LOCKING DEVICE FOR CAR DOORS

Abstract

The invention relates to a locking device for car doors, especially for car doors without door handles, having an electronic control unit for the authorization of access, which is connected to one or more sensors, i.e. a proximity sensor, a touch sensor, a radio transmitter, etc. and/or to an antenna for wireless communication, i.e. a NFC (near field communication) antenna for communication with a smart device like a smart card, a mobile phone, a smart watch, a smart key etc., and a driven mechanical lock/or unlock unit including a latching element for latching the closed door end position.

According to the invention, a latching element is provided to block an intermediate position 3 of the car door 1, into which the car door 1 is movable dependent on a correct access authorization and wherein the intermediate position 3 enables a grip behind the outside surface of the door 1 to unlock the intermediate position 3 and to allow the further movement of the door 1 into the open end position 4.

Claims

1-13. (canceled)

14. A locking device for car doors without door handles, comprising: an electronic control unit for authorization of access, the electronic control unit being connected to one or more sensors and/or to an antenna for wireless communication for communication with a smart device; and a driven mechanical lock/or unlock unit including a latching element for latching a closed end position of a car door, wherein the latching element is provided to block an intermediate position of the car door, into which the car door is movable dependent on a correct access authorization and wherein the intermediate position of the car door enables a grip behind an outside surface of the car door to unlock the intermediate position of the car door and to allow further movement of the car door into an open end position.

15. The locking device according to claim 14, wherein driving means is provided for movement of the car door from the closed end position into the intermediate position.

16. The locking device according to claim 14, wherein an electronic control unit is provided to initiate movement of the car door from the closed end position into the intermediate position dependent on an appearing proximity signal and a correct access authorization.

17. The locking device according to claim 14, wherein driving means is provided for the movement of the car door from the intermediate position into the open end position.

18. The locking device according to claim 14, wherein driving means is provided for movement of the car door from the intermediate position and/or the open end position into the closed end position.

19. The locking device according to claim 14, wherein a motor or a spring or an air bottle is provided for at least one movement of the car door.

20. The locking device according to claim 14, wherein the electronic control unit is adopted to move the car door from the intermediate position into the closed end position dependent on one or more defined closing criteria.

21. The locking device according to claim 20, wherein a time interval without door movement and/or a disappearing proximity signal and/or an operation of a close sensor and/or a closing signal via a wireless communication is used as the one or more defined closing criteria.

22. The locking according to claim 14, wherein a control unit is adopted to generate a light signal and/or an acoustic signal using lamps of the car and/or a horn of the car and/or a separate signaling device to indicate the intermediate position of the car door.

23. The locking device according to claim 22, wherein the separate signaling device is located in an area of a narrow side of the car door, which is noticeable in the intermediate position of the car door.

24. The locking device according to claim 22, wherein the separate signaling device has a light source and a control unit for generating at least one light signal, which is visible in the intermediate position of the car door.

25. The locking device according to claim 22, wherein the separate signaling device is located in a narrow side of the car door.

26. The locking device according to claim 22, wherein the separate signaling device is sealed against an outer environment of the car door in the closed end position.

27. The locking device as in claim 14, wherein the one or more sensors are at least one of the following: a proximity sensor, a touch sensor, and a radio transmitter and the antenna is a near field communication antenna and the smart device is at least one of the following: a smart card, a mobile phone, a smart watch, and a smart key.

Description

[0021] In detail show

[0022] FIG. 1 a schematic illustration of three different door positions,

[0023] FIG. 2 a schematic drawing of a car key,

[0024] FIG. 3 a schematic drawing of a smartphone and

[0025] FIG. 4 an illustration of the different door positions inside the proximity zones.

[0026] The car door 1 in FIG. 1 is shown in three positions 2, 3, 4, the closed end position 2, the intermediate position 3 and the open end position 4.

[0027] The car key 5 has different buttons, i.e. one button 6 to open the driver door, one button 7 for the trunk and one button 8 to close the car. The functions of this key can also be realized in a smartphone 5′, a smart card, etc. When the button 6 is pushed the control unit of the locking device releases the closed end position 2 and starts the movement of the car door 1 into the latched intermediate position 3. In the intermediate position 3 the car door 1 can be unlatched and pulled into the open end position 4 without a door handle.

[0028] In improved versions the movements of the car door 1 are partially or completely operated automatically by driving means.

[0029] Also the intermediate position 3 can be unlatched automatically by a control unit, i.e. when the key button 6 is pushed again.

[0030] In the described embodiment the access authorization is made by the key 5 or the smartphone 5′or the smartcard. A keyless entry is possible i.e. using a proximity sensor detecting and identifying an authorized device like the key 5, the smartphone 5′, the smartcard, etc. In this case the different door positions 2, 3, 4 can be associated to different, preferably configurable distances as shown in FIG. 4.

[0031] For example in the middle distance 9 the intermediate position 3 can be activated and in the near distance 10 the movement into the open end position 4 can be started. This movement can then be stopped by the user near by the door. On the other hand the movement from the open end position 4 or from the intermediate position 3 into the closed end position 2 can be started when the authorizing device or person is leaving the car 12, especially the spaced distance 11. This distance can also be a welcome distance in which the car gives signals when the user is nearing to the car 12. [0032] 1 car door [0033] 2 closed end position [0034] 3 intermediate position [0035] 4 open end position [0036] 5 car key [0037] 5′smartphone [0038] 6 key button [0039] 7 key button [0040] 8 key button [0041] 9 middle distance [0042] 10 near distance [0043] 11 spaced distance [0044] 12 car