Method for operating a motor vehicle lock which can be electrically actuated by means of an opening signal

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle lock (110) which can be electrically actuated by means of an opening signal, comprising reversing (80) the motor vehicle lock (110) after an actuation (30) of the motor vehicle lock (HO), the reversing (80) being carried out depending on the opening signal having ceased and / or an ajar signal being received from an ajar device (130) of the motor vehicle lock (110). The invention also relates to a motor vehicle lock (110).

Description

[0001] P23203WO 1 August 5, 2024 Method for operating a motor vehicle lock that can be electrically actuated by means of an opening signal The invention relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle lock that can be electrically actuated by means of an opening signal, comprising reversing the motor vehicle lock after actuation of the motor vehicle lock. The invention further relates to a motor vehicle lock. It is known to carry out the reversing with a specific time delay after actuation. In other words, a time-based start signal for reversing is known. It is also known to carry out the reversing based on a position of a door element provided with the motor vehicle lock. In other words, it is known to provide a start signal for reversing based on the door position. An alternative possibility is sought to initiate the reversing or to carry out the reversing.Another problem that automobile manufacturers and suppliers are continually addressing is reducing the weight of motor vehicles and the installation space of components to a minimum. The weight of the individual components can minimize the overall weight of the vehicle and thus reduce its fuel consumption. A smaller number of components can also lead to a reduction in weight and, in particular, to the always desired reduction in costs. This is where the invention comes in. P23203WO 2 August 5, 2024 The object of the invention is to provide an improved method and motor vehicle lock in which reversing can take place reliably in as many situations as possible, if possible without increasing the number of components or even by reducing the required number of components.Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a motor vehicle lock with minimal installation space and with the smallest possible number of components, and to specify a method for operating such or a similar motor vehicle lock. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a structurally simple and cost-effective solution. Finally, it is an object of the invention to provide solutions that avoid or at least substantially reduce the disadvantages of the prior art. According to the invention, the object is achieved by the features of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims. It is pointed out that the exemplary embodiments described below are not restrictive; rather, any desired variations of the features described in the description and the subclaims are possible.The object of the invention is achieved by providing a method for operating a motor vehicle lock that can be electrically actuated by means of an opening signal. According to the proposal, the method comprises or has the step of reversing the motor vehicle lock after actuation of the motor vehicle lock, wherein the reversing is carried out depending on the fact that the opening signal P23203WO 3 August 5, 2024 has been eliminated and / or an AJAR signal is received from an AJAR device of the motor vehicle lock. In other words, a method is thus proposed in particular which relates to the actuation of an electric motor vehicle lock, and in which a return movement of an electric drive in the motor vehicle lock is subject to a novel triggering logic.The novel triggering logic features, in particular, that the actuation signal used to operate the motor vehicle lock can be used to trigger or carry out the reversing movement upon or after the signal changes from "on" to "off" or upon the cessation of the actuation signal. Alternatively or additionally, the novel triggering logic features that a so-called Ajar or AJAR signal—which is typically inherent in the motor vehicle lock and / or the motor vehicle equipped with the motor vehicle lock, in particular because it is required by law—can be used to trigger or carry out the reversing movement upon or after the Ajar signal is received. The invention ensures that neither a mere time delay after the actuation or operation to trigger the reversing nor a position of the door element needs to be used.Instead, significantly more reliable decision variables are used to trigger reversing. In particular, there is no need to separately detect the door position, which eliminates the need for a corresponding detection device such as a door position sensor for the vehicle lock. P23203WO 4 5August 2024 The object of the invention is further achieved in that a motor vehicle lock is provided, comprising a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and a pawl provided for locking the rotary latch in a locked position of the locking mechanism, and an electromotive drive device operatively connected to the locking mechanism and movable from an initial position for transferring the locking mechanism from the locked position to a release position based on an opening signal, wherein the drive device is designed to reverse to the initial position depending on the cessation of the opening signal and / or receipt of an Ajar signal from the motor vehicle. In particular, it is proposed to monitor an opening signal that serves to actuate an electrically actuated motor vehicle lock to open a door element of a motor vehicle.In this case, the opening signal is monitored to trigger a reversal of the motor vehicle lock in such a way that a loss of the opening signal is considered. When and / or after the loss of the opening signal or when there is a signal change in the opening signal, e.g. from “on” to “off”, the reversal can then be triggered. Basically, a use of the opening signal is proposed. Analogously, a use or monitoring of the Ajar signal is proposed to trigger the reversal. In other words, a motor vehicle lock is proposed in particular which is designed such that a return movement of an electric drive in the motor vehicle lock can be operated with the novel triggering logic described above. P23203WO 5 August 5, 2024 Reversing is to be understood in particular as meaning that the motor vehicle lock is returned to a position, a state ora position is moved in which the vehicle lock can be operated again. The reversing occurs in particular electrically or electromechanically. The loss or cessation of the opening signal is to be understood in particular as meaning that the opening signal is no longer received, and / or that the opening signal is no longer present, and / or that the opening signal no longer implies a command according to which the vehicle lock should be operated. A loss means in particular a signal change. In this respect, it may be the case that when the opening signal is lost, the opening signal or the medium with the opening signal is still present, but is essentially relieved of the command to operate the vehicle lock.For example, the opening signal can be transmitted via a BUS system, and if the BUS system indicates that "the door should no longer be opened," for example, if a user has released a door handle, it may be understood that the opening signal has been canceled. A door element is any pivoting or displaceable component on a motor vehicle that can be held or fixed in a closed position by a motor vehicle lock. The closed position is the position of the door element in which it is held, particularly during driving and particularly in the main closed position. The door element can be moved into an open position. The open position is characterized by the door element being open enough for an operator of the motor vehicle to grasp the door element and open it completely.When the motor vehicle lock has been unlocked, the door element can be moved and is no longer fixed by the motor vehicle lock. Unlocking refers to a locking mechanism of the motor vehicle lock and here means that a pawl of the locking mechanism has been moved out of the engagement area with a rotary latch of the locking mechanism, so that the rotary latch can move freely. The release position specifically describes the state in which the rotary latch is opened so far that a lock holder (which is typically attached to a door element) is released. The release position can describe a position of the door element that is different from the open position and / or that lies behind the open position. The open position is typically the position in which the door element is in a position in which an operator can grasp the door element and open it completely.The release position is typically the position in which the lock holder can be released from the rotary latch. The transfer of the door element into at least one release position is typically necessary in order to enable independent or user-guided opening of the door element. The motor vehicle lock described here is electrically operated. The motor vehicle provided with the motor vehicle lock is in particular equipped with an electrical opening function when the motor vehicle lock is actuated. An electrical opening function exists when the locking mechanism can be transferred from a detent position, preferably a main detent position, into an unlocked position or release position. The unlocked position can correspond to or be equal to the release position. In particular, an electric drive orAn electric drive device is provided, with which the pawl is moved out of engagement with the rotary latch and thus enables electrically assisted opening of the locking mechanism, in particular to reach the unlocked position and / or the release position. Whenever a motor vehicle lock is referred to in the context of the present disclosure, synonyms such as locking device, lock or door lock are used interchangeably. The term "motor vehicle lock" also encompasses locks that are used in doors, sliding doors, flaps and / or covers in motor vehicles, in other words wherever components attached to the motor vehicle in a pivoting or displaceable manner must be held securely in their position. The motor vehicle lock according to the invention preferably relates to a side door lock.Such motor vehicle locks comprise a locking mechanism consisting of a rotary latch and at least one pawl, for example, two or more pawls. The locking mechanism can be designed as a single-latching or double-latching locking mechanism. Recent developments have also revealed locking mechanisms with rolling locking parts, such as a pivoting locking element. With a single-latching locking mechanism, there is only one locking position in which the pawl holds the rotary latch. With double-latching locking mechanisms, there is a main locking position as well as a pre-latching position, allowing the rotary latch and pawl to interact in two locking positions. A release lever interacts with the locking mechanism in such a way that the release lever unlatches the locked locking mechanism. The pawl is moved out of the engagement area with the rotary latch.It is also known for multiple pawls to be used. For example, if an opening moment for the locking mechanism occurs in the main locking position, the pawl can be held by another pawl. This additional pawl is then referred to as a locking or blocking lever. A release lever can be provided, wherein the locking mechanism can be transferred from a locking position to an opening position and / or the release position by means of the release lever. The drive device can be provided or designed to actuate the release lever. The AJAR device is designed, for example, to monitor the motor vehicle lock and / or a door element with the motor vehicle lock in order to provide the AJAR signal. The AJAR signal can thus be provided when the motor vehicle lock is unlocked or is present.For example, if the release position, the open position, and / or the unlocked position are present, the AJAR signal may be present, particularly to signal that a door element is not properly closed. The AJAR device can also be assigned to the door element and / or be separate from the vehicle lock. "AJAR device" or "AJAR signal" or "AJAR" can also be understood as a proper name. In particular, "AJAR" is widely used in the field of vehicle locks to indicate or imply a door element in the open position. If a door element or the vehicle lock is open or not closed, i.e., if the door element is in the open state or the vehicle lock is in the pre-locking position or not in the main locking position, this is typically referred to as "AJAR" or "ajar," where "ajar" also means "open" or "open."An advantageous development comprises generating the opening signal through user actuation of an opening device, in particular comprising a door handle, a trigger, a touchpad, a force sensor, a switch, and / or a button. The opening device can be provided on a door element equipped with the motor vehicle lock. For example, it can be a door handle and / or trigger or the like that is designed to provide or generate the opening signal. The opening device can be assigned to the motor vehicle. Generation typically takes place before reversing. For example, a user can pull on the door handle and thereby generate the opening signal—at least indirectly. The motor vehicle lock is thus electrically actuated, and reversing can be logically linked to it.A further advantageous development relates to the AJAR device interacting with a locking mechanism, in particular a rotary latch and / or a pawl of the locking mechanism, of the motor vehicle lock. The AJAR device can be contained in the motor vehicle lock and interact with the locking mechanism in terms of sensors or detection in order to generate the AJAR signal P23203WO 10 August 5, 2024. For example, the AJAR signal can be present when the motor vehicle lock is unlocked and / or when a release position, an open position and / or an unlatched position is present. Generation of the AJAR signal by the AJAR device can be provided. The AJAR device can have an AJAR switch, AJAR button, AJAR sensor and / or AJAR trigger. The advantage here is that the invention can be linked to the conventional AJAR signal for reversing. This allows for component savings.Also, reversing is only carried out when it really makes sense, because the door element should actually be open when the Ajar signal is present, and the motor vehicle lock or drive device can therefore sensibly be returned to its original position. A further advantageous development relates to the motor vehicle lock having an electric drive device. For example, the drive device has an electric motor that is provided for rotary and / or linear drive. For example, the drive device has a control unit that is designed, for example, to control the electric motor and / or can receive and / or transmit signals or control commands. The electric motor is provided to move the locking mechanism, in particular to actuate the motor vehicle lock by operating the electric motor.The drive device preferably has a DC motor as the electric motor. A first gear element (e.g. a gear, a worm, a lever and / or a rack) can be mounted on an output shaft of the electric motor, P23203WO 11 August 5, 2024 which interacts with another gear element (e.g. a gear, a worm, a lever and / or a rack) to initiate a movement in the motor vehicle lock. It is conceivable for the first gear element to be directly engaged or operatively connected with an actuating lever, but preferably at least one gear stage is arranged between the driving first gear element and the actuating lever. A worm gear stage is preferably used as the gear stage. The actuating lever can also interact directly with a / the release lever or be integrally formed as a release lever.It may be that reception of the opening signal and / or the Ajar signal from a / the drive device of the motor vehicle lock is provided; the reception can be carried out by the control unit, for example in order to send a control command to the electric motor. In particular, the motor vehicle lock, in particular its control unit, is designed to receive and / or process the opening signal and / or the Ajar signal. The reception typically takes place before reversing and / or after the generation of the opening signal. In particular, movement of a / the drive device starting from an initial position is provided for transferring a / the locking mechanism of the motor vehicle lock from a locked position to a released position. The movement is triggered in particular by and / or after reception of the opening signal, in particular by and / or after actuation.The movement typically takes place before the reversing and / or after the generation of the opening signal. The movement typically takes place after P23203WO 12 August 5, 2024 the receipt of the opening signal. The movement typically takes place before the receipt of the Ajar signal, in particular because the movement usually has to be completed in full in order to reach the Ajar signal. The movement may be understood as an outward movement, in which case the reversing can be understood as a return movement. A further advantageous development relates to the motor vehicle lock, in particular the control unit, being designed to measure a (measured) time period, in particular wherein the time period is measurable with an accuracy in the range of at least one millisecond or at least ten milliseconds.In particular, the time interval between the generation and / or reception of the Ajar signal and the generation and / or reception of the opening signal can be measured, in particular to determine whether the actuation of the motor vehicle lock, including the opening of the door element, was successful or whether a problem is indicated by the time duration. Normally, the Ajar signal is generated or received after the opening signal. In other words, in particular, a time delay between signals should be measurable. If, for example, the time duration is too long, it could be that the door element is jammed or frozen. A short time duration, in contrast, may indicate that the actuation proceeded as usual. In particular, a measurement of a / the time duration by which the generation or reception of the Ajar signal is delayed compared to the generation or reception of the opening signal is provided.Depending on the time duration, a decision can be made, in particular the control unit can decide how long a control time duration is for which a movement is carried out, with the measurement being carried out before the reversing. The control time duration is therefore spontaneously changed depending on the length of the measured time duration. The control time duration can refer to the entire time duration since receipt of the opening signal or since the start of the movement, i.e. start from "zero" from then on. The control time duration can also refer to a time duration after receipt of the Ajar signal, i.e. start from "zero" from then on. This creates flexibility depending on the application or ambient conditions and can save energy. In particular, the following logic can be provided with regard to the measured time duration.If the measured time period is less than a predetermined normal time period, then the movement is continued for a first control time period, in particular until the first control time period is reached. The predetermined normal time period is in particular 500 ms, 250 ms, 100 ms or 50 ms. The control time period is in particular 100 ms, 50 ms, 25 ms or 10 ms. In particular, if the measured time period is longer than the predetermined normal time period, then the movement is continued for a second control time period, in particular 400 ms, 200 ms, 100 ms or 40 ms (in particular until the second control time period is reached) or until the opening signal is removed. In this way, security can be increased and the reliability of the opening process can be further improved, although a sensor can be dispensed with.A further advantageous development relates to the fact that a / the drive device of the motor vehicle lock can be moved back, in particular into the starting position. In particular, the method can comprise moving a / the drive device back towards and / or into the starting position. Preferably, the moving back takes place starting from a position deviating from the starting position. In particular, reversing comprises moving back. In particular, the moving back takes place during the reversing and / or is triggered by the reversing. The moving back itself relates in particular to the movement of the drive device. The moving back is triggered in particular after the opening signal has ceased. The moving back is triggered in particular with a time delay after the opening signal has ceased. For example, when a user actuates orIf a door handle is detected in order to open the door element, the movement is triggered. If the user then releases the door handle or no longer operates the opening device, the opening signal can be omitted or eliminated and the reversing can take place. The Ajar signal may also have been generated in the meantime. In this way, the reversing movement is particularly useful for a classic use case and avoids incorrect operation. The reversing movement can be triggered after the Ajar signal has been received. The reversing movement can be triggered with a time delay after the Ajar signal has been received. In principle, the reversing or moving back can be triggered by the Ajar signal in order to increase reliability and safety without the need for additional sensors for the reversing or moving back. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle that is equipped with the motor vehicle lock orthis has P23203WO 15 August 5, 2024. More precisely, at least one door element of this motor vehicle can be equipped with the motor vehicle lock. The invention further relates to a motor vehicle with the motor vehicle lock, wherein this motor vehicle is designed to carry out the method described here. The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings and sketches. However, the principle applies that the exemplary embodiment does not limit the invention, but merely represents an advantageous embodiment. The features shown can be implemented individually or in combination with further features of the description as well as the patent claims.It shows: Figure 1 shows a door element of a motor vehicle provided with a motor vehicle lock in a perspective view, Figure 2 shows the motor vehicle lock of Figure 1 together with a lock holder in a perspective view, and Figure 3 shows a method for operating the motor vehicle lock of Figure 1 in a schematic view. Figure 1 shows a motor vehicle 100 in which a door element 104 is arranged in an open position. The door element 104 has an opening device 102 with a door handle to provide an opening signal when a user grasps the door handle and pulls on it to open the door element 104. P23203WO 16 August 5, 2024 The motor vehicle 100 carries a lock holder 118 on a B-pillar, which corresponds to a motor vehicle lock 110 arranged in the door element 104. The lock holder can be fixed by the motor vehicle lock 110 when the door element 104 is closed oris held in a main locking position, which is not shown. In the present case, the motor vehicle lock 110 is in a release position. Figure 2 shows that the motor vehicle lock 110 has a locking mechanism 112 with a rotary latch 114 and a single pawl 116. It is conceivable that multiple pawls are provided, for example, to achieve multiple detent positions of a rotary latch (not shown). The pawl 116 is provided to lock the rotary latch 114 in a locked position of the locking mechanism 112. Furthermore, an electromotive drive device 120 is provided, which is operatively connected to the locking mechanism 112 and can be moved starting from an initial position. The drive device 120 can move the motor vehicle lock 110 or the locking mechanism 112 between the locked position and the release position.For this purpose, the drive device 120, more precisely a control unit, can receive the opening signal from the opening device 102. The motor vehicle lock 110 further has an Ajar device 130, which can provide an Ajar signal. The drive device 120 is designed to reverse to the starting position depending on the cessation of the opening signal and / or the reception of the Ajar signal. P23203WO 17 August 5, 2024 Figure 3 shows a method according to the invention that is carried out with the motor vehicle lock 110 shown in Figures 1 and 2. First, the opening signal is generated 10 at the opening device 102. In this case, a user grasps the door handle, whereupon the opening signal is provided. The opening signal is then received by the drive device 120, more precisely the control unit, in step receiving 20. The drive device 120 orThe control unit then initiates actuation 30 of the motor vehicle lock 110. More precisely, during actuation 30, the control unit operates the electric motor. At the same time, movement 40 of the drive device 120 takes place. Movement 40 takes place starting from an initial position to transfer a locking mechanism 112 from a locked position to a released position, with movement 40 being triggered by or after receipt 20 of the opening signal, and by or after actuation 30. It is now a matter of time before the Ajar signal is generated in the generation step 50, specifically by the Ajar device 130. This is usually the case when the rotary latch 114 releases the lock holder 118, because the rotary latch 114 then actuates a switch or button on the Ajar device 130. The Ajar signal can be received by the drive device 120 in step Receive 60.In this case, after receiving 60, the measuring step 70 is carried out, in which the P23203WO 18 August 5, 2024 time period between the receiving steps 20 and 60 is measured. Depending on the measured time period, a decision is made as to the length of the control period for which the movement 40 is still carried out. If the measured time period is less than a predetermined normal time period of 50 ms, the movement 40 is continued for a first control period of 10 ms. If the measured time period is longer than the predetermined normal time period of 50 ms, the movement 40 is continued for a second control period of 40 ms or until the opening signal in step 45 disappears. Also, after the start of the move step 40, it is only a matter of time before the opening signal disappears 45 or takes its desired effect.The removal 45 takes place, for example, when the user releases the door handle. The removal 45 takes place in any case during or after the movement 40 and / or generation 50 and / or reception 60 and / or measurement 70. Finally, a reversal 80 is triggered in the motor vehicle lock 110. The reversal 80 takes place in this case as a function of the removal 45 and the reception 60. The reversal 80 also implies that the drive device 120 is immediately moved (back) in the step of moving back 90 in order to reach its starting position. The reversal takes place in this case after steps 10, 20, 30, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70. The moving back takes place starting from a position deviating from the starting position. P23203WO 19 5 August 2024 The return movement 90 is triggered in this case after the removal 45 of the opening signal, more precisely immediately on and / or by the removal 45.The return movement 90 can alternatively or additionally be triggered after the reception 60 of the Ajar signal, particularly preferably with a time delay after the reception 60 of the Ajar signal. The steps "generate" 10 and "receive" 20 may occur essentially simultaneously. The steps "generate" 50 and "receive" 60 may occur essentially simultaneously. Here, the delay between "generate" 10 or 20 and "receive" 20 or 60 is essentially the signal path.

[0002] P23203WO 20 5 August 2024 List of reference symbols 10 Generate opening signal 20 Receive opening signal 30 Actuate 40 Move 45 Elimination of opening signal 50 Generate Ajar signal 60 Receive Ajar signal 70 Measure duration 80 Reverse 90 Move back 100 Motor vehicle 102 Opening device 104 Door element 110 Motor vehicle lock 112 Locking mechanism 114 Rotary latch 116 Pawl 118 Lock holder 120 Drive device 130 Ajar device

[0003] P23203WO 21 August 5, 2024 Patent claims 1. Method for operating a motor vehicle lock (110) that can be electrically actuated by means of an opening signal, comprising reversing (80) the motor vehicle lock (110) after actuation (30) of the motor vehicle lock (110), wherein the reversing (80) is carried out depending on the fact that the opening signal has disappeared and / or an Ajar signal is received from an Ajar device (130) of the motor vehicle lock (110). 2. Method according to the preceding claim, comprising generating (10) the opening signal by a user actuation of an opening device (102), in particular having a door handle, a trigger, a touchpad, a force sensor, a switch, and / or a button. 3.Method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising generating (50) the Ajar signal by the Ajar device (130) cooperating with a locking mechanism (112), in particular a rotary latch (114) and / or a pawl (116) of the locking mechanism (112), of the motor vehicle lock (110), in particular comprising an Ajar switch, Ajar button, Ajar sensor and / or Ajar trigger. 4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising.

Claims

P23203WO 22 August 5, 2024 Receiving (20, 60) the opening signal and / or the Ajar signal from a drive device (120) of the motor vehicle lock (110).

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising moving (40) a / the drive device (120) starting from an initial position to transfer a locking mechanism (112) of the motor vehicle lock (110) from a locked position into a released position, in particular wherein the movement (40) is triggered by and / or after receiving (20) the opening signal, in particular by and / or after actuation (30). 6.Method according to the preceding claim, comprising measuring (70) a time period by which the reception (60) of the Ajar signal is delayed compared to the reception (20) of the opening signal, wherein the length of a control period for which the movement (40) is carried out is decided as a function of the measured time period, wherein the measuring (70) is carried out before the reversing (80).

7. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein if the measured time period is less than a predetermined normal time period, in particular 500 ms, 250 ms, 100 ms or 50 ms, then the movement (40) is continued for a first control period, in particular 100 ms, 50 ms, 25 ms or 10 ms; and if the measured time period is higher than the predetermined normal time period, then the movement (40) is continued for a second control time period, in particular 400 ms, 200 ms, 100 ms. P23203WO 23 August 5, 2024 or 40 ms, continued or continued until the opening signal is removed.

8. The method according to one of the preceding claims, the reversing (80) comprising moving back (90) of a / the drive device (120) towards and / or into the starting position, in particular wherein the moving back (90) takes place starting from a position deviating from the starting position.

9. The method according to the preceding claim, wherein the moving back (90) is triggered chronologically after the opening signal is removed (45) and in particular is triggered with a time delay after the opening signal is removed (45).

10. The method according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the moving back (90) is triggered chronologically after the reception (60) of the Ajar signal and in particular is triggered with a time delay after the reception (60) of the Ajar signal.Motor vehicle lock (110), comprising a locking mechanism (112) with a rotary latch (114) and a pawl (116) provided for locking the rotary latch (114) in a locked position of the locking mechanism (112), and an electromotive drive device (120) operatively connected to the locking mechanism (112) and movable from an initial position for transferring the locking mechanism (112) from the locked position into a release position on the basis of an opening signal, wherein the drive device (120) is designed to be dependent on a cessation (45) of the opening signal and / or receipt (60) of a. P23203WO 24 August 5, 2024 Ajar signal from an Ajar device (130) of the motor vehicle lock (110) to reverse to the starting position.

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