Control arrangement for operating a motor vehicle locking system

Abstract

The invention relates to a control arrangement for operating a motor vehicle locking system (2), wherein: the motor vehicle locking system (2) has a drive (3) having an electric drive motor (4) for providing a motorised closing function for an adjustable closure element (5) of the motor vehicle (6); the control arrangement (1) is configured to actuate the drive (3) upon receipt of an operator control event; the control arrangement (1) has an electrical energy store (9) having at least one capacitor (10); and in an emergency operating mode, in particular in the event of a failure of an on-board electrical system of the motor vehicle (6), the control arrangement (1) uses the energy store (9) to provide an emergency supply voltage to the drive (3). It is proposed that, irrespective of the receipt of the operator control event, the control arrangement (1) carries out a diagnostic routine in which the control arrangement (1) partially discharges the capacitor (10) over a diagnostic time period and in which the control arrangement (1) determines at least one electrical parameter of the capacitor (10) on the basis of a variation of the voltage of the capacitor (10) over time during the discharging process.

Description

[0001] Control arrangement for the operation of a motor vehicle locking system

[0002] The present invention relates to a control arrangement for the operation of a motor vehicle locking system according to the preamble of claim 1, a motor vehicle locking system according to claim 16 and a method for operating a motor vehicle locking system according to the preamble of claim 18.

[0003] The motor vehicle locking system in question is used for all types of motorized locking functions for locking elements of a motor vehicle. These include, in particular, locking elements such as side doors, rear doors, tailgates, trunk lids, hoods, or the like. These locking elements can generally be designed as pivoting or sliding doors. The motorized locking function particularly relates to a motor vehicle lock associated with the motor vehicle locking system. Further examples of the relevant locking functions of a motor vehicle are drive arrangements that provide motorized adjustment of the aforementioned locking elements.

[0004] The prior art (DE 10 2020 102 775 A1) discloses a method for operating a motor vehicle locking system with a motor vehicle lock that has a lock latch and a pawl as locking elements. The lock latch can be moved into a closed position in which it is in holding engagement with the locking part and in which it is fixed by the pawl. The motor vehicle lock is further equipped with an electric drive with which the pawl can be lifted out, so that the lock latch can be adjusted to its open position, releasing the locking part.

[0005] In order to ensure the power supply of such motor vehicle locksmiths even in emergency operation, in particular in the event of a failure of the vehicle's electrical system, the known control arrangement has a rechargeable energy storage device with a capacitor.

[0006] The condition of the energy storage device and the capacitor is therefore particularly important with regard to the security of the motor vehicle locking system. Due to aging effects or defects, the performance of the capacitor can be impaired, which is not easily recognizable during normal operation of the motor vehicle locking system. A method is known from the prior art (US 2009 / 088993 A1), wherein the degree of deterioration of a capacitor unit of a motor vehicle is assessed on the basis of electrical parameters such as a standard internal resistance value and / or a capacitance value, and wherein the electrical parameter is determined during charging of the capacitor unit. The diagnosis of the energy storage device is therefore linked to a specific charging process.

[0007] The invention is based on the problem of designing and developing a generic control arrangement in such a way that further optimization is achieved with regard to a diagnosis of the energy storage device.

[0008] The above problem is solved by the features of claim 1.

[0009] The fundamental idea is to use a capacitor discharge process for diagnosis. However, since discharging the capacitor intended for emergency operation only occurs in exceptional cases over the service life of the vehicle locking system, a diagnostic routine is provided that is independent of the operating event. A discharge process tailored to the diagnosis can be initiated within the diagnostic routine.

[0010] In detail, it is proposed that the control arrangement, independently of receiving the operating event, performs a diagnostic routine in which the control arrangement partially discharges the capacitor over a diagnostic period and in which the control arrangement determines at least one electrical characteristic of the capacitor based on a temporal voltage curve of the capacitor during discharging.

[0011] Particularly preferably, according to claim 2, a measure of the electrical series resistance of the capacitor is determined, which allows a reliable characterization of the capacitor. Additionally or alternatively, a capacitance of the capacitor can be determined.

[0012] In the preferred embodiment according to claim 3, a value of a voltage drop is determined from the temporal voltage profile for determining the characteristic, thereby achieving a particularly reliable evaluation of the voltage profile. A curve fit can be performed, including to a linear voltage behavior, which further simplifies the evaluation.

[0013] Another advantageous embodiment is the embodiment according to claim 4, according to which the duration of the diagnostic period is adjusted to achieve an approximately linear voltage curve. This enables a reliable evaluation of the voltage curve while simultaneously discharging the capacitor only very slightly.

[0014] A particularly expedient implementation of discharging in the diagnostic routine is provided in the embodiment according to claim 6 via a charging circuit specifically provided for this purpose. This enables, in particular, the use of a charging resistor that can be tailored to the requirements of the diagnostic routine.

[0015] In the further embodiment according to claim 7, the unloading is effected via the drive, so that additional components for implementing the diagnostic routine are not absolutely necessary. It is preferred that the drive can be operated in such a way that no motorized adjustment is performed via the drive.

[0016] In addition to a time-controlled and / or, in particular, triggered via a higher-level control system diagnostic routine according to claim 8, a temperature-dependent adjustment of the capacitor voltage is provided in the particularly preferred embodiment according to claim 9. Discharge for the diagnostic routine can be provided when a temperature change, in particular a temperature increase, causes a reduction in the capacitor voltage. The diagnostic routine can therefore also be used to protect the capacitor from excessive voltage.

[0017] In the further embodiment according to claim 10, it is provided that the capacitor is initially brought to a higher voltage or a higher charge level during charging, which, on the one hand, allows self-discharge to be easily compensated. On the other hand, the higher charge level is used for the diagnostic routine.

[0018] Embodiments according to claims 11 and 12 relate to a test of the capacitor condition using a test specification, which can be defined as a function of a temperature value to increase reliability, and an error routine, which is based, for example, on issuing an error message or setting an error memory. The test specification can also include a prediction of the characteristic value, so that a capacitor defect can even be detected early.

[0019] The determination of the characteristic variable can further be carried out on the basis of a discharge current value determined via a current sensor according to claim 13, which improves the accuracy of the diagnosis.

[0020] In the preferred embodiment according to claim 14, however, a predetermined discharge current value, stored, for example, in the control arrangement, is used, thus eliminating the need for an additional current sensor. It is particularly preferred to adjust the duration of the diagnostic period to the predetermined discharge current value.

[0021] According to a further teaching according to claim 16, which has independent significance, a motor vehicle locking system is claimed comprising a drive with an electric drive motor for providing a motorized locking function for an adjustable closure element of a motor vehicle and comprising a proposed control arrangement. Reference is made to all statements regarding the proposed control arrangement.

[0022] In the preferred embodiment according to claim 17, a motor vehicle lock is further provided for the locking element of the motor vehicle, wherein the electric drive is provided for the motorized lifting of the locking pawl of the motor vehicle lock. The proposed solution can take into account the special security requirements of motor vehicle locksmiths. A particularly preferred embodiment of the motor vehicle locking system is one in which the control arrangement and thus the energy storage device are integrated into the motor vehicle lock.

[0023] According to a further teaching according to claim 18, which also has independent significance, a method for operating a motor vehicle locking system is claimed. It is essential that, independently of the receipt of the operating event, a diagnostic routine is performed by the control arrangement, in which the control arrangement partially discharges the capacitor over a diagnostic period and in which the control arrangement determines at least one electrical characteristic of the capacitor based on a temporal voltage profile of the capacitor during discharging. Reference is made to all statements regarding the proposed control arrangement and the proposed motor vehicle locking system.

[0024] In the following, the invention is explained in more detail with reference to a drawing which merely illustrates exemplary embodiments. In the drawing,

[0025] Fig. 1 is a schematic, perspective view of a motor vehicle with a proposed motor vehicle locking system and a motor vehicle lock in a partially disassembled side view,

[0026] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a proposed control arrangement for the motor vehicle locking system and

[0027] Fig. 3 shows an example of the capacitor voltage curve over time in the diagnostic routine.

[0028] The invention relates to a control arrangement 1 for the operation of a motor vehicle locking system 2, wherein the motor vehicle locking system 2 has a drive 3 with an electric drive motor 4 for providing a motorized locking function for an adjustable locking element 5 of the motor vehicle 6.

[0029] The term "drive motor" 3 herein encompasses all types of electric actuators, in particular rotary and linear actuators. The drive motor 4 is preferably a rotary electric motor, which is further preferably configured as a brushed DC motor or as a brushless DC motor. During normal operation, the drive 3 can be powered by a standard supply voltage, here and preferably by a supply voltage of the on-board electrical system of the motor vehicle 6, which is provided by the central battery of the motor vehicle 6. The central battery is preferably the battery that provides the electrical energy required for starting the motor vehicle 6 and / or for driving the motor vehicle 6.A motorized closing function is understood to mean that the adjustable locking element 5 of the motor vehicle 6 is adjusted, opened or closed, and / or locked or unlocked directly or indirectly by a movement generated by the electric drive 3. Regarding the design of the locking element 5, reference is made to the introductory explanations, whereby Fig. 1 illustrates the functionality of the motor vehicle locking system 2 for a locking element 5 designed as a tailgate. However, all explanations also apply to all other types of locking elements 5 of the motor vehicle 6.

[0030] The control arrangement 1 is configured to control the drive 3 upon receipt of an operating event. The control arrangement 1 comprises control electronics for implementing the control tasks associated with the motorized locking functions and is preferably equipped with a microcontroller 7. The control arrangement 1 monitors the presence of the operating event, which is transmitted, for example, as an operating signal from an operating element 8 such as a door handle. The operating element 8 comprises, for example, a resistance-coded button or the like to detect manual actuation of the operating element 8. Furthermore, an operating element 8 comprising a sensor device is conceivable, which serves, for example, to detect an electronic key of the motor vehicle 6 and / or to detect an approach or operating gesture of an operator of the motor vehicle 6.

[0031] The control arrangement 1 has an electrical energy storage device 9 with at least one capacitor 10. In an emergency operation, particularly in the event of a failure of an on-board electrical system of the motor vehicle 6, the control arrangement 1 provides an emergency supply voltage to the drive 3 via the energy storage device 9. Based on the emergency supply voltage, the motorized closing function can be ensured even in emergency operation. Examples of emergency operation include a significant discharge of the central battery and a related voltage drop in the on-board electrical system, as well as a crash in which the central battery and / or supply lines of the on-board electrical system are damaged.

[0032] It is now essential that the control arrangement 1, independently of receiving the operating event, carries out a diagnostic routine in which the control arrangement 1 partially discharges the capacitor 10 over a diagnostic period and in which the control arrangement 1 determines at least one electrical characteristic of the capacitor 10 based on a temporal voltage curve of the capacitor 10 during discharging.

[0033] The diagnostic routine is independent of the receipt of the operating event, so the diagnostic routine is not linked to the triggering and provision of the motorized closing function, and thus to emergency operation. In particular, during normal operation, the energy storage device 9 is not discharged to provide the motorized closing function, so the control arrangement 1 performs a targeted discharge for diagnostic purposes using the diagnostic routine.

[0034] A "partial" discharge of the capacitor 10 means that only a portion of the maximum available charge of the capacitor 10 is removed during the discharge in the diagnostic routine. It is particularly preferred if only a small amount of charge is removed compared to the maximum available charge, for example, less than 5%, preferably less than 1% of the maximum available charge of the capacitor 10.

[0035] In general, any electrical parameter of the capacitor 10 that is suitable for assessing a capacitor's condition can be determined as an electrical parameter. Here, and preferably, it is provided that the control arrangement 1 determines a measure of an equivalent resistance of the capacitor 10 as an electrical parameter. Preferably, a measure of the equivalent series resistance (ESR) is determined. For example, an increase in the series resistance can be an indicator of an aging effect of the capacitor 10. Likewise, a measure of the equivalent distributed resistance (EDR) can be determined.

[0036] Furthermore, it can be provided that the control arrangement 1 determines a measure of the capacitance of the capacitor 10 as an electrical parameter. For example, a decrease in the capacitance can be an indicator of an aging effect of the capacitor 10.

[0037] The electrical characteristic is determined from the temporal voltage profile and is thus based on a time-dependence of the voltage. For example, the temporal voltage profile is compared with predetermined voltage profiles and / or a curve fit is performed on at least sections of the temporal voltage profile. Individual voltage values ​​can also be extracted from the temporal voltage profile, which serve to determine the electrical characteristic. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the control arrangement 1 determines the electrical characteristic via a voltage drop determined from the temporal voltage profile using an evaluation rule.

[0038] A "voltage drop" is defined here as the difference between two voltage values ​​determined based on the voltage profile over time. The voltage values ​​can be directly contained in the voltage profile and / or derived from the voltage profile. The evaluation specification specifies how the voltage drop, in this case the voltage values, are to be determined.

[0039] Fig. 3 shows an example of a voltage profile over time in the diagnostic routine between times t1 and t2. During the diagnostic period between times t1 and t2, a resistor is connected to capacitor 10, through which capacitor 10 is discharged, in this case continuously. It is also conceivable that the discharge is interrupted during the diagnostic period and, for example, multiple discharge processes are performed, such as pulsed discharge.

[0040] When the resistor is switched on at time t1, the voltage initially drops gradually and almost instantaneously. The subsequent voltage curve can be exponential. In one embodiment, the voltage drop is defined as the difference between the measured voltage value Uo at or immediately before time t1 and the subsequent measured voltage value.

[0041] With the evaluation rule, a predetermined, in particular linear, voltage behavior can be adapted to the temporal voltage curve, and the voltage drop can be determined based on the adaptation. Here, a best-fit line is applied to the voltage curve for the time period tm. The voltage drop can be determined based on the best-fit line. For example, the voltage drop is the difference between the measured voltage value Uo at or immediately before time ti and the voltage value calculated from the best-fit line at time ti. Here, and preferably, it is provided that the diagnostic period is selected such that an approximately linear voltage curve occurs at the end of the diagnostic period.

[0042] The diagnostic period is preferably kept as short as possible, with a sufficient number of voltage values ​​remaining at the end of the diagnostic period to adjust the best-fit line. The diagnostic period can be stored in the control arrangement 1 as a predefined value, which can, for example, also be dependent on boundary conditions such as the voltage of the capacitor 10, a temperature value, or the like. Dynamic adjustment of the diagnostic period is also conceivable, with discharging, for example, being carried out until an approximately linear voltage curve is measured, whereupon the discharging is terminated.

[0043] As can be seen from Fig. 2, it is preferably provided here that the control arrangement 1 has a charging circuit 11 for charging the energy storage device 9 with a charging resistor Reh. The charging circuit 11 here has a charging switching element Si, which, for example, supplies a charging voltage based on the vehicle electrical system to the capacitor 10. The charging resistor Reh is preferably provided to reduce voltage peaks during charging. The diagnostic routine is preferably provided independently of the charging process.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the control arrangement 1 is configured for pulsed charging by means of the charging circuit 11. For example, the charging switching element Si is used for pulse-width modulated charging of the energy storage device 9, here the capacitor 10. Here, an on-board electrical system voltage Ubat is supplied in pulsed form to the capacitor 10 for charging.

[0045] Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that the control arrangement 1 has a discharge circuit 12 with a discharge resistor Rdch, which the control arrangement 1 connects to the capacitor 10 for discharging during the diagnostic routine. In the illustration in Fig. 2 and in a preferred embodiment, the discharge circuit 12 has a discharge switching element S2, which can be controlled here via the microcontroller 7 to carry out the diagnostic routine. Preferably, the discharge resistor Rdch is designed separately from the charging resistor Reh provided for charging the energy storage device 9, so that, for example, the charging resistor Reh and the discharge resistor Rdch can be adjusted independently of one another for use.The resistance value of the discharge resistor Rdch can in particular be at least three, preferably at least four, orders of magnitude higher than the resistance value of the charging resistor Reh, so that the discharging process and the charging process can each take place in an optimal manner.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment, the discharge circuit 12 is provided specifically for the diagnostic routine and, for example, performs no additional function during operation of the control arrangement 1. In a further embodiment, however, components of the control arrangement 1 that are used during operation can also be used for discharging.

[0047] Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that the control arrangement 1 operates the drive 3 in the diagnostic routine to discharge the capacitor 10. The drive 3 is preferably operated in such a way that a motorized adjustment by the drive 3 is avoided. In particular, the drive 3, for example the drive motor 4, is used merely as an electrical resistor. For example, the control arrangement 1 can operate the drive 3 in a blocking direction in the diagnostic routine. A blocking direction here is a direction of the drive 3 which can be blocked by mechanical elements such as end stops, so that the drive motor 4 is used in a blocking operation to discharge the capacitor 10. For example, the blocking direction is opposite to a drive direction provided for initiating the provision of the closing function.

[0048] The drive 3 can also be operated below a breakaway torque of the drive motor 4. For example, the breakaway torque of a rotary DC motor is the minimum torque required to leave a locking groove.

[0049] The diagnostic routine can be carried out in a time-controlled manner, in particular cyclically at predetermined intervals, by the control arrangement 1, wherein the control arrangement 1 can have a time control. Likewise, the control arrangement 1 can carry out the diagnostic routine upon receipt of a trigger signal, which is transmitted, for example, by a higher-level controller. The trigger signal can in turn be generated based on a time control and / or on specific events, for example, starting the motor vehicle 6, stopping the motor vehicle 6, during maintenance, or the like.

[0050] In general, it can be provided that the control arrangement 1 sets the voltage of the capacitor 10 based on a temperature specification dependent on a temperature value. A temperature-dependent target capacitor voltage can be specified for the capacitor 10 in the temperature specification, which is taken into account, for example, as the target voltage during charging. The target capacitor voltage can be a, in particular strictly, monotonically decreasing function of the temperature value, thereby avoiding any impairment of the capacitor 10 at high temperatures. In a simple embodiment, the target capacitor voltage is a linear function of the temperature value.

[0051] Alternatively or in addition to temperature-dependent charging, a targeted discharge of the capacitor 10 can be performed by means of the control arrangement 1 to achieve the desired capacitor voltage, for example, in response to a temperature increase in a previously substantially fully charged capacitor 10. In a particularly preferred embodiment, it is provided that the control arrangement 1 performs the diagnostic routine at a voltage of the capacitor 10 that is to be reduced according to the temperature specification. In this case, the discharge provided to protect the capacitor 10 due to temperature changes can advantageously be combined with the execution of the diagnostic routine.

[0052] In a further embodiment, it is provided that the control arrangement 1 is configured to initially charge the capacitor 10 during charging until a predetermined pre-capacitor voltage is reached, which is higher than a target capacitor voltage provided for operating the capacitor 10, and then to discharge the capacitor 10 to the target capacitor voltage in the diagnostic routine.

[0053] The target capacitor voltage is, in particular, the temperature-dependent target capacitor voltage explained above, and in this case, a predetermined maximum voltage of capacitor 10. Upon reaching the pre-capacitor voltage, capacitor 10 is thus briefly brought to a higher voltage. Starting from the pre-capacitor voltage, the voltage can then be reduced to the target capacitor voltage via self-discharge and discharging as part of the diagnostic routine.

[0054] It is conceivable that the electrical characteristic is stored in the control arrangement 1 and / or output by the control arrangement 1 so that the capacitor state can be read out as needed, for example during maintenance. However, it is preferably provided that the control arrangement 1 carries out a test of the capacitor state based on a test specification for the electrical characteristic, and further preferably that the control arrangement 1 triggers an error routine if the capacitor state is classified as faulty during the test. The error routine causes, for example, the output of a warning message and / or the setting of an error memory of the motor vehicle 6. The test specification specifies how the capacitor state is to be assessed based on the electrical characteristic. In a simple embodiment, the test specification includes the comparison of the electrical characteristic with at least one threshold value.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment, the test specification is specified depending on a temperature value. For example, the at least one threshold value is specified as a function of temperature. Temperature compensation of the electrical characteristic is also conceivable, with a characteristic for a reference temperature being calculated, in particular for the measured characteristic based on a specified temperature behavior.

[0056] In a further embodiment, the control arrangement 1 stores a temporal profile of the electrical characteristic based on several chronologically successive diagnostic routines. The test specification can relate to the temporal profile of the electrical characteristic, whereby, for example, several chronologically determined values ​​of the characteristic are used to assess the capacitor condition.

[0057] The test specification can preferably contain a prediction for at least one future value of the electrical characteristic based on the temporal progression of the electrical characteristic. For example, based on the temporal progression of the electrical characteristic, a prediction is made as to when a permissible threshold value is expected to be exceeded or undershot. Accordingly, replacement of the capacitor 10 can be initiated before a potential failure occurs.

[0058] As shown in Fig. 2, it is preferably provided here that the control arrangement 1, in particular the discharge circuit 12, has a current sensor 13 for determining a discharge current in the diagnostic routine. In one embodiment, the current sensor 13 can also be used to determine the drive current when controlling the drive 3. It is particularly preferred that the control arrangement 1 further determines the electrical characteristic based on the discharge current, in particular based on a temporal discharge current profile. For example, the ESR can be determined from the ratio of a voltage drop to the discharge current.

[0059] The control arrangement 1 here has a voltage sensor 14 for determining the voltage of the capacitor 10, which is used in the diagnostic routine.

[0060] As shown, the energy storage device 9 can have exactly one capacitor 10. In a further embodiment, a plurality of capacitors 10 are provided, which are generally electrically connected in parallel and / or in series. Preferably, the plurality of capacitors 10 are at least partially connected in series to provide the capacitor voltage.

[0061] Preferably, at least one double-layer capacitor is provided. A double-layer capacitor is an electrochemical energy storage device. Energy is stored in an electrochemical double layer, also known as a "Helmholtz layer." Such a double-layer capacitor is also referred to as a "supercapacitor," "supercap," "ultracap," or similar.

[0062] The energy storage device 9 can have a booster arrangement 15 connected downstream of the at least one capacitor 10, by means of which, in emergency operation, the capacitor voltage of the at least one capacitor 10 is boosted to the emergency supply voltage. The emergency supply voltage can therefore be higher than the capacitor voltage and, in particular, can be selected to correspond to the normal supply voltage. In emergency operation, the capacitor voltage is preferably applied to an input of the booster arrangement 15, which is boosted to the emergency supply voltage at an output of the booster arrangement 15.

[0063] It can also be provided that the control arrangement 1 determines the electrical characteristic based on at least one predetermined discharge current value and independently of a current sensor 13. The at least one predetermined discharge current value is, in particular, a reference stored in the control arrangement 1 for determining the characteristic. For example, the discharge current is determined from the measured voltage based on a predetermined resistance value and / or characteristics such as the ESR are determined directly from the measured voltage, assuming a predetermined resistance value.

[0064] Particularly preferably, the diagnostic period is selected such that an approximately constant discharge current value is obtained during the diagnostic period. Accordingly, even if a current measurement is not performed, an accurate determination of the electrical characteristic can be performed, with the capacitor 10 only being slightly discharged during the diagnostic routine.

[0065] Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that the control arrangement 1 is designed as a flap control unit. The flap control unit is, for example, a door control unit or door control module. The flap control unit preferably manages the locking states of the locking element 5, such as "unlocked," "centrally locked," "anti-theft," "child-proof," and the like, and can be configured to control one or more functions of the locking element 5.

[0066] According to a further teaching, a motor vehicle locking system 2 is proposed, comprising a drive 3 with an electric drive motor 4 for providing a motorized locking function for an adjustable locking element 5 of a motor vehicle 6, and comprising a proposed control arrangement 1. Reference is made to all statements regarding the proposed control arrangement 1. Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that a motor vehicle lock 16 is provided for the locking element 5 of the motor vehicle 6. The motor vehicle lock 16 is shown in Fig. 1 in a partially disassembled side view and is equipped with a lock latch 18 pivotable about a lock latch axis 17 for retaining engagement with a locking part 19 and a locking pawl 21 assigned to the lock latch 18 and pivotable about a pawl axis 20. The locking part 19 can be a striker, a locking bolt, or the like.For example, the motor vehicle lock 16 is arranged on a locking element 5, while the locking part 19 is arranged fixed to the body of the motor vehicle 6.

[0067] The pawl 21 can be moved into a retracted position, as shown in Fig. 1, in which it holds the lock latch 18 in the closed position shown. Furthermore, the pawl 21 can be raised by a motor using the electric drive 3. For this purpose, the drive motor 4 is preferably connected to the pawl 21 by a drive cable 22. The motorized lifting of the pawl 21 corresponds in Fig. 1 to a pivoting of the pawl 21 clockwise about the pawl axis 20. In principle, the pawl 21 can also be part of a pawl system consisting of two or more sequentially arranged pawls 21 assigned to the lock latch 18. The motorized lifting of the pawl 21 is triggered by a manual actuation of the operating element 8.

[0068] Preferably, the control arrangement 1 is integrated into the motor vehicle lock 16. The energy storage device 9 can be integrated into the motor vehicle lock 16 and, in particular, arranged together with the mechanical lock components in a common housing.

[0069] In addition to or instead of the locking function of the motor vehicle lock 16 explained in more detail here, the motor vehicle locking system 2 can also have a drive arrangement for motor-driven adjustment of an aforementioned locking element 5 of the motor vehicle 6, wherein the drive arrangement serves for motor-driven adjustment, in particular opening and / or closing, of the locking element 5. Further examples of locking functions include motor-driven adjustment of control elements 8 as well as interior and exterior elements of the motor vehicle 6, such as fan elements, interior mirrors, side mirrors, lighting, or the like.A method for operating a motor vehicle locking system 2 is proposed, wherein the motor vehicle locking system 2 has a drive 3 with an electric drive motor 4 for providing a motorized locking function for an adjustable locking element 5 of the motor vehicle 6, wherein the drive 3 is controlled by means of the control arrangement 1 upon receipt of an operating event, wherein the control arrangement 1 has an electrical energy store 9 with at least one capacitor 10, wherein the control arrangement 1 provides an emergency supply voltage to the drive 3 by means of the energy store 9 in an emergency operation, in particular in the event of failure of an on-board electrical system of the motor vehicle 6.

[0070] It is provided that, independently of receipt of the operating event, a diagnostic routine is performed by means of the control arrangement 1, in which the control arrangement 1 partially discharges the capacitor 10 over a diagnostic period, and in which the control arrangement 1 determines at least one electrical characteristic of the capacitor 10 based on a temporal voltage profile of the capacitor 10 during discharging. Reference is made to all statements regarding the proposed control arrangement 1 and the proposed motor vehicle locking system 2.

Claims

Patent claims 1. A control arrangement for operating a motor vehicle locking system (2), wherein the motor vehicle locking system (2) comprises a drive (3) with an electric drive motor (4) for providing a motorized locking function for an adjustable closure element (5) of the motor vehicle (6), wherein the control arrangement (1) is configured to control the drive (3) upon receipt of an operating event, wherein the control arrangement (1) comprises an electrical energy store (9) with at least one capacitor (10), wherein the control arrangement (1) provides an emergency supply voltage to the drive (3) by means of the energy store (9) in emergency operation, in particular upon failure of an on-board electrical system of the motor vehicle (6), characterized in that the control arrangement (1) carries out a diagnostic routine, independently of receipt of the operating event, in which the control arrangement (1) partially discharges the capacitor (10) over a diagnostic period,and in which the control arrangement (1 ) determines at least one electrical characteristic of the capacitor (10) on the basis of a temporal voltage curve of the capacitor (10) during discharging., 2. Control arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the control arrangement (1) determines a measure of an equivalent resistance of the capacitor (10) as an electrical characteristic, and / or that the control arrangement (1) determines a measure of a capacitance of the capacitor (10) as an electrical characteristic.

3. Control arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control arrangement (1) determines the electrical characteristic via a voltage drop determined from the temporal voltage curve using an evaluation rule, preferably that a predetermined, in particular linear voltage behavior is adapted to the temporal voltage curve using the evaluation rule and the voltage drop is determined based on the adaptation.

4. Control arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the diagnostic period is selected such that an approximately linear voltage curve occurs at the end of the diagnostic period.

5. Control arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control arrangement (1) has a charging circuit (11) for charging the energy store (9) with a charging resistor (Reh), preferably that the control arrangement (1) is set up for pulsed charging by means of the charging circuit (11).

6. Control arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control arrangement (1) has a discharge circuit (12) with a discharge resistor (Rdch), which the control arrangement (1) connects to the capacitor (10) in the diagnostic routine for discharging, preferably that the discharge resistor (Rdch) is designed separately from the charging resistor (Reh) provided for charging the energy store (9), further preferably that the resistance value of the discharge resistor (Rdch) is at least three orders of magnitude higher than the resistance value of the charging resistor (Reh).

7. Control arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control arrangement (1) operates the drive (3) in the diagnostic routine to discharge the capacitor (10), preferably that the control arrangement (1) operates the drive (3) in a blocking direction and / or below a breakaway torque of the drive motor (4) in the diagnostic routine.

8. Control arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the diagnostic routine is carried out in a time-controlled manner by the control arrangement (1), and / or that the control arrangement (1) carries out the diagnostic routine upon receipt of a trigger signal.

9. Control arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control arrangement (1) sets the voltage of the capacitor (10) on the basis of a temperature specification as a function of a temperature value, and in that the control arrangement (1) carries out the diagnostic routine at a voltage of the capacitor (10) to be reduced in accordance with the temperature specification.

10. Control arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control arrangement (1 ) is designed to charge the capacitor (10) initially until a predetermined Pre-charge capacitor voltage which is higher than a target capacitor voltage provided for operating the capacitor (10), and then discharge the capacitor (10) to the target capacitor voltage in the diagnostic routine.

11. Control arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control arrangement (1) carries out a test of the capacitor state on the basis of a test specification for the electrical characteristic, preferably in that the control arrangement (1) triggers an error routine if the capacitor state is classified as faulty in the test, further preferably in that the test specification is predetermined as a function of a temperature value.

12. Control arrangement according to one of the preceding claims and in particular claim 11, characterized in that the control arrangement (1) stores a temporal profile of the electrical characteristic on the basis of several, chronologically successive diagnostic routines, preferably that the test specification relates to the temporal profile of the electrical characteristic, further preferably that the test specification contains a prediction for at least one future value of the electrical characteristic on the basis of the temporal profile of the electrical characteristic.

13. Control arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control arrangement (1), in particular the discharge circuit (12), has a current sensor (13) for determining a discharge current in the diagnostic routine, preferably that the control arrangement (1) further determines the electrical characteristic based on the discharge current, in particular based on a temporal discharge current profile.

14. Control arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the control arrangement (1) determines the electrical characteristic on the basis of at least one predetermined discharge current value and independently of a current sensor (13), preferably that the diagnostic period is selected such that an approximately constant discharge current value occurs with the discharging in the diagnostic period.

15. Control arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control arrangement (1) is designed as a flap control device, in particular a door control device.

16. Motor vehicle locking system comprising a drive (3) with an electric drive motor (4) for providing a motorized locking function for an adjustable closure element (5) of a motor vehicle (6) and comprising a control arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 15.

17. Motor vehicle locking system according to claim 16, characterized in that a motor vehicle lock (16) is provided for the locking element (5) of the motor vehicle (6), that the motor vehicle lock (16) is equipped with a lock latch (18) for the holding engagement with a locking part (19) and a pawl (21) assigned to the lock latch (18), and that the electric drive (3) is provided for the motorized lifting of the pawl (21), preferably that the control arrangement (1) is integrated in the motor vehicle lock (16).

18. A method for operating a motor vehicle locking system (2), wherein the motor vehicle locking system (2) has a drive (3) with an electric drive motor (4) for providing a motorized locking function for an adjustable closure element (5) of the motor vehicle (6), wherein the drive (3) is controlled by means of the control arrangement (1) upon receipt of an operating event, wherein the control arrangement (1) has an electrical energy store (9) with at least one capacitor (10), wherein the control arrangement (1) provides an emergency supply voltage to the drive (3) by means of the energy store (9) in an emergency operation, in particular in the event of failure of an on-board electrical system of the motor vehicle (6), characterized in that a diagnostic routine is carried out by means of the control arrangement (1), independently of receipt of the operating event, in which the control arrangement (1) partially discharges the capacitor (10) over a diagnostic period,and in which the control arrangement (1 ) determines at least one electrical characteristic of the capacitor (10) on the basis of a temporal voltage curve of the capacitor (10) during discharging.,

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