EP0903457B1 - Electric lock for a vehicle door - Google Patents

Description

• un pêne rotatif, propre à coopérer avec une gâche, et un cliquet pour retenir le pêne en position de fermeture ;
• des moyens de commande d'ouverture extérieure et des moyens de commande d'ouverture intérieure pour agir sur le cliquet, par l'intermédiaire de moyens de liaison, et libérer le pêne pour l'ouverture ;
• et des moyens électriques moteurs pour inhiber : soit les moyens de commande d'ouverture extérieure seuls (fonction condamnation) ; soit les moyens de commande d'ouverture intérieure seuls (fonction sécurité enfant) ; soit à la fois les moyens de commande d'ouverture extérieure et les moyens de commande d'ouverture intérieure (fonction supercondamnation).

The invention relates to an electric lock for a vehicle door, of the type which includes:

• a rotary bolt, suitable for cooperating with a strike, and a pawl for retaining the bolt in the closed position;
• external opening control means and internal opening control means for acting on the pawl, by means of connection means, and releasing the bolt for opening;
• and electric motor means for inhibiting: either the external opening control means alone (locking function); either the interior opening control means only (child safety function); or both the exterior opening control means and the interior opening control means (deadlocking function).

In summary, the conviction function makes it possible to prevent opening the lock from outside the vehicle; the security function child prevents the lock from opening from the inside of the vehicle, while the deadlock function prevents opening the lock from outside and inside the vehicle so that even by breaking the door window, you cannot open that door.

Until now, known electric locks use a different electric motor for each function mentioned above; three electric motors are therefore required to perform the three functions.

The object of the invention is, above all, to provide a lock electrical which requires more reduced electrical means, and therefore less costly, to perform the three functions.

The invention also aims to simplify the means of link and reduce the number of components for a improvement of the inviolability and reliability of the lock, without increase the cost price, and even decrease it.

According to the invention, an electric door lock for vehicle, of the kind defined above, is characterized in that the connecting means comprise an intermediate lever transmission of which one end is connected to the pawl, this lever being articulated so that it can pivot at least around two different geometric directions forming an angle between them, the assembly being such as a pivoting of the lever around a first steering allows to carry out the locking function, a pivoting lever around the second direction achieves the function child safety, and a pivoting of the lever around the first and second directions allows to realize the function super-condemnation, so that the electric motor means have no to order only two movements for the execution of the three Conviction, child safety, super-conviction functions.

Preferably the lever is articulated by means of a ball joint.

Generally the two geometric directions around which can pivot the lever are orthogonal.

The lever can be articulated on an intermediate piece itself connected to the ratchet.

Advantageously an electric motor, with reduction gear reversible, is assigned to the control of each of the two movements lever pivot around the two geometric directions different.

According to one embodiment, the end of the lever remote from the joint forms a pallet located at the ends of two pivoting rods, respectively, around a fixed axis carried by a lock housing, and substantially parallel to the directions geometric around which the lever can pivot, the assembly being provided for a pivoting of the lever around the first direction allows the pallet to escape from a first link while remaining in cooperation with the second link, while the pivoting of the lever around the second direction allows the pallet to escape the second link while remaining in cooperation with the first connecting rod, and the joint pivoting of the lever around the two directions allows the pallet to escape the two links.

Advantageously, the control of the pivoting of the lever around the first direction is achieved using a coin pivoting on a fixed axis carried by the lock box and parallel to the first direction, this part comprising a toothed sector specific to cooperate with a helical pinion driven by an electric motor, and a fork in which is engaged a pin secured to the lever, this pin that can come out of the fork housing by a displacement substantially perpendicular to the mean plane of the fork, corresponding to the pivoting of the lever around the second direction. The end zone of this part opposite the toothed sector is advantageously connected to a frieze zipper.

The child safety function control can include an arm whose overall direction is substantially orthogonal to the direction of the lever, this arm being carried by a pinion helical that can rotate reversibly around an axis geometric parallel to the second pivot direction of the lever, this arm being provided at its end remote from the pinion of a fork sandwiching an area of the lever, the rotational movement of the arm causing the lever to pivot around the second direction.

The helical pinion is advantageously provided at the end an accessible mechanical outlet, to allow actuation manual pinion in case of engine failure.

Advantageously, the lock is equipped with means electric assistance to open and close the door, especially for the compression of the door seal. In a way general, the bolt of the lock has two notches, and the purpose of assistance in closing is to cause the passage to the second notch, by motor means, when the door has been brought manually on the first notch of the bolt.

• des moyens moteurs électriques propres à entraíner en rotation un plateau ;
• et une bielle articulée à une de ses extrémités sur le plateau et munie, à son autre extrémité, de moyens d'action propres à amener le pêne dans la position de fermeture complète en réponse à la rotation du plateau.

The means of assistance with opening and closing include:

• electric motor means suitable for rotating a plate;
• and a connecting rod articulated at one of its ends on the plate and provided, at its other end, with means of action capable of bringing the bolt into the fully closed position in response to the rotation of the plate.

The means of action of the connecting rod may include a pin cooperating with guide means and capable of acting against a spout provided on the bolt to push the bolt into the position complete closure in response to rotation of the tray.

The lock advantageously comprises means sensitive to the position of the bolt to trigger the drive means electric assistance when the bolt arrives in the position where the first notch cooperates with the ratchet, the assistance means ensuring the passage of the bolt from this intermediate closed position to the fully closed position, in which the second notch cooperates with the ratchet.

The means for guiding the pin, located at the end of the connecting rod distant from the plate, may consist of a light forming a cam provided in a large face of a plywood serving bolt and ratchet support.

The lock may have a rotating part around the same geometric axis as the pawl, this part being linked in rotation ratchet with a possibility of free angular movement between the part and the pawl, following a limited angular range. The connection between this piece and the ratchet can include on one of the two elements, especially on the room, a window of a certain angular extent and on the other element, in particular the pawl, a protruding pin engaged in the window with the possibility of free travel between edges with substantially radial orientation of the window.

The workpiece may have a protruding pointing finger substantially towards the center of the plate, this finger being suitable for cooperate, according to the angular position, with a cam projecting in the center of the board or with a pawn provided in the vicinity of the periphery of the plate, the action of the cam or the pin against the finger allowing rotate the part in a direction which spreads the latch of the latch to allow opening.

Advantageously, the part is articulated, in particular by a ball joint provided on an ear projecting from this part, on the lever intermediate connecting means between, on the one hand, the pawl and, on the other hand, the external opening control means and the interior opening control means.

Preferably, the stop position of the corresponding plate in the fully closed position with cooperation of the second notch of the bolt with the ratchet is controlled, in particular by a sensor, in such a way that the pin located at the end of the connecting rod away from the plate occupies a position avoiding any interference with the bolt, in particular with the bolt beak, for a return to the open position.

Advantageously, the lock comprises means allowing to disconnect the plate from its drive axis for that the plate becomes crazy in rotation and does not constitute an obstacle to carrying out manual opening or closing in the event of failure of the electrical assistance means.

The invention consists, apart from the provisions set out above, in a number of other provisions which will be more Explicit question below about examples of realizations described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but which are not in no way limiting.

Figure 1 of these drawings is a schematic view in perspective of an electric lock for vehicle door according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view from another angle of the lock of Figure 1 including the electric drive means and the intermediate lever as well as the rods were removed, while a keeper intended to be fixed on an upright of the door frame is represented.

Figures 3 to 6 are diagrams, seen from above, illustrating the different possible positions of a pallet, provided in end of lever, relative to the control rods.

Figure 7 is a schematic partial view in perspective of an electric motor with its reducer for the lever pivot control for safety child, the corresponding link being also shown.

Figure 8 shows the same elements as Figure 7 but in a different relative position.

Figure 9 shows in perspective the electric motor and the mechanism for controlling the pivoting of the lever around the first direction, while only the end of the arm carrying the child safety control fork is represented.

Figure 10 is a schematic view of an engine electric and its reducer to assist the closing or the door opening, in right view in relation to Figure 11.

Figure 11 is a partial sectional view along the line XI-XI of Figure 10, with parts outside.

Figure 12 is an elevational view of part of the parts of the lock with the bolt in the open position, the keeper not being represented.

Figure 13 shows, similarly to Figure 12, the start of closing, the keeper not being shown.

Figure 14 shows, similarly to Figure 13, the start of closing assistance.

Figure 15 is a diagram illustrating the end of the assistance on closing, the pawl having engaged with the second notch of the bolt.

Figure 16 illustrates the continued rotation of the platter driving the connecting rod.

Figure 17 illustrates the start of the opening.

Finally, Figure 18 illustrates the end of the opening.

Referring to the drawings, in particular to Figures 1 and 2, we can see an electric lock 1 intended to be fixed on a door, or door, (not shown) of vehicle by a plywood 2 in the form of a square in which a recess 3 is provided. This recess 3 has a horizontal V shape 3a on the large face of the plywood 2. The recess 3, called "dump", allows the passage of the keeper 4 fixed on an upright of the door frame.

The lock 1 comprises a rotary bolt 5 with a fork 6 in which is suitable for engaging a branch of the keeper 4. In the representation of Figure 2, the bolt 5 is shown in position closing with the fork housing 6 directed upwards. This position is normally reached with leg 4a of keeper 4 engaged in the fork 6. The opening can only be obtained releasing the bolt 5 rotating clockwise to bring it back in the open position, with the fork housing 6 substantially horizontal, its opening being located to the right as shown in Figure 2. It is then possible to separate the strike 5 bolt 4.

Lock 1 is fixed to the door by screws (not shown) which cross the axes (not shown) of the bolt 5 and a latch 7 retaining pawl, these axes passing through holes circulars 5a, 7a.

According to the arrangement of Figures I and 2, the pawl 7 is located above the bolt, which comprises a sector provided with two notches 8, 9 suitable for bracing against a nose 7b of the pawl 7 urged by a spring 7R, schematically shown, so as to rotate in the opposite clockwise direction around its pivot axis. The bolt 5 includes a beak 10 projecting radially at the end of the remote sector notch 9.

In Figure 2 there is shown schematically a trihedron trirectangle Ox, y, z. The direction Ox, parallel to the large face of the plywood 2 is the transverse direction of the vehicle and corresponds substantially in the direction of closing or opening the door. The direction Oz is the longitudinal direction of the vehicle while the direction Oy is the vertical direction. Part 3a is oriented in the transverse direction.

When the keeper 4 enters the fork 6 of the bolt turned to the horizontal, the bolt 5 pivots in the opposite direction of the clock, according to the representation of Figure 2, to come in the closed position where the pawl 7 holds it by one of the notches 8 or 9.

The door is opened by releasing the bolt 5 by action on the pawl 7 to rotate it clockwise. The pivoting of the pawl is obtained by pushing up on a pin 11 secured to this pawl by means of connecting means L (see Figure 12) comprising a part P, connected to the pawl, of which it will be discussed further.

These connecting means L comprise a lever transmission intermediate 12 (Fig. 1).

The opening of the lock can be controlled from the exterior by exterior opening control means which do not are represented only by a link 13 whose pivoting around a axis 14 fixed on the housing (not shown) of the lock is obtained at using the other components of these opening control means exterior.

The interior opening can be obtained by means of interior opening control represented only by a rod 15, arranged at right angles in the example considered, by relative to the link 13, and being able to pivot about an axis 16 fixed by compared to the lock box.

The intermediate lever 12, as visible in Figures 7 and 8, is oriented vertically as a whole; it is made up of a bent blade whose central part 17 is offset relative to the upper end 18 and the lower end 19.

The upper end 18 of the lever is connected to the pawl 7 by through room P.

The lower end 19 ends with a bent pallet 20 at right angles, substantially horizontal, rectangular in shape.

In the unlocked position, for which the door can be opened both from the inside and from the outside, the pallet 20 covers the ends 13a, 15a of the rods 13 and 15, as illustrated in Figure 3. The links 13 and 15, including the medium plane is vertical in the embodiment shown, can then lift the lever 12 by rotation in the proper direction around their respective axis 14 or 16 horizontal.

The lever 12 is articulated so as to be able to pivot at minus around two different geometric directions D-D, E-E (Fig. 9) forming an angle between them, respectively a first direction D-D orthogonal to the large face of plywood 2, and a second horizontal direction E-E parallel to the large face of the plywood 2. In the example considered, these two directions are orthogonal.

The articulation is produced in the form of a ball joint constituted by a convex spherical cap 21 provided projecting from the upper end 18 of the lever 12 and disposed in a concave concave housing 21a (FIGS. 7 and 8) provided in an ear Pe from room P.

The pivot axes 14 and 16 of the rods 13 and 15 are parallel, respectively to directions D-D and E-E. The mean direction of the link 13 is parallel to the direction E-E, while the mean direction of the link 15 is parallel to the direction D-D.

A pivoting of the lever 12 around the direction D-D, in the correct direction, move the pallet 20 in the direction of the arrow F1 (Fig. 4) parallel to the middle direction of the link 13. The amplitude of the controlled movement of the lever 12 is such that the pallet 20 escapes from the link 13, no longer being located above this link as visible in Figure 4, while remaining above from the end 15a of the link 15.

In the arrangement shown in Figure 4, the means external opening control, in particular the rod 13, are inhibited and can no longer act on lever 20. By cons the means interior opening control (link 15) remain active and can act on lever 20. The locking function is therefore performed.

A pivoting of the lever 12 around the geometric axis E-E, of appropriate amplitude and direction, allows the pallet to be moved 20 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the large face of the counterplate 2, that is to say in the direction F2 of FIG. 5. The pallet 20 can thus escape the end 15a of the link 15, while staying above the end 13a (Fig. 5). The security function child "is guaranteed since the opening cannot be ordered from inside the vehicle but the exterior control remains active.

The pivoting of the lever 12, illustrated in Figure 5, corresponds to an approximation of the lower part of the lever 12 opposite of the large face of the plywood 2.

The control of the pivoting of the lever 12 around the direction D-D is provided by a first electric motor 22, of axis vertical in the representation of the drawings, including the output shaft drives a helical pinion 23 reversible. Room 24, whose plan medium is parallel to the large face of plywood 2, is mounted rotatable around a fixed axis 25 carried by the housing of the lock, parallel to the direction D-D. The axis of rotation 25 is therefore horizontal and orthogonal to the geometric axis of the pinion 23. The part 24 has a toothed sector 26 which meshes, reversibly, with the pinion 23. On the side of the axis 25 opposite the pinion 26, the part 24 is articulated at the end of a frieze zipper 27, partially shown, on which it is possible to manually exert a vertical force towards the up or down from inside the vehicle. Manual control is possible, while the motor 22 is stopped, thanks to the reversibility of the pinion 23 - toothed sector 26 connection.

The part 24 comprises a fork 28 with two branches parallels defining a housing 29 open downwards. A pawn 30 integral with the lever 12, projecting parallel to the direction D-D, is engaged in the housing 29 when the lever 12 is in a position corresponding to the unlocking or simple condemnation of the lock or child safety.

It immediately appears that when the pawn 30 is engaged in the housing 29, the rotation of the pinion 23, controlled by the motor 22, causes the lever 12 to pivot around the direction D-D, and a movement of the pallet 20 in the direction of the arrow F1 (Fig. 4), or in the opposite direction, depending on the direction of rotation of the motor 22.

The control of the pivoting of the lever 12 around the direction E-E, which is perpendicular to the plane of Figures 7 and 8, is provided by a second electric motor 31, visible in the Figures 1, 7 and 8, with a vertical axis in the embodiment considered. The output shaft, in the upper part of the motor 31, drives a gear reversible helical 32 which cooperates with a helical pinion 33 of axis orthogonal to that of the gear 32. The pinion 33 is integral in rotation of an arm 34 extending substantially radially in the direction of the lever 12. This arm 34 comprises, at its end remote from the pinion 33, a fork 35 whose branches sandwich the lever 12 along the edge.

The length 34 of the lever is chosen so that, for the angular position of the pinion 33 illustrated in FIG. 7, the arm 34 in the high position pushes the lever 12 and the pallet 20, moved in the direction of arrow F2 (Figure 5), escapes the link 15.

For sufficient rotation of the pinion 33 in the direction clock as shown in Figure 8, the arm 34 lowers and the fork 35 drives the lever 12 in pivoting in the clockwise direction around the direction E-E to bring the pallet 20 to the right of the end 15a. The pin 30 returns to the housing 29.

The pinion 33 comprises, at least at one axial end, a gripping means 36, for example constituted by a hollow area, accessible from outside the door with an appropriate tool, to manual action on the pinion 33, in the event of a motor 31 failure, particular for manually erasing the child lock. That is possible thanks to the reversible nature of the gear-pinion couple 32/33.

The operation of the lock with regard to performance of the three functions: conviction, child safety, and super-conviction, results from the foregoing explanations without it be necessary to return in detail to this subject.

It will simply be recalled that the motor 22, by its rotation, allows the pallet 20 to be moved in the direction of the arrow F1 as illustrated in Figure 4, or in reverse and carry out thus the condemnation function, and to cancel it by the movement reverse.

The electric motor 31 ensures the movement of the pallet 20 in the direction of arrow F2 (Figure 5) to achieve safety child and moving in reverse to cancel this security child.

The pivoting combined around the two directions D-D and E-E of arm 12 controlled by the rotation of motors 22 and 23 allows place the pallet 20 in the position illustrated in Figure 6 corresponding to the super-conviction. Reverse order motors 22 and 31 makes it possible to cancel this deadlocking.

It should be noted that when ordering the super-conviction, an automatic sequence is provided so that the motor 22 works first, while pin 30 is still engaged in the housing 29. The motor 31 then acts to make pivot the arm 12 around the direction E-E, which causes the exit of pawn 30 outside of housing 29. Although pawn 30 is no longer held between the branches of the fork 28, the lever 12 is prevented to return, under the effect of its own weight, to the position of unlocking by reverse rotation around direction D-D thanks to the existence of sufficient friction or elastic means (not shown) to prevent such a return.

The fact that the pin 30 has come out of the housing 29 an action on the frieze zipper 27 can, of course, drive the part 24 but is without action on lever 12, the pallet of which remains out of grip of the rods 13 and 15. The super-conviction is therefore effective, and it is not the door can be opened from the outside or from the inside.

For the removal of the super-conviction, the sequence of operation of motors 31 and 22 is reversed with respect to the establishment of the super-conviction. The motor 31 is put into action the first to bring the arm 12 back to the position of FIG. 8, thus engaging the pin 30 in the housing 29. The operation subsequent motor 22 in the proper direction allows, making turn the part 24, cause the arm 12 to pivot around the direction D-D.

Figures 10 to 18 show means of assistance to opening and closing of a door, comprising a motor electric 37 and a reducer 38 (Fig. 10).

The purpose of assisting in closing a door is automatically drive this door from a closed position intermediate, easy to obtain manually, in which the pawl 7 is in abutment against the first notch 8 of the bolt (Fig. 13), at a position complete closure in which the pawl 7 abuts against the second notch 9 of the bolt 5 (Fig. 15).

For this passage from one position to another, it is necessary to have of sufficient torque to cause compression of the door seals. The motor 37 is thus fitted with the reduction gear 38 with screws (not visible) and tangent wheel 39 (Fig. 11).

The outlet of the reducer 38 is formed by the end a hollow shaft 40 (Fig. 11) integral in rotation with the wheel 39. A plate 41, the mean plane of which is orthogonal to the geometric axis of the shaft 40 is mounted at the end of this shaft. The plate 41 is driven in rotation, from the shaft 40, by declutching means 42 allowing, when desired, to uncoupled in rotation the plate 41 relative to the tree 40.

These declutching means 42 comprise a ball 43 passing through a hole provided in the shaft 40 and projecting radially in a groove in a bore of the plate 41. The ball 43 is held in this coupling position by the action of a pusher cylindrical 44 slidably mounted in the shaft 40. One end of this pusher 44, located inside the sleeve 40, bears against a another ball 45 which comes into contact with ball 43 and pushes it towards outside. This ball 45 is subjected to the thrust of a spring of compression 46 disposed between a closed front end of the shaft 40 and the ball 45. The other end of the pusher 44 projects beyond the shaft 40 and is in abutment against an arm 47 forming a stop, which can be moved to allow sliding of pusher 44 to the right of Figure 11 under the action of spring 46. This results in an erasure in the radial direction towards the inside of the ball 43 driving the declawing of the plate 41 relative to the shaft 40. Means of control of the arm 47 will be described in more detail below with reference to Figure 10.

The plate 41 comprises, on its face remote from the wheel 39, a projecting central cam 48 whose contour consists of two parallel straight segments connected at their ends by an arc of circle centered on the axis of the plate 41.

The plate 41 is further provided with a projecting pin 50 perpendicular to the mean plane of the plate, arranged so as to come and act against an edge 49a of finger 49 at the appropriate time.

The other face of the plate 41 is provided with a pin 51, judiciously placed in the vicinity of the periphery, serving as an axis of articulation to a connecting rod 52. The opposite end of this connecting rod 52 is provided with a pin 53 protruding on either side of the mean plane of the connecting rod. The part of this pin 53 behind the connecting rod 52, according to the representation of Figure 12, is engaged in an oblong light 54 substantially in the form of a flattened S, provided in the large face of the plywood 2. This light 54 constitutes a cam whose shape is provided to ensure the desired guidance of pin 53. The part of this pin 53 projecting towards the front of the connecting rod 52 can come to cooperate, under determined conditions, with the beak 10 of the bolt 5, as illustrated in Figure 14.

The part P is constituted by a plate mounted freely in rotation around the same geometric axis as the ratchet 7. The link in rotation with the pawl 7 is provided by a window 55 substantially of trapezoidal shape with a certain angular extent, provided in the part P. The pin 11 secured to the pawl 7 is engaged in this window 55. The part P is biased by elastic return means Pr clockwise as shown in Figures 12 to 14, like pawl 7.

In the open position of the bolt (Fig. 12), the pin 11 is not not in abutment against the radial edge adjacent to the window 55.

A passage microswitch 56 is provided, fixed on the case, to detect the arrival of the bolt 5 in the corresponding position on the first notch, and to control the starting of the engine 37 in order to drive the plate 41 in the opposite direction of the clock according to the representation of Figures 12 to 18.

The rest position of the device corresponds to the Representation of Figure 12 with the bolt 5 in the open position. Pawn 53 is located in the upper half of lumen 54. The stop in this position is controlled by a sensor 57, in particular for effect Hall, of which a fixed element is placed, slightly removed from the circumference of the plate 41, in a corresponding angular position substantially at the position occupied by the hour hand of a clock indicating eleven o'clock. The sensor 57 can detect the arrival of the pin 51 possibly equipped with a combined element of the sensor 57.

It should be noted that the position of pawn 53, in the part light 54, is such that the beak 10 of the bolt 5 can turn counterclockwise as shown in Figure 13, without interfering with pawn 53.

The closed position corresponds to that shown on Figure 16, the motor 37 and the plate 41 having been stopped. A captor 58, in particular Hall effect, slightly apart from the circumference of the plate 41 and whose angular position corresponds to that of the small hour hand on a clock indicating three hours, command this engine stop by detecting the arrival of the pin 51.

That said, the operation of the assistance device for closing and opening the door is explained below using the Figures 12 to 18.

We consider the starting position of Figure 12, corresponding to the rest position with the door open. Exhibit P is maintained in its rest position by the elastic return means Pr, the pin 11 being substantially in the middle of the window 55, separated from the two radially oriented edges of this window.

When the user manually initiates the closure of the door, the keeper (not shown) enters the drain 3a and the fork 6 of bolt 5 which rotates counter clockwise, the beak 10 crossing counter 53 without interference. The pawl 7 comes apply against the first notch 8 of the bolt as illustrated on the Figure 13. As a result, the pawl 7 has turned slightly in the direction clock opposite and pawn 11 came in the immediate vicinity of the window edge 55 most advanced in opposite direction clock.

The arrival of the bolt 5 in the angular position of the Figure 13 is detected by the microswitch 56 which controls the start-up motor 33 so that the plate 41 rotates in the direction opposite clock in Figure 13.

The rotation of the plate 41 causes the rod to descend 52 and that of the pin 53 in the light 54, as illustrated in the Figure 14. The pin 53 comes into abutment against the spout 10.

By continuing its rotation in the opposite direction clock, the plate 41 pushes the bolt 5 in the closed position "second notch" illustrated in Figure 15 where the second notch 9 is came into abutment against the ratchet spout 7. This is the assistance phase the actual closure.

The plate 41 continues to rotate in the opposite direction clock until the pin 51 arrives to the right of the sensor 58 (Fig. 16) which controls the stopping of the motor 33 and therefore of the plate 41. The pin 53 is then in the upper half of the lumen 54.

When the door opening control is operated, the motor 33 and plate 41 are rotated in the same direction opposite clock, to go from the position of Figure 16 to that of Figure 17. The pin 50 acts against the edge 49a of the finger 49 and pushes the part P which turns clockwise and which drives the ratchet 7 in the same direction, to release the notch 9 from the bolt 5. The pin 53 is found in the vicinity of the upper end of the light 54 and leaves free passage to the spout 10 of the bolt 5, which turns clockwise to the open position, especially because decompression of door seals. This is possible because the pawn 53 cleared the way.

The plate 41 continues to rotate to the position of rest of Figure 12. Stopping in this position is controlled by the sensor 57.

Following these explanations, it can be seen that when the electric motor 33 is stopped, in particular for a reason of failure electric, we can act manually to completely close the door, to the second notch, from the positions of Figures 12 or 13.

Similarly, one can act manually, without using the motor 33, to open the door from the position in Figure 16 because the lifting, by manual action, of the pawl 7 releases the second notch 9 of the bolt 5 and the beak 10 can cross the pin 53, in the opening direction of the bolt (clockwise rotation) without interfere with this pin 53 in the raised position.

On the other hand, in the event of an electrical failure while the assembly of parts is in the position of Figure 14 or Figure 15, with the beak 10 of the bolt blocked by the pin 53, it would not be possible to open the door manually.

If the electrical failure occurs in one of the positions Figures 17 and 18 where the pawl 7 is kept away from the notches 8 and 9, due to the action of the pin 50 which repels the finger 49 and the part P, the door cannot be closed manually, i.e. blocking the bolt 5 as illustrated in Figures 15 and 16, with the strike engaged in the fork 6.

The declutching means 42, described above, have have been provided for this purpose. By moving the arm 47 so as to allow a sliding of the pusher 44 to the right of Figure 11, we allows the ball 43 to escape from the groove provided in the plate 41 which can then turn mad on the shaft 40, and no longer exerts a blockage.

To avoid accidental movement of lever 47, you can provide for locking of this lever 47 in the coupling position in Figure 11 using a second lever 59 (Fig. 10). This second lever 59 is arranged substantially at right angles to to the first lever 47 and is pivotally mounted around a fixed axis 60 located at the far end of the lever 47. A window 61, substantially in right angle, is provided at the end of the lever 59 adjacent to the lever 47, which includes a projecting pin 62 engaged in the window 61. The edge lower part of the horizontal branch of window 61 has a part concave 63 suitable for serving as a housing for the pin 62 and for retaining it.

In this configuration, the lever 47 is locked, and it is necessary first move the lever 59 to then allow the pin 62 to descend into the substantially vertical part, directed downwards, from window 61. The lever 47 can then rotate clockwise around its pivot 47a to release the pusher 44. The assembly is designed to limit the stroke of pusher 44 and prevent it from coming out complete.

A simple solution lies in a purely order manual, the lever 59 being subjected to the action of return means elastic clockwise around axis 60, so that the pin 62 is held in the housing 63. To unlock the lever 47, lever 59 must be pushed counterclockwise to against elastic return means.

However, an automatic unlocking can be provided of the plate 41 during its passage through the angular positions corresponding on the one hand, to those of FIGS. 14 and 15 and, on the other hand, to those of Figures 17, 18.

For this, a disc 64 is locked in rotation at the end of the shaft 40 opposite to that provided with the plate 41. This disc 64 comprises at its periphery two notches 65, 66 suitably positioned angularly and whose rear edge following the direction of rotation (direction clock opposite as shown in Figure 10) is tilted to give the notch a flared shape when you move away from the center.

The lever 59 has a pin 67 projecting from the side of the disk 64. This pin 67 is in abutment against the periphery of disk 64 under the action of a compression spring 68 which pushes the lever 59 counter clockwise. When pawn 67 is pressed against the circular periphery of the disc 64, the lever 59 is held in the position in Figure 10 where the pin 62 is locked in the housing 63. On the other hand, when a notch 65 or 66 is presented to the right of the pawn 67, it enters the notch under the action of the spring 68; the pawn 62 can then descend into window 61, under the action of a spring compression 69 acting on lever 47 to rotate it in the clockwise.

This automatically unlocks the plate 41 at each passage corresponding to the angular positions criticism. Continued rotation of the motor 33 and the disk 64 causes, by the action of the inclined edge of the notch, the exit of the pin 67 of this notch 65 or 66. The system returns to its position of locking.

By preventing any accidental movement of the lever 47, we ensures proper operation of the device subjected to shocks due to that the door when closing is slammed against the body.

Claims (20)

1. Electric lock for a vehicle door, comprising:

   a rotary latch (5) able to collaborate with a striker, and a pawl (7) for holding the latch in the closed position;

   means (13) for opening from the outside and means (15) for opening from the inside to act on the pawl (7), via linking means (L), and to release the latch (5) for opening;

   and electric motor means for inhibiting either just the means for opening from the outside (locking function); or just the means for opening from the inside (child lock function); or both the means for opening from the outside and the means for opening from the inside (deadlock function),

   characterized in that the linking means (L) comprise an intermediate transmission lever (12), one end (18) of which is connected to the pawl (7), this lever (12) being articulated (21, 21a) in such a way as to be able to pivot about at least two different geometric directions (D-D, E-E) at an angle to each other, the assembly being such that pivoting the lever (12) about a first direction (D-D) allows the locking function to be performed, pivoting the lever (12) about the second direction (E-E) allows the child lock function to be performed, and pivoting the lever (12) jointly about the first (D-D) and second (E-E) directions allows the deadlock function to be performed, so that the electric motor means (22, 31) have just two movements to cause in order to perform the three functions of locking, child locking, and deadlocking.
2. Lock according to Claim 1, characterized in that the lever (12) is articulated by means of a ball joint (21, 21a) .
3. Lock according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the two geometric directions (D-D, E-E) about which the lever (12) can pivot are orthogonal.
4. Lock according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the lever (12) is articulated to an intermediate piece (P) itself connected to the pawl.
5. Lock according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that an electric motor (22; 31), with reduction gearing that is reversible (23, 26; 32, 33), is assigned to causing each of the two pivoting movements of the lever (12) about the two different geometric directions (D-D, E-E).
6. Lock according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the end (19) of the lever (12) furthest from the articulation forms a paddle (20) situated in line with the ends (13a; 15a) of two link rods (13; 15) that each pivot about a respective fixed axle (14; 16) borne by a lock casing, and that are roughly parallel to the geometric directions (E-E; D-D) about which the lever can pivot, the assembly being designed so that pivoting of the lever (12) about the first direction (D-D) allows the paddle (20) to escape from a first link rod (13) while remaining in collaboration with the second link rod (15), whereas pivoting of the lever (12) about the second direction (E-E) allows the paddle (20) to escape from the second link rod (15) while remaining in collaboration with the first link rod (13), and combined pivoting of the lever (12) about the two directions (D-D; E-E) allows the paddle (20) to escape from both link rods (13, 15).
7. Lock according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the lever (12) is made to pivot about the first direction (D-D) by a piece (24) mounted to pivot on a fixed axle carried by the lock casing and parallel to the first direction (D-D), this piece (24) comprising a toothed sector (26) able, reversibly, to collaborate with a helical gear (23) driven by an electric motor (22), and a fork (28) in which a peg (30) secured to the lever is engaged, it being possible for this peg (30) to leave the housing (29) of the fork through a movement roughly perpendicular to the mean plane of the fork, corresponding to the pivoting of the lever (12) about the second direction (E-E) .
8. Lock according to Claim 7, characterized in that the end region of the piece (24) opposite to the toothed sector (26) is connected to a locking stalk (27) .
9. Lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the workings of the child lock function comprises an arm (34), the overall direction of which is roughly orthogonal to the direction of the lever (12), this arm (34) being carried by a helical gear (33) able to turn, reversibly, about a geometric axis parallel to the second direction of pivoting (E-E) of the lever, this arm (34) being equipped, at its end furthest from the gear, with a fork (35) sandwiching a region of the lever (12), the rotational movement of the arm leading to a pivoting movement of the lever (12) about the second direction (E-E).
10. Lock according to Claim 9, characterized in that the helical gear (33) is equipped at its end with an accessible mechanical purchase (36) to allow the gear to be actuated manually if the motor fails.
11. Electric lock according to one of the preceding claims, in which the latch has at least two noses (8, 9) spaced angularly to collaborate with the pawl (7) in, respectively, a first partly closed position (7, 8) and a second fully closed position (7, 9), means being provided to assist with the closure and opening of the door, the lock being characterized in that the assistance means comprise:

    electric motor means (37) able to rotate a plate (41) ;

    and a connecting rod (52) articulated at one of its ends to the plate and equipped at its other end with action means (53) able to drive the latch (5) into the fully closed position in response to the rotation of the plate (41).
12. Electric lock according to Claim 11, characterized in that the action means of the connecting rod (52) comprise a peg (53) collaborating with guide means (54) and able to act against a snout (10) provided on the latch (5) to push the latch into the fully closed position in response to the rotation of the plate.
13. Electric lock according to Claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the it comprises means (56) sensitive to the position of the latch (5) to trigger the electric motor assistance means (37) when the latch (5) reaches the position in which the first nose (8) collaborates with the pawl (7), the assistance means (37, 41, 52) causing the latch (5) to move from this partly closed position to the fully closed position in which the second nose (9) collaborates with the pawl (7).
14. Lock according to Claim 12, characterized in that the means of guiding the peg (53) which is situated at the end of the connecting rod (52) furthest from the plate (41) consist of a slot (54) forming a cam provided in a large face (2a) of a backplate (2) acting as a support for the latch (5) and the pawl (7).
15. Lock according to one of Claims 11 to 14, characterized in that it comprises a piece (P) which can rotate about the same geometric axis as the pawl (7), this piece (P) being connected in terms of rotation to the pawl (7) with a possibility of free angular travel between the piece and the pawl, over a limited angular range.
16. Lock according to Claim 15, characterized in that the connection between the piece (P) and the pawl (7) comprises, on one of the two elements, particularly on the piece (P), an opening (55) with a certain angular extent and, on the other element, particularly the pawl (7), a projecting peg (11) engaged in the opening (55) with a possibility of free travel between the roughly radially oriented edges of the opening (55).
17. Lock according to Claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the piece (P) comprises a projecting finger (49) directed roughly towards the centre of the plate (41) , this finger being able, depending on the angular position, to collaborate with a peg (50) provided near the periphery of the plate (41), the action of the peg (50) against the finger (49) allowing the piece (P) to be made to turn in a direction which moves the pawl (7) away from the latch (5) to allow opening.
18. Lock according to one of Claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the piece (P) is articulated, particularly by a ball joint provided on a projecting lug (PE) of this piece, on the intermediate lever (12) of the means of connection between, on the one hand, the pawl (7) and, on the other hand, the means (13) of opening from the outside and the means (15) of opening from the inside.
19. Lock according to one of Claims 11 to 18, characterized in that the stop position of the plate (41) corresponding to the fully closed position with the second nose (9) of the latch collaborating with the pawl (7) is brought about, particularly by a sensor (58), in such a way that the peg (53) situated at the end of the connecting rod (52) furthest from the plate (41) occupies a position that avoids any interference with the latch (5), particularly with the snout (10) of the latch, for return to the open position.
20. Lock according to one of Claims 11 to 19, characterized in that it comprises means (42) allowing the plate (41) to be uncoupled from its drive axle (40) so that the plate (41) becomes free to rotate and does not form an obstacle to the manual opening or closure in the event of failure of the electrical assistance means.

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