How to activate a motor-driven flap assembly in an automobile.

Abstract

To achieve high operation comfortability of a flap assembly and difficulty of wear in normal time, and improve safety even at the time of operation of the flap assembly in emergency.SOLUTION: There is provided a method for operating a motor drive type flap assembly of an automobile in which a flap assembly 1 includes a flap 4 adjustable through a flap movement mechanism 3, a drive device assembly 5 that is arranged corresponding to the flap and includes at last one electric drive device 6 to cause motor drive type adjustment of the flap, a control device assembly 7 for controlling the drive device, and an automobile lock 8 arranged corresponding to the flap, and in an adjustment routine at the time of normal operation, an error reference indicates a thermal overload case, a fault case and / or a collision case, and control in the adjustment routine is changed, especially, ended when the error reference is satisfied. At the time of emergency operation indicating a submergence status of an automobile 2, the adjustment routine is executed while releasing at least one error reference among the error references by the control device assembly.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for operating a motor-driven flap assembly in a motor vehicle.

[0002] The known prior art (German Patent Application Publication No. 102007011548) on which the present invention is based relates to a method for operating a motor-driven flap assembly in a motor vehicle as described in the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] Within the framework of improving comfort in motor vehicles, the motor-driven adjustment of flaps is particularly important. Such flaps can be, for example, the tailgate, trunk lid, engine hood, trunk floor, or door of a motor vehicle, especially a side door or rear door. In that regard, the term "flap" can be understood in a broad sense.

[0004] The known method (German Patent Application Publication No. 102007011548) provides for error monitoring in the form of a thermal overload prevention device for the motor-driven adjustment of the flap. For example, in the case of a thermal overload due to the drive temperature exceeding a temperature threshold, the ongoing adjustment routine can be changed and, in particular, terminated. Furthermore, in the known method, collision case monitoring is provided in the form of an electronic anti-pinch device.

[0005] Thereby, during normal operation, high operating comfort and low wear of the flap assembly are achieved, while at the same time there is a requirement to improve the safety for the operator even during the operation of the flap assembly in case of an emergency.

[0006] The underlying problem of the present invention is to configure and improve the known method for operating a motor-driven flap assembly in a motor vehicle so as to further optimize it with respect to the above-mentioned requirements.

[0007] The above problem is solved by the features described in the characterizing part of claim 1.

[0008] Particularly preferred configurations are the subject of dependent claims.

[0009] The key consideration is the fundamental idea that, in situations where a vehicle is submerged in water, such as when it unintentionally enters a body of water, the risk of operator entrapment inside the vehicle can be eliminated via a motor-driven flap assembly. In this case, error detection or collision avoidance devices, such as those for potential thermal overload of the drive assembly, are usually not important; rather, sufficient assistance from the operator is crucial.

[0010] In detail, during an emergency activation indicating a vehicle submerged in water, the control unit assembly performs an adjustment routine while clearing at least one of the error criteria.

[0011] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to drawings that simply illustrate embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a schematic side view showing a car submerged in water, and a schematic diagram showing the car lock.

[0013] The drawing shows a flap assembly 1 of an automobile 2 operating in the proposed manner. The flap assembly 1 has an adjustable flap 4 via a flap motion mechanism 3 and a drive unit assembly 5 positioned corresponding to the flap 4.

[0014] The term "flap" in this context includes tailgates, trunk lids, engine hoods, automobile doors, particularly side doors, rear doors, etc., and refer to the description in the introduction. The flap 4 may be supported so as to be pivotable and / or longitudinally movable. In this embodiment, and preferably, the flap 4 is a side door of the automobile 2. All descriptions relating thereto apply to all other types of flaps.

[0015] The term "flap motion mechanism" includes all components that enable the movement of the flap 4. In the illustrated, and to that extent preferred, the flap motion mechanism 3 includes a hinge assembly through which the flap 4 can pivot.

[0016] The drive unit assembly 5 has at least one electrical drive unit 6, which is mechanically connected to the flap 4 to apply a motor-driven adjustment force. This connection is not shown in detail in the drawings. In particular, the drive unit 6 can be configured as a spindle drive unit or the like.

[0017] A illustrated, and to that extent preferred, embodiment relates to a method for operating a motor-driven flap assembly 1 of an automobile 2. The flap assembly 1 includes a flap 4 adjustable via a flap motion mechanism 3, a drive assembly 5 having at least one electric drive 6 positioned corresponding to the flap 4 to cause motor-driven adjustment of the flap, a control unit assembly 7 controlling the drive 6, and an automobile lock 8 positioned corresponding to the flap 4. In the adjustment routine, the drive 6 is controlled by the control unit assembly 7 for motor-driven adjustment of the flap 4, and in the adjustment routine under normal operation, the control unit assembly 7 monitors for the satisfaction of error criteria. The error criteria represent thermal overload cases, failure cases, and / or collision cases, and when the error criteria are satisfied, the control unit assembly 7 modifies, in particular, the control in the adjustment routine to terminate.

[0018] The control unit assembly 7 may be configured as a flap control unit positioned corresponding to the flap 4, as shown in the figure, and this flap control unit interacts with a higher-level automotive control unit. Similarly, the control unit assembly 7 may be integrated within the drive unit 6. Rather than such a distributed approach, the control unit assembly 7 may be a component of a central automotive control unit. The control unit assembly 7 preferably has control electronics that perform the control tasks that occur therein.

[0019] The auto lock 8 is configured to fix (lock) the flap 4 in the closed position. To do this, the auto lock 8 can interact with the closing portion (not shown in detail), and in this embodiment, and preferably, the auto lock 8 is located on the flap 4, and the closing portion is fixed to the body (vehicle side). The reverse configuration is also possible.

[0020] The adjustment routine preferably facilitates the movement of the flap 4 from an illustrated closed position to an unillustrated open position, which corresponds to the motor-driven opening process of the flap 4. Similarly, the adjustment routine can trigger the motor-driven closing process of the flap 4.

[0021] Error criteria are monitored during normal operation, preferably by the control unit assembly 7, based on determined sensor values ​​such as drive values ​​generated in control, such as drive current and drive voltage.

[0022] In this case, a thermal overload instance is understood to be overheating of the flap assembly 1, particularly of its electronic components. For example, the temperature sensor value and / or the current acting on the components are monitored to see if they exceed predetermined maximum values.

[0023] A failure is generally understood to be a failure of a component of the flap assembly 1, such as damage, lack of connection, or malfunction of an electronic component, which is determined by or reported to the control unit assembly 7.

[0024] Collision monitoring may include, for example, object detection in the adjustment area of ​​the flap 4 to avoid collisions between objects outside the vehicle 2 and the flap 4, and / or, in particular, to avoid pinching during motor-driven closing motion.

[0025] Currently, in the event of an emergency activation indicating the submersion of vehicle 2, it is important that the control unit assembly 7 executes the adjustment routine after clearing at least one of the error criteria.

[0026] The submersion of the vehicle 2 is understood to be a situation in which the flap assembly 1 is at least partially submerged in water and water pressure is applied to the flap 4, such as when the vehicle 2 is driving into a body of water or when the area around the parked vehicle 2 is flooded. The components of the flap assembly 1 may be configured to be at least partially protected from water.

[0027] The release of at least one error criterion is understood to mean that at least one error criterion monitored during normal operation is no longer monitored for satisfaction in the adjustment routine by the control unit assembly 7, and / or that at least one error criterion monitored during normal operation is monitored by the control unit assembly 7, but does not respond based on the satisfaction of this error criterion. Therefore, ultimately, satisfying at least one error criterion defined for normal operation does not result in any modification, in particular termination, of the adjustment routine during emergency operation.

[0028] Therefore, even if there is a risk of thermal overload cases, failure cases, or collision cases, for example, the operator is preferably provided with motor-driven adjustment of the flap 4 in the submerged situation. Damage to the flap assembly 1 that may be associated with this is acceptable for the operator's emergency assistance.

[0029] In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, further, in the adjustment routine during normal operation, control is performed in accordance with the control criteria for normal operation, particularly while maintaining a specifically prescribed control reserve (drive output). In the adjustment routine during emergency operation, it is stipulated that control is performed in accordance with the control criteria for emergency operation, preferably without a control reserve, and more preferably using the maximum drive output.

[0030] The control criteria for emergency operation may similarly include the control criteria for controlling the drive device 6, but in order to overcome the water pressure applied to the flap 4, emphasis is preferably placed on a powerful motor-driven adjustment of the flap 4. Particularly preferably, compared with the control criteria during normal operation, the drive output caused by the control is increased over time, and more preferably over the entire adjustment routine.

[0031] Using the maximum drive output constitutes a particularly effective variation of the motor-driven adjustment during emergency operation. Here, the maximum drive output is intended to be the maximum electrical output that the control device assembly 7 can provide to the drive device 6. For example, the operating voltage of the motor vehicle 2 is supplied to the drive device 6 without modulation.

[0032] Furthermore, it is possible for the control device assembly 7 to take measures to increase the available electrical output. In this case, at least one part of another electrical consumer of the motor vehicle 2 can be disconnected from the voltage supply of the motor vehicle 2, or an electrical energy accumulator provided for emergency voltage supply can be used for the control of the drive device 6.

[0033] Furthermore, in this embodiment, and preferably, the surrounding sensor assembly collects sensor data about the area around the flap assembly 1, and the control device assembly 7 checks the sensor data for compliance with the submersion criteria, triggering an emergency action when the submersion criteria are met, and / or triggering an emergency action via operator action (intervention), preferably via voice commands and / or operation of an operating element, in particular triggering an emergency action based on operator action only when the submersion criteria are deemed to be met.

[0034] Peripheral sensor assemblies, not shown in the diagram, may include cameras, humidity sensors, pressure sensors, etc., to collect sensor data representing submersion incidents. Through inspection to ensure compliance with submersion criteria, it is possible to automatically trigger emergency operations and, on the other hand, to verify the appropriateness of the operator's actions to avoid malfunctions.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, and preferably, the automobile lock 8 comprises a lock latch 9 and a bolt 10 which are closing elements, an electrical release drive 11 which lifts the bolt 10, and electronic and / or mechanical memory elements for each of the locked states of the automobile lock 8, wherein in the event of an emergency, the locked state is transitioned to an unlocked locked state by the control device assembly 7 or held in an unlocked locked state, and preferably, in the event of an emergency, the bolt 10 is held in the position lifted by the electrical release process.

[0036] In this embodiment, the swivelable locking latch 9 is configured to maintain engagement with the closing portion 12. The swivelable latch 10 is positioned corresponding to the locking latch 9 and can be brought to the illustrated locked position, in which position the latch 10 holds the locking latch 9 in the illustrated closed position. Furthermore, the latch 10 is motor-driven to be lifted by an electrically operated release drive 11.

[0037] The automobile lock 8 can take on various different locking states, and in this embodiment, and preferably, an unlocked state in which operation of the operating element causes a motor-driven lift of the latch 10, and at least one locked state, in this embodiment, and preferably, an external lock state, a child lock state, and an anti-theft state, in which unlocking via operation of at least one part of the operating element is prevented in a form known to the self. Each locking state is achieved mechanically, for example, via a mechanical clutch that can be switched to a corresponding motor-driven state, or electronically, for example, by control technology through electronic querying of the operating element.

[0038] In a mechanically implemented system, the automobile lock 8 is transitioned to an unlocked state via the control of a drive device 6 provided for locking, such as a central locking drive device. In an electronically implemented system, the setting of an electronic memory element provided for this purpose can be triggered by a control device assembly 7. The central locking drive device can be supplied with a higher drive output than during normal operation to ensure, as much as possible, the unlocking of the automobile lock 8 even in the event of an emergency.

[0039] The latch 10 is held in place by an electrical release process, for example, against the return force of the latch spring, particularly electronically after the latch 10 has been lifted, via continuous control of the release drive unit 11. Similarly, the retention can also be performed mechanically, for example, via a memory element (not shown).

[0040] Furthermore, in this embodiment, and preferably, the adjustment routine is triggered by operator intervention during an emergency, preferably, after being triggered by the control unit assembly 7 during an emergency, the adjustment routine is repeated in a time-controlled manner, and more preferably, this repetition is performed while clearing at least one other error criterion among the error criteria.

[0041] Operator intervention is preferably triggered via an operating element also provided for opening the car lock 8. A separate operating element, such as an emergency switch, may also be provided on the flap assembly 1 for operator intervention. The operator intervention may be the aforementioned operator intervention that triggers an emergency, such as a voice command, thereby triggering the emergency and automatically performing the adjustment routine.

[0042] Repeatedly triggering the adjustment routine can be advantageous when high water pressure is applied to flap 4, because flap 4 may not be able to adjust on the first attempt. By repeating, different error criteria can be cleared, thereby achieving additional motor-driven assistance. For example, the first adjustment routine might simply clear the detection of a collision, and the subsequent second adjustment routine might clear all error criteria.

Claims

1. A method for operating a motor-driven flap assembly (1) of an automobile (2), wherein the flap assembly (1) comprises a flap (4) adjustable via a flap motion mechanism (3), a drive unit assembly (5) having at least one electric drive unit (6) positioned corresponding to the flap (4) and causing motor-driven adjustment of the flap, a control unit assembly (7) for controlling the drive unit (6), and an automobile lock (8) positioned corresponding to the flap (4), In an adjustment routine, the drive unit (6) is controlled by the control unit assembly (7) for motor-driven adjustment of the flap (4), and during normal operation, the control unit assembly (7) monitors for the satisfaction of error criteria in the adjustment routine, the error criteria representing thermal overload cases, failure cases and / or collision cases, and the control unit assembly (7) changes the control in the adjustment routine when the error criteria are satisfied, In the event of an emergency operation indicating the submersion status of the vehicle (2), the control unit assembly (7) executes the adjustment routine after clearing at least one of the error criteria. In the adjustment routine during normal operation, control is performed according to the control criteria for normal operation, and in the adjustment routine during emergency operation, control is performed according to the control criteria for emergency operation. A method characterized in that the drive output caused by control according to the control criteria for emergency operation is increased compared to control according to the control criteria for normal operation.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a peripheral sensor assembly collects sensor data relating to the area around the flap assembly (1), and a control device assembly (7) inspects the sensor data for compliance with the submersion criterion, and triggers the emergency action when the submersion criterion is met, and / or triggers the emergency action through operator intervention.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the automobile lock (8) comprises a lock latch (9) and a latch (10) which are closing elements, an electrically operated release drive (11) for lifting the latch (10), and electronic and / or mechanical memory elements for each of the locked states of the automobile lock (8), and in the event of emergency activation, the locked state is transitioned to an unlocked locked state by the control device assembly (7) or held in an unlocked locked state.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the adjustment routine is triggered by an operator intervention during the emergency activation.

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