CN115306232A

CN115306232A - Functional assembly of a motor vehicle lock device

Info

Publication number: CN115306232A
Application number: CN202210465778.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 陈峰君; 钱昊
Original assignee: Brose Schliesssysteme GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Brose Schliesssysteme GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2021-05-04
Filing date: 2022-04-29
Publication date: 2022-11-08
Also published as: DE102021111550A1

Abstract

A functional component of a motor vehicle lock device (2), having a functional component housing (6); a torsion coil spring (7) having a spring body (8) with at least one spring turn, a first spring leg (9) and a second spring leg (10), wherein the spring turn is provided with a geometric spring axis (11); and with an adjustable functional element (12), wherein one of the spring limbs (9, 10) of the leg spring (7) is coupled to the functional element (12) or can be coupled to or provide the functional element (12). It is proposed that a preassembly device (13) be provided, with which the leg spring (7) can be brought into a preassembly position during preassembly thereof, and that the preassembly device (13) hold the leg spring (7) in the preassembly position and with which the leg spring (7) can be brought into a final assembly position during final assembly thereof, which differs from the preassembly position at least with respect to the position of the spring body (8).

Description

Functional assembly of a motor vehicle lock device

Technical Field

The invention relates to a functional module of a motor vehicle lock device having the features of the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for assembling such a functional module of a motor vehicle lock device having the features of the preamble of claim 11.

Background

The motor vehicle lock device in question has at least one functional component in question. For example, motor vehicle locks, tensioning aids or opening aids belong to this functional component. The motor vehicle lock device is in turn assigned to a closure element. The closure element can be any type of door of a motor vehicle, in particular a side door, a flap, in particular a tailgate, a hood, a lid or the like.

In the case of a known functional assembly (DE 10 2017 252 A1) designed as a motor vehicle lock, on which the invention is based, the functional element is arranged so as to be pivotable relative to the lock housing. The leg spring assigned to the functional element has a preassembly position in which the leg spring is first deactivated relative to the functional element. The leg spring can then be brought into a final assembly position by a pivoting movement of the functional element relative to the lock housing, in which final assembly position it exerts a restoring force on the functional element in normal operation.

With the known functional assembly, the assembly of the leg spring is already simplified by the distribution into a pre-assembly and a final assembly. Nevertheless, the preassembly of the leg spring still has an optimization potential. The spring arm of the leg spring must be pivoted in order to assume the pre-assembly position, which can be particularly demanding in terms of movement and time-consuming, depending on the structural constraints.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention is based on the following problems: the known functional components of a motor vehicle lock device are designed and improved in such a way that assembly is simplified. In a functional module of a motor vehicle lock device according to the preamble of claim 1, the above-mentioned problem is solved by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1.

The proposed solution relates to the assembly of a leg spring of a functional assembly, which leg spring has a spring body with at least one spring turn and has a first and a second spring leg. If the spring body has a plurality of spring rings, these are each arranged coaxially relative to one another. The spring coils are assigned a geometric spring axis about which they extend.

The following basic considerations are important, namely: the assembly of the leg spring can be carried out with a particularly simple movement if the assembly is substantially due to a movement of the spring body. Such a movement can easily be automated, unlike the springing of the spring arm.

In detail, it is entirely generally proposed that a preassembly device be provided, in which the leg spring can be brought into a preassembly position with the leg spring preassembled, and that the preassembly device hold the leg spring in the preassembly position in a separation-proof manner, and in which the leg spring can be brought into a final assembly position with the leg spring finally assembled, which final assembly position differs from the preassembly position at least with regard to the position of the spring body. In principle, it is conceivable for the preassembly device to also hold the leg spring in the final assembly position.

According to claim 2, the leg spring can be brought into a pre-assembly position with an assembly movement in the pre-assembly situation, wherein the assembly movement is oriented substantially transversely to the geometric spring axis. This assembly movement can be carried out manually in a particularly simple manner, but also automatically.

Claims 3 to 7 specify particularly preferred embodiments of the preassembly device with a retaining element for retaining the leg spring in the preassembly position. As a result, a separation-proof fastening of the leg spring in the pre-assembly position is ensured. The embodiment according to claim 4 with a retaining element projecting into at least one spring turn of the spring body results in a particularly simple assembly. The embodiment of the retaining element in one piece with the functional assembly housing can be realized particularly simply according to claim 5 if the functional assembly housing is a plastic housing and the retaining element is additionally injection-molded to the functional assembly housing in a plastic injection-molding process. The particularly preferred embodiment according to claim 6 can then be implemented without problems, wherein the holding element together with the leg spring forms a snap connection.

In a particularly preferred embodiment according to claim 8, the functional assembly has a functional assembly cover which, in the final assembly of the leg spring, assumes the movement of the leg spring into the final assembly position. This is advantageous, since the final assembly of the leg spring is thereby automatically achieved by the inherently necessary placement of the functional module cover.

In a further preferred embodiment according to claim 9, the functional unit housing and the functional unit cover serve as support surfaces for the leg spring. This dual use of the related assembly results in a structurally simple and compact structure.

According to claim 10, the functional element can be pivoted relative to the functional module housing about a geometric functional element axis. Preferably, the geometric functional element axis and the geometric spring axis are arranged substantially axially parallel in relation to one another in the preassembly position and/or in the final assembly position, which can further increase the compactness.

According to the further teaching of claim 11, which leads to independent meanings, a method for assembling a functional assembly of a motor vehicle lock device is provided, which functional assembly: a housing with functional components; a helical torsion spring having a spring body with at least one spring turn and having a first and a second spring leg, wherein the spring turns are assigned a geometric spring axis; and with an adjustable functional element, wherein one of the spring limbs of the leg spring is coupled or can be coupled to or provides the functional element. It is proposed to provide a preassembly device, wherein the leg spring is brought into a preassembly position with the leg spring preassembled, wherein the leg spring is held in the preassembly position by the preassembly device, and wherein the leg spring is brought into a final assembly position with the leg spring finally assembled, which final assembly position differs from the preassembly position at least with regard to the position of the spring body.

Reference should be made to all embodiments of the teaching mentioned at the outset which are suitable for describing the assembly process.

Claims 12 to 15 relate to preferred embodiments of the proposed method. In this case, a particularly preferred embodiment according to claim 14 is intended to be highlighted, wherein the positioning of the functional assembly cover is additionally used in order to bring the leg spring into its final assembly position. The advantages of this dual use have already been mentioned above in connection with the teaching mentioned at the outset.

Drawings

In the following, the invention is explained in more detail on the basis of the figures, which describe only one embodiment. Wherein:

figure 1 shows a perspective view of a motor vehicle door with a suggested functional component in the form of a motor vehicle lock,

fig. 2 shows the functional assembly according to fig. 1,base:Sub>A) inbase:Sub>A perspective view II and b) inbase:Sub>A sectional view along the sectional linebase:Sub>A-base:Sub>A,

fig. 3 shows the assembly process of the leg spring of the functional assembly according to fig. 2 in the sequence a), b), c) and d).

Detailed Description

It should be pointed out in advance that the proposed functional component 1 can be any component of a motor vehicle lock device 2. For example, the proposed functional assembly 1 can be designed as a motor vehicle lock, a tensioning device, an opening aid or the like.

In the exemplary embodiment shown and preferred in this respect, the functional component 1 is a motor vehicle lock, which is assigned to the closure element 3 specified above. The closing element 3 is here and preferably a side door of a motor vehicle, which should not be understood in a limiting manner.

The illustration according to fig. 1 and 2 shows that the functional assembly 1 designed as a motor vehicle lock has a locking device 4 and a lock mechanism 5 for setting different closing states such as "locked" and "unlocked".

The functional assembly 1 has a functional assembly housing 6, here a lock housing, which accommodates at least some of the components of the functional assembly 1. The functional module housing 6 can be designed as a closed housing or merely as an open carrier unit.

In addition to a large number of other components, the functional assembly 1 is equipped with a leg spring 7, the assembly of which is important here.

The leg spring 7 is equipped in a manner known per se with a spring body 8 with at least one spring turn and with a first spring leg 9 and a second spring leg 10. Here and preferably, the helical torsion spring 7 has a plurality of spring coils which are arranged concentrically and have the same diameter. At least one spring turn, in this case the spring turns, is assigned a geometric spring axis 11.

Furthermore, the functional assembly 1 has an adjustable functional element 12, which is here and preferably a central locking element. With the adjustment of the functional element 12, it is possible to adjust between "unlocked" and "locked" depending on the closed state of the motor vehicle lock.

As can be seen from the illustration according to fig. 2, the spring force of the leg spring 7 acts on the functional element 12 in order to hold the functional element 12 in its respective position in a stable manner. However, it can also be provided that the leg spring 7 is used only for spring-preloading the functional element 12 in a predetermined adjustment direction.

In the exemplary embodiment shown and preferred in this respect, the leg spring 7 is coupled or at least couplable to the functional element 12. Alternatively, it can be provided that the leg spring 7 itself provides the functional element 12. For example, the

spring legs

9, 10 of the leg spring 7 can themselves assume the function of a coupling element of the switchable coupling.

With the proposed solution, the leg spring 7 can be assembled in a very particularly simple manner. As is also shown, this takes place not only manually but also automatically.

It is essential for the proposed solution that the functional assembly 1 is equipped with a preassembly device 13, wherein the leg spring 7 can be brought into a preassembly position with it preassembled, and wherein the preassembly device 13 holds the leg spring 7 in this preassembly position. The preassembly corresponds to the sequence of fig. 3a, 3b and 3 c.

It is also important that the leg spring 7 can be brought from the pre-assembly position into the final assembly position during its final assembly, which differs from the pre-assembly position at least with regard to the position of the spring body 8. The final assembly results from the transition from fig. 3c to fig. 3 d.

It has been recognized that neither preassembly nor final assembly is attributable to separate actuation of the

spring arms

9, 10. More precisely, the final assembly is associated with a simple movement of the spring body 8 to be performed, which can be automated without problems with simple handling devices.

The sequence of fig. 3a, 3b and 3c shows that the leg spring 7 can be brought into the pre-assembly position (fig. 3 c) in the pre-assembly state with an assembly movement 14 that is oriented substantially transversely to the geometric spring axis 11. The transition from fig. 3c to fig. 3d shows that, alternatively or additionally, the leg spring 7 can be brought from the pre-assembly position (fig. 3 c) into the final assembly position (fig. 3 d) with an assembly movement 15 during the final assembly, wherein this assembly movement 15 is also oriented substantially transversely to the geometric spring axis 11.

It should be noted that, in addition, the two

spring legs

9, 10 are simply placed on the functional assembly 1 in the preassembled state and/or in the final assembled state, so that no complex penetration of the

spring legs

9, 10 has to take place. Here and preferably, the

spring legs

9, 10 are placed on the one hand on the functional element 12 and on the other hand on the functional-component housing 6.

The transition from fig. 3b to fig. 3c shows that the preassembly device 13 has a holding element 16 which is present or can be brought into a holding engagement with the leg spring 7 in the preassembly position, and here preferably with the spring body 8. In the exemplary embodiment shown and preferred in this respect, the holding element 16 holds the leg spring 7, in this case and preferably the spring body 8, in the pre-assembly position in order to counteract a movement of the spring body 8 oriented transversely to the geometric spring axis 11. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the holding element 16 causes a holding of the spring body 8 along the geometric spring axis 11.

As mentioned above, the illustrated and thus preferred embodiment of the preassembly device 13 allows a simplified occupation of the preassembly position. In addition, a particularly secure hold against detachment of the torsion spring 7 results. This high reliability is preferably enhanced by: the retaining element 16 projects into at least one spring turn of the spring body 8 of the leg spring 7 in the pre-assembly position in order to produce a retained engagement. In the embodiment shown and preferred in this respect, the retaining element 16 is constructed according to the type of tab which projects into the spring body 8 in the manner described above. In this case, no form-locking between the holding element 16 and the spring body 8 is required, since only the provision of a separation prevention for the leg spring 7 is considered. In order to further increase the reliability of the separation prevention, it is preferred that the retaining element 16 is designed as a hook section 17 into which the spring body 8 in the pre-assembly position can be hooked in order to produce a retaining engagement.

A particularly simple manufacturability can be achieved by: the retaining element 16 is connected here and preferably integrally to the functional assembly housing 6. In a particularly preferred embodiment, provision is made in this sense for the retaining element 16 to be injection-molded in a plastic injection molding process in addition to the functional assembly housing 6. The functional assembly housing 6 is advantageously produced at least partially from a plastic material.

It is preferably provided quite generally that, in the case of preassembly, i.e. when the leg spring 7 is moved into the preassembly position (transition from fig. 3b to fig. 3 c), the retaining engagement between the retaining element 16 and the leg spring 7 is automatically achieved. For this purpose, it is preferably provided that the holding element 16 together with the leg spring 7 is designed as a snap-in connection in such a way that the holding element 16, when preassembled, snaps into retaining engagement with the spring body 8. Correspondingly, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the holding element 16 has an elastic section, which is here and preferably a hook section 17.

In detail, the holding element 16 is in a relaxed starting state at the beginning of the preassembly (fig. 3 a). During the movement of the leg spring 7 in the direction of the preassembly position, the spring body 8 engages with the holding element 16, whereby the holding element 16 is discharged from the range of movement of the spring body 8. In this case, a spring pretensioning of the holding element 16 is caused by its elasticity, in this case by the elasticity of the hook section 17.

When the leg spring 7 is moved further into the pre-assembly position (transition from fig. 3b to fig. 3 c), the spring body 8 passes the holding element 16, in this case the hook section 17 of the holding element 16, and snaps back into its starting position (fig. 3 c) in a manner driven by the elasticity of the spring body. The reverse movement is therefore prevented by the retaining element 16, so that the leg spring 7 is held in the pre-assembly position in a manner secured against separation as mentioned.

In order to hold the leg spring 7 in the preassembly position and/or in the final assembly position as accurately as possible, the preassembly device 13 preferably has a receptacle 18 for the spring body 8, into which the spring body 8 can be inserted in the preassembled state and which then encloses the spring body 8 at least by way of an angular section of at least one spring turn. The spring body 8 is surrounded from the outside by the receptacle 18, so that the spring body 8 can be inserted into the receptacle 18 without complex insertion movements.

The movement of the leg spring 7 from the pre-assembly position into the final assembly position in the case of final assembly is preferably achieved by tensioning the leg spring 7 in such a way that the spring force of the leg spring 7 is directed onto the functional element 12. The holding of the leg spring 7 in the final assembly position can be achieved in completely different ways. Here and preferably, the functional assembly 1 is equipped with a functional assembly cover 19, which is responsible for holding the helical torsion spring 7 in the final assembly position. In detail, the seating of the functional-assembly cover 19 causes the movement of the torsion coil spring 7 from the preassembly position into the final assembly position, preferably in the following manner: the functional assembly cover 19 engages with the leg spring 7, here and preferably with the spring body 8. The functional unit cover 19 is preferably mounted in a direction of movement oriented transversely to the geometric spring axis 11. In this connection, the direction of the placement of the functional component cover 19 corresponds to the direction of the

assembly movement

14, 15 during preassembly and during final assembly.

Fig. 3d shows that in the final assembly position of the leg spring 7, the functional-component housing 6 and the functional-component cover 19 are the leg spring 7, preferably one of the spring legs 10, and the spring body 8 is provided with a

support surface

20, 21, by means of which at least a part of the spring force of the leg spring 7 is guided. The functional element 12 is likewise equipped with a corresponding support surface 22. In the exemplary embodiment shown and preferred in this respect, a three-point support for the leg spring 7 is correspondingly obtained in that the first spring leg 9 is supported at the functional element 12, the second spring leg 10 is supported at the functional-component housing 6 and the spring body 8 is supported at the functional-component cover 19. In this case, it is preferably provided that the spring body 8 is largely unaffected by the components of the functional assembly housing 6 in the final assembly position (fig. 3 d), on which the functional assembly cover 19 rests. This somewhat floating mounting of the leg spring 7 is robust with respect to occurring geometrical tolerances and leads to the avoidance of any contact noise between the spring body 8 and the functional component housing 6.

In the exemplary embodiment shown and preferred for this purpose, a particularly compact design is obtained by: the functional element 12 can be pivoted relative to the functional assembly housing 6 about a geometric functional element axis 23, wherein the geometric functional element axis 23 and the geometric spring axis 11 are preferably arranged substantially parallel to one another in the preassembly position and/or the final assembly position. The illustration according to fig. 3 further shows that the functional element axis 23 and the geometric spring axis 11 are arranged at a distance from one another. This ensures a particularly high degree of flexibility in the structural design of the functional assembly 1 as a whole. However, it can also be provided in principle that the geometric spring axis 11 and the functional element axis 23 are arranged coaxially with respect to one another.

The preferred mounting of the leg spring 7 of the functional assembly 1 shown in fig. 3 is the subject of independent teaching. It is essential for the proposed method for assembling the functional assembly 1 that the above-described preassembly device 13 is provided, wherein the leg spring 7 is brought into the preassembly position (transition from fig. 3a to fig. 3 b) with it preassembly. It is further important that the helical torsion spring 7 is held in the pre-assembly position (fig. 3 c) by the pre-assembly device 13. Finally, it is important that the leg spring 7, in the case of final assembly, is brought into a final assembly position, which differs from the pre-assembly position (transition from fig. 3c to fig. 3 d) at least with regard to the position of the spring body 8.

Reference should be made to all embodiments of the functional module 1 and the assembly thereof, which are suitable for illustrating the proposed method. This relates in particular to the further configuration of the proposed method in the following respects, namely: the direction of the

assembly movement

14, 15 during preassembly and during final assembly, the above-mentioned functional manner of the retaining element 16, the above-mentioned dual use of the functional component cover 19 and the orientation and functional manner of the functional element 12.

Claims

1. Functional assembly of a motor vehicle lock device (2), comprising a locking device

With a functional component housing (6);

a helical torsion spring (7) having a spring body (8) with at least one spring turn and having a first spring leg (9) and a second spring leg (10), wherein the spring turns are assigned a geometric spring axis (11);

and having an adjustable functional element (12), wherein one of the spring limbs (9, 10) of the leg spring (7) is coupled or can be coupled to the functional element (12) or provides the functional element (12);

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

a preassembly device (13) is provided, such that the leg spring (7) can be brought into a preassembly position with the leg spring preassembled, such that the preassembly device (13) holds the leg spring (7) in the preassembly position and such that the leg spring (7) can be brought into a final assembly position with its final assembly, which differs from the preassembly position at least with respect to the position of the spring body (8).

2. Functional assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the leg spring (7) can be brought into a pre-assembly position with an assembly movement (14) in the pre-assembly state, wherein the assembly movement (14) is oriented substantially transversely to the geometric spring axis (11), and/or in that the leg spring (7) can be brought from the pre-assembly position into a final assembly position with an assembly movement (15) in the final assembly state, wherein the assembly movement (15) is oriented substantially transversely to the geometric spring axis (11).

3. Functional assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the preassembly device (13) has a holding element (16) which is present or can be brought into a holding engagement with the torsion coil spring (7), preferably with the spring body (8), in a preassembly position, preferably the holding element (16) holds the torsion coil spring (7), preferably the spring body (8), in the preassembly position against a movement of the spring body (8) oriented transversely to the geometric spring axis (11), and/or the holding element (16) holds the torsion coil spring (7), preferably the spring body (8), in the preassembly position against a movement of the spring body (8) oriented along the geometric spring axis (11).

4. Functional assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that the retaining element (16) projects for retaining engagement into at least one spring turn of the spring body (8) of the torsion spring (7) in a pre-assembly position, preferably the retaining element (16) is designed with a hook section (17) into which the spring body (8) in the pre-assembly position can be hooked for retaining engagement.

5. Functional assembly according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the retaining element (16) is preferably integrally connected to the functional assembly housing (6), preferably in that the retaining element (16) is additionally injection-molded to the functional assembly housing (6) in a plastic injection molding process.

6. Functional assembly according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the retaining element (16) together with the leg spring (7) is designed as a snap connection in such a way that the retaining element (16) snaps into retaining engagement with the spring body (8) when preassembled, preferably the retaining element (16) has a resilient section for this purpose.

7. Functional assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the preassembly device (13) has a receptacle (18) for the spring body (8), into which the spring body (8) can be inserted in the preassembled state, and which encloses the spring body (8) at least by means of a corner section of at least one spring ring.

8. Functional assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the functional assembly (1) has a functional assembly cover (19) and that the placement of the functional assembly cover (19) causes the movement of the helical torsion spring (7) from the preassembly position into the final assembly position, preferably in such a way that: the functional assembly cover (19) engages with the torsion coil spring (7), in particular with the spring body (8).

9. Functional assembly (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the final assembly position the functional assembly housing (6) and the functional assembly cover (19) provide a support surface (20, 21) for the helical torsion spring (7), preferably for one of the spring arms (9, 10) and the spring body (8), by means of which at least a part of the spring force of the helical torsion spring (7) is guided.

10. Functional assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the functional element (12) can be pivoted relative to the functional assembly housing (6) about a geometric functional element axis (23), preferably the geometric functional element axis (23) and the geometric spring axis (11) are arranged substantially axially parallel relative to one another in the preassembly position and/or the final assembly position.

11. Method for assembling a functional assembly (1) of a motor vehicle lock device (2), in particular a functional assembly (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, which functional assembly

With a functional component housing (6);

and with an adjustable functional element (12), wherein one of the spring limbs (9, 10) of the leg spring (7) is coupled or can be coupled to the functional element (12) or provides the functional element (12);

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

a preassembly device (13) is provided such that the leg spring (7) is brought into a preassembly position with the spring body (8) preassembled, such that the leg spring (7) is held in the preassembly position by the preassembly device (13), and such that the leg spring (7) is brought into a final assembly position with its final assembly, which differs from the preassembly position at least with regard to the position of the spring body.

12. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the leg spring (7) is brought into the pre-assembly position with a pre-assembly movement (14), wherein the assembly movement (14) is oriented substantially transversely to the geometric spring axis (11), and/or in that the leg spring (7) is brought from the pre-assembly position into a final assembly position with a final assembly movement (15), wherein the assembly movement (15) is oriented substantially transversely to the geometric spring axis (11).

13. Method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the preassembly apparatus (13) has a holding element (16) which is brought into engagement with the holding of the helical torsion spring (7), preferably of the spring body (8), in the preassembly position, preferably in that the helical torsion spring (7), preferably the spring body (8), in the preassembly position is held by the holding element (16) against a movement of the spring body (8) oriented transversely to the geometric spring axis (11) and/or in that the helical torsion spring (7), preferably the spring body (8), in the preassembly position is held by the holding element (16) against a movement of the spring body (8) oriented along the geometric spring axis (11).

14. Method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the functional component (1) has a functional component cover (19) and the helical torsion spring (7) is moved from the preassembly position into the final assembly position by the placement of the functional component cover (19), preferably in such a way that: the functional assembly cover (19) is brought into engagement with the leg spring (7), in particular with the spring body (8).

15. Method according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the functional element (12) can be pivoted relative to the functional assembly housing (6) about a geometric functional element axis (23), and in that the geometric functional element axis (23) and the geometric spring axis (11) are arranged substantially axially parallel relative to one another in the preassembly position and/or the final assembly position.