Monitoring the locking mechanism on an electrical locking unit

A method for monitoring the locking mechanism of an electric locking unit, comprising the steps of:

• providing the electric locking unit with a locking bolt configured to be inserted into a recess of a locking part;
• reversibly adjusting the locking bolt from an open position to a closed position during a closing operation;
• wherein the locking bolt extends from the recess of the locking part in the open position;
• and
• wherein the locking bolt projects into the recess of the locking part in the closed position, wherein a locking mechanism can be produced;
• determining a closing time span of the locking bolt, wherein the closing time span of the locking bolt comprises an amount of time that the locking bolt requires to transition from the open position to the closed position during the closing process;
• comparing the determined closing time span of the locking bolt with a predetermined closing time span limit value;
• and
• detecting delayed locking of the electric locking unit when the determined closing time span exceeds the predetermined closing time span limit value.