Door locking system for a motor vehicle

• US 20060138866A1
• Filed: 02/22/2006
• Published: 06/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Original Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Inventors: Bergmann, Gerald, Baur, Richard
• Granted Patent: US 7,521,818 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/10.500
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/58 including time control, e.g. for controlling run-time of electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/62 for opening or closing of a circuit depending on electrical parameters, e.g. increase of motor current
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/72 the lock status, i.e. locked or unlocked condition
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/78 as part of a hands-free locking or unlocking operation

Abstract

A position monitoring means for detecting the locked position of a locking element is assigned to at least one locking element. Furthermore, each position monitoring means is operatively connected to a control means for checking on whether a proper locked state prevails such that the actual state and the setpoint state of the locking element are comparable so that if these states do not correspond, an acknowledgment signal can be generated. In this way, it is possible to check on whether all the doors and hatches of a vehicle are properly locked after a locking operation has been performed.

Claims

1. Door locking system for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a locking element that can be operated for opening or locking via an actuator;

a control unit for triggering the actuator; and

a position monitoring means for detecting a lock position of the at least one locking element, and which is assigned to at least one locking element, wherein

each position monitoring means cooperates with a control means for checking on whether a proper locked state prevails such that a setpoint state and actual state of the at least one locking element are comparable and an acknowledgment signal can be generated when the states do not match.

2. Door locking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each position monitoring means is a sensor.

3. Door locking system as claimed in claim 1, each position monitoring means is arranged in the form of software for analyzing internal data within the controller.

4. Door locking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the position monitoring means are arranged to ensure analysis of the current characteristic for each actuator to be triggered.

5. Door locking system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

memory means for storing the locked state of all locking means.

6. Door locking system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a key having memory means and display means for storing and displaying the at least one locked state.

7. A method for a door locking system in a motor vehicle, the method comprising the act of:

detecting a lock position of at least one locking element;

comparing a setpoint state and actual state of the at least one locking element; and

generating an acknowledgement when the states do not match.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the acknowledgement is light signal or horn signal.

9. The method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising the acts of:

providing the acknowledgement to a key; and

vibrating the key.