DE102011108438A1 - Lock for e.g. closure elements of motor car, has actuating lever whose actuation causes temporary transfer of coupling element in open-by-wire position when coupling element is in unlocking and locking positions - Google Patents

Abstract

The lock has a lock mechanism (1) comprising a switchable clutch (4) between an actuating lever (2) and a releasing lever (3). The clutch is brought into an open-by-wire (OBW) clutch state such that the releasing lever is actuated in the switchable clutch by an OBW drive (5). The clutch comprises a clutch element (6) adjusting clutch states into an unlocking position, a locking position and an OBW position. The actuation of the actuating lever causes temporary transfer of the coupling element in the OBW position when the coupling element is in the unlocking and locking positions.

Description

The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock according to the preamble of claim 1.

The motor vehicle lock in question finds application in all types of closure elements of a motor vehicle. These include all the side doors, tailgates, trunk lids or hoods. In principle, these closure elements can also be designed in the manner of sliding doors.

The motor vehicle lock in question is equipped with the usual closing elements "lock latch" and "pawl". In motor vehicle door locks, a closing wedge is regularly provided on the body side, which is in a closed engagement with the lock latch when the motor vehicle door is closed. The pawl ensures that the latch is not transferred to its open position. Only when the pawl is lifted, the latch opens the striker, so that the vehicle door can be opened. Such a conventional embodiment of closing elements shows the DE 87 14 147 U1 ,

The lifting of the pawl can be done manually via an outside door handle and / or a door inside handle. For this purpose, the motor vehicle lock is equipped with a lock mechanism, which in any case in the mechanical functional states "unlocked" and "locked" can be brought, so that, for example, an operation of the outside door handle when in the functional state "locked" befindliches lock mechanism causes no lifting of the pawl.

In order to further increase the ease of use, it has gone over to lift the pawl by motor. This function is referred to below as the OBW (Open By-Wire) function. For safety reasons, it is always required within the framework of the OBW function to allow manual actuation in any case in the event of an emergency. The possibility of manual lifting of the pawl is referred to in such locks with OBW function as "mechanical redundancy".

The known motor vehicle lock ( EP 2 034 112 A1 ), from which the invention proceeds, shows a motor vehicle lock with a lock mechanism, the pawl on the one hand motorized liftable (OBW function) and on the other hand can be manually raised (mechanical redundancy).

For the realization of the mechanical functional states "unlocked" and "locked", the lock mechanism is equipped with a coupling which can be brought into the coupling states "unlocked" and "locked" accordingly. For the realization of the OBW function, an OBW drive is provided.

The well-known motor vehicle lock is still equipped with a very special safety function, which is present in the foreground. This safety function ensures that a motorized lifting of the pawl by means of the OBW function is only possible if additionally an inside door handle or an outside door handle is pulled. This prevents that a faulty control of the OBW drive leads to an undesired lifting of the pawl, especially when driving. Such a faulty drive may be due, for example, to a software error or the like.

In the known motor vehicle lock, the above-mentioned additional safety function is realized by an additional clutch in the drive train between the OBW drive and the pawl, so that the OBW drive is engaged or disengaged depending on the actuation result. Although this leads to a design overhead, but overall to a particularly reliable construction.

The invention is based on the problem, the known motor vehicle lock in such a way and further develop that the structural design is reduced at substantially identical functional scope.

The above problem is solved in a motor vehicle lock according to the preamble of claim 1 by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1.

The fundamental consideration is that the coupling of the lock mechanism for setting the clutch states "unlocked" and "locked" can additionally be used to engage or disengage the OBW drive in the above sense.

In detail, the clutch has a coupling element, which can be brought to set the clutch states in an unlocked position, a locking position and an OBW position, the OBW drive exclusively in befindlicher in OBW clutch condition clutch, ie in befindlicher in the OBW position Coupling element, can be actuated by a motor.

It is essential that an actuation of the actuating lever in the unlocking position and / or in the locking position befindlichem coupling element causes an at least temporary transfer of the coupling element in the OBW position. The coupling element is thus not only as a central locking between the operating lever and the release lever, but also for engaging and disengaging the OBW drive.

In the preferred embodiment according to claim 2, the coupling element falls after completion of the actuation of the actuating lever back into its respective starting position (unlocking position and / or locking position). This ensures that there can be no unwanted lifting of the pawl after completion of the operation.

In the particularly preferred embodiments according to claims 5 to 11, it is in the coupling to a link coupling, resulting in a particularly cost-effective design solution.

Particularly noteworthy is the embodiment according to claim 8, wherein the coupling element in addition to a Kupplungsmitnehmer also has a transmission means which is configured in a variant as a resilient bendable wire. The elastically bendable wire serves on the one hand the transmission of actuating forces and on the other hand the provision of the coupling element in its respective starting position.

In a further preferred embodiment according to claim 12, it is finally provided that a central locking drive is provided which is in a variant drive technology with the transmission means, in particular with the resilient bendable wire, in engagement or can be brought. In this way, the central locking drive can be implemented in a particularly simple way constructively.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing illustrating only embodiments. In the drawing shows

1 the essential for the proposed solution components of the lock mechanism of a motor vehicle lock in a first preferred embodiment,

2 the essential for the proposed solution components of the lock mechanism of a motor vehicle lock in a second preferred embodiment.

It may be noted in advance that only the components of the proposed motor vehicle lock are shown in the drawing, which are necessary for the explanation of the teaching. For example, the closing elements "lock latch" and "pawl" are not shown.

With regard to the function of the closing elements, reference should be made to the explanations in the introductory part of the description. The latch is preferably a catch that is pivotable about a latch axis. The pawl is preferably designed pivotable about a pawl axis. There are other advantageous embodiments of the closing elements conceivable. For example, the pawl may be configured as a flexible wire, with which the latch is lockable in a closed position.

The basic structure of in 1 Lock mechanism shown 1 corresponds to the basic structure of in 2 Lock mechanism shown 1 , In that regard, all subsequent statements apply mutatis mutandis to the other embodiment, unless otherwise stated in the respective embodiments.

The lock mechanics 1 the proposed motor vehicle lock is with a about an axis 2a swiveling operating lever 2 , one around an axis 3a swiveling release lever 3 and a switchable clutch 4 between these two levers 2 . 3 fitted. The operating lever 2 is coupled in a manner not shown with an outside door handle, a door inner handle or other manually operable operating handle. About the operating lever 2 a manual actuation process is initiated in the motor vehicle lock, depending on the functional state of the lock mechanism 1 leads to a lifting of the pawl.

The release lever 3 the pawl is assigned such that an actuation of the release lever 3 caused a lifting of the pawl in the above sense. In this case, the release lever 3 basically also be part of the pawl.

The coupling 4 serves to set the various functional states of the lock mechanism 1 , Accordingly, the clutch 4 in a first coupling state "unlocked" and in a second coupling state "locked" engageable. Depending on the current clutch state causes a manual actuation of the operating lever 2 as mentioned above, a manual operation of the release lever 3 and thus a manual lifting of the pawl. How the various coupling states are taken in detail will be explained in more detail below.

The proposed motor vehicle lock is also equipped with an OBW drive 5 with one around an axis 5a swiveling drive lever 5b provided by the release lever 3 is actuated by a motor. So this is an electric lock via the clutch 4 with a top addressed mechanical redundancy is equipped.

According to the proposal, it is now envisaged that the clutch 4 not only in the two above-mentioned coupling states, but also in a third coupling state "OBW" can be brought, wherein the release lever 3 through the OBW drive 5 only when the coupling is in the OBW coupling state 4 is actuated by a motor.

In detail, it is envisaged that the clutch 4 a coupling element 6 has, which can be brought to adjust the clutch states in an unlocked position, a locking position and an OBW position. In both embodiments, all three positions of the coupling element 6 represented (a position in a solid line, two positions in dashed line), wherein the position shown on the extreme right is in each case the OBW position.

At the in 1 illustrated embodiment is at the leftmost position of the coupling element 6 around the unlocked position, while the middle position is the locking position.

At the in 2 illustrated embodiment, however, it is in the leftmost position shown the coupling element 6 around the locking position, while it is in the middle position to the unlocked position.

It is essential that an actuation of the operating lever 2 in the middle position befindlichem coupling element 6 automatically a temporary transfer of the coupling element here 6 in the extreme right position, that causes in the OBW position. It is further preferably provided that the coupling element 6 after completion of the operation of the operating lever 2 falls back into its respective starting position (unlocking position / locking position).

In both embodiments, it is thus the case that the coupling element 6 by a manual actuation of the actuating element 2 automatically transferred to the OBW position, if it was at the starting position to the middle position. How this works in detail will be explained below.

Due to the fact that the coupling element located in the OBW position 6 here and preferably within the scope of the OBW drive 5 , in particular the drive lever 5b , and otherwise outside the scope of the OBW drive 5 , in particular the drive lever 5b , is, with a suitable design can ensure that a faulty control of the OBW drive 5 when the actuating lever is not actuated 2 no effect on the release lever 3 or the Sperrlinke has.

The operating lever 2 and / or the release lever 3 are biased in the illustrated starting position. In the sense of a simple representation in this context, only the operating lever 2 associated spring element 7 shown.

The proposed solution can be particularly cost by the design of the coupling 4 realize as a link coupling. The link coupling 4 is with a backdrop 8th equipped with the coupling element 6 interacts. Here and preferably is the scenery 8th as a recess in the operating lever 2 designed. It is also conceivable that the scenery 8th at one with the operating lever 2 coupled lever or the like is arranged. In principle, it can also be provided inversely that the coupling element 6 , and not the scenery 8th , the operating lever 2 assigned.

Of particular importance are two edges 9 . 10 the scenery 8th , which will be explained in detail below. It is essential, first, that the coupling element 6 a clutch driver 11 , Here and preferably a coupling pin or the like, which, for adjusting the coupling states within the gate 8th is deflectable. The coupling driver 11 can be like the coupling element 6 in total, in an unlocked position, a locked position and a OBW position. The deflection direction is here and preferably with respect to the pivot axis 2a of the operating lever 2 aligned radially to the first approximation.

It follows from the drawing that the above, automatic transfer of the coupling element 6 into the OBW position through the edge 9 caused, based on the deflection of the coupling element 6 represents a backdrop bevel. By an actuation of the operating lever 2 in the middle position. coupling member 6 comes the backdrop 9 namely in engagement with the clutch driver 11 and steers the clutch driver 11 in the OBW position, without the release lever 3 to press.

As a result, the backdrop slant works 9 upon actuation of the operating lever 2 in the drawing to the right in the manner of a wedge gear on the Kupplungsmitnehmer 11 in that this is moved to the right in the drawing in the OBW position.

In principle, it can be provided that the coupling driver 11 immediately with the release lever 3 is coupled. Here and preferably, however, it is the case that the coupling element 6 a means of transmission 12 between the coupling driver 11 and the release lever 3 having. In this case, the transmission means 12 designed so that a deflection of the Kupplungsmitnehmers 11 within the backdrop 8th is possible.

With the transmission medium 12 is it possible to use the release lever 3 spaced from the clutch 4 to arrange in the motor vehicle lock. This opens up new degrees of freedom in construction.

The transmission medium 12 But also the task of spring preload for the Kupplungsmitnehmer 11 take. For this purpose, it is preferably provided that the transmission means 12 designed as a resilient bendable wire, which against its spring elasticity for the deflection of the Kupplungsmitnehmers 11 is bendable. The bent states of the transmission medium 12 are shown in dashed line in the drawing.

Alternatively, it can also be provided that the transmission means 12 is designed substantially rigid in the manner of a rod or the like. Then the adjustability of the transmission medium 12 provided via a bearing, which is for the deflection of the Kupplungsmitnehmers 11 is adjustable against the spring force of a spring arrangement. Other variants for the design of the transmission means 12 are conceivable.

The two in the 1 and 2 illustrated embodiments also differ in one essential aspect. At the in 1 illustrated embodiment is the backdrop 8th designed in such a way that when located in the OBW position coupling element 6 (extreme right position) manual operation of the operating lever 2 a freewheel movement of the actuating lever 2 caused. This means that the operation of the operating lever 2 no effect on the release lever 3 Has. It can be the representation in 1 Take that out of the clutch driver 11 in the scenery section 8c accordingly free running.

At the in 2 illustrated embodiment, it is the case that the backdrop 8th is configured such that at befindlichem in the OBW position coupling element 6 a manual operation of the operating lever 2 an actuation of the release lever 3 and thus causing the release of the pawl. The reason for this is that the scenery section 8c here with a trigger edge 10 equipped, on which the clutch driver 11 after a short freewheel abuts. Upon further actuation, the release lever 3 via the transmission means 12 in 12 pressed to the right.

In both embodiments, it is such that the backdrop slant 9 having gate section 8b in the linkage section associated with the OBW coupling state 8c passes. This can be the above-mentioned, automatic transfer of the coupling element 6 in the OBW position structurally particularly easy to implement.

For the adjustment of the coupling element 6 is preferably a central locking drive 13 intended. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the central locking drive is used 13 the motor deflection of the clutch driver 11 , more preferably, the central locking drive 13 drive technology with the transmission medium 12 is engaged or can be brought. Alternatively, the central locking drive 13 but according to the clutch driver 11 work together yourself.

Here and preferably, the central locking drive 13 with an eccentric 14 equipped on the transmission medium 12 acts. The force effect is substantially perpendicular to the extension direction of the wire-shaped transmission means 12 aligned at the intervention site.

In the illustrated and so far preferred embodiments of the eccentric 14 of the central locking drive 13 designed so that the OBW coupling state through the central locking drive 13 is adjustable. It is conceivable, however, that about the eccentric 14 Due to its geometric design, only the coupling states "unlocked" and "locked" can be set. This is advantageous because even in the case that both the central locking drive 13 as well as the OBW drive 5 be erroneously controlled, an unwanted lifting of the pawl is prevented.

The mode of operation of the two exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawing will be explained below on the basis of an exemplary operating sequence.

This in 1 shown in a solid line coupling element 6 is in the unlocked position. An actuation of the operating lever 2 leads over the trigger edge 10 of the scenery section 8a , the clutch driver 11 , the transmission medium 12 and the release lever 3 to a lifting of the pawl.

Will now be the coupling element 6 by means of the central locking drive 13 in the middle Position, that is transferred to the locking position, so causes a manual actuation of the operating lever 2 the sliding of the Kupplungsmitnehmers 11 along the backdrop 9 of the scenery section 8b , so that the clutch driver 11 reaches the OBW position. Upon further actuation, the clutch driver runs 11 free in the set section 8c , A manual lifting of the pawl is therefore not possible. However, the motorized lifting of the pawl is possible because the drive lever 5b of the OBW drive 5 in engagement with the clutch driver 11 can be brought.

At the in 2 illustrated embodiment results in a different function assignment for the positions of the coupling element 6 , In 2 is the standing in the locked position coupling element 6 shown in a solid line. In a manual operation of the operating lever 2 the clutch driver is running 11 free in the scenery section 8a so that the pawl is not lifted by the operation.

Will now be the coupling element 6 by means of the central locking drive 13 in the middle position, ie adjusted in the unlocked position, so slides the coupling driver 11 in a manual operation of the operating lever 2 along the backdrop 9 of the scenery section 8b and reaches the OBW position shown on the extreme right. Upon further manual actuation comes the tripping edge 10 of the scenery section 8c in engagement with the clutch driver 11 so that the pawl after an initial freewheel on the trigger edge 10 , the clutch driver 11 , the transmission medium 12 and the release lever 3 is dug. In normal operation, however, it will be the case that before the complete freewheeling of the initial freewheel the OBW drive 5 is controlled and via the drive lever 5b in engagement with the clutch driver 11 comes, which leads to the motorized lifting of the pawl.

Finally, it should be pointed out that in addition to the above functional states "unlocked" and "locked", the known functional states "anti-theft" and "child-proof" can also be realized. This can be achieved by an extension of the above coupling 4 , Or by an additional coupling, which can also be configured as a sliding block, realize.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 8714147 U1 [0003]
• EP 2034112 A [0006]

Claims (12)

Motor vehicle lock with the closing elements "lock latch" and "pawl" and with a lock mechanism ( 1 ), whereby the lock mechanism ( 1 ) an actuating lever ( 2 ), a release lever ( 3 ) and a switchable coupling ( 4 ) between these two levers ( 2 . 3 ), wherein the release lever ( 3 ) is assigned to the pawl is such that an actuation of the trigger lever ( 3 ) causes a lifting of the pawl, wherein the clutch ( 4 ) in a first coupling state "unlocked" and in a second coupling state "locked" can be brought, wherein a manual actuation of the actuating lever ( 2 ) depending on the current clutch state, a manual actuation of the release lever ( 3 ) and thus causes a manual lifting of the pawl, wherein an OBW drive ( 5 ) is provided, through which the release lever ( 3 ) is motor-actuated, characterized in that the coupling ( 4 ) is brought into the third coupling state "OBW" that the release lever ( 3 ) by the OBW drive ( 5 ) only when the clutch is in the OBW clutch state ( 4 ) is motor-actuated, that the clutch ( 4 ) a coupling element ( 6 ) which can be brought into an unlocking position, a locking position and an OBW position for adjusting the coupling states and that an actuation of the actuating lever ( 2 ) in befindlichem in the unlocked position and / or in the locking position coupling element ( 6 ) an at least temporary transfer of the coupling element ( 6 ) into the OBW position. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling element ( 6 ) after the actuation of the operating lever ( 2 ) falls back into its respective starting position. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the coupling element ( 6 ) both the transmission of manual actuating forces from the operating lever ( 2 ) on the release lever ( 3 ), as well as the transmission of motor actuating forces from the OBW drive ( 5 ) on the release lever ( 3 ) serves. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling element located in the OBW position ( 6 ) within the effective range of the OBW drive ( 5 ) and otherwise outside the scope of the OBW drive ( 5 ) lies. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling ( 4 ) as a link coupling with a backdrop ( 8th ) connected to the coupling element ( 6 ), is designed, preferably, that the scenery ( 8th ) as a recess in the operating lever ( 2 ) is configured. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling element ( 6 ) a clutch driver ( 11 ), in particular a coupling pin o. The like., Has, for adjusting the coupling conditions within the backdrop ( 8th ) is deflectable. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the scenery ( 8th ) a backdrop slope ( 9 ), that by an actuation of the actuating lever ( 2 ) in the clutch state "locked" and / or "unlocked" befindlicher clutch ( 4 ) the slant ( 9 ) in engagement with the coupling driver ( 11 ) and the clutch driver ( 11 ) to the OBW position without removing the release lever ( 3 ). Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling element ( 6 ) a transmission means ( 12 ) between the clutch driver ( 11 ) and the release lever ( 3 ) having a deflection of the Kupplungsmitnehmers ( 11 ) within the scenery ( 8th ) allowed. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 8, characterized in that the transmission means ( 12 ) is designed as a resilient bendable wire, which against its spring elasticity for the deflection of the Kupplungsmitnehmers ( 11 ), or that the transmission means ( 12 ) substantially rigid, but by means of a bearing for the deflection of the Kupplungsmitnehmers ( 11 ) Is configured adjustable against the spring force of a spring arrangement. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the scenery ( 8th ) is configured such that when in the OBW position befindlichem coupling element ( 6 ) a manual operation of the operating lever ( 2 ) a freewheel movement of the actuating lever ( 2 ), or that the backdrop ( 8th ) is configured such that when in the OBW position befindlichem coupling element ( 6 ) a manual operation of the operating lever ( 2 ) an actuation of the release lever ( 3 ) and thus causes the lifting of the pawl. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 7 and optionally according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the slotted ( 9 ) having scenery section ( 8b ) in the link section associated with the OBW coupling state ( 8c ) passes over. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a central locking drive ( 13 ) for the motor deflection of the coupling element ( 6 ), preferably that the central locking drive ( 13 ) drivably with the coupling driver ( 11 ) or with the transmission means ( 12 ) is engaged or can be brought.

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