Car locks, especially electric locks

Abstract

The present invention relates to a lock for a motor vehicle, in particular an electric lock, equipped with a locking mechanism (1, 2) essentially consisting of a rotating latch (1) and a pawl (2), further comprising an electric opening drive (3) for the locking mechanism (1, 2) and an energy storage unit (4) for emergency supplying current to the opening drive (3) and for emergency opening of the locking mechanism (1, 2) in an emergency operating mode. According to the invention, the locking mechanism (1, 2) is maintained in an "open" state by the opening drive (3) in an emergency operating mode or after an opening operation.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lock for a motor vehicle, in particular an electric lock, comprising a locking mechanism consisting essentially of a rotating latch and a pawl, further comprising an electric opening drive for the locking mechanism and an energy storage unit for emergency supplying current to the opening drive and thus emergency opening of the locking mechanism in an emergency operating mode.

[0002]

[0002] Automotive locks, and in particular electric locks, are characterized in that they offer a particular comfort to the user when opening the door of the associated motor vehicle. The motor vehicle door may generally be a motor vehicle side door, but may also be a motor vehicle tailgate, a motor vehicle fuel filler flap, a motor vehicle charging flap, etc. The opening action is generally initiated by a remote control or by the driver activating a sensor or switch, which may be present, for example, on or in the exterior door handle.

[0003]

[0003] As is known in this context from DE 10,2019128296 A1, in motor vehicle locks, in particular electric locks, in addition to the electric opening drive, a so-called mechanical redundancy is further realized. By means of this mechanical redundancy, for example, a mechanical coupling for manually lifting the claw is possible in order to be able to open the associated motor vehicle door urgently in an emergency operating mode in the event of a power supply failure. The mechanical redundancy is realized and implemented in this respect in such a way that a coupling element is provided, to which an actuator can be connected by a Bowden cable. An internal and / or external actuation can then be realized via the Bowden cable, in particular during an emergency operating mode.

[0004] In this context, the general prior art according to DE 102019 126570 A1 provides a drive assembly for a motor vehicle lock, which is equipped with a main drive operating on an actuating lever unit. Also provided is an auxiliary drive for emergency unlocking or emergency opening of the locking mechanism. The auxiliary drive is designed as a component of a functionally independent auxiliary module, which is mechanically linked to the motor vehicle door lock. The auxiliary module can then be equipped with an energy source or an auxiliary energy source, respectively. This can be an accumulator, one or more capacitors or a combination thereof.

[0005]

[0005] With regard to realizing and implementing an emergency operating mode of a lock for a motor vehicle for emergency opening of the locking mechanism, the prior art as a whole has proven successful in principle. However, for this purpose, the prior art reverts, on the one hand, to mechanical redundancies within the scope of DE 102019 128 296 A1, and, on the other hand, to auxiliary drives according to the general DE 102019126570 A1. In both cases, this requires additional devices, mechanical connections, etc., so that the constructions are complex and sometimes extensive. The present invention as a whole seeks to improve this.

[0006] overview

[0007]

[0006] The invention is based on the technical task of further developing such a lock for a motor vehicle, in particular an electric lock, so that reduced design effort and a particularly compact embodiment are observed.

[0008]

[0007] In order to solve this technical problem, a general motor vehicle lock, and in particular an electric lock, within the scope of the present invention is characterized in that the locking mechanism is maintained in its "open" state by the opening drive device both in emergency operation mode, during or after the opening operation, or after emergency opening.

[0009]

[0008] The invention therefore proceeds in principle such that the emergency operating mode corresponds to a locking mechanism which assumes its open state in the event of an emergency opening or which maintains this open state following an emergency opening. For this purpose, in the emergency operating mode, the energy storage unit generally ensures an emergency supply of the opening drive with electric current, since in the emergency operating mode the main energy source used in normal operation, for example in the form of an accumulator in a motor vehicle, for powering the electric opening drive, usually fails or does not provide enough power to move the electric opening drive. In the emergency operating mode, this is ensured by an energy storage unit designed independently of the main energy source.

[0010]

[0009] Here, the procedure is usually such that during or after the first emergency opening operation or each first opening operation, the locking mechanism is maintained in the "open" state. That is to say, as soon as the motor vehicle or the associated control device or control unit switches into an emergency operating mode, the first opening operation, and therefore the first emergency opening, leads to an opening drive in which current is urgently supplied by the energy storage unit and thus the locking mechanism is moved to its "open" position. In this "open" state, the lock is (permanently) held.

[0011]

[0010] In fact, the emergency operating mode can occur, for example, when the vehicle has been parked for a long time and the voltage of the main power supply at the vehicle side drops to such an extent that the electric opening drive for the locking mechanism cannot (or can no longer) be energized. In such a case, the above-mentioned control unit is used to switch to the emergency operating mode, for example, when the operating voltage provided by the main power supply drops below a certain level. This means that the locking mechanism still remains closed when the vehicle is parked. The emergency opening is only initiated if the user of the emergency operating mode wants to open the vehicle door associated with the vehicle lock, for example by activating a sensor or a remote control device.

[0012]

[0011] In the emergency operating mode, it is understood that the sensor in question and the suitable transmitter / receiver unit are normally energized by an energy storage device or even by a main energy source so as to be able to detect the driver's opening request in the emergency operating mode. In any case, the first emergency opening or the first opening action following the driver's opening request (after starting the emergency operating mode) leads to an opening drive which is urgently supplied with current by the energy storage unit. The opening drive is then able to move the locking mechanism into its "open" state. This corresponds to an electric opening drive which normally acts on the pawl and moves it away from the rotary latch. This means that the "open" state of the locking mechanism corresponds overall to the release of the rotary latch by the opening drive which is urgently supplied with current by the energy storage unit in the emergency operating mode.

[0013]

[0012] This spaced position of the pawls is usually maintained until a mechanical and / or electronic reset occurs. The same applies to the "open" state of the locking mechanism. Mechanical reset means that the locking mechanism is returned to the closed state by mechanical means, in a specific embodiment the pawls are returned onto the rotary latch. As a result, the associated vehicle door can be closed without problems, since the body-side locking bolt is captured by the rotary latch and is fixed by the pawls released (from the opening drive) by the latching of the rotary latch.

[0014]

[0013] According to the invention, an electronic reset is usually used to cancel the "open" state of the locking mechanism again, specifically by acting on the opening drive in the opposite direction so that it does not (or does not) hold the pawl in a spaced position relative to the rotary latch, so that the pawl can easily drop back into the rotary latch after capturing the locking bolt. This means that the locking mechanism returns to the closed base position when it is reset.

[0015]

[0014] An electronic reset is usually performed by interrogating at least one sensor. According to the invention, the activation of two sensors corresponds particularly advantageously to a reset in order to prevent malfunctions or manipulations. In this case, a predefined activation sequence of the two sensors is usually used during the reset.

[0016]

[0015] In this way, not only is a proper emergency opening of the locking mechanism provided, but this is also achieved without mechanical redundancies, as in the prior art, or even without auxiliary drives; thus, the design effort according to the invention is significantly reduced compared to the conventional approach. At the same time, the elimination of the need for additional components ensures a reduction in costs and an optimization of weight.

[0017]

[0016] Furthermore, since the "open" state of the locking mechanism is maintained until reset, the user or driver is not (or can no longer) close the relevant vehicle door after emergency opening or first emergency opening, respectively. This causes the user or driver to be immediately intuitively informed by this phenomenon about the emergency operating mode and can therefore initiate any measures, such as commissioning a towing service. Furthermore, the driver or user is encouraged or forced to act on this in order to be able to release the "open" state again and close the vehicle door. This requires that the driver or user refers or has to refer to how to perform an electronic reset, for example in a manual, an app or elsewhere, in order to be able to close the vehicle in question again. This leads to special attention and the user having to take immediate measures, such as moving the vehicle again or recharging the main energy source. This is achieved without any additional information or warning, simply due to the fact that the locking mechanism remains in the "open" state until reset.

[0018]

[0017] As a further advantage, this means that the energy storage unit only needs to ensure at least the first and second emergency opening devices. This is because at least the second emergency opening is periodically required in order to be able to open the vehicle in a subsequent manner for repair purposes. As a result, a relatively small energy storage unit can be used or the described vehicle lock also functions according to the invention when the energy storage device itself should have a weak charge state (for example due to its lifespan). As a result, a capacitor or a so-called supercapacitor can be advantageously used as the energy storage unit, since usually only a limited number of actuations or emergency actuations (at least two emergency actuations) are required. Of course, the energy storage unit can also be designed as a battery or as a combination of a battery and a capacitor or a supercapacitor, such as a plurality of capacitors, a plurality of batteries, etc.

[0019]

[0018] The sensor already mentioned for realizing the electronic reset is usually a door actuation switch. The actuation sequence usually realised in this context corresponds, for example, to the fact that the inner and outer door handles must be actuated simultaneously to realise the electronic reset, which in the exemplary case corresponds to controlling the electric opening drive so that it no longer holds the pawl in a position away from the rotary latch in the "open" position of the locking mechanism. Of course, other actuation sequences or patterns are also conceivable. For example, a particular actuation sequence can be realised when only one sensor or door actuation switch is used. In any case, this is only used in the emergency operating mode, so that any erroneous operation in the normal operating mode is precluded. Moreover, even in the emergency operating mode, the driver or user who wants to access the vehicle must authenticate himself, for example by engaging in a question / answer dialogue with the vehicle, or simply by the user having a (remote control) key that guarantees access.

[0020]

[0019] As a result, a lock for a motor vehicle, in particular an electric lock, is available, which for the first time and in principle opens up the possibility of essentially dispensing with mechanical redundancies or auxiliary drives. All this is achieved without compromising safety. Rather, the emergency operating mode is directly relevant for the user or driver to be made aware of this intuitively. This applies both when the associated motor vehicle changes from the normal operating mode to the emergency operating mode in the locked or closed state. Similarly, if the motor vehicle switches to the emergency operating mode when the door of the motor vehicle is already open or even during an opening operation, the emergency opening can be carried out without any problems. In any case, the invention ensures that the electric opening drive keeps the locking mechanism in the "open" state in the emergency operating mode by the opening drive until a reset occurs. These are the main advantages. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings, which show only one embodiment. [Figure 1] The single FIG. 1 shows a motor vehicle lock according to the invention in its essential characteristics. Detailed Description

[0022]

[0021] Figure 1 shows a motor vehicle lock, which is a motor vehicle side door lock according to the present invention. The motor vehicle door lock is designed as an electric lock, i.e. in normal operating mode, it can only be opened electrically and not mechanically. For this purpose, the motor vehicle lock shown has a locking mechanism 1, 2, which essentially consists of a rotary latch 1 and a pawl 2. In addition, the locking mechanism 1, 2 is provided with an electric opening drive 3. Also visible is an energy storage unit 4 for supplying the opening drive 3 with current and a control unit 5, which controls the opening drive 3 and which can monitor, for example, a main energy source 6, which is shown in Figure 1. The main energy source 6 is located inside the body of the motor vehicle and is designed as an accumulator.

[0023]

[0022] A control unit 5, which is generally also provided on the automobile side, detects, for example, a drop in the voltage supplied from the main power source 6, and switches to an emergency operation mode when power cannot be supplied from the main power source 6 to the electric opening drive device 3 in the normal operation mode. In the emergency operation mode, the opening drive device 3 for emergency opening of the lock mechanisms 1, 2 is supplied with current urgently by the energy storage unit 4.

[0024]

[0023] The energy storage unit 4 is advantageously one or more capacitors, so-called supercapacitors. These can be located in a space-saving manner inside the lock housing 7, which typically houses the locking mechanisms 1, 2 and the electric opening drive 3, this is merely implied. In the event of an emergency operating mode occurring, the energy storage unit 4 for urgently supplying current to the opening drive 3 and thus urgently opening the locking mechanisms 1, 2 in the emergency operating mode ensures that the locking mechanisms 1, 2 are maintained in the "open" state. This applies at least for subsequent opening operations initiated by the driver.

[0025]

[0024] In this opening operation, the procedure is such that the driver normally acts on the door operating switches 8, 9. According to an exemplary embodiment, two door operating switches 8, 9 are realized, namely an inner door operating switch 8 and an outer door operating switch 9. The opening operation is periodically initiated by the driver acting on the outer door operating switch 9. This applies both to the normal and to the emergency operating modes.

[0026]

[0025] The actuation of the outer door actuation switch 9 is detected by the control unit 5, which outputs a command to the electric opening drive 3 to open the locking mechanisms 1, 2. For this purpose, in the illustrated embodiment, the opening drive 3 acts via an output worm which is acted on in a clockwise direction by an actuation pin, as shown in Fig. 2, so that the pawl 2 can rotate about the axis 2a at its end remote from the rotary latch, so that it is rotated counterclockwise at its end remote from the rotary latch, and thus away from the rotary latch 1. At the same time, the rotary latch 1 is released by the action of lifting the pawl 2 by the opening drive 3, as shown by the arrow in Fig. 1. This corresponds to the rotary latch 1 moving clockwise about its axis 1a, which releases the locking bolt 10 previously captured by the locking mechanisms 1, 2, and allows the associated vehicle door to be opened.

[0027]

[0026] In the emergency operating mode and following the above-mentioned opening operation, the opening drive 3, which is supplied with current by the energy storage unit 4, now ensures that the locking mechanisms 1, 2 not only assume the "open" state, but also remain "open" in this state until a reset occurs by the opening drive 3, i.e. until a reset occurs. This is ensured by the control unit 5, which detects the emergency operating mode and supplies power to the opening drive 3 accordingly. According to this embodiment, an electronic reset is realized. During this reset, the locking mechanisms 1, 2 return to the closed starting position. To this end, the opening drive 3 is supplied with a current supplied by the energy storage unit 4 via the control unit 5, and the claw 2 is no longer held in a position spaced apart from the rotary latch 1. Rather, the opening drive 3 releases the claw 2, allowing it to pivot, for example in a spring-assisted manner, to the position shown in FIG. 1. As soon as the locking bolt 10 moves into the open rotary latch 1 in this position of the claw 2, in contact with the rotary latch 1, and rotates it counterclockwise during the closing process, the claw 2 can then return to its latched position, as shown in FIG.

[0028] According to the invention, the electronic reset and release of the pawl 2 is initiated by the interrogation of at least one sensor 8, 9. The sensors 8, 9 are two door operating switches 8, 9.

[0029]

[0028] In other words, the actuation of these two sensors 8, 9 or the door actuation switches 8, 9, respectively, corresponds to an electronic reset, which is initiated when a predetermined actuation sequence of the two sensors 8, 9 or the door actuation switches 8, 9, respectively, is observed.

[0030]

[0029] According to the present embodiment, this actuation sequence corresponds to the simultaneous action of both the inner door actuation switch 8 and the outer door actuation switch 9. As a result, the control unit 5 opens the claw 2 by sending a signal to the electric opening drive 3, which causes the claw 2 to return with spring assistance from the raised position to the closed position according to the representation in Fig. 1. The car lock or the car door equipped with the shown car door lock can be closed again.

[0031]

[0030] In order to open the vehicle door, the driver must initiate the opening action again, as the emergency opening is performed in the emergency operating mode. A new electronic reset is then required. That is, in the emergency operating mode, each door opening requires a subsequent electronic reset. This allows the driver to immediately become aware of the emergency operating mode, since the user cannot close the vehicle door again with the associated vehicle lock until the above-mentioned operating sequence has been performed.

[0032]

[0031] Because the driver is usually not aware of this operating sequence and instead has to look it up first, for example in a manual or in an application, the user is constantly informed about and sensitized to the emergency operating mode, and at the same time, this operation is used as a triggering signal for any remedial measures.

[0033] These are the main advantages. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 1...Rotary latch, 1a...axis, 1,2...Lock mechanism, 2...Claw part, 2a...axis, 3...opening device, 4…Energy storage unit, 5...Control unit, 6...Main energy source, 7…Lock housing, 8...Inner door operation switch, 8,9…Door operation switch, sensor, 9...External door operation switch, 10...Locking bolt.

Claims

1. A lock mechanism (1, 2) essentially consisting of a rotating latch (1) and a claw portion (2); an electric release drive (3) for the locking mechanism (1, 2); an energy storage unit (4) for emergency supplying current to the opening drive (3) and for emergency opening of the locking mechanism (1, 2) in an emergency operating mode; In a car lock, particularly an electric lock, A lock for a motor vehicle, characterized in that the locking mechanism (1, 2) is maintained in the "open" state by the opening drive device (3) in an emergency operating mode or after an opening operation.

2. 2. A lock for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking mechanism (1, 2) is maintained in the "open" state during a first "opening" operation or in an emergency operating mode after an opening operation.

3. 3. A lock for a motor vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that the "open" state of the locking mechanism (1, 2) is maintained until a mechanical and / or electronic reset is performed.

4. 4. A lock for a motor vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that during the resetting, the locking mechanism (1, 2) returns to the closed starting position.

5. 5. A lock for a motor vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that the electronic reset is performed by interrogating at least one sensor (8, 9).

6. 6. A lock for a motor vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that the activation of two sensors (8, 9) corresponds to a reset.

7. 7. A lock for a motor vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that said reset means a predetermined activation sequence of said two sensors (8, 9).

8. A lock for a motor vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that each sensor (8, 9) is a door actuation switch (8, 9).

9. 9. The lock for a motor vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that the "open" state of the locking mechanism (1, 2) acting on the claw (2) and its spacing and release from the rotary latch (1) is corresponded by an opening drive (3).

10. 10. Lock for a motor vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the energy storage unit (4) is designed as a capacitor, in particular a supercapacitor, a battery or a combination of one or more of these storage elements.

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