Motor vehicle locking device

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle locking device, in particular a motor vehicle lock and preferably a motor vehicle door lock. The motor vehicle locking device has a locking mechanism (1, 2) which consists substantially of a rotary latch (1) and a pawl (2). Furthermore, an electric motor drive (4, 5, 6, 7) is provided for opening the locking mechanism (1, 2). Moreover, an emergency opening device (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14) is provided for opening the lock (1, 2) in the event of an emergency manually and / or using a motor. The emergency opening device (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14) is equipped with at least one electronic control unit (14) for evaluating at least one emergency opening signal. According to the invention, the control unit (14) of the emergency opening device (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14) is designed as an application-specific integrated circuit (14) or ASIC.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Motor vehicle locking device

[0003] The invention relates to a motor vehicle locking device, in particular a motor vehicle lock and preferably a motor vehicle door lock, with a locking mechanism consisting essentially of a rotary latch and a pawl, furthermore with an electric motor drive for opening the locking mechanism, and with an emergency opening device for manual and / or motor-driven emergency opening of the locking mechanism, wherein the emergency opening device is equipped with at least one electronic control unit for evaluating at least one emergency opening signal.

[0004] For convenience, motor vehicle locking systems, and especially motor vehicle locks, usually feature a so-called servo-actuated opening. This is achieved using an electric motor drive, which opens the locking mechanism. To this end, the electric motor drive acts directly or indirectly on the pawl, which is part of the locking mechanism, and lifts it from its locking engagement with the rotary latch. As a result, the rotary latch can open with spring assistance and release a previously trapped locking bolt.

[0005] The fundamental problem with such servo locks is that if the vehicle electrical system voltage is too low or if the vehicle electrical system voltage or the electric motor drive fails, the locking mechanism can no longer be opened in this way. Emergency opening devices are provided for this purpose. One such emergency opening device is described in the generic prior art according to WO 2019 / 076402 A1. In fact, an actuating lever chain is implemented at this point, which is directly or indirectly blocked during normal operation and released for emergency opening. For this purpose, an actuating element is implemented, which is equipped with an electric motor and an output element. The electric motor is activated depending on signals from a sensor, in particular a crash sensor.

[0006] The actuator interacts directly with a lever on the actuating lever chain. Furthermore, the actuator is located near an external actuating lever as part of an external actuating lever chain. This allows the actuating lever chain or external actuating lever chain to be released for emergency opening as needed using the actuator, depending on the crash sensor signals. This has proven to be a fundamentally effective solution.

[0007] However, improvements are possible here. The crash sensor signals are evaluated using a control unit, which in turn is powered by the vehicle's electrical system. This means that any problems with the vehicle's electrical system supply can also lead to the emergency opening not being carried out or no longer being carried out properly. In addition, the known control unit is integrated into the entire control architecture of the associated motor vehicle. This means that any software errors, indifferent functional states, etc., in conjunction with a low vehicle's electrical system voltage, can lead to the emergency opening failing, even though it would be possible in principle. This is unacceptable, particularly in the event of a crash or in the event of a failure or too low vehicle's electrical system voltage, especially since this also reduces overall comfort. In summary, the invention aims to remedy this situation.

[0008] The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a motor vehicle locking device in such a way that particularly functional and, as far as possible, autonomous operation of the emergency opening device is provided. To solve this technical problem, the invention proposes that the control unit of the emergency opening device be designed as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) for a motor vehicle locking device of this type.

[0009] In contrast to the generic prior art according to WO 2019 / 076402 A1, the invention relies on a specific control unit for the emergency opening device, namely an application-specific integrated circuit. This is an integrated circuit whose function can no longer be changed after production. This means that subsequent reprogramming or reprogramming is expressly not possible. Rather, the application-specific integrated circuit in question is manufactured according to customer requirements and delivered in this form. The customer requirements can include, for example, requirements such as which additional signals to be evaluated by the application-specific integrated circuit are used for the emergency opening, which signal thresholds must be observed, etc.

[0010] Indeed, according to the invention, the application-specific integrated circuit is advantageously equipped with at least one sensor. This sensor can be a sensor integrated into the circuit. For example, the sensor may be designed as a touch sensor, which consequently initiates the emergency opening. Of course, it is also conceivable to use other sensors in this context, for example, a motion sensor, a switch, etc. instead of the touch sensor. Furthermore, different response thresholds can be defined for the touch sensor.

[0011] Adaptation to the desired sensor, its response threshold, etc., is now customer-specific and based on customer requirements. This means that it can be individually specified for each motor vehicle locking system and, thanks to the application-specific integrated circuit used in the invention, cannot be changed after installation and production. This means, for example, that any activation thresholds for the touch sensor during emergency opening are predetermined once and for all and cannot be subsequently changed.

[0012] By relying on the application-specific integrated circuit (AS IC) used according to the invention, low manufacturing costs are observed for the circuit in question, and, as described, modifications are no longer possible after installation. In particular, the application-specific integrated circuit, as the control unit of the emergency opening device, is designed to be virtually autonomous from the rest of the motor vehicle's network structure and the software used there, as well as from an additional control unit or an additionally implemented vehicle-side control unit. Due to this autonomous nature, the emergency opening device according to the invention is ultimately separated from the rest of the motor vehicle in terms of its functionality.As a result, the application-specific integrated circuit serving as the control unit of the emergency opening device can, for example, be supplied with a lower voltage than the vehicle's electrical system. This means that the application-specific circuit advantageously has its own power supply. This own power supply can be an energy storage device.

[0013] The energy storage device is advantageously designed as a battery, although other energy storage devices such as capacitors, in particular high-performance capacitors, can also be used in this case. As a result of this and by relying on its own power supply, the functionality of the emergency opening device according to the invention is not affected by, for example, the on-board electrical system of the associated motor vehicle having too low a voltage or no voltage at all. Rather, the emergency opening device according to the invention, in conjunction with the application-specific integrated circuit and its own power supply, is able to ensure flawless emergency opening even in such a case. This is where the key advantages lie.

[0014] Application-specific integrated circuits are already used in the automotive sector and also in connection with motor vehicle locks in the prior art, as KR 101233817 B1 and KR 101307916 B1 make clear. However, this does not concern an opening process or an emergency opening process. The same applies to DE 10 2013 004 178 A1, which describes a locking system in a motor vehicle. An integrated circuit such as an ASIC is used for authentication and the implementation of an electronic key. This has nothing to do with emergency opening and the emergency opening device specifically modified according to the invention.

[0015] According to a further advantageous embodiment, at least one vehicle-mounted control unit is additionally provided. Furthermore, the application-specific integrated circuit has at least one sensor, which can be integrated into the circuit. Furthermore, a relay is usually provided downstream of the application-specific integrated circuit. The relay can be used to control a motor for emergency opening. This means that a low voltage and low energy from the emergency opening device are sufficient to activate the relay, which in turn activates the motor for emergency opening.

[0016] In principle, the control unit of the emergency opening device, in the form of the application-specific integrated circuit used according to the invention, can also be connected to the vehicle's electrical system as an alternative or in addition to its own power supply. For example, it is conceivable that the emergency opening device's own power supply draws on an energy storage device designed as a rechargeable battery. This rechargeable battery, in turn, can be regularly charged using the vehicle's electrical system.

[0017] As a rule, however, the emergency opening device is equipped with its own power supply and, at this point, advantageously with its own separate battery in order to ensure the functionality of the emergency opening device in any case - independent of the vehicle's electrical system.

[0018] Furthermore, the sensor associated with the application-specific integrated circuit opens up the possibility of operating vehicle doors without handles, or so-called handleless doors. In this case, the emergency opening device can ensure, for example, that a recessed handle is extended, an additional hook for grasping the doors becomes visible, etc.

[0019] In addition, the application-specific circuit can also be equipped with its own fault diagnostics. In connection with this fault diagnostics, it is conceivable that the emergency opening device sends a corresponding signal to the higher-level vehicle control unit when an error occurs. The signal in question can be a pulsed signal, for example, a PWM signal (pulse-width modulated signal). This can then allow the vehicle control unit to display an error message on a display, indicating that the emergency opening device is malfunctioning or has a fault itself.

[0020] Finally, the emergency opening device according to the invention is advantageously equipped with a transmitting / receiving unit. This transmitting / receiving unit, like the sensor, can be embedded in the application-specific integrated circuit or be a component thereof. Using the transmitting / receiving unit, a supplementary authentication check can be performed. Using this authentication check, in the sense of a "key exchange," it is possible and conceivable for an operator to additionally verify their authorization to the emergency opening device.

[0021] This typically involves data exchange between an operator-side key and the transmitter / receiver unit in question, which, according to the invention, is embedded or integrated into the application-specific integrated circuit. During this data exchange, an authorization check of the key and thus of the operator is performed. This ensures that only an authorized operator can actually trigger the emergency opening device and ensure the desired emergency opening of the associated vehicle door.

[0022] The emergency opening device according to the invention can generally be designed as a module, i.e., as an independent functional unit that is assigned to the associated motor vehicle locking device independently of the latter. The modular nature of the emergency opening device realized according to the invention can be further emphasized and enhanced by the fact that the application-specific integrated circuit, including the sensor and transmitter / receiver unit, defines an installation module. This installation module can generally operate without its own circuit board. However, an additional circuit board is also possible.In any case, the application-specific integrated circuit, including the energy storage device and optional additional elements such as a sensor and transmitter / receiver unit, can generally be combined into a module, which is, for example, housed in its own housing or, with the aid of an insulating potting compound, represents a ready-to-install element. This separate module can be placed directly inside a housing for the motor vehicle locking device, or flanged to the outside of the housing in question. The energy-autonomous nature of the emergency opening device according to the invention and its decoupling from the vehicle-side control unit ensure a high level of functional reliability. Furthermore, this functional reliability is maintained throughout practically the entire vehicle life and is guaranteed regardless of whether or not any software updates are made to the vehicle-side control unit.This is where the main advantages can be seen.

[0023] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing which merely represents an exemplary embodiment; in the drawings:

[0024] Fig. 1 shows the motor vehicle locking device according to the invention in the form of a motor vehicle lock and in particular a motor vehicle door lock in a schematic overview.

[0025] Fig. 1 shows a motor vehicle locking device in the form of a motor vehicle lock or motor vehicle door lock. For this purpose, the motor vehicle locking device in its basic design has a locking mechanism 1, 2 essentially consisting of a rotary latch 1 and an associated pawl 2. The pawl 2 locks the rotary latch 1 in a closed position. To open the locking mechanism 1, 2, the pawl 2 must be pivoted about its axis in the indicated clockwise direction according to the exemplary embodiment. As a result, the rotary latch 1 is released from the pawl 2 and can also open clockwise with spring support. A previously trapped locking bolt 3 is released in this way. The associated motor vehicle door can then be opened.

[0026] According to the exemplary embodiment, an electric motor drive 4, 5, 6, 7 ensures the opening of the locking mechanism 1, 2. The electric motor drive 4, 5, 6, 7 in turn has an electric motor 4, which causes a worm 5 on the output side to rotate. The worm 5 on the output side engages a worm wheel 6 and, according to the exemplary embodiment, ensures that the locking mechanism 1, 2 opens by causing the worm wheel 6 to rotate counterclockwise. As a result, a pin 7 connected to the worm wheel 6 can move against the pawl 2 and pivot it in the clockwise direction indicated, so that the locking mechanism 1, 2 subsequently opens as described.

[0027] In addition to this described servo opening of the locking mechanism 1, 2 using the electric motor drive 4, 5, 6, 7, an emergency opening of the locking mechanism 1, 2 is also possible. Such an emergency opening is required and necessary, for example, when a crash sensor 8 generates a corresponding crash signal. This crash signal regularly corresponds to accelerations or decelerations of the motor vehicle that exceed several g. As a rule, however, the emergency opening of the locking mechanism 1, 2 occurs when the electric motor drive 4, 5, 6, 7 has failed or the on-board electrical system voltage provided for the electrical supply of the electric motor drive 4, 5, 6, 7 is insufficient to actuate it or is no longer sufficiently available.

[0028] In fact, an emergency opening device 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 is implemented at this point. The emergency opening device 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 is capable of manual and / or motorized emergency opening of the locking mechanism 1, 2. This will be explained in more detail below. For this purpose, the emergency opening device 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 first and foremost has an electronic control unit 14, with the aid of which at least one emergency opening signal is or can be evaluated. The emergency opening signal can be a signal from the previously mentioned crash sensor 8, which is connected to the control unit 14 in question for this purpose.

[0029] Typically, however, the emergency opening signal for the control unit 14 originates from a sensor 12, which is activated by an operator to initiate the emergency opening. According to the exemplary embodiment, the sensor 12 is a sensor 12 integrated into the electronic circuit or the electronic control unit 14. In fact, the sensor 12 is designed as a touch sensor 12 according to the exemplary embodiment. In principle, however, the sensor 12 can also be any other sensor, for example, a switch or the like.

[0030] According to the invention and of particular importance is the fact that the control unit 14, as a component of the emergency opening device 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, is designed as an application-specific integrated circuit (AS IC). As a result, all functions of the control unit 14 are defined by the manufacturer and expressly cannot be changed after manufacture and installation, for example, by means of a software update. This has already been explained in the introduction.

[0031] According to the exemplary embodiment, the application-specific integrated circuit or the control unit 14 according to the invention of the emergency opening device 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 has its own power supply. In the present case, the own power supply is designed as an energy storage device 11. The energy storage device 11 is an integrated battery 11. This battery 11 can be designed as an accumulator and can be periodically charged, for example, via a connected vehicle electrical system. As a rule, however, it is a non-rechargeable battery, so that the emergency opening device 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 is designed as an independent functional unit or module and can therefore be attached to or in a housing of an associated motor vehicle locking device.Due to the self-contained design of the emergency opening device 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, for example, software updates of a control unit 15, which is usually also provided on the vehicle, are irrelevant and the functionality of the emergency opening device 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 is not affected thereby. The basic structure of the emergency opening device 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 includes not only the control unit 14 designed as an application-specific integrated circuit 14. In addition to the previously mentioned sensor 12 and the battery or energy storage device 11, a relay 10 and a motor 9 are also implemented. The relay 10 can be used to control the motor 9 in order to release the pawl 2 from its engagement with the rotary latch 3 during the emergency opening. For this purpose, the motor 9 may operate on a mechanical intermediate link 16, by means of which the motor 9 is connected to the pawl 2.This could be a Bowden cable.

[0032] In principle, the emergency opening device 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 can also be configured for manual emergency opening of the locking mechanism 1, 2. In this case, the motor 9 is dispensable. The manual emergency opening of the locking mechanism 1, 2 is then accomplished with the aid of the emergency opening device 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 in such a way that, following an emergency opening signal registered, for example, by the sensor 12, a mechanical connection, for example, of a handle implemented instead of the motor 9, is established with the pawl 2 via the relay 12 with the intermediate link 16 interposed. That is, in this case, the emergency opening device 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 ensures that the handle is mechanically connected to the intermediate link 16 and thus to the pawl 2, so that the pawl 2 can be removed from its engagement with the rotary latch 3 via the handle during the emergency opening.

[0033] A transmitting / receiving unit 13 is also implemented as a further component of the emergency opening device 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. The transmitting / receiving unit 13, like the sensor 12 and the energy storage device 11, may be integrated into the control unit 14. The same applies to the relay 10. This provides a compact and practically ready-to-install module 10, 11, 12, 13, into which the motor 9 can also be integrated. An authentication check is performed with the help of the transmitting / receiving unit 13. For this purpose, data is exchanged between the transmitting / receiving unit 13 and a key (not shown) provided by the operator. During this data exchange, the authorization of the key and thus of the operator is checked to ensure that only an authorized operator can carry out the emergency opening of the locking device 1, 2.

[0034] The control unit 14 or the application-specific integrated circuit 14 is also connected to the motor vehicle control unit 15.

[0035] This connection ensures that, for example, any errors occurring in the emergency opening device 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 can be transmitted to the control unit 15 and displayed there. Data exchange may take place via pulsed signals, such as a PWM signal (pulse-width modulated signal). This is, of course, only an example and is by no means limiting.

[0036] List of reference symbols:

[0037] 1 rotary latch

[0038] 2 pawls

[0039] 1 , 2 locking mechanisms

[0040] 4 electric motor

[0041] 5 output-side worm

[0042] 6 Worm gear

[0043] 7 cones

[0044] 4, 5, 6, 7 electric motor drive

[0045] 8 Crash sensor

[0046] 9 Engine

[0047] 10 relays

[0048] 11 Energy storage

[0049] 12 touch sensor

[0050] 13 Transmitting / receiving unit

[0051] 14 electronic control unit

[0052] 9, 10, 11 , 12, 13,14 Emergency opening device

[0053] 15 vehicle-side control unit

[0054] 16 intermediate link

Claims

Patent claims 1. Motor vehicle locking device, in particular motor vehicle lock, preferably motor vehicle door lock, with a locking mechanism (1, 2) consisting essentially of a rotary latch (1) and a locking pawl (2), further comprising an electromechanical drive (4, 5, 6, 7) for opening the locking mechanism (1, 2), and with an emergency opening device (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14) for manual and / or motorized emergency opening of the locking mechanism (1, 2), wherein the emergency opening device (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14) is equipped with at least one electronic control unit (14) for evaluating at least one emergency opening signal, characterized in that the control unit (14) of the emergency opening device (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14) is an application-specific integrated circuit (14) or is ASIC trained.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the application-specific integrated circuit (14) has its own power supply.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that its own energy supply is designed as an energy storage device (11 ).

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the energy storage device (11 ) is designed as an accumulator, battery, or high-performance capacitor, either individually or collectively.

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a vehicle-side control unit (15) is additionally provided.

6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the application-specific integrated circuit (14) comprises at least one sensor (12).

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the sensor is designed as a sensor (12) integrated into the circuit (14), for example a touch sensor (12).

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the application-specific integrated circuit (14) is equipped with a downstream relay (10).

9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the relay (10) serves to control a motor (9) for emergency opening.

10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the emergency opening device (9, 10, 11, 12, 13) is equipped with a transmit / receive unit (13) for authentication testing.

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