Locking System and Method of Actuating a Locking System

Abstract

The invention relates to a locking system (100) for a movable part (101), in particular a door or a lid, of a vehicle, comprising: a handle (10) fixed relative to the movable part (101) in a normal operation of the vehicle for opening or closing the movable part (101), a lock (20) for locking or unlocking the movable part (101), and an actuator (30) for actuating the lock (20). According to the invention, the actuator (30) can be arranged at a distance from the lock (20).

Claims

1-18. (canceled)

19. A locking system for a movable part of a vehicle, comprising: a handle fixed relative to the movable part in a normal operation of the vehicle for opening or closing the movable part, a lock for locking or unlocking the movable part, and an actuator for actuating the lock, wherein the actuator can be arranged at a distance from the lock.

20. The locking system according to claim 19, wherein the actuator can be arranged on the movable part.

21. The locking system according to claim 19, wherein at least the locking system is designed as part of a keyless-go system or a keyless-entry system, or the locking system can be brought into a communication connection with a security system of the vehicle, which queries an authorization of a user in order to be able to actuate the handle, or the lock is designed for at least automatic locking or unlocking and for at least automatic opening or closing of the movable part.

22. The locking system according to claim 19, wherein at least the handle comprises an electronic unit which is in a communication connection with the actuator to trigger an actuation of the lock or the electronic unit can be brought into a communication connection with a security system of the vehicle, which queries an authorization of a user in order to actuate the handle.

23. The locking system according to claim 19, wherein at least one first sensor element is provided for monitoring at least one first activation region of the locking system in order to detect at least an approach or a touch of the handle or at least one first movement pattern or a second movement pattern by a hand of the user in the first activation region, or the first activation region is present on an outer side of the handle facing away from the movable part.

24. The locking system according to claim 19, wherein at least one second sensor element is provided for monitoring at least one second activation region of the locking system in order to detect at least an approach or a touch of the handle or an engagement behind the handle by a hand of the user in the second activation region, or the second activation region is present on an outer side of the handle facing the movable part.

25. The locking system according to claim 19, wherein at least one third sensor element is provided for monitoring at least one third activation region of the locking system in order to detect at least an approach or a touch of the handle in the third activation region, or the third activation region is formed on an upper narrow side of the handle.

26. The locking system according to claim 19, wherein at least the lock is connected to the actuator via a transmission element in order to actuate the lock during normal operation of the vehicle, or the lock is connected to the handle via the transmission element in order to actuate the lock in an emergency operation of the vehicle.

27. The locking system according to claim 19, wherein at least a transmission element is provided between the handle, the lock and the actuator in order to transmit an actuating force between the handle, the lock and the actuator, or an overload coupling is provided between the handle and the transmission element in order to at least intercept a transmission of a tensile force from the actuator to the handle below a threshold limit or to permit a transmission of a tensile force from the handle to the lock above the threshold limit.

28. The locking system according to claim 19, wherein at least the transmission element is in the form of a Bowden cable, or the transmission element comprises a core which extends between the handle, the lock and the actuator and via which a mechanical operative connection for transmitting an actuating force between the handle, the lock and the actuator can be produced.

29. The locking system according to claim 19, wherein at least the transmission element comprises a sleeve of at least two parts lengthwise, or the transmission element comprises a first sleeve section between the handle and the lock and a second sleeve section between the lock and the actuator, or the first sleeve section is mounted movably relative to the second sleeve section.

30. The locking system according to claim 19, wherein at least the transmission element comprises a pond, or the transmission element comprises a collar or the collar is at least elastically deformable or is designed bellows-like.

31. The locking system according to claim 19, wherein at least the lock comprises an actuating lever on which the transmission element engages, or the actuating lever can be moved at least between two positions, namely: a resting position in which the lock is not actuated, and an actuating position in which the lock is actuated.

32. The locking system according to claim 19, wherein at least the actuating lever comprises a fixing fork which is connected to the first sleeve section of the transmission element in at least a form or force-locking manner, or the first sleeve section is fixed to the actuating lever by means of a sleeve in at least a form or force-locking manner, or the fixing fork is fixed in at least a form or force-locking manner with a fixing section to a sleeve on the first sleeve section of the transmission element, or the first sleeve section can be supported fixedly from the side of the handle on the movable part by means of a sleeve.

33. The locking system according to claim 19, wherein at least the lock comprises a clamping mechanism to which the transmission element is fixed, or the second sleeve section is fixed to the clamping mechanism in at least a form or force-locking manner by means of a sleeve, or the clamping mechanism comprises a clamping element, which is fixed in at least a form or force-locking manner with a complementary clamping element to a sleeve on the second sleeve section of the transmission element.

34. The locking system according to claim 19, wherein the locking system is designed as a retrofit kit.

35. The locking system according to claim 19, wherein at least the actuator comprises a motor and a gear, or the actuator comprises a coil for winding a core of the transmission element.

36. A method for operating a locking system of a movable part of a vehicle comprising: a handle fixed relative to the movable part in a normal operation of the vehicle for opening or closing the movable part, a lock for locking or unlocking the movable part, and an actuator for actuating the lock, wherein the method comprises the following steps: (a) automatic actuation of the lock by means of the actuator in a normal operation of the vehicle, or (b) mechanical actuation of the lock by means of the handle in an emergency operation of the vehicle.

Description

[0044] The features mentioned in the claims and in the description may be individually or in any combination essential to the invention. The figures show:

[0045] FIG. 1a a schematic representation of a locking system in the sense of the invention,

[0046] FIG. 1b a further schematic representation of a locking system in the sense of the invention,

[0047] FIG. 2a schematic representation of a transmission element in the sense of the invention in a resting position of an actuating lever of a lock,

[0048] FIG. 3a a schematic representation of a transmission element in the sense of the invention in an actuating position of an actuating lever of a lock when an actuator is actuated,

[0049] FIG. 3b a schematic representation of a transmission element in the sense of the invention in an actuating position of an actuating lever of a lock when a handle is pulled,

[0050] FIG. 4a an enlarged representation of a locking system in the sense of the invention in the region of a lock,

[0051] FIG. 4b a further enlarged representation of a locking system in the sense of the invention in the region of a lock,

[0052] FIG. 5a a view of a lock of a locking system in the sense of the invention,

[0053] FIG. 5b a further view of a lock of a locking system in the sense of the invention,

[0054] FIG. 6 an installation possibility of a locking system in the sense of the invention on a vehicle door,

[0055] FIG. 7a schematic representation of a handle in the sense of the invention, and

[0056] FIG. 8 schematic installation possibilities of a locking system in terms of the invention on a vehicle.

[0057] The reference signs are usually described only once and apply in connection with all figures and embodiments of the invention.

[0058] FIGS. 1a and 1b show a locking system 100 in the sense of the invention, which can be used for different movable parts 101, e.g. doors or lids (see FIG. 8 below), of a vehicle. The locking system 100 comprises a handle 10, which in a normal operation of the vehicle is fixed relative to the movable part 101 for opening or closing the movable part 101, a lock 20 for locking or unlocking the movable part 101 and an actuator 30 for actuating the lock 20. According to the invention, the actuator 30 can be arranged at a distance from the lock 20, in particular directly on the movable part 101.

[0059] The locking system 100 in the sense of the invention may serve as an automatically controllable system that can communicate with a security system 102 of the vehicle (see FIGS. 1a, 1b and 6) to request an authorization of a user to open the movable part 101. The locking system 100 can thus form part of a keyless-go system or a keyless-entry system. The locking system 100 is advantageously designed to automatically open and/or close the movable part 101. The actuator 30 is provided for this purpose. The actuator 30 can actuate the lock 20 accordingly. As shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b, the actuator 30 comprises a motor 31 which can be controlled by electric signals, e.g. of an electronic unit 40 (see FIGS. 1a, 1b and 7). The electric signals can be transmitted advantageously wirelessly, e.g. by means of electromagnetic waves, preferably by radio.

[0060] Due to the spatially separated arrangement of the actuator 30 to the lock 20, the actuator 30 can be provided as a separate unit which does not need to be installed in the housing of the lock 20. As shown in FIG. 6 below, the actuator 30 can be fixed at a remote location. By structurally separating it from the actuator 30, an advantageously simple and inexpensive mechanical lock 20 can be used as part of the locking system 100 according to the invention. A preferably flexible transmission chain is formed between the actuator 30, the lock 20 and the handle 10, e.g. by means of a flexible transmission element 50, e.g. in the form of a Bowden cable. According to a particular advantage of the invention, the locking system 100 can provide the advantages of the fixed handle 10 in a normal operation of the vehicle and at the same time a safe, in particular mechanical, emergency opening function in an emergency with the same handle 10.

[0061] Furthermore, it is an advantage that the locking system 100 in the sense of the invention can be used as a retrofit system for vehicles which already comprise mechanical locks 20 and movable handles 10. By retrofitting the actuator 30 and the fixed handle 10 in the sense of the invention, a locking system 100 with extended possibilities can be provided in combination with the existing mechanical lock 20. The retrofit system is simple in design and can be easily and intuitively mounted on the movable part, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 below.

[0062] However, even in vehicles equipped with fixed handles 10, the locking system 100 may be advantageous in the sense of the invention as a retrofit system or retrofit kit to enable mechanical actuation of the lock 20 by means of the fixed handle 10 in the sense of the invention in an emergency. The handle 10 may be fixed relative to the movable part 101 during normal operation of the vehicle and may be provided with an emergency opening function in case of an emergency in order to be able to open the movable part 101 by mechanical actuation, i.e. by moving the handle 10. For this purpose, a threshold limit for the actuating force may be provided in order to intercept a transmission of the actuating force, e.g. a tensile force, from the actuator to the handle below this threshold limit (normal operation) and/or to permit a transmission of the actuating force, e.g. a tensile force, from the handle to the lock above the threshold limit (emergency operation). For this purpose, an overload coupling 60 can be provided between the lock 20 and the fixed handle 10, for example, which is indicated schematically in FIGS. 1a, 1b, 2, 3a and 3b. A spring element is conceivable as an overload coupling 60, which can temporarily store the tensile force up to a certain threshold limit. Furthermore, a hydraulic cylinder, a drive or the like is conceivable as an overload coupling 60.

[0063] As FIGS. 1a and 1b further indicate, the locking system 100 can be brought in a communication connection ID to the vehicle's security system 102, e.g. by means of the electronic unit 40 (see also FIG. 7). The communication connection ID is used to request the authorization of a user or to carry out an identification request in order to be allowed to actuate the handle 10.

[0064] As shown in FIGS. 1a, 1b and 7, the handle 10 comprises an electronic unit 40, which can be exemplarily arranged inside a cavity inside the handle 10 and which can be, if necessary, sealed with a sealing compound. The electronic unit 40 can establish a, preferably wireless, communication connection GO with the actuator 30 in order to control the actuation of the lock 20 during normal operation of the vehicle. A prerequisite for actuating the lock GO can be a positive authorization request of a user. After a positive authorization request, unlocking of the lock 20 can be initiated, for example, by the vehicle's security system 102. After unlocking the lock 20, the locking system 100 according to the invention uses the lock 20 to open the movable part 101. This enables an automatic actuation of the lock 20.

[0065] As further shown in FIG. 7, the handle 10, in particular the electronic unit 40, may comprise a first, in particular capacitive, sensor element 41 for monitoring at least one first activation region A1 of the locking system 100 in order to detect an approach and/or a touch of the handle and/or at least one first movement pattern or a second movement pattern by a hand of the user in the first activation region A1. The first activation region A1 may be present on an outer side 11 of the handle 10 facing away from the movable part 101. The first sensor element 41 can recognize the presence of a user near the handle 10.

[0066] Furthermore, the handle 10, in particular the electronic unit 40, can comprise a second, in particular capacitive, sensor element 42 for monitoring at least one second activation region A2 of the locking system 100 in order to detect an approach and/or a touch of the handle 10 and/or an engagement behind the handle 10 by a hand of the user in the second activation region A2. The second activation region A2 may be present on an outer side 12 of the handle 10 facing the movable part 101 as indicated in FIG. 7. The second sensor element 42 can be used to recognize an opening intention of the movable part 101.

[0067] In addition, the handle 10, in particular the electronic unit 40, can comprise a third, in particular capacitive, sensor element 43 for monitoring at least one third activation region A3 of the locking system 100 in order to detect an approach and/or a touch, e.g. a tap, of the handle 10 in the third activation region A3. The third activation region A3 can be formed on an upper narrow side 13 of the handle 10 as indicated in FIG. 7. The third sensor element 43 can be used to recognize a locking intention of the movable part 101.

[0068] As can also be seen from FIGS. 1a to 6, the lock 20 is connected to the actuator 30 via a transmission element 50 in order to be able to automatically actuate the lock 20 during normal operation of the vehicle.

[0069] At the same time, the lock 20 is connected to the handle 10 via the same transmission element 50 and in particular an overload coupling 60, in order to be able to actuate the lock 20 mechanically in an emergency operation of the vehicle.

[0070] As shown in FIGS. 1a to 4b, the transmission element 50 extends between the handle 10, the lock 20 and the actuator 30 to transmit an actuating force between the handle 10, the lock 20 and the actuator 30, e.g. a pulling force from the handle 10 and/or the actuator 30 to the lock 20.

[0071] As can be seen in FIGS. 1a and 4b, the transmission element 50 can be designed in the form of a Bowden cable. The transmission element 50 may comprise a core 51 extending, in particular continuously, between the handle 10, the lock 20 and the actuator 30, by means of which a mechanical operative connection is produced for transmitting an actuating force between the handle 10, the lock 20 and the actuator 30.

[0072] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3a and 3b, the operative connection of the transmission element 50 to the lock 20 is produced on an actuating lever 21 of the lock 20, which is fixed to a first sleeve section 52 of the transmission element 50 by means of a sleeve 56 movable with the first sleeve section 52. FIG. 2 shows the actuating lever 21 in a resting position I.

[0073] As FIGS. 1a to 4b also show, the transmission element 50 can comprise a sleeve 52, 53, which is at least in two parts lengthwise. The transmission element 50 can comprise a first sleeve section 52 between the handle 10 and the lock 20 and a second sleeve section 53 between the lock 20 and the actuator 30.

[0074] As can be seen from FIGS. 3a and 3b, the first sleeve section 52 of the transmission element 50 is mounted movably relative to the second sleeve section 53 in order to compensate for the length change during movement of the core 51 via the movement of the first sleeve section 52.

[0075] As can be seen in FIGS. 2, 3a and 3b, the second sleeve section 53 between the lock 20 and the actuator 30 is essentially immovably mounted, or is supported fixedly on both sides from the side of the actuator 30 and by the side of the lock 20. From the side of the lock 20 a fixed sleeve 57 is provided. The core 51 of the transmission element 50 can move within the second sleeve section 53.

[0076] As FIGS. 2, 3a and 3b further show, the first sleeve section 52 is fixed to the actuating lever 21 of the lock 20 from the side of the lock 20 by means of a sleeve 56 and can therefore move with the actuating lever 21. From the side of the handle 10, the first sleeve section 52 is supported fixedly by a sleeve 61, e.g. in a bearing bracket of the handle 10.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 3a, in a normal operation of the vehicle, the first sleeve section 52 can at least partially follow the movement of the core 51 of the transmission element 50 in the same direction when the core 51 is tensioned within the first sleeve section 52.

[0078] As FIG. 3b again shows, in an emergency operation of the vehicle, the sleeve 56 can be moved in the opposite direction to the movement of the core 51 of the transmission element 50, if the core 51 is tensioned within the first sleeve section 52.

[0079] As FIGS. 3a and 3b indicate, a tension on the core 51 from different sides (of the actuator 30 or the handle 10) can be translated into movement of the first sleeve section 52 on the lock side (i.e. the sleeve 56) in the same direction between the resting position I and an actuating position II of the actuating lever 21. Within the scope of the invention, the movement of the actuating lever 21 can be enabled between the resting position I and the actuating position II, e.g. by a forced guidance not shown for reasons of simplicity. The movement of the actuating lever 21 beyond the resting position I can be limited by a fixed stop 62 against which the sleeve 56 can be brought into contact.

[0080] A pond 54 may be provided between the first sleeve section 52 and the second sleeve section 53. The pond 54 can advantageously compensate the length change during the movement of the core 51 or the relative movement of the sleeve sections 52, 53 to each other.

[0081] The pond 54 may also comprise a collar 55 (see FIGS. 1b and 4b) to cover the core 51. The collar 55 may be elastically deformable, e.g. bellows-like, to allow a movement of the first sleeve section 52 relative to the second sleeve section 53.

[0082] As can be seen in FIGS. 4a and 4b, the lock 20 comprises an actuating lever 21 to which the transmission element 50, in particular the first sleeve section 52 of the transmission element 50, is fixed in a form and/or force-locking manner.

[0083] Furthermore, FIGS. 4a and 4b show that the actuating lever 21 can be moved between two positions I, II, in particular rotated (see the movement direction B in FIGS. 4a and 4b). The positions I, II can comprise a resting position I, in which the lock 20 is not actuated or the movable part 101 is locked, and an actuating position II, in which the lock 20 is actuated or the movable part 101 is unlocked. These positions I, II are shown schematically in FIGS. 2, 3a, 3b, 4a and 4b.

[0084] As FIGS. 4a and 4b also illustrate, a fixing fork 22 is formed at the end of the actuating lever 21, which can engage between the first sleeve section 52 and the pond 54 of the transmission element 50. The first sleeve section 52 can be fixed to the actuating lever 21 in a form and/or force-locking manner using the fixing fork 22. In doing so, the fixing fork 22 can be fixed in a form and/or force-locking manner with a fixing section 58 on the sleeve 56 to the first sleeve section 52 of the transmission element 50 so that the first sleeve section 52 can move with the actuating lever 21.

[0085] Furthermore, the lock 20 may comprise a clamping mechanism 23 to which the second sleeve section 53 of the transmission element 50, in particular in the region between the second sleeve section 53 and/or the collar 55 of the transmission element 50, is fixed, preferably releasably. At this point a fixed support for the second sleeve section 53 can be provided on the housing of the lock 20.

[0086] Advantageously, the second sleeve section 53 can be fixed in a form and/or force-locking manner to the clamping mechanism 23, wherein the clamping mechanism 23 can comprise a clamping element 24 which can be fixed in a form and/or force-locking manner to the second sleeve section 53 of the transmission element 50 by means of a complementary clamping element 59 on a sleeve 57. Thus, the transmission element 50 can be supported on the lock 20 by means of the clamping mechanism 23 to enable a stable transmission of the actuating force via the transmission element 50.

[0087] As mentioned above, the actuator 30 can comprise a motor 31 and a gear 32, as shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b. Furthermore, the actuator 30 can comprise a coil 33 for winding a core 51 of the transmission element 50 (see also FIGS. 2, 3a and 3b). Thus, when actuating the lock 20, the core 51 can be at least partially unwound or wound onto the coil 33, depending on the direction in which the actuating force is transmitted.

[0088] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment according to which the locking system 100 can be installed on a vehicle door. According to FIG. 8, it can be seen that the locking system 100 in the sense of the invention can be installed not only on a vehicle door, but also on a vehicle lid, on a hood or even on a hinged side mirror in order to achieve the advantages according to the invention.

[0089] The above description of the figures describes the present invention exclusively in the context of examples. Of course, individual features of the embodiments can be freely combined with each other, provided it is technically reasonable, without leaving the scope of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0090] 10 handle [0091] 11 outer side [0092] 12 outer side [0093] 13 narrow side [0094] 20 lock [0095] 21 actuating lever [0096] 22 fixing fork [0097] 23 clamping mechanism [0098] 24 clamping element [0099] 30 actuator [0100] 31 motor [0101] 32 gear [0102] 33 coil [0103] 40 electronic unit [0104] 41 first sensor element [0105] 42 second sensor element [0106] 43 third sensor element [0107] 50 transmission element [0108] 51 core [0109] 52 first sleeve section [0110] 53 second sleeve section [0111] 54 pond [0112] 55 collar [0113] 56 sleeve [0114] 57 sleeve [0115] 58 fixing section [0116] 59 complementary clamping element [0117] 60 overload coupling [0118] 61 sleeve [0119] 62 stop [0120] 100 locking system [0121] 101 movable part [0122] 102 security system [0123] A1 first activation region [0124] A2 second activation region [0125] A3 third activation region [0126] GO communication connection [0127] ID communication connection [0128] I resting position [0129] II actuating position [0130] B movement direction