LOCKING SYSTEM FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE DOOR

• US 20110285503A1
• Filed: 05/04/2011
• Published: 11/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: TASSOTTO, Mario, ROETTEL, Oliver, HEBERER, Andreas, SCHUESSLER, Peter Eduard
• Granted Patent: US 9,145,717 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.72
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 41/00 Locks with visible indication as to whether the lock is locked or unlocked indicator lights E05B17/10
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/30 allowing opening by means of an inner door handle, even if the door is locked
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/54 Automatic securing or unlocking of bolts triggered by certain vehicle parameters, e.g. exceeding a speed threshold triggered by vehicle collision E05B77/12
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/77 comprising sensors detecting the presence of the hand of a user
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/78 as part of a hands-free locking or unlocking operation
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 85/12 Inner door handles

Abstract

A locking system is provided for a motor vehicle door. The locking system includes, but is not limited to a door lock, an internal actuation unit having a pickup that is mechanically linked to the door lock and alternately transferable into a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, actuation of the pickup is inactive with respect to the lock. The locking system further includes, but is not limited to a detection unit configured to detect an approach of a hand and also configured to unlock the door lock if a distance falls below a predefined distance to the internal actuation unit.

Claims

1. A locking system for a motor vehicle door, comprising:

a door lock;

an internal actuation unit having a pickup that is mechanically linked to the door lock and alternately transferable into a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein in the locked position, actuation of the pickup is inactive with respect to the lock; and

a detection unit configured to detect an approach of a hand and also configured to unlock the door lock if a distance falls below a predefined distance to the internal actuation unit.

2. The locking system according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is configured for contactless distance measurement.

3. The locking system according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit comprises a capacitive sensor.

4. The locking system according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit comprises an optical distance sensor.

5. The locking system according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is configured for mechanically decoupling from the door lock.

7. The locking system according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit coupled to the detection unit that is configured to relay an unlocking signal for unlocking the lock generated by the detection unit to the lock only if the velocity of the vehicle is below a predefined limiting velocity.

8. A motor vehicle, comprising:

a door;

a door lock;

internal trim of the door; and

a locking system for the door, comprising;

an internal actuation unit having a pickup that is mechanically linked to the door lock and alternately transferable into a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein in the locked position, actuation of the pickup is inactive with respect to the lock; and

a detection unit under the internal trim and configured to detect an approach of a hand and also configured to unlock the door lock if a distance falls below a predefined distance to the internal actuation unit.

9. The motor vehicle door according to claim 8, further comprising a handle grove that is directly adjoining the detection unit.

10. The motor vehicle door according claim 8, further comprising a display that coupled to the handle groove that is configured to receive the pickup, the display configured to visually indicate an unlocking capability of the door lock as a function of the vehicle velocity.

11. The motor vehicle door according to claim 8, wherein the display is an LED display.

12. The motor vehicle door according to claim 8, wherein vehicle door is a rear door that is attached at a rear on a vehicle body viewed in a travel direction of the vehicle

13. The motor vehicle door according to claim 8, further comprising a C column and the motor vehicle door is attached in an area of the C column and configured to pivot to the rear.

14. The motor vehicle door according to claim 8, wherein the detection unit is configured for contactless distance measurement.

15. The motor vehicle door according to claim 8, wherein the detection unit comprises a capacitive sensor.

16. The motor vehicle door according to claim 8, wherein the detection unit comprises an optical distance sensor.

17. The motor vehicle door according to claim 8, wherein the detection unit is configured for mechanically decoupling from the door lock.

18. The motor vehicle door according to claim 8, further comprising a control unit coupled to the detection unit that is configured to relay an unlocking signal for unlocking the lock generated by the detection unit to the lock only if the velocity of the vehicle is below a predefined limiting velocity.