Device for locking and unlocking a door lock

• US 6,181,024 B1
• Filed: 11/12/1998
• Issued: 01/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Jehlicka, Jörg, Schmitz, Stephan, Geil, Andreas
• Primary Examiner(s): PALADINI, ALBERT WILLIAM
• Application Number:
  US09/191,100
• Time in Patent Office: 810 Days
• Field of Search: 307/10.2, 307/10.1, 340/825.31, 340/825.34, 340/542, 340/541, 250/221, 180/287, 702/56, 702/57
• US Class Current: 307/10.2
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/78 as part of a hands-free locking or unlocking operation
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 85/10 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00373 whereby the wake-up circuit is situated in the lock
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/65 using means for sensing the user's hand
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5973 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5978 With switch

Abstract

A device for locking and unlocking a door lock provided with a door handle on an object, in particular a motor vehicle, has a transmitter unit arranged on the object and a transponder unit assigned to a user. Different methods of operating the device are made possible by designing the door lock as an electromechanical lock which can be locked and unlocked optionally by a manually operable key and/or a button arranged on the inside or electronically by the transmitter and transponder units, and operation is ensured even in the event of a failure of the electric power supply.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a transmitter unit arranged on a motor vehicle;

a transponder unit coupled to the transmitter unit, the transponder unit identifying a particular user of the system and being queried by the transmitter unit; and

a door lock of the motor vehicle having a door handle, the door lock including an electromechanical lock, the electromechanical lock capable of being manually locked and unlocked by a device for manually locking and unlocking the electromechanical lock, the electromechanical lock capable of being electronically locked and unlocked by a device for electronically locking and unlocking the electromechanical lock as a function of a position of the door handle and as a function of the query between the transmitter unit and the transponder unit.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the electromechanical lock is adapted to be locked and unlocked manually with at least one of a manually operable key and a button on an inside of the motor vehicle.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the door lock is part of a central locking system of the motor vehicle.

4. The system according to claim 1, further comprising an attenuator situated in the door handle.

5. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a manually operable triggering unit arranged in an area of the door handle of the motor vehicle for initializing an inquiry between the transmitter unit and the transponder unit; and

an access authorization module coupled to the transmitter unit.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the triggering unit is attached to the door handle.

7. The system according to claim 5, wherein the triggering unit includes a pushbutton.

8. The system according to claim 5, wherein the triggering unit is situated on one of two ends of the door handle.

9. The system according to claim 5, wherein the triggering unit is operated when the user depresses the triggering unit, and the door handle is operated when the user pulls the door handle to open.