EP2087191B1 - Latch for vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a latch that comprises a lock and a closing part (10). Said lock comprises a catch (15), a click (20) equipped with an adjusting arm (21) and a motorised opening aid (30). Said catch (15) comprises a receiving element for the closing part (10) and at least one stop notch (17) for engaging the click (20). The opening aid (30) is equipped with an eccentric (40) that is driven by a motor, whereby the eccentric curve interacts with a lateral adjusting surface of the adjusting arm (21) and ensures that the clink (20) is displaced in a motorised manner from its locked position in the stop notch (17) into an elevated position. In order to prevent problems in the latch, an end segment (42) of the eccentric (40) and/or the adjusting arm (21) of the clink (20) is elastic. When in the elevated position, the clink (20) is on a fixed stop (18), performing an elastic deformation (59) when passing the eccentric end segment (42) on the adjusting arm (21) of the clink (20), until an end-sided shoulder of the eccentric (40) catches behind a counter shoulder on the adjusting arm (21). After catching, the eccentric shoulder is supported on the clink counter shoulder and prevents the eccentric (40) from reversing.

Description

The invention is directed to a closure of the type specified in the preamble of claim 1. The lock associated with the lock comprises a latch, a latch with an actuator arm and a motorized opening aid. The opening aid has a driven eccentric whose eccentric cam cooperates with a lateral footprint on the actuator arm to move the pawl by motor from its locked position in the case in an Aushebelage. Then the trap is free to release the captured by her closing part.

The DE 102 06 813 A1 shows a known closure of this type, where the eccentric is formed dimensionally stable over the entire length of its eccentric curve. If the release position of the pawl is present and the case is released, it may come due to the load to a movement in the reverse direction of the eccentric, where an end segment of the eccentric, which has the maximum radii relative to the eccentric axis, moves back in front of the actuating arm of the pawl. Then the pawl is fixed in its Aushebelage and can not come again in the latching position of the latch with the case. The closure can then not be brought into its closed position, he is not able to hold the detected lock in the lock.

To prevent this, you have to close the motor contacts shortly after switching off the power. But this is a relay required, which is space consuming and costs. Such a relay requires, in addition to the laying and connection of electrical lines, a relay effectively setting control.

The invention has for its object to develop a reliable inexpensive closure specified in the preamble of claim 1 way that excludes malfunction of the castle. This is inventively achieved by the features specified in the characterizing part of claim 1, which has the following special significance.

The peculiarity of the invention is to form an end segment of the eccentric, where the eccentric cam has the maximum radii relative to the eccentric axis, in the radial direction elastically yielding. Additionally or alternatively, the actuating arm of the pawl in the radial direction could be elastically yielding. In full Aushebelage the latch then it comes to an elastic snap, because the latch is then supported on a fixed stop in the lock and can not be pivoted further. When passing the eccentric end segment on the actuating arm of the pawl, there is an elastic deformation until finally an eccentric shoulder, which limits the maximum end radius of the end segment, snaps behind a counter-shoulder on the actuating arm. In full release position of the pawl, the radial distance between the pawl actuating arm and the eccentric axis is significantly smaller than the maximum end radius of the eccentric cam. A space-consuming relay for short-circuiting the motor contacts after switching off the current is not required in the invention. This component can be saved in principle in the invention. The aforementioned excess of the radius of the end segment prevents the above-mentioned malfunction of the lock according to the invention. Without relay it may indeed come after the stop of the engine in the invention to a reverse rotation of the eccentric, but this reverse rotation is certainly limited by a support of the eccentric shoulder with the pawl counter-shoulder. An uncontrolled reverse rotation of the eccentric is then reliably prevented.

Fig. 1,

in Draufsicht auf das geöffnete Schloss mit im Querschnitt dargestellten Schließteil, eine Schließstellung des Verschlusses, wobei das Schloss mit einem Teilstück einer Heckklappe und der zugehörige Schließteil mit einem Teilstück der Fahrzeug-Karosserie dargestellt sind,

Fig. 2,

in gleicher Ansicht, aber unter Weglassung der angedeuteten Heckklappe und der Karosserie von Fig. 1, was auch für die übrigen Figuren gilt, eine Anfangsphase beim Öffnen des Verschlusses,

Fig. 3

eine dann folgende Mittelphase beim Öffnen des Verschlusses,

Fig. 4

eine besondere Blockadestellung des Verschlusses in der Schlussphase des Öffnungsvorgangs,

Fig. 5

die volle Offenstellung des Verschlusses, wo die Heckklappe geöffnet ist,

Fig. 6

in perspektivischer Darstellung eine Seitenansicht der in der Schließstellung von Fig. 1 befindlichen Schloss-Bauteile,

Fig. 7,

in Vergrößerung, einen ersten wichtigen Bauteil des Schlosses, nämlich die Draufsicht auf einen zur erfindungsgemäßen Öffnungshilfe gehörenden Exzenter, und

Fig. 8,

in Vergrößerung, einen zweiten Bauteil des Schlosses, nämlich eine Klinke mit drei Armen, die in zueinander unterschiedlicher Höhe liegen, was aus Fig. 6 zu erkennen ist und in Fig. 8 durch unterschiedliche Schraffur verdeutlicht ist.

Further measures and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the following description and the drawings. In the drawings, based on the most essential components of the closure a Embodiment of the invention explained with reference to different positions of the lock components. Show it:

Fig. 1,

in a plan view of the open lock with locking member shown in cross section, a closed position of the closure, wherein the lock with a portion of a tailgate and the associated closing part are shown with a portion of the vehicle body,

2,

in the same view, but omitting the indicated tailgate and the body of Fig. 1 , which also applies to the other figures, an initial phase when opening the shutter,

Fig. 3

a subsequent middle phase when opening the closure,

Fig. 4

a special blocking position of the closure in the final phase of the opening process,

Fig. 5

the full open position of the closure, where the tailgate is open,

Fig. 6

in a perspective view of a side view of the in the closed position of Fig. 1 located lock components,

Fig. 7,

in magnification, a first important component of the lock, namely the top view of an opening aid belonging to the eccentric, and

8,

in magnification, a second component of the castle, namely a pawl with three arms, which are in mutually different height, which made Fig. 6 can be seen and in Fig. 8 is illustrated by different hatching.

The lock according to the invention consists of a lock with a lock housing 12 and a closing part 10. The lock housing 12 is attached to a movable tailgate 50 of a vehicle, of which in Fig. 1 only a portion is shown. The closing part 10 consists of a striker, whose two legs are seated on a stationary body 60 of the vehicle, from which in Fig. 1 dot-dashed only a portion is illustrated. The one leg 11 of the striker 10 is in engagement with one of the lock components, namely a case 15th

Inside the castle are numerous components, of which only the most important ones are shown in the drawings. This first includes the aforementioned case 15, which is rotatably mounted on an axle 14 and under the action of a spring load 19 illustrated by an arrow. The case 15 has a slot-shaped receptacle 13 for the front leg 11 of the striker 10. In addition, the case 15 in the present case, two notches 16, 17, namely a pre-catch 16 and a main catch 17th

Further, a pawl 20 is mounted on a pivot axis 26 in the housing 12, which is under the action of a spring load 29 illustrated by the force arrow 29. What the latch 20 looks like is especially good Fig. 6 and 8th refer to. The pawl 21 has three arms 21, 24 and 28, which not only have different arm lengths and extend in different directions with respect to the pivot axis 26, but also in three mutually different altitudes 51, 54, 58 are located in Fig. 6 dash-dotted lines are illustrated. The different height of these arms 21, 24, 28 is highlighted in the drawings by different hatching.

The three arms have three different functions to be described, which are already expressed in their designation. The first arm 21 is a "control arm 21" located in the top 51 of FIG Fig. 6 is arranged. A second, lying in a middle plane 54 arm 24 is a "blocking arm". The third arm 28, which is arranged in the lowest level 58, should be referred to as a "support arm".

Finally, the pawl 20 still has two lugs 27, 57, of which the first 27 is a "locking lug", because they are in the Fig. 1 apparent locking position of the lock components, the main catch 17 of the latch 15 engages behind. The other nose 57, however, relies in the locking position of Fig. 1 on the peripheral contour of the latch 15, which lies between the main catch 17 and the pre-catch 16. Because of its supporting action, the second nose 57 should be referred to as a "support nose". The support lug 57 determines the depth of engagement of the locking lug 27 on the main catch 17th

Another component of the lock is arranged in the lock housing 12 motor opening aid 30. This consists of a switchable by an electrical control unit and motor 31, one out Fig. 1 recognizable screw 32 and a worm wheel 33 engaged therewith. With the worm wheel 33, a segment-like eccentric 40 is rotatably connected via an eccentric axis 44. The eccentric is formed according to the invention in a special way, which is best based on the magnification in Fig. 7 can be explained.

The eccentric 40 has an eccentric cam 46, which begins with respect to the eccentric axis 44 with a smallest radius 61 and extends over a mean radius 62 up to a maximum end radius 63. The eccentric cam 46 can be subdivided into two segments 41, 42, namely a main segment 41 and an end segment 42 designed according to the invention. Apart from the reinforced edge flange 36 for the eccentric cam 46 and radial ribs, the eccentric disk 40 consists of a disk 47, which is provided in the region of the end segment 42 with a slot 38 which weakens the disc in this end segment 42. It remains at the reinforced edge portion 36 of the eccentric 40 only a small slice remnant 39, which, however, widens again to the free end face 49 and there generates a relatively wide eccentric 43.

The eccentric 40 is integrally formed and made of plastic material. Due to the slit weakening of the disc remainder 39 is radially flexible.

If a radial force is exerted on the end segment 42 in the sense of the force arrow 52, a bending arrow 59 occurs in FIG Fig. 7 illustrated radial deformation. The maximum radius 63 may be as shown by a dashed line 56 in FIG Fig. 7 temporarily reduced to the middle radius 62 at times. As the dot-dashed curve 56 of the eccentric cam 46 can be seen under load, the end segment 42 acts as a "spring arm" of the eccentric 40, the in Fig. 7 labeled 48.

The Fig. 1 shows a Zuklapplage the tailgate 50, to which the lock housing 12 is attached. Then, the rotary latch 15 is in engagement with the one leg 11 from the closing part 10 and is supported with its main catch 17 on the locking lug 27 of the pawl 20 from. Then the illustrated by the auxiliary line 15.1 main latching position 15.1 of the case 15 is present while the pawl is in its illustrated by the auxiliary line 20.1 locking position 20.1. Here, the motor 31 is initially at rest, whereby the eccentric 40 occupies the marked with the auxiliary line 40.1 starting position. The closure is, as already said, in its locked position.

The unlocking of the closure is normally carried out by motor means of the opening aid 30. The authorized person expresses the desire to open the tailgate 50, in a manner known per se to an electrical control unit, not shown in detail, which then activates the engine 31 puts. As a result, the eccentric 40 is set in motion via the gear 32, 33 and thereby passes into one Fig. 2 apparent first intermediate position 40.2. The main segment 41 moves from the eccentric 40 against a footprint 22 from the actuating arm 21 and thereby pushes the pawl 20 in a marked with the auxiliary line 20.2 initial phase, where the locking lug 27 of the pawl 20 has not only released the main catch 17, but also the Vorrast 16th the trap 15. As shown by the dotted motion arrow 34 in Fig. 2 can be removed, the Vorrast 16 can already move freely past the locking lug 27. As a result, the latch 15 is disengaged and, due to its force load 19, can move when the latch is pivoted into an intermediate phase marked by the auxiliary line 15.2. In this case, the detected leg 11 from the closing part 10 is a small, has been moved out of the lock housing 12 by the arrow 35 marked portion. In this first intermediate position 40.2, the eccentric 40 still engages with its dimensionally stable main segment 41 on the footprint 22 of the pawl 20.

The switched-on motor 31 initially runs up to the in Fig. 3 with 40.3 marked second intermediate position of the eccentric 40 on. Now, the resilient eccentric end segment 42 cooperates with the footprint 22 of the pawl actuating arm 21. It comes to the already in Fig. 7 explained deflection 56 of the spring arm 48 formed by the end segment 42. The extent of the bending is by the already in Fig. 7 explained and also in Fig. 3 drawn arrow 59 can be seen. Already at the transition from Fig. 2 to Fig. 3 is already coming in Fig. 7 described support arm 28 to a fixed stop 55 in the lock housing 12 to the plant. Then it is like Fig. 3 shows the pawl 20 in its illustrated by the auxiliary line 20.3 full lifting position. Already in Fig. 3 has the case 15, the closing part 10 is released and is therefore in the marked by the auxiliary line 15.3 full open position. The engine 31 continues to run until the off Fig. 4 revealed conditions.

In Fig. 4 beats the eccentric 40 with its front abutment surface 45 at a blocking arm 24 located on the block 20 of the pawl 20 at. Thereby, the movement of the components of the opening aid 30 is stopped. A space-consuming, expensive relay for shorting the motor 31 is eliminated. The stop of the motor 31 is registered by the electric control unit, for example, by a steep rise of the electric current and the power supply to the motor 31 is turned off.

As the auxiliary line 40.4 illustrates, the eccentric 40 is located in Fig. 4 in an overstroke position, where also the end of the spring arm 48, the footprint 22 has not only released from the eccentric actuator arm 21, but is at a distance 53 thereto. Between one in Fig. 7 already described end-side eccentric shoulder 43 and a counter-shoulder 23 from the pawl actuating arm 21 is located in Fig. 4 another gap 53. The trap 15 is still in its already off Fig. 3 recognizable disclosure. In the meantime, the closing part 10 has moved farther away from the trap receptacle 13. Between the tailgate 50 and the Body 60, the in Fig. 1 fragmented, but in the Fig. 2 to 8 have been omitted, is in the overstroke position of Fig. 4 already a gap, which then opens further.

Like the details of Fig. 7 show the abutment surface 45 at the beginning of the dimensionally stable main segment 41 of the eccentric 40. This abutment surface 45 extends approximately vertically to the eccentric 46 at this point. One can also speak of a radial course of the abutment surface 45 with respect to the eccentric axis 44. The associated counter-impact surface 25 of the pawl blocking arm 24 is located at the free end of the front.

As the transition of blockade position of Fig. 4 in Fig. 5 clarified, it may come to a springback of the lock components. Due to this springback, the eccentric 40 rotates in the sense of in Fig. 5 indicated arrow 64 back. This reverse rotation 37 is limited, however, because the already associated with Fig. 7 described eccentric shoulder 43 from the front end of the spring arm 48 against the aforementioned counter-shoulder 23 from the pawl actuator arm 21 abuts. There is a butt joint between the shoulder 43 and counter-shoulder 23, which can not lead to the previously described bending 59 of the spring arm 48. The elasticity of the spring arm 48 is ineffective in this butt joint. Like in Fig. 7 has been described, is at the abutting surface 45 of the eccentric 40, a radial broadening of the spring arm front end 49 before, the butt joint of Fig. 5 ensures. The end radius 63 is much larger than that in Fig. 7 described average radius 62 at the transition between the main segment 41 and the end segment 42 of the eccentric 40. At the opposite end of the eccentric 40 may be 25 between the abutment surface 45 and the counter-impact surface, a gap.

Because of these dimensional differences and position of the lock components to each other, it is fundamentally excluded that the end of the spring arm 48 could come in front of the footprint 22 of the pawl actuating arm 21 to this in a full lifting position 20.3 Fig. 3 to hold back. If, inadvertently, an emergency operation not shown in detail is handled in the open position of the closure, then without the above-described inventive measures a Set eccentric 40 in front of the footprint 22 of the pawl. The emergency operation is normally then used to lift the latch when the electric drive of the opening aid 30 is defective. In such a case not relating to the invention, the pawl would be prevented from falling into the pre-catch 16 or the main catch 17. The closure could then not be transferred into the locked position.

The latter is prevented in the invention, as already associated with Fig. 5 was said. In Fig. 5 the eccentric 40 is again in a starting position 40.1, as already in Fig. 1 present. The trap 15 is still as in Fig. 3 and 4 in its open position indicated by the auxiliary line 15.3. The pawl 20 has moved due to their spring load 29 against the peripheral surface of the case 15, where it is supported with its locking lug 27. In the meantime, the closure member 10 has moved farther away from the trap 15, because the in Fig. 5 Tailgate not shown in detail moves toward their full Aufklapplage.

The auxiliary line 20.4 marks in Fig. 5 Due to the aforementioned conditioning of the pawl locking lug 27 on the circumference of the case 15, the pawl 20 is ready for a future Zuklappbewegung the tailgate ready to reliably fall into the pre-catch 16 or main catch 17 of the case 15. This closing movement takes place relative to the closing part 10 in the dash-dotted arrow direction 64. This standby position 20.4 of the pawl 20 may additionally or alternatively provide the described butt joint of the eccentric shoulder 43 on the pawl counter-shoulder 23. By means of the locking lug 27, the ready position 20.4 even in the overstroke position of Fig. 4 available.

List of reference numbers:

10

Closing part, striker

11

in 15 engaging thighs of 10

12

Lock, lock housing

13

Recording in 15 for 11

14

Rotation axis of 15

15

Cases

15.1

Main office location of 15 ( Fig. 1 )

15.2

Intermediate position of 15 ( Fig. 2 )

15.3

full open position of 15 ( Fig. 3 . 4 . 5 )

16

Pre-rest at 15

17

Main stop at 15

18

Stop at 12 for 22

19

Arrow of the spring load of 15

20

pawl

20.1

Lock position of 20 ( Fig. 1 )

20.2

Intermediate position of 20 when digging ( Fig. 2 )

20.3

full lift position of 20 ( Fig. 3 )

20.4

Standby position of 20 ( Fig. 4 . 5 )

21

first arm of 20, actuator arm ( Fig. 8 )

22

Footprint at 21 for 40 ( Fig. 8 )

23

Counter-shoulder to 23 for 43 ( Fig. 8 )

24

second arm of 20, blocking arm ( Fig. 8 )

25

Counterflap at 24 for 45 ( Fig. 8 )

26

Swivel axis of 20 ( Fig. 8 )

27

Locking nose on 20 ( Fig. 8 )

28

third arm of 20, support arm ( Fig. 8 )

29

Force arrow of the spring load of 20 ( Fig. 1 )

30

motorized opening aid

31

Engine of 30

32

first gear part, screw ( Fig. 1 )

33

second gear part, worm wheel ( Fig. 1 )

34

Motion arrow for 16 ( Fig. 2 )

35

Arrow for part movement of 10 ( Fig. 2 )

36

Edge flange to 46 ( Fig. 7 )

37

Reverse rotation of 40 ( Fig. 5 )

38

Slot in 47 ( Fig. 7 )

39

Disc rest at 38 ( Fig. 7 )

40

Eccentric of 30 ( Fig. 7 )

40.1

Starting position of 40 ( Fig. 1 . 5 )

40.2

first intermediate position of 40 ( Fig. 2 )

40.3

third intermediate position of 40 ( Fig. 3 )

40.4

Overstroke of 40 with blockade ( Fig. 4 )

41

Main segment of 40 ( Fig. 7 )

42

End segment of 40 ( Fig. 7 )

43

front shoulder on 42 ( Fig. 7 )

44

Eccentric axis of 40 or 33 ( Fig. 7 )

45

Impact area in the beginning of 41 ( Fig. 7 )

46

Eccentric cam of 40 ( Fig. 7 )

47

Disc material of 40 ( Fig. 7 )

48

Spring arm made of 42 ( Fig. 7 )

49

free front end of 39 ( Fig. 7 )

50

Tailgate ( Fig. 1 )

51

Level of 21 ( Fig. 6 )

52

Arrow of a radial force load of 42 or 48 ( Fig. 7 )

53

Distance between 23, 24, gap ( Fig. 4 )

54

Level of 24 ( Fig. 6 )

55

dot-dashed arrow of the closing movement ( Fig. 5 )

56

possible bending of 46 at 42 resp. 48 ( Fig. 7 )

57

Support nose on 20 ( Fig. 1 )

58

Level of 28 ( Fig. 6 )

59

Arrow of the bend of 48 or 42 ( Fig. 7 )

60

Bodywork ( Fig. 1 )

61

smallest radius of 41 ( Fig. 7 )

62

average radius of 46 ( Fig. 7 )

63

maximum end radius of 42, 48 ( Fig. 7 )

64

prevented reverse rotation of 40 ( Fig. 5 )

Claims (12)

1. Locking device with a movable part of a vehicle, like a lid (40) or door, and with a static part of the vehicle, namely, the carriage (60),
   comprising a lock (12) on a part (50) of the vehicle and a closing part (10) on the pother (60),
   whereby the lock (12) comprises a rotary-mounted catch (15), a swivel-mounted latch (20) with an adjustment arm (21) and a motor-driven opening aid (30),
   the catch (15) has a retainer (13) for the closing part (10) and at least one stop (16; 17) for latch gripping (20),
   the catch (15) and the latch (20) are spring-loaded toward one another (19, 29),
   and the opening aid (30) exhibits a motorized eccentric (40) whose eccentric curve (46) works together with a positioning area (22) on the side of the adjustment arm (21) to power drive the latch (20) from its locked position (20.1) in the catch stop (17) into a draw-out position (20.3) where the catch (15) is released,
   characterized
   in that the end segment (42) of the eccentric (40)-the eccentric curve (46) of which exhibits the greatest radii (62 to 63) from the axis of the eccentric (44)-and/or the adjustment arm (21) of the latch (20) are of an elastically compliant design,
   in that the latch (20) when completely drawn-out (20.3) impacts a fixed arrester (18) in the lock (12),
   in that when the eccentric end segment (42) passes the adjustment arm (21) of the latch (20) an elastic deformation comes about (59) until one of the eccentric shoulders (43) which determine the maximum end radius (63) snaps behind a counter shoulder (23) on the adjustment arm (21),
   and in that after snapping into place the eccentric smoulder (43) props itself against the latch counter shoulder (23) and prevents the eccentric (40) from turning back (64) when the catch is in open position (15.3).
2. Locking device in accordance with Claim 1 characterized in that an impact surface (45) is found on a main segment (41) of the eccentric (40) which is upstream of the end segment (42),
   and that this impact surface (45) is dedicated to a counter impact surface (25) on the latch (20),
   and that in the closing phase or driving the opening aid (30), the eccentric shoulder (45) impacts the counter impact surface of the latch (25) and prevents the eccentric (40) from being driven further.
3. Locking device in accordance with Claim 2 characterized in that the beginning of the eccentric curve (46) at the main segment (41) is on the impact surface (45).
4. Locking device in accordance with Claim 2 or 3 characterized in that the impact surface (45) runs nearly vertically to the eccentric curve (46).
5. Locking device in accordance with one of the claims 2 to 4 characterized in that the latch (20) exhibits a blocker arm (24),
   and in that the counter impact surface (25) is formed by the free front end of the blocker arm (24).
6. Locking device in accordance with one of the claims 1 to 5 characterized in that the end segment (42) of the eccentric (40) is designed as a spring arm (48),
   in that the spring arm (48) forms with its outward side surface an end section of the eccentric curve (46),
   and in that the spring arm (48) is elastically pliable (59) vis-à-vis the preceding main segment (41) of the eccentric (40).
7. Locking device in accordance with Claim 6 characterized in that the spring arm (48) comes into being through a slit (38) in the disc material (47) of the eccentric (40),
   the slit (38) is set back towards the eccentric axis (44) opposite the control-relevant eccentric curve (46),
   and in that the slit (38) weakens the disc material (47) in the end segment (42) to such extent that the retaining section of the disc (39) is radially pliable (59) and thereby creates the spring arm (48).
8. Locking device in accordance with Claim 6 or 7 characterized in that the eccentric smoulder (43) is formed by the free front end (49) of the spring arm (48).
9. Locking device in accordance with one of the claims 1 to 8 characterized in that the counter shoulder of the latch (23) is generated by the free front end of the adjustment arm (21) the lateral positioning area (22) of which works together with the eccentric curve (46).
10. Locking device in accordance with one of the claims 1 to 9 characterized in that the main segment (41) of the eccentric (40) is essentially designed to be rigid.
11. Locking device in accordance with one of the claims 1 to 10 characterized in that the latch (20), besides the adjustment arm (21) and the blocker arm (24), has yet a further support arm (28),
    and the support arm (28), when in full draw-out position (20.3) of the latch (20), props itself at the fixed arrester (18) in the lock (12).
12. Locking device in accordance with Claim 11 characterized in that the adjustment arm (21), the blocker arm (24) and the support arm (28) of the latch (20) are arranged at least area-wise in different levels (51, 54, 58) to one another and/or exhibit different arm lengths to one another.

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