CAR LOCK

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of motor vehicle locking systems and concerns a motor vehicle lock for a movable part of a vehicle, comprising a locking mechanism with at least one rotary latch and a pawl for blocking the rotary latch in at least one locking position, and an opening drive for electromechanical unlocking. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for unlocking under load and a motor vehicle with a motor vehicle lock for a movable part according to the invention.

[0002] For convenience, vehicle locks are increasingly being equipped with electronics these days, allowing the locks to be operated purely electronically. Vehicle locks with electric opening must be able to be opened even under increased forces, such as those typically encountered after accidents or when objects become trapped when the door is closed. Furthermore, it must be possible to open the lock if the vehicle's electrical system fails, for example, after an accident. The opening drive for normal lock opening consists of a motor and a gear acting on the pawl, and must usually be able to open very quickly to ensure a high-quality feel when the door is opened.

[0003] A problem with conventional vehicle locks is that they cannot be opened if the vehicle electrical system fails.

[0004] There is therefore a need for a motor vehicle lock, in particular an electrically operated motor vehicle lock, to provide electrical redundancy in order to maintain comfort as far as possible while ensuring security.

[0005] A motor vehicle lock with a locking auxiliary motor is known from DE 10 2014 016787 A1.

[0006] The object of the invention is to at least partially remedy the above-mentioned disadvantages known from the prior art. In particular, the object of the present invention is to reliably unlock the motor vehicle lock under load. Furthermore, the object of the invention is to provide a structurally simple and cost-effective solution for improving the motor vehicle lock. The above object is achieved by a motor vehicle lock having the features of claim 1 and a method having the features of the independent method claim.

[0007] Further features, details, advantageous developments and improvements of the invention emerge from the dependent claims, the description and the drawings. The features described in the patent claims, the description, the drawings and the dependent claims can be combined or varied with one another in any technologically expedient way and show further embodiments of the invention. It is pointed out that the exemplary embodiments described below are not restrictive for explaining the invention. Features and details that have been described in connection with the motor vehicle lock according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the method according to the invention and / or the motor vehicle according to the invention and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention, reference is and can always be made reciprocal.

[0008] According to the invention, the motor vehicle lock for a movable part of a vehicle has a locking mechanism with at least one rotary latch and at least one pawl for blocking the rotary latch in at least one detent position, as well as an opening drive. The motor vehicle lock further comprises at least one motor and at least one gear for electromechanically unlocking the locking mechanism. Furthermore, a load-opening drive is provided, which is intended for electromechanically unlocking the locking mechanism in a load case, wherein the load-opening drive can be activated by a user at least from outside the vehicle. Operation from the interior of the vehicle is also conceivable. In particular, the invention relates to an electrically operated motor vehicle lock. This means, in particular, that the motor vehicle lock is electrically actuated and / or electrically driven.This can be understood to mean motor vehicle locks which have at least one drive motor for actuating the locking mechanism. Such locks can be operated electronically, electromechanically and / or mechanically. In this case, purely electrical operation of the motor vehicle lock can be activated, for example, using an ID transmitter carried by the user. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the motor vehicle lock is mechanically subjected to a force via a handle, for example in the form of an outside door handle, so that the locking mechanism can be unlocked. According to the invention, an opening drive is provided which can lift the locking mechanism, in particular the at least one pawl, out of the locked position in which the rotary latch is blocked. For this purpose, it is conceivable, for example, for the opening drive to act on a release lever, a release wheel or a motor-driven cable pull.Furthermore, within the scope of the invention, it is conceivable for the opening drive to act directly on the at least one pawl. For this purpose, the opening drive comprises a motor with at least one gear, which can transmit a force to the locking mechanism so that it can be unlocked and / or locked.

[0009] According to the invention, a load-opening drive is also provided, which can be activated by a user from outside the vehicle, wherein the load-opening drive enables unlocking and / or locking of the locking mechanism. Within the scope of the invention, a load case should include, for example, an emergency, i.e., a vehicle accident or a jamming of the motor vehicle door. Accordingly, the load case covers application situations in which a higher load acts on the locking mechanism, making unlocking the locking mechanism more difficult or impossible with the conventional opening drive.

[0010] The load-opening drive according to the invention enables access to the vehicle by unlocking the vehicle lock, even when increased forces are required to unlock the locking mechanism, which typically occurs after accidents or when objects become trapped when closing the door. Accordingly, a load-opening drive according to the invention enables the lock to be opened / unlocked whenever increased force or an increased opening torque is required.

[0011] When referring to a motor vehicle lock for a movable part of a motor vehicle within the scope of the invention, this should be understood to include at least side door locks, wing door locks, swing door locks, rear door locks, tailgate locks, and hood locks or bonnet locks. These all fall under the generic term "motor vehicle lock."

[0012] Motor vehicle locks can have multiple locking positions. For example, a motor vehicle lock according to the invention can have at least one pre-locking position and one main locking position, as well as an open / unlocked position. Furthermore, generic motor vehicle locks can have at least one lock housing, a lock cover, and a lock case (hereinafter referred to as the lock housing), with the locking mechanism thus essentially being enclosed / locked by the lock housing.

[0013] Within the scope of the invention, at least one energy source is provided, wherein the energy source is designed as a battery or supercapacitor and serves to supply energy to the load opening drive. It is particularly preferred if the energy source, in the form of a battery or a supercapacitor, is kept constantly or at least temporarily charged during normal operation of the motor vehicle. This ensures that sufficient energy can be made available in the event of a load to supply the load opening drive with electrical energy. Supercapacitors, also called ultracapacitors, are electrochemical capacitors and have a higher power density than commercially available rechargeable batteries, so they can be charged much faster.

[0014] According to the invention, a switching means, in particular a mechanical circuit breaker, is provided for activating the load opening drive, wherein the switching means can be arranged at a location on the movable part that is accessible to the user outside the vehicle. The switching means according to the invention, which is designed in particular as a mechanical circuit breaker, thus enables a user to actuate at least the load opening drive from outside the vehicle in a load case. Thus, for example, in the event of a vehicle becoming trapped or after an accident involving the motor vehicle, a user can unlock the door from outside, thus enabling access to the vehicle interior. In particular, in conjunction with the energy source according to the invention, access to the vehicle can thus be enabled after a failure of the vehicle's electrical system / power supply.The energy source can provide the required electrical energy for the load opening drive as soon as a user activates the switching device after a detected load case.

[0015] It is conceivable that the switching means is arranged on a handle or in the region of a handle of the movable part of the motor vehicle. It is also conceivable that the circuit breaker / switching means is integrated into the handle. The handle can, for example, be designed in the form of an outside door handle, so that a user outside the vehicle can operate the outside door handle and thus trigger the switching means, which leads to the activation of the load opening drive. This can provide intuitive activation of the load opening drive, particularly after a vehicle accident. For the user, therefore, nothing changes in terms of handling when operating the motor vehicle lock compared to a conventional actuation system for a motor vehicle lock.If an accident or entrapment situation is detected and a user outside the vehicle operates the switching device, the load opening drive can be activated, allowing the locking mechanism to be electromechanically unlocked. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the switching device, in particular the mechanical circuit breaker, is arranged in an area on the movable part or at another location on the vehicle body that is accessible to a user outside the vehicle. This could be, for example, in the area of ​​the A, B, or C pillar.

[0016] Within the scope of the invention, the load-operated opening drive can comprise a load-operated opening gear, wherein the gear ratio of the load-operated opening gear is greater than the gear ratio of the opening drive. This means that the motor vehicle lock according to the invention has a second gear in addition to the gear ratio of the opening drive, wherein this load-operated opening gear is designed for opening under high loads. According to the invention, the load-operated opening drive can have a separate load-operated opening motor. The load-operated opening motor interacts with the load-operated opening gear, wherein the load-operated opening gear has a greater gear ratio than the gear ratio of the opening drive. An opening drive usually has a gear ratio that aims for rapid opening in order to ensure a high-quality feel when opening the door.However, this implies that sufficient forces cannot be achieved to enable opening under high loads, for example, in the event of a pinch or after an accident. The load-actuated opening drive provided by the invention can thus open the lock even when very high loads act on the locking mechanism.

[0017] It may be advantageous if the load-opening drive, in particular the load-opening gear, is operatively connected to the motor of the opening drive, so that the load-opening gear can be driven by the motor of the opening drive. Accordingly, only one motor is required for "normal opening" and opening under load. The load-opening drive is arranged in the motor vehicle lock in such a way that it is operatively connected to the motor of the opening drive.

[0018] This means that the motor's output shaft is connected to the opening drive and the load opening drive, specifically to the load opening gear of the load opening drive. This mechanical connection enables the opening drive to apply a force or torque to the load opening gear, allowing the motor to unlock the locking mechanism even under high loads with the load opening gear connected between them. Using only one opening motor reduces installation space and component costs.

[0019] Furthermore, it can be advantageous that the gear of the opening drive or the load opening gear can be driven depending on the direction of rotation of the opening drive motor. This development thus makes it possible, depending on the direction of rotation of the opening drive motor, to drive either the gear of the opening drive, which has a low gear ratio, or, if the motor or the motor's output shaft rotates in the opposite direction, to drive the gear of the load opening gear with a higher gear ratio, so that the locking mechanism can be unlocked under high loads. This enables a simple design of the motor vehicle lock, since both "normal" opening and opening under greater load are possible simply by supplying power to or controlling the opening drive motor. This saves installation space in the motor vehicle lock.

[0020] Within the scope of the invention, the load opening drive can have a separate load opening motor for driving the load opening gear, wherein the load opening motor is connected to the energy source and can thus be supplied with electrical energy. Accordingly, using the electrical energy from the energy source, the load opening motor can drive the load opening gear and unlock the locking mechanism even under high loads. This separate motor for the load opening drive is optimized according to the invention so that it can be operated with low electrical power and at the same time provides sufficient power to open the locking mechanism under load. This is achieved in particular by means of the load opening gear and, for example, the motor winding of the load opening motor.By selecting the appropriate gear ratio of the load-opening gear and the motor winding of the load-opening motor, high forces can be achieved even at low electrical power levels. This allows the electrical power supply, i.e., the electrical power source, to be designed cost-effectively.

[0021] According to the invention, the load opening drive is signal-connected to a control unit, wherein the control unit interacts with a detection unit so that the load opening drive can be activated in the event of a collision or pinching being detected. For this purpose, the control unit is advantageously designed according to the invention with a circuit / switch which only allows activation of the load opening drive in the event of a collision. The switch in the control unit is advantageously permanently open so that emergency opening is prevented during normal operation. Only when a load case is detected, for example an accident or pinching of the moving part, does the control unit close the switch contained therein. This occurs immediately after the detection unit detects a load case, for example an accident or pinching, before the vehicle electrical system fails, for example as a result of the battery being torn off.By operating the switching device from outside the vehicle, the door can now be opened from the outside, whereby the necessary electrical energy is taken from the energy source.

[0022] If an object gets caught while closing the door, a greater force is exerted on the lock, which can cause the opening drive to fail for normal opening. If this is detected by the detection unit, the switch contained in the control unit closes, allowing the operator to open the door from outside the vehicle using the switch.

[0023] A control unit for carrying out a process of personal protection equipment for a vehicle (e.g. an airbag control unit) or a door-related or lock-related control unit with an interface to a control unit of the personal protection equipment or, for example, an environment sensor, has proven to be advantageous as a control unit, since it is real-time capable and its design meets the highest demands, e.g. in terms of robustness, availability, etc. It is also conceivable that

[0024] For this purpose, the control unit can have at least one computing unit for processing signals or data, at least one memory unit for storing signals or data, at least one interface to a sensor, a detection unit, or an actuator for reading sensor signals from the sensor or for outputting data or control signals to the actuator, and / or at least one communication interface for reading or outputting data embedded in a communication protocol. The computing unit can be, for example, a signal processor, a microcontroller, or the like, wherein the memory unit can be a flash memory, an EEPROM, or a magnetic storage unit.The communication interface can be designed to read in or output data wirelessly and / or via a wired connection, wherein a communication interface that can read in or output wired data can read this data, for example, electrically or optically from a corresponding data transmission line or output it to a corresponding data transmission line.

[0025] For this purpose, at least one sensor signal is advantageously received from at least one detection unit, e.g. an environmental sensor or an airbag control system of the vehicle. An environmental sensor is a sensor system / sensor that incorporates environmental information, such as information from radar and / or lidar systems, as well as driving dynamics information in order to achieve optimal protection for the occupant in the event of a collision. Depending on the function, optimal means that a very fast reaction time for triggering / activating safety systems is enabled. In this case, an environmental sensor is also understood to mean one or more sensors that detect physical effects in the environment or on the vehicle itself. This also includes video and / or ultrasonic sensors. These systems are also known in the art as pre-crash systems.

[0026] If an environmental sensor now indicates that a collision is imminent or that a collision has already occurred, the control unit according to the invention can be activated in response to the received sensor signal.

[0027] Furthermore, it is conceivable that, in addition to an environment sensor, at least one crash sensor of the vehicle provides the sensor signal or an additional sensor signal to the environment sensor. Accordingly, the crash sensor can detect an already initiated or completed crash / collision and provide additional sensor signals for controlling the closing module.

[0028] The environment sensor and / or the crash sensor can be located in the host vehicle or another vehicle involved in a collision. Accordingly, according to the invention, different vehicles involved in the collision can communicate with each other, enabling redundant signal processing of the signals from the environment sensors or crash sensors. This ensures that the load opening drive does not malfunction.

[0029] It is also advantageous if the environment sensor provides collision information for a possible collision of the vehicle. The environment sensor can therefore provide a collision forecast and activate the control unit before a collision between the vehicle and another vehicle or the surroundings occurs, thus releasing the load opening drive. Such a collision forecast makes it possible to release the load opening drive before a force is exerted as a result of a collision, so that only the switching device from outside the vehicle needs to be actuated for the load opening drive to unlock the locking mechanism. This means that a force acting on the vehicle lock as a result of an accident can have less of a negative impact on the functions of the vehicle lock. The collision information provided by the environment sensor can be adjusted depending on the vehicle speed orVehicle acceleration and the detected distances to another vehicle or the surrounding area that could be considered a potential collision hazard. Accordingly, the collision information can also consist of vehicle dynamics information, radar, lidar, ultrasonic, or video sensors. Based on the collision information, a collision prediction can be created. The collision prediction can also be configured in such a way that activation is omitted if it is predicted that a collision will not be sufficiently severe to impact the locking mechanism / locking device. This can reduce the risk of malfunctions or false triggering / misuse.

[0030] The control unit according to the invention, which is in signal communication with a detection unit, and the switching means according to the invention, which is accessible at least from outside the vehicle, thus provide a motor vehicle lock whose load opening drive can only be activated when a load case is detected and the switching means is actuated by a user. This significantly increases the security and convenience of the motor vehicle lock.

[0031] According to a further aspect of the invention, a load opening method for electromechanically unlocking an electrically operated motor vehicle lock is claimed. The electrically operated motor vehicle lock is preferably designed according to the claimed motor vehicle lock. The method according to the invention comprises at least the following steps: Detection of a load case, in particular a vehicle collision or a trapping case by a detection unit, actuation of a switching means by a user of the motor vehicle, control of the load opening drive by the control unit and thus unlocking of the locking mechanism by the load opening drive, whereby the movable part can be opened.

[0032] The procedural steps, processes, and procedures described here are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their execution in the specific order discussed or illustrated, unless this is specified as a sequence of executions. The procedural steps may occur, at least in part, simultaneously or sequentially, although the sequence of the procedural steps is not limited to the sequence defined by the list, so that individual steps may be performed in different orders.

[0033] The load opening method according to the invention provides all the advantages that have already been explained in connection with the motor vehicle lock according to the invention.

[0034] According to a further aspect of the invention, a motor vehicle having at least one movable part, in particular a door, sliding door, hatch, tailgate, or hood, is claimed. A motor vehicle lock, as claimed and as may be configured within the scope of the invention, is assigned to the movable part. Furthermore, at least one switching means is arranged on the movable part, wherein the switching means can be actuated from outside the motor vehicle, such that the motor vehicle lock can release the movable part when a user actuates the switching means and a load case has been detected, in particular by the detection unit.

[0035] Additionally, it should be noted that "comprising" and "having" do not exclude other elements or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Furthermore, it should be noted that features or steps described with reference to one of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims are not to be regarded as limitations.

[0036] If an embodiment includes an "and / or" link between a first feature and a second feature, this should be read as meaning that the embodiment according to one embodiment has both the first feature and the second feature and according to another embodiment has either only the first feature or only the second feature.

[0037] Further measures improving the invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments of the invention, which are schematically illustrated in the figures. It should be noted that the figures are merely descriptive and are not intended to limit the invention in any way. Thus, embodiments are also to be considered encompassed and disclosed by the invention that are not explicitly shown or explained in the figures, but which emerge and can be produced through separate combinations of features from the explained embodiments. In In the figures, the same reference symbols denote the same or functionally identical components, unless otherwise stated.

[0038] They show: Fig. 1 schematically shows a possible embodiment of a motor vehicle lock according to the invention, Fig. 2 a more detailed view of the Fig. 1shown embodiment and Fig. 3 a possible embodiment of a motor vehicle according to the invention.

[0039] The Fig. 1 shows a possible embodiment of the motor vehicle lock 10 according to the invention as well as a possible switching means 42, a control unit 15 and a detection unit 60. The motor vehicle lock 10 is shown schematically in the Figure 1and comprises an opening drive 30, a locking mechanism 20, a load opening drive 40, and an energy source 41. The opening drive 30 is operatively connected to the locking mechanism 20, such that the opening drive 30 can apply a force or a moment to the locking mechanism 20, so that it can be unlocked or locked. The locking mechanism 20 is also operatively connected to the load opening drive 40. This is also designed at least in such a way that the locking mechanism 20 can be locked and / or unlocked. The energy source 41 is connected in terms of energy to the opening drive 30 and the load opening drive 40, such that the energy source 41 can supply the load opening drive 40 and / or the opening drive 30 with electrical energy.

[0040] The energy source 41 can be charged via the control unit 50, which is advantageously connected to the power supply of the motor vehicle, so that it is charged during normal operation. Accordingly, during normal operation of the motor vehicle, i.e., when no entrapment or accident has been detected, the energy source 41 can be charged or maintained in the charged state.

[0041] The control unit 50 has a switch which, as shown in the Figure 1shown, is open during regular operation, so that the load opening drive 40 is normally deactivated. The control unit 50 is signal-connected to the detection unit 60. This means that if the detection unit 60 detects an accident and / or entrapment, the switch of the control unit 50 is closed. The control unit 50 is also signal-connected to the switching means 42. The switching means 42 is also not actuated during normal operation and is therefore in an open state, so that the switch is only closed after the switching means 42 is actuated by a user, in particular from outside the vehicle. As can be seen in the figure, the switching means 42, the energy source 41 and the load opening drive 40 are connected in series.Accordingly, the load opening drive 40 can only be activated when the control unit 50 receives a signal from the detection unit 60 indicating that a load condition exists, so that the switch of the control unit 50 is closed. The load opening drive is only activated when the switch of the switching device 42 is also actuated and a user of the vehicle executes an opening request. This means that the load opening drive 40 can only unlock the locking mechanism 20 when the switches of the control unit 50 and the switching device 42 are actuated. This prevents misuse of the load opening drive 40.

[0042] The switching means 42 is preferably designed as a mechanical circuit breaker. Thus, unlike a touch or proximity sensor, it can directly connect the energy source 41 to the load opening drive 40 even in the event of a failure of the on-board power supply. The electrical switching means arranged on the outer surface of the movable part is accordingly suitable for directly switching the current required to open the load.

[0043] The Figure 2 shows the embodiment from Figure 1 in detailed form. Accordingly, the Figure 2It can be seen that the locking mechanism 20 has a rotary latch 21 and a pawl 22. The opening drive 30 has a motor 31 and a gear 32, wherein the gear 32 has a gear ratio i 1. The opening drive 30 is accordingly operatively connected to the locking mechanism 20, so that the opening drive, in particular the gear 32 of the opening drive 30, acts on the pawl 22 of the locking mechanism 20, so that the pawl 22 can be lifted out of the locking position and releases the rotary latch 21. It is also conceivable that the opening drive can be actuated for locking, so that the pawl 22 can be pivoted into the locking position. The load opening drive 40 is also operatively connected to the locking mechanism 20, in particular the pawl 22. The load opening drive 40 has a load opening motor 44 and a load opening gear 43, wherein the load opening gear 43 has a gear ratio i 2.According to the invention, it is now provided that the transmission ratio i 1 of the opening drive 30, and thus of the gear 32, is smaller than the transmission ratio i 2 of the load opening gear 43. This makes it possible for greater forces to be exerted on the locking mechanism 20, in particular the pawl 22, via the load opening drive 40 due to the larger transmission ratio of the load opening gear 43, so that in the case of a load, greater forces can be made available for unlocking.

[0044] The load opening drive 40 and the opening drive 30 are connected to the energy source 41 so that electrical energy can be transmitted from the energy source 41 to both the load opening drive 40 and the opening drive 30.

[0045] In Figure 3A possible embodiment of a motor vehicle 100 according to the invention is shown. The motor vehicle 100 has, for example, movable parts 110, wherein a front hood 110 and a side door 110 of the motor vehicle are shown. A motor vehicle lock 10 is each assigned to the movable parts. The motor vehicle 100 furthermore has a detection unit 60 and a control unit 50, wherein the control unit 50 is in signal communication with the detection unit 60. Furthermore, the control unit 50 is signal-connected to the motor vehicle lock 10 and the switching means 42. List of reference symbols

[0046] 10Motor vehicle lock 20Locking mechanism 21Rotary latch 22Pawl 30Opening drive 31Motor 32Gearbox 40Load opening drive 41Energy source 42Switching device 43Load opening gearbox 44Load opening motor 50Control unit 60Recognition unit 100Motor vehicle 110Moving part i 1 Gear ratio 30 i 2 Gear ratio of load opening gear 43

Claims

1. Motor vehicle latch (10), in particular an electrically operated motor vehicle latch, for a movable part (110) of a vehicle (100), comprising a locking mechanism (20) having at least one catch (21) and at least one pawl (22) for locking the catch (21) in at least one ratchet position (I), an opening drive (30) comprising at least one motor (31) and at least one gear (32) for electromechanically unlocking the locking mechanism (20), further comprising a load opening drive (40) for electromechanically unlocking the locking mechanism (20) in a load case, wherein the load opening drive (40) can be activated by a user from at least outside the vehicle (100), wherein at least one energy source (41), in the form of a battery or a supercapacitor, is provided for supplying energy to the load opening drive (40), wherein a switching means (42) for activating the load opening drive (40) is provided, wherein the switching means (42) can be arranged at a location on the movable part (110) that is accessible to the user outside the vehicle (100), wherein the load opening drive (40) is signal-connected to a control unit (50) and the control unit (50) interacts with a detection unit (60) so that the load opening drive (40) can be activated in the event of a load detection by the detection unit (60), wherein the switching means (42), the energy source (41) and the load opening drive (40) are connected in series so that the load opening drive (40) can be activated only when the control unit (50) receives a signal from the detection unit (60) that a load case exists, so that a switch of the control unit (50) is closed, wherein the load opening drive (40) is activated only when the switch of the switching means (42) is also operated and an opening request from a user of the vehicle is implemented.

2. Motor vehicle latch (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a mechanical circuit breaker is provided for activating the load opening drive (40), wherein the switching means (42) can be arranged at a location on the movable part (110) that is accessible to the user outside the vehicle (100).

3. Motor vehicle latch (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the load opening drive (40) comprises a load opening gear (43), wherein the transmission ratio (i2) of the load opening gear (43) is greater than the transmission ratio (i1) of the gear (32) of the opening drive (30).

4. Motor vehicle latch (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the load opening drive (40) is operatively connected to the motor (31) of the opening drive (30), so that the load opening gear (43) can be driven by the motor (31).

5. Motor vehicle latch (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gear (32) of the opening drive (30) or the load opening gear (43) can be driven according to the direction of rotation of the motor (31).

6. Motor vehicle latch (10) according to any of the preceding claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the load opening drive (40) has a separate load opening motor (44) for driving the load opening gear (43), wherein the load opening motor (44) is connected to the energy source (41) and can thereby be supplied with electrical energy.

7. Load opening method for electromechanically unlocking an electrically operated motor vehicle latch (10) having the features of any of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of: - detection of a load case, in particular a vehicle collision, by a detection unit (60), - operation of a switching means (42) by a user of the vehicle (100), - control of the load opening drive (40) by the control unit (50), - unlocking of the locking mechanism (20) by the load opening drive (40), as a result of which the movable part (110) can be opened.