EP3087237B1 - Locking device for a vehicle hood and process - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a locking device according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to a method for closing the locking device.
A lock of a locking device of the type mentioned is used for temporary closure of openings in motor vehicles or buildings by means of doors or flaps. In the closed state of such a lock, the rotary latch engages with two arms (called load arm and tentacle) around a particular bow-shaped locking bolt around. The locking bolt may be attached in the case of a motor vehicle to a door or flap of the motor vehicle and then the lock on the body or vice versa. In the case of a motor vehicle, there are in particular side door locks, tailgate locks and hood locks or bonnet locks. The present invention is particularly advantageous for front hoods or front flaps, which are seen in the usual direction of travel of a motor vehicle front.
The lock regularly includes a lock case or a lock plate and a lock cover, with the aid of the lock case is closed. Lock case and lock cover are called lock case. The locking mechanism, so catch and pawl are basically rotatably mounted on the lock case. For reasons of stability lock case, catch and / or Pawl advantageous metal. The lock lid is, inter alia, for reasons of weight advantageously made of plastic. A lock plate or lock case basically comprise an inlet region for the locking pin. It is an example, U-shaped bulge, which allows the locking pin to fall into the catch.

As usual, the lock housing can be arranged on the body side or hood or door side. In the former case, the lock housing is fixed to a motor vehicle body, for example, by screws. The variant mentioned in the second corresponds to the fact that the lock housing and with it the door lock is mounted inside or on a door, a hood, a flap or the like.

Consequently, in practice, for example, side door locks, tailgate locks and hood locks or bonnet locks are distinguished. These fall all under the term motor vehicle lock. A locking device particularly preferably comprises such a motor vehicle lock.

In the context of the invention, the lock housing is regularly mounted on the body side, so it is found on an associated vehicle body. In contrast, the locking bolt is connected to a hood, so that usually a hood lock or bonnet lock is considered. In principle, however, the procedure can also be reversed. Then the locking bolt is connected to the body or vehicle body, whereas the lock housing and with it the motor vehicle lock learns an attachment to the hood or the door generally.

Reached the catch of such a lock, starting from an open position by pivoting a closed position, the catch is finally locked by means of the pawl. Such pivoting is achieved by the locking bolt (also called "lock retainer") when it engages by closing an associated door or flap in the catch. A locking surface of the pawl is in the locked state of a locking surface of the rotary latch, thereby preventing that the catch can be turned back in the open position. The locking pin can not leave the locking mechanism in the closed position.

For opening, it is necessary to move the pawl out of its detent position. If the pawl has been moved out of its detent position, the rotary latch rotates in the direction of the open position. In the open position of the catch and thus in the open position of the locking mechanism, the locking bolt can leave the lock. The door or flap can be opened again.

There are locks with two different locking positions of the catch. The rotary latch can then be locked in the so-called pre-locking position and finally by further rotation in the closing direction in the so-called main locking position. Although in the pre-locking position, a locking bolt can no longer leave the locking mechanism. A corresponding door or flap is not yet completely closed. Such a door or flap is fully closed only when the catch is rotated to the main catch position and locked here. For locking in the pre-locking position, a second pawl may be provided. But it is also possible to lock the catch with only one pawl both in the pre-latching position and in the main latching position. Such a lock may include an electric drive to move a rusted in the pre-locking position locking in the main detent position, to finally the Lock catch in the main ratchet position. Such a lock is also called lock with closing aid. A lock with closing aid is from the DE 10 2009 026 921 A1 known.

The DE 10 2008 005 181 A1 describes a closing aid for pulling a flap or a door of a vehicle to the vehicle body. The drive known from this also serves to open the door or flap. A combined closing and an electric opening of a tailgate lock goes out of the pamphlets DE 100 33 092 A1 , DE 10 2004 011 798 B3 such as DE 10 2004 013 671 A1 out.

To open a lock, there is an actuator. When the actuating device is actuated, the locking mechanism opens. A handle of a door or flap may be part of the actuator. This handle is usually connected via a linkage or a Bowden cable with an actuating lever of the castle. If the handle is actuated, the actuating lever of the lock is pivoted by means of the linkage or Bowden cable so that the lock opens. A motor vehicle can have a generally pivotable outer handle, which can be reached from the outside, and / or a generally pivotable inner handle, which can be reached from the inside.

If a locking mechanism of a motor vehicle is locked by closing a door or flap, a gap generally remains between the door or flap and the adjacent body. Such a gap should be as low as possible, especially in hoods, which are seen in the usual direction forward to avoid adverse air turbulence in the front area and concomitant air resistance during a ride. A possible gap-free, closed surface is also desirable for optical reasons.

In practice and in the art after EP 1 489 252 B1 is advantageously used with closing and opening assistance devices that generally ensure that after reaching a certain prelocking the distance between the body and the hood or door to be closed is reduced (closed position). This is generally done by motor or by means of a motor drive, although in principle a mechanical closing or closing is possible and is included. In addition, there are basically also known opening devices with the aid of which the hood or motor vehicle hood or door or motor vehicle door in question is opened or displayed in relation to the motor vehicle body. In principle, such closing / opening devices can also be combined.

In general, however, it is usually worked only with a closing aid or closing device, which draws a located, for example, in Vorraststellung of the locking mechanism motor vehicle door in the main rest position motor. This is in the generic state of the art according to the EP 1 489 252 B1 a rocker applied. The motor drive works on a toggle lever element with two toggle levers. In this way, even in case of failure of the motor drive proper mechanical actuation of the locking mechanism can be ensured in a mechanical closing operation. That has proven itself.

In recent times, and in particular in so-called hood locks, so motor vehicle door locks on a motor vehicle hood or in the field of motor vehicle hood, there are now requirements to set a gap between the motor vehicle door or the motor vehicle body and the vehicle body as low as possible and possibly up to 0 mm or almost 0 mm too reduce. This requirement is explained not only due to aesthetic considerations that require a smooth surface as possible and closed surface for a modern motor vehicle. But the size of the gap has, especially in this area, immediate effects on air turbulences in the front area, which can negatively influence the air resistance depending on their formation and expression. At this point, convincing solutions are missing so far. This is where the invention in an advantageous embodiment.

The German reservation DE 10 2013 109 051 deals with minimizing such gaps in doors or flaps. The lock known therefrom is movable and in particular pivotally mounted. Following a locking of the locking mechanism, the lock is generally moved or pivoted by a drive in such a way that a gap between the door or flap and body is minimized. The drive provided for this purpose comprises an electric motor and a pivotable lever, which is called a rocker. By pivoting the lever or the rocker (hereinafter also called "rocker arm") by the electric motor, the lock is pivoted as a whole, that the gap is minimized. The lock housing is held by a pawl which is rotatably mounted on the rocker. The from this document DE 10 2013 109 051 Known locking device thus comprises a drive in the aforementioned sense, with the castle as a whole and thus the locking mechanism can be moved so that a door gap or flap gap can be reduced following a closing of a door or flap.

If a door or flap is closed, a load (impact) is exerted on the lock. Such a shock can from the DE 10 2013 109 051 damage known drive.

Unless otherwise stated below, the subject matter of the invention may have the aforementioned features individually or in any combination.

A locking device according to the preamble of claim 1 is in the document DE 10 2009 018 188 A1 disclosed.

The main goal of the development is to position movable body components and in particular the vehicle hood directly above the attachments, such as a headlight, grille or body. Here, the vehicle hood should be positioned on or immediately above the other attachments, so that a 0-joint is achieved. Such joints between attachments and / or the body and the hood on the one hand, as described, affect the aerodynamics of the motor vehicle and on the other hand crucially affect the visual and thus the overall qualitative impression of the vehicle.
A technical problem to be solved here is that when the motor vehicle hood is closed, primarily due to the weight, the hood performs an overstroke. An overstroke here is the exceeding of the desired position of the closed hood, wherein the hood moves beyond the desired position, so that a 0-joint with conventional locks can not be realized. It is an object of the invention to provide a locking device and a method with which a gap of a door or flap can be minimized.
To achieve the object, a closing device comprises the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments result from the dependent claims.

A locking device for a door or flap has a lock with a locking mechanism of the catch and pawl for locking the catch. There is a drive with which the ratchet can be moved in whole or in part so that a door gap or flap gap can be reduced. Thus, if a door or flap is closed, initially there remains a gap between the door and the door frame or between a frame and the associated flap. By the drive, the locking mechanism or parts of the locking mechanism can be moved so that this gap is reduced.

The lock comprises a closing aid so as to reduce an aforementioned gap by partially moving the locking mechanism. Such a lock with closing aid comprises a rotary latch which can be locked in both a pre-locking position and in a main locking position by at least one pawl. If the catch is locked by a pawl, so is a blocking surface of the pawl directly against a locking surface of the catch. As a result, the catch is locked reliably so that this locking mechanism will not open even with larger external load.

According to the invention, the lock with a closing aid has a securing mechanism which prevents the locking mechanism from being manually moved from the pre-locking position to the main locking position. Thus, a stop for the striker may be provided, which prevents the striker can be moved so far by closing a door or flap in the inlet mouth of a catch that the catch can be locked in the main latching position. If the locking mechanism is locked by a pawl in the pre-locking position, this position is registered by pressing a microswitch, for example. If a microswitch registers the pre-locking position, then the microswitch is actuated. The actuation of the microswitch then sets a electric drive in progress. The drive moves the stopper out of its stop position. Thereafter, the catch is rotated in the direction of the main latching position by an electric drive until the catch is locked in the main latching position.
This embodiment is thus generally based on the consideration to provide a lock for minimizing the gap, which can be locked by at least one pawl in a pre-locking position and in a main latching position. There is a Zuziehhilfe to lock starting from the pre-locking position, the locking mechanism in its main locking position. In addition, there is a locking mechanism that causes the lock to be locked only by the electric drive in the main latching position.

These features ensure that the catch can not be rotated up to the main detent position at excessively high speed. This avoids the achievement of an excessively large overstroke. Compared to conventional locks with pre-locking position and main detent position, therefore, a gap between a flap or a door and a body can be minimized, since this can be designed so that only a very small overtravel is possible. It is thus possible in particular to reduce the gap to 4 mm and less. It is even possible to achieve a gap of 3 mm and less.
An incidence of a latch bolt, which may be attached to a frame or door, flap or hood, into the catch causes an impact. In order to avoid damage due to such an incidence, a stop for the rotary latch is attached to a plate in an advantageous embodiment. For reasons of stability, this plate is preferably made of metal and is in particular on the body or on a door or flap of a motor vehicle attached. The plate may also be part of the bodywork of a motor vehicle.

The load caused by said impact is introduced by the rotary latch via the stop in the plate. In other words: If a locking pin falls into the rotary latch, the locking bolt rotates the rotary latch in the direction of the closed position. The rotary latch finally hits the stopper by its rotary motion and introduces the load connected to the impact into the stop. The introduced into the stop load is then forwarded via the attachment of the stop on the plate in the plate. It is thus avoided damage to the drive by the impact and the associated mechanical stress. It is not necessary that the load is transmitted directly from the catch to the stop. It suffices an indirect transfer of the load into the stop inside.

Advantageously, the locking device is such that the catch is latched by the pawl before the load is introduced into the stop. This ensures particularly reliable that the locking mechanism can be locked as planned. The catch is advantageously locked in the Vorrastpostion reasons mentioned above. The stop then prevents the catch in the main latching position can be locked.

In one embodiment, the lock housing and thus a locking mechanism located in the housing are pivotally mounted about an axis to a base member. The movement of the lock housing in the course of a closing or opening operation is effected by a pivoting movement of the lock housing about said axis. Alternatively or additionally, following the reaching of the pre-locking position, the rotary latch is pivoted by a drive, ie not manually, into the main latching position and latched here. For reasons of stability, the lock case or the lock plate of the lock housing is preferably rotatably mounted. With the lock case or the lock plate rotary latch and pawl are rotatably connected by means of axes. By means of the drive, the lock case or the lock plate is pivoted so that a gap in a door or flap can be finally reduced. The presence of a lock cover is in this embodiment, although advantageous, but not mandatory.

Preferably, the lock case or the lock plate is rotatably mounted on the plate to which the stopper is attached. This contributes to a small number of components and to a small space.

In one embodiment of the invention, a rocker arm (rocker), ie a pivotable lever, connected via a common axis with the rotatably mounted lock case. The term axis also means the case of a wave. The drive can move the free end of the rocker arm, thus also the rotatably mounted lock case for a reduction of a gap in a door or flap. By this configuration, leverage forces can be used suitably to move with suitable large force, the locking mechanism for reducing a gap of a door or flap. This embodiment is an independent invention regardless of the stop, with which the technical problem is solved to be able to minimize a door gap or flap gap by a simply constructed locking device.

In one embodiment of the invention, the lock case extends from the common axis seen in the same direction as the rocker arm. As a result, the space is advantageously kept small.

In one embodiment of the invention, the rocker arm extends from the common axis looking beyond the inlet region of the lock case or the lock plate addition. It are provided so favorable leverage ratios to use an electric motor with low power, which can then be advantageously built particularly small.

Although the described closing / opening process can also be effected manually in one embodiment. Thus, a manually operable Bowden cable can act on the locking device suitable. As a rule, however, a motor drive for the closing and / or opening device is provided.

Advantageously, the drive only then moves the locking mechanism overall in order to minimize a door gap or flap gap when the lock is in its main latching position. This embodiment therefore comprises, in particular, a sensor or a microswitch, with which it can be determined when the locking mechanism is in the main latching position. If the sensor or microswitch registers that the ratchet is in the main latching position, then the sensor or microswitch will activate the drive to reduce the remaining gap in a door or flap and minimize it where possible. Also in this embodiment, advantageously, the catch has been previously moved by a closing aid from the pre-locking position to the main locking position so as to minimize a gap even by this movement alone. The ratchet then has to be moved only very slightly in order to avoid virtually any gap (zero joint). As a result, the required space can be minimized.

The rocker arm is preferably rotatably mounted on one or more plates. The one or more plates consist of Stability reasons preferably made of metal. The one or more plates preferably have tabs with which the plates can be attached to the body of a motor vehicle or to a door or hood of a motor vehicle. The one or more plates then serve on the one hand the rotatable mounting of the rocker arm and on the other hand the attachment to the motor vehicle.

The stopper is preferably rotatably mounted on the plate. This embodiment makes it possible to move the stop when needed from its stop position and in particular by an electric drive.

Preferably, the drive able to move the ratchet can also move the stop so as to minimize the number of drives required. Preferably, this drive is also part of the closing aid.

In one embodiment, the drive can rotate a disk from which an eccentrically arranged bolt protrudes. The bolt is thus arranged away from the center of rotation or axis of rotation of the disc. The bolt extends into a slot of the rocker arm for moving the locking mechanism out. This means that a rotation of the disc causes a pivoting of the rocker arm and thereby also a movement of the locking mechanism.

The bolt is alternatively or additionally used to move the stop suitable. In particular, it is possible in an advantageous manner to move the stop out of its stop position after said load has been introduced into it. Moving out of the stop position then allows the ratchet to move to reduce the gap.

The rotatable components of the locking device may be biased by springs to move components into desired positions by spring force.

In an alternative, not shown embodiment, a closing of the hood can be done in particular on a zero joint or a 0-gap dimension on the pawl. In this case, the rotary latch preferably forms the axis of rotation for the lock. The drive acts on the pawl and thus makes it possible to move the hood after closing the locking in a 0-gap. This embodiment represents an independent invention independent of the stop, but can be combined with the aforementioned features. The pawl then forms a rocker arm which can be driven by a drive so as to minimize a gap.

The invention preferably relates to a lock for a hood of a motor vehicle, in particular for a hood. In today's vehicles in this case a gap or a gap of about five millimeters is provided. This gap is necessary because the hood when closing passes through an overstroke of about 5 mm. This overstroke requires that between the hood and the attachments, such as the grille or the headlight, a gap of at least 5 mm must be present.

In order to reduce this gap to zero as possible, in one embodiment, which is an independent invention, a door or flap, such as a hood, caught in a preliminary catch and moved by means of a preferably electric motor drive from the pre-rest in the main rast , These can, for example, from servo locks known Zuziehelemente come used. A crawl takes place especially on the catch.

In a further embodiment variant, the rotary latch has a preliminary catch and a main catch, into which the hood lock comes in when closing the front flap. After reaching the main load then the catch would be pulled in an overstroke of, for example, six millimeters by means of a drive. For this purpose, a third detent position is provided, for example, on the rotary latch.

In a further embodiment, the entire lock unit is moved in a 0-joint position. Here, the lock will be accommodated mounted in an eccentric drive, so that the castle would close in an excessive position. After closing the lock, the entire lock is then in particular driven by an electric motor pivoted by means of the drive, so that the door or flap in turn can be moved in a 0-joint position.

The examples illustrate that there are several ways to reduce the gap. It is not necessary to move the lock as a whole. It may be sufficient to move the catch by a drive.

The invention is in one embodiment, the technical problem of further developing such a locking device so that with simple means the smallest possible gap between the body and door or hood can be provided.

To solve this technical problem, a generic locking device in the invention is characterized in that the closing and / or opening device on the outside on Lock housing attacks to its adjustment relative to a stationary base element in the course of a closing / opening process.

Since the lock housing is typically arranged on the body side, ie undergoes an arrangement on a motor vehicle body or is connected to the motor vehicle body, the stationary base element is a component of this motor vehicle body. In general, the motor vehicle door lock or hood lock according to the invention is located in the region of an upper front carrier on the front of the motor vehicle body, which is typically arranged or extends horizontally.

The design is advantageously made such that the lock housing is pivotally connected to the base element in question about an axis or axis of rotation. That is, the adjustment of the lock housing in the course of the closing / opening operation corresponds to a pivoting movement of the lock housing about the axis in question or axis of rotation. For this purpose, the axis or axis of rotation is generally defined such that in the example, the upper front support of the vehicle body is equipped with a corresponding pin or pin on which the lock housing is rotatably mounted.

In order to achieve a particularly stable design at this point, the lock case is generally rotatably mounted on the bolt in question. In contrast, the lock cover is connected to the lock case and is taken along during a pivoting movement of the lock case as it were.

The described closing / opening process can basically be carried out mechanically. For example, this may include a Work Bowden cable on the closing and / or opening device that can be operated manually. As a rule, however, a motor drive for the closing and / or opening device is provided. It has been proven that the motor drive works eccentrically on the closing / opening device. Moreover, it is advantageous if the motor drive only then acts on the closing and or opening device when the door lock is in its main latching position.

In general, the closing and / or opening device essentially consists of a rocker and a pawl acting on the lock housing. With the help of the rocker relatively large torques can be exerted on the lock housing, even when working with a small-build motor drive, which applies a rather small force.

The rocker is usually rotatably connected to the base member. It has proven useful if the rocker and the lock housing are connected coaxially rotatable to the base element. In this case, therefore, the bolt acts on the upper front support of the vehicle body advantageous as a common axis of rotation for one hand, the lock housing and on the other hand, the rocker. In addition, this provides a particularly compact and less bulky construction available.

The pawl in turn is generally rotatably mounted on the sling. The latch may be biased by means of a spring. Moreover, it has proven useful when the pawl engages behind a projection on the lock housing. For reasons of stability, this projection on the lock housing can advantageously be formed on the lock case.

For actuating the rocker and for pivoting about the common axis of rotation with the lock housing, the rocker is largely equipped with a slot for engagement of an actuating pin. The actuating pin is in turn advantageously applied by means of the motor drive.

The design is regularly made so that the actuating pin is arranged on a driven pulley. The driven pulley can be rotated by means of a motor or electric motor. The electric motor has on its output shaft via a worm, which engages in an outer edge side toothing of the driven pulley in order to pivot it counterclockwise or clockwise about an associated axis. This results in movements of the actuating pin on a circular arc, and indeed within the elongated hole of the rocker. For the basic design of such a motor drive is on the DE 299 15 905 U1 directed.

That is, the actuating pin performs inside the long hole of the rocker initiated by the motor drive circular arc movements. In this way, the rocker and with it the lock housing can be pivoted about the common axis of rotation relative to the base member. Because a pivoting movement of the rocker has the consequence that the lock housing is taken over the pawl during the rotational movement of the rocker.
As a result, a locking device is provided, which is particularly suitable for providing small gap widths between the associated door or hood and body, which can be set to 0 mm 20 or almost 0 mm. The invention achieves the core in that by means of the closing and / or opening device, the entire lock housing with respect to the base member or an upper and usually arranged horizontally Front carrier of the vehicle body is pivoted. That is, the closing and / or opening device engages in this embodiment explicitly not on a mounted in the associated lock case lock.

Rather, the locking mechanism when closing the door or hood is first transferred to a main locking position or main detent position. This position starts the closing or closing process according to the invention.
In this Zuzieh- or closing process, the entire lock housing is then pivoted with the locking mechanism located in the main lock and thus captured here locking bolt about the axis of rotation relative to the vehicle body. This can be done very sensitively and compared to an attacking, for example, on the catch closing movement with much larger lever arms and correspondingly higher torques. As a result, virtually any gap widths between the door or hood and the motor vehicle body can be realized, which extend down to 0 mm or almost 0 mm. All of this succeeds considering a simple and functional design. Here are the main advantages of this embodiment.

In order to minimize gap widths, it is also possible to provide a combination of closing aid and a further drive for gap minimization.

According to the present invention, in particular, an electrically operated hood lock (E-lock) is used and combined with a closing aid.

Currently, the hood seals are regularly opened by the fact that in a first step, that is, a first pulling the Hood opening lever the lock, or the catch hook of the locking mechanism reaches a pre-locking position in which the hood is already open by means of spring force, but the hood can not be opened. Only after a second second pull on the hood opening lever of the fishing hook, or the locking mechanism release the lock strap of the hood, so that the hood can be opened manually.

Preferably, according to the present invention, an electrically operated lock (with closing aid) is combined with an electrically operated adjusting device. To achieve a 0-joint, the hood lock, as described in the German Pre-Declarations 10 2013 109 051 and 10 2013 222 053, electrically traversed, but then release not manually but electrically actuated the locking mechanism. An advantageous two-stage opening process will thus be fulfilled. When closing the hood will close in particular by the weight of the locking mechanism, or lock and the electric adjustment mechanism will pull the hood in the 0-joint position.

It is used in an advantageous embodiment, a two-stage locking mechanism and after reaching a pre-restraint when closing the hood, the locking mechanism in a main ratchet pulled by an electric motor.

Figur 1:

Schlossaufbau im verrasteten Zustand (Hauptrast);

Figur 2:

perspektivische Ansicht des Schlosses;

Figur 3:

Aufsicht auf das Schloss;

Figur 4:

eingebautes Schloss nebst Haube;

Figur 5:

vergrößerte Ansicht eines Ausschnitts im Fall des Auftreffens der Drehfalle auf den Anschlag des Schlosses;

Figur 6:

anfängliches Schließen der Haube mit verbleibendem Spalt;

Figur 7:

Fortsetzung des Schließvorgangs;

Figur 8:

vollständiges Schließen der Haube ;

Figur 9:

anfängliches Öffnen der Haube;

Figur 10:

Fortsetzen des Öffnens der Haube;

Figur 11:

Haube mit Verrasten der Drehfalle in der Vorrastposition;

Figur 12:

vollständiges Öffnen der Haube;

Figur 13:

Schließvorrichtung bei geöffneter Haube im Beispielfall;

Figur 14:

den Gegenstand nach Fig. 13 im Zustand der geschlossenen Haube.

Show it

FIG. 1:

Lock assembly in the locked state (main lock);

FIG. 2:

perspective view of the castle;

FIG. 3:

Supervision of the castle;

FIG. 4:

built-in lock and hood;

FIG. 5:

enlarged view of a section in the event of impact of the catch on the stop of the lock;

FIG. 6:

initial closing of the hood with remaining gap;

FIG. 7:

Continuation of the closing process;

FIG. 8:

complete closing of the hood;

FIG. 9:

initial opening of the hood;

FIG. 10:

Continuing the opening of the hood;

FIG. 11:

Hood with locking of the catch in the pre-locking position;

FIG. 12:

complete opening of the hood;

FIG. 13:

Locking device with open hood in the example case;

FIG. 14:

the object after Fig. 13 in the condition of the closed hood.

The FIG. 1 illustrates the structure of a closure device for a door or flap of a motor vehicle. The locking device has a lock with a locking mechanism of rotary latch 1 and pawl 2. The catch 1 can in a closed position with the pawl 2 as in the FIG. 1 be shown locked. The pawl 2 is rotatably mounted on a lock plate 3 by an axis 5. The rotary latch 2 is rotatably mounted on the lock plate 3 by means of its axis 4. Instead of a lock plate 3, a lock case may be present. In the present case, however, for reasons of space, a lock plate 3 is to be preferred, which therefore, in contrast to a lock case, does not include any side walls. For reasons of stability, the lock plate 3 or the lock case are preferably made of metal. Pawl 2 and / or rotary latch 1 are preferably also entirely or at least partially made of metal.
With a drive 6, the locking mechanism of rotary latch 1 and pawl 2 can be moved so that a door gap or flap gap can be reduced. The drive 6 has for this purpose in particular via an electric motor 7 and connected to the shaft of the motor screw 8. The motor 7 can cause a rotational movement of the screw 8. A rotational movement of the screw 8 causes via a preferably provided multi-stage gear 9 a Rotational movement of a disk 10. From the disk 10 is a bolt 11 from perpendicular. The bolt 11 is fixed to the disc 10. The bolt 11 is at a distance from the center of rotation of the disc 10 and is thus arranged eccentrically. The bolt 11 extends into a slot 12 of a pivotally mounted lever or rocker arm 13. The rocker arm 13 is pivotally supported by the axle or shaft 5. A rotation of the disc 10 thus causes a pivoting of the rocking lever thirteenth

The lever and the lock plate 3 are rigidly connected to the shaft 5. A pivoting of the lever 13 thus synchronously causes a pivoting of the lock plate. 3
Seen from the shaft 5, lock plate 3 and rocker arm 13 extend in the same direction, preferably in the direction of the drive 6, so as to keep the installation space small. The rocker arm 13 extends beyond the lock plate 3, and in particular beyond the inlet mouth of the lock plate 3, that is beyond the area in which a locking pin passes when an associated door or flap is closed. As a result, favorable leverage ratios are provided in order to pivot the rocker arm 13 with low electrical power for reducing a gap of a door or flap.
In addition, the locking device comprises a in the FIGS. 2 and 3 For reasons of stability there is preferably a second plate 15 on the opposite side. The two plates 14 and 15 support the shaft 5 rotatably. For reasons of stability, the one or two plates 14 and 15 are preferably made of metal. The one or two plates 14 and 15 are fastened to the vehicle with grooves or screws by means of bent, tabbed tabs 16, such as on one Door, flap or on a body. Are the one or two plates 14 and 15 as in the FIG. 4 attached to the vehicle body 17, so the associated locking pin 18 (see FIG. 4 ) attached to the door or flap 19. The FIG. 4 shows the case of attachment to a front hood of a motor vehicle. The drive 6 is attached to the plate 15. One of the plates 14 or 15 is thus preferably also the attachment of the drive so as to keep the number of parts low.

The locking device comprises a web-shaped stop 20, which is rotatably attached by an axle or shaft 21 preferably to the plate 14. In particular, from the plate 14 is a bolt 22 from perpendicular, which is able to limit a pivotal movement of the stopper 20 (see FIGS. 2 and 3 ). The web-shaped stop 20 has a preferably bent tab 23 which can be moved by pivoting against the bolt 22 to prevent the continuation of a corresponding pivoting movement by reaching the bolt 22, as the FIGS. 1 . 2 and 3 clarify.

For example, a bracket 24 extending from the axle or shaft 21 extends to control the movement of the stop 20. Together with the stop 20, the bracket 24 forms in one embodiment approximately a U-shape. The bracket 24 is basically on the bolt 11. If the disc 10 is rotated, so that the bracket 24 is moved due to the pin 11. The movement of the bracket 24 causes a correspondingly synchronous movement of the stop 20.

The stopper 20 serves not only as a stop for the rotary latch 1, but also as a stop for the rocker arm 13 when the locking pin 18 is incident on the lock. So then the stop 20 also represents a stop for the rocker arm 13 in a preferred embodiment, both the stopper 20 and the rocker arm 13 have suitably bent tabs 25 and 26. If the locking pin 18 falls into the lock, the bent tab 25 of the rocker arm 13 strikes the bent tab 26 of the stopper 20, as the enlarged section of FIG. 5 clarified. The FIG. 5 further illustrates the impact of an arm end of the rotary latch 1 on the end of the stopper 20. In this embodiment, therefore, there are two ways available to initiate a load during closing in the plate 14 and so to protect the drive 6.

The lock also has a release lever 27, which is also rotatably supported by the axle or shaft 5. The release lever 27 is actuated via a Bowden cable, not shown. By operating the Bowden cable, the pawl 2 is moved out of its rest position to subsequently open a door or flap. The release lever 27 may have a hook 28, in which the Bowden cable is hung.

For example, the FIG. 3 shows that the axles / shafts can be provided with springs in order to be able to move the pivotable components by means of spring force, for example the rotary latch 1 from a closed position in the direction of the open position.

The FIG. 6 clarifies the situation following a collapse of the locking pin 18 in the castle. One arm of the rotary latch 1 and that is the so-called load arm rests on the stopper 20. The tab 25 of the rocker arm 13 rests on the tab 26 of the stopper 20. The rotary latch 1 has been locked by the pawl 2 and is located in the main catch. There remains a gap 29 between the hood 19 and the body 17 of the motor vehicle. The disc 10 of the drive 6th is in a starting position. In the starting position, the bolt 11 is in one embodiment above the center of rotation of the disc 10th

But it is also possible in one embodiment that the catch 1 by a collapse of the locking bolt 18 initially only in the in the FIG. 10 latched position shown latched. Only after the moving away of the stopper 20 from its stop position, the rotary latch can then be pivoted by an electric drive and in particular by the electric motor 7 together with a mechanism, not shown, in the main detent position. It can be reduced in this embodiment, the gap 29 by reaching the main rest position to 2 mm to 4 mm.

To further reduce the gap 29, starting from the main stop position of the locking mechanism, the disc 10 is rotated by means of the drive 6 in a clockwise direction. As a result, the pin 11 moves within the slot 12 by a quarter circle rotation initially from one left slot side to another right slot side, as the comparison of FIGS. 6 and 7 clarified. By turning clockwise, the stop 20 is first moved by means of the bracket 24 by pivoting clockwise out of its stop position. If the stop 20 has been moved out of its stop position, then the rocker arm 13 and thus also the lock plate 3 can be pivoted clockwise about its axis or shaft 5 so as to further reduce the gap 29 to finally as in FIG. 8 shown to produce a gap-free contact between the hood 19 and body 17 on the front. If the disc 10 is rotated further in the clockwise direction and the disc 10 completes such an approximately 180 ° rotation, then so finally disappears the gap, like the FIG. 8 clarified.

For example, by means of a microswitch 30, the position of the disc 10 is queried. Has the disc 10 in the FIG. 8 achieved position shown, this is determined by the micro-switch 30 and the drive stopped. Alternatively or additionally, by a current detection (current for the electric motor) the respective reached position can be determined and switched suitable. One or more other microswitches may be provided to detect, for example, the position of the rotary latch 1 and / or pawl 2 and to control the latching and / or opening of the latch in response thereto.

The FIGS. 9 to 12 illustrate the opening of the hood 19. First, the pawl 2 is moved out of its detent position, as the FIG. 9 shows. This is done by operating the release lever 27, which is pivoted for this purpose clockwise about its axis or shaft 5 around. The rotary latch 1 can then pivot counterclockwise, whereby the hood 19 is initially opened. It creates a gap 29. The catch 1 now latches in a pre-locking position, as the FIG. 10 clarified. The latching in the pre-locking position, in turn, happens using the pawl 2. For example, by a microswitch or a sensor, in the FIG. 10 reached position to be queried. In this way, the drive 6 can be started so that the disc 10 now turns counterclockwise by approximately 180 °. It will be so in the FIG. 11 reached shown position. Following this, the pawl 2 is pivoted out of its pre-locking position. This can be done by an electric drive, which is controlled by sensors to open the lock so electrically. The catch 1 can then pivot further in the direction of the open position and finally the hood 19 is released, like the FIG. 12 clarified.

The rocker arm 13 may have a bent tab 31, as the FIG. 2 shows. The tab 31 can be placed on an upper edge of the plate 15 when the disc 10 has been rotated from its initial position by approximately 180 °. In this way, a suitable travel limit for the pivoting of the rocker arm 13 can also be ensured.

The rocker arm 13 may have a stepped course as in FIG. 2 have shown so as to reach the disc 10 and to keep the space small.

In the Figures 12 and 13 is a locking device shown, the first time in its basic structure via a body-side lock housing 100 and a hood-side locking pin 102 has. That is, the locking pin 102 is connected to a hood indicated only by dashed lines respectively hood 103. That is, it is in the present case a hood lock, which of course is not restrictive.

The body-side attachment or arrangement of the lock housing 100 is in the Figures 13 and 14 represented such that only an upper front carrier 104 is indicated there as part of the motor vehicle body 104. The front carrier 104 is equipped with a recess 105 which receives in its interior the body-side lock housing 100.

The lock housing 100 is composed in principle of a lock case 101 shown and a connected to the lock case 101 or connectable lock cover, which is not shown. While the lock case 101 is designed to be metallic and solid in order to accommodate a locking mechanism 106, 107 mounted therein, the lock cover, not shown, is typically off Made of plastic. The locking 106, 107 is composed as usual of a rotary latch 106 and a pawl 107, which are each rotatably received in the lock case 101, as can be seen in the comparison of FIG. 13 and 14 respectively on the basis of the respective indicated by hollow circles rotation axes in the Figures 13 and 14 recognizes.

For further basic construction includes a closing and / or opening device 108, 109. The closing and / or opening device 108, 109 is designed in this embodiment and not restrictive as Zuzieheinrichtung 108, 109 and is composed of a rocker 108 and a pawl 109th together. In addition, a motor drive 110, 111 is shown. The motor drive 110, 111 is composed of a drive disk 111 and an actuating pin 110 arranged on the drive disk 111. In fact, the actuating pin 110 is predominantly perpendicular to the drive disk 111.

The drive disk 111 is in turn offset by means of a not explicitly shown electric motor in rotations about an axis 112 in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction. For this purpose, an output shaft of the electric motor is equipped with a worm, which engages in an external toothing of the drive pulley 111. The drive pulley 111 performs the transition from the functional position of the FIG. 13 to the functional position FIG. 14 a clockwise rotation about its axis 112, taking into account a circular arc of about 180 °, which describes the co-moving actuating pin 10.

Of particular importance for this embodiment of the invention is now the fact that the closing and / or opening device 108, 109 and the inventively provided Zuzieheinrichtung 108, 109 on the outside of the lock housing 100 for adjusting the lock housing 100 acts against the stationary base element 104 in the course of a closing / opening process. For this purpose, the pawl engages or engages behind a projection 113 on the lock housing 100 or a projection 113, which in the present case is formed in or on the lock case 101. The motor drive 110, 111 operates as a whole eccentrically on the closing and / or opening device 108, 109, as can be seen in the comparison of FIG. 13 and 14 recognizes. For this purpose, the actuating pin 110 engages in a slot 114 in the rocker 108 a. In fact, the actuating pin 110 passes through the respective slot 114 in the rocker 108th

The rocker 108 is rotatably connected to the base member 104. The same applies to the lock housing 100. In the context of the embodiment of the Figures 13 and 14 followed by a design in which the rocker 108 and the lock housing 100 are coaxially rotatably connected to the base housing 104 in question. For this purpose, a bolt 115 is provided, which is anchored in the base member 104 and the front carrier 104 realized at this point. On this stationary bolt 115, both the rocker 108 and the lock housing 100 and the lock case 101 are rotatably supported. In this case, the design may be such that the rocker 108 is arranged in the illustrated plan below the lock housing 100 and therefore also below the lock case 101. This also applies to the pawl 109, which in turn is rotatably mounted on the rocker 108. For this purpose, a further bolt 116 is provided. The projection 113 may extend so far in this design that it can be over- or behind the latch 109 engages behind.

The operation is as follows. In the FIG. 13 the locking device and thus the associated hood 103 is shown in its "open" position. To now close the hood 103, this is manual way Lowered relative to the body 104 and the front carrier 104 that the attached to the hood locking pin 102 as usual retracts into the catch 106 and a local inlet mouth 116 there. As a result, the rotary latch 106 is pivoted about its axis in a clockwise direction until it finally their in the FIG. 14 has reached shown main rest position. In the main position of the latch pawl 107 falls into the catch 106 and prevents the catch 106 pivoted spring-assisted and releases the captured locking pin 102.

In the main locking position of the locking mechanism 106, 107, the hood 103 still has a significant gap S with respect to the body 104 or the front carrier 104, as in FIG FIG. 13 is indicated. For the closing and / or opening device 108, 109 or the closing device 108, 109 according to the invention is in its ready position. Furthermore, the lock housing 100 is swung as against the body 104. In addition, the motor drive 110, 111 ensures in this position that the hood 103 and the locking pin 102 can not spring through. That is, the hood 103 or the locking bolt 102 reliably reaches the main locking position of the locking mechanism 106, 107 FIG. 14 ,

The main locking position is in turn interrogated with the aid of a sensor, for example a switch. As a result, the motor drive 110, 111, starting from the standby position after FIG. 13 applied.

As soon as the motor drive 110, 111 has received the start signal from the relevant sensor or switch on the locking mechanism 106, 107, namely that the locking mechanism 106, 107 is in the main locking position, the electric motor is energized. This results in a movement of the drive plate 111 in a clockwise direction about its axis or axis of rotation 112. The elongated hole 114 in the rocker 108 by cross-actuating pin 110 accordingly acts on the rocker 108 and the Zuzieheinrichtung 108, 109 as a whole eccentrically. In this case, the actuating pin 110 completes a total of approximately 180 ° circular arc movement, as can be seen in the transition from the FIG. 13 to FIG. 14 recognizes.

At the end of this Zuziehvorganges after the FIG. 14 the actuating pin 110 has moved from an upper edge of the elongated hole 114 to the opposite lower edge and at the same time pivots the rocker 108 about its axis or rotation axis 115 in the counterclockwise direction. Since in this entire process the pawl 109 has held the lock housing 100 firmly on the projection 113 and, moreover, the pawl 109 is rotatably mounted on the rocker 108 and moved along with it, the lock housing 100 also performs a counterclockwise movement about the common axis 115 with the Rocker 108 at the transition from the FIG. 13 to FIG. 14 , For this purpose, the Zuziehvorgang corresponds.

The closing movement of the lock housing 100 or the rocker 108 takes place against the force of a spring 117. The spring 117 is a spiral spring, which is fastened with its one end to the body 104 connected to the bolt 115, while the other free End of the coil spring 117, the lock housing 100 biases, in a clockwise direction with respect to the axis or axis of rotation 115th

An end stop 118 on the body 104 provides for the described Zuziehvorgang for Endlagentrompfung. Because when reaching the closed position or pulled position after the FIG. 14 beats the rocker 108 pivoted counterclockwise about the axis 115 by means of the motor drive 110, 111 on the relevant stop or stop buffer 118. Then, the hood 103 is completely closed relative to the body 104, including a minimum gap S as shown FIG. 14 corresponds.

In the FIG. 13 is then still a pyrotechnic element 119 shown by an arrow. This ensures that the hood 103 can be set up in the event of an accident. For this purpose, the pyrotechnic element 119 operates on the pawl to wegzuschwenken this from the projection 113 on the lock housing 100.

Also the basis of the Figures 12 and 13 illustrated embodiment preferably comprises a closing aid, with which the locking mechanism can be brought from a pre-locking position electrically driven in a main locking position, so as to reduce the gap S in a first step. The lock is alternatively or additionally designed beyond that this is able to open electrically driven.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1:

catch

2:

pawl

3:

lock plate

4:

Axle for the catch

5:

Axle among other things for the pawl

6:

drive

7:

electric motor

8th:

slug

9:

transmission

10:

disc

11:

Bolt of the washer

12:

Slot of a rocking lever

13:

rocker

14:

Plate for a stop

15:

plate

16:

flap

17:

body

18:

locking pin

19:

Hood

20:

attack

21:

Axle or shaft of the stop

22:

Bolt of a plate

23:

flap

24:

Temple of the stop

25:

bent tab of the rocker arm

26:

bent flap of the stop

27:

sear

28:

Hook of the release lever

29:

Gap between hood and body

30:

microswitch

31:

bent tab of the rocker arm

100:

lock housing

101:

lock case

102:

locking pin

103:

Engine Hood

104:

front carrier

105:

recess

106:

catch

107:

pawl

108:

wing

109:

pawl

110:

actuating pin

111:

sheave

112:

axis

113:

head Start

114:

Long hole

115:

bolt

116:

bolt

117:

feather

118:

buffer

119:

pyrotechnic element

S:

gap

Claims (27)

1. Closure device for a door or flap, in particular for a door or flap of a motor vehicle, with a latch encompassing a locking mechanism comprising a catch (1) and a pawl (2) for latching of the catch (1), a drive (6), with which the locking mechanism can be moved completely or partially such that a door gap or hood gap (29) can be reduced and which is an closure aid, and with a stop for the catch (1) and/or for a locking bolt (18) of the closure device which prevents the locking mechanism (1, 2) from being able to be latched solely by manual closure of a door or flap in the main latching position, whereby the locking mechanism (1, 2) can only be brought by means of the closure aid from its pre-latching position into its main latching position, characterized in that the closure aid is formed in such a way that the stop is moved out of its stop position by means of a drive if the locking mechanism is latched in the pre-latching position by closure of a door or flap and subsequently the locking mechanism is latched in the main latching position by a drive.
2. Closure device according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the door gap or hood gap (29, S) in the main ratchet position is not more than 4 mm, preferably not more than 3 mm, of particular preference not more than 2 mm.
3. Closure device according to one of the previous claims, characterized by a stop (20) attached to a plate (14) for transfer of a load into the plate (14), which is caused by engagement of a locking bolt (18) into the catch (1).
4. Closure device according to the previous claim, characterized in that the catch (1) can directly impact on the stop (20) for introducing of the load into the stop.
5. Closure device according to one of the two previous claims, characterized in that this is created in such a way that the catch (1) is latched by the pawl (2) namely in the pre-latching position or in a main latching position before the load is introduced into the stop (20).
6. Closure device according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that a latch case preferably made of metal or a latch plate (3) preferably made of metal is pivotably mounted in particular on the plate (14) to which a stop (20) is attached.
7. Closure device according to the previous claim, characterized in that the catch (1) and the pawl (2) are pivotably attached to the latch case or on the latch plate (3).
8. Closure device according to one of the two previous claims, characterized in that a swing arm (13) which can be moved by the drive (6) is connected by means of a common axis (5) with the latch case or the latch plate (3) of the latch and in particular in a rotatably fixed manner.
9. Closure device according to the previous claim, characterized in that the latch case or latch plate (3) of the latch viewed from the common axis extends into the same direction as the swing lever (13).
10. Closure device according to the previous claim, characterized in that the swing lever (13) extends viewed from the common axis (5) by means of the inlet area of the latch case or the latch plate (3).
11. Closure device according to one of the three previous claims, characterized in that the swing lever (1) can impact directly on the stop (20) during closure.
12. Closure device according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the stop (20) is pivotably mounted on the plate (14).
13. Closure device according to the previous claim, characterized in that the drive (20) is capable of moving the stop (20) and/or is part of a closure aid.
14. Closure device according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the drive (6) is capable of rotating a disk (10) from which an eccentrically arranged bolt (11) protrudes which reaches into a lengthwise hole (12) of a swing lever (13) for movement of the locking mechanism.
15. Closure device according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the drive (6) is capable of rotating a disk (10) from which an eccentrically arranged bolt (11) protrudes which is capable of moving the stop (20).
16. Closure device according to the previous claim, characterized in that the stop is connected to a bracket (24) which can be moved by the bolt (11).
17. Closure device according to one of the previous claims with a closure and/or opening device (108, 109), characterized in that the closure and/or opening device (108, 109) engages on the outside of the lock housing (100) of the latch for its shifting compared to a static basic element (104) during a closure / opening process.
18. Closure device according to the previous claim, characterized in that the lock housing (100) is pivotably connected to the basic element (104) around an axis (115).
19. Closure device according to one of the two previous claims, characterized in that a motorized drive (110, 111) is provided for the closure and/or opening device (108, 109).
20. Closure device according to one of the three previous claims, characterized in that the motorized drive (110, 111) works eccentrically on the closure and/or opening device (108, 109).
21. Closure device according to one of the four previous claims, characterized in that the closure and/or opening device (108, 109) predominantly comprises a swing arm (108) and a pawl (109) attacking on the lock housing (100).
22. Closure device according to the previous claim, characterized in that the swing arm (108) is pivotably connected to the basic element (104).
23. Closure device according to one of the two previous claims, characterized in that the swing arm (108) and the lock housing (100) are coaxially and pivotably connected to the basic housing (104).
24. Closure device according to one of the three previous claims, characterized in that the pawl (109) is pivotably mounted on the swing arm (108).
25. Closure device according to one of the four previous claims, characterized in that the swing arm (108) is equipped with a lengthwise hole (114) to engage an operating pin (110).
26. Closure device according to the previous claim, characterized in that the operating pin (110) within the lengthwise hole (114) executes circular movements initiated by the motorized drive (110, 111) in order to pivot the swing arm (108) and also the lock housing (100) around the axis (115) compared to the basic element (104).
27. Procedure for closure of a closure device with the characteristics according to one of the previous claims 1 to 26, characterized in that during closure the stop (20) is moved out of its stop position after the load has been introduced into the stop (20) and the locking mechanism is moved to reduce the gap (29) after the stop (20) has been moved out of its stop position.

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