EP0989266A1 - Lock with automatic unlocking on opening - Google Patents

Abstract

The lock comprises two compartments and a common base (15) extending over the whole area of the lock case (B). A control lever (11), mounted on a stub shaft passing through the base and rotating a catch, releasing the bolt located within the other compartment. This is actuated by a peg fixed under a toothed wheel (22). The wheel is driven by a geared motor (16) energized on the initial movement of a cable (C) which operates a micro-switch (60), the cable being connected to the exterior door handle. The interior door handle acts directly on the catch. A reversible second motor (53) is mounted so as to control a pivoted locking lever (41) via a toothed peripheral rack (48).

Description

The present invention relates to a door lock for motor vehicle, in particular an unlocking lock automatic upon opening, and more particularly a lock electric opening assistance and / or opening assistance conviction.

In electric locks with opening assistance, the mechanism for opening the lock is driven by a gear motor, an electromagnetic system or any other device equivalent which is incorporated in a waterproof part of the housing lock, to isolate the electrical components and gears from the dust, water and any foreign body that may enter in the lock when using the vehicle. The mechanism electric opening assistance is generally controlled by door handles or door opening paddles which are equipped with a contactor, sensor, microswitch or any other detector which is connected by an electric cable to the assistance device when opening the lock, to transmit the opening order. Being given that the outer pallets or handles are subject to bad weather, it is necessary to make the opening detectors as well than their fully waterproof electrical cables and connectors, which strike the cost of the lock.

A first object of the invention is to propose a lock electric assisted opening which minimizes connections as well as sealing constraints, to reduce the cost of the lock.

The second object of the present invention is to provide a electric lock with assisted opening, the arrangement of mechanisms is perfected.

For safety reasons, the door locks on the front and sometimes rear are usually equipped with a mechanism automatic unlocking on opening, when the user operates the interior door handle. Indeed, if a user drives in a condemned position, for example, so as not to risk being attacked when stopping at traffic lights, it is important that accident, he can easily get out of his vehicle without having to unlock the door first, before you can open it.

Another advantage is that the user, by operating the handle door interior, provokes in a single operation, both the unlocking and opening, when it would be quite unpleasant, for a user, to be obliged to unlock the door before be able to open it.

In addition, in the event that the driver of the vehicle, after being come out, close the door leaving the keys inside, it can re-enter the vehicle because the door will have been automatically unlocked when opened, which would not have been the case case if the door could be opened from the inside, without unlocking the lock.

However, this automatic unlocking function at the opening, also known as "override", is energy consuming because the energy required for unlocking is added to the energy required to open the the lock. This energy can be supplied by a manual effort of the user for a fully mechanical lock, or by electrical assistance mechanisms for opening and unlocking, for an electric lock.

DE-A-24 42 797 simply describes a means for prevent the lock from locking in the open position of the door. For this purpose, the locking lever is locked in position unlocked by a pin which comes to rest on a stop surface of the bolt. However, this document absolutely does not describe a means of automatic unlocking on opening. Indeed, it is only described nowhere nor suggested in this document that the bolt may, when rotation towards its open position, cause the lever to pivot from its locked position to its unlocked position.

The third object of the invention is to provide a lock with automatic unlocking on opening which reduces energy to provide to perform such a function.

Usually locks, both electric and mechanical, have a plurality of levers: an opening lever exterior, interior opening lever, locking lever interior, an exterior locking lever, and one or more intermediate levers. In addition, these levers are connected by connecting means, for example, rods, cables and ducts cables to control means, such as the lock cylinder and interior and exterior handles or paddles.

A fourth object of the invention is to propose a lock simplified for vehicle door, which minimizes the number of levers and connecting means to perform the various functions of the lock.

To achieve the first object mentioned above, the invention has for the first object an electric lock for a vehicle door automobile, comprising a lock case, a first of which said retention compartment contains a bolt capable of retaining a strike, and a latch for locking the bolt in the strike retainer position, and a second so-called kinematics compartment contains so watertight a mechanism for locking the lock comprising a locking lever able to put the lock in position condemned / unlocked, and an opening mechanism comprising a electric motor for opening assistance, suitable for driving a external opening lever to actuate the pawl towards its position bolt release, in response to an opening control signal external emitted by an external opening contactor, when a external control means, such as a handle or a pallet external, is operated by a user, characterized by the fact that it comprises a mechanical external connection means, one of which outer portion is intended to be connected to the control means exterior and of which another interior portion extends into the second watertight compartment of the lock, said opening contactor being disposed in said second sealed compartment on the path of said inner portion of the mechanical connecting means external, so as to emit an opening command signal outside, when the mechanical connection means is moved on a opening stroke determined upon actuation of the means of external control.

So we remove all the electrical connections between the exterior door handle and lock and no longer needed sealing the contactor because it is arranged in a lock compartment which is already waterproof.

In a particular embodiment, the interior portion of the mechanical connection means is secured to a cursor which is guided by a slide inside the second sealed compartment, the along the opening stroke of the mechanical connection means, and which is able to cooperate with the contactor at the end of the opening stroke, to trigger the emission of the opening command signal to the electric motor.

Advantageously, the lock of the invention is associated with a remote recognition system called "hands-free" which is intended to power the electric motor, when an authorized user has been identified by said recognition system, near the vehicle. Such a recognition system is known per se and consists in providing a badge with a transmitter worn by the user and a receiver installed on the vehicle which controls the power supply to the vehicle when it receives an adequate coded signal from the badge. Thus, as soon as the authorized user actuates the exterior handle of door, the opening is triggered automatically, without having necessarily triggered the unlocking of the lock beforehand. Indeed, the unlocking of the lock can be done before, simultaneously or after the electrically operated opening. Being since unlocking the lock is not necessary for cause the lock to open from the outside, the opening may happen faster. The fact that the previous unlocking of the lock is not necessary is not a disadvantage, because the direct opening of the lock can only be carried out if a authorized user will have been identified by the recognition system, otherwise the electric motor will not be powered, and therefore the opening impossible.

Unlike known locks, where the action on the handle exterior first causes unlocking, then opening, lock of the invention has two parallel kinematic chains, one for electric opening, the other for unlocking.

Note that the opening stroke of the connecting means for triggering the electric opening can be weak, for example, from around 5 mm.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the portion interior of the mechanical connection means comprises at its end free a tip capable of rotating an emergency opening lever, in the event of a power outage or exhaustion of the vehicle battery, by displacement of said connecting means, under the action of the means of external control, on overtravel beyond the stroke electric opening, said emergency lever being able to move, during of said overtravel, the external opening lever, with a view to release of the bolt.

Advantageously, the emergency lever is subjected to a spring of high stiffness return to its rest position, so that the user has to force on the external control means in order to activate the emergency lever, so that the user does not operate unnecessarily the emergency lever when the electric opening assistance works.

According to yet another characteristic, the locking lever is able to put the aforementioned tip of the connecting means, when the lock is locked, in a position where the end cap escapes the emergency lever, whatever the displacement of the connection means, and to put said tip, when the lock is unlocked, in a position where it cooperates with the emergency lever, when overtraveling.

Advantageously, the connecting means is a flexible cable and the locking lever has an arm capable of moving the end of the cable, to modify the path of the cable, so that said end piece escapes from the emergency lever when the lock is locked.

In a particular embodiment, the emergency lever has a fork between the branches of which the cable passes connection, the spacing of the branches being less than the dimension of the tip, so that it can drive the emergency lever, unlocked position of the lock. In this case, the branches of the fork may have at their free end a ramp of guide to guide the end piece along the cable path in its position escapement, when the cable is moved under the action of the means of external control.

According to yet another characteristic, the lock comprises a automatic unlocking means upon opening comprising a first lever provided with a cam follower element arranged in the first retention compartment to cooperate with a profile of cam provided on the bolt, and a second lever arranged in the second sealed compartment and able to cooperate with a stop provided on the locking lever, so that when the latch is turned towards its open position, the cam profile causes a displacement of the cam follower element and, consequently, the second lever which is integral in rotation with the first lever, to automatically bring the locking lever towards its unlocking position.

In this case, the second lever of the unlocking means automatic opening is able to lock, in the open position of the bolt, the stop of the locking lever, to prevent the locking the lock in the open door position.

To achieve the second object mentioned above, the invention has second object an electric lock for vehicle door automobile, comprising a lock casing, a first of which so-called retention compartment contains a bolt capable of retaining a keeper and a latch for locking the bolt in the strike retainer position, and a second so-called kinematics compartment contains so watertight a locking mechanism comprising a lever conviction capable of putting the lock in position condemned / unlocked, and an opening mechanism comprising a electric motor for opening assistance, characterized by the fact that in the second kinematics compartment the engine electric is able to drive in rotation, via a train of gears, a toothed wheel provided with at least one crankpin radially eccentric, said crank pin being intended, during the rotation of the wheel, to drive a control lever until a pin radially eccentric on said wheel comes into contact with a stop opening limit switch, the power supply to the motor being delayed for a sufficient time, for example 100 ms, to ensure that said piece reaches the elastic stop, said control lever being integral in rotation with an opening lever arranged in the first retention compartment and able to cooperate with the ratchet to move it to the bolt release position.

In a particular embodiment, the gear train has a first pinion secured to the motor shaft of the motor electric, and meshing with a second pinion secured to a screw without end which meshes peripherally with said toothed wheel, said screw endless being linked to a spiral return spring which is intended to turn the auger in the opposite direction when the power to the engine stops, causing the crankpin to return toothed in its initial position.

According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the locking mechanism includes a second electric motor reversible for assistance with conviction / unlocking of the lock during a central locking or unlocking controlled from outside or inside, the drive shaft of the second electric motor being provided with a pinion meshing with a toothed sector of the locking lever.

Advantageously, the electric motor for assisting in the opening is intended to drive the opening lever in response to a control signal emitted by an external opening contactor, when an external control means, such as a handle or door outer paddle, is operated by a user.

In this case, the lock may include mechanical means for external connection of which an external portion is intended to be connected by means of external control and of which another internal portion extends into the second sealed compartment of the lock, said lock external opening contactor being disposed in said second sealed compartment on the path of said interior portion of the means mechanical external connection, so as to emit a signal external opening control, when the connecting means mechanical is moved over an opening stroke determined during actuation of the external control means.

According to yet another characteristic, the pawl is connected to a interior control means, such as an interior handle or pallet door, by means of a mechanical connection means, such that a cable or a rod, to bring the pawl in a position of release of the bolt.

In a particular embodiment, the lever conviction has three arms, a first arm to put a mechanical means of connection to an external control means in a condemned or unlocked position, a second arm for the possible connection with a lock cylinder, and a third arm for possible connection with an internal operating member of the door. This internal operating member is intended to replace the frieze zipper usually used.

In an alternative embodiment, the opening mechanism includes an emergency lever for mechanical opening, in case of power failure or vehicle battery failure, this lever rescue comprising a first branch intended to cooperate with a protruding pin on the control lever and a second branch intended to cooperate with a mechanical means of connection to a means of external control, when the lock is in the unlocked position.

According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the lock includes an automatic unlocking means upon opening comprising a first lever provided with a cam follower element disposed in the first retention compartment to cooperate with a cam profile provided on the bolt, and a second lever arranged in the second sealed compartment capable of cooperating with a stop provided on the locking lever, so that when the latch is turned towards its open position, the cam profile causes a displacement of the cam follower element and, consequently, of the second lever which is integral in rotation with the first lever, to automatically bring the locking lever towards its unlocking position.

In this case, the second lever of the unlocking means automatic opening is able to lock, in the open position of the bolt, the stop of the locking lever, to prevent the locking the lock in the open door position.

To achieve the third object mentioned above, the invention has third object, a lock for a motor vehicle door, comprising a bolt capable of retaining a door strike, a pawl of blocking the bolt in strike retainer position, a mechanism opening comprising at least one actuation means capable of cooperate with the pawl to bring it into a release position of the bolt, under the action of an internal control means or exterior, and a locking mechanism comprising a lever lock to put the lock in a locked position or unlocked, characterized in that it includes a means of automatic unlocking on opening comprising, on the one hand, a cam follower element cooperating with a cam profile provided on the bolt and, on the other hand, a support portion capable of cooperating with a stop provided on the locking lever, so that when rotation of the bolt to its open position, the cam profile drives a displacement of the cam follower element and, consequently, of said support portion so as to automatically bring the lever conviction in its unlocked position. So under the action internal or external control means, when the pawl releases the bolt, it is driven to its open position, under the reaction force of the compressed door seal, which causes unlocking the lock automatically, without having to provide an effort to unlock. When a door is closed, the joints are compressed and exert a reaction force on the bolt of the order of 150 N to 500 N. Therefore, when the pawl releases the bolt, the reaction force of the joint turns the bolt causing the door ajar and, simultaneously, the unlocking. We thus use the energy stored in the door seals, which energy was currently not used to perform the unlocking.

Advantageously, in the open position of the bolt, the support portion of the automatic unlocking means at the opening blocks the stop of the locking lever, which prevents the locking the lock in the door open position.

In a particular embodiment, the means of automatic unlocking on opening includes a first lever fitted with a cam follower pin cooperating with the cam profile of the bolt, and a second lever integral in rotation with the first lever and provided with said support portion capable of cooperating with an abutment pin on the locking lever.

Advantageously, the cam follower pin of the first lever is able to cooperate with a door switch open at the end of the race of rotation of the bolt to its open position, said contactor door open intended to emit a signal corresponding to door opening information to a central processing unit, to activate, in a manner known per se, for example, an indicator bright on the dashboard of the vehicle or a interior light.

Advantageously, the automatic unlocking means the opening brings the locking lever to the unlocked position, before the end of the bolt opening stroke.

In a particular embodiment, the mechanism of conviction includes a reversible electric motor to drive the locking lever between its locked positions and unlocked during a centralized conviction or unlocking controlled from outside or inside.

It can also be provided that the lock of the invention is associated with a shock sensor for, upon detection of a shock, send a control signal to the electric motor of the locking to drive the locking lever to its position unlocked. Thus, if due to an impact, the door cannot be opened enough so that the bolt does not turn enough to activate the automatic unlocking means upon opening, lock will still be unlocked.

According to another characteristic, the aforementioned actuation means comprises a mechanical connection means, such as a cable or a rod, connecting the pawl to an internal control means, by example an interior door handle or pallet.

According to yet another characteristic, the actuating means comprises an external opening lever capable of cooperating with the ratchet to bring it into the bolt release position, said lever opening opening being able to be driven by a motor electric for opening assistance, in response to a signal from command issued by an external opening contactor, when a external control means is operated by the user.

In this case, the lock may include mechanical means for external connection of which an external portion is intended to be connected by means of external control and of which another internal portion extends into the second sealed compartment of the lock, said lock external opening contactor being disposed in said second sealed compartment on the path of said interior portion of the means mechanical external connection, so as to emit a signal external opening control, when the connecting means mechanical is moved over an opening stroke determined during actuation of the external control means.

To achieve the aforementioned fourth object, the invention has for fourth object a lock for a motor vehicle door, comprising a bolt capable of retaining a strike, a pawl blocking the bolt in strike retainer position, an opening mechanism outside to actuate the ratchet to its position for releasing the bolt, a mechanical external connection means, a portion of which external is intended to be connected to a control means exterior, such as an exterior door handle or pallet, and an inner portion extends inside the lock housing and is able to activate the external opening mechanism to cause the opening of the lock, in response to the actuation of the means of external control, and a locking mechanism comprising a bi-stable locking lever to put the lock in a condemned or unlocked position, characterized in that the locking lever is able to modify the path of the portion interior of the mechanical connection means for, in the position of locking the lock, escape said inner portion of the mechanical means of connection to the external opening mechanism and, in the unlocking position of the lock, put the portion interior of said mechanical connecting means in a position of cooperation with the external opening mechanism.

Advantageously, the mechanical external connection means is a flexible cable comprising at the free end of its inner portion a nozzle which is capable of being moved by an arm of the lever condemnation in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the cable. The opening mechanism exterior may include an actuating lever provided, at a end, of a fork between the branches of which passes the inner portion of the cable, in the unlocked position of the lock, the spacing of the branches being less than the dimension of said tip so that the latter can drive said lever the inner portion of the cable and its end cap to said fork in the locking position of the lock. Thus, the flexibility inherent in the connecting cable is used to disengage the connection between the external control means and the external opening mechanism, for locking the lock. When the locking lever is returned from its position condemned to its unlocked position, the cable returns, due to its own elasticity, in its engaged position with the fork of the actuation lever.

In this case, the branches of the fork may include, at their free end, a guide ramp to guide the tip of the cable in its locked out position, when the cable undergoes traction under the action of the external control means.

According to another characteristic, the lock comprises a means of automatic unlocking on opening comprising, on the one hand, a cam follower element cooperating with a cam profile provided on the bolt and, on the other hand, a support portion capable of cooperating with a stop provided on the locking lever, so that when rotation of the bolt to its open position, the cam profile drives a displacement of the cam follower element and, consequently, of said support portion so as to automatically bring the lever conviction in its unlocked position.

In a particular embodiment, the interior portion of the mechanical connection means is secured to a cursor which is guided by a slide inside a sealed compartment of the lock, along the opening stroke of the mechanical connection means, and which is able to cooperate at the end of the opening stroke with a contactor external opening, to trigger the emission of a signal opening command to an electric motor for assistance with the opening, which electric motor is capable of driving a lever opening to activate the pawl.

According to another characteristic of the invention, said lever actuation is an emergency opening lever, in case of failure electric or depletion of the vehicle battery, suitable for moved by the connecting means, under the action of the control means outside, on an overtravel beyond the opening stroke necessary to actuate the switch, said emergency lever being able to move, during said overtravel, the opening lever outside, for the release of the bolt.

Advantageously, the emergency lever is subjected to a spring of high stiffness return to its rest position, so that the user has to force on the external control means in order to activate the emergency lever, so that the user does not operate unnecessarily the emergency lever when the electric opening assistance works.

In a particular embodiment, the mechanism of conviction includes a reversible electric motor to drive the locking lever between its locked positions and unlocked.

The four objects of the invention can be taken alone or in combination combination with each other.

The description given below, purely by way of illustration and not limiting, of an embodiment will allow, with reference to the drawings appended, to better understand the invention.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective éclatée de la serrure conforme à l'invention, du côté de son compartiment de rétention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue analogue à la figure 1, mais partiellement assemblée ;
• la figure 3 est une vue de dessus de la figure 2, en position complètement assemblée de la serrure ;
• la figure 4 est une vue analogue à la figure 3, la contre-plaque étant omise ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en perspective éclatée de la serrure de l'invention, du côté de son compartiment de cinématique ;
• la figure 6 est une vue de dessus de la figure 5, le couvercle du compartiment de cinématique étant omis, et la serrure étant dans une position fermée et décondamnée ;
• la figure 7 est une vue analogue à la figure 6, mais représentant la serrure dans une position fermée et condamnée ;
• la figure 8 est une vue analogue à la figure 6, mais représentant la serrure dans une position ouverte et décondamnée, sous l'action du dispositif électrique d'assistance à l'ouverture ; et
• la figure 9 est une vue analogue à la figure 8, la serrure étant également en position ouverture et décondamnée, sous l'action du moyen mécanique de secours à l'ouverture.

On this drawing :

• Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the lock according to the invention, from the side of its retention compartment;
• Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, but partially assembled;
• Figure 3 is a top view of Figure 2, in the fully assembled position of the lock;
• Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, the plate against being omitted;
• Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the lock of the invention, from the side of its kinematics compartment;
• Figure 6 is a top view of Figure 5, the cover of the kinematics compartment being omitted, and the lock being in a closed and unlocked position;
• Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6, but showing the lock in a closed and locked position;
• Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 6, but showing the lock in an open and unlocked position, under the action of the electric device for assisting the opening; and
• Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8, the lock also being in the open and unlocked position, under the action of the mechanical means of emergency opening.

Referring to Figure 1, the lock of the invention comprises a lock housing B, for example, of plastic and a metal counter plate 1 substantially square-shaped and having an opening 2 for the passage of a keeper (not shown) which is fixed, in a manner known per se, to a vertical upright of the chassis of a motor vehicle. Against the plate 1 has a substantially L profile with the longer wing 1a extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle, door closed position, and whose smallest cross 1b extends in the direction longitudinal of the vehicle.

As shown in Figure 1, the housing B has a substantially rectangular rectangular shape whose largest dimension extends substantially in the vertical direction of the door. The housing B comprises a first compartment 3 called retention, because it contains a fork bolt 4 capable of retaining the strike and a pawl 5 to lock the bolt 4 in the strike retention position. The retention compartment 3 has a recess 6 forming the opening of the lock, to accommodate the keeper there, in the closed position of the door. The compartment 3 is closed by the counter plate 1 which is the part of the lock which is flush with the edge of the door. The bolt 4 and the pawl 5 are respectively articulated on the ends of the shaft 7 and 8 which are interposed between the bottom of the compartment 3 and the part 1 a of the counterplate 1.

The retention compartment 3 further comprises an external opening lever 9 which is articulated on a cylindrical sleeve 10 on the bottom of the compartment 3, the external opening lever 9 comprising an arm 9 a extending substantially radially for cooperate with a finger 5 a of the pawl 5. The external opening lever 9 has a passage of square section 9 b in alignment with the axis of the cylindrical sleeve 10, to make it integral in rotation with a lever command 11 which will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 5.

The pawl 5 further comprises a protruding pin 5 b intended to be connected to a rod or to a cable (not shown) for its connection to an interior door handle or pallet.

As best seen in Figures 1 and 4, a light 12 is formed through the bottom of the compartment 3 in the vicinity of the periphery of the bolt 4. Inside this light 12, is able to pivot a lever 13 provided at its free end of a protruding pin 13 a which forms a cam follower element in contact with a peripheral portion 4 a on the periphery of the bolt, this peripheral portion 4 a forming a cam profile whose radius of curvature is adapted to cause the displacement of the pin 13 a , during the rotation of the bolt 4 between its closed position illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 and its open position (not shown) pivoted anti-clockwise.

An open door switch 14 is mounted on the bottom of the compartment 3 near the protruding pin 13 a of the lever 13, so that at the end of the pivoting stroke of the bolt 4 towards its open position, the pin 13 has come a push button 14a of the switch 14 for initiating the transmission of a door open signal.

In a manner known per se, the drain 6 has an elastic tab 6 a which is intended to dampen the entry of the keeper in the drain.

We will now refer to FIG. 5, to describe the components of a second compartment 15 called kinematics of the lock housing B. This second compartment 15 is separated from sealed compartment 3 by a partition which forms the bottom common to both compartments.

The control lever 11 has an end of axis 11 a which projects perpendicularly towards the bottom of compartment 15 and which is inserted through the cylindrical sleeve 10 of first compartment 3, this end of axis 11 a comprising at its free end a square section to fit into the corresponding square section opening 9b of the external opening lever 9, for their fastening in rotation.

The second compartment 15 contains a first electric motor 16 on the motor shaft of which is coaxially mounted a first pinion 17 which meshes with a pinion of larger diameter 18 which is coaxially integral in rotation with an endless screw 19. The assembly 16 to 19 forms a geared motor group which is carried by support bearings 20, 21, which are anchored on the bottom of the compartment 15. The worm 19 meshes with the circumference of a toothed wheel 22 which has on its upper face a stub shaft 22 is intended to be inserted in a suitable housing in the cover (not shown) for closing the second compartment 15. in its underside, the gear 22 is connected to a plate 23 by two crank pins 24, 25 diametrically opposite with respect to the axis of rotation of the wheel 22. The plate 23 further comprises a finger 23 a perpendicularly projecting from its plane and coming to be embedded in the underside of the a wheel 22. This finger 23 a is radially more eccentric than the crank pins 24 and 25. Although this is not visible in FIG. 5, the plate 23 has on its underside an end of an axis aligned with the end of axle 22 a of the wheel 22, and intended to be inserted in a suitable housing 26 in the bottom of the compartment 15.

One of the two aforementioned crank pins, namely the crank pin 24 furthest from the finger 23 a of the plate 23, is intended to cooperate with an arm 11 b of the control lever 11, to cause it to rotate, during the rotation of the wheel 22. The rotation of the control lever 11 simultaneously causes the rotation of the external opening lever 9 in the retention compartment 3, to move the pawl 5 towards the bolt release position. The rotation of the wheel 22 continues until the finger 23 a of the plate 23 comes into contact with an elastic end-of-travel stop 27 provided on the bottom of the compartment 15. This stop 27 is advantageously made of rubber, for dampen the pressing of the finger 23 a against this stop 27, because the drive by the motor 16 is relatively powerful.

Although not shown, the control lever 11 is subjected to a return spring, to return the lever control 11 to its initial position, once the gear motor assembly has returned to its original position as it will explained further. A rubber stopper 28 can also be provided in compartment 15 to dampen the return of the control 11 towards its rest position, as visible in FIGS. 6 at 9.

The control lever 11 comprises at the free end of another arm, extending substantially in the direction opposite to the arm 11b , a pin 30 intended to cooperate with a downwardly curved tab 31 provided at the free end d 'an arm of an emergency lever 32. The emergency lever 32 is pivotally mounted on a shaft end 33 projecting from the bottom of the compartment 15 and comprises at the free end of another arm 34, arranged substantially in a direction opposite to the arm carrying the folded tab 31, a fork 35 the two branches of which are provided at their free end with a guide ramp 35 a .

As shown in Figure 6, a cable C passes between the branches of the fork 35 and has at its free end a end piece 36 which has a substantially spherical shape, the diameter is greater than the spacing of the branches of the fork 35, so as to be able to cause the pivoting of the emergency lever 32 around its axis 33, by pulling on the cable C, from a means external control, for example an external handle or pallet door. Cable C is integral with a slider 37 arranged on the other side of the fork 35, relative to the end piece 36. The cursor 37 can advantageously be overmolded on cable C. Two guide rails parallel 38, 39 are arranged on the bottom of compartment 15 for used to guide the cursor 37 when moving the cable C. The cable C extends outside the housing B, crossing, so waterproof, a sleeve 40.

The kinematics compartment 15 further comprises a locking lever 41 which is articulated on a shaft end 42 projecting from the bottom of the compartment 15. The locking lever 41 comprises a first arm 43 provided at its free end with a pin 43a which engages in a helical groove 44a formed on a rotary drum 44. This rotary drum 44 is intended to be connected to a lock cylinder for a front door. The locking lever 41 comprises a second arm 45 extending substantially radially outward from the housing B, through an opening 46.

The locking lever 41 has a third arm 47 which is intended to cooperate with the end piece 36 of the cable C, to do so escape the fork 35, as visible in FIG. 7. In the cable rest position C, the end piece 36 is located in a recess of the locking lever 41 defined between the first arm 43 and the third arm 47.

The locking lever 41 further comprises a sector toothed 48 which is extended at one end by a projecting stop 49. The toothed sector 48 meshes with a pinion 50 carried by the motor shaft 51 a second electric motor 52 for electric assistance to the conviction / unlocking. The second electric motor 52 is carried by a support piece 53 having a substantially C-shaped profile, which is mounted on the bottom of compartment 15.

The stop 49 of the locking lever 41 is intended to cooperate with a second lever comprising an arm 54 extending radially from a shaft 55 which is mounted in a tubular sleeve 56 which protrudes from the bottom of compartment 15. The shaft 55 crosses, from tightly, the bottom of compartment 15 and presents at its lower end a square section to be secured in rotation lever 13 above.

Along the rail 39, is arranged an external opening contactor 60 which comprises a button 60 is adapted to be pushed by an inclined portion 37 a of the slider 37, during the traction of the cable C, for sending a control signal to opening to the first motor 16, by an electrical connection not shown.

The lock which has just been described in connection with the appended drawing incorporates the four objects of the invention taken in combination. However, the various objects of the invention can be taken alone or in combination with each other.

For example, for the first object of the invention, one could alternatively provide an exterior door handle linked by a rod to an articulated link in the watertight compartment of the lock, the external opening switch being arranged to detect the pivoting of this link.

For the fourth object of the invention, provision could be made, for a mechanical opening lock, replacing the emergency lever by an external opening lever acting directly or indirectly on the ratchet.

We will now describe the operation of the lock the invention with reference to Figures 4 to 9.

In the position illustrated in Figure 6, the lock is in its closed state and mechanically unlocked. Indeed, the lever of condemnation 41 is in a position where his arm 47 has placed the endpiece 36 of the cable C opposite the fork 35 of the emergency lever 32, this which allows a mechanical opening, by pulling on the cable C, as explained further.

In this closed position of the lock, we see on the Figure 4 that one of the branches of the fork of the bolt 4 is blocked by a spout of the pawl 5, for retaining a keeper not shown.

• soit il se trouve à l'intérieur de l'habitacle du véhicule et il actionne un organe de manoeuvre situé sur l'intérieur de la portière pour commander le déplacement du bras 45 du levier de condamnation 41 ;
• soit l'utilisateur se trouve à l'extérieur du véhicule et il condamne la serrure avec sa clé en l'introduisant dans le barillet de serrure d'une portière avant pour entraíner, par l'intermédiaire du tonneau 44, le déplacement du bras 43 du levier de condamnation ;
• soit, enfin, de l'extérieur du véhicule, il actionne un boítier de télécommande portatif pour envoyer un signal de commande de condamnation au moteur électrique 52 d'assistance à la condamnation, lequel moteur 52 entraíne le pivotement du levier de condamnation 41, en agissant sur le secteur denté 48.

From the position illustrated in FIG. 6, when the user wishes to lock the lock, there are several possibilities:

• either it is inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle and it actuates an operating member located on the inside of the door to control the movement of the arm 45 of the locking lever 41;
• either the user is outside the vehicle and he locks the lock with his key by introducing it into the lock cylinder of a front door to cause, through the barrel 44, the movement of the arm 43 locking lever;
• or, finally, from outside the vehicle, it actuates a portable remote control unit to send a condemnation control signal to the electric motor 52 for assisting with locking, which motor 52 causes the pivoting of the locking lever 41, acting on the toothed sector 48.

Whatever the means for controlling the locking of the lock, the locking lever 41 pivots counterclockwise, as illustrated in FIG. 7. In this figure, the lock is in its closed state and mechanically locked, because the arm 47 of the locking lever 41 has pushed the end piece 36 of the cable C in a direction substantially perpendicular to the actuating stroke of the cable C, so as to cause the end piece 36 to escape from the fork 35 of the emergency lever 32 Thus, if an unauthorized person fully actuates the exterior door handle, to drive the cable C, the end piece 36 will slide along the arm 47 and the guide ramp 35 a of the fork 35, without driving the lever emergency 32, the lock can not be mechanically unlocked from the outside. When moving the cable C under the action of the exterior door handle, the cursor 37 linked to the cable C will move along the guide rails 38 and 39 and will come by its inclined face 37 to push the switch button 60 a of the external opening switch 60, but since the general power supply of the vehicle has not been activated, the electric motor 16 for assistance in opening will remain inactive, thus also prohibiting electric opening.

It can be seen in FIG. 7 that in the locked position of the lock, the stop pin 49 of the locking lever 41 comes into contact with the arm 54 of the automatic unlocking means at the opening.

When the user wishes to return to the position of FIG. 6, it activates one of the aforementioned control means to rotate the locking lever 41 clockwise from Figure 7 to Figure 6. In this case, the end piece 36 of the cable C follows the pivoting of the arm 47 of the locking lever 41, because it is recalled by the own elasticity of the cable C in its rest position illustrated in FIG. 6.

We will now describe the passage of the lock from its unlocked closed position illustrated in FIG. 6 to its open position, thanks to the electric device for assisting the opening, in FIG. 8. Thus, when the user grasps the handle outside of the door and actuates it slightly, the cable C moves over a short stroke, as illustrated between FIGS. 6 and 8. At the end of the actuation stroke of the cable C, the end piece 36 of the cable comes into contact at most with the fork 35 of the emergency lever, without actuating the latter. The cursor 37 which is integral with the cable C moves with a corresponding stroke and retracts the button 60 a of the contactor 60. Since the general power supply of the vehicle will have been previously energized by the recognition system, the contactor 60 can send an opening control signal to the electric motor 16 which causes the rotation of the wheel 22 clockwise. During the rotation of the wheel 22, the crank pin 24 abuts against the arm 11b of the control lever 11 and pushes it back, so as to rotate the control lever 11 counterclockwise in FIG. 5 The crank pin 24 pushes the arm 11 b of the control lever 11 until the finger 23 a comes to bear against the elastic end-of-travel stop 27.

The pivoting of the control lever 11 causes the pivoting of the external opening lever 9 in the retention compartment 3, clockwise in FIG. 4. When it is pivoted, the external opening lever 9 is pushed back by its arm 9 has the finger 5 has the pawl 5 to rotate counterclockwise the pawl 5 which thus releases the bolt 4 which can pivot, in turn, counterclockwise to release the keeper.

When the finger 23 a comes to bear against the stop 27, the pawl 5 will have released the bolt 4.

The drive torque exerted by motor 16 will be maintained for a period of time determined by a time delay, to ensure that the crank pin 24 causes the pivoting of the control lever 11. As soon as the drive by the motor 16 stops, the worm 19 will be returned in opposite direction by a spiral spring (not shown), to bring back the wheel 22 and therefore, the crankpins 24 and 25 in their initial positions, to allow later opening. The spiral spring is linked to the worm 19 and is wound up during driven by the motor 16. Advantageously, the return spring in spiral for the worm 19 is arranged in the bearing 20. In this configuration, the control lever 11 returns to its position rest under the action of a not shown return spring.

Referring again to Figure 4, when the bolt 4 is pivoted in the counterclockwise direction to release the latch, the cam follower pin 13a of the lever 13 follows the cam profile 4a of the bolt 4, which causes pivoting the lever 13 clockwise in Figure 4. Substantially at the end of pivoting travel of the bolt 4, the pin 13a of the lever 13 pushes back the button 14a of the switch 14 to signal door open to a central unit door opening treatment. The pivoting of the lever 13 causes the simultaneous pivoting of the arm 54 in the kinematics compartment 15 counterclockwise, as shown in Figure 8, to bring the arm 54 of this lever into contact with the stop 49 of the locking lever 41.

Thus, it is not possible to lock the lock, while the door is open, because any pivoting of the locking lever 41 in the counterclockwise direction is prevented by the arm 54 which is locked in position by the lever 13 whose the cam follower pin 13 a bears against the cam profile 4 a of the bolt 4.

The electric opening assistance device operates in the same way from the position of FIG. 7, in which the lock is in its closed state and mechanically locked. To this end, the authorized user wearing a badge provided with a transmitter for transmitting a determined coded signal, approaches the vehicle which is provided with a recognition system comprising a receiver capable of decoding the signal and turning on the power the vehicle's power supply, when the authorized user has been duly identified. When the user pulls on the cable C on a short stroke to trigger the emission of an opening control signal by the contactor 60, the electric motor 16 causes the lock to open, and the bolt 4 by its cam 4a causes pivoting in the anti-clockwise direction of the arm 54 to push the abutment piece 49 of the locking lever 41, rotating it clockwise, to bring it into an unlocked position. In other words, from FIG. 6 or from FIG. 7, one arrives at the same position shown in FIG. 8, when the opening assistance device is activated. An automatic unlocking is thus obtained on opening, when the external control means are actuated. This is made possible by the fact that we have separated the two kinematic chains of the opening mechanism and the locking mechanism.

Contactor 60 sends a control signal simultaneously to the motor 16 and to the motor 52, to cause simultaneously assistance in opening the door and unlocking others doors.

Finally, if the opening assistance device does not work, due to an electrical failure or insufficient supply of the vehicle battery, the user can mechanically open the lock after having unlocked it mechanically, for example, by the lock barrel, by pulling on the cable C on an overtravel, to drive through the end piece 36 the fork 35 of the emergency lever 32 which pivots clockwise in Figure 9 and is pushed back by the curved tab 31 of its arm opposite the pin 30 of the control lever 11, to rotate it counterclockwise, which causes the pivoting of the external opening lever 9, and therefore, the release of the bolt. Similarly, the arm 54 comes into contact with the stop 49 of the locking lever 41, due to cooperation between the cam 4a of the bolt 4 and the cam follower pin 13a of the lever 13.

It should be noted that the crank pin 25 shown in Figure 5 does not present no particular utility here.

The electric motor 52 is reversible, in order to rotate the locking lever 41 in both directions, to bring it respectively in its condemned or unlocked position.

The motor shaft 51 of the electric motor 52 has its axis of rotation parallel to the pivot axis of the locking lever 41, while the motor shaft of the electric motor 16 has its axis of rotation perpendicular to the axis of the opening lever 9.

Although the invention has been described in connection with a mode of particular achievement, it is obvious that it is by no means there limited and that it includes all the technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims (10)

Lock for a motor vehicle door, comprising a bolt (4) capable of retaining a door strike, a pawl (5) for locking the bolt in the strike retention position, an opening mechanism comprising at least one means of actuation (9) able to cooperate with the pawl to bring it into a bolt release position, under the action of an internal or external control means, and a locking mechanism comprising a locking lever (41) for put the lock in a locked position or unlocked, characterized in that it includes an automatic unlocking means on opening comprising, on the one hand, a cam follower element (13 a) cooperating with a cam profile ( 4 a ) provided on the bolt (4) and, on the other hand, a bearing portion (54) able to cooperate with a stop (49) provided on the locking lever (41), so that, when the rotation of the bolt towards its open position, the profile of ca causes me to move the cam follower element and, therefore, said support portion so as to automatically bring the locking lever into its unlocked position. Lock according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the open position of the bolt (4), the bearing portion (54) of the automatic unlocking means when opening blocks the stop (49) of the locking lever (41), which prohibits the locking of the lock in the door open position. Lock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the automatic unlocking means upon opening comprises a first lever (13) provided with a cam follower pin (13 a ) cooperating with the cam profile (4 a ) of the bolt (4), and a second lever (54) integral in rotation with the first lever and provided with said bearing portion able to cooperate with an abutment pin (49) on the locking lever (41). Lock according to claim 3, characterized in that the cam follower pin (13 a ) of the first lever (13) is capable of cooperating with an open door contactor (14) at the end of the bolt rotation stroke (4) towards its open position, said open door contactor being intended to emit a signal corresponding to the door opening information to a central processing unit. Lock according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the fact that the automatic unlocking means upon opening brings the locking lever (41) to the unlocked position, before the end of the bolt opening stroke (4). Lock according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the fact that the locking mechanism includes a motor reversible electric (52) to drive the locking lever (41) between its condemned and unlocked positions, during a centralized locking or unlocking from outside or from the inside. Lock according to claim 6, characterized in that it is associated with a shock sensor for, upon detection of a shock, send a control signal to the electric motor (52) of the locking mechanism to drive the locking lever (41) towards its unlocked position. Lock according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by the fact that the aforementioned actuating means includes a means mechanical connection, such as a cable or a rod, connecting the pawl (5) to an internal control means, for example a handle or interior door pallet. Lock according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by the fact that the actuating means comprises an opening lever outer (9) able to cooperate with the pawl (5) to bring it into bolt release position, said external opening lever being able to be driven by an electric motor (16) for assistance with opening, in response to a control signal from a external opening switch (60), when a control means outside is operated by the user. Lock according to claim 9, characterized in that that it comprises a mechanical external connection means (C) of which an outer portion is intended to be connected to the control means exterior and of which another interior portion extends into the second sealed compartment (15) of the lock, said opening contactor outer (60) being disposed in said second sealed compartment on the path of said inner portion of the mechanical connecting means outside (C), so as to emit an opening command signal outside, when the mechanical connection means is moved on a opening stroke determined upon actuation of the means of external control.

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