EP1903170A1 - System for assisted opening of a lock for a vehicle wing - Google Patents

Abstract

The system has a cam (12) interposed between an active end (15) of a spring (13) and a pawl (9) for maintaining the active end in support. The cam is initially rotated to release energy accumulated in the spring. The active end of the spring acts on the cam in a rotation direction of the cam for permitting continuous rotation of the cam and for positioning the pawl to disengage the pawl from a blocking notch (6) of a bolt (1).

Description

The invention relates to the locks for a motor vehicle door and, more particularly, a system for assisting the opening of such a lock.

These locks are known which are actuated by a handle of the corresponding opening of the motor vehicle. They comprise a keeper cooperating with a locked bolt, in the closed position, by a pawl. To allow the opening of the opening, the pawl is released by a mechanism actuated by the operation of the handle by the user.

In mechanical locks, this mechanism is, most often, a cable and its maneuver forces the user to deploy a certain force. To facilitate this movement, we therefore seek to assist.

Today, therefore, electric locks are known that use a mechanism of the electromechanical type to release the ratchet of the lock. In this case the effort required from the user is very small.

However, the use of this mechanism requires a power source which is, in normal operation, provided by the vehicle battery.

However, in case of a malfunction of the subsequent power system, for example, a battery failure or an accident, security requires to ensure the operation of the lock whatever happens.

Therefore, at least one local source of energy must be available for the release mechanism to continue to function in any situation.

In order not to burden the lock in terms of space, weight and cost, it is necessary that this source does not have to ensure high energy expenditure and, therefore, its role is reduced to a minimum.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide an assistance system for opening a lock which can be used both on a mechanical and electrical lock and able to reduce the forces required to release the sound blocking system. bolt.

For this purpose, the present invention relates to an assistance system for opening a motor vehicle door lock, said lock comprising a bolt (1) movable fixed on the body (5) of the lock and provided with a notch (2) for receiving a striker (3), characterized in that it comprises a system for storing energy (13) capable of storing energy during the movement of said bolt (1) when closing the opening and a mechanical device (12) capable of being set in motion by a suitable means so as to release the accumulated energy of said storage system (13) which then acts to release the striker ( 3) of the notch (2).
For this purpose, the present invention also relates to an assistance system for opening a motor vehicle door lock, said lock comprising a bolt (1) movable fixed on the body (5) of the lock. and provided with a notch (2) for receiving a keeper (3), a locking device (9) cooperating with at least a corresponding part (6, 7) of the bolt (1) to alternately ensure its blocking and release , characterized in that it comprises an energy storage system (13) able to store energy during the movement of said bolt (1) when closing the opening and a mechanical device (12) capable of to be initially moved by appropriate means so as to release the accumulated energy from said storage system (13) which then acts on the device (12) to enable it to continue its movement and to set in motion the device blocking (9) to release said locking device (9) from the corresponding part (6) of the bolt (1).

For this purpose, the present invention also relates to an assistance system for opening a motor vehicle door lock, said lock comprising a bolt (1) movable in rotation about an axis (4). fixed on the body (5) of the lock and provided with a notch (2) intended to receive a keeper (3), a pawl (9) cooperating with at least one notch (6, 7) of the bolt to alternately ensure its blocking in rotation and its release, characterized in that it comprises an energy storage system formed of a spring (13) adapted to be compressed by the rotation of said bolt during the closure of the opening, and a mechanical device (12) capable of being initially moved by appropriate means so as to release the accumulated energy of said spring (13) which then acts on the device (12) to enable it to continue its movement and to movement of the pawl (9) to disengage said pawl (9) from the lock (6) of the pawl no.

To this end, the present invention finally relates to an assistance system for opening a motor vehicle door lock, said lock comprising a bolt movable in rotation about an axis fixed on the body of the lock and provided with a notch for receiving a striker, a pawl cooperating with at least one notch of the bolt to alternately ensure its locking in rotation and its release and a storage system of the energy formed of a spring wound around the axis of the bolt and fixed thereto by one of its ends, so as to be compressed by the rotation of said bolt, which opening assistance system also comprises a non-reversible mechanical device interposed between the active end of the spring and the pawl, adapted to maintain said active end in abutment and capable of being initially rotated by appropriate means so as to release the accumulated energy of said spring whose end act ive then acts on the device in the direction of rotation thereof to allow it to continue its rotation and to move the pawl to release said pawl latch locking bolt.

• ■ le dispositif mécanique non réversible est un excentrique monté, mobile en rotation, sur le pêne.
• ■ le cliquet comporte une partie formant bras de levier sur laquelle agit l'excentrique pour mettre ledit cliquet en mouvement.
• ■ le moyen d'actionnement du dispositif mécanique non réversible est un actionneur électromécanique, par exemple, un moteur électrique.
• ■ le moyen d'actionnement du dispositif mécanique non réversible est un câble relié à la poignée d'ouverture de l'ouvrant.
• ■ le moyen d'actionnement du dispositif mécanique non réversible est une tringle reliée à la poignée d'ouverture de l'ouvrant.
• ■ l'actionneur électromécanique est alimenté, en cas de dysfonctionnement de la serrure, par une source d'énergie électrique auxiliaire.

According to other advantageous features of the invention:

• The non-reversible mechanical device is an eccentric mounted, rotatable, on the bolt.
• The pawl comprises a portion forming a lever arm on which the eccentric acts to put said pawl in motion.
• The means for actuating the non-reversible mechanical device is an electromechanical actuator, for example an electric motor.
• The means for actuating the non-reversible mechanical device is a cable connected to the opening handle of the opening leaf.
• The means for actuating the non-reversible mechanical device is a rod connected to the handle opening the sash.
• ■ the electromechanical actuator is powered, in case of malfunction of the lock, by a source of auxiliary electrical energy.

• La figure 1 est une vue schématique d'une serrure selon l'invention
• Les figures 2a à 2e sont des vues du cycle d'ouverture de cette serrure et,
• Les figures 3a à 3d sont des vues du cycle de fermeture de la dite serrure.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become clear from reading the description below, given for information with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a lock according to the invention
• FIGS. 2a to 2e are views of the opening cycle of this lock and,
• Figures 3a to 3d are views of the closing cycle of said lock.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the lock according to the invention comprises a bolt 1 provided with a notch 2 intended to receive a keeper 3.

The striker 3 is, for example, consisting of a metal rod, integral with a sash amount of a motor vehicle, placed vis-à-vis the lock installed on said leaf.

The bolt 1 is rotatable about an axis 4 fixed on the body 5 of the lock. It is provided with two notches 6 and 7 in which engages the active element 8 of a pawl 9 to ensure the closure of the lock, as will be explained later.

The pawl 9 is pivotable about an axis 10 and, according to the invention, it further comprises a portion 11 forming a lever arm which bears against an eccentric 12 mounted, rotatable, on the bolt 1.

A spring 13 is wound around the axis 4 of the bolt and is fixed thereto by one of its ends 14, so as to be compressed by the rotation of said bolt, while its second end 15 acts on the bolt. eccentric 12 in the direction of rotation thereof.

The actuating means of this eccentric (not shown) varies depending on the type of lock. In the case of a mechanical lock, it will be a cable or a rod, connected to the handle of the opening.

In the case of an electric lock it will consist for example of a small electric motor. This actuator is supplied normally by the vehicle battery and, in case of malfunction, by a source of auxiliary electrical energy.

We will, now, explain the operation of the system, with reference to Figures 2 and 3.

When the door is closed (Figure 2a), the striker 3 is engaged in the notch 2 of the bolt 1, the spring 13 is armed. The active element 8 of the pawl 9 is engaged in the notch 6 of the bolt, blocking it. At this stage, the opening is kept closed by the lock.

During an opening command, its actuating mechanism controls the rotation of the eccentric 12 (Figure 2b). This movement is amplified by the force exerted by the spring 13 on the eccentric, which acts on the lever arm 11 of the pawl 9, so as to put it in rotation along the arrow F1.

In this movement, the active element 8 of the pawl exits the notch 6 of the bolt (1) (Figure 2c). The latter, which is no longer blocked starts its rotation according to the arrow F2. At this time, the expansion of the spring 13 pushes the striker 3 and the opening (Figure 2d).

The rotation of the bolt continues until the release of the striker 3 (Figure 2e). This allows the opening of the opening.

The eccentric 12 continues its course to regain its initial position which allows the reboot of the spring during closing. The energy expended in this rotational movement is not very important because the spring 13 is released and therefore no longer exerts effort on the eccentric.

When the eccentric is returned to its original position, closing the lock is again possible, the strike can again enter the bolt (Figure 3a).

Thanks to the inertia of the opening, the striker 3 which has entered the notch 2 of the bolt 1 pushes it and rotates in the opposite direction of the arrow F2 (Figure 3b).

In this movement, the active element 8 of the pawl engages in the notch 7 of the bolt, which corresponds to a first closed position of the lock in which it is still slightly open (Figure 3c).

The rotation of the bolt continues, the active element 8 of the pawl leaves the notch 7 to engage in the notch 6, which completes the closing of the lock (Figure 3d).

The rotation of the bolt has retensioned the spring 13 which is found in support extended to the eccentric. The lock is ready for a new opening.

As we have just seen, the only energy needed to release the locking pawl of the bolt is that necessary for the rotation of the eccentric. He is therefore weak.

This therefore reduces the efforts to exert on the opening handle.

In the case of an electric lock, the auxiliary electrical power source, intended to ensure the opening of the door in case of need can be chosen low power and small dimensions.

It is understood, too, that the mechanical energy stored in the spring comes from the kinetic energy generated by the operation of the opening. This mechanical energy does not tend to decrease over time, there is no self-discharge. This makes it possible to ensure opening even after a storage time of the motor vehicle of long duration.

It will be noted that the arrangement of the lock according to the invention is very simple and has few elements, which reduces its volume and weight.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown. In particular, the eccentric can be replaced by any non-reversible mechanical system, mobile in rotation, able, on the one hand, to maintain the active end of the spring and secondly to act on the ratchet to put it in rotation.

On the other hand, in the example described, the striker is secured to the body of the motor vehicle while the lock is secured to the door, of course, the reverse is not beyond the scope of the invention.

Claims (11)

System for assisting the opening of a motor vehicle door lock, said lock comprising a bolt (1) movable in rotation about an axis (4) fixed on the body (5) of the lock and provided with a notch (2) intended to receive a striker (3), a pawl (9) cooperating with at least one notch (6, 7) of the bolt to alternately ensure its locking in rotation and its release and a storage system of the energy formed of a spring (13) wound around the axis (4) of the bolt and fixed thereto by one of its ends (14), so as to be compressed by the rotation of said bolt,
characterized in that it comprises a non-reversible mechanical device (12) interposed between the active end (15) of the spring (13) and the pawl (9), able to hold the said active end in abutment and capable of being in initial rotation by appropriate means so as to release the accumulated energy of said spring whose active end (15) then acts on the device (12) in the direction of rotation thereof to allow it to continue its rotation and to move the pawl (9) in order to release said pawl locking catch (6) of the bolt. System for assisting the opening of a lock according to claim 1,
characterized in that the non-reversible mechanical device is an eccentric (12) mounted, rotatable, on the bolt (1). System for assisting the opening of a lock according to claim 2,
characterized in that the pawl (9) comprises a portion (11) forming a lever arm on which the eccentric (12) acts to move said pawl. Assistance system for opening a lock according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the means for actuating the non-reversible mechanical device (12) is an electromechanical actuator. System for assisting the opening of a lock according to Claim 4,
characterized in that the electromechanical actuator is an electric motor. Assistance system for opening a lock according to one of claims 1 to 3,
characterized in that the actuating means of the non-reversible mechanical device (12) is a cable connected to the opening handle of the opening. Assistance system for opening a lock according to one of claims 1 to 3,
characterized in that the actuating means of the non-reversible mechanical device (12) is a rod connected to the opening handle of the opening. Assistance system for opening a lock according to one of claims 1 to 6,
characterized in that the electromechanical actuator is powered, in case of malfunction of the lock, by a source of auxiliary electrical energy. System for assisting the opening of a motor vehicle door lock, said lock comprising a bolt (1) movable fixed on the body (5) of the lock and provided with a notch (2) intended to receive a striker (3),
characterized in that it comprises an energy storage system (13) capable of storing energy during the movement of said bolt (1) during closing of the opening leaf and a mechanical device (12) capable of to be initially moved by appropriate means to release accumulated energy from said storage system (13) which then acts to release the striker (3) from the notch (2). System for assisting the opening of a motor vehicle door lock, said lock comprising a bolt (1) movable fixed on the body (5) of the lock and provided with a notch (2) intended to receive a striker (3), a locking device (9) cooperating with at least one corresponding part (6, 7) of the bolt (1) to alternately ensure its locking and release,
characterized in that it comprises an energy storage system (13) capable of storing energy during the movement of said bolt (1) during closing of the opening leaf and a mechanical device (12) capable of to be initially moved by appropriate means to release accumulated energy from said storage system (13) which then acts on the device (12) to allow it to continue its movement and to move the blocking device (9) to disengage said locking device (9) from the corresponding part (6) of the bolt (1). System for assisting the opening of a motor vehicle door lock, said lock comprising a bolt (1) movable in rotation about an axis (4) fixed on the body (5) of the lock and provided with a notch (2) intended to receive a keeper (3), a pawl (9) cooperating with at least one notch (6, 7) of the bolt to alternately ensure its locking in rotation and its release,
characterized in that it comprises an energy storage system formed by a spring (13) able to be compressed by the rotation of said bolt during closing of the door leaf, and a mechanical device (12) capable of to be initially moved by appropriate means to release accumulated energy from said spring (13) which then acts on the device (12) to enable it to continue its movement and to move the pawl (9) to disengaging said pawl (9) from the locking catch (6) of the bolt.

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