EP1158124A1 - Lock for a vehicle door comprising the child safety function and the superlocking function - Google Patents

Abstract

Locking system has common clutch (D) on which child safety lock control lever (4) and central locking control system (3,11,18,19) acts. First controller (3) has electric drive motor (19). Child safety control lever (4) is manual. Clutch includes false pawl (5) on which acts interior door opener (C1), and clutch link (L) between false pawl and pawl (1). Pawl (1) rotates around axis (A) and false pawl is mounted around same axis. The door opening lock includes a bolt (P) designed to cooperate with a keeper (G) and a pawl (1) to retain the bolt in the closed position; an exterior door opening system (CE) and interior door opening system (C1) are designed to act on the pawl to free the bolt for door opening; an interior door opening inhibiting mechanism (B) includes a interior opening inhibiting controller (4) linked only to the system (C1) and a central locking control system (3,11,18,19) which also inhibits interior opening system (C1) as well as the exterior opening system (CE).

Description

The invention relates to a lock for a vehicle door which includes means for carrying out, in addition to a function usual simple locking, a child safety function and a vehicle deadlock function.

Remember that the simple locking function consists in prevent the door from being opened from outside the vehicle. The child safety function generally concerns one or two doors rear and prevents the opening of the door (s) concerned from inside the vehicle while opening from outside remains possible. The super-conviction function consists in preventing opening doors both from the outside and the inside.

The realization of such a lock and various functions makes generally intervene a relatively large number of parts that is desirable to reduce. In addition, the trend in equipment automobile is electrically controlled, but the price of returns remains as low as possible.

The object of the invention is to satisfy the requirements set out above, and provide a vehicle door lock that allows ensure the child safety function and the super-conviction function with several common parts while avoiding interference from the Child Safety Super Conviction, especially if it has been implementation before the super-conviction.

• un pêne propre à coopérer avec une gâche, et un cliquet pour retenir le pêne en position de fermeture ;
• des moyens d'ouverture extérieure et des moyens d'ouverture intérieure pour agir sur le cliquet et libérer le pêne pour l'ouverture,
• et des moyens d'inhibition de l'ouverture intérieure pour inhiber les moyens d'ouverture intérieure soit séparément (fonction sécurité enfant) soit en combinaison avec une inhibition des moyens d'ouverture extérieure (fonction supercondamnation).

The invention relates more precisely to a lock for a vehicle door of the type comprising:

• a bolt suitable for cooperating with a keeper, and a pawl for retaining the bolt in the closed position;
• external opening means and internal opening means for acting on the pawl and releasing the bolt for opening,
• and means for inhibiting the interior opening to inhibit the interior opening means either separately (child safety function) or in combination with an inhibition of the exterior opening means (deadlocking function).

According to the invention, such a lock is characterized by the fact that the means for inhibiting the interior opening comprise a declutching device between the interior opening means and the ratchet, with a first control means, in particular electric, for deadlocking and a second control means, in particular mechanical, for child safety, the assembly being such as a declutching controlled by the second means remains as long as this second means remains in the position corresponding to disengagement, even if the first control means returns to a position corresponding to the end of a walkout, and similarly, when the declutching is controlled by the first means, the return of the declutching in a engaged state is only possible when the first means returned to the state corresponding to the clutch.

The first means of control (super-conviction) preferably includes an electric drive motor.

The second control means (child safety) can be manual.

Advantageously, the declutching device comprises a false ratchet on which the interior opening means act, and a disengageable link between the false pawl and the pawl.

The ratchet is generally rotatable around an axis and the false ratchet is rotatably mounted around the same axis; the detachable link can comprise a link carrying at one end a nipple engaged with a part in an elongated light provided on the pawl, and secondly in a corresponding light provided on the false pawl, the light of the false ratchet comprising, beyond one end of the lumen of the ratchet, an extension in an arc centered on the common axis of rotation of the pawl and the false pawl, so that when the nipple is engaged in this arc, the false pawl no longer causes the pawl.

The link moves from the clutch position to the declutching by translation, which passes the nipple from one end of the ratchet light at another end of this light.

The translational movement of the link is ensured by two levers acting in parallel on a second stud provided for the other end of the link. The levers preferably act by pressing simple. The return of the link in the clutch position is ensured by an elastic return means.

A first lever, provided for the control of supercondamnation, includes a light in an arc centered on the axis of rotation of the lever, and the mean line of which is substantially aligned with the middle line of the ratchet light. The light of first lever has an extent at least equal to that of the light of the pawl. The elastic return means exerts a relatively torque weak, but sufficient to keep the rod pressed against the end of the lever lumen away from the pawl. This first lever of deadlocking is preferably controlled by a motor electric.

A second lever, notably manually controlled, is designed to achieve child safety. This lever acts on the second stud from the other end of the link and move it to against the return spring to the other end of the light provided in the deadlocking lever. A means of restraint developing sufficient torque is expected to maintain the child safety in the safety position and prevent the return of the rod in the engaged position under the action of its return means elastic. The retaining means may consist of a stop elastic.

The invention consists, apart from the arrangements set out above, in a number of other provisions which it will be more explicit question below about an example described with reference to the attached drawing, but which is in no way limiting.

Figure 1 of this drawing is a schematic elevational view of a part of a lock according to the invention, the parts being shown in a relative position allowing opening from inside the vehicle.

Figure 2 is a schematic view from the right with respect to Fig. 1.

FIG. 3 shows, similarly to FIG. 1, the pieces in a position corresponding to the deadlock.

Figure 4, finally, shows the pieces in a position corresponding to the implementation of child safety, while the super-conviction has been removed.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawing, we can see elements of a lock schematically represented. The lock comprises a bolt P, for example rotary, suitable for cooperating with a keeper G. A rotary pawl 1 around an axis A is provided to retain the P bolt in the closed position, the bolt and ratchet cooperation not being shown in detail. The pawl 1 is constituted by a part flat, whose outline is visible in Fig. 1. A means of openness external CE, for example a door handle, is provided to act on the pawl 1 and release the bolt for opening from the outside.

Internal opening means CI, for example a interior handle, are designed to act on the pawl 1 by via an interior opening lever 2. Lever 2, depending on the representation of Fig. 1, can move vertically,

Means of inhibiting B of the interior opening are designed to inhibit the CI means either alone (child safety function) either in combination with an inhibition of the opening means outdoor CE. The inhibition of the CE external control is ensured by conventional means not described.

The inhibition means B comprise a device for declutching D between the internal control CI and the pawl 1, a first electrical control means 3 of the declutching device for super-locking, and a second mechanical control means 4 of the declutching device for child safety.

The declutching device D comprises a false pawl 5 essentially flat disposed against pawl 1, and rotatably mounted around of the same axis A.

The internal control CI, by its lever 2, acts on a extension 5a of the false pawl 5 to rotate it clockwise according to Fig. 1 around axis A.

A disengageable link L is provided between the false pawl 5 and the pawl 1. When the link L is effective, the false pawl 5 in turning clockwise causes the pawl 1 and releases the bolt. When the link L is disengaged, the false pawl 5 no longer causes the pawl 1 which keeps the bolt in the closed position.

The disengageable link L comprises a link 6, substantially vertical according to Fig. 1, carrying at its lower end a stud 7 with an axis perpendicular to the mean plane of the pawl 1. Stud 7 is engaged in an elongated light 8 of the pawl 1. The large dimension of light 8 has a radial component, relative to the center of rotation located on axis A. In other words, the angle between the direction of the large dimension of light 8 and the polar radius from center A and joining the middle of the light 8 is less than 90 °; an angle of 90 ° corresponds to a tangential orientation.

The false pawl 5 has a light 9 having a part upper 9a superimposed on the light 8 in normal operation, and a lower part 9b in an arc centered on the axis A. The stud 7 protrudes into the light 9.

At its upper end the link 6 is secured to a another stud 10 on which two levers 11, 12 can exert, in parallel and independently of each other, one push by support simple, this thrust being directed downwards according to the representation of Fig. 1.

The lever 11, consisting of a flat piece substantially in shape of triangle with rounded vertices, rotatably mounted around an axis 13 located near a summit. The part of the lever 11 remote from the axis 13 has a light 14 in an arc centered on the axis 13. The average line of light 14 is substantially aligned with the line average of light 8. The large dimension of light 14 is at less equal to the large dimension of the light 8. The stud 10 crosses the light 14 and protrudes from the faces of the lever 11.

A spring 15, for example a hairpin, is arranged around the axis 13 and is supported by a branch 15a against a stop 16 provided on the lever 11 and, by another branch 15b, against the stud 10. The branches 15a, 15b intersect according to the embodiment of FIG. 1. The spring 15 tends to lift the nipple 10 and apply it against the upper end of the light 14. The spring 15 exerts a torque relatively small.

The edge of the lever 11 opposite the axis 13 has teeth 17 adapted to cooperate with a pinion 18 driven by a motor electric 19 whose axis is perpendicular to the plane of Figure 1. The starting the motor 19 in one direction or the other, or stopping it, are provided by a control button not shown.

The lever 12, located behind the lever 11 according to FIG. 1, is mounted rotatable about an axis 20 parallel to the axis 13. The lever 12 has a radial extension 12a forming a clean finger to press against the protruding part of the stud 10 when the lever 12 rotates in the direction timetable according to Fig. 1.

Mechanical, or if necessary electrical, control of the lever 12 is provided by means not shown in the drawing.

A retaining means 21 is provided for holding the lever 12 in the lowered position, shown in FIG. 4, despite the contrary action of the spring 15. The retaining means 21 comprises a protuberance 22 provided at the periphery of the lever 12 cooperating with a spring stop 23 suitable for making the lever 12 bistable. For this, the spring stop 23 exerts on the lever 12 a torque greater than that of the spring 15 in order to hold the lever 12 in the lowered position illustrated in FIG. 4.

That said, the operation of the lock with respect to the implementation of child safety and super-conviction is the next.

The state shown in Fig. 1 corresponds to the absence of security child and the absence of super-conviction. An action on the means of internal control CI has the effect of moving lever 2 up and cause the false pawl 5 to rotate clockwise. As the nipple 7 is engaged both in the lumen 8 and in the part 9a which has a radial component, the false pawl 5 causes the pawl 1, by the stud 7, in rotation about the axis A. The drive of the pawl 1 releases the bolt and opens the lock.

If we wish to implement the super-conviction, we operates as follows.

Simple condemnation is ordered simultaneously (no shown), and the rotation of the motor 19 and the pinion 18 in the direction counterclockwise so as to cause the toothing 17 and the lever 11 in the clockwise around axis 13. The link 6 is moved down until the nipple 7 comes against the lower end of the light 8, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Pin 7 is then at the entrance of the part 9b in an arc of the light 9 of the false pawl 5.

An action on the internal control CI to move the lever 2 upward drives the false pawl 5 in rotation clockwise around axis A. However, part 9b oriented tangentially (no radial component) slides on the nipple 7 without drive it and the pawl 1 remains in the closed position.

To remove the deadlock, we rotate the motor 19 and its pinion 18 in reverse direction to bring back the lever 11 in the position of Fig. 1. The spring 15 causes the stud 10 and the link 6 so that the stud 7 is again in part 9a light 9, which re-establishes the connection in rotation between false pawl 5 and ratchet 1.

To set up child security from the state shown in Fig. 1, control (manually or possibly by an electric motor) lever 12 to rotate it in the direction schedule. Extension 12a pushes nipple 10 down into the light 14. The lever 11 remains stationary. The protrusion 22 crosses the stop at spring 23 and the lever 12 arrives in the second stable position illustrated in Fig. 4 in which the stud 10 is in abutment against the end lower light 14. The torque developed by the spring stop 23 being greater than that of the spring 15, the lever 12 remains in this position.

The nipple 7 is again at the entrance of the arc portion 9b of circle of the light of the false ratchet 5. If we act on the command inner CI to move lever 2 up and cause the false pawl 5, the latter does not cause the pawl 1 since the part 9b in an arc of circle can not lead the nipple 7.

If, from the position illustrated in Fig. 4, we order the lever 11, lever 11 rotates clockwise around the axis 13, without moving the stud 10 which will simply pass from the lower end to the upper end of the lumen 14.

From the state of deadlock, with child safety, if we order the removal of the deadlock, lever 11 will turn counterclockwise to return to its position in Fig. 1, but the child lock, which had been in place before the super-conviction, subsists. The position of the parts is that of FIG. 4. The child safety function is thus stored in a way mechanical in a lock according to the invention.

When the lever 11 is in the position of deadlock (Fig. 3), the return of the child safety lever 12 to the position which removes the child safety device has no influence on the remaining conviction.

There is therefore no interference between the security functions child and super-conviction although several parts are common child safety and deadlocking in a lock according to the invention.

Claims (17)

Lock for vehicle door comprising: a bolt (P) suitable for cooperating with a keeper (G), and a pawl (1) for retaining the bolt in the closed position; external opening means (CE) and internal opening means (CI) for acting on the pawl and releasing the bolt for opening, and means (B) for inhibiting the interior opening to inhibit the interior opening means either separately (child safety function) or in combination with an inhibition of the exterior opening means (deadlocking function), characterized in that the means (B) for inhibiting the interior opening comprise a declutching device (D) between the interior opening means (CI) and the pawl (1), with first control means ( 3) for deadlocking and second control means (4) for child safety, the assembly being such that a clutch controlled by the second means (4) remains as long as these second means remain in the position corresponding to the clutch, even if the first control means (3) return to a position corresponding to the end of a declutching, and similarly when the declutching is controlled by the first means (3), the return of the declutching device to a engaged state does not is possible only when the first means (3) have returned to the state corresponding to the clutch. Lock for vehicle door comprising: a bolt (P) suitable for cooperating with a keeper (G), and a pawl (1) for retaining the bolt in the closed position; external opening means (CE) and internal opening means (CI) for acting on the pawl and releasing the bolt for opening, the means (B) for inhibiting the interior opening comprise first control means (4) for inhibiting the interior opening to inhibit only the interior opening means (CI) and second super control means locking (3, 11, 19, 18) to inhibit both the internal opening means (CI) and the external opening means (CE), characterized in that it comprises a common declutching device (D) on which the first control means (4) and the second super-locking control means (3,11, 19, 18) are able to act. Lock according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the first control means (3) comprises an electric drive motor (19). Lock according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second control means (4) is manual. Lock according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the declutching device comprises a false pawl (5) on which the internal opening means (CI) act, and a disengageable connection (L) between the false pawl (5) and the pawl (1). Lock according to claim 5, in which the pawl (1) is rotatable about an axis (A), characterized in that the false pawl (5) is rotatably mounted around the same axis (A). Lock according to claim 6, characterized in that the disengageable link (L) comprises a link (6) carrying at one end a stud (7) engaged on the one hand in an elongated slot (8) provided on the pawl, and on the other hand in a corresponding light (9) provided on the false pawl, the light (9) of the false pawl comprising, beyond one end of the light (8) of the pawl, an arcuate extension (9b) of circle centered on the common axis (A) of rotation of the pawl and the false pawl, so that when the stud (7) is engaged in this arc of a circle (9b), the false pawl (5) cannot entrain the pawl (1). Lock according to claim 7, characterized in that the link (6) moves from the clutch position to the disengaged position by translation, which causes the stud (7) to pass from one end of the light (8) from the ratchet to another end of this light. Lock according to claim 8, characterized in that the displacement in translation of the link (6) is ensured by two levers (11, 12) acting in parallel on a second stud (10) provided at the other end of the link (6). Lock according to claim 9, characterized in that the levers (11, 12) act by simple pressing on the stud (10). Lock according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the return of the link (6) in the clutch position is ensured by an elastic return means (15). Lock according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that a first lever (11), provided for the control of deadlocking, includes a light (14) in an arc centered on the axis of rotation (13 ) of the lever (11) and having an extent at least equal to the opening (8) of the pawl. Lock according to claim 12, characterized in that the first lever (11) comprises, on its edge opposite the articulation axis (13), a toothing (17) suitable for co-operating with a pinion (18) driven by an electric motor (19). Lock according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the second lever (12) is provided to achieve child safety and allows to act on the stud (10) of the upper end of the link (6) and move it against the return spring (15) to the lower end of the light (14) provided in the lever (11) of deadlocking. Lock according to claim 14, characterized in that the second lever (12) is manually controlled. Lock according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that a retaining means (21) developing sufficient torque is provided to keep the child safety lever (12) in the safety position and prevent the return of the link (6 ) in the engaged position under the action of its elastic return means (15). Lock according to claim 16, characterized in that the retaining means (21) consists of an elastic stop.

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