reference may be made to all details concerning the proposed control arrangement.

[0022] In the preferred embodiment according to claim 13, the interior trim of the motor vehicle door provides a charging station for the mobile device of the first type or for the mobile device of the second type. Reference may also be made in this respect to the explanations relating to the first-mentioned teaching.

[0023] According to a further teaching as per claim 15, which also has independent significance, a motor vehicle with at least one proposed motor vehicle door is claimed as such. Reference may be made to all descriptions of the proposed motor vehicle door and the proposed control arrangement.

[0024] According to a further teaching as claimed in claim 16, which also has independent significance, a method for controlling a motor vehicle door by means of a proposed control arrangement is claimed as such.

[0025] In the proposed procedure, the control unit, when mounted, is powered by electrical energy from a vehicle's electrical system. In emergency mode, electrical power is received from a mobile device of the first type via the power transmission unit.

[0026] Essential to the proposed teaching is that, in emergency operating mode, electrical power is wirelessly received from the mobile device of the first type via the power transmission unit, and that the door control unit uses this received electrical power to activate the opening drive and release the locking latch. The proposed method thus concerns the operating mode of the proposed control arrangement, so reference may also be made to the explanations regarding the proposed control unit in this respect.

[0027] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing illustrating an exemplary embodiment. The drawing shows Fig. 1 shows a proposed motor vehicle with a proposed control arrangement in a purely schematic representation, and Fig. 2 shows the motor vehicle door of the motor vehicle according to Fig. 1 , also in a completely schematic representation.

[0028] The proposed control arrangement 1 is assigned to a vehicle door 2 of a vehicle 3. Vehicle door 2 can be any vehicle door of the vehicle 3. Here, and preferably, vehicle door 2 is a side door, in particular a front side door, of the vehicle 3. All related statements apply accordingly to all other vehicle doors 2, in particular to the rear vehicle doors or a tailgate.

[0029] In its assembled state, the control arrangement 1 is supplied with electrical power from a motor vehicle electrical system 4, which is supplied by a vehicle battery 5.

[0030] The vehicle door 2 has a vehicle lock 6 with an electric opening drive 7 for motorized opening of the vehicle lock 6. Here, and preferably, the vehicle lock 6 is equipped with a locking mechanism 8 consisting of a latch 9 and a locking pawl 10. For motorized opening of the vehicle lock 6, the opening drive 7 is or can be coupled to the locking pawl 10, so that the locking pawl 10 can be lifted by means of the opening drive 7.

[0031] The control arrangement 1 includes a door control unit 11 for controlling the opening drive 7. The door control unit 11 is preferably equipped with a logic unit that coordinates the motorized opening of the vehicle lock 6. Alternatively, the door control unit 11 can simply provide the wiring network required to power the opening drive 7. In another alternative configuration, the door control unit 11 can be provided by a central door control system that controls the opening drives of all other vehicle doors 2 accordingly.

[0032] During normal operation, the control arrangement 1 is in a normal operating mode in which the motorized opening of the vehicle lock 6 is operator-controlled via electric door operating elements 2a, 2b.

[0033] However, as soon as the control arrangement 1 detects a predetermined emergency, it switches to an emergency operating mode. The predetermined emergency corresponds, for example, to at least a partial failure of the vehicle's electrical system. The detection of the predetermined emergency is preferably carried out by means of the door control unit 11.

[0034] Fig. 2 shows that the control arrangement 1 also has a power transmission unit 12, wherein in the emergency operating mode the reception of electrical power from a mobile device of the first type 13 via the power transmission unit 12 is provided.

[0035] It is essential that the power transmission unit 12 is configured for the wireless reception of electrical power from the mobile device of the first type 13. In this case, the wireless transmission of electrical power is achieved via inductive or capacitive coupling. Several standards for this purpose are already known, which are preferably used in the proposed solution. Examples include the Qi standard, the PMA standard, the A4WP standard, and the like.

[0036] Furthermore, it is essential that the door control unit 11 is configured to receive electrical power from the mobile device of the first type 13 via the power transmission unit 12 in emergency operating mode and to use the received electrical power to control the opening drive 7 to open the vehicle lock 6. The mobile device of the first type 13 is preferably a mobile energy storage device, in particular a power bank, as will be explained below.

[0037] The vehicle lock 6 is preferably an electric lock that can only be opened electrically, i.e., by means of the opening drive 7. In other words, the locking latch 10 can only be disengaged by means of the opening drive 7, and not via a mechanical force chain to an interior or exterior door handle. With such an electric lock, the proposed solution is of particular importance, as the functionality of the opening drive 7 must be ensured even in the event of a power failure.

[0038] An interesting feature of the illustrated and thus preferred embodiment is that the power transmission unit 12 is configured not only for receiving electrical power but also for delivering it. This means that the power transmission unit 12 is configured for charging the mobile device of the first type 13 or a mobile device of the second type 14 and for wirelessly delivering electrical power to the respective mobile device 13, 14 in normal operating mode. For this purpose, the power transmission unit 12 has a wireless transmit / receive unit 15, which serves both for receiving and delivering electrical power. If the power transmission unit 12 operates with inductive coupling, the transmit / receive unit 15 has a coil arrangement 16, which is used for both receiving and delivering electrical power.This abstract representation naturally includes the fact that electrical power is temporarily converted into magnetic power for its transmission.

[0039] In the dual use of the power transmission unit 12 described above, it is preferably the case that the power transmission unit 12 forms a charging station 17 for the mobile device of the first type 13 and / or for the mobile device of the second type 14, wherein the respective mobile device 13, 14 can be inserted into the charging station 17, preferably in a form-fitting manner. This ensures that the mobile device 13, 14 in question is located in close proximity to the power transmission unit 12 for power transmission. This takes into account the fact that the power transmission unit 12 is preferably designed for the short-range transmission of electrical power.

[0040] The mobile device of the first type 13 is preferably equipped at least for the wireless transmission of electrical power. Accordingly, the mobile device of the first type 13 is preferably a power bank or the like as mentioned above. However, it is also possible that the mobile device of the first type 13 is additionally equipped for the wireless reception of electrical power. In this respect as well, the mobile device of the first type 13 can then be a power bank. Finally, it is also conceivable that the mobile device of the first type 13 is a mobile phone that is equipped for both the wireless transmission and reception of electrical power.

[0041] The mobile device of the second type 14 is preferably equipped at least for the wireless reception of electrical power. The mobile device of the second type 14 is preferably a correspondingly equipped mobile phone.

[0042] Fig. 2 Figure 1 shows a mobile device of the first type 13, designed in the manner of a power bank. The power bank has an energy storage device 18 in the form of a battery, a charging controller 19, and a charging adapter 20, which is configured for the bidirectional transmission of electrical power. The mobile device of the second type 14 is designed here as a mobile phone, which has an energy storage device 21 in the form of a battery, a charging controller 22, and a charging adapter 23, which is also configured for the bidirectional transmission of electrical power. At a minimum, however, it is provided that the charging adapter 20 of the mobile device of the first type 13 is configured for the wireless output of electrical power and that the charging adapter 23 of the mobile device of the second type 14 is configured for the wireless reception of electrical power.

[0043] To prevent unwanted discharge of a mobile device 13, 14 located in the vicinity of the power transmission unit 12, it is preferably provided that the control arrangement 1, in emergency operating mode, requests acknowledgment from the operator via an input / output unit (not shown) and / or via the mobile device 13, 14 in question, and only after acknowledgment releases the power transmission unit 12 for the reception of electrical power. This acknowledgment function of the control arrangement 1 is preferably implemented in the door control unit 11.

[0044] According to the representation Fig. 2 It can further be seen that the control arrangement 1 has an electric door actuation element 2a, 2b, as mentioned above, whereby in emergency operating mode, the opening drive 7 can be triggered by actuating the respective electric door actuation element 2a, 2d. This means that the motorized opening of the vehicle lock 6 does not occur abruptly when switching from normal operating mode to emergency operating mode, but rather that the opening of the vehicle lock 6 is triggered, as is usual, only by actuating an electric door actuation element 2a, 2b. Depending on the configuration of the vehicle door 2, this can be a door actuation element 2a that can be actuated from inside the vehicle 3 and / or a door actuation element 2b that can be actuated from outside the vehicle 3.

[0045] The power transmission unit 12 preferably performs an additional function, namely the establishment of a wireless communication link. Accordingly, the power transmission unit 12 includes a communication unit 24 with which a communication link to the respective mobile device 14 can be established. Preferably, this is the mobile device of the second type 14, which has a corresponding communication unit 25. In the illustrated and thus preferred embodiment, the communication unit 24 of the power transmission unit 12 is configured separately from the transmit / receive unit 15. In a particularly preferred embodiment, however, the communication unit 24 is provided by the transmit / receive unit 15 itself.In a particularly preferred configuration, the transmission of electrical power and the establishment of the communication link are achieved using one and the same transmission hardware. This results in a particularly simple hardware design.

[0046] In the event that the establishment of the aforementioned communication link between mobile device 13, 14 and the power transmission unit 12 is planned, a further possibility arises to prevent unwanted discharge of the mobile device 13, 14. In this case, the reception of electrical power via the power transmission unit 12 preferably only occurs after the communication link has been established and, in particular, only after successful completion of an authentication query via the communication link. This means that the reception of electrical power by the power transmission unit 12 is only enabled after successful completion of the authentication query via the communication link.

[0047] Fig. 2 Figure 1 shows that the power transmission unit 12 forwards the received electrical power to the door control unit 11 without intermediate storage in an energy storage device. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the received electrical power is forwarded to the opening drive 7 without intermediate storage in an energy storage device.

[0048] The advantage lies in its simple implementation, as an intermediate energy storage system is not required. Furthermore, there is no energy loss associated with charging and discharging an intermediate energy storage system.

[0049] Alternatively, the power transmission unit 12 can forward the received electrical power to an intermediate energy storage device, which serves to supply the electrical power to the door control unit 11 and / or the opening drive 7. While this is more complex from a hardware perspective, it makes it possible to provide the electrical power to the door control unit 11 and / or the opening drive 7 independently of any fluctuations in the received electrical power.

[0050] Several advantageous variants are conceivable for defining the predetermined emergency upon detection of which the control arrangement 1 switches from normal operating mode to emergency operating mode. Here, and preferably, the predetermined emergency is defined by the fact that the control arrangement 1 receives a crash signal from a crash sensor 26. Fig. 2Figure 26 shows such a crash sensor, which is used in particular to detect a side impact.

[0051] Alternatively or additionally, a predetermined emergency is defined by the on-board electrical system voltage falling below a predetermined minimum threshold. Other types of predetermined emergencies are conceivable.

[0052] To ensure that, particularly in the event of a crash, all energy sources in the form of mobile devices 13, 14 located inside the vehicle are available for the motorized opening of the vehicle lock 6, the control arrangement 1, in emergency operating mode, preferably issues a prompt to the operator via an input / output unit (not shown) to insert a mobile device 13, 14 into the charging station 17. The same input / output unit that may be used for the aforementioned acknowledgment can be used here.

[0053] According to a further doctrine, which has independent significance, the motor vehicle door 3 is claimed as having a motor vehicle lock 6 and a proposed control arrangement 1. In this respect, reference may be made to all explanations concerning the control arrangement 1.

[0054] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the control arrangement 1 is configured to receive electrical power from the interior of the motor vehicle. Against this background, it is preferably the case that the charging station 17 mentioned above is formed by an interior panel 27 of the motor vehicle door 2.

[0055] According to another doctrine, which is also of independent significance, the motor vehicle 3 is claimed as such with at least one of the aforementioned motor vehicle doors 3. Reference may also be made in this respect to all explanations concerning the motor vehicle door 2 and the proposed tax arrangement 1.

[0056] In the proposed motor vehicle 3, the above-mentioned charging station 17 can be arranged at one or more vehicle doors 2. Alternatively or additionally, the charging station 17 can also be arranged at another location in the interior of the motor vehicle, in particular at a center console of the motor vehicle.

[0057] According to another doctrine, which also has independent significance, a method for controlling a proposed motor vehicle door 2 by means of a proposed control arrangement 1 is claimed as such.

[0058] According to the proposed procedure, in emergency operating mode, electrical power is wirelessly received from the mobile device of the first type 13 via the power transmission unit 12, whereby the door control unit 11 uses the received electrical power to control the opening drive 7 to open the vehicle lock 6. Reference may also be made in this respect to all descriptions of the proposed vehicle door 2 and the proposed control arrangement 1.

Claims

1. Control arrangement for a motor vehicle door (2), wherein in the assembled state the control arrangement (1) is supplied with electrical power from a motor vehicle on-board network (4), wherein the motor vehicle door (2) has a motor vehicle lock (6) with an electric opening drive (7) for the motorized opening of the motor vehicle lock (6), wherein the control arrangement (1) has a door control unit (11) for controlling the opening drive (7), wherein the control arrangement (1) changes from a normal operating mode to an emergency operating mode if the control arrangement (1) detects a predetermined emergency situation, characterized in that the control arrangement (1) has a power transmission unit (12), wherein in the emergency operating mode the reception of electrical power from a mobile device of a first type (13) via the power transmission unit (12) is provided, in that the power transmission unit (12) is set up for the wireless reception of electrical power from the mobile device of the first type (13) and in that the door control unit (11) is set up to receive electrical power from the mobile device of the first type (13) via the power transmission unit (12) in the emergency operating mode and to control the opening drive (7) to open the motor vehicle lock (6) using the received electrical power.

2. Control arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the power transmission unit (12) is set up to charge the mobile device of the first type (13) or a mobile device of a second type (14) for the wireless delivery of electrical power to the respective mobile device (13, 14) in the normal operating mode, preferably in that the power transmission unit (12) has a wireless transmitting / receiving unit (15) which is used for both the reception of electrical power and the delivery of electrical power.

3. Control arrangement according to Claim 2, characterized in that the power transmission unit (12) forms a charging station (17) for the mobile device of the first type (13) and / or for the mobile device of the second type (14) and in that the mobile device (13, 14) can be placed in the charging station (17), in particular in a form-fitting manner, and can therefore be brought into power-transmitting proximity to the power transmission unit (12).

4. Control arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mobile device of the first type (13) is set up for the wireless delivery of electrical power, preferably in that the mobile device of the first type (13) is additionally set up for the wireless reception of electrical power.

5. Control arrangement according to Claim 2 and, where applicable, Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the mobile device of the second type (14) is set up for the wireless reception of electrical power.

6. Control arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control arrangement (1) calls up a confirmation by the operator via an input / output unit and / or the mobile device (13, 14) in the emergency operating mode and only enables the reception of electrical power via the power transmission unit (12) after the confirmation.

7. Control arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control arrangement (1) has an electric door actuating element (2a, 2b) and in that in the emergency operating mode operation of the opening drive (7) is triggerable by actuation of the electric door actuating element (2a, 2b).

8. Control arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the power transmission unit (12) is set up to establish a wireless communication path to the mobile device (13, 14) and in that the power transmission unit (12) enables the reception of electrical power only after the establishment of the communication path, preferably only after successful execution of an authentication query via the communication path.

9. Control arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the power transmission unit (12) passes the received electrical power on to the door control unit (11) and / or the opening drive (7) without buffering in an energy buffer.

10. Control arrangement according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the power transmission unit (12) passes the received electrical power on to an energy buffer, which is used for the electrical supply of the door control unit (11) and / or the opening drive (7).

11. Control arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a predetermined emergency is defined by the fact that the control arrangement (1) receives a crash signal from a crash sensor (26), and / or in that a predetermined emergency is defined by the fact that the on-board network voltage falls below a predetermined minimum threshold.

12. Control arrangement according to Claim 3 and, if applicable, according to any one of Claims 4 to 11, characterized in that in the emergency operating mode the control arrangement (1) outputs an invitation to the operator via an input / output unit to insert a mobile device (13, 14) into the charging station (17).

13. Motor vehicle door with a motor vehicle lock (6) and a control arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

14. Motor vehicle door according to Claim 13, characterized in that the power transmission unit (12) forms a charging station (17) for the mobile device of the first type (13) or for a mobile device of a second type (14), in that the respective mobile device (13, 14) can be inserted into the charging station (17), in particular in a form-fitting manner, and can thus be brought into power-transmitting proximity to the power transmission unit (12), in that the motor vehicle door (2) has an inner trim (27) and in that the inner trim (27) forms the charging station (17).

15. Motor vehicle with at least one motor vehicle door (2) according to Claim 13 or 14.

16. Method for the control of a motor vehicle door (2) by means of a control arrangement (1), wherein in the assembled state the control arrangement (1) is supplied with electrical power from a motor vehicle on-board network (4), wherein the motor vehicle door (2) has an electric opening drive (7) for the motorized opening of the motor vehicle lock (6), wherein the control arrangement (1) has a door control unit (11) for controlling the opening drive (7), wherein the control arrangement (1) changes from a normal operating mode to an emergency operating mode if the control arrangement (1) detects a predetermined emergency situation, characterized in that the control arrangement (1) has a power transmission unit (12), wherein in the emergency operating mode electrical power is received from a mobile device of a first type (13) via the power transmission unit (12), in that in the emergency operating mode electrical power is received wirelessly from the mobile device of the first type (13) via the power transmission unit (12) and in that the opening drive (7) is controlled by means of the door control unit (11) to open the motor vehicle lock (6) using the received electrical power.