Vehicle door latch

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electronic circuit (22) for a vehicle door latch (1) of an automobile (2), configured to receive a main supply voltage from the main power supply (8) of the automobile (2) during normal operating conditions, wherein the electronic circuit comprises: a supercapacitor group (3) configured to store energy during normal operating conditions and to provide a backup supply voltage during abnormal operating conditions different from normal operating conditions; a boost converter (7) powered by the supercapacitor group (3) and configured to provide a boost-converted backup supply voltage during abnormal operating conditions; an integrated circuit (9) configured to control the operation of an electric motor (4) of the vehicle door latch (1) based on the boost-converted backup supply voltage during abnormal operating conditions; and a buck-boost converter (6) powered by the supercapacitor group (3) and configured to power the integrated circuit (9) with a buck-boost conversion backup supply voltage during abnormal operating conditions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic circuit for a vehicle door latch configured to receive a main supply voltage from a main power source of the vehicle during a normal operating state of the vehicle, the electronic circuit comprising a supercapacitor group configured to store energy during the normal operating state and to provide a backup supply voltage during an abnormal operating state different from the normal operating state. The present invention further relates to a method for operating a vehicle door latch of a vehicle, the vehicle door latch comprising a supercapacitor group configured to store energy during a normal operating state and to provide a backup supply voltage during an abnormal operating state different from the normal operating state.

Background Art

[0002] A plurality of automotive systems require the presence of a backup energy source that supplies electrical energy in place of, or as an adjunct to, the vehicle's main power supply in the event of a failure, abnormal operating state, or interruption of the main power supply.

[0003] Such a backup power source is normally maintained in a charged state by the vehicle's main power supply during normal operation and is made available immediately when needed, such as during a vehicle accident or crash.

[0004] US 2015 / 329009A1 describes a backup energy source for automotive systems in a vehicle, designed to receive a main supply voltage during a normal operating state and to provide a backup supply voltage during an abnormal operating state different from the normal operating state. The backup energy source has a control unit and a supercapacitor group, and operates under the control of the control unit to store energy during the normal operating state and to provide a backup supply voltage during the abnormal operating state. A diagnostic module is coupled to the supercapacitor group and provides information regarding the operating state of the supercapacitor group to the control unit.

[0005] A common challenge with such solutions is energy management performance, which becomes particularly apparent during the aforementioned abnormal operating conditions. [Overview of the Initiative]

[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a simple, low-cost, and / or reliable solution for improving energy management to supply power to a vehicle door latch with a backup supply voltage during abnormal operating conditions.

[0007] The object of the present invention is solved by the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are described in detail in the dependent claims. Thus, the objective is achieved by an electronic circuit for a vehicle door latch configured to receive a main supply voltage from the vehicle's main power supply during the vehicle's normal operating state, and this electronic circuit is A supercapacitor group configured to store energy during normal operation and to provide a backup supply voltage during abnormal operation conditions that differ from normal operation, A boost converter powered by a supercapacitor group and configured to provide a boost conversion backup supply voltage during abnormal operating conditions, An integrated circuit configured to control the operation of the electric motor of a vehicle door latch based on a boost-converted backup supply voltage during an abnormal operating condition, A buck-boost converter powered by a supercapacitor group and configured to supply power to an integrated circuit with a buck-boost conversion backup supply voltage during abnormal operating conditions, It is equipped with.

[0008] The essence of the proposed solution lies in providing two converters: a buck-boost converter (also called / provided as a high-efficiency buck-boost converter) that can optimize energy use with high efficiency, especially at light loads such as 50 μA, during abnormal operating conditions; and a boost converter (also called / provided as a high-power boost converter) that can supply power to, for example, a motor driver during abnormal operating conditions and efficiently meet motor current requirements, especially at a few amperes. By providing these two converters, the supercapacitor group can be discharged more deeply compared to a direct connection, reducing losses and improving performance during abnormal operating conditions.

[0009] In other words, the boost converter is used to drive an electric motor for release, particularly when it is primarily in a standby (OFF) state, ready to supply up to 3.5A at 8.5V for several seconds with high efficiency (e.g., >80%). For continuous function in situations such as crashes, mains power failures and / or loss, the buck-boost converter is preferably sized to be very efficient (e.g., >88%) and have very low quiescent current (e.g., <100nA) with very light current loads (e.g., 30-50μA). Using such a buck-boost topology allows for energy savings when the input voltage from the supercapacitor group is higher than the output voltage, and also allows for extending the discharge of the supercapacitor group until the input voltage falls below the output voltage.

[0010] The main power supply is preferably provided as, for example, a car battery supplying 12V or 24V DC. During normal operation, the main power supply is preferably used to charge the supercapacitor group. The electric motor is preferably configured to actuate the vehicle door latch with respect to locking and unlocking the vehicle doors. The electronic circuitry can be provided as an electronic circuit board, such as a printed circuit board (PCB), on which the supercapacitor group, boost converter, integrated circuit, and buck-boost converter are installed. The electronic circuitry is preferably located in a separate electronic housing within the vehicle door latch, but it can also be located outside the electronic door latch.

[0011] More generally, the term "vehicle door latch" is understood as a means of locking a movable element between an open and closed position, thereby opening and closing access to the interior compartments of a vehicle (e.g., trunk, rear hatch, hood and other closed compartments, window regulators, sunroof), and is applied in addition to side doors. The proposed vehicle door latch can comply with safety and security regulations requiring the opening of a vehicle door, for example, even in the absence of the vehicle's main power supply or in the event of a disconnection or break in the electrical connection between the main power supply and the vehicle door. This type of situation may occur, for example, in the event of an accident or crash involving a vehicle.

[0012] The vehicle may be provided as an electric vehicle. The vehicle door latch may have a housing made of metal, resin, or a combination thereof. The supercapacitor group, in particular the electric motor, boost converter, integrated circuit, and buck-boost converter are preferably housed within the housing. Furthermore, the supercapacitor group, boost converter, integrated circuit, and buck-boost converter can be housed within an electronic housing located within the vehicle door latch.

[0013] The boost converter can be any known boost converter, for example, a DC-DC power converter that boosts the voltage from an input (i.e., a supercapacitor group) to an output (e.g., a motor driver) while decreasing the current. The boost converter is preferably provided as a type of switching power supply (SMPS) comprising at least two semiconductors (e.g., a diode and a transistor) and at least one energy storage element (a capacitor, an inductor, or a combination thereof). To reduce voltage ripple, a filter consisting of a capacitor (or in combination with an inductor, if necessary) can be added to the output of the boost converter as a load-side filter and / or an input-side filter.

[0014] The buck-boost converter is preferably provided as a DC-DC converter in which the magnitude of the output voltage can be greater than or less than the magnitude of the input voltage. The buck-boost converter may be equivalent to a flyback converter that uses a single inductor instead of a transformer.

[0015] Under normal operating conditions, the main supply voltage is available from the main power supply, and the supercapacitor group can be charged by the main power supply. Therefore, under abnormal operating conditions, the main supply voltage is unavailable, which can occur, for example, as a result of a vehicle crash. Thus, abnormal operating conditions occur, for example, when the vehicle's main power supply is unavailable, or when there is a break or disconnection in the electrical connection between the vehicle door, which is operated by the vehicle door latch, and the main power supply, i.e., in the event of an accident or crash involving the vehicle. In contrast, normal operating conditions should be understood as the mode in which the main power supply provides the electrical energy to operate the electric motor.

[0016] In another preferred embodiment, the electronic circuit includes a charger configured to charge the supercapacitor group based on the main supply voltage during normal operating conditions, particularly when power from the main supply voltage section is available. Such a charger may include temperature or voltage sensing circuits and / or microprocessor controllers to safely regulate the charging current and / or voltage, determine the charging state, and cut off the charging current and / or voltage when charging is complete.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the integrated circuit is provided as a system basic chip. The system basic chip is preferably provided as an integrated circuit on a single die that includes various functions of an automotive electronic control unit (ECU). The system basic chip may include embedded functions such as a voltage regulator, monitoring functions, reset generation, watchdog functions, bus interfaces (e.g., LIN, CAN bus, etc.), wake-up logic, and / or a power switch.

[0018] In another preferred embodiment, the electronic circuit comprises a motor driver controlled by an integrated circuit and configured to connect between a boost converter and an electric motor. The motor driver may comprise an integrated circuit such as an H-bridge circuit that increases the current to actuate the electric motor. Generally, an H-bridge is an electronic circuit that switches the polarity of the voltage applied to a load, where the voltage is the main supply voltage and / or the boost converter voltage, and the load is the electric motor. Such an H-bridge allows the electric motor to move in forward or reverse direction, for example, to lock or unlock a vehicle door. The name H-bridge derives from a common schematic representation in which four switches are configured as the branches of the letter "H," with the load, i.e., the electric motor, connected as the horizontal bar. A solid-state H-bridge is typically constructed using switches of opposite polarity, such as a PNP bipolar junction transistor or p-channel MOSFET connected to the mains power supply and an n-channel MOSFET connected to ground. Alternatively, p-channel or n-channel MOSFETs can be used on both sides.

[0019] In other preferred embodiments, the electric motor comprises a release motor, a scinting motor, and a double-lock motor. Preferably, the motor driver comprises a release motor driver and a scinting motor driver. In other preferred embodiments, the motor driver comprises a release motor driver connected to the release motor and the double-lock motor, and also comprises a scinting motor driver connected to the scinting motor and the double-lock motor. Preferably, the release motor driver acts on the release motor and / or the double-lock motor, and the scinting motor driver acts on the scinting motor and the double-lock motor. The vehicle door latch and / or electronic housing may comprise release motor contacts, scinting motor contacts, and / or double-lock motor contacts connected to the release motor driver and the scinting motor driver, respectively, and can connect the release motor, scinting motor, and double-lock motor.

[0020] In other preferred embodiments, the integrated circuit is powered based on a main supply voltage supplied during normal operation. Preferably, the integrated circuit is OR-connected to a buck-boost converter and a main supply voltage unit, and / or the motor driver is OR-connected to a boost converter and a main supply voltage unit. The vehicle door latch may include a main connector for receiving the main supply voltage from the main power supply unit.

[0021] In a further preferred embodiment, the supercapacitor group comprises at least a first supercapacitor cell, preferably at least a first supercapacitor cell, a second supercapacitor cell, and / or a third supercapacitor cell, which are connected to one another and jointly provide a backup supply voltage. A supercapacitor cell (also called a supercapacitor, supercap, SC, or ultracapacitor) is generally a high-capacitance capacitor with a much larger capacitance than other capacitors, but with a lower voltage limit, filling the gap between electrolytic capacitors and secondary batteries. Supercapacitors generally store 10-100 times more energy per unit volume or mass than electrolytic capacitors, can be charged and discharged much faster than batteries, and can withstand many more charge-discharge cycles than secondary batteries.

[0022] A supercapacitor cell has a voltage of, for example, 2.45V when fully charged. Therefore, when a first supercapacitor cell and a second supercapacitor cell are connected to each other, the backup supply voltage provided jointly is 4.9V. Preferably, at least two, two, three, or four supercapacitor cells are connected in series to form a supercapacitor group. The vehicle battery preferably has a voltage of 12V.

[0023] According to another preferred embodiment, the electronic circuit comprises a control unit which is powered by a buck-boost converted backup supply voltage from an integrated circuit and is configured to control the operation of the electric motor based on the buck-boost converted backup supply voltage during an abnormal operating state. The control unit preferably comprises a microprocessor, a microcontroller or a similar arithmetic module and is further / or configured to control a motor driver.

[0024] According to a further preferred embodiment, the integrated circuit comprises a low dropout regulator and / or a CAN (Controller Area Network) bus interface configured to control the operation of the electric motor based on the buck-boost converted backup supply voltage during an abnormal operating state. The low dropout regulator (LDO regulator) is preferably provided as a DC linear voltage regulator capable of adjusting the output voltage even when the supply voltage is very close to the output voltage. The CAN bus interface is preferably configured to control the control unit. Preferably, the buck-boost converter is connected to the low dropout regulator which is configured to provide the buck-boost converted voltage to the control unit.

[0025] Furthermore, the object is also achieved by a vehicle door latch comprising the above-described electronic circuit. In another preferred embodiment, the vehicle door latch comprises an electric motor configured to operate the vehicle door latch based on a main supply voltage during a normal operating state.

[0026] Furthermore, the object is also achieved by a motor vehicle comprising the above-described vehicle door latch and a main power source which is preferably connected to a charger, an integrated circuit and / or a motor driver.

[0027] Furthermore, the object is also achieved by a method of operating a vehicle door latch of a motor vehicle, the vehicle door latch being Comprising a supercapacitor group configured to accumulate energy during normal operating conditions and provide a backup supply voltage during abnormal operating conditions different from the normal operating conditions, the method includes the following steps. Providing a step-up conversion backup supply voltage during abnormal operating conditions by a boost converter powered by the supercapacitor group. Controlling the operation of the electric motor of the vehicle door latch based on the step-up conversion backup supply voltage during abnormal operating conditions by an integrated circuit. Powering the integrated circuit with a buck-boost conversion backup supply voltage during abnormal operating conditions by a buck-boost converter powered by the supercapacitor group.

[0028] Further embodiments and advantages of this method can be understood by those skilled in the art from the above vehicle door latch.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029] These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent and be described by reference to the description of the embodiments hereinafter. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a schematic electronic circuit diagram comprising a supercapacitor group of a vehicle door latch, an electric motor for operating the vehicle door latch, a boost converter, an integrated circuit, and a buck-boost converter according to a preferred embodiment.

[0030] Description of the Embodiment

[0031] FIG. 1 shows a schematic electronic circuit diagram having a schematically shown vehicle door latch 1 of a motor vehicle 2 schematically shown. The motor vehicle 2 includes four side doors not shown, each equipped with one vehicle door latch 1. Moreover, the vehicle door latch 1 can also be associated with a rear hatch, a bonnet hood, other closed compartments, a window regulator, a sunroof in addition to the side doors of the motor vehicle 2.

[0032] The vehicle door latch 1 comprises a housing made of resin, metal, or a combination thereof. The housing contains an electronic circuit 22 located in a separate electronic housing (not shown), which comprises a supercapacitor group 3, motor contacts 5 for connecting an electric motor 4, a boost converter 6, a buck-boost converter 7, and an integrated circuit 9. The vehicle 2 is equipped with a main power supply 8, which is provided as a known standard vehicle battery and delivers a 12V DC main supply voltage during normal operation. The vehicle door latch 1, i.e., the electronic circuit 22, further comprises a main connector 10 connected to the main power supply 8.

[0033] The main connector 10 thus provides the charger 11 with the main supply voltage received from the main power supply 8, i.e., the voltage during normal operating conditions when the main supply voltage is available, and the charger 11 charges the supercapacitor group 3 with the main supply voltage. The supercapacitor group 3 comprises a first supercapacitor cell and a second supercapacitor cell connected in series. Each supercapacitor cell outputs a DC voltage of 2.45V when fully charged, meaning that the supercapacitor group 3 delivers a DC backup supply voltage of 4.9V during abnormal operating conditions that differ from normal operating conditions. Furthermore, more than two supercapacitor cells may be connected in series to deliver a higher backup supply voltage.

[0034] The supercapacitor group 3 supplies power to both the buck-boost converter 6 and the boost converter 7. During abnormal operation, the buck-boost converter 6 provides a boost conversion backup supply voltage as its output, which is OR-connected with the main supply voltage section by a buck-boost OR gate 12, thereby supplying power to the integrated circuit 9. The boost converter 7 also provides a boost conversion backup supply voltage during abnormal operation, which is OR-connected with the main supply voltage by a boost OR gate 13, thereby supplying power to the two motor drivers 14, namely the release motor driver and the scinting motor driver.

[0035] The integrated circuit 9 is provided as a system basic chip with a CAN bus interface 15 and a low-dropout regulator 16, to which the output of the buck-boost OR gate 12 is connected. Each output of the low-dropout regulator 16 is connected to a microprocessor-based control unit 19. Thus, the control unit 19 is powered by the buck-boost conversion backup supply voltage from the integrated circuit 9 and is configured to control the operation of the electric motor 4 based on the buck-boost conversion backup supply voltage during abnormal operating conditions, as described below.

[0036] All the connections described so far are power connections 17 that transmit voltage or current, while the electronic circuit 22 also includes signal connections 18. The main connector 10 includes such signal connections 18 and connects to the control unit 19 via the CAN bus interface 15. The control unit 19 connects two motor drivers 14 and thus controls the operation of the electric motors 4 based on a boost-converted backup supply voltage during abnormal operating conditions.

[0037] As described above, the two motor drivers 14 are connected between the boost converter 7 and the electric motors 4 as a power connection section 17. Specifically, the electronic circuit 22 includes three motor contacts 5 for connecting the three electric motors 4, namely the release motor, the scinting motor, and the double lock motor. Each release motor contact 5 is powered by its respective release motor driver 14, each scinting motor contact 5 is powered by its respective scinting motor driver 14, and each double lock contact 5 is powered by both the release motor driver 14 and the scinting motor driver 14.

[0038] The electronic circuit 22 further includes an I / O interface 20 connected to the main connector 10 via a signal connection section 18. The I / O interface 20 connects three switch contacts 21, namely a primary switch contact, a secondary switch contact, and an open switch contact, via the signal connection section 18.

[0039] Although the present invention is illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the foregoing description, these illustrations and descriptions are illustrative or exemplary and not limiting. The present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other modifications can be understood and implemented by a person skilled in the art in practicing the present invention from a review of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims. In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or processes, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude the plural. The fact that certain means are described in different dependent claims does not suggest that combinations of these means cannot be used advantageously. Reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the rights. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1…Vehicle door latch, 2…Automobiles, 3…Supercapacitor group, 4… Electric motor, 5…Motor driver, 6... Step-up / step-down converter, 7…Boost converter, 8...Main power supply, 9…integrated circuits, 10... Main connector, 11...Charger, 12... Step-up / step-down OR gate, 13... Boost OR gate, 14…Motor driver, 15…CAN bus interface, 16…Low dropout regulator, 17...Power connection section, 18... Signal connection section, 19…Control unit, 20…I / O interface, 21…Switch contacts, 22...Electronic circuit.

Claims

1. An electronic circuit (22) for a vehicle door latch (1) of the automobile (2) is configured to receive a main supply voltage from the main power supply (8) of the automobile (2) during normal operation, A supercapacitor group (3) is configured to store energy during the normal operating state and to provide a backup supply voltage during abnormal operating states that differ from the normal operating state, A boost converter (7) is powered by the supercapacitor group (3) and configured to provide a boost conversion backup supply voltage during the abnormal operating state, During the abnormal operating state, an integrated circuit (9) is configured to control the operation of the electric motor (4) of the vehicle door latch (1) based on the boost conversion backup supply voltage, A buck-boost converter (6) is powered by the supercapacitor group (3) and configured to supply power to the integrated circuit (9) with a buck-boost conversion backup supply voltage during the abnormal operating state, An electronic circuit (22) comprising:

2. The electronic circuit (22) according to claim 1, comprising a charger (11) configured to charge the supercapacitor group (3) based on the main supply voltage during the normal operating state.

3. The electronic circuit (22) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the integrated circuit (9) is provided as a system basic chip.

4. The electronic circuit (22) according to claim 3, comprising a motor driver (14) controlled by the integrated circuit (9) and configured to be connected between the boost converter (7) and the electric motor (4).

5. The electronic circuit (22) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the integrated circuit (9) is powered based on the supplied main supply voltage during the normal operating state.

6. The electronic circuit (22) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the supercapacitor group (3) comprises at least a first supercapacitor cell, preferably at least a first supercapacitor cell, a second supercapacitor cell, and / or a third supercapacitor cell, which are connected to one another to jointly provide the backup supply voltage.

7. The electronic circuit (22) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a control unit (19) configured to be powered by the integrated circuit (9) by the boost-buck conversion backup supply voltage and to control the operation of the electric motor (4) based on the boost-buck conversion backup supply voltage during the abnormal operating state.

8. The electronic circuit (22) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the integrated circuit (9) comprises a low-dropout regulator (16) and / or a CAN bus interface (15) configured to control the operation of the electric motor (4) based on the boost conversion backup supply voltage during the abnormal operating state.

9. A vehicle door latch (1) comprising an electronic circuit (22) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The vehicle door latch (1) according to claim 9, further comprising an electric motor (4) configured to operate the vehicle door latch (1) based on the main supply voltage during the normal operating state.

11. The vehicle door latch (1) according to claim 10, wherein the electric motor (4) comprises a release motor (4), a scinting motor (4), and a double lock motor (4).

12. The vehicle door latch (1) according to claim 11, wherein the motor driver (14) comprises a release motor driver (14) connected to the release motor (4) and the double lock motor (4), and a scinting motor driver (14) connected to the scinting motor (4) and the double lock motor (4).

13. An automobile comprising a vehicle door latch (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 12 and the main power supply (8).

14. A method for operating a vehicle door latch (1) of an automobile (2), The vehicle door latch (1) includes a supercapacitor group (3) configured to store energy during normal operation and to provide a backup supply voltage during abnormal operation states that differ from the normal operation state. The aforementioned method, The step of providing a boost conversion backup supply voltage during the abnormal operating state by a boost converter (7) powered by the supercapacitor group (3), The integrated circuit (9) controls the operation of the electric motor (4) of the vehicle door latch (1) based on the boost conversion backup supply voltage during the abnormal operating state, The step of supplying power to the integrated circuit (9) with a boost-buck converter (6) powered by the supercapacitor group (3) during the abnormal operating state at a boost-buck conversion backup supply voltage, Methods that include...

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