EP1812671B1 - Combined closing device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a combined closing device comprising a main lock (1) and an additional lock (2), especially for high doors (9) of motor vehicles. At least respective opening mechanisms (5, 6) of the main lock (1) and the additional lock (2) are coupled with each other for opening. The inventive device is characterized in that at least one of the locks (1, 2) is provided with a closing aid for servo locking.

Description

The invention relates to a combined locking device with main lock and additional lock, each with a locking mechanism of the catch and pawl, for high doors in motor vehicles, at least respective opening mechanisms of one hand main lock and the other hand additional lock for common opening are coupled together. - The described coupling of the respective opening mechanisms can be designed temporarily (only for common opening) or continuously. Also, both mechanical and electrical sensory coupling in the sense of a coordinated movement are conceivable.

Such a combined closing device is known from practice and is used, for example, in vehicles with very long respectively long closing edges, in particular for sliding doors for transporter vehicles. Even so-called mini vans with or without increased structure as well as camping vehicles are among the preferred application. In comparison to conventional motor vehicle doors or doors, these vehicles have closing edges, which can be more than 1.50 m long and are referred to as high doors in the context of the invention.

Of course, these high doors or motor vehicle doors can not only be sliding doors, but also the invention concept includes hinge doors.

In any case, in particular high doors a constant problem is that in the realization of only one closure, the main castle, the required Rohbausterfgkeit the vehicle can not be achieved in total. In fact, such a vehicle turns out to be unstable, especially when high wind forces occur. Without the additional lock corresponding executed high doors tend to so-called "flutter", which is caused by the only one-point connection via the main lock.

For this reason, one works in practice with the main lock and additional lock, which together form the combined locking device. The main lock is usually mounted in the area of a body waist, while the additional lock provides for an additional connection of the high door in the head and / or foot area. This is not mandatory.

So it is also known in particular large American passenger cars (street cruisers) with comparatively wide and consequently provided with long closing edges engine compartment and boot flaps, right and left next to the main valve located in the middle of the main lock respectively at the Klappenrändem a coupled with this additional lock for stable connection to arrange respective flap to the body.

Motor vehicles with multiple closures are exemplified in the EP 1 050 645 A1 described. In this case, however, no combined locking device is used because the locks in question operate independently of each other and insofar as no tandem operation takes place in such a way that at least respective opening mechanisms are coupled on the one hand main lock and on the other hand additional lock for common opening. The known embodiments thus do not relate to a combined locking device in the above sense.

From the DE 198 04 516 A1 a combined locking device with a main lock and an additional lock is known in which the respective opening mechanisms are coupled for common opening and wherein at least one of the locks is equipped with a Zuziehhilfe.

Finally, the reveals DE 101 37 800 A1 also a combined locking device with main lock and additional lock and a common motor drive device for opening and closing the locks.

Since the known from practice combined locking device works with a simple built additional lock, which has only a locking mechanism of the catch and pawl and an operating lever to which the connection to the main lock is connected, leaves the comfort to be desired. In particular, high closing forces are required, which must be applied in view of the significant weight of such high doors and against the force of a rubber seal with considerable length. This is no longer responsible under today's comfort considerations.

The invention is based on the technical problem of developing such a combined locking device with main lock and additional lock for particular high doors in motor vehicles so that the comfort is improved, and that the locking device can be built more compact.

To solve this technical problem, a generic combined locking device within the scope of the invention is characterized in that both the main lock and the auxiliary lock have an opening aid for a servo opening and a Zuziehhilfe for an electric servo lock, with the main lock as a power lock holder lock with a motor adjustable locking bolt and the additional lock as Servo lock with a motor from a pre-locked position can be converted into a main catch position rotary latch.

In any case, the comfort in closing particular high doors in motor vehicles is significantly increased by these measures. Although in principle Zuziehhilfen or servo-closing devices are known, including on the one hand, for example, on the DE 199 42 360 A1 or on the DE 100 64 914 A1 so-called servo locks) and on the other hand, for example, the DE 199 55 883 A1 or even the DE 199 57 061 A1 (so-called servo lock holder locks) was pointed out. However, these have so far not been used in the described combined locking devices of the main and at least one additional lock.

In this respect, closing aid or servo-locking means on the one hand motor vehicle door locks with at least one catch, a pawl, a lock mechanism with a Zuziehhilfe for the catch and a body-side and of the catch to be encompassed locking bolt. The closing aid serves to support the rotary latch from a pre-locking position or intermediate position in a main locking position by an electric motor; to make the closing process comfortable and reliable. This is in the motor vehicle door locks according to the DE 199 42 360 A1 and the DE 100 64 914 A1 the case. Door locks that are equipped with such a Zuziehhilfe or servo-closing device, as stated, also known as servo locks.

On the other hand, closing aid or servo-closing device also comprises motor vehicle door closures to which a servo-lock holder with a motorized, preferably electromotive, adjustable locking bolt is assigned. The locking bolt transfers the motor vehicle door with the latch of the locking mechanism sunk into the main locking position against the force of the door seal into an end-closing position, as described in the two documents DE 199 55 883 A1 (here in Essentially linear adjustment of the locking bolt) and the DE 199 57 061 A1 (Here rotary adjustment of the locking pin) is described. Motor vehicle door locks, which are equipped with a servo lock holder are - as described - referred to as a power lock holder locks.

According to the invention, the main lock is designed as a servo lock holder lock with a motor-adjustable locking pin and the additional lock designed as a servo lock. As a result, the invention takes into account the special spatial installation conditions. Because usually stands at the main castle enough space for the comparatively large-scale servo lock holder lock with associated electric motor drive, for the lock holder and locking pin available. By contrast, the installation conditions are limited in the additional lock, so that at this point a servo lock with a drive for the rotary latch is used. In fact, according to the invention, such a combined locking device can be made more compact. This is especially true when the drive is placed outside the lock or outside the lock housing.

According to the invention, both the main lock and the additional lock to increase the comfort of the combined locking device via an opening aid for a servo opening or a device for electric motor opening. This opening aid works on the locking mechanism of the catch and pawl.

This opening aid means the electromotive lifting the pawl to open the catch, as for example in the DE 101 40 957 A1 is described. For reasons of a tilt-free operation of the door will usually fall back on a respective opening aid or a device for motorized opening, so a servo opening device on the additional lock and at the same time on the main lock.

As already described, such opening aids for the servo opening are fundamentally and widely known, for which purpose only by way of example to the already mentioned DE 101 40 957 A1 is pointed out, which in turn is not used in a combined locking device with main lock and additional lock.

According to the invention, the closing aid in the case of the main lock is realized in the form of a servo lock holder. Such a servo lock holder is characterized in that the enclosed by a rotary latch bolt (which is fixed together with the servo lock holder regularly to the body), can be adjusted by means of a drive, so that during Schliefßvorgang the locking pin encompassing rotary latch in closing or closing The direction of movement of the door is moved by the locking bolt adjusted by means of the drive. As a consequence, the connected door is closed.

The closing of the auxiliary lock According to the invention is realized so that the additional lock is designed as a servo lock with closing aid for the catch. For this purpose, the additional lock advantageously has a Zuziehhebel, which is mounted coaxially with the corresponding catch of the additional lock. This Zuziehhebel is connected to a transmission element, which in turn operates a drive. This drive of the closing aid is usually structurally separated from the additional lock in or attached to the respective door or high door, said drive is connected to said transmission element. With the help of the drive, the transmission element can be moved, in which it is regularly a Bowden cable and pivot in this way the closing lever, which in the same direction, the rotary latch in a rotation. This is designed so that the rotational movement of the rotary latch corresponds to the associated high door is closed.

It goes without saying that the servo lock holder used for the main lock and the closing aid for the additional lock are adapted to one another from the movement sequence. That is, the respective drives are started at the same time and complete in comparable time intervals as a result matching Zuziehwege the two locks to ensure a tilt-free closing the door or door during servo closing.

The opening aid for the servo opening realized in combination with the closing aid can be configured in detail in such a way that the respective lock is opened by an electric motor, for example by lifting the pawl obligatory for the associated locking mechanism from the relevant rotary latch. Conceivable embodiments for this electrical opening may be realized as in the DE 101 40 957 A1 is described. It is conceivable that both the main lock and the additional lock separately from each other have its own opening aid for the servo opening and consequently different drives and mechanisms. In this context, then, of course, on differently designed opening aids be resorted to. It is only necessary to ensure that the opening operations on the one hand main lock and on the other hand additional lock are timed to each other, ie initiated at the same time and release the respective rotary latches immediately.

In this case, such an opening process can be generally initiated by sensor, for example, acted upon by an outside door handle sensor either the common drive for the two opening aids on the one hand main lock and the other auxiliary lock applied or separate drives the respective drives on the one hand the main lock and on the other hand the additional lock.

For cost reasons and to achieve the most compact design, you will usually connect the opening aid of additional lock mechanically with the opening aid of the main castle. In this way, only a single electric drive is required, which operates the opening aid for the main lock. This opening aid for the main lock now has an additional lever which opens the opening movement initiated in the main lock with the aid of a further transmission element, for example a. Bowden cable, mechanically transfers to the opening aid of the auxiliary lock. This automatically ensures an in-phase opening process on the one hand at the main lock and on the other hand at the additional lock.

As a rule, the opening aid in the main lock works directly or indirectly (via a release lever) on the pawl in the sense of lifting. The corresponding and associated with the opening movement of the release lever is transmitted to the already mentioned additional lever, which in turn works on the transmission element that is connected to the opening aid of the auxiliary lock. As a result of the movement of the additional lever and the transmission element is applied, which the opening aid of the auxiliary lock so acted upon, that here too the pawl is dug. This may be done via an intermediate trip lever on which the transmission element works.

The invention also provides a method for operating a combined locking device as described above and which is the subject of independent claim 8. Within the scope of this procedure, it is intended that with the door closed and the opening process initiated, the closing aid of the main lock moves in the direction of "open" and the closing aid of the auxiliary lock designed as a servo lock moves in the direction of "overstroke". That is, the cinching aid in question is adjusted such that the rotary latch acted upon by the closing lever is pivoted further in the direction of closing or closing, so that a gap is created between the pawl and the rotary latch for easy lifting of the pawl, which promotes the subsequent servo opening process. That's basically through the DE 100 26 043 A1 but in another context, known.

After the closing aid of the additional lock has been moved in the direction of "overstroke" or the servo lock holder of the main lock in the direction of "open", the respective locks are opened electrically by means of their opening aids and subsequently the closing aid of the auxiliary lock is moved in the "open" direction Finally, to allow the opening of the door and to allow a subsequent closing operation. Here are the main benefits.

Fig. 1

ein Ausführungsbespiel einer erfindungsgemäßen kombinierten Schließeinrichtung in einer Übersicht,

Fig. 2 und 3

das Zusatzschloss im Detail in verschiedenen Funktionsstellungen und

Fig. 4

das Hauptschloss schematisch.

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

an exemplary example of a combined locking device according to the invention in an overview,

FIGS. 2 and 3

the additional lock in detail in different functional positions and

Fig. 4

the main lock schematic.

In the Fig. 1 can be seen as a whole a combined locking device, which has a main lock 1 and an additional lock 2. Both the main lock 1 and the additional lock 2 have in detail a locking mechanism of the catch and pawl. As part of the FIGS. 2 and 3 one recognizes the locking mechanism 3, 4 of the additional lock from the mentioned rotary latch 3 and the pawl 4. The locking mechanism of the main lock accordingly Fig. 4 is not shown for the sake of clarity and lies in a comparison with the drawing level Fig. 4 underneath level. However, its structure is that of the locking mechanism 3, 4 of the additional lock after the FIGS. 2 and 3 comparable.

In addition to the respective locking mechanism 3, 4, the two locks 1, 2 in the exemplary embodiment coincide with a respective release lever 5 (on the main lock 1; Fig. 4 ) respectively 6 (at the additional lock 2; FIGS. 2 and 3 ). The release lever 5, 6 is in each case part of an opening mechanism 5, 6 on the one hand the main lock 1 and on the other hand the auxiliary lock 2. To the opening mechanism 5, 6 or actuation mechanism may include other elements that ultimately ensure that the respective release lever 5, 6 lifting works on the pawl 4, so that it is lifted from the catch 3. As a result, the rotary latch 3 releases a locking pin 7, which is related to the additional lock 2 in the Fig. 2 indicated and of course also realized in the main castle 1. The respective locking bolt 7 is attached to a merely indicated body 8, opposite which a merely in Fig. 1 shown door respectively high door 9 in the embodiment as a sliding door in the direction of the double arrow can be moved back and forth.

The two mentioned locks 1, 2 of the combined closing device are arranged on a common closing edge 10 of the door 9 and work with the associated and connected to the body 8 locking pin 7 in a known manner together. Of course, the locks 1, 2 can also find a connection to the body 8, while the locking pin 7 are fixed to the door 9.

The opening mechanisms 5, 6 on the one hand the main lock 1 and on the other hand the additional lock 2 are coupled together for common opening. This means in the context of the embodiment that the opening mechanism 5 or the release lever 5 of the main lock 1 via a transmission element 11 on the release lever 6 as part of the opening mechanism 6 of the auxiliary lock 2 works. It can be seen that the relevant transmission element 11 is designed as a mechanical coupling device in the form of a Bowden cable within the scope of the illustration and, of course, not necessarily. Of course, in principle, it is also possible for a non-mechanical but electrical coupling to be provided in such a way that with drives separated from one another they are matched to one another in relation to their opening movement.

Both the main lock 1 and the additional lock 2 each have a closing aid for the servo lock and an opening aid for the servo opening, so that the high door 9 can be particularly easy servo-close and servo-open. This means that the respective closing operation and opening operation of the locking mechanism 3, 4 is carried out both by the main lock 1 and the auxiliary lock 2 by an electric motor (and not mechanically).

In addition, the main castle has Fig. 4 as a closing aid on a servo lock holder, not explicitly shown, the locking bolt is moved, in such a way that when the catch is retracted, the main lock 1 is closed, ie the high door 9 is applied in abutment against the body 8 with simultaneous compression of a rubber seal surrounding the door opening. The design of the servo lock holder for the main lock 1 may be realized as in the DE 199 55 , 883 A1 is described. That is, the main lock 1 is in this respect designed as a servo lock holder lock, wherein the associated locking pin 7 performs a linear movement in the servo-lock. In principle, however, can also be similar to DE 199 57 061 A1 be proceeded. In this case, the main lock 1 designed as a servo lock holder lock is equipped with a locking bolt 7, which performs a rotary movement in the course of the closing operation.
With regard to the closing aid for the additional lock 2 is on the FIGS. 2 and 3 directed. It can be seen that the additional lock 2 is designed as a servo lock, the closing aid has a structurally separate from the auxiliary lock 2 drive 12. This electric motor drive 12 is received on a mounting plate 15 inside the door respectively high door 9. At the same time, the mounting plate 15 serves to receive a drive 14 for the high door 9 and a necessary control electronics 13, which controls the drive 14 and the drive 12. The drive 14 for the high door or sliding door 9 acts on a toothed belt or a similar drive means, which displays the high door or sliding door 9 after the main lock 1 and additional lock 2 compared to the body 8 and opens and closes.

The drive 12 of the closing aid of the auxiliary lock 2 has a connected transmission element 16, which - like the transmission element 11 - is also designed as a Bowden cable. It can be seen both transmission elements 11, 16 in the Fig. 1 . 2 and 3 ,

The Übertragungselemetit 16 for the realization of Zuziehvorganges works on the catch 3 of the locking mechanism 3, 4 of the auxiliary lock 2. For this purpose, the transmission element 16 is connected to the Zuziehvorgang to a latch 3 coupled to the closing lever 17. Zuziehhebel 17 and rotary latch 3 rotate coaxially about a common axis of rotation 18. In addition, a return spring 19 for the closing lever 17 is shown, which ensures that the rotary latch 3 is applied in non-attacking (closing) forces in the direction of an opening movement.

This opening movement corresponds to the FIGS. 2 and 3 In order to draw the high door 9 or sliding door 9, the rotary latch 3 is pivoted counterclockwise about the axis of rotation 18 by the transmission element 16 by means of the drive 12 for a corresponding counterclockwise rotation of the closing lever 17 against the force of the return spring 19 provides.

For the closing of the servo lock holder on the main lock 1 and the closing aid on the additional lock 2 are synchronized with each other, as already described in the introduction. In this case, the closing process of the high door 9 or sliding door 9 is initiated altogether as soon as the respective locking mechanism 3, 4 has fallen into the preliminary catch (additional lock 2) or main lock (main lock 1), which can be registered with the aid of a sensor, not shown.

In order to open the combined closing device, for example, an outside door handle is actuated, the movement of which can be interrogated with the aid of a door handle switch. Then, the control electronics 13 generates an opening signal, which ensures that the servo lock holder of the main lock 1 is moved in the "open" direction. Following this, the additional lock 2 or its locking mechanism 3, 4 - starting from the retracted position to Fig. 3 - a so-called "overstroke". This corresponds to the fact that the rotary latch 3 is acted upon by the closing of the auxiliary lock 2 by a certain amount in the direction of "pulling", as an arrow in Fig. 3 suggests. That is, the locking mechanism 3, 4 is adjusted slightly further counterclockwise with the aid of the closing aid of the auxiliary lock 2. This is ensured by the electromotive drive 12 in conjunction with the transmission element 16 and the additional lever 17, which operates on the rotary latch 3 accordingly.

Due to the distance thus achieved between the rotary latch 3 and the pawl 4, the pawl 4 can be opened thereafter quiet and relatively poor in power, which happens with the aid of the transmission element 11 for the opening process.
That is, as soon as the "overstroke" of the locking mechanism 3, 4 of the auxiliary lock 2 is present, the opening aid for the main lock 1 is actuated by the local release lever 5 corresponding to the Fig. 4 about its axis 20 counterclockwise undergoes a pivoting. This is ensured by the drive, not shown, for opening the main lock 1.

With the release lever 5 is mechanically an additional lever 21 in the main lock 1 according to the Fig. 4 coupled, which rotates due to the counterclockwise rotation of the release lever 5 about its axis 22 in a clockwise direction. As a result, the transmission element 11 and the Bowden cable for opening in the illustration after Fig. 4 pulled down so that the connected to the transmission element 11 tripping lever 6 of the auxiliary lock 2 according to the arrow in Fig. 3 undergoes a counterclockwise rotation about its axis 23 and as a result thereof lifts the pawl from the rotary latch 3. The rotary latch 3 is thereafter by the force of the return spring 19 in the "open" position Fig. 2 transferred. As a result, the associated locking pin 7 of the auxiliary lock 2 as well as the locking pin, not shown, of the main lock 1 is released and the high door 9 can be opened with the aid of the drive 14.

The individual processes are initiated by the control electronics 13 and monitored by sensors.

Claims (8)

1. Combined closing device comprising a main lock (1) and an additional lock (2), each containing a locking mechanism (3, 4) consisting of a rotary latch (3) and a pawl (4), for high doors (9) of motor vehicles, in which at least the respective opening mechanisms (5, 6) of, on one hand, the main lock (1) and, on the other hand, the additional lock (2) are coupled with each other for joint opening and in which the main lock (1) and the additional lock (2) are provided with an opening aid for a servo opening and a closing aid for an electric servo closing and in which as a closing aid the main lock (1) is designed as a servo lock holder lock with a motorized adjustable locking bolt (7) and the additional lock (2) is designed as a servo lock with a rotary latch (3) that can be moved by a motor from an intermediate closed position into a fully closed position.
2. Combined closing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the closing aid of the additional lock (2) comprises a drive (12) structurally separate from the additional lock (2) and a transmission element (16) connected to the drive (12).
3. Combined closing device according to claim 2, characterized in that the transmission element (16) acts upon the rotary latch (3) of the locking mechanism (3, 4) of the additional lock (2).
4. Combined closing device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the transmission element (16) is connected to a closing lever (17) coupled to the rotary latch (3).
5. Combined closing device according to claim 4, characterized in that the closing lever (17) and the rotary latch (3) are mounted on the same axis.
6. Combined closing device according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that prior to opening the locking mechanism (3, 4) the closing aid of the additional lock (2) moves the rotary latch (3) in the direction of an overtravel to close it.
7. Combined closing device according to claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the opening mechanisms (5, 6) of both locks (1, 2) each contain a release lever (5, 6) that are mechanically connected to each other.
8. Procedure for the operation of a combine closing device according to claims 1 to 7 with the following procedural steps:

   a) The opening process is initiated whilst the high door (9) is closed;

   b) The closing aid of the main lock (1) moves towards the "open" position and the closing aid of the additional lock (2) moves into the "overtravel" direction;

   c) The main lock (1) and the additional lock (2) are electrically opened by means of the respectively coupled opening mechanisms (5, 6);

   d) The closing aid of the additional lock (2) moves towards the "open" position;

   e) The high door (9) is opened.

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