CN112639237A

CN112639237A - Lock for a motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: CN112639237A
Application number: CN201980056394.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: T·弗罗恩
Original assignee: Kiekert AG
Current assignee: Kiekert AG
Priority date: 2018-08-28
Filing date: 2019-08-23
Publication date: 2021-04-09
Also published as: DE102018120922A1; WO2020043238A1; EP3844359B1; EP3844359A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a lock for a motor vehicle, comprising a locking device having a rotary catch and at least one pawl, and a lock case (1), wherein the locking device is received in the lock case (1) such that it can pivot, wherein the lock case (1) has regions (13, 14, 15, 19) of different material thicknesses, and wherein the lock case (1) is produced by means of an extrusion method.

Description

Lock for a motor vehicle

Technical Field

The invention relates to a lock for a motor vehicle, comprising a locking device having a rotary catch and at least one pawl, and a lock case, wherein the locking device is received in the lock case so as to be pivotably mounted in the lock case, wherein the lock case comprises regions of different material thicknesses, in particular over its extent.

Background

Many requirements are placed on the closing system in modern motor vehicles. On the one hand, in extreme cases, for example in the event of an accident, the closing system must reliably fasten the components movably held on the motor vehicle and then ensure easy opening again. On the other hand, the automotive industry is striving to design vehicles that are lighter, for example to meet increased demands on consumption and emissions of motor vehicles.

In order to reliably lock the motor vehicle lock, the motor vehicle lock is preferably equipped with a rotary catch and at least one locking pawl, wherein the locking pawl enables the rotary catch to be locked in the locking position or in the locking position. For locking the motor vehicle lock, the lock preferably interacts with a lock holder which is fixed in position on the vehicle body, wherein pivoting of the rotary catch is caused by a relative movement between the lock holder and the rotary catch. The locking pawl is preferably spring-preloaded in the direction of the rotary catch, so that the locking of the locking device results when the rotary catch is pivoted by the catch holder. Closure systems with pre-locking and main locking, and closure systems with one, two or more locking or deadlocking pawls are known.

In order to meet the requirements, in particular in the extreme case of motor vehicle locks which are subjected to high loads, it is known from DE 102009029025 a1 to additionally equip the locking device with at least one mechanism for force transmission. The mechanism is a locking bolt which is mounted on the lock case and is arranged in such a way that it absorbs a correspondingly large force and transmits it further to the lock case. The rotary latch fork and the locking pawl are preferably mounted so as to be pivotable in a latch housing, wherein the latch housing is preferably made of steel. The lock case here not only assumes the function of supporting the rotary lock fork and the locking pawl, but also serves to absorb or distribute forces in the event of an accident.

In order to further increase the operational safety also in the event of an accident, EP 2687656 a2 proposes providing a motor vehicle door locking system with a lock case, a locking device and an actuating device, in which at least one component of the actuating device, in particular the core of a bowden cable, extends through an opening in the lock housing. The opening is provided with a reinforcing insert in order to ensure good operational safety. The reinforcing insert is a component of the lock case. In this case, the additional reinforcing plate can support the bearing shaft of the locking device part from the lock case and thus serve to increase the operational safety of the motor vehicle lock.

Furthermore, DE 102014115704 a1 discloses as such prior art a lock for a motor vehicle, comprising a locking device with a rotary latch and at least one locking pawl, and a lock case, wherein the locking device is received pivotably in the lock case, wherein the lock case can have regions of different material thicknesses. On the one hand, the requirements for maximum stability and operational reliability, in particular in the region of the locking device, can thus be met, and on the other hand, there is the possibility of limiting the weight of the lock case to a minimum, since only the regions subjected to strong stresses are provided with a greater material thickness. For example, it is known from this document that in regions subjected to strong stresses, a material thickness of between 1.5mm and 3mm may be sufficient, whereas in regions subjected to less stress, a material thickness of 1mm may be sufficient.

As indicated at the outset, in addition to operational safety considerations, there is an increasing demand to provide reductions in manufacturing costs and material usage. This means, however, that the lock case constructed according to the prior art must be improved. The present invention generally seeks to address this.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention is based on the object of at least partially solving the problems occurring in the prior art and of providing a lock case which is particularly lightweight and can be produced at low cost and has improved mechanical properties which ensure good operational safety.

This problem is solved by the features of the independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. It is pointed out that the embodiments described below are not limiting, but that any possible variation of the features described in the description and in the dependent claims is possible.

The object of the invention is achieved according to claim 1 in that a lock for a motor vehicle is provided, comprising a locking device with a rotary catch and at least one locking pawl, and a lock case, wherein the locking device is pivotably mounted and received in the lock case, wherein the lock case, in particular over its entire extent/extension, comprises regions with different material thicknesses, wherein the lock case is produced by means of an extrusion method. With the configuration of a motor vehicle lock according to the invention with a lock case made from an extruded workpiece, the possibility is now provided that, on the one hand, the lock case is designed with a large wall thickness in the region of high loads, and at the same time, the possibility exists of providing a lightweight and cost-effective component for producing the motor vehicle lock. The extrusion method makes it possible to form profiles of any desired cross section and in particular adapted to the requirements in motor vehicle locks, so that areas with higher stresses with a greater material thickness and areas with lower stresses with a smaller material thickness are formed. Furthermore, the extrusion process offers the advantage that a very inexpensive semifinished product can be provided for obtaining a motor vehicle lock. In particular, the extruded workpiece can already have, as a semi-finished product, a shape adapted to the lock case, in which shape only the required indentations and/or openings and/or beads have to be formed in order to complete the lock case for use in a motor vehicle lock.

A motor vehicle lock in the sense of the present invention includes a motor vehicle lock which is inserted, for example, into a side door, a sliding door, a hatch, a hood and/or a flap, in which a pivotably or slidably mounted component is arranged on the motor vehicle. It is also conceivable to arrange the motor vehicle lock in the backrest of the seat.

The motor vehicle lock has a locking device with a rotary catch and at least one locking pawl. Preferably, the at least one locking pawl is arranged in one plane with the rotary catch and can lock the rotary catch in one position in cooperation with the catch holder. When the locking device is opened, the entry opening of the rotary catch is oriented in the direction of the catch holder, wherein a pivoting of the rotary catch is caused by a relative movement between the catch holder and the rotary catch. The locking pawl is normally biased in the direction of the rotary catch, so that the locking pawl engages with the rotary catch when the locking position is reached. In this case, the pre-locking position and the main locking position of the locking device can be assumed. However, it is also conceivable for the locking pawl to interact with a further locking pawl, a so-called blocking lever, which introduces a supporting force into the locking pawl when an opening torque acts on the locking pawl and blocks an unintentional opening process.

The closing system or the motor vehicle lock usually has a lock housing in which the locking device, the locking unit, the actuating unit, the electric drive and/or the transmission components are arranged. This list is, of course, not exhaustive, but merely describes the components of a motor vehicle lock which can be used according to the field of application and functionality. Preferably, in the side door lock, the lock housing can be designed as a plastic injection molded part and can be composed of at least a lock housing cover and a lock housing shell. The lock housing serves primarily to protect the functional components against the ingress of, for example, moisture and/or dirt. The lock housing components are preferably connected to one another in a sealing manner. Depending on the design of the lock housing, it is also conceivable to insert and/or to injection-mold an electrical line into the lock housing, for example, in order to supply an operating voltage to an electric drive or a switching device.

The lock case surrounds the lock housing at least partially on one, two or three sides. Here, the lock case can enclose the access opening for the lock holder and thus serve to further stabilize the lock. Preferably, the motor vehicle lock is directly connected to and preferably screwed to the motor vehicle body by means of the lock case. Here, means for mounting, preferably in the form of a thread and/or a through-hole, are provided in the lock case.

The lock box has a varying material thickness, wherein preferably those regions which are subjected to higher loads can be constructed in a reinforced manner. These loads vary depending on the application area of the lock case and/or the arrangement of the motor vehicle lock in the motor vehicle. Thus, the requirements for a closing system in a side door or rear hatch differ from the requirements for a closing system used, for example, in a backrest or a cover plate or a hood lock. Thus, the configuration of the lock case may vary and may be adapted to requirements depending on the application area.

In one embodiment variant of the invention, the lock case is made of an aluminum material. The aluminum material can preferably be produced by means of an extrusion method, wherein the die used for the extrusion ensures a high degree of freedom in the design of the lock case. In addition to a high degree of freedom of design for the developers of motor vehicle locks, the choice of aluminum material offers the advantage of being lightweight, which in turn is advantageous for the requirements of the automotive industry. Extruded profiles made of aluminum can be easily produced and offer easy and low-cost possibilities for the use of lock boxes for motor vehicle locks.

The low weight of the aluminum material is advantageous in that the weight of the motor vehicle lock can be reduced. In the case of motor vehicle locks, the lock case is usually the component with the highest weight, since the lock case serves on the one hand to receive the locking device component and on the other hand at least to fix the motor vehicle lock in the motor vehicle or in the body of the motor vehicle. Therefore, the weight of the lock can be reduced by using the aluminum material. However, aluminum materials still provide sufficient stability, since today high-strength aluminum alloys are available, whose material properties are similar to those of steel materials. Thus, the requirement for sufficient stability of the motor vehicle lock can also be met.

A design variant of the invention results if the lock case has a greater material thickness in the region supporting the locking device component than in other regions. The main load occurs in the lock in the region of the locking device. In particular, under extreme loads, for example in the event of an accident, the locking device must meet the highest requirements. The closing system is therefore subjected to a tensile test before use in a motor vehicle lock, in which test the lock holder is pulled out of the locked locking device. The closing system must be able to withstand a load of 20kN, for example, without the locking device opening. In order to meet such extreme loads and at the same time to meet the optimum design of the motor vehicle lock or of the high-load region of the motor vehicle lock, the locking device parts are supported according to the invention in those regions which have a greater material thickness than the overall structure of the lock case. For example, if the material thickness of the lock case is designed to be 1mm to 2.5mm, preferably 1.25mm to 2mm, the region having the larger material thickness may have a thickness of 1.5mm to 6mm, preferably 2mm to 5mm, and still more preferably 2.5mm to 4 mm. These material thicknesses are of course merely exemplary and may vary depending on the area of application. However, the highest loads occur in the region of the locking device, so that relatively large material thicknesses can be used here.

The lock case may advantageously have a symmetrical cross-section. The symmetrical design of the cross section of the lock case provides the advantage that the forces are distributed evenly to the lock case when the motor vehicle lock is in continuous use. Thus, in particular a low-cost manufacture of the lock case may be provided. Here, too, the symmetrical design of the cross section forms only one embodiment, since the lock case can be varied depending on the stresses and the application area and/or functionality in the motor vehicle lock.

It is also advantageous if the lock case has at least one recess and at least one opening, wherein in particular the opening is provided for receiving a bearing shaft of the locking device part. The openings in the extruded profile can be formed in the lock case or semi-finished product, for example by means of drilling, punching and/or deep drawing, to form the lock case. The recess can be used, for example, for fastening the lock case to the vehicle body. Here, the indentations can have a square or circular shape. The opening can preferably be formed in the lock case in the manner of a bearing point, or can for example comprise a thread, by means of which the lock case can be fixed at the vehicle. The opening and the opening preferably having a uniform diameter can be used here for receiving a bearing shaft for the locking device component. Notches or openings machined in the lock case by means of drilling, punching or deep drawing may also be used as positioning/locking elements, for example to connect the lock case with the housing.

Advantageously, the at least one opening can be formed in the region of a greater material thickness, so that a stable support can be provided for the locking device component, for example. Preferably, at least two openings, for example in the form of holes, are provided in the region of greater material thickness in order to form bearing points for the locking device. The locking device is, as mentioned above, subject to the maximum load and ensures reliable closing and holding closed of the motor vehicle lock even under extreme loads.

In one embodiment variant of the invention, the region of greater material thickness extends in the direction of the maximum possible load. For example, if the lock case is configured as a lock case for a tailgate lock, the main load direction, i.e. the direction in which the lock may be subjected to the greatest load, is oriented in the direction of the relative movement of the lock holder with respect to the lock case. Preferably, the longitudinal extension of the lock case for the tailgate lock is defined in the direction of insertion of the lock holder into the lock and in particular into the cutout in the lock case. The main load direction is oriented in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the lock case. In an advantageous manner, the region of greater material thickness can also extend in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the lock case. Additional stabilization can thus be achieved in the lock case by means of the region of greater material thickness. The three regions of greater material thickness can preferably extend in the direction of maximum load. In this case, for example, a first region of greater material thickness receives the rotary latch fork, while a second region serves as a support for the recess of the latch holder. A third region of greater material thickness can then be used to support the locking pawl. Preferably, the three regions of greater material thickness are oriented in the lock case parallel and in the direction of maximum load. The three regions of greater material thickness may have the same, but may also have different material thicknesses.

A further embodiment variant results if the lock case has a substantially U-shaped form with lateral extensions. The U-shaped configuration of the lock case or at least the U-shaped configuration of the middle region advantageously offers the possibility of arranging the locking device in the bottom of the U. It is thereby possible to fix the locking device and thus the area of the lock exposed to the greatest load. The lateral extension preferably extends parallel to the U-shaped base of the lock case and is preferably used for fastening the lock case to a motor vehicle or a body part of the motor vehicle. Such a shape of the lock case is preferably easy and cost-effective to produce as an extruded profile and offers the greatest freedom of design, while at the same time meeting the requirements for low weight and furthermore providing sufficient stability for the motor vehicle by means of the lock case.

Drawings

The invention is explained in detail below according to one embodiment with reference to the drawings. The examples, however, do not limit the invention, but merely show one embodiment. The features shown may be implemented alone or in combination with other features of the description and the claims, either alone or in combination.

The figures show that:

FIG. 1 shows a top view of a lock case constructed in accordance with the invention as a single component, without showing other component parts of a motor vehicle lock, and

fig. 2 shows a view of the lock case according to fig. 1 in a sectional view along the line II-II, wherein only a schematic diagram for illustrating an exemplary embodiment is shown.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a top view of a lock case 1 as an extruded profile. The lock case has an access area 2 for a lock holder 3 shown in dashed lines. In addition,

notches

4, 5, 6, 7 and

openings

8, 9, 10 are formed in the lock case 1. The

openings

8, 9, 10 are machined in the lock case 1, for example by means of drilling, while the

recesses

4, 5, 6, 7 can be produced, for example, by means of stamping. The lock case 1 is an extruded profile made of aluminum material, wherein the outer contour of the lock case 1 meets different requirements. Thus, for example, a chamfer 11 is arranged in the entry region 2, which chamfer can be used for introducing the locking holder 3. The extension 12 on the lock case 1 serves, for example, for fastening a lock housing or a spring element, not shown. The

openings

8, 9, 10 are machined in the

regions

13, 14, 15 of greater material thickness and serve, for example, to receive a locking device component shaft or, for example, a release lever. The

openings

8, 9, 10 can also be used to fix the lock case 1 to the lock housing, wherein, for example, it is conceivable to hot-press the lock housing made of plastic to the lock case 1.

The

regions

13, 14, 15 of greater material thickness are formed into the lock case 1 in this embodiment along the extension axis a and in parallel. Preferably, the lock case 1 is a lock case for a back cover lock or a hood lock. Depending on the load of the lock case 1, it is of course also conceivable for the region of greater material thickness to extend transversely to the main direction of extension a of the lock case 1.

Fig. 2 shows a section along the line II-II in fig. 1 in a basic principle. The U-shaped structure of the lock case 1 with the

lateral extensions

16, 17 can be clearly seen. The

regions

13, 14, 15 of greater material thickness with the

openings

8, 9, 10 contained therein are shown in the bottom 18 of the U-lock case 1. The embodiment shows a symmetrical structure of the lock case 1, wherein the bottom 18 has an area 19 of smaller material thickness, wherein the area 19 of material thickness corresponds to a substantial thickness area of the lock case 1. Only the

regions

13, 14, 15 with extreme or higher loads are provided with a greater material thickness, so that a reliable absorption of the extreme loads is also possible. At the same time, the positioning of the components can also be achieved by means of material thickenings, for example, the pawl and the rotary latch fork are arranged in one plane. By means of the structure according to the invention, a lock case 1 with a low weight, an advantageous structural construction and sufficient stability can be provided.

List of reference numerals:

1 Lock box

2 area of entry

3 Lock keeper

4. 5, 6, 7 notches

8. 9, 10 openings

11 chamfer angle

12 extension part

13. 14, 15 region of greater material thickness

16. 17 extension part

18 bottom

19 region of lesser material thickness

A axis of extension

Claims

1. Lock for a motor vehicle, comprising a locking device with a rotary catch and at least one pawl, and a lock case (1), wherein the locking device is pivotably mounted and received in the lock case (1), wherein the lock case (1), in particular over its extension, comprises regions (13, 14, 15, 19) of different material thicknesses,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the lock case (1) is produced by means of an extrusion method.

2. The lock according to claim 1, characterized in that the lock case (1) is made of aluminum material.

3. A lock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lock case (1) has a greater material thickness in the areas (13, 14, 15) supporting the locking device parts than in the other areas (19).

4. A lock according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the lock case (1) has a symmetrical cross-section.

5. Lock according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the lock case (1) has at least one indentation (4, 5, 6, 7) and at least one opening (8, 9, 10), in particular said opening (8, 9, 10) being provided for receiving a bearing shaft of a locking device component.

6. Lock according to claim 5, characterized in that the openings (8, 9, 10) are embedded in areas (13, 14, 15) of greater material thickness.

7. Lock according to any of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the areas (13, 14, 15) of greater material thickness extend in the direction (A) of the greatest possible load.

8. Lock according to any of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that three areas (13, 14, 15) of greater material thickness extend in the direction (A) of maximum load.

9. Lock according to any of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the three areas (13, 14, 15) of greater material thickness are designed parallel to each other.

10. The lock according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the lock case (1) has a substantially U-shape and has lateral extensions (16, 17).