Method for operating a motor vehicle lock for a closure element of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle lock (1) for a closure element (2) of a motor vehicle (3), wherein the motor vehicle lock (1) is equipped with a lock latch (4) for holding engagement with a closing part (5) and a pawl (6) which, in a latched position, locks the lock latch (4) in a closed position and, in a raised position, releases the lock latch (4), wherein an electric opening drive (9) for the pawl (6) and a control arrangement (10) for controlling the opening drive (9) are provided, wherein, during normal operation of the motor vehicle (3), when the initiation of an actuation action by an operator (14) is detected, the opening drive (9) is controlled by means of the control arrangement (10) to move the pawl (6) into the raised position and to hold the pawl (6) in the raised position. According to the invention, the opening drive (9) is controlled by means of the control arrangement (10) to release the pawl (6) from the raised position only once the end of the actuation action has been detected.

Description

[0001] Method for operating a motor vehicle lock for a locking element of a motor vehicle

[0002] The present invention relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle lock for a locking element of a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] The vehicle lock in question is associated with a locking element of a motor vehicle. This particularly applies to locking elements such as side doors, rear doors, tailgates, trunk lids, hoods, or similar components. These locking elements can generally be designed as swing or sliding doors. The vehicle lock comprises a latch and a locking pawl. The latch can be moved into a closed position in which it engages the locking part and is secured by the locking pawl. The vehicle lock is also equipped with an electric opening actuator that lifts the locking pawl, allowing the latch to be moved into its open position, thus releasing the locking part.

[0004] A control unit is provided to actuate the opening mechanism, which is implemented, for example, via a lock control unit integrated into the vehicle lock or a door control unit. The opening mechanism is activated when an action is detected, such as pulling a door handle, to move the locking latch into the raised position.

[0005] A challenge arises from the possibility that the locking pawl may engage prematurely before the latch reaches the open position. This can cause the latch to be held in a closed position, such as the pre-locked position, by the locking pawl, necessitating a further actuation action. The prior art method (US 5,613,716 A), from which the invention is based, therefore provides that the locking pawl is initially held in the disengaged position and the opening mechanism is only triggered to release the locking pawl after a predetermined time has elapsed since it was disengaged or when the latch reaches the open position via a sensor. The invention addresses the problem of redesigning and further developing the known method in such a way as to further improve the user-friendliness of the vehicle lock.

[0006] The above problem is solved by the features of claim 1.

[0007] The essential consideration is that the operator can reliably prevent the locking pawl from engaging prematurely. While it is known from the prior art (WO 2020 / 210898 A1) that a locking pawl is only released after the operator has reset the vehicle lock, this is intended for situations outside of normal vehicle operation, such as a power outage. The present invention, however, assumes normal vehicle operation and is based on the idea that releasing the locking pawl is also linked to the execution of the actuation action.

[0008] Specifically, it is proposed that the opening drive is only activated by the control arrangement when the end of the actuation action is detected, in order to release the locking pawl from the raised position.

[0009] Since the release occurs upon completion of the operating action, such as releasing the previously pulled door handle, the operator can control the state of the vehicle lock particularly intuitively. Premature engagement of the locking pawl is highly reliably prevented, as the operator typically does not complete the operating action before the locking element is sufficiently open. Furthermore, any intended reversal of the opening mechanism can be audibly masked by the completion of the operating action.

[0010] Advantageous embodiments of the proposed procedure are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0011] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing that merely illustrates exemplary embodiments. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a motor vehicle door with a motor vehicle lock for carrying out the proposed method.

[0012] Fig. 2 shows the motor vehicle lock in schematic representations a) in the main closed state, b) during an opening process and c) in the open state after release of the locking pawl.

[0013] The embodiment shown in the figures, which is the preferred embodiment in this respect, relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle lock 1 for a locking element 2 of a motor vehicle 3. Regarding the design of the locking element 2, reference may be made to the introductory descriptions, with Fig. 1 showing the operation of the motor vehicle lock 1 for a locking element 2 designed as a side door. However, all descriptions also apply to all other types of locking elements of the motor vehicle 3.

[0014] The vehicle lock 1 is equipped with a latch 4 for holding engagement with a locking element 5 and a locking pawl 6, as shown in more detail in Fig. 2. The latch 4 is preferably designed to pivot about a geometric latch axis and can be brought into at least one locked position. Here, and preferably, a main locked position (Fig. 2a) and a pre-locked position (Fig. 2b) are provided for the latch 4. In this position, the latch 4 interacts with the locking element 5, which can be a locking bolt, a locking bar, or the like. Furthermore, an open position of the latch 4 is provided (Fig. 2c), which, starting from the main locked and pre-locked positions, can be reached by further pivoting the latch 4 in the opening direction, which corresponds to counterclockwise in Fig. 2.

[0015] The locking pawl 6, in its engaged position, locks the latch 4 in the closed position(s) and releases the latch 4 in its disengaged position. The term "lock" is to be interpreted broadly and does not necessarily include a detent or the like. In one embodiment, the locking pawl 6 is part of a locking pawl system that can be brought into a locked state in which the locking pawl system locks the latch 4 in the closed position. Here, and preferably, the locking pawl 6 is designed to pivot about a geometric locking pawl axis. In the illustration from Fig. 2a), the locking pawl 6 is in the engaged position and locks the latch 4 in its main closed position by engaging a main detent 7 of the latch 4. In the pre-locked position of the latch 4, an engagement (not shown) with a pre-detent 8 of the latch 4 is provided.The locking pawl 6 is shown in the raised position in figures 2b) and 2c).

[0016] An electric opening actuator 9 for the pawl 6 and a control arrangement 10 for controlling the opening actuator 9 are provided. The opening actuator 9 preferably comprises an electric drive motor 11, preferably a rotary electric motor, which is further preferably designed as a brushed DC motor or as a brushless DC motor, which acts on the pawl 6 via a drive train 12. Other types of actuators, such as linear actuators, are also conceivable.

[0017] The control arrangement 10 preferably comprises control electronics for implementing the control tasks arising in connection with the operation of the vehicle lock 1 and is equipped, for example, with a control unit, such as a microcontroller. Here, and preferably, the control unit controls the drive motor 11 via a driver unit (not shown), which may be implemented with an H-bridge. As shown in Fig. 1, the control arrangement 10 can be implemented as part of a control unit superior to the vehicle lock 1, such as a door control unit or flap control unit, which in particular performs further control functions in the locking element 2. The control arrangement 10 can also be part of a lock control system, which is in particular integrated in a lock housing 13 of the vehicle lock 1, in which the locking pawl 6 and the latch 4 are also provided.

[0018] The opening drive 9 is activated during normal operation of the motor vehicle 3 when the control arrangement 10 detects an initiation of an actuation action by an operator 14, thereby moving the locking pawl 6 into the raised position. To detect the actuation action, the control arrangement 10 is preferably connected to an actuating element 15, such as a door handle (e.g., an exterior door handle and / or interior door handle), and the control arrangement 10 monitors the occurrence of the actuation action based on this connection.

[0019] In one exemplary embodiment, the actuating element 15 has a push button which changes its switching state when the actuating element 15 is touched or moved. The push button can also be located on a control panel of the vehicle and pressed by the operator to trigger the actuation. When the switching state of the push button changes, a signal level at a signal input of the control arrangement 10 is altered, for example, from a logical high signal level to a low signal level. The change in the signal level can be considered the start of the actuation action.

[0020] Other configurations of the actuation action and its detection are conceivable. For example, the actuating element 15 can be equipped with a sensor such as a touch sensor and / or distance sensor to detect the operator 14, wherein, in particular, a sensor control of the sensor transmits an actuation signal to the control arrangement 10 with regard to the actuation action.

[0021] The locking pawl 6 is initially held in the raised position, allowing the latch 4 to be moved into the open position and the locking element 2 to be opened. Holding the locking pawl 6 is effected directly or indirectly by the opening drive 9.

[0022] It is essential that the opening drive 9 is only activated by means of the control arrangement 10 when the end of the actuation action is detected, in order to release the locking pawl 6 from the raised position.

[0023] For the actuation action, criteria are defined for detecting its initiation and termination. In the aforementioned example of detection via a push button, the actuation action can be terminated by releasing the push button, which can be detected by a change in the signal level. For example, the signal level might return to a logical high signal level.

[0024] When the locking pawl 6 is released, the opening drive 9 generally allows it to return to its closed position. Accordingly, after release, the latch 4 can be fixed in a closed position by the locking pawl 6. Figure 2b) shows the open state of the vehicle lock 1, in which the locking pawl 6 is released. The latch 4 is in the open position, so the locking pawl 6 rests on a circumferential surface of the latch 4. When the locking element 2 is closed again by inserting the locking part 5 and moving the latch 4 in the closing direction, a closed position, in particular the main closed position shown in Figure 2a), can be reached, with the locking pawl 6 returning to its closed position.

[0025] If the locking pawl 6 is released prematurely after being lifted, the latch 4 may be undesirably re-engaged by the locking pawl 6. Fig. 2b) shows a situation during the opening process of the vehicle lock 1, where the latch 4 is near the pre-locked position and the locking pawl 6 is in the lifted position. If the locking pawl 6 is released here, the latch 4 can be fixed to the pre-seal 8, so that the locking pawl 6 must be lifted again to open the locking element 2. However, since the operator 14 can deliberately keep the locking pawl 6 in the lifted position by means of the actuation action, premature rusting is reliably prevented. The operator 14 can intuitively perform the actuation action, such as pulling the door handle, until the locking element 2 is sufficiently opened and the open position of the latch 4 is reached.

[0026] The locking element 2 can also be safely opened even if the door seal of the locking element 2 is iced over or in the event of snow load, because the operator 14 can pull or push the locking element 2 open while simultaneously and continuously performing the actuation action, thus releasing the locking element 2. The described procedure for controlling the opening drive 9 is used during normal operation of the vehicle 3. Accordingly, special situations such as emergency operation of the vehicle 3, for example in the event of a power supply failure, a crash, or the like, are not part of normal operation. Rather, during normal operation, the vehicle lock 1 is powered by the vehicle 3's electrical system. Normal operation also refers to the use of the vehicle 3 by the end customer after the ferry service has commenced.Special situations such as the installation of the motor vehicle lock 1 during the manufacture of the motor vehicle 3 or special operating modes, which are used, for example, in the workshop during the maintenance and repair of the motor vehicle 3, are not part of normal operation.

[0027] Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that the opening drive 9 is operated in a first drive direction to lift the locking pawl 6 and in a second drive direction opposite to the first drive direction to release the locking pawl 6.

[0028] To release the locking pawl 6, the opening actuator 9 is operated, for example, in the first drive direction for a predetermined period and / or until a predetermined release position of the opening actuator 9 is reached, and then held there. When the end of the actuation action is detected, the opening actuator 9 is reversed and operated in the second drive direction to release the pawl. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the actuator could also be operated in the first drive direction to release the pawl.

[0029] As already mentioned, it is preferably provided here that the initiation of the actuation action is effected by the operator 14 touching or adjusting an actuating element 15, in particular by pulling a door handle or pressing a button. The termination of the actuation action is preferably effected by the operator 14 releasing the actuating element 15, in particular by releasing the door handle or the button.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, at least part of the actuating element 15 is adjustable relative to the locking element 2 and is, for example, extended by the operator 14. Upon release, the actuating element 15 can spring back into place. Any noise that may occur during this process can acoustically mask the activation of the opening drive 9 for release, thereby increasing user comfort.

[0031] In one embodiment, the locking mechanism 6 is held in place by energizing the opening actuator 9 when the locking mechanism 6 is in the raised position. This energizing of the opening actuator 9 can, for example, counteract the locking mechanism 6 from retracting via a spring preload.

[0032] In a particularly preferred embodiment, however, the pawl 6 is held in place by a self-locking mechanism of the opening drive 9 when the pawl 6 is in the disengaged position. The opening drive 9 can also hold the pawl 6 in the disengaged position against a spring preload by means of this self-locking mechanism even when de-energized. The self-locking mechanism is mechanically implemented, for example, via the friction conditions of a gear unit (not shown) in the drive train 12.

[0033] As can be seen in Fig. 2, it is preferably provided that the pawl 6 is mounted on an intermediate lever 16. In the neutral position of the intermediate lever 16 (Figures 2a) and 2b), the pawl 6 can be pivoted into the retracted position. When the intermediate lever 16 is pivoted into a deflected position by means of the opening drive 9, the pawl 6 is moved into the raised position. The deflected position is shown in Fig. 2b). The intermediate lever 16 is moved back to its neutral position to release the pawl 6, as shown in Fig. 2c). The pawl 6 and the intermediate lever 16 can form a toggle lever mechanism, which optimizes the opening process and the release of the pawl 6.

[0034] Furthermore, according to another teaching, a motor vehicle lock 1 comprising a motor vehicle locking system is disclosed, wherein the motor vehicle lock 1 is equipped with a latch 4 for holding engagement with a locking element 5 and a pawl 6, which in a retracted position locks the latch 4 in a closed position and in a lifted position releases the latch 4, wherein an electric opening drive 9 for the pawl 6 and a control arrangement 10 for controlling the opening drive 9 are provided, wherein the opening drive 9 is controlled in normal operation of the motor vehicle 3 when an initiation of an actuating action by an operator 14 is detected by means of the control arrangement 10, to move the pawl 6 into the lifted position and to hold the pawl 6 in the lifted position.It is intended that the opening drive 9 is only activated by the control arrangement 10 when the end of the actuation action is detected, in order to release the locking pawl 6 from the raised position. Reference is made to the explanations of the proposed procedure.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Method for operating a motor vehicle lock (1) for a locking element (2) of a motor vehicle (3), wherein the motor vehicle lock (1) is equipped with a latch (4) for holding engagement with a locking part (5) and a pawl (6) which, in a retracted position, locks the latch (4) in a closed position and, in a raised position, releases the latch (4), wherein an electric opening drive (9) for the pawl (6) and a control arrangement (10) for controlling the opening drive (9) are provided, wherein the opening drive (9) is controlled in normal operation of the motor vehicle (3) when the control arrangement (10) detects an initiation of an actuating action by an operator (14), to move the pawl (6) into the raised position and to hold the pawl (6) in the raised position, characterized in thatthat the opening drive (9) is only activated when the control arrangement (10) detects that the actuation action has ended, in order to release the locking pawl (6) from the raised position.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening drive (9) is operated in a first drive direction to lift the pawl (6) and in a second drive direction opposite to the first drive direction to release the pawl (6).

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the initiation of the actuating action is given by the operator (14) by touching or adjusting an actuating element (15), in particular by pulling a door handle or by pressing a button, and that the termination of the actuating action is given by the operator (14) by releasing the actuating element (15).

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding of the locking pawl (6) is effected by energizing the opening drive (9) or via a self-locking mechanism of the opening drive (9) when the locking pawl (6) is in the raised position.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pawl (6) is mounted on an intermediate lever (16), that in a home position of the intermediate lever (16) the pawl (6) is pivotable into the retracted position, and that when the intermediate lever (16) is pivoted into a deflected position by means of the opening drive (9) the pawl (6) is brought into the raised position, and that the intermediate lever (16) is brought into the home position to release the pawl (6).

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