Motor vehicle closing device with a position recognition system for a moveable control element

• US 6,400,278 B1
• Filed: 02/25/2000
• Issued: 06/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Drees, Burkhard, Weyerstall, Bernd
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US09/485,683
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 340/686.3, 340/672, 340/539, 340/542, 307/10.1, 318/282, 492/80, 493/60, 292/201, 292/216, 324/207.2, 324/207.21, 324/207.22
• US Class Current: 340/686.3
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/25 Actuators mounted separately from the lock and controlling the lock functions through mechanical connections
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/64 Monitoring or sensing, e.g. by using switches or sensors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1047 Closure

Abstract

The subject matter of the invention is a motor vehicle closing device with a positioning element (3) which turns around one axis of rotation (7) or which moves linearly along one lengthwise axis and which has a position which is to be ascertained, and with a position detection means (8) which works without contact and which is located on the path of motion of the positioning element (3) (or on the positioning element 3 itself). It thus lends itself to “diagnosis” by the fact that on the positioning element (3) (or on the path of movement of the positioning element 3) in the direction of its motion there are several passive position detection elements (9) in succession and that position detection takes place by counting the signals of the position detection elements (9) by the position detection means (8). In particular it is provided that the position detection means (8) has a sensor which is sensitive to magnetic fields, especially a Hall sensor, a reed contact or a magnetoresistive sensor and the position detection elements (9) are made as alternatingly magnetic and nomnagnetic pole zones or pole zones which are magnetized with changing polarity.

Claims

1. Motor vehicle closing device comprising a moving positioning element and which has a position which is to be ascertained, a position detection means for detection of the positioning element without contact, and a plurality of passive position elements arranged in series on the positioning element;

where the position elements are spaced apart from one another;

where the position detection means produces counting signals in response to passage of the position elements by the position detection means and has means for preventing shifting of an operating point of the closing device by periodically setting the operating point to a zero point to achieve zeroing in the form of offset balancing.

2. Motor vehicle closing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the position detection means has a sensor which is sensitive to magnetic fields from the group consisting of a Hall sensor, a reed contact or a magnetoresistive sensor;

and wherein the position elements are alternatingly magnetic and nonmagnetic pole zones.

3. Motor vehicle closing device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the position elements are combined in a plastic magnetic strip arrangement.

4. Motor vehicle closing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the position detection means has a sensor which is sensitive to magnetic fields from the group consisting of a Hall sensor, a reed contact or a magnetoresistive sensor;

and wherein the position elements are pole zones which are magnetized with changing polarity.

5. Motor vehicle closing device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the position elements are combined in a plastic magnetic strip arrangement.

6. Motor vehicle closing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the position detection means has a photosensitive sensor and the position elements are alternatingly transparent and opaque.

7. Motor vehicle closing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the position detection means has a photosensitive sensor and the position elements are alternatingly reflective and nonreflective zones.

8. Motor vehicle closing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the position elements are integrated into the positioning element.

9. Motor vehicle closing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the position elements are separately combined and attached to the positioning element.

10. Motor vehicle closing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reference point comprises at least one mechanical stop with a switching function.

11. Motor vehicle closing device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the mechanical stop is adjustable.

12. Motor vehicle closing device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the positioning element is rotatable;

and wherein at least one mechanical stop with a switching function comprises a respective stop for each of clockwise rotation and counterclockwise rotation of the positioning element.

13. Motor vehicle closing device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the positioning element is a worm wheel and each stop engages the worm wheel in a respective direction of rotation.

14. Motor vehicle closing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the positioning element is the worm wheel of a motorized actuator with a worm gear pair.

15. Motor vehicle closing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the positioning element is a rotary latch of the closing device.

16. Motor vehicle closing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the positioning element is a rotary nut of a lock mechanism of the closing device.

17. Motor vehicle closing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the position detection means is located on the positioning element.

18. Motor vehicle closing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the positioning element is rotatable in opposite directions of rotation;

wherein the position detection elements are arranged on the positioning element in an irregular sequence; and

wherein said position detection means is also a means for detecting of the direction of rotation of the positioning element.