Patent Publication Number: US-2020300006-A1

Title: Emergency actuating device for a movable part of a vehicle

Description:
The invention relates to an emergency actuating device for a closing system of a movable part of a vehicle according to the preamble of claim  1 , a closing system for emergency actuation according to the independent system claim and a method for emergency actuation according to the independent method claim. 
     There is an increasing demand in the case of current closing systems for vehicles to use electromechanical closing systems in which the lock cylinder is dispensed with and the locks are merely activated electronically. In this case the access to the vehicle or the access to parts of the vehicle can normally be produced by means of a conventional wireless key. This transmits and receives authorization signals, so that the lock is unlocked in the event of positive authentication. 
     Problems with the previously described closing systems occur when the wireless key has been lost or damaged in an emergency situation. Furthermore, it is not possible for the user to gain access to his vehicle when the complete vehicle is currentless. Then neither an authorization request nor unlocking can take place and the user is directed to external help. 
     DE 10 2016 005 342 A1 discloses an electronic closing system, in which electrical energy can be wirelessly transmitted by an ID transponder which can be carried by the user to an electric emergency battery of the closing system. The transmitted electrical energy charges the emergency battery of the closing system, so that an authentication can be carried out with the control unit of the vehicle if sufficient energy could be made available. 
     A disadvantage of the closing system known from the prior art is that sufficient energy must be present in the key and on the vehicle so that both the control unit of the vehicle and actuators can be supplied for unlocking. 
     An object of the present invention is to at least partially overcome the disadvantages known from the prior art. In particular it is an object of the invention to provide an emergency actuating device which enables locking and/or unlocking of a movable part of a vehicle when the vehicle or the vehicle electronics is substantially currentless. 
     The object is achieved by an emergency actuating device according to the independent apparatus claim, a closing system according to the independent system claim and a method according to the independent method claim. 
     Further features and details of the invention are apparent from the subclaims, the description and the drawings. In this case features and details which have been described in connection with the device according to the invention also of course apply in connection with the motor vehicle according to the invention, and/or the method according to the invention and vice versa in each case so that, always with respect to the disclosure, reference is made or can be made alternately to the individual aspects of the invention. 
     According to the invention an emergency actuating device is proposed for a closing system of a movable part of a vehicle, in particular a door, sliding door, flap or tailgate. The emergency actuating device has an energy store, in particular an electrical energy store, a communication unit for wireless communication with an ID transponder, and an electronics unit for activating a lock of the movable part, whereby the lock can be transferred from a locking position into an unlocking position or vice versa. Furthermore, an actuating element is provided which can be reached from outside the vehicle, so that the closing system can be switched into an emergency actuation mode by a user, and in the emergency actuation mode the communication unit can be brought into signal communication with the ID transponder, so that an authentication signal can be transmitted and, in the event of positive authentication, the electronics unit transfers the lock from a locking position into an unlocking position or vice versa. 
     Due to the configuration according to the invention a user can gain access to the movable part even when the vehicle is currentless. 
     Within the context of the invention a movable part may be understood to be a door, sliding door, flap or tailgate. This also includes flaps or doors in or on the vehicle as well as hoods, for example engine hoods. In this case flaps should also be understood to be, for example, a glove box or a stowage compartment inside the vehicle or stowage compartments that are accessible from the exterior. 
     If within the context of the invention reference is made to a lock for a motor vehicle, this covers all closing systems which fix a movable part in a position relative to the motor vehicle. A lock may be arranged, for example, in a side door, a sliding door, a flap, a cover but also, for example, in a rear seat. In particular, a lock may be arranged everywhere where movable parts are used by means of a closing system consisting of a locking mechanism and a catch. 
     The energy store according to the invention serves in particular for supplying the emergency actuating device with electrical and/or mechanical energy. In particular in the case of an electrical energy store an energy management system can be provided, by means of which for example the state of charge can be determined. 
     A communication unit according to the invention serves as a transmitting and/or receiving unit for wireless communication with an ID transponder. Thus the communication unit can receive and/or transmit data, in particular for authentication. 
     Within the meaning of the invention an ID transponder may be designed, for example, as a portable wireless key, key fob, smartphone, smart watch or similar smart device that is portable by the user. In this case the ID transponder has at least one transmitting and/or receiving unit, so that a wireless communication with the communication unit is feasible. 
     The electronics unit according to the invention serves for activating the lock of the movable part. Accordingly the electronics unit is in signal communication with the communication unit or includes the communication unit. Furthermore, the electronics unit is in signal communication with the lock or with a lock drive assigned to the lock. The electronics unit has a logic for managing the access to the movable part. If the closing system is set to an emergency actuation mode, access by the electronics unit can be controlled. 
     It is an essential feature of the invention, amongst other things, that an actuating element is provided, so that the closing system can be switched by a user into an emergency actuation mode. This means that, by means of an actuation of the actuating element by the user from outside the vehicle, a signal connection of the communication unit with the ID transponder is made possible, even if the vehicle is currentless. The emergency actuating device has an idle mode, in which no control of the closing system takes place and thus substantially no energy from the energy store is consumed. The emergency actuating device is only activated by the user actuating the actuating element and enabling locking and/or unlocking of the lock, even when the vehicle is currentless. Actuation can take place mechanically and/or electrically within the context of the invention. Thus, it can be provided that the user actuates an externally accessible switch, for example a microswitch, or an external current source is used for actuation. The energy store of the emergency actuating device is thus only required/activated when the user has actuated the actuating element and the closing system is transferred into an emergency actuation mode. Therefore, an external current source is not absolutely necessary. 
     In the emergency actuation mode the energy store can be used so that at least the electronics unit, the communication unit, the lock and/or a lock drive can be supplied with electrical energy. As long as the emergency actuation mode is not activated, substantially no energy or no energy from the energy store is consumed. In fact it is conceivable that in normal operation of the vehicle, that is to say in the presence of electrical energy in the vehicle, the energy store can be charged, but no energy is consumed/requested. 
     Furthermore, it is conceivable that the emergency actuating device is at least partially integrated in the lock. It is likewise conceivable that the emergency actuating device has a housing and is arranged in or on the movable part or on the vehicle. The emergency actuating device is preferably arranged on or in the region of the lock. 
     An energy connection is provided, wherein the energy connection is arranged at a location on the vehicle which is accessible by a user from the exterior, so that an emergency current supply to the emergency actuating device with an external energy source is possible. The energy connection can preferably be arranged behind a cap for the lock cylinder. The cap can also be present when no lock cylinder is provided. Thus this is a cover in the region of the door handle. It is conceivable that the energy connection is integrated into the actuating element. Accordingly the energy connection can be used to activate the closing system and thus to switch into the emergency actuation. The energy connection can be designed as an electrical contact, for example for a battery. Furthermore, it is conceivable that electrical energy can be transmitted wirelessly. 
     Within the context of the invention the communication unit can transmit, i.e. send and/or receive, energy and/or the data electromagnetically and/or inductively and/or capacitively and/or optically. In this connection the principle of cable-free transmission can relate to all electromagnetic transmission methods and transmitted frequencies which can pass through gas/vacuum sections or through respectively used insulation materials without specific transmission lines or media. For example, the use of near field communication techniques such as infrared diodes, NFC and IR LEDs. Such component can also always be part of integrated components. There are also components which can act both as LEDs (or laser sources or broadband sources) and as photodiodes, for example bidirectional chips or special LEDs. The photo-optical range up to UV is also a possible frequency range for components having a diode-like functional principle. Other photodetectors and emitters for UV/IS/IR are also conceivable within the context of the invention. If the energy connections according to the invention are used both for transmission of the electrical energy and also for data transmission, this may involve, for example, a carrier frequency system by which a data signal to or from the connected device is modulated into a high-frequency range and a data signal from or to the second transponder is demodulated. In this case both a unilateral/unidirectional and also a bidirectional transmission of the energy and/or the data is conceivable. 
     Within the context of the invention it is conceivable that the first transponder and the second transponder have a data interface for the data, in which Bluetooth and/or NFC and/or wireless LAN and/or GSM is/are used for the transmission of the data. The use of Bluetooth enables a fast and flexible connection between the battery and an external device, which external device can also be a user&#39;s mobile telephone. The stability of Bluetooth connections has proven itself to be very high due to the frequent frequency shifts and small data packets. Furthermore, Bluetooth is characterized by the low power consumption as well as the low transmission power and a low susceptibility to interference. The transmission by means of NFC (near field communication) makes possible a reliable and convenient transmission of the data from the battery to an external device, the reliability being increased by the fact that transmission is enabled only over a small distance and manipulation by third parties can be prevented thereby. 
     It may be advantageous that the energy store is designed as an electrical energy store, as an electrochemical energy store and/or electrostatic energy store, for example a battery. Likewise it is conceivable to provide a mechanical energy store. In this case the battery can be arranged in the ID transponder and/or on the vehicle. In particular, it is conceivable to provide an electromechanical generator, for example in the form of a dynamo or control wire. In this case a dynamo can be operatively connected to a mechanical door handle, so that by a pulling and/or pushing movement (handle movement) of the door handle a dynamo is operated, so that electrical energy can be generated. Likewise, it is conceivable to provide a spring mechanism or a pressurized container, which can carry out an actuation of the lock from an unlocking position into a locking position or vice versa. 
     Furthermore, the object is achieved by means of a closing system according to the independent system claim. The closing system for a movable part of a vehicle, in particular for a door, sliding door, flap or tailgate, has an emergency actuating device according to the invention. Accordingly, for the closing system according to the invention the same advantages and properties are produced as those described above in connection with the emergency actuating device according to the invention, and in each case vice versa. Furthermore, the closing system according to the invention has at least one lock for the movable part and a handle, which is accessible from outside the vehicle and can be arranged on the vehicle, for actuation of the emergency actuating device and/or of the lock. 
     A lock for the movable part is arranged on or in the movable part or on the vehicle. Within the context of the invention a handle may be an outer door handle, an electromechanical push button or lever. 
     The handle serves for the user to actuate the door, in particular the lock, and to actuate the emergency actuating device if the vehicle is currentless. Accordingly, the user can operate the handle from outside of the vehicle and the actuating element of the emergency actuating device is actuated thereby. Advantageously, the actuating element may accordingly be operatively connected to the handle. 
     A particular advantage results from the fact that the user must actuate the handle and therefore the actuating element for a determined time window, so that the closing system is switched into an emergency actuation mode. Thus, for example, the emergency actuation mode can be activated only in the event of actuation for more than 3 seconds. This prevents activation of the emergency actuation mode and discharge of the energy store in normal use of the handle. 
     It can be advantageous that the actuating element is integrated in the handle or is arranged on the handle. Particularly preferably, the actuating element is designed as a microswitch and can be actuated/triggered accordingly by actuation of the handle. It is conceivable that the actuating element is designed as an energy connection on or in the handle. The energy connection is preferably arranged in the region of the handle in which a lock cylinder is usually arranged. In this case, the energy connection can be arranged in an accommodating housing of the lock cylinder or in a covering cap of the lock cylinder. 
     Furthermore, it can be advantageous if the handle has an accommodating housing for an ID transponder, in which the ID transponder can be at least partially arranged. In this case, it may be particularly advantageous that the actuating element is arranged in the region of the accommodating housing. Accordingly, the actuating element can be actuated by insertion of the ID transponder into the accommodating housing. Thus, for example, a microswitch can be actuated by the ID transponder and the closing system can thus be switched into the emergency actuation mode. In addition, data and/or current can be transmitted from the ID transponder to the emergency actuating device. Thus an authentication between ID transponder and communication unit can be produced, in particular by means of near field communication. 
     According to the invention the object of the invention is also achieved by a method according to the independent method claim. The method serves for emergency actuation of a closing system according to the invention for a movable part of a vehicle. Accordingly, all the advantages and properties already described above in connection with the closing system according to the invention are produced for the method according to the invention. 
     The method comprises at least the following steps:
         a) actuating an actuating element on a vehicle, so that the closing system is switched into an emergency actuation mode,   b) activating an energy store, so that at least one communication unit is supplied with electrical energy,   c) establishing a wireless signal connection to an ID transponder carried by the user,   d) transmitting at least one authentication signal from the ID transponder to the communication unit and/or vice versa,   e) unlocking or locking a lock of the movable part when a positive authentication has taken place.       

     In this case, the method steps can proceed at least in part simultaneously or successively, and the order of the method steps is not limited to the order defined by the numbering, so that individual steps can be carried out in a different order. 
     It is conceivable according to the invention that the actuation of the actuating element takes place mechanically, in particular for a duration of T&gt;2.5 sec, preferably between 3 sec and 10 sec, particularly preferably between 5 sec and 7 sec. 
     It may be advantageous that the actuation takes place electrically by means of an external energy source or by means of electrical short-circuit. An external energy source makes it possible to switch the closing system into the emergency actuation mode to be switched even if the energy store of the emergency actuating device is empty. Then electrical energy can be fed in, for example by means of an external battery, and actuation and thus setting to the emergency actuation mode can take place. Furthermore, actuation can take place by short-circuiting of an electrical contact. In this case, it is conceivable that a device by means of which a short-circuit of the energy connection can be carried out on the covering cap of the door lock cylinder. 
     Within the context of the invention it is conceivable that authentication takes place by means of a smart device, for example a smartphone or smartwatch, whereby by means of software on the device the operator is given an instruction as to how emergency actuation of the closing system takes place. Accordingly, it is conceivable that information about the operating procedure is displayed or output for the user by means of his smartphone or his smartwatch. Thus the operation is made considerably simpler. In particular in an emergency and with the vehicle closed, the operator can find out how he can restore access. 
     The invention is explained in greater detail below with reference to the appended drawings based on several preferred exemplary embodiments. However, it is again pointed out that an embodiment of the invention is not limited to the illustrated exemplary embodiments, but these merely constitute advantageous embodiments. The illustrated features can be advantageously implemented individually or in combination with further features of the description and also the claims individually or in combination. In this case, it should be noted that the drawings are only descriptive and are not intended to restrict the invention in any way. 
     In the following embodiments identical or equivalent elements are designated by identical reference numerals and double description is at least partially avoided. 
    
    
     
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  shows a vehicle with a possible embodiment of a closing system according to the invention having a possible embodiment of an emergency actuating device according to the invention, 
         FIG. 2  shows a movable part of a vehicle with a possible embodiment of a handle for a closing system according to the invention, 
         FIG. 3  shows a detail of a movable part with a possible embodiment of an emergency actuating device according to the invention and a handle and, 
         FIG. 4  shows a detail of a movable part with a possible embodiment of an emergency actuating device according to the invention and a handle. 
     
    
    
       FIG. 1  shows a vehicle  100  with a possible embodiment of a closing system  130  according to the invention having a possible embodiment of an emergency actuating device  120  according to the invention. In this case the vehicle  100  is shown by way of example with the movable parts in the form of side doors  110 , engine hood  110  and tailgate  110 . Within the context of the invention a closing system  130  according to the invention having an emergency actuating device  120  according to the invention can be assigned to each movable part  110  of the vehicle  100 . Furthermore, it is conceivable that only a central closing system  130  is provided and unlocking and/or locking can be carried out by means of a central locking system of the vehicle  100  in combination with the closing system  130 . 
     The closing system  130  has an emergency actuating device  120 , a handle  150  and a lock  140 . Within the context of the invention a handle  150  can be designed, for example, as a door handle, push button, tailgate handle or hood opener. 
     In order to lock and/or unlock the vehicle, in particular a movable part  110  thereof, when the vehicle is currentless and therefore an electromechanical lock  140  can no longer be locked and/or unlocked in a conventional manner, according to the invention the method can make this possible by the following steps:
         a) actuating an actuating element  50  on a vehicle  100 , so that the closing system  130  is switched into an emergency actuation mode,   b) activating an energy store  10 , so that at least one communication unit  20  is supplied with electrical energy,   c) establishing a wireless signal connection to an ID transponder  30  carried by the user,   d) transmitting at least one authentication signal from the ID transponder  30  to the communication unit  20  and/or vice versa,   e) unlocking or locking a lock  140  of the movable part  110  when a positive authentication has taken place.       

       FIG. 2  shows a movable part  110  in the form of a side door of a vehicle. The side door has a possible embodiment of a closing system  130  according to the invention having a possible embodiment of an emergency actuating device  120  according to the invention. 
     The emergency actuating device  120  has an energy store  10 , in particular an electrical energy store, a communication unit  20  for wireless communication with an ID transponder, and an electronics unit  40  for activating a lock  140  of the movable part  110 , whereby the lock  140  can be transferred from a locking position into an unlocking position or vice versa. Furthermore, an actuating element  50  is provided which can reached from outside the vehicle, so that the closing system  130  can be switched into an emergency actuation mode by a user, and in the emergency actuation mode the communication unit  20  can be brought into signal communication with the ID transponder, so that an authentication signal can be transmitted and, in the event of positive authentication, the electronics unit  40  transfers the lock  140  from a locking position into an unlocking position or vice versa. 
     Due to the configuration according to the invention a user can gain access to the movable part  110  and thus to the vehicle even when the vehicle is completely currentless. The energy store  10  is activated or woken up by the actuation of the actuating element  50 , so that electrical energy can be transmitted at least to the communication unit  20 , preferably also on the lock  140  or a lock drive. 
     Actuation can take place mechanically and/or electrically within the context of the invention. Thus, it can be provided that the user actuates a switch which is accessible from outside as an actuating element  50 , e.g. a microswitch, or uses an external current source for actuation. The energy store  10  of the emergency actuating device  120  is thus only required when the user has actuated the actuating element  50  and the closing system  130  is transferred into an emergency actuation mode. Therefore, an external current source is not absolutely necessary. 
     In the emergency actuation mode the energy store  10  can be used so that at least the electronics unit  40 , the communications unit  20 , the lock  140  and/or a lock drive can be supplied with electrical energy. As long as the emergency actuation mode is not activated, substantially no energy from the energy store  10  is consumed. In fact it is conceivable that in normal operation of the vehicle, that is to say in the presence of electrical energy, the energy store  10  can be charged. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the emergency actuating device  120  can be at least partially integrated into the lock  140  or arranged directly on the lock  140 . It is conceivable that the emergency actuating device  120  is at least partially integrated into a lock housing. It is likewise conceivable that the emergency actuating device  120  has a housing and is arranged in or on the movable part  110  or on the vehicle. The emergency actuating device  120  is preferably arranged on or in the region of the lock  140 . The electrical energy store  10  has an energy management system  80  by means of which, for example, the state of charge of the energy store  10  can be determined. 
       FIG. 3  shows a detail of a movable part  110  having a handle  150  in the form of a door handle. In this case, the handle  150  is arranged movably on the movable part  110 . Moreover, the handle  150  has a cover  170 . A lock cylinder is usually arranged under the cover. According to the invention an energy connection  60  can be arranged behind and/or in or on the cover  170 . In  FIG. 3  the energy connection  60  is integrated in the cover  170  in such a way that access from the exterior is easily possible. An external energy store  70  can be connected to the energy connection  60  and can supply electrical energy to the closing system or at least the emergency actuating device  120 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a further possible embodiment of a handle  150 . The handle  150  is likewise designed as a handle and has a cover  170 . An accommodating housing  160  is arranged in the cover  170 , and an ID transponder  30  can be at least partially inserted into the accommodating housing  160 . Thus, an actuating element in the accommodating housing  160  can be actuated and the emergency actuation mode can be activated. Furthermore, in the inserted position of the ID transponder  30 , communication with the communication unit of the emergency actuating device  120  can be reliably achieved. Furthermore, it is conceivable for data and/or electrical energy to be transmitted from the ID transponder  30  to the emergency actuating device  120 . 
     The preceding explanation of the embodiments describes the present invention exclusively in the context of examples. Of course individual features of the embodiments can be freely combined with one another, if technically practical, without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     LIST OF REFERENCES 
     
         
           10  energy store 
           20  communication unit 
           30  ID transponder 
           40  electronics unit 
           50  actuating element 
           60  energy connection 
           70  external energy store 
           80  energy management 
           100  vehicle 
           110  movable part 
           120  emergency actuating device 
           130  closing system 
           140  lock 
           150  handle 
           160  accommodating housing 
           170  cover