EP1158125B1 - Electric lock for a motor vehicle with the child safety function and the superlocking function - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a central control unit and a door lock motor vehicle, which includes mechanically controlled means or electric to perform, in addition to a function of usual conviction, a child conviction 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 lock function generally concerns one or two doors rear and prevents the opening of the door (s) concerned from inside the vehicle while the opening from outside remains possible. The super lock function consists in preventing the opening doors both from the outside and the inside.

Such a lock is notably known from document WO-A-9833998 which relates a door lock for a motor vehicle comprising means for interior and exterior opening control. This lock is further connected to a central control unit for carrying out locking functions outside, of child conviction and super-conviction. Document DE-A-19819603 also discloses a lock performing the functions of external conviction, of child conviction and of super-conviction. The lock further comprises an electrical contactor which assumes a first state when the internal locking means are in the "unlocked" position child "and a second state when said means are in the" condemned "position child ", said electrical contactor being able to be connected to a central unit of control for achieving a central locking.

The realization of such locks 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. It is also desirable to make locks with the most kinematic chains possible close between the rear and front locks.

The object of the invention is to propose a central control unit and a lock for motor vehicle door with locking control / electric unlocking controlled by the central control unit and which makes it possible to carry out the child condemnation function and the function super lock without interference between the two functions.

To this end, the invention relates to a central control unit and a lock for opening of motor vehicle, such as claimed in claim 1.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the lock is characterized in that it also comprises an external locking control motor (8) capable of activating and inactivating, by means of the external locking means, the connection between the external opening control means and the pawl (28); an internal locking control motor (9) capable of activating and inactivating, via the internal locking means, the connection between the interior opening control means and the pawl (28),
and in that the central control unit controls said motors independently of one another, so as to be able to perform the external locking / unlocking function by activating the external locking control motor (8), the function of interior locking / unlocking, known as child locking / unlocking, by activation of the interior locking control motor (9), and the locking function by combined activation of the two motors.

Advantageously, the internal locking means include a child locking lever fitted with a cam capable of abut on a push button of said electrical contactor in one of the two positions condemned child or unlocked child.

Preferably, said child locking lever carries a bistability tab cooperating with part of the lock housing, said housing part having a material bridge, the crossing defines two stable positions for said lever child condemnation, in its unlocked child position and its position condemned child respectively.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the lock comprises a retention compartment capable of accommodating a keeper and containing the lock retainers, including the bolt and ratchet, and a kinematics compartment containing kinematic organs of the lock, in particular a false pawl coaxial with the pawl and linked in rotation to this, an internal opening lever mounted in rotation on the same axis of rotation than the pawl, said inner opening lever being able to cause the displacement of the false pawl towards its position of release of the bolt, and a lever of condemnation child; both compartments being separated by a partition substantially sealed against through which the retention organs cooperate with the organs of kinematics of the lock; said child lock lever with a control button accessible from outside the lock, in particular in the open door position; said button control being able to move said child locking lever between a child condemnation position and a child unlocking; said cooperating child locking lever with a disengageable connecting member between the interior opening lever and the false pawl, said disengageable connecting member being capable, in its engaged position, to be linked in rotation about their axis of rotation internal opening lever with said false pawl when moving of the interior opening lever between its rest and opening positions of the lock, and, in the disengaged position of said connecting member disengageable, to allow free rotation of said interior opening lever compared to the false ratchet.

It can be provided in this case that said connecting member disengageable is a child locking rod linked in rotation to the audit child locking lever and comprising a nipple engaged in a elongated slot of the pawl substantially radial with respect to the axis of rotation of the latter, and in a substantially L-shaped groove of the lever inside opening, said groove of the inside opening lever comprising a first branch which is substantially radial with respect to the axis of rotation of said interior opening lever, and a second branch substantially in an arc centered on the axis of rotation of said interior opening lever; said lock being such that, on the one hand unlocked child position of the child locking lever, the nipple of said child locking rod is located in the engaged position in the first branch of said groove of the inner lever opening; on the other hand in the doomed position child of the lever child condemnation, the nipple of said child condemnation link is located in the disengaged position in the second branch of said groove of the internal opening lever, to disengage the connection between the latter and said child locking rod when moving the lever interior opening between its rest and opening positions of the lock ; the second branch of said groove of the inner lever opening sliding freely on the nipple of said connecting rod child lock when moving the interior lever opening; the rotation of the child lock lever between its child condemnation and child unlocking positions causing the sliding of the nipple of said locking rod child in the elongated slot of the pawl and in the first branch of the groove of the interior opening lever.

Advantageously, the child locking lever brings the minus a staple spanning part of the lock housing so as to prohibit the translation of said child locking lever in a direction substantially parallel to its axis of rotation.

According to another characteristic of the invention, for a front door of a motor vehicle, said locking lever child carries at least one paw able to cooperate with the means of external locking of the lock, so as to cause the return said child locking lever in its unlocked position child when, the lock being in an initial state super-condemned, said external locking means are actuated towards their position outer unlocked by a mechanical control means external locking, for example a lock cylinder.

To better understand the object of the invention, we will now describe, by way of purely illustrative example and not limiting, an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawing.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective de la serrure complète selon l'invention assemblée avec les leviers d'ouverture intérieure, de condamnation extérieure et d'ouverture extérieure en position de repos ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en élévation frontale selon la flèche II de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une vue de dessus selon la flèche III de la figure 2 ;
• la figure 4 représente le capot de la serrure de la figure 3 en vue de dessous ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en perspective de dessus d'un boítier de la serrure, sur lequel est destiné à s'emboíter le capot de la figure 4 ;
• la figure 6 est une vue de dessus de la contre-plaque métallique avec les organes de rétention de la serrure montés sur leurs axes, sur laquelle est destiné à être monté le boítier de la figure 5;
• la figure 7 représente en perspective éclatée de l'ensemble des organes de rétention et de cinématique de la serrure selon l'invention ;
• la figure 8 est une vue en perspective éclatée des organes de la serrure coaxiaux au cliquet, comprenant de bas en haut le cliquet, le faux-cliquet, et le levier intérieur d'ouverture ;
• la figure 9 représente en perspective les organes de condamnation extérieure de la serrure en position décondamnée extérieure, avec le levier d'ouverture extérieure en position de repos ;
• la figure 10 est une vue arrière de la figure 9, où ont été omis le levier de condamnation extérieure et la biellette de condamnation extérieure ;
• la figure 11 représente la même vue que la figure 9 avec les organes de condamnation extérieure en position de condamnation extérieure de la serrure ;
• la figure 12 représente la même vue que la figure 10 avec les organes de condamnation extérieure en position de condamnation extérieure de la serrure ;
• la figure 13 est une vue analogue à la figure 12 avec le levier d'ouverture extérieure en position d'ouverture de la serrure ;
• la figure 14 représente en perspective le levier de condamnation enfant ;
• la figure 15 est une vue en perspective des organes de condamnation enfant de la serrure en position condamnée enfant avec le levier intérieur d'ouverture en position de repos ;
• la figure 16 est une vue analogue à la figure 15 avec le levier intérieur d'ouverture en position d'ouverture de la serrure ;
• la figure 17 est une vue analogue à la figure 15 avec les organes de condamnation enfant de la serrure en position décondamnée enfant et le levier intérieur d'ouverture en position de repos ;
• la figure 18 est une vue analogue à la figure 17 avec le levier intérieur d'ouverture en position d'ouverture de la serrure.

On this drawing :

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of the complete lock according to the invention assembled with the levers for internal opening, external locking and external opening in the rest position;
• Figure 2 is a front elevational view along arrow II of Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a top view along arrow III of Figure 2;
• Figure 4 shows the cover of the lock of Figure 3 in bottom view;
• Figure 5 is a perspective view from above of a housing of the lock, on which is intended to fit the cover of Figure 4;
• Figure 6 is a top view of the metal counter plate with the lock retention members mounted on their axes, on which is intended to be mounted the housing of Figure 5;
• FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of all the retention and kinematics members of the lock according to the invention;
• Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the components of the lock coaxial with the pawl, comprising from below up the pawl, the false pawl, and the internal opening lever;
• FIG. 9 shows in perspective the external locking members of the lock in the external unlocked position, with the external opening lever in the rest position;
• Figure 10 is a rear view of Figure 9, where have been omitted the external locking lever and the external locking rod;
• Figure 11 shows the same view as Figure 9 with the external locking members in the external locking position of the lock;
• Figure 12 shows the same view as Figure 10 with the external locking members in the external locking position of the lock;
• Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure 12 with the outer opening lever in the open position of the lock;
• Figure 14 shows in perspective the child locking lever;
• FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the child locking members of the lock in the child locked position with the internal opening lever in the rest position;
• Figure 16 is a view similar to Figure 15 with the inner opening lever in the open position of the lock;
• Figure 17 is a view similar to Figure 15 with the child locking members of the lock in the unlocked child position and the inner opening lever in the rest position;
• Figure 18 is a view similar to Figure 17 with the inner opening lever in the open position of the lock.

The lock of the invention comprises a one-piece housing 1, by plastic example, having a base 2 substantially rectangular and flat with the longest sides oriented along the front and rear faces of the lock, with a side wall device 3 surrounding base 2 and extending above and below of the latter, a cover 4 which fits on the housing 1 for close the kinematics compartment 5 of the lock between this cover 4 and the upper part of the base 2 of the housing 1, this compartment containing the kinematics of opening and locking of the lock, and a metal counter plate 6 which closes the retention compartment 7 of the lock between this counter plate metal 6 and the lower part of the base 2 of the housing 1, this compartment containing the lock retention elements. Base 2 serves as a partition between the retention compartment 7, which is open on the outside of the door, and the kinematics compartment 5, in order to make it more waterproof.

The cover 4 visible in FIGS. 1 to 4 will now be described. The cover 4 has staples 14 on its side walls which hang on hooks 3a molded on the outside of the wall side 3 of the housing 1, and allow the rigid assembly of the cover 4 on the case 1.

On its outer face, the cover 4 includes a housing cylindrical 4c of generally rectangular section intended to receive a female electrical connector used to connect the internal electrical circuit, not shown, to the vehicle's electrical circuit. The bottom of the housing 4c is drilled to allow passage through the cover 4 of pins electrical contact 15. The upper face of the cover 4 also includes a flat rib 19 perpendicularly projecting pierced with a hole circular 19a intended to serve as a bearing at one end of the axis of rotation 20a of an interior opening lever 20, the other end of which fits in a circular hole 3b of a rear side edge 3d of the base 2. A rectangular notch 4e in the rear edge of the cover 4 allows the passage towards the interior of the kinematics compartment 5 of a tab 20b of the interior opening lever 20 whose function will be explained lower. The cover 4 is pierced with three holes 4d which can be crossed by fixing screws, not shown, used to rigidly assemble the cover 4 on the housing 1.

On its internal face, as visible in FIG. 4, the cover 4 comprises two cylindrical housings 4a and 4b, defining bosses projecting from the outer face of the cover 4, visible in FIG. 3, intended to respectively accommodate the locking control motor exterior 8 and the interior locking control motor 9. The internal electrical circuit consists of flexible electrical cables sheathed or conductive tracks, not shown, fixed on the face internal cover 4 and connecting the base of the electrical contact pins 15 to an external locking detection switch 10 comprising a push button 10a, a contactor for detecting the external unlocking 11 comprising a push button 11a, a child conviction detection contactor 12 comprising a push button 12a, an opening detection switch door 13 comprising a push button 13a, and to the pins supply 8a and 9a of the locking control motor 8 and the internal locking control motor 9 respectively. The four contactors 10 to 13 are fixed by staples 18 on the inside of the cover 4.

The metal counter plate 6 visible in FIG. 6 will now be described. The metal counter plate 6 is substantially a rectangle, the longest sides of which are oriented along the faces front and rear of the lock, the same width as the base 2 and length slightly less than that of base 2, comprising a oblong notch 6a open in the middle of the back side of the counterplate 6 and oriented perpendicular to this side. This notch 6a, defining the drain, is intended to allow the passage of the striker to opening and closing of the lock. The short sides of the counterplate 6 have tabs 6b folded upwards coming into abutment on the underside of base 2 and corresponding substantially to the height of the retention compartment. Counter plate 6 is pierced in its rear part of two circular holes 23 and 24 whose function will be explained below, and two other circular holes in its part front (not shown) in which are rigidly embedded perpendicular to and above the counter plate 6 respectively the axis of rotation 25 of the bolt 27 and the axis of rotation 26 of the ratchet 28.

The lock retainers will now be described. The bolt 27 visible in FIGS. 6 and 7 is of the fork type and molded in plastic. However, on the two branches of the fork of the bolt 27, two notches 27a and 27b are stripped to prevent the bursting of the overmolding during contact of these notches 27a and 27b with the others organs during the operation of the lock, such a burst may generate friction of the bolt 27 on the counterplate 6. The notch 27a comes into contact with a tooth 28a of the pawl 28. When the tooth 28a of the ratchet 28 retains the notch 27a of the bolt 27, the lock is in position closed. The notch 27b comes into contact with the side wall 3 of the housing 1 when the lock is open and with said tooth 28a when the lock is semi-open.

The overmolding of the bolt 27 comprises at the opposite end of the fork a leg 27c forming a cam comprising two flat sides in corner and projections towards the kinematics compartment. A flap of the paw 27c presses the push button 13a of the detection switch opening the door 13 when the bolt is in the open position. Through this means, the door opening detection switch 13 is open when the lock is closed, and closed when the lock is opened. The bolt 27 also includes a finger 27d whose function will be explained below.

A return spring, not shown, is mounted on the axis of rotation 25 of the bolt 27, a branch of the spring being fixed to the bolt 27 and the other branch of the spring being integral with the axis 25. This spring 28 exerts on the bolt 27 an elastic return torque in the direction of opening the lock.

The pawl 28 is overmolded with plastic except for the tooth 28a. The pin hole 28b of the pawl 28 has two radial notches 28c in dovetail in two directions substantially perpendicular.

The base 2 of the housing 1 visible in Figure 5 will now be described. Base 2 has in its middle part a raised portion 2c forming the top of the keeper drain. A rectangular opening of the rear face of the side wall 3 (not shown) below the raised portion 2c of the base 2 forms the entrance to the strike chute. Facing said rectangular opening, the inside of the front face of the side wall 3, which forms the bottom of the keeper drain, carries a keeper rubber (not shown) intended to absorb the shock of the strike against the side wall 3 of the housing 1 when the lock.

A cylindrical hole 2a in the base 2 allows the axis to pass of rotation 25 of the bolt 27. A slot 2b in an arc centered on the axis of rotation 25 of the bolt 27 allows the passage of the tab 27c of the bolt 27. A pawn 2d perpendicularly projecting from the base 2 directly above the internal locking control motor 9 abuts against this to keep it pressed into its housing 4b of the cover 4. A second protruding pin 2nd serves as an axis of rotation for the opening lever outdoor 29.

The kinematics and retention elements of the lock visible in Figure 7 will now be described. These organs include from top to bottom of Figure 7, the opening lever interior 20, the exterior locking control motor 8, a external locking lever 30, the control motor inner lock 9, an outer lock link 22, an external locking pin 32, the external opening lever 29, an interior opening lever 33, a locking rod child 34, a locking lever child 35, a false pawl 36, the ratchet 28 and the bolt 27.

As can be seen in FIG. 8, the false pawl 36 and the lever opening interior 33 are rotatably mounted on the same axis 26, shown in phantom, as the pawl 28. This axis 26 crosses the base 2 by a circular opening 2g made in the latter. The false ratchet 36 consists of a hollow cylinder 36a crossed by the axis 26 and comprising, at its upper end a flat wing 36b forming two substantially radial branches 36c and 36d, and in the extension of the cylinder 36a at its lower end two square legs 36e on the side slightly less than the width of the radial notches 28c of the pawl 28.

The false pawl 36 is fitted on the pawl 28 with the tabs 36e engaged in the radial notches 28c so as to allow rotation of a limited clearance angle of the pawl 36 relative to to the ratchet 28 and to link in rotation the ratchet 28 and the false-ratchet 36 around of their common axis 26 when the rotation of the pawl exceeds this clearance angle. This limited clearance angle allows, when closing the lock, that the pawl 28 crosses the notches 27a and 27b of the bolt without causing the false pawl 36 to rotate.

The flat wing 36b of the false pawl 36 is pierced with a slot 36f in an arc centered on the axis 26 allowing the finger 2e to cross the false ratchet without interfering with its rotation between its retaining position of the bolt 27 and its position of release of the bolt 27. The branch 36c of the false pawl 36 is also pierced with an oblong light 36h substantially radial with respect to the axis 26.

The internal opening lever 33 has a pin hole 33a for the passage of the axis 26, an arm 33b substantially radial relative to to axis 26 and comprising a curved end portion intended for operate the interior opening lever 33 to its open position of the lock. A light 33c in an arc centered on the axis 26 is formed in the interior opening lever 33 to allow the finger 2nd to cross the latter without interfering with its rotation between its position rest and its opening position of the lock. The function of a second light 33d substantially in L pierced in the interior lever 33 will be explained below. The interior opening lever 33 finally comprises a tab 33e folded down.

A return spring 45, visible in FIG. 13, mounted on a finger 2f of the base 2 of the housing 1 has a branch bearing against the inner face of the side wall 3 and the other branch bearing against lug 33e so as to exert an elastic return torque on the internal opening lever 33 towards its rest position. In position of rest of the interior opening lever 33, this torque maintains the lever opening interior 33 in abutment against branch 36c of the pawl 36 visible in Figure 7, so as to exert on the false pawl 36 a torque in the closing direction of the lock.

The external opening lever 29 is rotatably mounted on the finger 2e of base 2 so as to pivot freely relative to the lever opening interior 33. As can be seen in FIG. 9, the lever of external opening 29 comprises a slot 29a substantially in an arc of circle centered on the finger 2e to allow the passage of the axis of rotation 26 without interfering with the rotation of the external opening lever 29 between its rest position and its opening position of the lock. A washer 37 with an outside diameter greater than the width of the slot crimped at the upper end of axle 26 over the lever external opening 29 so as to hold the latter against the interior opening lever 33.

A return spring 38 mounted on the finger 2e over the external opening lever 29 has a branch, the end of which is folded down and inserted into a notch drilled in the lever opening 29 and its other branch inserted into a slot in the 2nd finger so as to exert an elastic return torque on the lever external opening 29. In the rest position, this couple maintains a end of the slot 29a of the external opening lever 29 in abutment against axis 26.

As best seen in Figures 12 and 13, the lever of external opening 29 comprises a light 29c substantially in L with a branch that is substantially radial with respect to the 2nd finger and a branch substantially in an arc centered on the finger 2e.

The operation of the condemnation function / external unlocking of the lock will now be explained. The external opening lever 29 cooperates with the pawl 36 by through the external condemnation pawn 32. The pawn of outer locking 32 has a U-shaped middle portion 32a in a plane parallel to that of the external opening lever 29, said part U-shaped straddle finger 2e, and two coaxial nipples 32b and 32c extending on either side of the base of the middle part 32a in a U. The pin 32c pointing downwards is engaged in the light 29c of the lever opening 29 and passes completely through the opening lever outer 29 to come along the branch 36c of the false pawl 36.

Alternatively, we could have replaced the fork of the pawn of external locking 32 by an annular flange, but in this In this case, the external condemnation piece 32 could have turned on itself.

The outer locking pin 32 cooperates with the external locking rod 22 via the stud 32b. The outer locking rod 22, which has recesses 22f intended to save material and lighten the part, relates to its upper face a crown boss 22a into which a pin is inserted cylindrical 21 carried by the internal face of the cover 4, and on its face lower a cylindrical boss 22b which fits into a circular hole 2h pierced in the raised portion 2c of the base 2 of the housing 1.

The crown boss 22a and the cylindrical boss 22b are coaxial and serve as an axis of rotation for the locking rod exterior 22. A slot 22d substantially in an arc centered on the axis of rotation of the outer locking rod 22 allows the passage through it of the 2nd finger without interfering with the rotation of this last. The outer locking rod 22 can therefore rotate of a limited angle on its axis between an external locked position and an external unlocked position.

A rectangular slot 22d made in the underside of the cylindrical boss 22b and accessible from the bottom of the drain keeper allows direct actuation of the locking rod 22 in the open door position, for example using a screwdriver or key tip. Such actuation can be made required by a fault in the electrical control system of the external condemnation.

The pin 32b of the outer locking pin 32 oriented upwards is engaged in an oblong light 22c of the connecting rod external locking 22, substantially radial with respect to the axis of rotation of the latter. This pin 32b rotates the pin of outer lockout 32 with the outer lockout link 22 around the axis of rotation of the latter.

In the rest position of the external opening lever 29, the radial branch of the light 29c of the external opening lever 29 allows the sliding of the stud 32c between a position close to the finger 2e, visible in FIG. 12, in which the stud 32c is in the branch in an arc of light 29c and in which the pawn of external locking 32 is said to be in the disengaged position, and a position away from finger 2e, visible in FIG. 10, in which the stud 32c is in the radial branch of light 29c in which the pawn of external locking 32 is said to be in the engaged position. The tilting of the outer locking rod 22 therefore allows by driving the pin 32b to move the outer locking pin 32 between its disengaged and engaged positions.

In the engaged position of the outer locking pin 32, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, when the external opening lever 29 to its position for opening the lock according to arrow R1, the stud 32b of the outer locking pin 32 slides freely in the light 22c of the locking rod outer 22 while the stud 32c abuts against the branch 36c of the pawl 36, so that the pawl 36 is driven in anti-clockwise rotation by the external opening lever 29, via the external locking pin 32. The pawl 28 being linked in rotation to the pawl, the actuation of the opening lever exterior 29, for example by means of a rod connecting the exterior door handle at the end 60 of the opening lever external 29, produces the rotation of the pawl 28 in the release position of the bolt 27 and the opening of the lock.

In the disengaged position of the outer locking pin 32, as visible in FIGS. 12 and 13, during the actuation of the external opening lever 29 to its position for opening the lock according to arrow R1 in FIG. 12, the stud 32c of the locking pin outer 32 slides freely in the circular arc branch of the light 29c of the external opening lever 29, without causing the pin to external locking 32, which disengages the connection between the lever opening 29 and the pawl 36 and deactivate the function external opening of the lock.

The external locking rod 22 carries a end an angular sector toothed inwards 39 in an arc centered on the latter's axis of rotation, which meshes with a gear train 40 connected to the shaft of the control motor external locking 8, the gear train 40 can possibly only have one pinion. Engine activation external locking control 8 in one direction causes the rotation of the outer locking rod 22 in its position external lockout and activation of the control motor external condemnation 8 in the other direction causes the rotation of the external locking rod 22 in its unlocked position exterior.

At the other end of the external locking rod 22, a finger 42 extends perpendicularly towards the compartment of retention 7 of the lock, crosses the base 2 through an oblong slot 2i drilled in it in an arc centered on the axis of rotation of the outer locking rod 22, and extends substantially up to the counterplate 6. The finger 42 is at one end of the oblong slot 2i when the outer locking rod 22 is in the external locked position, and at the other end of the slot oblong 2i when the outer locking rod 22 is in external unlocked position.

An elastic bi-stability tongue 41 extends along a edge of the oblong slot 2i parallel to the latter and cooperates with finger 42. In the rest position, the elastic bi-stability tab 41 has a material bridge extending towards the slot oblong 2i to form a neck at the midpoint thereof. For cross this neck, finger 42 must push back the elastic tongue of bi-stability 41 outwards, so that this defines two positions stable for finger 42 at each end of the oblong slot 2i, which correspond to the outer condemned and unlocked positions outside of the outer locking rod 22. In a particular realization, the elastic tongue of bi-stability 41 comes from molding with base 2.

When the lock is open, the finger 27d of the bolt 27 found directly above the midpoint of the oblong slot 2i and extends perpendicular to the latter so as to prohibit the displacement of the finger 42 between its two stable positions. Finger 27d of the bolt 27 therefore prevents the tilting of the locking rod outside 22 towards its locked outside position when the lock is opened.

As visible on the Figure 9, an external locking lever 30 cooperates with the external locking rod 22. The locking lever outer 30 has a free end 30a intended to be connected to a locking cylinder, for a front door, and one end linked to the outer locking rod 22. This second end is pierced with a circular hole 30b allowing the lever to nest external locking 30 on the outside of the crown boss 22a of the external locking rod 22 and, on its underside, a pin (not visible) which engages in a 22nd slot of the connecting rod external locking 22, in an arc centered on the axis of rotation of the latter. Said pin links the external locking lever 30 and the outer locking rod 22 rotating around its axis, so that the tilting of the external locking lever 30 in the direction of arrow R3 (respectively R4) in Figure 9 orders the conviction (respectively the unlocking) outside of the lock. However, the length of the 22nd slot allows free rotation over a limited angle of the locking lever outer 30 relative to the outer locking rod 22, so as to allow the latter to return to a neutral position for allow for example the introduction and removal of the key in the barrel closing, and to allow the rotation of the connecting rod external locking 22 under the action of the motor 8 without displacing the external locking lever 30.

The external locking lever 30 bears on its part upper two fins 30d which cooperate with the contactor of detection of the external lockout 10 and the detection contactor of the external unlocking 11 by coming into contact with the pushbuttons 10a and 11a respectively when tilting the external locking lever 30 towards its respective positions of exterior condemnation and exterior unlocking.

The operation of the condemnation function / interior unlocking of the lock will now be explained. The child locking lever 35 is inserted between base 2 and the pawl 36. As can be seen in figure 14, the locking lever child 35 has at one end a cylindrical axis 35a extending down to cross, the base 2 of the housing 1 through a circular hole 2j drilled in the latter, the retention compartment 7 of the lock, and against the plate 6 by the circular hole 23 drilled therein. The child locking lever 35 can rotate around this axis between its child condemnation and child unlocking positions.

The lower end of the cylindrical axis 35a protrudes from the against plate 6 and has a rectangular diametrical slot 35b. In open door position, this end is accessible on the edge of the vehicle door on which the lock is mounted, and allows operate the child locking lever 35, for example using with a screwdriver or a key tip, to lock or unlock child the lock.

The axis 35a has a radial tab 35f bent towards the high and which abuts against the underside of the base 2 to maintain the axis 35a in the circular hole 2j. The edge of the circular hole 2j has a radial notch 21 of depth slightly less than the extension radial of the radial lug 35f, so as to allow the crossing elastic of this rim by the radial lug 35f during assembly of the child locking lever 35 on the housing 1. The lever child conviction 35 has a 35c clip on the underside in a 2k slot in base 2 in an arc centered on the hole circular 2d. The clip 35c spans the edge of the slot 2k so as to allow the rotation of the child locking lever 35 but at prohibit its movement parallel to its cylindrical axis 35a.

The child locking lever 35 also has a tab bi-stability elastic 35d, the end of which slides along a rim comprising a material bridge 46 carried by the base 2, visible in the figure 5. When passing from one side to the other of the material bridge 46, the tab bi-stability elastic 35d is pushed towards the cylindrical axis 35a, so that the two positions of the child locking lever 35 defined by positioning the end of the elastic bi-stability tab 35d are stable. These two positions correspond respectively to the child condemnation and child unlocking of the lock.

The child locking lever 35 cooperates with the false pawl 36 and the interior opening lever 33 via the child condemnation link 34. Child condemnation link 34, inserted between the child locking lever 35 and the pawl 36, has at one end a stud 34a extending towards the low and engaged in a 35th circular hole in the locking lever child 35 so as to link this end to the latter in translation circular around the cylindrical axis 35a, and at its other end a nipple 34b extending upward and engaged through the oblong lumen 36h of the false pawl 36 and in the light 33d substantially in L of the interior opening lever 33. Child lock rod 34 forms a disengageable connection between the false pawl 36 and the internal lever opening 33 during their rotation about their common axis 26.

In the rest position of the interior opening lever 33, the oblong light 36h ratchet 36 and the radial branch of the light 33d of the interior opening lever 33 allow the sliding of the pin 34b between a position close to the axis 26, visible in the figure 15, in which the child locking rod 34 is said to be disengaged position, and a position distant from axis 26, visible on the Figure 17, in which the child locking rod 34 is said to be engaged position. The rotation of the child locking lever 35 according to arrow R7 in Figure 15 (respectively R8 in Figure 17) therefore allows, by driving the stud 34a, to move the connecting rod condemnation child 34 towards its engaged position (respectively towards its disengaged position).

In the engaged position of the locking rod child 34, as visible in figure 17, the lock is unlocked child. The stud 34b is engaged in the radial branch of the light 33d of the interior opening lever 33. When the lever is actuated interior opening 20, for example by means of a rod connecting the interior door handle to a clip 61 and a branch 62 of the interior opening lever 20, the branch 20b coming to bear on the stop 33f of the interior opening lever 33 to rotate this last towards its opening position of the lock according to arrow R5 of the Figure 18, the stud 34b of the child locking rod 34 comes in abutment against the wall of the oblong light 36h of the false pawl 36 and against the wall of the radial branch of the light 33d of the inner lever opening 33, so that the false-pawl 36 is linked in rotation to the internal opening lever 33. The pawl 28 being linked in rotation to the false pawl 36, actuation of the interior opening lever 33 produces the rotation of the pawl 28 in the bolt release position and the opening of the lock.

In the disengaged position of the locking rod child 34, as seen in figure 15, the lock is locked child. The nipple 34b is engaged in the arcuate branch of the light 33d of the interior opening lever 33. When actuated of the interior opening lever 33 to its open position of the lock according to arrow R5 in FIG. 16, the latter slides on the nipple 34b of the child condemnation link 34, without training the latter, which disengages the connection between the interior opening lever 33 and the false ratchet 36 and deactivates the interior opening function of the lock.

When opening the interior of the lock, the tab 36d of the false pawl 36 automatically disables the locking outside of the lock if it was activated. Indeed, when the pawn external locking device 32 is in the disengaged position near the finger 2e, and that the pawl 36 rotates about its axis 26 clockwise towards its position of opening the lock, the edge of the tab 36d comes into contact with the nipple 32c and causes the latter to slide in the radial branch of the light 29c towards the engaged position of the pin of external locking 32. The tab 36d thus makes it possible to carry out the "override" function, ie external unlocking automatic opening inside.

The child locking lever 35 carries at one end a external toothed angular sector 35g in an arc centered on the axis 35a, which meshes on a gear train 47 connected to the shaft of the inner locking control motor 9, the gear train 47 may possibly have only one pinion. activation of the interior locking control motor 9 in one direction causes the rotation of the child locking lever 35 in its position sentenced child and activation of the engine control inner locking 9 in the other direction causes the rotation of the lever child 35 in his unlocked child position.

In a particular embodiment intended for a front door of the vehicle, the lock has a function of automatic child unlocking during unlocking exterior. The child locking lever 35 then carries a tab 48 extending perpendicularly the end of which cooperates with a tab 49 of the outer locking rod 22. When the lock is in a supercondamined initial state, in which the connecting rod external lock 22 and the child lock lever 35 are in their respective locked positions, the tab 49 is in the vicinity of lug 48. When tilting the locking rod outside 22, under the action of the outside locking lever 30 or of the external locking control motor 8, towards its position outer unlocking, tab 49 repels tab 48, which turn the child lock lever 35 to its child unlocking.

Of course, in the case of a rear door lock, we removes at least one of the two legs 48 and 49 to allow the child conviction without causing external condemnation. In this case, it is not necessary to remove the 36d override tab from the false ratchet 36 because the override function is deactivated in the position child conviction.

The child locking lever 35 has a cam 50 which comes into contact with the push button 12a of the contactor detection of the child 12 conviction when the lever child condemnation 35 is in its child condemned position. By medium, the child conviction 12 detection contactor is open when the lock is unlocked as a child, and closed when the lock is condemned child.

The circuit internal electric lock is connected via pins of electrical contact 15 to a central control unit, capable of control the power supply to the locking control motors exterior 8 and interior condemnation 9 independently one of the other, so as to be able to carry out the function of condemnation / external unlocking by activation of the control motor external locking 8, the locking function / child unlocking, by activation of the control motor inner condemnation 9, and the function of super-conviction / desupercondamantion by combined activation of the two motors.

Upon receipt of a super-conviction of the lock, sent for example via a remote control or hands-free access system, this central unit control unit acquires the electrical signal characteristic of the open or closed state of the conviction detection contactor child 12 before carrying out the deadlock, and memorize this signal characteristic throughout the duration of the state of super-conviction of the lock. Upon receipt of the next order from unlocking of the lock, for example via a remote control, the central control unit is programmed to activate the internal locking control motor 9 to bring the lock to the child unlocking position only if the memorized signal indicates that the child lock function of the lock was inactive before the execution of the order deadlocking.

However, if the lock is in a state where the lever child 35 conviction is in its unlocked child position and that a super lock order is given on a door lock before, the two motors 8 and 9 are powered so that they drive their respective links without the legs 48 and 49 coming in contact, because the power of the motor 9 is not sufficient to drive, via lugs 48 and 49, the rotation of the locking rod exterior 22.

Furthermore, if the lock is already in its locked position child and that she receives an order of super-conviction, that is to say the unit central does not send power to motor 9, or it supplies it with couple blocked.

Claims (8)

1. Central control unit and lock for a motor-vehicle opening member, the said lock being connected to the central control unit in order to produce an exterior-locking/unlocking function, an interior-locking/unlocking function, called child locking/unlocking, and a superlocking function; the said lock having:

   a latch (27) for retaining a striker,

   a detent (28) for blocking the latch (27), and also

   exterior-opening control means for acting on the detent (28) via connecting means as a function of exterior-locking means, and interior-opening control means for acting on the detent (28) via connecting means as a function of interior-locking means; the said interior-locking means cooperating with at least one electrical contactor (12) of the lock capable of assuming a first state when the said interior-locking means are in the child-unlocked position, and a second state when the said interior-locking means are in the child-locked position; characterised in that the said electrical contactor (12) is connected to the central control unit, so that, with the said central control unit being capable of acquiring an electrical signal characteristic of the actual state of the said electrical contactor (12) and of storing the said characteristic signal, the said central control unit is capable, at the time of execution of an un-superlocking order, of bringing the lock into the child-unlocking position only if the said stored signal indicates that the child-locking function of the lock was inactivated before the execution of the superlocking order.
2. Central control unit according to Claim 1, characterised in that the lock also comprises an exterior-locking drive motor (8) capable of activating and of inactivating, via the exterior-locking means, the connection between the exterior-opening control means and the detent (28); an interior-locking drive motor (9) capable of activating and inactivating, via interior-locking means, the connection between the interior-opening control means and the detent (28),
   and in that the central control unit controls the said motors independently of one another, so as to be able to produce the exterior-locking/unlocking function by activation of the exterior-locking drive motor (8), the interior-locking/unlocking function, called the child-locking/unlocking function, by activation of the interior-locking drive motor (9), and the superlocking function by combined activation of the two motors.
3. Central control unit and lock according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the interior-locking means comprise a child-locking lever (35) equipped with a cam (50) capable of butting against a push-button (12a) of the said electrical contactor (12) in either the child-locked or child-unlocked position.
4. Central control unit and lock according to Claim 3, characterised in that the said child-locking lever (35) bears a bistability lug (35d) cooperating with a part (46) of the lock housing, the said housing part (46) having a material bridge, the crossing of which defines two stable positions for the said child-locking lever (35), in its child-unlocked position and its child-locked position, respectively.
5. Central control unit and lock according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the lock has a retaining compartment (7) capable of receiving a striker and containing the retaining members of the lock, in particular the latch (27) and the detent (28), and a kinematic compartment (5) containing kinematic members of the lock, in particular a false-detent (36) coaxial with the detent (28) and rotationally connected thereto, an opening interior lever (33) rotationally mounted on the same rotation shaft (26) as the false-detent (36), the opening interior lever (33) being capable of bringing about the displacement of the false-detent (36) towards its position for releasing the latch (27), and a child-locking lever (35); the two compartments being separated by a substantially impervious partition (2), through which the retaining members cooperate with the kinematic members of the lock; the said child-locking lever (35) having a control button (35b) accessible from outside the lock, in particular in the open-door position; the said control button (35b) being capable of displacing the said child-locking lever (35) between a child-locking position and a child-unlocking position; the said child-locking lever (35) cooperating with a disengageable connecting member (34) between the opening interior lever (33) and the false-detent (36), the said disengageable connecting member (34) being capable, in its engaged position, of connecting, for rotation about their rotation shaft (26), the said opening interior lever (33) to the said false-detent (28) on displacement of the opening interior lever (33) between its positions of rest and for opening the lock, and, in the disengaged position of the said disengageable connecting member (34), of permitting the free rotation of the said opening interior lever (33) with respect to the false-detent (36).
6. Central control unit and lock according to Claim 5, characterised in that the said disengageable connecting member is a child-locking link (34) rotationally connected to the said child-locking lever (35) and having a stub (34b) engaged in an elongated slot (36h) of the false-detent (36) substantially radial with respect to the rotation shaft (26) of the latter, and in a substantially L-shaped channel (33d) of the opening interior lever (33), the said channel (33d) of the opening interior lever (33) comprising a first leg substantially radial with respect to the rotation shaft (26) of the said opening interior lever (33), and a second leg substantially in the shape of an arc of a circle centred on the rotation shaft (26) of the said opening interior lever (33); the said lock being such that, on the one hand, in the child-unlocked position of the child-locking lever (35), the stub (34b) of the said child-locking link (34) is situated in the engaged position in the first leg of the said channel (33d) of the opening interior lever (33); on the other hand, in the child-locked position of the child-locking lever (35), the stub (34b) of the said child-locking link (34) is situated in the disengaged position in the second leg of the said channel (33d) of the opening interior lever (33), in order to disengage the connection between the latter and the said child-locking link (34) on displacement of the opening interior lever (33) between its positions of rest and for opening the lock; the second leg of the said channel (33d) of the opening interior lever (33) sliding freely on the stub (34b) of the said child-locking link (34) on the said displacement of the opening interior lever (33); the rotation of the child-locking lever (35) between its child-locking and child-unlocking positions bringing about the sliding of the stub (34b) of the said child-locking link (34) in the elongated slot (36h) of the false-detent (36) and in the first leg of the channel (33d) of the opening interior lever (33).
7. Central control unit and lock according to one of Claims 3 to 6, characterised in that the child-locking lever (35) bears at least one hook (35c) straddling a part of the lock housing so as to prevent the translation of the said child-locking lever (35) in a direction substantially parallel to its rotation shaft (35a).
8. Central control unit and lock according to one of Claims 3 to 7, for a motor-vehicle front door, characterised in that the said child-locking lever (35) bears at least one lug (48) capable of cooperating with the exterior-locking means of the lock, so as to cause the return of the said child-locking lever (35) to its child-unlocked position when, with the lock being in a superlocked initial state, the said exterior-locking means are actuated towards their exterior-unlocked position by a mechanical exterior-locking control means, for example a lock cylinder.

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