EP1277899B1 - Actuating device for a vehicle door lock - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an actuating device for a motor vehicle door lock, with a spring assisted handle with extension and with a motion damper with shaft for the handle, wherein the shaft by means of a Damping influencing, directional coupling acting on the Extension of the handle is connected.

Usually, the handle can pivot about an axis of rotation, which is not mandatory. Also lie connecting elements between Handle and motion damper in the invention, as long as only guaranteed is that the motion damper the movement of the handle dampens, d. H. usually to a reduction in speed of the handle leads.

Such handles can as door inside handle, outside door handle, trunk lid handle etc. executed. With a central locking it is possible with the help of, for example, the inside door handle not only to open these, but also to ensure an appropriate closing. To this The purpose of the door inner handle is usually in comparison to an associated Move bowl inside. If now an associated vehicle door should be opened, the door inner handle in the opposite direction be moved (see DE-GM 296 08 002).

There is a risk that in case of improper or excessive Pull movement on the inside handle of this spring-backed snaps back in a position corresponding to the locking. With others Words it is conceivable that the inside door handle unintentionally not only (spring-assisted) snaps back, but beyond its normal position in the previously described locking position for the central locking system further becomes.

In the prior art, there are already approaches to the movement to dampen such a handle. For this purpose, in the US-PS 5 743 575 already proposed a motion damper for a local handle, however, which is arranged between two bearing blocks for the handle. This is technically unfavorable assembly, because the motion damper between two jibs must be placed on the handle. Incidentally, allows the known embodiment no variation of the damping characteristic.

The same applies when considering the teaching known from US Pat. No. 5,092,642. Because this leaves details of the connection between the handle and motion damper open. Incidentally, the known actuator to a complicated mechanism starting to dampen the movement of the handle only in one direction. This configuration is also capable of Assembly effort not convincing. In addition, a variety of individual parts necessary for functional representation. This applies in particular with regard to on the realized variation of the damping.

EP 1 083 276 A1 addresses the basic possibility of To influence the damping effect with the help of the local coupling.

In addition, one knows a similar actuator by the DE 199 07 683 A1. 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 to a low-noise operation create. Also in this case, the structure is relatively complex, by the way no adaptation to different installation situations.

In the generic art of JP-A-01-25 0571 a handle is provided which is connected to arms. An arm has a gearing, which is fitted with a gear of a motion damper combs.

In the context of WO 00/50710 a door handle actuating unit is described, in which the damping effect of a motion damper by modification is influenced by his inner life.

The invention is based on the technical problem of such an actuator so to further develop for a motor vehicle door latch that with a simple structure and quick installation the possibility is opened a simple adaptation of the motion damper in terms of its characteristics to achieve different installation conditions.

To solve this problem, the invention proposes a generic Actuating device for a motor vehicle door lock, that the handle in two opposite directions of actuation for opening or for locking the motor vehicle door lock is acted upon, and that the extension is designed as a replacement part, which with the handle a non-positive Connection is received.

The coupling causes depending on the direction of actuation the handle and thus rotation of the shaft damping the movement with variable damping effect or an undamped movement.

So that different translations can be realized, can be according to the invention, the extension change.

The motion damper usually has a fluid in its interior, which by turning out of the associated damper housing Wave is displaced. Always provides the damping influencing Coupling between shaft and handle ultimately make for very different Let damping characteristics represent. That is in contrast to the teachings of US Pat. No. 5,092,642, which at this juncture is a special one Design of the motion damper in its interior calls. Thereby must 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 Angular lever formed with exchangeable 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, it can 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.

The density and thus the viscosity of the fluid can change Requirements are adjusted. For this purpose, the damper housing provided with an opening which has a corresponding Replacement of the fluid allows.

The coupling influencing the damping acts depending on the direction. 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 allows with the help of this clutch, at one 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.

To compensate for any distance changes To be able to, the damper recording can be adapted to these distance changes. 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 Extension of the handle 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 21 on 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.

The handle 2 is as about the axis of rotation R swiveling angle lever 2, 5 with Extension 5 is formed, wherein the extension 5 with the motion damper 3 interacts, and wherein the Extension 5 with the handle 2 a non-positive connection received. That is, this extension 5 is as a replacement part executed, which firmly with the handle 2 - In the sense of a one-piece angle lever 2, 5 - connected becomes.

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. Same goes for course 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 7, 8, 9 influencing the damping and move out.

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 (9)

1. An actuation device for a vehicle door lock (1), having a spring-loaded handle (2) with extension (5) and with a motion damper (3) with shaft (6) for the handle (2), whereby the shaft (6) is attached to the extension (5) handle (2) by means of a coupling (7, 8, 9) influencing the damping and acting depending on direction, characterised in that the handle (2) can be impinged in two opposite actuation directions for opening or respectively locking the vehicle door lock (1), and in that the extension (5) is designed as an exchange component, which is connected non-positively with the handle (2).
2. The actuation device as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the coupling (7, 8, 9) influencing the damping is designed to engage and disengage.
3. The actuation device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the motion damper (3) displaces a fluid (12) in its interior by rotating the shaft (6) retractable from a damper housing (10), whereby the damping effect can be varied by changing the fluid viscosity.
4. The actuation device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the handle (2) is designed as an angular lever (2, 5) pivotable about an axis of rotation (R) with the extension (5), whereby the extension (5) interacts with the motion damper (3).
5. The actuation device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the extension (5) and the shaft (6) retracted from the motion damper (3) are connected to one another via non-positive rotary connection (7) as the coupling (7, 8, 9) influencing damping.
6. The actuation device as claimed in Claim 5, characterised in that the non-positive connection (7) is a toothed wheel connection (8, 9) with preferably preset and/or variable translation or a driving wheel / drive belt connection with preferably preset and/or variable translation.
7. The actuation device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the motion damper (3) with its damper housing (10) is accommodated detachably as a complete structural unit in a damper seat (14).
8. The actuation device as claimed in Claim 7, characterised in that the damper seat (14) has at least two catch springs (18) enclosing the damper housing (10).
9. The actuation device as claimed in Claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the damper seat (14) can be adapted to different translations of the non-positively rotary connection (7).

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