Motor vehicle locking device

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle locking device and in particular to a motor vehicle lock and preferably to a motor vehicle door lock (1). The motor vehicle locking device is equipped with a lock housing (4) and at least one electromotive drive (5) in the lock housing (4). Furthermore, a main energy source (6) is implemented for the continuous electrical normal-energy supply of the electromotive drive (5). An emergency energy source (7) for the electrical emergency-energy supply of the electromotive drive (5) in the event of a failure of the main energy source (6) is also provided. According to the invention, the main energy source (6) is located in or on the lock housing (4), whereas the emergency energy source (7) is located outside the lock housing (4).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Motor vehicle locking device

[0003] The invention relates to a motor vehicle locking device, in particular a motor vehicle lock and preferably a motor vehicle door lock, with a lock housing and at least one electric motor drive in the lock housing, furthermore with a main energy source for the continuous electrical normal energy supply of the electric motor drive, and with an emergency energy source for the electrical emergency energy supply of the electric motor drive in the event of failure of the main energy source.

[0004] The term "motor vehicle locking device" is to be interpreted broadly in this context. This includes all locking devices on or in a motor vehicle that are used to lock, for example, a hatch, door, or the like. In particular, such motor vehicle locking devices include motor vehicle locks, and preferably motor vehicle door locks.

[0005] A general problem with such motor vehicle locking systems with an electric motor drive is that if the electric motor drive fails, opening a hatch or door is often either no longer possible or can only be done manually with great effort. For this reason, in addition to a main energy source for the continuous electrical normal power supply of the electric motor drive, an emergency energy source is also implemented to provide emergency electrical power to the electric motor drive in the event of a failure of the main energy source. This is exemplified by the generic prior art according to DE 695 09 316 T3. In fact, a motor vehicle with several electric door locks is described here. The respective door lock is opened electrically by actuating an actuating element powered by the vehicle's battery.In the event of a power failure, a backup battery provides an alternative power supply. Each door lock is equipped with its own backup battery, located in the door containing the lock.

[0006] DE 10 2020 104 846 A1 takes a comparable approach. This case describes a method for operating a motor vehicle locking system that has an electric drive for providing a motorized locking function of a motor vehicle. A central battery of the motor vehicle ensures that the electric drive is supplied with electrical energy during normal operation. A so-called auxiliary power supply is also provided. The central battery is monitored by a control unit for compliance with a so-called emergency operation criterion.

[0007] US 2022 / 0355762 A1 also features a main power source in the motor vehicle. It also includes an emergency power source that is only used if the main power source in question fails.

[0008] The state of the art has generally proven itself when it comes to switching from standard electrical power supply to emergency electrical power supply and, in general, to providing and implementing an emergency power source for this purpose. In the current state of the art, the emergency power source is located in each motor vehicle lock. This has generally proven itself, but still offers room for improvement. A possible defect or deterioration in the performance of the emergency power source, for example, in the lock housing, is not currently monitored or reflected. This can result in safety problems if the electric motor drive for the emergency electrical power supply is to be controlled using the emergency power source. This is where the invention comes in.

[0009] The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a motor vehicle locking device in such a way that the functional reliability is increased compared to previous embodiments.

[0010] To solve this technical problem, the invention proposes, starting from a generic motor vehicle locking device, that the main energy source is arranged in or on the lock housing, while the emergency energy source is located outside the lock housing.

[0011] The invention therefore proceeds contrary to and exactly the opposite of the prior art. The energy source arranged in or on the lock housing assumes the function of the main energy source, ensuring that the electric motor drive is continuously supplied with the required electrical energy in conjunction with the standard electrical power supply by means of this main energy source arranged in or on the lock housing. Only if the main energy source in question, located in or on the lock housing, fails or has failed, is the emergency energy source provided outside the lock housing used to provide emergency electrical energy to the electric motor drive.

[0012] The emergency power source in question can be the actual vehicle battery inside a vehicle body. In contrast, an energy storage unit in or on the lock housing takes over the function of the main power source. This means that the main power source in or on the lock housing is advantageously designed as an energy storage unit. Accumulators, capacitors, so-called supercapacitors, etc., even in combination, have proven particularly advantageous in this case.

[0013] The main energy source can be located entirely or at least partially within the lock housing. In principle, it is also possible to mount the main energy source on the lock housing, i.e., on the outside of the lock housing or in its immediate vicinity. This allows the electric motor drive located inside the lock housing to be continuously supplied with the required electrical energy using the main energy source within the scope of the normal electrical power supply. It is understood that the emergency energy source inside the motor vehicle ensures the permanent or periodic electrical charging of the relevant energy storage unit, which serves as the main energy source in or on the lock housing.

[0014] In most cases, a control unit is also provided. The control unit is connected to both the main power source and the emergency power source. An alternative connection is also possible. The control unit also serves to control the electric motor drive in the lock housing. For this purpose, the control unit is located inside the lock housing together with the electric motor drive. In this context, the design is additionally such that the control unit monitors the main power source and / or the emergency power source for their respective functionality, if necessary in conjunction with a sensor. Furthermore, the control unit is capable of switching between the normal power supply and the emergency power supply.

[0015] This means that, within the scope of the invention, the main energy source located in or on the lock housing, or the energy storage unit implemented at this location, can be continuously monitored for its functionality during the normal electrical power supply of the electric motor drive. This is ensured by the control unit, if necessary in conjunction with the sensor. The sensor in question can be a current and / or voltage sensor, i.e., one that ultimately monitors the electrical power provided by the main energy source or the energy storage unit located there.

[0016] With the help of the control unit, the electrical power supplied by the main energy source can now be compared with previously stored values, for example, in the sense of a target-actual value comparison. If significant deviations occur at this point, for example, such that the actual electrical power provided by the main energy source in or on the lock housing or the energy storage unit implemented at this location deviates by more than 10% and preferably by more than 20% from a target electrical power stored in the control unit, the control unit issues a warning message. At the same time, the control unit ensures that the system switches from the main energy supply to the emergency power supply and, accordingly, to the emergency energy source.This means that the main power source located inside or immediately adjacent to the lock housing is continuously monitored by the control unit, preventing unnoticed malfunctions as is the case with state-of-the-art technology. Alternatively or additionally, the control unit can also continuously check or monitor the emergency power source for its functionality.

[0017] The warning message can correspond to an acoustic and / or visual warning. This acoustic and / or visual warning is, for example, provided by an instrument panel inside the vehicle. Of course, other warning messages are also conceivable.

[0018] The main energy source, or the energy storage unit implemented at this location, and the control unit can be housed on a common circuit board inside the lock housing. This circuit board usually also houses the electric motor drive. This results in a particularly compact and easy-to-install design.

[0019] The invention also relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle locking device of the previously described design. Within the scope of this operating method, the main power source arranged in or on the lock housing is continuously checked for its functionality. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of a main power source arranged in or on a lock housing of a motor vehicle locking device for the continuous normal electrical power supply of an electric motor drive also arranged in the lock housing. An additional emergency power source located outside the lock housing is provided for the emergency electrical power supply of the electric motor drive in the event of a failure of the main power source.

[0020] The electric motor drive in question inside the lock housing can, for example, be used to open and / or lock and / or close and / or raise an associated motor vehicle tailgate. The electric motor drive usually ensures the opening and, if necessary, raise of the associated motor vehicle tailgate. According to the invention, this can be achieved and is implemented even if the main power source for the continuous electrical normal power supply has failed. Such a failure is conceivable, among other things, if the main power source is no longer supplied or can no longer be supplied with electrical power from the emergency power source. Such scenarios are observed in the event that the emergency power source or the battery inside the motor vehicle body no longer provides sufficient electrical power and / or is damaged due to an accident or otherwise.According to the invention, reliable operation of the electric motor drive is now ensured even in such a case, because the main energy source is continuously monitored. This allows any aging or other effects that reduce the performance of the main energy source to be clearly identified even during normal power supply to the electric motor drive, and the operator can take appropriate countermeasures. These are the key advantages.

[0021] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing illustrating only one exemplary embodiment. The sole Figure 1 schematically shows a motor vehicle locking device in conjunction with a motor vehicle equipped therewith.

[0022] Fig. 1 shows a general illustration of a motor vehicle locking device. In the specific example, this is a motor vehicle lock, and in this case, a motor vehicle door lock 1, with the aid of which a motor vehicle side door 2 or, more generally, a motor vehicle tailgate 2 is or can be locked relative to a motor vehicle body 3. For this purpose, the motor vehicle door lock 1 shown has a lock housing 4.

[0023] At least one electric motor drive 5 is implemented inside the lock housing 4. The electric motor drive 5 is, by way of example and not limitation, an electric motor opening drive or an electric motor positioner. With the help of the electric motor drive 5, a door leaf of the motor vehicle side door 2, in the example case, can be opened relative to the motor vehicle body 3 and, if necessary, positioned. This means that the functioning of the electric motor drive 5 is essential for a user to access the motor vehicle shown. In principle, other functions of the electric motor drive 5 are of course also conceivable. To supply electrical energy to the electric motor drive 5 inside the lock housing 4, a main energy source 6 and an additional emergency energy source 7 are provided. Both energy sources 6, 7 are connected to a control unit 8 orensure the desired control of the electric motor drive 5 with the help of the control unit 8.

[0024] In this context, the design is such that the main energy source 6 provides a continuous, normal electrical power supply to the electric motor drive 5. This means that during normal operation, the main energy source 6 ensures the continuous, normal electrical power supply to the electric motor drive 5, specifically, that the motor vehicle side door 2 can be electrically opened and / or raised as required. However, if the main energy source 6 fails, the emergency energy source 7 ensures the emergency electrical power supply to the electric motor drive 5 in this case.

[0025] According to the invention, the main power source 6 is arranged in or on the lock housing 4. In contrast, the emergency power source 7 is located outside the lock housing 4. In fact, the emergency power source 7 is arranged inside the motor vehicle body 3, in the engine compartment according to the exemplary embodiment. Of course, an arrangement of the emergency power source 7 at another location inside the motor vehicle body 3 is also conceivable and is encompassed by the invention. In either case, the emergency power source 7 in the exemplary embodiment is a vehicle battery in the relevant motor vehicle body 3.

[0026] In contrast, the main energy source 6 is embodied as an energy storage unit 6 inside the lock housing 4. Specifically, this can be one or more accumulators, one or more capacitors, so-called supercapacitors. Combinations are also included, of course. Furthermore, the energy storage unit 6 is designed and sized to fit inside the lock housing 4.

[0027] In order to be able to realize and implement a permanent electrical energy supply in normal operation, i.e. the normal electrical energy supply using the main energy source 6 designed in this way, the main energy source 6 is periodically or permanently supplied with the help of the emergency energy source

[0028] 7 is electrically charged. This is ensured by the control unit 8.

[0029] In connection with this charging process of the main energy source 6 in or on the lock housing 4 using the emergency energy source 7, the control unit 8 can determine, for example, how high the respective electrical charging current for the main energy source 6 must be and how large the output voltage or electrical output power available from the main energy source 6 is. This can be determined either directly using the control unit 8 or with additional recourse to a sensor (not expressly shown) connected to the control unit 8, with the aid of which the main energy source 6 is monitored for its respective functionality. In the same way, the control unit 8 can also monitor the emergency energy source 7 for its functionality.

[0030] This means that the control unit 8 is continuously informed about the current charge level and, based on this charge level, about any aging effects or other defects of the respective energy source 6, 7. In fact, for example, a target / actual value comparison can take place in the control unit 8 such that the electrical power provided at the output by the main energy source 6, the actual power, is compared with a target power stored in the control unit 8. The same can also be done with regard to the emergency energy source 7 by the control unit.

[0031] 8. If, in this context, the control unit 8 determines, for example, that the actual energy output of the main energy source 6 and / or the emergency energy source 7 deviates from a stored target energy output by more than 10%, and preferably by 20% or more, the control unit 8 issues a warning message in the case of the main energy source 6. The same can occur and be performed in the case of the emergency energy source 7.

[0032] It can be seen that for this purpose, the control unit 8 is connected, for example, to an instrument housing 9 inside the motor vehicle body 3. This allows the relevant and previously mentioned warning message to be output on the aforementioned instrument housing 9 as an acoustic and / or visual warning. In this way, a vehicle operator is immediately informed that the main energy source 6 (or the emergency energy source 7, or both) in or on the lock housing 4 is impaired in terms of its functionality. As a result, the main energy source 6 can then be replaced. For this purpose, the lock housing 4 may, for example, have a corresponding closable opening to enable the main energy source 6 arranged inside to be replaced. The same applies if the main energy source 6 is attached to the outside of the lock housing 4, which further simplifies any replacement.

[0033] As soon as the control unit 8 detects any malfunctions in the functionality of the main power source 6, not only is a warning message transmitted to the instrument housing 9, but the control unit 8 also switches to the emergency power supply, which means that the emergency power source 7 located inside the vehicle body 3 then provides the electrical power supply to the electric motor drive 5. This means that even in emergency operation or with the emergency electrical power supply of the electric motor drive 5 using the emergency power source 7, flawless functionality and, in particular, the opening or opening of the vehicle side door 2 in the example case are guaranteed. The main power source 6 and the control unit 8 are usually located on a common circuit board 10 and are accommodated by this circuit board 10. The electric motor drive 5 is usually also located on this circuit board 10.This simplifies assembly inside the lock housing 4. In principle, however, the main energy source 6 can also be placed outside the lock housing 4. In this case, the main energy source 6 may, for example, assume a position as indicated by the dot-dash line in Fig. 1. This means that the main energy source 6 is located outside the lock housing 4, making its possible replacement particularly easy to implement. Combinations are, of course, also conceivable and are encompassed by the invention.

[0034] List of reference symbols

[0035] Motor vehicle door lock 1 Motor vehicle side door 2 Motor vehicle flap Motor vehicle body 3 Lock housing 4 Drive 5 Main power source 6 Emergency power source 7 Power sources 6, 7 Control unit 8 Instrument housing 9 Circuit board 10

Claims

Patent claims 1. Motor vehicle locking device, in particular motor vehicle lock, preferably motor vehicle door lock (1), with a lock housing (4) and at least one electric motor drive (5) in the lock housing (4), further with a main energy source (6) for the continuous normal energy supply of the electric motor drive (5), and with an emergency energy source (7) for the electrical emergency energy supply of the electric motor drive (5) in the event of failure of the main energy source (6), characterized in that the main energy source (6) is arranged in or on the lock housing (4), while the emergency energy source (7) is located outside the lock housing (4).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that a control unit (8) connected to the main energy source (6) and / or the emergency energy source (7) for controlling the electric motor drive (5) is additionally arranged in the lock housing (4).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the electric motor drive (5) serves to open and / or lock and / or close and / or raise an associated motor vehicle flap (2).

4. Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the control unit (8) monitors the main energy source (6) and / or the emergency energy source (7), optionally in conjunction with a sensor, with regard to their respective functionality and switches between the normal energy supply and the emergency energy supply.

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the control unit (8) simultaneously issues a warning message when switching over to the emergency power supply.

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the warning message corresponds to an acoustic and / or optical warning, for example of an instrument housing (9) in the motor vehicle interior.

7. Device according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the main energy source (6) and the control unit (8) are arranged on a common circuit board (10) in the interior of the lock housing (4).

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the emergency energy source (7) is designed as a vehicle battery in a motor vehicle body (3).

9. A method for operating a motor vehicle locking device according to one of claims 1 to 8, according to which the main energy source (6) and / or the emergency energy source (7) is continuously checked with regard to its functionality.

10. Use of a main energy source (6) arranged in or on a lock housing (4) of a motor vehicle locking device for the continuous electrical normal energy supply of an electric motor drive (5) also arranged in the lock housing (4), wherein an emergency energy source (7) provided outside the lock housing (4) is additionally provided for the electrical emergency energy supply of the electric motor drive (5) in the event of a failure of the main energy source (6).

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