EP2089599A1

EP2089599A1 - Lock device having a multi-part pawl

Info

Publication number: EP2089599A1
Application number: EP07817765A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thorsten Bendel; Serkan Gülkan; Dirk Hanisch; Ulrich Weichsel; Karsten Barth; Klaus Töpfer
Original assignee: Kiekert AG
Current assignee: Kiekert AG
Priority date: 2006-11-22
Filing date: 2007-11-02
Publication date: 2009-08-19
Anticipated expiration: 2027-11-02
Also published as: US8480138B2; WO2008061491A1; EP2089599B1; ATE462056T1; DE102007003948A1; US20100052336A1; CN101542063B; DE502007003247D1; CN101542063A

Abstract

A lock unit (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising at least a catch (2), a first pawl (3) having a pawl rotation axis (4), and a blocking lever (5), in which the catch (2) in a locked state of the lock unit (1) transfers a pivoting moment onto the first pawl (3) and in which the first pawl (3) is fixed by a blocking lever (5) and in which a second pawl (6) is provided that is mounted on the pawl rotation axis (4) and is engageable with the blocking lever (5) and the catch (2).

Description

Locking unit with multipart pawl

The present invention relates to a lock unit comprising at least one rotary latch, a first Sperrldinke with a pawl rotation axis and a BIO ckadehebel, wherein the rotary latch in a locked state of the lock unit initiates a pivoting moment on the first pawl and the first pawl is fixed by means of the blocking lever. Locking units of this type are used in motor vehicles in particular for locking doors, flaps or the like.

In the lock units described here, the relative position between the catch and the pawl is not formed so that the force exerted by the catch force passes through the pawl rotation axis and thus an independent fixation of the catch is made possible by means of the pawl. Rather, here, in particular for providing a particularly quiet operation lock unit, the pawl is formed or arranged so that the force exerted by the catch force causes a torque in the pawl, which favors the release of the catch. In that regard, causes the catch an opening torque with respect to the first pawl, so that it can be easily moved to the open position due to the spring bias of the rotary latch.

In order to equally ensure a locked state permanently, a blocking lever is provided, which fixes the first pawl in the locking position, so that in particular positional shifts with respect to the locking mechanism (for example by compressing the door seals, driving and the like) no opening of the lock unit or Do not cause disengagement of the pawl and catch contact. This blocks the "self-opening mechanism" of the locking mechanism. Even taking into account the increased number of parts of such a locking system, it is desirable to safely operate the complex sequence of movements in all operating situations, at the same time high demands are placed on a small footprint, as well as the demand for a quiet operating locking system.

The object of the present invention is to at least partially solve the problems described with reference to the prior art. In particular, a lock unit is to be specified which has a self-opening mechanism and is nevertheless compact and simple in construction.

These objects are achieved with a lock unit according to the features of patent claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments of the lock unit or its preferred field of application emerge from the dependent formulated patent claims. It should be noted that the features listed individually in the claims in any technologically meaningful way, can be combined with each other and show other embodiments of the invention. In addition, the description, in particular in conjunction with the figures, further advantages and preferred developments of the invention explained.

The lock unit according to the invention has at least one rotary latch, a first pawl with a pawl rotation axis and a blocking lever. In a locked state of the lock unit, the rotary latch initiates a pivoting moment into the first locking pawl and the first locking pawl is fixed by means of the blocking lever. In addition, a second pawl is provided, which is mounted on the pawl rotational axis and engageable with the blocking lever and the rotary latch. The lock unit is in particular a lock for a motor vehicle door, wherein the lock unit can in principle also be provided in other doors, flaps, etc. The function of the so-called locking mechanism of rotary latch and pawl in motor vehicle locks is basically known, so that it should only be mentioned that by means of the (spring-loaded) catch a locking pin is received and locked in a locked state. To lock the rotary motion of the rotary latch has this on its outer contour a so-called main branch, engages in a corresponding survey of the first Sperrldinke. For this purpose, the pawl performs a rotary motion and finally forms with the catch a contact area by catch and latch abut each other.

In the locked state, the rotary latch now presses on a contact point (or small Kohtaktbereich) of the first pawl, so that a (average or idealized) contact force vector is given. The contact force vector regularly has a length (which substantially corresponds to the amount of force) and a direction in which the force acts (starting from the catch on the first pawl). In the case of the "self-opening" mechanism, this contact force vector does not point in the direction of the pawl rotational axis starting from the contact point, but the contact force vector is arranged obliquely to this effect In order to generate such an oblique contact force vector, in particular the abutment surfaces between the first locking recess and the rotary latch in the area of the contact point and / or the position of both components can be adapted to each other with such a configuration of the contact force vector particularly smooth and thus quiet operation of Sperrldinke be achieved when opening the locking mechanism. To block now the self-opening mechanism, a blockage lever is provided. This is particularly positioned so that it rests against the first Sperrldinke and generates a blocking force that counteracts the pivoting moment. In the locked state of the lock unit, for example, the first pawl bears against the main catch of the rotary latch, wherein the blocking lever is positioned on the side of the first pawl opposite the rotary latch. This blocking lever is in particular arranged pivotably and blocks the opening position of the first pawl in the locked state.

In addition to this first pawl, a second pawl is provided here, which is arranged to realize simple movement sequences and a small space on the same pawl rotation axis, as the first pawl. The first pawl and the second pawl can thereby be moved independently of one another about the pawl rotation axis at least in a (limited) pivoting range (for example 10 ° to 60 °). The second pawl can now be brought on the one hand with the blocking lever and on the other hand with the catch in engagement. Thus, the second pawl has a kind (staggered or delimited) double function, namely once as a "conventional" pawl with respect to the catch and additionally as a release lever for the blocking lever, so that the locked state of the catch, first pawl and Blockade lever by means of the second Sperrldinke, which can be brought into contact with the blocking lever, is dissolved.

Particularly preferred is an embodiment in which the catch has a main catch and a pre-catch, wherein the first Sperrldinke with the main catch is engageable and the second pawl is engageable with the pre-catch in engagement. In other words, this means in particular that the second Sperrldinke (when engaging the first Sperrldinke in the main catch of the rotary latch) as tripping mechanism for the blocking lever. In addition, the second pawl in another (time staggered) state of the lock unit or the locking mechanism also act as a pawl, in which this (alone) locks the catch in or on the pre-catch. This opens up the possibility that the catch is designed with a less complex contour, since the relative movement of the two pawls different points of attack for contact with the pawl or the catch can be provided.

According to a development of the lock unit, it is proposed that the second pawl has a trigger arm with a release pin, which can be temporarily brought into abutment with a block of the blocking lever. This makes it clear that the pawl not only forms a lever extending along an axis, but also one of them in particular obliquely extending trigger arm. The trigger arm has at least one trigger pin, which extends in particular perpendicularly to the pawl plane, in order, for example, to interact with a blocking lever which is arranged deeper or parallel thereto. The spatial position of the blocking lever and the second pawl is now such that, when the second pawl is pivoted, the tripping pin can temporarily interact with the block of the blocking lever, in particular during a predetermined swiveling range. It is preferred that the trigger pin is exactly in contact with the backdrop when the first pawl is to be released. For this purpose, a pivoting of the blocking lever against its frictional force to the first pawl and a spring tension is effected by means of the second pawl.

According to a development of the lock unit, the second pawl has a locking arm with a receptacle which can be temporarily brought into contact with the catch. This locking arm is used in particular to cooperate with the catch in the area of the so-called pre-catch. In this case, in the case in that the rotary latch is designed with a bolt extending out of the plane of the rotary latch, the blocking arm being designed with a corresponding receptacle on the front side. In this case, a contact force between the rotary latch and the second pawl, which extends through the pawl rotation axis, preferably acts. Thus, a non-self-opening mechanism is proposed here.

In addition, it can also be provided that the second pawl has an actuating arm which is connected to an actuating lever. The actuating arm thus serves, in particular, as a point of application for the actuating lever, which is led out of a housing of the lock unit and interacts directly or indirectly with actuators on the door or flap (for example so-called inside operating lever and / or outside operating lever). Such an actuating lever may be designed in the manner of a linkage and / or Bowden cable. It is preferred that the actuating arm of the second pawl is positioned with respect to the pawl rotation axis on an opposite side to the trigger arm or blocking arm.

It is particularly preferred that the second pawl has a separate trigger arm, a separate locking arm and a separate actuating arm. Such a second pawl is designed in particular as a flat molded part and in particular comprises metal and / or plastic.

Furthermore, it is considered advantageous that means for limiting the relative pivoting are provided between the first pawl and the second pawl. These means for limiting the relative pivoting have primarily the task of ensuring a secure unlocking even in the case when the self-opening mechanism for ejecting the first pawl does not work. For this purpose, it is particularly preferred that the first pawl and the second pawl during the opening operation in the the same direction are pivoted about the pawl rotation axis, so that the second pawl in a first movement section the blocking lever and later (preferably offset in time), (in particular, if necessary, if the catch does not change the position of the first pawl) pivots the first pawl.

Finally, a motor vehicle is proposed which has at least one lock unit described here according to the invention. Such a lock unit is provided in particular for locking doors and / or flaps of such motor vehicles.

The invention and the technical environment will now be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. It should be noted that the figures show particularly preferred embodiments of the invention, but this is not limited thereto. They show schematically:

1 shows a first embodiment variant of a lock unit according to the invention in the locked state,

2: the lock unit of FIG. 1 in another plane,

3: the lock unit of FIG. 2 during the opening process,

4: the pivoting of the rotary latch in the open position,

5: the lock unit from the previous figures in the open state,

6 shows a further embodiment of a lock unit during the closing process, 7: the lock unit of FIG. 6 in the so-called pre-locking position,

8 shows the lock unit from FIGS. 6 and 7 in the so-called overstroke position.

1 schematically shows a lock unit 1 of a motor vehicle 16 only indicated here. The locking mechanism of the catch 2 and the first Sperrldinke 3 is arranged in a housing 20 which is positioned for example in or on a motor vehicle door. The lock unit 1 now serves to fix a locking bolt 19 (also called a lock holder) fastened to the vehicle body, for example, which is inserted into the inlet 21 during the closing operation of the motor vehicle door.

Fig. 1 now illustrates the self-opening mechanism of the locking mechanism, wherein the rotary latch 2, the first pawl 3 and the blocking lever 5 are arranged in a plane of the lock unit 1. In the locked state shown here, the locking pin 19 is securely received in the indentation 22 of the spring-loaded, about the rotary shaft rotation axis 17 usually pivotable rotary latch 2. The rotation (here in the clockwise direction) of the rotary latch 2 as a result of the spring preload is hindered by the fact that the first pawl 3 rests against the main catch 7 of the rotary latch 2. In the contact region, a contact force vector which is here shown as a black arrow and which does not point to the pawl rotation axis 4 is now formed by the catch 2. Rather, an angle between the contact force vector and the connection 23 between the main catch 7 and pawl rotation axis 4 is given, so that this contact force generates a pivoting moment with respect to the first pawl 3. In order to prevent it from opening, a blockage lever 5 pivotable about a blocking lever pivot axis 18 is provided on the side of the first pawl 3 opposite the catch 2. This forms a stop for the first pawl 3 in this position 24, wherein the adjacent contact force passes through the blocking lever pivot axis 18 therethrough. In this way, the first pawl 3 is securely fixed to the main catch 7 of the catch 2. Consequently, a secure positioning of the first pawl 3 can be ensured even in a further, anti-clockwise rotation of the rotary latch 2 (for example, when squeezing the door seals).

In a respect to the observer level further up the level now only hinted second pawl 6 is positioned, which is mounted on the same SpeITldinkendrehachse 4 as the first pawl 3. This is illustrated in Fig. 2 below.

The second pawl 6 has substantially three arms, namely a locking arm 12, a trigger arm 9 and an actuating arm 14. Regarding the position of the individual Arms of the second pawl 6 is given here that the actuating arm 14 is disposed on a different side relative to the pawl pivot axis 4 as the trigger arm 9 and the locking arm 12. To now dissolve the locked state of the locking mechanism, the second pawl 6 by means of an am Betätigungsarin 14 attacking actuating lever 15 are pivoted about the pawl rotation axis 4. To avoid a noise and to ensure a direct opening operation lies at this time a in the plane of the blocking lever 5 extending trigger pin 10 of the second pawl 6 on a channel 11 of the blocking lever 5 on. This ensures that the blocking lever 5 is already moved with a short path of the actuating lever 15 and a small Verschwenkweg the second pawl 6. In addition, it is preferred that in the locked state no further interaction of the second blocking pawl 6, for example with the catch 2 or the first pawl 3, is given.

The individual movements when opening the lock unit are now illustrated in FIG. 3. Shown is in particular the position of the individual components at a time when the blocking lever 5 releases the first pawl 3. The individual movements are illustrated by differently marked arrows.

First, by a change in position of the actuating lever 15 (here along an axis upward) of the trigger pin 10 of the trigger arm 9 of the second Sperrldinke 6 with the gate 11 of the actuating lever 5 is brought into contact. The circular movement of the trigger pin 10 (indicated by a white arrow) and its contact with the slide 11 now leads to a pivoting of the blocking lever 5 (also marked with a white arrow). For this reason, the stop 24 moves away from the first pawl 3 so that it is released.

During this process, the spring-loaded rotary latch 2 presses against the first pawl 3 (black arrow), so that with respect to this first pawl 3 to Speiδldinkendrehachse 4 an opening moment or pivoting moment (indicated by a black arrow) is applied. Are now the stop 24 of the blocking lever 5, the first pawl 3 free, the catch 2 pivots the first pawl 3 in the direction of the open position. The force required for this purpose is usually ensured by the spring bias of the rotary latch 2 and acting on the latch bolt 2 over the locking bolt door sealing forces. W

In a few exceptional cases, however, it may happen that these forces do not rest or inadequate extent, in which case, however, a secure opening of the locking mechanism must be ensured. For this purpose, the first pawl 3 has a driver 26 which, in the event that the first locking latch 3 is not "automatically" pivoted, is taken along by the recess 25 of the second locking pawl 6. In this case, the recess 25 or the Driver 26 provided so that at the time of release of the stop 24 of the blocking lever 5 of the first pawl 3 still a game (or no contact) between driver 26 and recess 25 exists. Die-

10 ses game is usually designed so that even one of my Verschwenkweg is relatively enabled between the pawls, during which normally the rotary latch 2 activates the pivotal movement of the first pawl 3, so that it is not normally a contact between recess 25 and driver 26 comes to avoid noise here.

15

4 now shows how a free rotational movement of the rotary latch 2 about the rotary shaft rotation axis 17 is made possible. The rotation of the rotary catch 2 (indicated by a black arrow) simultaneously leads to a displacement of the relative position towards the locking pin 19. The rotational movement of the rotary latch 2 or the translational

20 rische movement of the locking pin 19 now goes so far until the catch 2 completely releases the locking pin 19, as illustrated in Fig. ^' 5.

While the opening process is illustrated with the above-described figures, FIGS. 6 to 9 show a possible closing operation. In Fig. 6 25 illustrates how, for example, when closing the door of the introduced into the inlet 21 locking pin 19 causes a rotation of the rotary latch 2 against the spring bias (illustrated with black arrows). During this phase of the closing operation, the pawls 3, 6 may abut, for example, on an outer contour of the rotary latch 2, wherein the rotational movements are not is significantly impeded and noise is avoided. In the embodiment variant illustrated here, the locking arm 12 of the second pawl 6 is located directly on the bolt-like pre-catch 8 of the rotary latch 2. The second pawl 6 is spring biased and has the tendency to move counterclockwise around the Speiτklinkendrehachse.

Now has the pre-catch 8 the barrier arm 12 swept, pivots the second pawl 6, so that the locking arm 12 forms with its receptacle 13 a support point for the pre-catch 8. In this position, it is now prevented that the rotary latch 2 opens again, without the lock unit is operated again. Starting from this position, electromotive aids can now possibly intervene and bring about a further rotation of the rotary latch 2. In this case, a rotation of the rotary latch 2 can be made, for example, into a so-called overstroke position, which describes a position of the rotary latch 2 that goes beyond the locked state. This ensures that the Sperrldinke to be brought to a main rest 7 to invest safely.

This state of the overstroke is apparent from Fig. 8. The rotary latch 2 is "over-turned" and is brought into contact, for example, with a stopper 27. The spring-biased blocking lever 5 now rotates in the clockwise direction about the blocking lever pivot axis and presses the first pawl 3 towards the rotary latch 2, so that it is safe in the case of Rearward movement of the rotary latch 2 with the main catch 7 is engaged.

With the lock unit described herein according to the invention a safe and quiet operation is given, however, low actuating forces and a small space are required. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 lock unit

2 rotary latch

3 first pawl

4 locking link rotation axis

5 blocking lever

6 second pawl

7 main stop

8 pre-rest

9 release arm

10 trigger pins

11 backdrop

12 barrier arm

13 recording

14 actuating arm

15 operating lever

16 motor vehicle

17 rotary axis of rotation

18 blockage lever pivot

19 locking bolts

20 housing

21 enema

22 indentation

23 connecting line

24 stop

25 recess

26 drivers

27 stoppers

Claims

claims

1. lock unit (1) comprising at least one rotary latch (2), a first pawl (3) with a pawl pivot axis (4), and a blocking lever (5), wherein in a locked state of the lock unit (1) the catch (2) a pivoting moment in the first Sperrldinke (3) initiates and the first pawl (3) by means of the blocking lever (5) is fixed, wherein a second pawl (6) is provided, which is mounted on the Sperrldinkendrehachse (4) and with the blocking lever (5 ) and the rotary latch (2) can be brought into engagement.

2. lock unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein the rotary latch (2) has a main catch (7) and a preliminary catch (8), wherein the first pawl (3) with the main catch (7) is engageable and the second Sperrklihke (6) with the Vorrast (8) is engageable.

3. lock unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second pawl (6) has a trigger arm (9) with a release pin (10) which are temporarily brought to a backdrop (11) of the blocking lever (5) for conditioning can.

4. lock unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second pawl (6) has a locking arm (12) with a receptacle (13) which can be temporarily brought into contact with the rotary latch (2).

5. lock unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second pawl (6) has an actuating arm (14) which is connected to an actuating lever (15).

6. lock unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein between the first pawl (3) and the second pawl (6) means are provided for limiting the relative pivoting.

7. Motor vehicle (16) comprising at least one lock unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims.