EP2570573B1 - Motor vehicle lock - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a motor vehicle lock according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for controlling a motor vehicle lock according to the preamble of claim 10.

The motor vehicle lock in question finds application in all types of closure elements of a motor vehicle. These include in particular side doors, rear doors, tailgates, trunk lids or hoods. In principle, these closure elements can also be designed in the manner of sliding doors.

The motor vehicle lock in question is arranged on the respective closure element and equipped with conventional closing elements such as latch and pawl. The latch is in a closed position in which it is in holding engagement with a closing wedge o. The like., And in an open position in which it releases the striker, brought. The pawl is in a sunken position, in which it holds the latch in a closed position, and in a raised position, in which it releases the lock latch, brought.

The known motor vehicle lock, from which the present invention proceeds, shows the above basic structure. The motor vehicle lock is here additionally equipped with an electric opening drive for motorized lifting of the pawl. This comfort feature is also referred to as an open-by-wire (OBW) function.

In order to ensure the lifting of the pawl and thus the opening of the closure element in an emergency, especially in case of failure of the supply voltage, the known motor vehicle lock is equipped with a lock mechanism. The lock mechanism allows the manual release of the pawl from the outside and from the inside via an outside door handle and an inside door handle. For the implementation of the usual locking states, the lock mechanism can be brought into the mechanical lock states "unlocked" (UL), "locked" (CL) and "theft-proofed" (DL).

While the known motor vehicle lock provides a high degree of user comfort, it involves a systemic risk. This risk is that it is basically possible to trigger an OBW operation while the lock mechanism is in lock state DL. In the case. An authenticated user initiates a motor opening process when the lock mechanism is in lock state DL, gets into the motor vehicle, strikes the door and then the supply voltage fails, manual lifting of the locking pawl from inside (and outside) is not possible. The occurrence of such unwanted Einschließzustands is accompanied by a reduction in the reliability of the motor vehicle lock. That after the US 2010/235059 A1 known motor vehicle lock has a comparable structure, wherein the manual lifting of the pawl from the inside via a door inner handle takes place in case of failure of the supply voltage.

The invention is based on the problem, the known motor vehicle lock in such a way and further develop that the reliability is increased.

The above problem is solved in a motor vehicle lock according to claim 1.
Essential is basically the consideration to avoid the above, unwanted Einschließzustand by a simple control technology linkage. The arrangement is for this purpose taken in such a way that the motorized lifting of the pawl is electrically locked, as long as the lock mechanism is in the lock state DL. Thus, the above enclosure state can be realized safely and inexpensively.
An advantageous possibility of realizing the solution according to the proposal consists in accordance with claim 6 in that a control arrangement monitors the lock state and locks or releases the motorized lifting of the pawl as a function of the lock state. Such a control technology monitoring allows a high degree of flexibility in the reaction to an imminent occlusion condition.
A particularly cost-effective way of realization according to claim 7 provides that a lock state status switch in the power circuit the opening drive is switched. This variant of the proposed solution works without a control arrangement.

According to another teaching according to claim 10, which has independent significance, a method for controlling a motor vehicle lock in question is claimed.

Essential in the proposed method is the fact that the motorized lifting of the pawl is electrically locked in the above manner, as long as the lock mechanism is in the lock state DL. On all versions of the proposed motor vehicle lock, which are suitable to describe the proposed method, may be referenced.

Fig. 1

in einer ganz schematischen Darstellung ein vorschlagsgemäßes Kraftfahrzeugschloss zur Durchführung eines vorschlagsgemäßen Verfahrens im eingebauten Zustand und

Fig. 2

in ebenfalls ganz schematischer Darstellung eine beispielhafte Ansteuerung des Öffnungsantriebs des Kraftfahrzeugschlosses gemäß Fig. 1.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing showing only one exemplary embodiment. In the drawing shows

Fig. 1

in a very schematic representation of a proposed motor vehicle lock for carrying out a proposed method in the installed state and

Fig. 2

in a likewise very schematic representation of an exemplary control of the opening drive of the motor vehicle lock according to Fig. 1 ,

It may be noted in advance that only the components of the proposed motor vehicle lock are shown in the drawing, which are necessary for the explanation of the teaching.

This in Fig. 1 shown motor vehicle lock is equipped with the usual closing elements latch 1 and pawl 2, wherein the latch 1 in the in Fig. 1 shown closed position in which it is in holding engagement with a striker 3 o. The like., Can be brought. The latch 1 is further in an open position, not shown, in which it releases the striker 3, brought. The open position results from a pivoting of the latch 1 from the in Fig. 1 shown position to the right, so that the locking wedge 3 is adjustable upwards.

The pawl 2 is in the illustrated, sunken position in which it holds the latch 1 in a closed position, and in a not shown, excavated position in which it releases the latch 1, brought. The lifting of the pawl 2 is here on a pivoting of the pawl 2 in Fig. 1 left around, back. The lifting movement of the pawl 2 is in Fig. 1 indicated by arrows.

The motor vehicle lock has an electric opening drive 4 for the motorized lifting of the pawl 2. The opening drive 4 is coupled via a mechanical coupling 5 with the pawl 2.

The motor vehicle lock is further equipped with a lock mechanism 6 for manually lifting the pawl 2 from the outside and from the inside via an outside door handle 7 and a door inside handle 8. The manual lifting of the pawl 2 is provided here primarily for emergency, especially in the event of a power failure. This is also called "mechanical redundancy".

Specifically, it can be provided that the outside door handle 7 and the door inner handle 8 are each equipped with an operating switch, not shown, which are coupled via electrical couplings 9, 10 with the opening drive 4 or the opening drive 4 associated control arrangement. In addition, the outside door handle 7 and the inside door handle 8 are each coupled via mechanical couplings 11, 12 with the lock mechanism 6.

In one variant, an actuation of the outside door handle 7 and / or the inside door handle 8 is always connected both to an actuation via the electrical couplings 9, 10 and via the mechanical couplings 11, 12. The motorized lifting of the pawl 2 regularly takes place so quickly that after the motorized lifting the manual operation on the mechanical couplings 11, 12 has not yet progressed in a significant way. This "overtaking" of manual excavation by motorized lifting is also referred to as "overtaking". The mode of operation with "overhaul function" is only to be understood as an example here. Other modes of operation are conceivable.

The motor vehicle lock is quite generally in the lock states "unlocked" (UL), "locked" (CL) and "theft-proof" (DL) brought. Here, the pawl 2 in the lock state UL from the outside and inside, in the lock state CL not from the outside, but from the inside and in the lock state DL neither from the outside nor from the inside manually liftable.

The lock states above are on the one hand control technology with a in Fig. 1 merely indicated control arrangement 13 and shown mechanically in the lock mechanism 6. The control-technical mapping is based, for example, on the setting of an electronic memory, wherein the control of the opening drive 4 is made in dependence on which lock state is currently stored in the memory.

The mechanical representation of the lock states takes place in the lock mechanism 6 via corresponding, switchable couplings. For a motorized switching of the clutches, a central locking drive is provided for the lock state CL and an anti-theft drive for the lock state DL. It is also conceivable to integrate these two drives in a single drive.

It is essential that the arrangement is made so that the motorized lifting of the pawl 2 is electrically locked, as long as the lock mechanism 6 is in the lock state DL. This can be avoided in a simple manner, the above-mentioned, unwanted Einschließzustand.

The advantages of the proposed solution in a motor vehicle lock, in which the motorized lifting of the pawl 2 substantially free of the lock mechanism 6 can be carried out, are particularly clear. In such a motor vehicle lock, it is readily possible that an opening operation is carried out while the lock mechanism 6 is unchanged in the lock state DL.

It can be according to the representation Fig. 1 can be seen that the lock mechanism 6 is divided here into two functional sections 6a, 6b, wherein the first section 6a the engagement or disengagement of the outside door handle 7 and the second section 6b serves the engagement or disengagement of the door inner handle 8. This subdivision the lock mechanism 6 serves for better clarity. This subdivision does not have to be implemented constructively.

Both functional sections 6a, 6b each provide part of a coupling mechanism 14 of the lock mechanism 6. As explained above, this clutch mechanism 14 is required for the engagement and disengagement of the outside door handle 7 and inside door handle 8.

Both sections 6a, 6b of the lock mechanism 6 also each provide a part of a monitoring arrangement 15 of the lock mechanism 6, which serves to monitor the respective lock state. The monitoring arrangement 15 here has at least one status sensor 16, preferably at least one status switch 16.

For the arrangement and wiring of the status sensors 16 and status switch 16 are numerous advantageous variants conceivable. For example, a CL status sensor, in particular a CL status switch, may be provided for monitoring the lock state CL. It is also conceivable that with the CL status switch monitoring is possible to the effect whether the lock state CL is ejected, so now the lock state UL is present. Here and preferably, a DL status sensor 16, in particular a DL status switch 16, is provided for monitoring the lock state DL. At the in Fig. 2 illustrated and yet to be explained embodiment of the DL status switch 16 is open when the lock state DL is present. Other variants are conceivable.

In order to reduce the probability of avoiding Einschließzustands, a very special control of the lock mechanism 6 is provided. As mentioned above, the lock mechanism 6 preferably has a central locking drive and / or an anti-theft drive, wherein before each motor opening operation, the lock mechanism 6 is controlled by a corresponding control of the central locking drive or the anti-theft drive in the lock state CL or UL. This activation is preferably performed by the in Fig. 1 perceived control arrangement 13.

If the lock mechanism 6 still erroneously remains in lock state DL, the proposed solution intervenes by the motorized lifting of the pawl 2 is locked in the above manner.

In a variant, it is provided that the control arrangement 13 monitors the lock state by means of the monitoring arrangement 15 and blocks or releases the motorized lifting of the pawl 2 as a function of the lock state.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, it is such that the control arrangement 13 monitors the CL status switch and / or the DL status switch accordingly.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, however, it is provided that a status switch 16, here and preferably the DL status switch 16, in such a way in the circuit 17, here the power circuit 17, the opening drive 4 is switched, that the motorized lifting of the pawl 2 electrically is locked as long as the lock mechanism 6 is in the functional position DL. In principle, instead of the DL status switch 16, a CL status switch can also be used if a corresponding circuit is selected.

At the in Fig. 2 illustrated and so far preferred embodiment of the DL status switch 16 is connected in the ground supply line 18 for the opening drive 4. As long as the lock mechanism 6 is in the lock state DL, the DL status switch 16 is open, so that the opening drive 4 remains de-energized. Only when the lock mechanism 6 is transferred to the lock state CL or UL, closes the DL status switch 16, so that a current flow through the opening drive 4 is possible.

As an alternative to the above connection of the DL status switch 16 within the power circuit of the opening drive 4, it may also be provided to switch the DL status switch 16 into a control circuit of the opening drive 4. The optimum choice of the wiring depends largely on the drive components involved.

For the design of the status sensor 16 numerous possibilities are conceivable. For example, the status sensor 16 is designed as an electrical sensor, magnetic sensor, optical sensor or the like. Here and preferably, the status sensor 16 is configured as a microswitch. In a particularly easy-to-implement variant of the status sensor 16 acts with a lever, not shown, in particular with a central locking lever or with an anti-theft lever, the lock mechanism 6 together.

The motor vehicle lock is here and preferably equipped with a housing 19 which in Fig. 1 only hinted at. In this case, the control arrangement 13 is arranged outside of the housing 19. This is particularly appropriate if the control arrangement 13 is a component of a central door control. In principle, however, the control arrangement 13 can also be arranged within the housing 19.

According to another teaching, which also has independent significance, a method for controlling an above motor vehicle lock is claimed.

The implementation of the method serving motor vehicle lock is equipped as above with closing elements such as latch 1 and pawl 2, the latch 1 in a closed position in which it is in holding engagement with a striker 3 o. The like., And in an open position, in the she releases the lock wedge o. The like., Can be brought. The pawl 2 is in a sunken position in which it holds the latch 1 in a closed position, and in a raised position in which it releases the latch 2, brought.

The motor vehicle lock is equipped with an electric opening drive 4 for motorized lifting of the pawl 2, wherein an above lock mechanism 6 for manually lifting the pawl 2 from the outside and from the inside via an outside door handle 7 and a door inner handle 8 is provided and wherein the lock mechanism 6 in the above mechanical lock states can be brought.

Essential for the proposed method is the fact that the motorized lifting of the pawl 2 is electrically locked, as long as the Lock mechanism 6 is in the lock state DL. This corresponds to the here in the foreground mode of operation of the proposed motor vehicle lock, so that may be made to all relevant remarks.

Claims (10)

1. Motor vehicle lock with locking elements such as a lock latch (1) and locking pawl (2), wherein the lock latch (1) can be moved into a locking position in which it is in securing engagement with a locking wedge (3) or the like and into an open position in which it releases the locking wedge (3) or the like, wherein the locking pawl (2) can be moved into a dropped-in position in which it secures the lock latch (1) in a locking position and into a lifted-out position in which it releases the lock latch (1), wherein an electric opening drive (4) for lifting out the locking pawl (2) by motor is provided, wherein a lock mechanism (6) for manually lifting out the locking pawl (2) from the outside and from the inside by means of an external door handle (7) and an internal door handle (8) is provided, and wherein the lock mechanism (6) can be moved into the "unlocked" mechanical lock state - UL -, "locked" mechanical lock state - CL -, and "secured against theft" mechanical lock state - DL -, wherein in the lock state UL the locking pawl (2) can be lifted out manually from the outside and the inside, in the lock state CL it cannot be lifted out manually from the outside but can from the inside, and in the lock state DL it cannot be lifted out manually either from the outside or from the inside,
   wherein the arrangement is effected such that the lifting out of the locking pawl (2) by motor is electrically disabled as long as the lock mechanism (6) is in the lock state DL.
2. Motor vehicle lock according to Claim 1, characterized in that the lifting out of the locking pawl (2) by motor can be carried out essentially free of the lock mechanism (6).
3. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lock mechanism (6) has a monitoring arrangement (15) for monitoring the lock state, preferably in that the monitoring arrangement (15) has at least one status sensor (16), in particular at least one status switch (16).
4. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a CL status sensor, in particular a CL status switch, for monitoring the lock state CL is provided, and/or in that a DL status sensor (16) in particular a DL status switch (16) for monitoring the lock state DL is provided.
5. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lock mechanism (6) has a central locking drive and/or an anti-theft securing drive, and in that a control arrangement (13) is provided which, before each motor-operated opening process, adjusts the lock mechanism (6) to the lock state CL or UL by correspondingly actuating the central locking drive and/or the anti-theft securing drive.
6. Motor vehicle lock according to Claim 3 and, if appropriate, according to Claim 4 or 5, characterized in that a control arrangement (13) is provided which monitors the lock state by means of the monitoring arrangement (15) and disables or releases the lifting out of the locking pawl (2) by motor as a function of the lock state, preferably in that the control arrangement (13) correspondingly monitors the CL status switch and/or the DL status switch.
7. Motor vehicle lock according to Claim 3 and, if appropriate, according to one of Claims 4 to 6, characterized in that a status switch, in particular a CL status switch or a DL status switch (16) is switched into the circuit (17), in particular the power circuit (17), of the opening drive (4) in such a way that the lifting out of the locking pawl (2) by motor is disabled electrically as long as the lock mechanism (6) is in the functional position DL.
8. Motor vehicle lock according to Claim 3 and, if appropriate, according to one of Claims 4 to 7, in that at least one status sensor (16) is embodied as an electric sensor, magnetic sensor, optical sensor or the like, preferably in that at least one status sensor (16) is embodied as a microswitch, sliding switch or the like.
9. Motor vehicle lock according to Claim 3 and, if appropriate, according to one of Claims 4 to 8, in that the status sensor (16) interacts with a lever, in particular with a central locking lever or with an anti-theft securing lever, of the lock mechanism (6).
10. Method for controlling a motor vehicle lock with locking elements such as a lock latch (1) and locking pawl (2), wherein the lock latch (1) can be moved into a locking position in which it is in securing engagement with a locking wedge (3) or the like and into an open position in which it releases the locking wedge (3) or the like, wherein the locking pawl (2) can be moved into a dropped-in position in which it secures the lock latch (1) in a locking position and into a lifted-out position in which it releases the lock latch (1), wherein an electric opening drive (4) for lifting out the locking pawl (2) by motor is provided, wherein a lock mechanism (6) for manually lifting out the locking pawl (2) from the outside and from the inside by means of an external door handle (7) and an internal door handle (8) is provided, and wherein the lock mechanism (6) can be moved into the "unlocked" mechanical lock state - UL -, "locked" mechanical lock state - CL -, and "secured against theft" mechanical lock state - DL -, wherein in the lock state UL the locking pawl (2) can be lifted out manually from the outside and the inside, in the lock state CL it cannot be lifted out manually from the outside but can from the inside, and in the lock state DL it cannot be lifted out manually either from the outside or from the inside, wherein the lifting out of the locking pawl (2) by motor is electrically disabled as long as the lock mechanism (6) is in the lock state DL.

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