EP1617023B1 - Lock on wings or doors of a vehicle - Google Patents

Description

The invention is directed to a lock referred to in the preamble of claim 1. The classic components of a lock include a spring-loaded rotary latch, which cooperates when closing the door with a stationary closing part and a spring-loaded, pivot-mounted pawl, which when closing the door in at least one catch of the catch occurs. A so-called "snow load device" is added to the present lock. The snow load protection comes into play when the catch in electrical and / or manual operation of the pawl remains in its blocking effective closed position and does not release the closing part. Then, despite being pressed, the door can not be opened.

This "snow load case" occurs in the case of a lock arranged in a tailgate of a vehicle when a snow load is lying on the closed tailgate. Namely, this snow load pushes the tailgate so firmly into the closing part, that the restoring force of the seal and / or the spring load is insufficient to convert the catch again into its open position. From this fact the term "snow load case" is derived. Without a "snow load device" the pawl would be moved back from its pawl spring into its locked position, where it falls into a catch of the catch and therefore holds the catch again in its closed position. The task of the snow load device is to hold the pawl in its release end position obtained by actuation until the catch has actually reached its open position. The result is that after removing the snow load from the tailgate, the already released catch is moved back from its spring load in its open position, without again an actuation would have to be done.

Apart from such a snow load case, there are also other sources of interference in devices where the use of such "snow load devices" is highly desirable. In rotary traps, in addition to the so-called main branch also have a pre-restraint, it may happen that a catch, which is secured by the pawl in its Haupastast after actuation of the pawl does not move back quickly enough to its open position, but of the Latch in its pre-rest is detected. Then the latch must be pressed again, which is distracting. Also in this case helps such a snow load device.

Devices with snow load devices of this type are already known in various designs. So you have to at the DE 38 01 581 C1 To hold the latch in its release end position use numerous components, such as a blocking lever with a stop arm, a driving pin on the catch and an auxiliary lever. The known snow load facilities are space consuming and expensive.

From the US 6,109,671 A a lock is known in which the force of the pawl spring always acts in the same direction on the pawl, this force is made ineffective by additional securing means. These securing means consist of a U-shaped Verhakungslasche on a driver, which is rotatably connected to the pawl, and control surfaces and a projection on the catch. In the case of snow fall the hooking tab engages behind the projection, whereby the driver is supported on the rotary latch and creates a gap between the rotary latch and the pawl. The effective in the snow load case latch spring force is transmitted to the catch on the catch. These securing means take up a relatively large amount of space in the lock.

The invention has for its object to develop a reliable lock mentioned in the preamble of claim 1 species that is inexpensive and space-saving design. This is inventively achieved by the measures mentioned in claim 1, which has the following special significance.

The invention proposes to use a so-called "Übertotpunktfeder" as a pawl spring. This Übertotpunktfeder changes at the transition of the pawl between the locked position and a release end position the sense of direction of their spring force. While the pawl is loaded in the locked position of the Übertotpunktfeder towards the rotary latch, it is directed away in the release end position of the rotary latch. In the invention, the snow load device practically consists only of the Übertotpunktfeder, which cooperates with the pawl and with the catch. This is sufficient for the training of a snow load device. In the invention So no additional components required for the snow load device; You can deal with the elements that are already available in a lock, namely handle, pawl spring and rotary latch. Thus, the previously required special components of the known snow load device are superfluous. It saves not only the manufacture and assembly of these special components, but above all valuable space in the castle. The invention is very simple, which is why it does not come to interference. The device according to the invention works very reliably.

Fig. 1

ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung, wo ohne Darstellung des Schlossgehäuses, die darin befindlichen wichtigsten Schlossteile in einer Schließstellung einer Drehfalle und in einer Sperrlage der Klinke gezeigt sind.

What such an over-center spring looks like is stated in claim 2. Further measures and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the following description and the drawings. In the drawings, the invention is illustrated in three embodiments. In the drawings, only the essential components for the description of the invention are shown. In other respects, the device according to the invention can be formed in a conventional manner. Show it:

Fig. 1

a first embodiment of the invention, where shown without the lock housing, the most important lock parts located therein in a closed position of a catch and in a locked position of the latch.

Fig. 2

nach ihrer Betätigung eine Zwischenlage der Klinke, bevor diese in die aus

Fig. 3

ersichtliche Freigabeendlage erreicht.

Fig. 2 to 5 illustrate in the same representation, successive other positions or intermediate positions of the castle parts. In this case, a "snow load case" is not shown, but treated a normal case, as it results in the usual operation of the castle. Show it:

Fig. 2

after their operation, an intermediate position of the pawl, before this in the off

Fig. 3

apparent release end position reached.

The catch rotates back due to its spring load. In the "snow load case", however, the latch is in its off Fig. 3 apparent position, while the catch still their closed position of Fig. 1 having.

Fig. 4

eine Zwischenstellung der Schlossteile, wo Steuerflächen an der Drehfalle mit der Klinke zusammenwirken und wieder eine mit Fig. 2 vergleichbare Zwischenlage der Klinke vorliegt, und

Fig. 5

die Offenstellung der Drehfalle zusammen mit einer sogenannten "Bereitschaftslage" der Klinke an der Drehfalle, welche die geöffnete Tür bzw. Klappe des Fahrzeugs kennzeichnet.

The two other figures show the lock parts when the catch moves back to an open position. Show it:

Fig. 4

an intermediate position of the cam parts, where control surfaces on the catch cooperate with the pawl and again with a Fig. 2 comparable intermediate position of the pawl is present, and

Fig. 5

the open position of the rotary latch together with a so-called "ready position" of the latch on the rotary latch, which identifies the open door or flap of the vehicle.

Fig. 6

eine als Schenkelfeder ausgebildete Klinkenfeder.

An important component of the device according to the invention is also shown in the removed state, namely in

Fig. 6

a trained as a leg spring pawl spring.

Fig. 7

ist die Klinkenfeder als Druckfeder ausgebildet und in

Fig. 8

als Zugfeder.

Based on one of Fig. 1 corresponding representation, two alternative embodiments of the pawl spring are shown, namely
in

Fig. 7

the pawl spring is designed as a compression spring and in

Fig. 8

as a tension spring.

Incidentally, in these latter two embodiments, the same effects as in the first embodiment of FIG Fig. 1 to 6 , It is therefore sufficient to explain the effects of this first embodiment in more detail.

Assuming that each lock of the type according to the invention has a rotary latch 20 and a pawl 30, the snow load device 10 according to the invention consists only in the design of the pawl spring 40 in a special way, namely as a so-called "over-center spring". As already mentioned was, in the first embodiment, this Übertotpunktfeder formed as a leg spring. Of course, as always a pawl spring 40 is required for each lock, it can be said that the snow load device according to the invention is characterized by the peculiarity to get along without additional lock parts.

The rotary latch 20 is rotatably mounted on a stationary pivot 21 in the lock housing not shown in detail and is under the action of a spring load illustrated by the force arrow 22. This spring load 22 strives to turn the catch 20 in its Fig. 5 to translate apparent open position, which is marked there with the auxiliary line 20.1. This open position 20.1 is determined by the fact that the rotary latch 20 is supported on a stationary stop 12 in the housing. The lock shown in FIGS. Is mounted on a tailgate of a vehicle, not shown in detail, but could alternatively also sit on a door.

The open position 20.1 of the catch 20 of Fig. 5 indicates the position of the open tailgate. A fixedly seated on the vehicle closing part 11 is aligned with the opening of a provided in the rotary latch 20 section 24. If the tailgate in the sense of the movement arrow 13 of Fig. 5 closed, the closure member 11 enters the rotary latch cutout 24 and moves the catch 20 against their spring load 22 in different locking positions. There are so-called "pre-rest periods" and "main detents" on rotary traps. In the present, simplified embodiment, only a single catch 23 is shown on the rotary latch 20.

During manual or motorized closing of the tailgate, the catch 20 passes into its Fig. 1 apparent closed position, where the detected closing part 11 has been taken deep into the interior of the castle. This closed position of the rotary latch 20 is in Fig. 1 marked by the auxiliary line marked 20.2. This closed position 20.2 is secured by an already mentioned pawl 30. As Fig. 1 shows, the pawl 30 is pivotally mounted on a pin 31, which also sits fixed in the lock housing. The pawl 30 is spring-loaded in the first embodiment by a leg spring 40, which according to the invention as "Over-center spring" works. The particular mode of action of such an over-center spring 40 is in Fig. 6 explained.

The Übertotpunktfeder 40 formed as a leg spring in the first embodiment consists of a helix 43, protrude from the two legs 44, 45. The free ends of these legs 44, 45 form two spring ends 41, 42, of which the one spring end 41 acts on the pawl 30 and is therefore moved during pivoting of the pawl 30 and consequently "movement end" should be referred to. The other spring end 42, however, is fixed in the lock housing and rests. That is why it should be called the "Festende" of the Übertotpunktfeder40. The Übertotpunktfeder 40 always exerts a spring force, which seeks to divide its two legs 44, 45 apart. This is indicated by force arrows 47 in FIG Fig. 6 illustrated.

The Übertotpunktfeder 40 has a so-called "dead center line 46" with respect to the movement end 41 can get into two opposing layers. This dead center line 46 is determined by an imaginary rectilinear connection between the pivot bearing 31 of the pawl 30 and the stationary fixed end 42 of the over-center spring 40. Depending on the different pivoting positions, different effects are produced on the latch 30.

When the closed position 20.2 of the catch 20 according to Fig. 1 is present, then the end of movement 41 is located on the rotary latch 20 facing side of the dead center line 46. The in connection with Fig. 6 already discussed spring forces 47 practice in this case by the arrow 32.2 in Fig. 1 illustrated torque on the pawl 30 off. This torque 32.2 loads the pawl in the counterclockwise direction and ensures that a provided at one end 34 of the pawl 30 mating latch 33 is incident behind a provided on the catch 20 latch 23. By the torque 32.2 the pawl 30 acts in the locking direction of the Übertotpunktfeder 40 spring loaded.

In the Fig. 1 This situation is thus the "locked position" of the pawl 30 and illustrated there by the auxiliary line 30.2. The end of movement 41 of the over-center spring 40 occupies the first stable end position marked by the auxiliary line 48.1. It is a manual or motor not shown in detail Actuation provided in the device according to the invention, by means of which the pawl 30 in the sense of in Fig. 1 and 2 shown actuating arrow 36 can be lifted out of its locked position 30.2. If there is no "snow load case", which will be explained in more detail, and the pawl 30 is actuated, this results in the Fig. 2 apparent unstable liner 30.0 of the pawl 30.

In the interlude 30.0 of Fig. 2 is the end of movement 41 of the Übertotpunktfeder40 on the dead center line 46. Then the two lying on the dead center line 46 spring forces 47 cancel each other. The pawl 30 is free of forces in the dead center 30.0. The pawl 30 is manually or motor moved beyond the dead center 30.0 and protrudes already in the dead center with a control surface 37 in the dot-dash line Fig. 2 illustrated the rotational travel of the peripheral contour 25 of the rotary latch 20 into it. As a result, the latch 30 finally comes in their Fig. 3 apparent release end position 30.1, which is limited by an end stop 14 of the pawl. Already in Fig. 2 has the pawl 30, the catch 23 of the catch 20 is released because their counter-detent 33 is located at a distance from the peripheral contour 25 of the catch 20. The resulting consequences will be discussed in more detail later.

In the release end position 30.1, the movement end 41 of the over-center spring 40 is located on the opposite side of the dead center line 46 with respect to the rotary latch 20. Because of the latch stop 14, a second end position marked by the auxiliary line 28.2 is present from the end of movement 41. The related to Fig. 6 force relationships explained in greater detail in the sense of the arrow 32.1 in Fig. 3 clarified counter torque arise, which acts in a clockwise direction. This counter torque 32.1 is related to Fig. 1 described torque 32.2 opposite.

As already mentioned, the pawl 30 has both in its dead center 30.0 of Fig. 2 as well as in its release end position 30.1 of Fig. 3 the catch 20 released. The resilience of the elastic door seal pushes the closing part away, whereby the catch 20 is rotated by taking advantage of the spring load acting on them 22nd

But it may, as already said in the introduction, the special "snow load case" occur where the catch 20 even after release of the pawl 30, according to Fig. 3 , still in its closed position 20.2 from Fig. 1 located. Apart from other causes, it can, as already explained, the rotary latch 20 does not turn fast enough to, such as Fig. 2 shows, with its catch 23 move past the mating catch 33 of the pawl 30. Then, if not according to the invention in Fig. 3 explained counter torque 32.1 would be generated, the latch again in the catch 23 or another catch, for example, a pre-catch of the rotary latch 20 occur. This would correspond to the prior art without "snow load device". The tailgate would not be open.

Because of the counter torque 32.1 in Fig. 3 , which always acts in the release sense on the pawl 30, this is not to be feared; the pawl 30 is held in its local release end 30.1. The pawl 30 remains in this release end position 30.1 until the latch 20 in their off Fig. 5 apparent, already described open position 20.1 has arrived. This happens automatically, because the snow load device 10 according to the invention has the following, provided on the rotary latch 20 and the pawl 30 profiles 37, 27.

The pawl 30 has, in addition to its blocking-effective arm 34, a counter-arm 35 on the opposite side with respect to its pivot bearing 31. On the counter-arm 35 is a control surface 37 which is generated by an angled projection 38. In the present case, the already mentioned circumferential contour 25 of the rotary latch 20 is a circle with respect to the pivot 21. Dash-dotted is in Fig. 2 and 3 also indicated the resulting rotary travel, which results when the catch 20 but finally in the sense of the movement arrow 26 of Fig. 3 turned back. In this case, the circumferential contour 25 of the rotary latch 20 moves with its acting as counter-control surface 27 starting piece against the pawl control surface 37. The counter-control surface 27 abuts the pawl-side control surface 37 at. Thereby, the pawl 30 in the counterclockwise direction, against the torque 32.1 applied to it in the sense of the in Fig. 4 shown movement arrows 39 forcibly moved.

The Fig. 4 again shows the unstable borderline case where the pawl 30 is already in the dead center 30.0 described several times. Also in this case, an interaction of the control surface 37 and the counter-control surface 27 is ensured until the catch 20 has actually reached its stop 12 and in their off Fig. 5 apparent open position 20.1 is located. The closing part 11 is free as out Fig. 5 can be seen.

In Fig. 5 is the end of movement 41 of the Übertotpunktfeder 40 again on the rotary latch 20 facing side of the dead center 46. There are again similar conditions as in Fig. 1 in front; the over-center spring 40 generates a counterclockwise effective torque 32.2. By this torque 32.2, the pawl 30 is resiliently supported by an edge 15 on the outline contour 25 of the rotary latch 20. This pawl 30 is in readiness due to the torque 32.2 to go behind the detent 23 of the catch 20 when they return to their in connection with Fig. 1 explained closed position has been brought. Therefore, the by the auxiliary line 30.3 in Fig. 5 clarified position of the pawl 30 may be referred to as "standby". In the ready position 30.3 is as out Fig. 5 already shows an air gap between the pawl control surface 37 and the counter-counter-control surface 27 before.

In the closed position 20.2 of the rotary latch 20, the depth of engagement of the pawl counter-latching 33 may be limited in the latch latch 23 by a shoulder 16 which is resiliently supported on a corresponding mating shoulder of the rotary latch 20 due to the described latch torque 32.2. This is in Fig. 1 shown. In the present case, this counter-shoulder is formed by the outline contour 25 of the rotary latch 20.

The invention is of interest not only for the snow load case. With the device according to the invention, the rotary latch 20 always has sufficient time to due to their spring load 22 from its closed position 20.2 of Fig. 1 in its open position 20.1 in Fig. 5 to get. The pawl "waits" until the rotation of the Rotary latch 20 is completed. Only then does she go to her Fig. 5 apparent standby position 30.3.

As already mentioned, the show Fig. 7 and 8th two alternatives of an over-center spring. In Fig. 7 is used as Übertotpunktfeder a compression spring 50 which is supported at one end to a stationary end 52, which is located on the already described in the first embodiment dead center 46. The other spring end 51 acts on the pawl 30 and therefore functions as a "movement end". Here, the analogous effects act as described in connection with the first embodiment.

The latter also applies to the third embodiment according to Fig. 8 , There, the Übertotpunktfeder is designed as a tension spring 60, whose ends at 61, 62 in Fig. 8 attack. The one end 61 is arranged movably on the pawl 30 and thus to be referred to as the "end of movement". The other end of the spring 62 is fixed in position and lies on the already repeatedly mentioned dead center line 46. This end 62 is therefore the "fixed end" of the tension spring 60th

List of reference numbers:

10

Snow load means

11

closing part

12

Rotary latch stop for 20

13

Arrow of the folding movement of the tailgate

14

Latch stop for 30

15

Control edge at 30

16

Shoulder at 30

17

Distance between 37, 28 ( Fig. 1 )

20

catch

20.1

Open position of 20 ( Fig. 5 )

20.2

Closed position of 20 ( Fig. 1 )

21

Pivot of 20, pivot bearing

22

Force arrow of the spring load of 20

23

Rest on 20

24

Cutout in 20 for 11 ( Fig. 1 )

25

Circumferential contour of 20

26

Arrow of the reverse rotation of 20 ( Fig. 3 )

27

Counter control surface of 20 for 37

28

Turn of 25 ( Fig. 1 )

30

pawl

30.0

Dead center of 30 ( Fig. 2 . 4 )

30.1

Release end position of 30 ( Fig. 3 )

30.2

Lock position of 30 ( Fig. 1 )

30.3

Standby position of 30 ( Fig. 5 )

31

Tenon for 30, swivel bearing ( Fig. 1 )

32.1

Arrow of the counter torque of 30 in the release sense ( Fig. 3 )

32.2

Arrow of torque of 30 in the locking direction ( Fig. 1 )

33

Counter rast at 30 for 23

34

locking arm end of 30 ( Fig. 1 )

35

Counter arm of 30 ( Fig. 3 )

36

Arrow of motor or manual movement of 30 in the release sense ( Fig. 1 . 2 )

37

Control area at 30

38

Lead for 37 to 35 ( Fig. 3 )

39

Backswing Arrow of 30 ( Fig. 4 )

40

Over-center spring, leg spring

41

first end of spring of 40, end of movement

42

second spring end of 40, end of the festival

43

Helix of 40 ( Fig. 6 )

44

first leg of 43 for 41 ( Fig. 6 )

45

second leg of 43 for 42 ( Fig. 6 )

46

Dead center line for 40

47

Arrow of the spring forces of 40 ( Fig. 6 )

48.1

First end position of 41 ( Fig. 1 )

48.2

second end position of 41 ( Fig. 3 )

49

Advance Arrow of 30 ( Fig. 4 )

50

Over-center spring, compression spring ( Fig. 7 )

51

Movement end of 50 ( Fig. 7 )

52

resting fortress of 50 ( Fig. 7 )

60

Over-center spring, mainspring ( Fig. 8 )

61

Movement end of 60 ( Fig. 8 )

62

resting fortress of 60 ( Fig. 8 )

Claims (12)

1. Lock on wings or doors of vehicles,
   with in the direction of its open position (20.1) a spring-loaded (22) rotary catch (20) in the lock,
   which upon closing the wing or door accepts a closing piece (11) which is firmly attached to the vehicle and is turned at least to a defined closing position (20.2),
   with at least one stop (23) at the rotary catch (20) not only into which falls, upon turning, a latch (30) which is firmly attached and swivel-mounted (31) in the lock, but which likewise determines a blocked position (30.2) of the latch (30) and assures the closing position (20.2) of the rotary catch (20),
   with a latch spring (40) which presses the latch (30) into its blocked position (30.2),
   with a manually or motorized activator (36) for lifting the latch (30) out of its blocked position (30.2) into a release position (30.1) thereby releasing the rotary catch (20),
   and with a snow-load device (10) in the lock, which subsequent to activation (36) holds the latch (30) in its release position (30.1) until the rotary catch (20) has reached its open position (20.1),
   thereby characterized,
   in that the latch spring is designed as a supra dead-center spring (40) which when the latch (30) crosses between its blocked position (30.2) and a release end position (30.1) reverses the direction (32.2; 32.1) of its spring force,
   and in that the snow-load device (10) comprises only the supra dead-center spring (40) which works together with the latch (30) and with the rotary catch (20).
2. Lock pursuant to Claim 1, characterized in that the supra dead-center spring (40; 50; 60) has two spring ends (41, 42),
   in that one spring end engages at the latch (30) and forms a moving end (41) of the supra dead-center spring (40; 50; 60) which moves in concert with the latch (30),
   in that the other spring end is firmly in place in the lock and generates a fixed stop (42) for the supra dead-center spring (40; 50; 60),
   in that an imaginary straight-line connection between the swivel-mounting (31) of the latch (30) and the fixed end (42) of the supra dead-center spring (40; 50; 60) defines a dead-center line (46) for the supra dead-center spring (40; 50; 60),
   in that the movement end (41) of the supra dead-center spring (40; 50; 60), when the latch (30) swivels, crosses the dead-center line (46) and defines at opposing sides of the dead-center line (46) two stable end positions (48.1, 48.2) of the supra dead-center spring (40; 50; 60),
   in that the supra dead-center spring generates in the first end position (48.1) a torque (32.2) on the latch (30) and in the second (48.2) an opposing counter torque (32.1),
   and in that the torque (32.2) presses the latch (30) into its blocked position (30.2) and the counter torque (32.1) presses the latch (30) into its release end position (30.1).
3. Lock pursuant to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the supra dead-center spring is designed as a torsion spring (40).
4. Lock pursuant to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the supra dead-center spring is designed as a compression spring (50).
5. Lock pursuant to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the supra dead-center spring is designed as a tension spring (60).
6. Lock pursuant to one of the claims 1 or 5, characterized in that the latch (30) has a control surface (37) and the rotary catch (20) has a counter control surface (27),
   in that in the release end position (30.1) the control surface (37) of the latch (30) intrudes into the rotational path (28) of the counter control surface (27) of the rotary catch (20),
   and in that in the blocked position (30.2) the control surface (37) of the latch (30) is found outside (17) the rotational path (28) of the counter control surface (27) of the rotary catch (20).
7. Lock pursuant to one or several of the claims 2 to 6, characterized in that due to the torque (32.2) generated by the supra dead-center spring (40; 50; 60) the latch (30) when in blocked position (30.2) props itself with a shoulder (16) against an outline contour (25) of the rotary catch (20).
8. Lock pursuant to Claim 7, characterized in that the counter control surface (27) is formed by an outline contour (25) of the rotary catch (20).
9. Lock pursuant to one or several of the claims 6 to 8, characterized in that in a dead-center position (30.0) of the latch (30), where the movement end (41) of the supra dead-center spring (40; 50; 60) finds itself on the dead-center line, the latch's control surface (37) is already positioned in the area of the rotational path (28) of the catch's counter control surface (27).
10. Lock pursuant to one or several of the claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the latch's (30) control surface (37) is formed by a ledge (38) on the latch (30).
11. Lock pursuant to Claim 10, characterized in that, as regards its swivel axis (31), the latch (30) is of a two-armed design and exhibits at one arm's end (34) the counter stop (33) which, when the latch (30) is in blocked position (30.2), falls into the stop (23) of the rotary catch (20),
    and in that the latch (30) has the ledge (38) on its counter arm (35).
12. Lock pursuant to one or several of the claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the latch (30), when in release end position (30.1), docks at a fixed dog (14),
    and in that the dog (14) accommodates the counter torque (32.1) of the supra dead-center spring (40; 50; 60) and thereby determines the second end position (48.2) of the supra dead-center spring (40; 50; 60).

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