Motor vehicle lock having an electronic control device

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock (11) having a control device (1), wherein the control device (1) comprises a circuit board (2, 12) having a first plane (A-A, D-D) and electronic components (3, 20) which are arranged thereon and are connected to the circuit board (2, 12), and an energy store (4, 15, 16) which is connected to the circuit board (2, 12) and is arranged in a second plane (B-B, C-C) offset with respect to the first plane (A-A, D-D) and at least partially above the electronic components (3, 20).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Motor vehicle lock with an electronic control unit

[0003] The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock with an electronic control unit, wherein the control unit has a circuit board with electronic components connected to the circuit board arranged on a first level thereon and an energy storage device connected to the circuit board.

[0004] Motor vehicle locks are understood to refer to locks for a motor vehicle, which can be located in various parts of the vehicle. The motor vehicle lock, or in particular a locking mechanism of the motor vehicle lock, interacts with a locking bolt as soon as a corresponding motor vehicle door, motor vehicle hatch, motor vehicle sliding door, or the like is closed. For this purpose, the motor vehicle lock is usually located in or on the motor vehicle door in question. In contrast, the locking bolt is located on the body, for example, on a B- or C-pillar. The locking bolt, also known as a lock holder, and the motor vehicle lock together define a motor vehicle door lock.

[0005] Today's motor vehicle locks incorporate a multitude of functions, such as central locking, child safety locks, anti-theft devices, or crash protection, which either perform safety-relevant functions or increase comfort in the vehicle. These functions are usually driven, engaged, or adjusted directly or indirectly by an electric motor. To control these motor vehicle locks, the motor vehicle locks incorporate electronic control units. An electronic control unit for controlling a motor vehicle lock conventionally consists of a circuit board and electronic components and energy storage devices arranged on the circuit board. The electronic control unit is also usually located in the motor vehicle door, motor vehicle tailgate, motor vehicle sliding door, or the like.For this reason, it is necessary for the electronic control unit to be sufficiently small so that it can be installed in a space-saving manner in the vehicle door, vehicle tailgate, vehicle sliding door, or the like. In today's electronic control units for controlling the movement of a side window, a vehicle lock, or a positioning device, to name just a few examples, the required installation space results from the dimensions of the circuit board arranged in the electronic control unit, since the circuit board carries all the essential electronic components. Traditionally, the electronic components and the energy storage devices are arranged flat next to one another on the circuit board to enable the flattest and most space-saving design possible. A space-saving design is also known from EP 3 337 008 A2.The document discloses a circuit board populated on one side and arranged in a control box. The narrow design is achieved by the positioning of the electronic components. The energy storage devices are arranged flat next to the electronic components on the circuit board. The flat design enables installation in a leaf or in a frame of the active or passive leaf. The electronic control units in a motor vehicle lock known from the prior art allow installation in flat doors or frames of a motor vehicle due to their flat design. However, a flat design is associated with a wide footprint, since the electrical components are arranged next to one another and therefore require sufficient space. The footprint is understood to be the area of ​​the electronic control unit, which essentially results from the area of ​​the circuit board, based on the length and width of the circuit board.In cases where there is insufficient space in the motor vehicle for a flat yet wide electronic control unit, the electronic control units or power supplies described in the prior art reach their limits and cannot be installed. This is where the invention comes in.

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide an improved electronic control unit for controlling, in particular, a motor vehicle lock. In particular, the object of the invention is to provide an electronic control unit, in particular for controlling a motor vehicle lock, which has a reduced footprint and can therefore be installed even when only limited installation space is available. Furthermore, the object of the invention is to ensure secure storage of the electrical components.

[0007] The object of the invention is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the subclaims. It should be noted that the exemplary embodiments described below are not limiting; rather, any possible variations of the features disclosed in the description, the subclaims, and the drawings are possible.

[0008] Accordingly, the object of the invention is achieved by a motor vehicle lock with an electronic control unit, which is designed to control in particular a motor vehicle lock, a door opener, etc., wherein the control unit has a circuit board with electronic components connected to the circuit board arranged on a first level thereon and an energy storage device connected to the circuit board, and the energy storage device is arranged in a second level offset from the first level and at least partially above the electronic components.

[0009] The inventive arrangement of the electronic components and the energy storage device, also known as control electronics, ensures that the footprint of the electronic control unit or the surface area of ​​the circuit board is reduced compared to conventional electronic control units, as the electronic components and the energy storage devices are arranged one above the other. The height of the electronic control unit is only insignificantly increased by the proposed two-level structure, as energy storage devices are generally flat and have a low height. The compact design not only enables installation in door elements with only limited available space, but also makes the electronic control unit, and thus the vehicle lock, more robust and, due to the reduced size, lighter.

[0010] When reference is made to a door element within the meaning of the invention, this refers in particular to components movably arranged on the motor vehicle that are held in a secured position by a motor vehicle lock and / or can be actuated by an electric drive. This can be a side door, a hood, a sliding door, a tailgate, a cover, or a similar component on the motor vehicle. The electric drive can be used to lock, unlock, childproof, unlock, or perform a similar function in the motor vehicle lock, which is operated by an electric motor and therefore requires an electrical power supply.

[0011] Even though the invention is primarily described in relation to a control unit for a motor vehicle lock, this is not intended to be limiting. The control unit can also be used in other areas of the motor vehicle. For example, for controlling a charging plug lock.

[0012] If, in the sense of the invention, reference is made to "above" or "on top of one another", this means in particular that the two planes are not identical, do not intersect, are spaced apart from one another, spatially offset, in particular in the direction of a plane normal, and / or are arranged almost parallel to one another. This provides a two-level structure in which the two planes are arranged one above the other, in particular in layers. In the prior art, the electronic components are usually arranged next to one another on the circuit board of an electronic control unit. However, an essential point of the invention is that in the electronic control unit used according to the invention, the energy storage devices on the circuit board, also called a printed circuit board, are arranged at least partially above the electronic components.In a conventional design, the circuit board preferably has electrical conductor tracks, whereby the electrical components, such as microswitches, can be coupled to one another via the electrical conductor tracks. The footprint of the electronic control unit, which essentially results from the surface area of ​​the circuit board, can be reduced by the two-level design. The electrical components are preferably arranged on one side of the circuit board. This means that only one side of the circuit board is equipped with the electronic components. The circuit board can also be equipped with electronic components or the like on both sides.

[0013] If the energy storage device and the electronic components are arranged at least partially congruently one above the other in the first and second planes, then again an advantageous embodiment can be provided. This demonstrates a significant advantage of the invention, namely that the base area of ​​the circuit board can be just large enough for the electronic components to be arranged thereon. The energy storage device, which would conventionally take up a relatively large amount of space on the circuit board, is arranged at least partially congruently, preferably completely congruently, in a second plane above the electronic components. The energy storage device of the control device is preferably positioned such that it is arranged in a second plane in the z-direction above the electronic components. The z-direction is preferably the direction in which the longitudinal axis of the control device is oriented.The z-direction is preferably oriented perpendicular to the surface normal of the circuit board. The two-level design allows the control device to be

[0014] The footprint can be reduced. In principle, various energy storage devices can be used within the scope of the invention. However, according to a preferred embodiment, the energy storage device comprises a supercapacitor, also called an ultracapacitor or "super cap."

[0015] When arranging the energy storage device above the electronic components, it is advisable to securely mount it due to its heavy weight. In addition to the energy storage device, a possible contact unit of the electronic control unit, such as a circuit board connector, is also a relatively heavy component and requires stable mounting to prevent breakage or damage to these heavy components, especially under high acceleration or vibration.

[0016] It can be advantageous and form a variant of the invention if the electronic control unit, as part of the motor vehicle lock, has a housing and a housing cover arranged thereon, wherein the circuit board with the electronic components and the energy storage device are arranged within the housing and the energy storage device is fixed in place by the housing and / or by the housing cover. The housing, or the base of the housing, can preferably form the first level and the housing cover can preferably form the second level, so that the housing cover or the second level is arranged above the housing base or above the first level. However, it is also possible for the housing cover to be arranged above the second level and enclose the energy storage device, which is arranged in the second level. This ensures stable fixing of the heavy energy storage device.

[0017] It may also be advantageous if the housing and / or housing cover comprise plastic and / or metal. The plastic material and / or metal enable a variety of different stable fixation options for the energy storage device in the housing and / or housing cover.

[0018] It can also be advantageous and form a design variant of the invention if the housing and / or the housing cover has a recess into which the energy storage device can be inserted and which can be fixed in place by closing the housing cover. The energy storage device is preferably connected to the circuit board on a first side and fixed in place on a second side. In this design variant, the fixing is preferably carried out by positioning one side of the energy storage device on and / or in a recess in the housing and / or the housing cover so that the energy storage device is fixed in a plane parallel to the circuit board in the horizontal direction. By closing the housing with the housing cover, the energy storage device can also be fixed in place in the vertical direction.

[0019] The recess in the housing and / or the housing cover is preferably designed as a holding device, which is formed, for example, by a support contour in the housing. A projection is formed in the housing, the contour of which mimics the contour of the parts to be held. The parts to be held can then be placed positively on the projection. The holding device can also be formed, for example, by an intermediate element with a recess. The parts to be held can then be guided into or towards the recess so that they can be held by the intermediate element.

[0020] The fixed fixation can be achieved, for example, by clipping the energy storage device into the recess and / or attaching the housing cover to the housing by clipping and / or using plug-in connections. The fixation can also include screwing or gluing.

[0021] A further embodiment of the invention is achieved when the energy storage device is at least partially injection-molded into the housing. The energy storage device can be at least partially integrated into the housing and / or the housing cover. Integration is preferably carried out by embedding the energy storage device in the plastic material of the housing and / or the housing cover. This embedding can be carried out, for example, using a plastic injection-molding process. Alternatively, it is possible to coat the housing and / or the housing cover with an epoxy resin or to impregnate it in an epoxy resin and to enable embedding of the energy storage device in the epoxy resin layer. Preferably, other heavy electrical components, such as the contact unit of the electronic control unit, are embedded in this process, since these also require particularly stable fastening due to their high weight.

[0022] In a further embodiment of the invention, the energy storage device is held at least partially in an elastomeric mount. In particular, elastic mounting of the heavy energy storage device is advantageous for vibrations that occur during operation of the motor vehicle. The elastic mounting in an elastomeric plastic can elastically absorb the kinetic energy of the energy storage device. The elastic holder of the energy storage device can be arranged circumferentially around the energy storage device in some areas, so that a positive fit can ensure a secure hold. The elastomer can accommodate and hold the energy storage device in some areas, either at specific points or in several areas. Preferably, cylindrical energy storage devices are used, which are positively held and at least partially circular in the elastomeric material.

[0023] If the elastomer bearing is designed as a separate component and / or as an integral part of the housing, another advantageous embodiment of the invention can be achieved. The elastomer serving as the bearing, i.e., the elastic material, can be accommodated as a separate component in a form-fitting manner in the housing of the motor vehicle lock. This results in embodiments in which the energy storage devices can be arranged only in certain areas above the circuit board, since the elastomers in the housing form a bearing point for the energy storage devices. Of course, the bearing point can also be arranged within a recess in the circuit board, for example, so that an elastic bearing for the energy storage devices can be provided.The elastomeric material can be inserted as an independent component into the housing and in particular into the dry space of the motor vehicle lock, or it can form an integral part of the housing. Two-component injection molding processes, for example, are suitable for this purpose, in which the different materials can be manufactured in a single tool and provided as a bearing point for the energy storage devices. Preferably, two energy storage devices are used, whereby a single separate component can be used, wherein the separate component can, for example, be inserted into the housing in a form-fitting manner and, in turn, for example, provide a form-fitting receptacle for the energy storage devices. Even if two energy storage devices are preferably mentioned, it is of course also possible for just one energy storage device or more than two energy storage devices to be accommodated in the motor vehicle lock.In a further embodiment, the energy storage devices can be fixed by means of the housing cover and an elastomeric bearing. The elastomeric regions can be arranged in regions around the circumference of the energy storage device or devices, so that a form-fitting connection with respect to the energy storage devices can preferably be provided. The elastomeric regions can also be arranged diametrically, so that, for example, fixation of the energy storage device on both sides is possible. On the one hand, it is possible to directly contact the energy storage devices by means of the housing cover and to hold or fix them against the elastomeric bearing. On the other hand, it is also possible to provide an elastomeric bearing or receptacle for the energy storage devices on the housing cover, so that the energy storage devices can be held securely, for example, on at least two sides, in an elastomeric material.

[0024] The elastomeric material or the elastic mounting of the energy storage device(s) can be made of an elastomeric material, so that a preload can be created by means of the housing cover via the energy storage device in the elastomeric material. The elastomeric material can also have a ribbed structure, for example, so that the energy storage device is held in the elastomeric material at several support points or support lines. This allows the damping rate to be adjusted and, at the same time, the weight of the elastomeric damping body to be reduced to a minimum. It can also be advantageous and form a further embodiment of the invention if the energy storage devices are connected to the circuit board by means of elastic connections, at least in some areas.Connecting the energy storage devices via spring-loaded contacts, or at least partially spring-loaded contacts, allows any movements that may occur in the heavy energy storage devices to be cushioned via the electrical connections. In other words, any movements of the energy storage devices that may occur can be kept away from the circuit board. Movements of the energy storage devices are therefore not transmitted to the circuit board or printed circuit board, but are absorbed by the elastic connections. This provides elastic support for the energy storage devices, while also protecting the circuit board from stresses resulting from the movement of the energy storage devices.

[0025] Furthermore, a method according to the invention for producing an electronic control unit for controlling a motor vehicle lock is provided. In a first step, a circuit board with electronic components arranged thereon in a first plane and connected to the circuit board is arranged. In a second step, an energy storage device connected to the circuit board is arranged at least partially above the electronic components in a second plane offset from the first plane. Consequently, a circuit board is produced on which the electronic components are arranged in a first plane and the energy storage device is arranged in a second plane, partially above the electrical components.

[0026] Advantageously, in a further step, the circuit board with the electronic components and the energy storage device is inserted into a housing, with the housing at least securing the energy storage device in place. The energy storage device is clamped into the housing, for example, or the energy storage device is clipped into the housing.

[0027] Advantageously, in a further and / or alternative step, the circuit board with the electronic components and the energy storage device is overmolded with a plastic to create the housing. The energy storage device is preferably overmolded with a plastic in such a way that the energy storage device becomes an integral part of the housing and / or the housing cover and is thus fixed in place.

[0028] In a further advantageous method step, the energy storage device is arranged, at least in part, in an elastic mounting. Inserting the energy storage device into the elastic mounting can advantageously protect the sensitive component from overload. Furthermore, the elastic mounting allows the insertion of the energy storage device into the elastomer mounting to create a balance with respect to the circuit board. Advantageously, the energy storage devices are also connected to the circuit board by means of elastic contacts.

[0029] Further embodiments and advantages of the method will become apparent to the person skilled in the art in analogy to the control device described above.

[0030] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings using a preferred embodiment. However, the principle applies that the embodiment does not limit the invention, but merely represents an advantageous embodiment. The features presented can be implemented individually or in combination with other features of the description and the patent claims.

[0031] They show:

[0032] Figure 1 shows a circuit board of a control unit according to the prior art in a schematic plan view;

[0033] Figure 2 shows a housing cover of a control device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in a schematic plan view;

[0034] Figure 3 shows an electronic control unit according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in a schematic perspective view;

[0035] Figure 4 shows the electronic control unit according to Figure 3 according to the preferred embodiment of the invention in a sectional view and

[0036] Figure 5 shows a cross section through a motor vehicle lock constructed according to the invention with an elastic mounting of the energy storage devices in a section through the circuit board and the elastically mounted energy storage devices.

[0037] Fig. 1 shows a plan view of a circuit board 2 of an electronic control unit according to the prior art. On the circuit board 2, electronic components 3, energy storage devices 4, and a contact unit 8 are arranged side by side in one plane. Fig. 2 shows a plan view of a housing cover 6 of an electronic control unit 1 according to a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention. Unlike the circuit board 2 from the prior art shown in Fig. 1, the energy storage devices 4 and / or the contact unit 8 are now at least partially integrated into the housing cover 6. This means that the energy storage devices 4 and / or the contact unit 8 are connected to the housing cover 6 in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner. Furthermore, the energy storage devices 4 integrated in the housing cover 6 are arranged above the electronic components 3 (not shown here) arranged on the circuit board 2, as described further below.

[0038] The energy storage device 4 and / or the contact unit 8 can be inserted into a provided recess or opening in the housing cover 6 and / or fixed to the housing cover 6, for example, by gluing and / or screwing. Alternatively, the energy storage device 4 and / or the contact unit 8 can be at least partially integrated into a plastic material of the housing cover 6 by injection molding. For example, in a plastic injection molding process, the energy storage device 4 and / or the contact unit 8 can become integral components of the housing cover 6 injection molded from the plastic material.

[0039] Alternatively, the energy storage device 4 and / or the contact unit 8 may not be integrated in the housing cover 6, but at least partially in a housing 5, so that the energy storage device 4 and / or the contact unit 8 are positively and / or non-positively connected to the housing 5. For this purpose, for example, the energy storage device 4 and / or the contact unit 8 can be inserted into a recess or opening provided for this purpose in the housing 5 and / or fixed by means of, for example, gluing and / or screwing and / or by closing the housing 5 with the housing cover 6.

[0040] Fig. 3 shows an electronic control unit according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in a perspective view. The energy storage device 4 and the contact unit 8 are partially integrated in the housing 5, as described in detail below. The circuit board 2 is arranged in the housing 5 of the electronic control unit 1. On the circuit board 2, both the contact unit 8 and the electronic components 3 are arranged in a first plane. The energy storage devices 4 are arranged in a second plane above the first plane, i.e. above the electronic components 3, and are galvanically connected to the circuit board via electronic contacts 9. As in other conventional circuit boards, electrical conductor tracks for contacting the electronic components 3 and the energy storage device 4 are embedded in the circuit board 2; these electrical conductor tracks are not shown here.

[0041] The energy storage devices 4 are aligned with their longitudinal axes along the z-direction shown in Fig. 3. Because the energy storage devices 4 are arranged above the electronic components 3, the footprint is reduced compared to designs known from the prior art. Recesses 7 in the housing 5 represent an integrated holding device 10. Each energy storage device 4 is positively inserted into the recesses 7 with its end. For this purpose, the recess 7 is shaped according to the contour of the energy storage devices 4. The energy storage devices 4 are therefore connected at one end to the circuit board 2 via the electronic contacts 9 and fixed at the other end via the recesses 7 in the housing 5. The footprint of the electronic control unit 1 results essentially from the area of ​​the circuit board 2, which in Figure 3 is determined by the length of the circuit board 2 in the z-direction and the width of the circuit board.

[0042] 2 in the x-direction. Because the energy storage devices 4 are not arranged next to, but above, the electronic components 3 as in conventional electronic control units for motor vehicle locksmiths, as shown in Figure 1, the area of ​​the circuit board 2 or the base area of ​​the electronic control unit 1 is significantly reduced.

[0043] Since the energy storage devices 4 are arranged above the electronic components 3, the electronic control unit 1 is slightly taller than conventional electronic control units for automotive locksmiths. The height of the electronic control unit 1 extends in the y-direction in Figure 3. However, since energy storage devices 4 are generally relatively flat, the increase in height is small. Due to the reduced footprint, material can also be saved, making the electronic control unit 1 more cost-effective to manufacture.

[0044] The two-level structure is illustrated in Fig. 4. Fig. 4 shows the electronic control unit 1 from Fig. 3 in a sectional view along the section axis XX shown in Figure 3. The electronic components 3 are arranged on the circuit board 2 in a first level A. Above the electronic components

[0045] In Fig. 3, one of the energy storage devices 4 is arranged in a second plane B. Planes A and B are each spanned by a vector in the z-direction and a vector in the x-direction. The x-direction is not shown due to the two-dimensional representation in Fig. 4. However, it is clear that plane B is arranged above plane A. Consequently, it is clear that the energy storage device 4 is arranged above the electronic components 3.

[0046] The housing 5 encloses the recess 7 and thus forms the integrated holding device 10. The energy storage device 4 is inserted into the recess 7. Together with the housing cover 6, the energy storage device 4 is fixed in place by clamping the energy storage device between the recess 7 and the housing cover 6. The inventive two-level design of the electronic control unit 1 for controlling a motor vehicle lock enables a compact construction in that the footprint of the electronic control unit 1 is reduced by arranging the energy storage device 4 above the electronic components 3.

[0047] It is advantageous to fix the energy storage device 4 and / or the contact unit 8 in a fixed position by clamping, injecting, gluing, screwing, clipping or coating or impregnating with, for example, epoxy resin, so that the energy storage device 4 and / or the contact unit 8, which can each have a relatively high weight, are securely fixed and cannot break off or be damaged in any other way even under high accelerations and / or vibrations.

[0048] Figure 5 shows a section through a motor vehicle lock 11 constructed according to the invention in a cross-section through a circuit board 12, the housing 13, the housing cover 14 and the energy storage devices 15, 16. In this exemplary embodiment, the energy storage devices 15, 16 are arranged in a second plane CC and the circuit board 12 in a first plane DD. The energy storage devices 15, 16 are positively received in an elastomeric bearing 17, wherein the elastomeric bearing in this exemplary embodiment is rib-shaped. By means of the ribs 18, a linear contact can be realized between the elastomeric material 17 and the energy storage devices 15, 16. For secure storage or fixing of the energy storage devices 15, 16, the energy storage devices are fixed between the housing cover 14 and the elastomeric material 17.In this exemplary embodiment, the elastic bearing 17 is also positively received in a recess 19 of the housing 13. The exemplary embodiment thus shows the elastic bearing 1 as a separate component. The energy storage devices 15, 16 are fixed in place by pressing the housing cover 14 against the energy storage devices 15, 16 and consequently a pressing force of the energy storage devices 15, 16 against the elastic bearing 17. As can be clearly seen, the planes CC and DD are spaced from one another, with the energy storage devices only being arranged in certain areas above the circuit board 12. The electrical contacting of the energy storage devices 15, 16 and part of the circuit board 12 is not shown in this exemplary embodiment. The electrical components 20 on the circuit board 12 can be seen, with the circuit board 12 also extending below the energy storage devices 15, 16.In this embodiment, the energy storage devices 15, 16 are arranged only in regions above the circuit board 12.

[0049] Figure 5 also shows part of the mechanism 21 of the motor vehicle lock 11, wherein the mechanism 21 is arranged separated from the dry space 23 of the circuit board 12 by a partition 22. Energy storage devices 15, 16, the electrical components 20, and the circuit board 12 are located in the dry space of the motor vehicle lock 11, i.e., the mechanism 21 is arranged in a sealed manner with respect to the electrical components 20, 15, 16 and the elastic bearing 17 in the motor vehicle lock 11.

[0050] List of reference symbols

[0051] Electronic control unit

[0052] 2, 12 boards

[0053] 3, 20 electronic components

[0054] 4, 5, 16 energy storage devices

[0055] 5, 13 housing

[0056] 6, 14 Housing cover

[0057] 7, 19 recess

[0058] 8 contact unit electronic contacts

[0059] 10 Holding device

[0060] 11 Motor vehicle lock

[0061] 17 elastic bearing

[0062] 18 ribs

[0063] 21 Mechanics

[0064] 22 Partition wall

[0065] 23 Drying room

[0066] AA, DD first level

[0067] BB, CC second level

[0068] XX Cutting axis

Claims

Patent claims 1. Motor vehicle lock (11) with an electronic control unit (1, 12), wherein the control unit (1) has a circuit board (2, 12) with electronic components (3, 20) arranged on it in a first plane and connected to the circuit board and an energy storage device (4, 15, 16) connected to the circuit board (2, 12), and the energy storage device (4, 15, 16) is arranged in a second plane offset from the first plane and at least partially above the electronic components (3, 20).

2. Motor vehicle lock (11) according to the preceding claim, wherein the energy storage device (4, 15, 16) and the electronic components (3, 20) are arranged at least partially congruently one above the other in the first plane and the second plane.

3. Motor vehicle lock (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the energy storage device (4, 15, 16) comprises at least one supercapacitor.

4. Motor vehicle lock (11) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a housing (5, 13) and a housing cover (6, 14) arranged thereon, wherein the circuit board (2, 12) with the electronic components (33, 20) and the energy storage device (4) are arranged inside the housing (5, 13) and the energy storage device (4, 15, 16) is fixed in place by the housing (5, 13) and / or by the housing cover (6, 14).

5. Motor vehicle lock (11) according to the preceding claim, wherein the housing (5, 13) and / or the housing cover (6, 14) comprises plastic and / or metal.

6. Motor vehicle lock (11) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the housing (5, 13) and / or the housing cover (6, 14) has a recess (7, 19) in which the energy storage device (4, 15, 16) can be inserted and fixed in place by closing the housing cover (6, 14).

7. Motor vehicle lock (11) according to one of the preceding claims 5 or 6, wherein the energy storage device (4, 15, 16) is at least partially injected into the housing (5, 13).

8. Motor vehicle lock (11) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the energy storage device (4, 15, 16) is held at least partially in an elastic mounting (17, 18).

9. Motor vehicle lock (11) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the elastomeric bearing (17, 18) is designed as a separate component and / or as an integral part of the housing (5, 13).

10. Motor vehicle lock (11) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the energy storage devices (4, 15, 16) can be fixed by means of the housing cover (6, 14) and the elastomeric mounting (17, 18).

11. Motor vehicle lock (11) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the energy storage devices (4, 15, 16) are connected to the circuit board (2, 12) by means of at least partially elastic connections (9).

12. Method for manufacturing an electronic control unit (1) for controlling a motor vehicle lock, comprising the steps: Arranging a circuit board (2, 12) with electronic components (3, 20) arranged on it in a first plane and connected to the circuit board (2, 12), and Arranging an energy storage device (4, 15, 16) connected to the circuit board (2, 12) in a second level offset from the first level, at least partially above the electronic components (3, 20).

13. Procedure according to the preceding procedure claim, comprising the step: Inserting the circuit board (2, 12) with the electronic components (3, 20) and the energy storage device (4, 15, 16) into a housing (5, 13), wherein the housing (5, 13) at least fixes the energy storage device (4, 15, 16) in a fixed position.

14. Method according to any of the preceding method claims, comprising the step: Overmolding of the circuit board (2, 12) with the electronic components (3, 10) and the energy storage device (4, 15, 16) with a plastic to obtain the housing (5, 13).

14. Method according to any of the preceding method claims, comprising the step: Arranging an elastomeric bearing (17, 18) located at least partially around the energy storage devices (4, 15, 16).

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