Motor-vehicle lock relating to an rfid-chip-based door-closed signal
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/DE2026/100308
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2025-03-21
- Filing Date
- 2026-03-09
- Publication Date
- 2026-09-24
Smart Images
Figure DE2026100308_24092026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
[0002] Kiekert AG
[0003] P24120WO
[0004] 1
[0005] Description
[0006] Vehicle lock with RFID chip for door-closed signal
[0007] The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, with a locking mechanism consisting essentially of a rotary latch and a locking pawl, furthermore with a lock holder for interaction with the locking mechanism, and with a sensor unit which is designed at least for determining the position of the lock holder relative to the locking mechanism and in particular for detecting a closed state of the lock holder relative to the locking mechanism, wherein the sensor unit is designed in two parts with a sensing element and an evaluation element.
[0008] The locking position of a vehicle lock, and especially a vehicle door lock, is of particular importance, which is why sensory verification of the locking status is a primary focus. This is essentially because only when the lock pin is in the closed position relative to the locking mechanism is it ensured that a door or hatch equipped with the vehicle lock is closed. Only a fully closed vehicle door can effectively transfer structural forces to the vehicle body in the event of a crash and thus contribute to its controlled deformation.
[0009] Furthermore, the closed state of the lock holder relative to the locking mechanism is often used as a signal to activate additional safety devices such as seatbelt pretensioners, side airbags, etc., ensuring their reliable function in the event of a crash and upon receiving an additional signal from an acceleration sensor that detects a crash. This is the only way to optimally protect vehicle occupants.
[0010] Typically, one or more switches or sensors are used to generate a signal that detects the closed state of the lock holder relative to the locking mechanism. These switches or sensors monitor the position of the rotary latch. For example, a switch or sensor might be used to detect the pre-latch position and main latch position of the STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
[0011] Kiekert AG
[0012] P24120WO
[0013] 2
[0014] Each rotary latch must be equipped with a sensor that monitors its position. Such sensors can also be used for a closing drive.
[0015] For example, when the rotary latch engages the pre-closing position, the closing drive is activated, causing the rotary latch to pivot in the closing direction. When the rotary latch engages the main closing position, the closing drive is stopped. Additionally, the sensor signal for the main closing position on the rotary latch can be used to generally activate the seatbelt pretensioner and side airbag, as described.
[0016] The prior art defined in DE 102019003618 A1 relates to a door lock equipped with at least one sensor. The sensor is positioned relative to the rotary latch in such a way that the position of the locking bolt, and thus of the lock pin, can be detected. In this way, a control unit can determine the unlocked or locked state of a corresponding vehicle door. Furthermore, the detected position of the locking bolt is taken into account, thereby additionally validating the detected position of the rotary latch. This results in an overall improvement in detection.
[0017] The current state of the art has generally proven its worth, but still offers room for further improvements. The sensor in this case is a Hall sensor and is mounted on a magnetic feedback element. In addition, a magnet is incorporated, the magnetic field of which is influenced by the locking lever.
[0018] For this purpose, when the corresponding vehicle door is closed, the locking bolt moves into the magnet's magnetic field, causing a change in the magnetic field. This change is detected as a signal by the Hall sensor elements and transmitted to a control unit. This allows the locking bolt's position to be used in addition to the conventional determination of the rotary latch's position, reliably determining the vehicle door's status and, in particular, its closed state. STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
[0019] Kiekert AG
[0020] P24120WO
[0021] 3
[0022] This is intended to provide a redundant query of the door's status in the known system. As a result, increased security compared to conventional door locks is claimed. While this may generally be true, it comes at the cost of considerable design complexity. This is where the invention comes in.
[0023] The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a motor vehicle lock, and in particular a motor vehicle door lock, in such a way that at least the locking state of the lock holder is reliably detected in relation to the locking mechanism, with significantly less design effort compared to the prior art.
[0024] To solve this technical problem, the invention proposes, in the case of a generic motor vehicle lock and in particular a motor vehicle door lock, that the key element is designed as an electronic transmitter / receiver unit arranged on or in the lock holder, which interacts with an electronic transmitter / receiver unit on the lock side as an evaluation element for determining the position of the lock holder.
[0025] The invention thus continues to utilize a two-part sensor unit comprising a sensing element and an evaluation element. However, in contrast to the prior art defined by DE 10 2019 003 618 A1, which represents the starting point for this invention, both the sensing element and the evaluation element are designed as transmitter / receiver units. Within the scope of the invention, such a transmitter / receiver unit refers to an electronic component that is fundamentally capable of data communication, usually actively as a transmitter and passively as a receiver. The sensing element and the evaluation element operate using electromagnetic radiation for data exchange, typically electromagnetic waves in the radio frequency range. Frequencies in the MHz range are most commonly used, for example, according to the so-called RFID standard with a frequency of 13.56 MHz. This is, of course, only an example and is by no means a limitation.
[0026] In this way, communication between the key element and the evaluation element can be STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
[0027] Kiekert AG
[0028] P24120WO
[0029] 4
[0030] This leads to so-called near-field communication (NFC). Such near-field communication is of particular importance for the intended application in order to prevent any interference signals from reaching, for example, other control units in or on the vehicle.
[0031] Rather, the near-field communication implemented in this context, operating in the aforementioned radio frequency range of approximately 10 to 20 MHz, is characterized by the fact that the range of the respective transmitting unit is generally limited to a few centimeters. Typically, such near-field communication takes place in the immediate vicinity, up to a maximum range of approximately 200 mm or 20 cm, depending on the design of the respective transmitter and receiver.
[0032] In this way, any interference with a vehicle control unit is practically eliminated, because the signal range is limited to the vehicle lock itself in conjunction with the lock cylinder that is engaged or retracting into it. Furthermore, the design can be such that the electronic transmitter / receiver unit located on or in the lock cylinder remains completely passive outside the range of the evaluation element and consequently the reader, i.e., it neither transmits nor receives any data or other signals. Only when the keypad comes within range of the evaluation element or reader does the evaluation element wirelessly transmit electrical energy to the keypad.Since the keypad has its own electronic microchip but no power supply, the keypad only becomes active when it comes within range of the evaluation element and is, as it were, "awakened" by it.
[0033] As a consequence, the tactile element is typically only clocked by the evaluation element, and data is only sent to the evaluation element, when the tactile element enters its range or transmission / receive area, and thus its generally well-defined transmission range. This STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
[0034] Kiekert AG
[0035] P24120WO
[0036] 5
[0037] The sharply defined transmission range, and thus the range of the evaluation element, is characterized not only by its short range, generally less than 20 cm, but also by its small transverse extent. This means that the respective transmit / receive area of both the sensor and the evaluation element exhibits a lobe-shaped directional characteristic with a small lateral extent.
[0038] In fact, communication between the keypad and the evaluation element takes place almost exclusively within a nearly rectangular transmit / receive area, the transverse dimension of which is typically only a few millimeters, in particular 20 mm or less, and preferably 10 mm or less, and the longitudinal dimension is in the range of 100 mm or less. According to the invention, this allows the position of the lock holder engaging the locking mechanism to be determined with high precision. This is because the design is generally such that a signal is transmitted from the keypad to the evaluation element only when the keypad enters the aforementioned rectangular corridor of the evaluation element's transmit / receive area. The values given are, of course, only examples and are not limiting.
[0039] Furthermore, in addition to the communication between the push button and the evaluation unit for detecting the locking status of the lock holder, it is possible to evaluate signals from other sensors as well. This means that, for example, one or more sensors on the rotary latch of the lock can be used for plausibility checks. Moreover, vehicle doors generally also have door closing contacts, which can likewise be checked and evaluated for plausibility along with the signal from the push button to the evaluation unit.
[0040] In an advantageous embodiment, the key element is recessed into a bore in the lock holder. This bore is generally a blind bore. Furthermore, the design is usually such that the bore, together with the key element contained therein, is strictly confidential within the locking bolt.
[0041] Kiekert AG
[0042] P24120WO
[0043] 6
[0044] and / or a lock plate as essential components of the lock holder. That is, the lock holder consists largely of the locking bolt and the lock plate that supports the locking bolt. The locking bolt generally has two vertical legs and one horizontal leg. The bore, along with the key element located therein, is generally found in the horizontal leg.
[0045] Furthermore, it has proven particularly advantageous for the keypad to be designed as an encapsulated miniature component with an integrated control unit. In fact, the keypad is typically designed as a truncated cylinder with a diameter of 20 mm or less, and especially 10 mm or less. Moreover, the cylinder in question is generally less than 10 mm high, and most often 5 mm or less. With the integrated control unit, the desired data communication with the evaluation unit can be initiated immediately as soon as the keypad enters the evaluation unit's transmit / receive range. This is because the evaluation unit then supplies the keypad with the necessary electrical energy to transmit the data.
[0046] For reasons of particularly simple and functional manufacturing, it has also proven advantageous for the encapsulated miniature component to be designed as a press-fit transponder inserted into the bore. This means that the keypad is primarily a transponder, i.e., the previously described transmit / receive unit, which is therefore capable of both receiving, for example, energy and transmitting data. The additional designation as a press-fit transponder indicates that the keypad in question is equipped with a special housing that not only protects the integrated control unit inside but also enables press-fit installation by pressing the housing (machinically) into the bore.
[0047] In this context, it has actually proven particularly advantageous if the press-fit transponder or keypad is equipped with a plastic housing. The plastic housing is, for example, STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.
[0048] Kiekert AG
[0049] P24120WO
[0050] 7
[0051] Made from a thermoplastic material. Semi-crystalline aromatic polyamide, especially PPA (polyphthalamide), has proven particularly suitable. Such aromatic polyamide resins, or PPA material, exhibit exceptionally high heat resistance, which is of particular importance for applications inside vehicle locks, as temperatures of up to 80°C and even higher can occur and must be controlled depending on environmental conditions. These semi-crystalline aromatic polyamide resins, and especially PPA, are easily capable of withstanding such temperatures. Furthermore, these plastics are characterized by low moisture absorption and excellent sliding properties. These properties result from their high crystallinity.The low moisture absorption is advantageous because the lock holder and the locking mechanism that interacts with it are typically located in the so-called wet area of the vehicle lock, meaning they are exposed to moisture, dust, and dirt. Furthermore, the excellent sliding properties facilitate the described and particularly cost-effective press-fit installation.
[0052] The evaluation element is generally a component of a lock-side control unit. This allows the evaluation element to fulfill its fundamental and necessary functions, namely supplying the keypad with the required electrical energy and, typically, a clock signal. The evaluation element can also be easily connected to a power source via the lock-side control unit, whether this is a battery or accumulator located in or on the vehicle lock, or an electrical connection to a vehicle battery or accumulator.
[0053] In this context, a particularly compact and cost-effective variant is characterized by the fact that the evaluation element is arranged on a circuit board of the lock-side control unit. This means that the circuit board, which is already required and present as part of the lock-side control unit, is generally used for mounting the evaluation element.
[0054] As previously explained, data exchange between the key element and the evaluation element only takes place when the key element is STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
[0055] Kiekert AG
[0056] P24120WO
[0057] 8
[0058] the evaluation element enters the defined and practically rectangular transmit / receive corridor. This allows the design to be such that, at least in the "Door - Closed" position (i.e., when the lock holder is fully retracted into the lock), the evaluation element is vertically overlapped by the keypad. In other words, when the lock holder is fully retracted into the lock, the keypad and the evaluation element overlap in a vertical view or projection. This vertical view or projection is determined by the previously mentioned transmit / receive corridor of the evaluation element.
[0059] Finally, and of further essential importance to the invention, is the fact that the keying element and the evaluation element define a unique identification unit. According to the invention, this means that the keying element and the evaluation element, and consequently the lock holder equipped with the keying element and the vehicle lock comprising the evaluation element, form a unique unit. This allows both the vehicle lock and the associated lock holder to be coded and scanned. Serial numbers can also be assigned in this way.
[0060] Replacing a lock holder therefore requires a redefinition of this unique identification unit, or can be easily determined. This represents a significant security gain because, for example, aftermarket lock holders or those that do not conform to the manufacturer's specifications can be immediately identified. The same applies if the lock holder in question is installed together with a different vehicle lock.
[0061] In addition to addressing the potential problems of untested spare parts, this also allows for quality control even years later, enabling the identification and monitoring of any product characteristics. These are the key advantages.
[0062] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing that illustrates only one embodiment; the drawing shows: STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
[0063] Kiekert AG
[0064] P24120WO
[0065] 9
[0066] Figs. 1 and 2 show the motor vehicle lock according to the invention together with the lock holder in a detailed view within the framework of a first embodiment and
[0067] Figs. 3 and 4 show the subject matter of the invention in a modified version.
[0068] The figures depict a motor vehicle lock designed as a vehicle door lock. For this purpose, the vehicle door lock, essentially equipped with a locking mechanism 1 consisting of a rotary latch 1 and a pawl (not shown), is installed in a vehicle door 3, which is only indicated. The vehicle door lock, or rather its locking mechanism 1, interacts with a body-side lock holder 4, 5. The lock holder 4, 5 is therefore connected to a vehicle body 6. According to the exemplary embodiment, and without limitation, the lock holder 4, 5 is located on a B-pillar of the vehicle body, and the vehicle door 3, shown only partially, is a driver's side door 3.
[0069] Of further particular importance is a sensor unit 7, 8, which serves to determine the position of the lock holder 4, 5 relative to the locking mechanism 1. According to the exemplary embodiment, and without limitation, the sensor unit 7, 8 detects the closed state of the lock holder 4, 5 relative to the locking mechanism 1 as shown in Figures 2 and 4. This closed state of the lock holder 4, 5 relative to the locking mechanism 1 corresponds to the fact that the associated vehicle door 3 is completely closed. The same applies to the locking mechanism 1, in which, in the closed state of the lock holder 4, 5 relative to the locking mechanism 1 shown in Figures 2 and 4, the rotary latch 1 is in its main closed position.
[0070] The sensor unit 7, 8 is designed in two parts, comprising a sensing element 7 and an evaluation element 8. The evaluation element 8 is, without limitation, a so-called reading device, whereas the sensing element 7 is designed, according to the invention, as an associated transponder. More generally, the sensing element 7 is located on or in the lock holder 4, 5. STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
[0071] Kiekert AG
[0072] P24120WO
[0073] 10
[0074] arranged electronic transmitting / receiving unit which interacts with a lock-side or lock-side electronic transmitting / receiving unit as an evaluation element 8 for determining the position of the lock holder 4, 5.
[0075] A comparison of Figures 1, 2 and 3, 4 reveals that in the first variant shown in Figures 1 and 2, the evaluation element 7 is arranged on the locking bar 4 and is specifically embedded in a horizontal leg 4a of the locking bar 4. In fact, the locking bar 4 has two more or less vertical legs 4b, which connect the locking bar 4 to the lock holder plate 5. The two predominantly vertical legs 4b are coupled by means of the horizontal leg 4a, into which the key element 7 is embedded on its upper side and approximately in the middle.
[0076] For this purpose, the key element 7 is inserted into a corresponding and indicated bore 9. The bore 9 is designed as a blind bore. Furthermore, in the variant according to Figures 1 and 2, the bore 9 is located in the horizontal leg 4a of the locking bar 4, whereas in the variant according to Figures 3 and 4, the bore 9 is located on a surface of the lock holder 5 and again approximately in the center.
[0077] In this way, the stylus element 7 can be pressed into the bore or blind bore 9 in question, as will be explained in more detail below. In fact, according to the exemplary embodiment, the stylus element 7 is designed as an encapsulated miniature component with an integrated control unit. This miniature component, and thus the stylus element 7, is characterized by its small external dimensions. Specifically, the encapsulated miniature component is a truncated cylinder with a diameter of approximately 10 mm and a height of approximately 4 to 5 mm. This is, of course, only an example and is by no means a limitation.
[0078] Furthermore, the encapsulated miniature component or keypad element 7, according to the exemplary embodiment, is designed as a press-fit transponder received in the bore 9. In fact, the keypad element 7, or the STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
[0079] Kiekert AG
[0080] P24120WO
[0081] 11
[0082] The press-fit transponder is housed in a plastic casing. This plastic casing is made of a thermoplastic material, specifically a semi-crystalline aromatic polyamide such as PPA, as already described in detail in the introduction.
[0083] In contrast, the evaluation element 8 is a component of a lock-side control unit 10, which is only indicated in the illustrated embodiment. The lock-side control unit 10 is equipped with a circuit board 11 that not only houses a control unit for managing all the lock functions of the illustrated vehicle lock, but also carries the evaluation element 8. This allows the evaluation element 8 to be manufactured together with the lock-side control unit 10 and installed inside a lock housing (not explicitly shown). In this way, the evaluation element 8 is fitted into the lock housing in the installation position shown in Figures 2 and 4.
[0084] This positions the evaluation element 8 such that, at least in the "door closed" position of the vehicle door 3 shown in Figures 2 and 4, and thus with the lock holders 4, 5 fully retracted into the locking mechanism 1, the evaluation element 8 is arranged in a vertical projection overlapping the keypad element 7. This vertical projection is indicated in Figures 2 and 4 by a vertical line S. The vertical projection results from the fact that the keypad element 7 and the evaluation element 8 each have a lobe-shaped directional characteristic of their transmit / receive range. This leads to a corridor K.
[0085] On both sides of this vertical line S, the evaluation element 8 consequently defines a transmit / receive area having a width B and a vertical extent A. The transmit / receive area of width B and length A thus defines the corridor K for the key element 7.
[0086] If the key element 7 is located within corridor K, communication occurs between key element 7 and evaluation element 8. STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
[0087] Kiekert AG
[0088] P24120WO
[0089] 12
[0090] Outside corridor K, however, such communication does not take place because outside corridor K, the evaluation element 8 is unable to transfer energy to the keypad 7. As a result, the keypad 7, which is not equipped with its own electrical power supply, is passive outside corridor K and only becomes active within corridor K. Therefore, communication between the keypad 7 and the evaluation element 8 only occurs within corridor K, and in this way, the control unit belonging to the evaluation element 8, or more generally the lock-side control unit 10, can determine whether the lock holder 4, 5 has correctly assumed its closed state relative to the locking mechanism 1.This closed state is therefore linked to the position of the lock holder 4, 5 and not to the rotary latch 1 having reached its main closed position, which is fundamentally possible even without the lock holder 4, 5 being retracted. This ensures in every case that the vehicle door 3, equipped with the vehicle door lock according to the exemplary embodiment, is securely closed.
[0091] A further advantage is that the data exchange between the keying element 7 and the evaluation element 8 allows the keying element 7 and the evaluation element 8 together to define a unique identification unit 7, 8. This means that the lock holder 4, 5, as well as the vehicle door lock, can be equipped with their own serial number, and the identification unit 7, 8 can also be defined by assigning the lock holder 4, 5 and the vehicle door lock to each other. STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
[0092] Kiekert AG
[0093] P24120WO
[0094] 13 List of reference symbols
[0095] I Rotary latch / lock
[0096] 3 Motor vehicle door
[0097] 4 locking bars
[0098] 4a horizontal leg
[0099] 4b vertical leg
[0100] 5 lock holders
[0101] 6 Bodywork
[0102] 7 Key element
[0103] 8 Evaluation element
[0104] 9. Borehole / Blind hole
[0105] 10 lock-side control unit
[0106] II Circuit board
[0107] A vertical extent / longitudinal extent B width
[0108] K Corridor
[0109] S vertical line
Claims
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL Kiekert AG P24120WO 14 Patent claims 1. Motor vehicle lock, in particular motor vehicle door lock, with a locking mechanism (1) consisting essentially of a rotary latch (1) and a locking pawl, furthermore with a lock holder (4, 5) for interaction with the locking mechanism (1), and with a sensor unit (7, 8) which is designed at least for determining the position of the lock holder (4, 5) relative to the locking mechanism (1) and in particular for detecting a closed state of the lock holder (4, 5) relative to the locking mechanism (1), wherein the sensor unit (7, 8) is designed in two parts with a sensing element (7) and an evaluation element (8), characterized by the fact that the key element (7) is designed as an electronic transmitter / receiver unit arranged on or in the lock holder (4, 5), which interacts with a lock-side electronic transmitter / receiver unit as an evaluation element (8) to determine the position of the lock holder (4, 5).
2. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 1, characterized in that the key element (7) is embedded in a bore (9) of the lock holder (4, 5).
3. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 2, characterized in that the bore (9) together with the key element (7) located therein is arranged in the locking bracket (4) and / or a lock holder plate (5) as essential components of the lock holder (4, 5).
4. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the key element (7) is designed as an encapsulated miniature component with an integrated control unit.
5. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 4, characterized in that the key element (7) is designed as a press-fit transponder received in the bore (9). STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL Kiekert AG P24120WO 15 6. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 5, characterized in that the press-fit transponder is manufactured with a plastic housing made of, for example, a thermoplastic plastic such as a semi-crystalline aromatic polyamide, in particular PPA.
7. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the evaluation element (8) is designed as a component of a lock-side control unit (10).
8. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 7, characterized in that the evaluation element (8) is arranged on a circuit board (11) of the lock-side control unit (10).
9. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the evaluation element (8) is covered by the key element (7) in vertical projection at least in the position “door-closed” and thus when the lock holder (4, 5) is fully retracted into the locking mechanism (1 , 2).
10. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the keying element (7) and the evaluation element (8) define a unique identification unit (7, 8).