EP1277899A1 - Actuating device for a vehicle door lock - Google Patents

Abstract

The operating mechanism for a vehicle door lock (1) has a handle (2) with a movement damper (3) with a shaft (6) for the handle. The shaft is linked to the handle through damping couplings (7-9), which are moved in and out. The action of the couplings is according to the direction of movement so that, according to the direction (20,21) of handle movement and direction of shaft rotation, the movement is damped or undamped.

Description

The invention relates to an actuating device for a motor vehicle door lock, with a handle, and with a movement damper with shaft for the handle. - Usually, the handle can be about an axis of rotation panning, which is not mandatory. Also lie Connecting elements between handle and motion damper within the scope of the invention, as long as only that the motion damper dampens the movement of the handle, d. H. usually to a speed reduction of Handle leads.

Such handles can be used as inside door handle, outside door handle, Trunk lid handle, etc. be executed. - At Central locking is possible with Help, for example, the inside door handle this not only too open, but also for a corresponding closing process to care. For this purpose, the inside door handle can be mostly in comparison to an associated shell to move inwards. If now an associated vehicle door the door inner handle must be in opposite Be moved (see DE-GM 296 08 002).

There is a risk that in case of improper or excessive pulling movement on the inside door handle of this spring-loaded snaps back into a position, which corresponds to the lock. In other words It is conceivable that the inside door handle unintentionally not only (spring assisted) snaps back, but about its normal position out into the previously described locking position for the central locking system becomes.

There are already approaches in the state of the art to to dampen the movement of such a handle. To For this purpose, US Pat. No. 5,743,575 already discloses a motion damper proposed for a local handle, the However, arranged between two bearing blocks for the handle is. This is technically unfavorable because of the motion damper placed between two arms on the handle must become. Incidentally, the known embodiment allows no variation of the damping characteristic.

The same applies to consideration of US Pat. No. 5,092,642 known doctrine. Because this leaves details of the connection between handle and motion damper open. Furthermore makes the known actuator to a complicated Mechanism starting to dampen the movement the handle only in one direction. These too Design can not convince the assembly effort ago. In addition, a variety of items necessary for functional representation. This is especially true in the With regard to the realized variation of the damping.

Finally, a similar actuator is through DE 199 07 683 A1 has become known. Here is a Section of a lever-shaped handle or a handle equipped with a toothed segment, which with a rotary damper is engaged. This one tries one to create quiet operation. In this case, too is the structure relatively complex, leaves by the way no Adaptation to different installation situations too. - Here The invention aims to provide a total remedy.

The invention is based on the technical problem, a Such actuating device for a motor vehicle door lock so on, that with a simple structure and faster assembly the possibility is opened the motion damper in terms of its characteristics to adapt to different installation conditions.

To solve this problem, the invention proposes a generic actuating device for a motor vehicle door lock before that the wave by means of a Damping influencing coupling connected to the handle is. Preferably, the shaft of the motion damper a directionally dependent coupling, which depending on the direction of actuation of the handle and thus Direction of rotation of the shaft damping the movement or Undamped movement causes.

In addition, the motion damper usually has in its interior via a fluid, which by rotation of the displaced out of the associated damper housing shaft becomes. Always provides the damping influencing Coupling between shaft and handle ultimately for that represent very different damping characteristics to let. This is contrary to the teaching of the U.S. Patent No. 5,092,642, which is a particular embodiment at this point of the motion damper in its interior demands. As a result, when changing the damping characteristic also the associated motion dampers are exchanged, which is also extremely complex.

Such a procedure is unnecessary in the doctrine of invention, because here is the coupling between shaft or motion damper and handle adapted to the respective requirements while, ideally, the motion damper as such no changes. In order to control these, the damping effect To be able to realize clutch in detail is provided to design the clutch on and disengageable. This one will usually proceed in such a way that at drawn handle for opening an associated motor vehicle door lock the clutch is disengaged while the backward movement of the handle when the clutch is engaged delayed by the now attacking motion damper becomes.

In this case, the engagement and disengagement of the clutch can be basically realize in different ways. For the case that between the handle and shaft a frictional Rotary connection, z. B. gear connection, realized is, can be to insert or disengage the respective Move gears against each other by changing the distance associated axes increases (disengages) or decreases (indenting) will. Likewise, of course, so can proceed be that the non-positive rotary connection only in sections with respect to associated axles with gears is equipped by the respective axial displacement of the Axes are brought into engagement with each other (indented Coupling) or separated from each other (disengaged Clutch).

Finally, the doctrine of invention includes at this point Detailed solutions such that, for example, a or several teeth of the gear connection omitted. That will be you preferably provide for the gear on the handle. So can be ensured that the handle at an opening Movement with her gear-free area the motion damper not applied during the backward movement the handle with an engagement of the gears and thus a damping of this process is associated.

According to another proposal of the invention is the handle as pivotable about the axis of rotation, preferably one-piece angle lever formed with extension, wherein the extension interacts with the motion damper. at This interaction is usually the non-positive rotary connection with engageable and disengageable Gears. This is usually done so that the Extension and led out of the motion damper Wave about just such a force or frictional Rotary connection are connected to each other.

It may be at this point to a gear connection with preferably predetermined and / or variable Act translation. Alternatively, the invention proposes as non-positive rotary connection a drive pulley / drive belt connection preferably with predetermined and / or variable translation.

In both cases, a problem-free adjustment of the motion damper succeeds to the actual conditions. Because this movement damper is of the handle - in contrast to the teaching of US Patent 5,743,575 - as it were decoupled. That is, in the simplest case, the out of the motion damper led out shaft with another gear or be equipped with another drive roller. Remains the number the teeth on the extension unchanged and has the gear in this case, for example, an increased number Teeth, this results in a relaxed reduced Damping effect of the motion damper. This is because the handle or the angle lever with extension now in the Able to have a greater torque (than before) on the Wave and thus usually on the inside of the motion damper exercise fluid to be displaced. The same of course applies in the event that a driving roller with larger diameter on the shaft in question for use comes. This larger torque ensures unchanged Fluid for a reduced damping effect.

The motion damper is generally made in two parts and has a cylinder housing filled with the fluid and a paddle immersed therein. This paddle will with the help of the led out of the damper housing shaft rotated in the fluid.

In addition to the aforementioned possibility, the damping effect change due to the coupling affecting the damping the invention proposes as another alternative, the density and thus the viscosity of the fluid changing To adapt requirements. For this purpose, the damper housing provided with an opening which has a corresponding Replacement of the fluid allows.

Next has proved to be particularly advantageous that the coupling affecting the damping depending on the direction acts. Consequently, the clutch leaves depending on the direction of actuation the handle and thus the direction of rotation of the shaft of Motion damper a damping of movement or a undamped movement too. Consequently, the invention opens up with the help of this coupling the possibility of an example handle designed as a door handle allow normal opening movement of this door inside handle. In contrast, the (mostly spring-assisted) backward movement the door inner handle muffled, so that already described locking position is not taken or can be.

The assembly of the described actuator succeeds particularly fast and advantageous in that the Movement damper with its damper housing as a complete Assembly unit detachably received in a damper mount becomes. This damper mount may be in a carrier plate which in turn communicate with a motor vehicle door stands at which the described actuator is arranged.

Usually, this damper recording with at least two, the damper housing enclosing, snap springs equipped. That is, the damper housing or the entire Movement damper is a snap connection with the Damper mount without additional glands, Riveting or the like are required. Thereby, that led out of the damper housing shaft with a gear or a drive roller is provided, it comes not even on a specific (rotary) installation position of this Motion damper on. Rather, it is enough, this snapping into the damper mount. As soon as the Handle is mounted on the axis of rotation, grab the associated teeth on the extension and on the damper housing led out wave into each other informally.

So that different translations can be realized, can be either the extension or the entire Replace handle with extension or must be on another Wave or another gear fitted thereto recourse become. To compensate for any distance changes to be able to suggest the invention, the damper recording to adapt to these changes in distance can. Also are consecutively stepped damper mountings conceivable.

Always becomes a particularly easy to mount actuator proposed, which is characterized by that the motion damper as it were from the handle is decoupled. Only the cooperating with the handle Extension ensures a non-positive rotary connection from the handle to the motion damper. Consequently, let Movement damper and handle independently mount (and of course also finished).

In this way, the invention further ensures that differently designed motion damper with a each selected handle can be combined. Thereby can be the damping behavior of the motion damper vary within wide limits. Finally, the Directionally dependent clutch the possibility of a Motion damping to be effective only if this is also required. Here are the essentials To see advantages.

Fig. 1

die beschriebene Betätigungsvorrichtung in schematischer Ansicht, reduziert auf die wesentlichen Bauteile,

Fig. 2

eine Detailaufsicht auf den Bewegungsdämpfer aus Richtung B und

Fig. 3

die Aufnahme des Bewegungsdämpfers in einer Dämpferaufnahme.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing showing only one exemplary embodiment; show it:

Fig. 1

the actuating device described in a schematic view, reduced to the essential components,

Fig. 2

a detailed supervision of the motion damper from direction B and

Fig. 3

the inclusion of the motion damper in a damper mount.

In the figures, an actuating device for a Motor vehicle door lock 1 shown in its basic structure one about a rotation axis R pivotable handle 2 and a motion damper 3 for the Handle 2 has. The handle 2 is a door inner handle 2, with the help of a lock opening to open the door, like this is generally known (see DE-GM 296 08 002). Furthermore can the door inner handle 2 - as described there - in Direction to the door interior of a motor vehicle door 4, the shown only rudimentarily, be moved. This movement, directed against the aforementioned opening movement is that causes at least the connected Motor vehicle door lock 1 in its locking position is transferred. The connection between handle 2 and Motor vehicle door lock 1 is shown in phantom and like as an operating rod, Bowden cable or the like be executed. - It should be emphasized that the invention described below Actuator, of course, not on such Embodiments limited.

In the context of the invention, the handle 2 as to the axis of rotation R pivotable one-piece angle lever 2, 5 with Extension 5 is formed, wherein the extension 5 with the motion damper 3 interacts. Integral means that the Extension 5 with the handle 2 a non-positive connection received. That is, this extension 5 can be used as a replacement part be executed, which firmly with the handle 2 - In the sense of the one-piece angle lever 2, 5 - connected becomes. This is within the scope of the embodiment, however not shown.

The extension 5 and led out of the motion damper 3 Wave 6 interact via a frictional Rotary joint 7 as the damping influencing coupling 7, 8, 9. In this non-positive rotary connection 7 acts It is in the context of the illustrated embodiment to a gear connection 8, 9 with predetermined or variable Translation. Because this gear connection 8, 9 or non-positive Rotary connection 7 consists in the core of a sprocket 8 end of the extension 5 and a gear 9, which is attached to the shaft 6.

The gear 9 can be in consequence of the connector described replace to shaft 6. This basically applies also for the extension 5 with sprocket 8, as before was executed. Instead of the illustrated non-positive Rotary joint 7 can also be connected to a driving pulley / drive belt connection recourse to this point but this is not reflected in the drawings place. Either way, the damping of the handle 2 influence by means of the coupling 7, 8, 9. Because the changing Translations of the gear connection 8, 9 practice different torques on the shaft 6, which consequently undergoes varying damping.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 it can be seen that the motion damper 3 equipped with a cylindrical damper housing 10 is. The already mentioned wave 6 goes in Interior of this damper housing 10 in a in Fig. 2 only indicated paddle 11 via, which within the damper housing 10 and a fluid 12 located there rotates. This fluid 12 can be adapted to different conditions to adjust. This purpose, an inlet / outlet opening 13 in the damper housing 10, an exchange or a mixture of inside fluid 12 (mostly oil) guaranteed.

For example, if the gear 9 shown in FIG replaced with one with more teeth and larger size is, then the ring gear 8 and the angle lever 2, 5 able to apply greater torques to the shaft 6 and thus exerting the fluid 12 in the damper housing 10. The leads with unchanged sprocket 8 and retained fluid 12 to a reduced damping effect on the handle 2. The same can of course be alternative or additional thereby achieve that the damping effect by changing the viscosity or density of the fluid 12 is varied.

In any case, the motion damper 3 basically works as described in the introductory US patent 5,743,575. That is, that Fluid 12 can be released by rotation of the damper housing led out shaft 6 more or less displace. The damping effect varies depending on the selected gear ratio the non-positive rotary connection 7 and / or in Dependence on the density and thus the viscosity of the Fluids 12.

The assembly is so far easier than the motion damper 3 with its damper housing 10 as a complete unit in a damper receptacle 14 releasably received becomes. This damper mount 14 has shown in FIG. 3 two damper housing 10 enclosing snap springs 15. These snap springs 15 are equipped with barbs 16, at the inserted into the damper receptacle 14 Damper housing 10 a mounting ring 17 on the damper housing 10 overlap.

For an axially perfect fit of the damper housing 10th in the damper mount 14, the mounting ring 17 ensures which rests against stops 18 in the damper receptacle 14. These stops 18 in conjunction with the barbs 16 a ring receptacle 19, the width of her B to the Width of the mounting ring 17 is adjusted. consequently the damper housing 10 of the motion damper 3 is axially properly recorded in the damper mount 14.

A radially exact alignment of the damper housing 10 of the Movement damper 3 is because of the front side of the Damper housing 10 led out shaft 6 provided Gear 9 is not required. Because this gear 9 meshes casually with the ring gear 8 on the extension 5, as soon as the angle lever 2, 5 and the handle 2 on the rotation axis R. is pivotally attached.

Not shown is the possibility of damper recording 14 slidably execute in the radial direction of the shaft 6, as indicated by Fig. 1 by a double arrow. hereby ensures the invention that when unchanged Angle lever 2, 5 and retained sprocket 8 gears 9 attached with changing diameter on the shaft 6 can be. In addition, can be through such a movement the damping influencing coupling 7, 8, 9 einund disengage.

This ensures depending on the direction of actuation of the handle 2 and Consequently, the direction of rotation of the shaft 6 for damping the Motion or for an undamped motion. The effect This coupling 7, 8, 9 can be with reference to FIG. 1 like understand follows. If the handle 2 in the direction of the illustrated Arrow 20 for opening the vehicle door lock 1 pivoted about the rotation axis R, so is the Clutch 7, 8, 9 disengaged. That is, the gear 9 and the shaft 6 are not engaged while in the opposite direction (Arrow 21) the gear 9, the shaft 6 and thus the Paddle 11 turns. Just as well could affect the damping Clutch 7, 8, 9 in the direction 20 in engagement befindlichem gear 9 and shaft 6 ensure that the Shaft 6 is not connected to the paddle 11.

Consequently, the handle 2 is virtually not damped. The is desirable because the arrow 20, the release movement of the Motor vehicle door lock 1 represents, so a Process that does not need to be damped.

In contrast, it is in the opposite direction (arrow 21) due to the introductory explanations at least desired, if not required, the movement of the handle 2 in just this To dampen direction 21. This is ensured by the coupling 7, 8, 9, then the corresponding rotational movement of the shaft 6 on the Paddle 11 transmits.

Claims (10)

Actuating device for a motor vehicle door lock (1), with a handle (2), and with a motion damper (3) with shaft (6) for the handle (2), characterized in that the shaft (6) by means of a coupling influencing the damping ( 7, 8, 9) is connected to the handle (2). Actuating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the damping influencing the coupling (7, 8, 9) acts directionally dependent and depending on the direction of actuation (20, 21) of the handle (2) and thus the direction of rotation of the shaft (6) damping the movement or Undamped movement causes. Actuating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the damping influencing the coupling (7, 8, 9) is formed on and disengageable. Actuating device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the motion damper (3) displaces in its interior a fluid (12) by rotation of a damper housing (10) led out shaft (6), wherein the damping effect varies by changing the fluid viscosity can be. Actuating device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the handle (2) as about a rotation axis (R) pivotable angle lever (2, 5) with extension (5) is formed, wherein the extension (5) with the motion damper ( 3) interacts. Actuating device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the extension (5) and the out of the motion damper (3) led out shaft (6) via a non-positive rotational connection (7) as the damping influencing coupling (7, 8, 9) connected to each other. Actuating device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it is in the non-positive rotary connection (7) to a gear connection (8, 9) with preferably predetermined and / or variable translation or a Treibrollen- / drive belt connection with preferably predetermined and / or variable translation. Actuating device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the motion damper (3) with its damper housing (10) as a complete unit in a damper mount (14) is removably received. Actuating device according to claim 8, characterized in that the damper mount (14) has at least two snap springs (15) enclosing the damper housing (10). Actuating device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the damper mount (14) to different translations of the non-positive rotary connection (7) is adaptable.

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