Method for remote controlled opening or closure of a motor vehicle tailgate, and a corresponding device

The invention relates to a method for remotely opening or closing a rear-end Flap, in particular a trunk lid or a Tailgate of a motor vehicle with a trailer coupling using at least one vehicle interior switch, Remote control key and / or in the region of the flap arranged switch and an apparatus for performing the process.

The DE 38 15 065 A1 discloses a closing device Automatically close one with a lock provided and therefore in its closed position determinable and open unlockable hood, especially a trunk lid in a motor vehicle. The closing device includes a drive mechanism, the connected to the hood and being operable to that the hood through him down almost in their Closed position is movable. Furthermore, a stop arrangement with a movable stop member provided that at nearly in-a closed position Hood with the lock provided thereon engageable and operable to the hood to fully move into their closed position downwards.

Furthermore, EP 0191738 A2 a A device for opening and closing a trunk lid or a rear door of a motor vehicle with a Closing mechanism in which a carrying a lock cylinder Pushbutton is slidably received, and a Entsperrglied for the closing mechanism, which together can slide with the push button and relative to this between a closed position and an open position is movable. In addition, a servo mechanism is to Moving the Entsperrgliedes provided which through a electric central locking system is actuated.

Moreover, it is known from practice, the above-described closing means by motor vehicle-side switch or a remote control key actuate. Here, both one or more Vehicle interior switches, as well as in the region of the flap arranged switch may be provided. As problematic proves the possibility of damage to the flap, if a loaded with a flap on the superior load Trailer or load carrier trailer hitch a of acted upon the motor vehicle and the user of the motor vehicle this when remote-controlled opening and closing the flap does not perceive.

The object of the invention to provide a method and to provide a device of the type mentioned, the remotely operated or damage to the flap at Opening or closing prevents them while a maximum comfort for the user of the Motor vehicle provides.

According to the invention the object is achieved by a method for remotely opening and closing a rear-end flap, in particular a tailgate or a tailgate of a motor vehicle with a trailer coupling using at least one vehicle interior switch, Remote control key and / or in the field the tailgate arranged switch achieved in that through prior to opening and / or closing of the flap a device is detected, whether the trailer hitch is acted upon.

This measure is damaging the flap by a flap on the superior load a attached to the trailer hitch trailer or load carrier locked out. In dependence on the impingement towbar, different run scenarios, where it is possible, for example, the remote-controlled opening and closing of gate To completely stop a loaded trailer coupling or the flap only slightly open. To the Opening or complete opening or closing of the flap it is then necessary that the user of the Motor vehicle enters the area of ​​the flap, and there its pivoting observed. a load is in Pivotal region of the flap, the user can take corrective intervene to prevent damage to the flap due to this exclude load.

Preferably at an applied towbar the opening and / or closing of the valve means the vehicle interior switch prevented. the user is still the possibility of controlling the flap by means of the remote control key or in the field the flap arranged switch available.

Furthermore, the object is in a device for remotely opening or Connect a rear-end flap, in particular a Boot lid or a tailgate, one with a trailer coupling equipped vehicle, with a at least one vehicle interior switch, a remote control key and / or in the area of ​​the tailgate in assigned related controller for the flap includes actuators, achieved in that the Control means comprising means for detecting a acted towbar is coupled.

The controller receives from the device Information on the Beaufschlagungszustand Towbar and is the basis of this information in able to pressurize the actuators so that damage to the flap due to this projecting load is effectively prevented. The device For detecting the applied state of the trailer coupling For example, a load cell, optical or acoustic signaling devices include.

Advantageously prevents the controller the at an applied towbar Opening and / or closing of the flap by an actuation the vehicle interior switch. The user of the Motor vehicle can THEREFORE the flap by further the arranged in the region of the tailgate switch for Opening and closing drive, in this case the pivoting Watch the flap and possibly in danger engage in damage to the door.

Conveniently, the device comprises a the hitch socket assigned and registered wherein an inserted plug an impingement the trailer coupling. Finding such connections both for trailers as well as trained as bicycle racks Load carriers for controlling associated Lighting equipment use.

Preferably, the device detects the presence of one connected to the outlet Glühlampenfiliamentes a trailer or a load carrier. For this, the device comprises diagnosable switching elements, the at least one functioning light bulb the trailer detect or load carrier, after which the trailer coupling as applied is considered as a trailer or Porters electrically connected to the motor vehicle is.

According to an alternative development of the invention is the establishment of a part of a Parking assistance system, wherein a in a control unit Information relating to an attached trailer coupling is saved and the parking assist system an the towbar acting on a trailer or load carrier diagnosed. Appropriately, recognizes the parking assist system the fixed to the Towbar or load carrier by means of a rear-end in Bumper built sensors.

It is understood that the aforementioned and still to be explained features can not only in the respective combination indicated, but also be used in other combinations. The scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims.

The invention will in the following reference to an Embodiment with reference to the accompanying Drawing explained. The single figure shows a schematic representation of a motor vehicle having a Device of the invention.

The motor vehicle comprises a device for remote-controlled opening and closing of a rear-end, designed as a trunk flap 1 flap 2 by means Actuators 3, which embodied as flap closure system could be. The actuators 3 are consistent with both a body 4 of the motor vehicle as well as with the Trunk lid 1 in communication and be a Control means 5 applied. The control device 5 has two vehicle interior switches 6, two in the area the trunk lid 1 arranged switches 7 and a remote control key 8 coupled with all Switch designed as a push-button switch and for opening and Close the trunk lid can be acted upon. Of Further to the motor vehicle is a trailer coupling 9 grown with an associated socket 10 in which the Towbar 9 acted upon by a load carrier 11 is, the lighting end 12 via a a plug 13 having connecting line 14 with the outlet 10 is coupled. The outlet 10 is on a device 15 for recognition of the loading of the Towbar 9 connected, wherein the means 15 is coupled with the control device. 5

Damage to the trunk lid 1 the remote-controlled opening and closing by the Towbar 9 acting load carrier 11 to prevent supplies the means 15 of the control device 5 the information that the trailer coupling 9 applied is. In the presence of this information prevents the control means 5, the opening and closing the trunk lid 1 at a loading of the vehicle interior switch 6. The user of the motor vehicle now has the option to the trunk lid 1 associated actuators 3 by means of the rear-side Switch 7 or the remote control key 8 for opening or Close the trunk lid 1 to control what he gone to the rear-end portion of the motor vehicle must or can order a manual correcting Engagement on the pivoting of the boot lid 1 perform.

Detects the device 15 that the trailer coupling 9 is not applied, it provides a corresponding Information to the control device 5 and the user of the motor vehicle, the trunk lid 1 either by acting on the vehicle interior switch 6, the rear-side switch 7 or the Radio key 8 open or close, because the risk of Damage to the trunk lid 1 when swiveling is not given.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

<dl tsize="3" compact="compact"><dt>1.</dt><dd>Trunk lid</dd><dt>. 2</dt><dd>flap</dd><dt>. 3</dt><dd>actuator</dd><dt>. 4</dt><dd>body</dd><dt>. 5</dt><dd>controller</dd><dt>. 6</dt><dd>Vehicle interior switches</dd><dt>. 7</dt><dd>switch</dd><dt>8th.</dt><dd>RKE</dd><dt>. 9</dt><dd>trailer hitch</dd><dt>10th</dt><dd>socket</dd><dt>11th</dt><dd>porters</dd><dt>12th</dt><dd>lighting</dd><dt>. 13</dt><dd>plug</dd><dt>14th</dt><dd>connecting line</dd><dt>15th</dt><dd>facility</dd></dl>