EP2588691B1 - Motor vehicle door lock - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a motor vehicle door lock, with a locking mechanism, and with a lever system having at least two levers connected to each other at an angle and interacting with each other, wherein the one lever is connected to a housing defining a rotation axis.

The mentioned lever system may be an actuating lever system and / or a locking lever system. In the generic state of the art according to the DE 39 08 183 A1 the applicant is described a motor vehicle door lock, which is equipped inter alia with an internal locking lever and a locking main lever. On the inside locking lever, an inside locking button works with the interposition of a linkage. The inside lock lever and the lock main lever are arranged perpendicular to each other, thus connected to each other at an angle.

In order to transmit actuating movements of the inner locking button to the locking main lever via the inner locking lever, the inner locking lever engages with a head in an articulated manner into a receptacle of the inner locking main lever. Such an embodiment has proven itself in principle. However, problems of a housing seal are not addressed. In fact, in the case of realizing an inside lock with, for example, an inside lock button, a connection of the inside lock lever with the inside lock button in question must be made. This requires a more or less large opening in the housing, in which the essential Components of the motor vehicle door lock are taken protected.

At this point, it has already approaches in the further prior art after DE 25 36 431 A given. Because then a detachable connection between a door front side mounted from the outside motor vehicle door lock and an inner locking bar is described. The inner locking bar is hingedly connected to the locking lever via an opening provided in the door end panel. For this purpose, one end of the locking bar has a coupling piece which extends through an opening. The opening allows for mounting of the coupling piece and is adapted to the pivoting range of the locking lever provided in the interior.

In this embodiment, it is noticeable that the assembly is relatively complicated, because the end of the locking rod coupling member must ultimately be placed on a plug-in axis, which in turn is connected to the locking lever. Such measures require special skill in assembly and / or additional tools. This makes the assembly complicated and costly. This is where the invention starts.

The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a motor vehicle door lock in such a way that a still largely dense housing, in particular in the region of an inevitable housing opening, is observed with a simple assembly.

To solve this technical problem motor vehicle door lock according to claim 1 is proposed.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the reinforcing opening in question is formed in a reinforcing tab. In addition, the reinforcing tab in question is advantageously provided on a cover for the housing.

The invention is initially based on the recognition that non-negligible forces are exerted on the housing in the region of the axis of rotation by the two levers connected to one another and interacting with one another when the entire lever system is actuated. For this reason, the provided in the region of the axis of rotation reinforcing tab of the housing is of particular importance. Because the reinforcing tab engages in the region of the axis of rotation, thus ensuring in the region of the axis of rotation for a particularly durable and stable design of the housing in this area.

In general, the reinforcing tab is formed on a cover for the housing. In most cases, the housing is designed at least in two parts and has a lower housing part and a housing upper part. The lower housing part is regularly referred to as a lock housing, whereas the upper housing part is characterized as a lock cover or lock cover and represents the said cover.

The axis of rotation is defined according to the invention by a pin which penetrates the reinforcement opening. The pin engages according to the invention in aligned openings in the housing. The aligned openings are usually found in the area of a housing opening. Through this housing opening at least one of the two angle connected to each other lever is outside led of the housing. In most cases, this is the lever which is rotatably mounted in the housing taking into account the axis of rotation. In addition, according to the invention, the aligned openings are formed in webs which receive said lever between them. The two webs are generally found in the lower housing part (lock housing). In contrast, the reinforcing tab with the reinforcement opening is usually formed in the upper housing part (the cover).

In order to realize a precisely fitting and at the same time reinforcing connection of the one hand housing base and the other housing top, a receiving pocket or recess for the reinforcing tab is formed on the other side of the two webs with the aligned openings. This receiving bag can be found in the lower housing part. In the receiving pocket engages the reinforcing web with the reinforcing opening, which in turn is formed on the upper housing part respectively the lock cover.

In order to realize at this point a custom-fit connection of the one hand housing base and the other housing top, the reinforcing tab is usually equipped with a positioning projection. With the help of this positioning projection engages the reinforcing tab in the already mentioned recess respectively the receiving pocket for the reinforcing tab. This results in a combination of lower housing part and upper housing part to a positioning between the two housing parts and at the same time to the fact that the region of the axis of rotation undergoes a special support and mechanical stabilization by the reinforcing tab provided here.

At the same time, the pin defining the axis of rotation can be simply and easily inserted into the aligned openings in the housing or into the two-sided ones Drive in webs of the lever. This is ensured by the reinforcement opening in the reinforcing strap, which explicitly permits any manufacturing tolerances in this connection. For the reinforcing opening in question is generally rectangular, in particular square. By contrast, the pin defining the axis of rotation is arranged centrally, taking into account the previously mentioned and predetermined lateral clearance. In any case, the pin can easily pass through the reinforcement opening in question in the reinforcing tab due to the set game and are inserted through the aligned openings in the two bridges on both sides to move the lever.

This procedure plays a special role because, according to a further advantageous embodiment, the two levers connected to one another and interacting with each other are pivotally coupled to each other by a releasable plug connection in the region of the housing opening. Through this housing opening, a lever engages in the housing or between the two-sided webs and is rotatably fixed by means of the pin relative to the two webs. In this process, the lower housing part and the upper housing part are combined with each other, so that the positioning projection on the reinforcing tab engages in the recess or receiving pocket on the other side of the two webs. In this case, the recess in question or receiving pocket is closed by the housing cover or lock cover and only remains the housing opening for the engagement of the lever.

In this context, the lever in question is equipped with a pin which engages in a pocket on the other lever. The bag can be equipped with spring-loaded side cheeks for receiving the pin. In addition, it has been proven that the bag is perpendicular to the other lever and extends into the housing opening.

As a result, a motor vehicle door lock is provided, in which in particular the two connected to each other and interacting with each other lever interacting with the housing closed, that is, when applied to the lower housing part upper part, can be connected to each other, namely by the described releasable connector. This is not mandatory. In any case, the vehicle door lock including housing can be completed and sealed before the two levers are coupled together. Only then can one of the levers be coupled with the other lever. In this case, most of the other lever is designed as a locking main lever and arranged inside the housing. The one equipped with the pin and plugged into the housing opening lever is designed as example, internal locking lever.

The coupling of the guided out of the housing inside locking lever with the existing inside locking main lever is now accomplished by the connector described. Finally, the one lever or the inner locking lever, as defined by the axis of rotation, is connected to the housing as described. In this way, the installation of the internal locking lever can be carried out following the complete assembly of the housing, with already sealed housing.

All this is achieved by realizing the smallest possible housing opening. Because the housing opening need only record the lever or the internal locking lever in a vertical projection and his for the Actuation required pivoting movements to allow the completion of the assembly defined axis of rotation. At the same time a maximum lever arm is provided in this context, which extends from the arranged in the region of a bottom of the housing axis of rotation to approximately the lid or housing cover of the housing. As a result of this, small travel ranges of the inner locking lever are regularly sufficient to properly change the position of the main locking lever or central locking lever located inside the housing.

As a result, a simple assembly with the least possible cross-section of the housing opening is provided on the bottom line, so that any malfunctions are reduced by penetrating water and / or dirt consequently also to a minimum. Here are the main benefits.

Fig. 1

den erfindungsgemäßen Kraftfahrzeugtürverschluss in einer Frontansicht,

Fig. 2

den Gegenstand nach Fig. 1 in Rückansicht,

Fig: 3A bis 3C

den Gegenstand nach Fig. 1 im Detail, teilweise mit abgenommenem Gehäusedeckel bzw. entfernter Abdeckung,

Fig. 4

den Gegenstand nach Fig. 3C aus einer anderen Blickrichtung und

Fig. 5

den Gegenstand nach Fig. 4 ausschnittsweise in anderer Ansicht.

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

the motor vehicle door lock according to the invention in a front view,

Fig. 2

the object after Fig. 1 in rear view,

Figs. 3A to 3C

the object after Fig. 1 in detail, partially with removed housing cover or removed cover,

Fig. 4

the object after Fig. 3C from a different perspective and

Fig. 5

the object after Fig. 4 partially in another view.

In the figures, a motor vehicle door lock is shown, which initially has a housing 1 with a partition wall 2. In the housing 1, a in the rear view after Fig. 2 shown locking mechanism 3, 4 and a locking lever 5, a clutch lever 6 and an operating lever 7 according to the front view Fig. 1 added. In addition, it can be seen an internal locking lever 8 and an outer locking lever 9. For further construction still includes a drive unit 10, 11, 12th

The drive unit 10, 11, 12 is composed of a motor or electric motor 10, a drive worm 11 and a worm wheel 12, which operates on the locking lever or locking main lever 5 and this motor in at least the positions "unlocked" and "locked" transferred , Similarly, the inside lock lever 8 and the outside lock lever 9 are also capable of transferring the lock lever 5 to the positions in question "unlocked" and "locked", respectively.

In the illustration after Fig. 1 is the locking lever 5 in the "unlocked" position. In order to transfer the locking lever 5 in its "locked" position, the locking lever 5 must be pivoted about its associated axis of rotation 13 in the counterclockwise direction, as an associated arrow in the Fig. 1 suggests. This is accomplished either by the electric motor 10 is acted upon accordingly, so that with the help of the worm wheel 12 of the locking lever 5 by the realized at this point and interlocking gears a corresponding application in the counterclockwise direction about the axis of rotation 13th experiences. Or it is also possible that the inner locking lever 8 in the in Fig. 1 indicated arrow direction is acted upon. As a result, the inner locking lever 8 pivots about its axis of rotation 14, which opens again in a counterclockwise movement of the locking lever 5. For the inner locking lever 8 engages with a pin 15 in a mounted on or on the locking lever 5 pin receptacle 16 a.

This ends in the Fig. 1 indicated actuation of the inner locking lever 8 in the arrow direction in a rectified movement of the pin 15, which follows the hereby interacting pin receptacle 16. In any case, in this case the locking lever 5 is pivoted counterclockwise and transferred from its formerly assumed position "unlocked" in the position "locked". For this purpose, the inner locking lever 8 may be equipped and connected with an inner locking button, not shown, similar to that already described in the introduction DE 39 08 183 A1 is shown in detail.

In a comparable manner, the locking lever 5 can be pivoted by means of the outer locking lever 9. For this, the outer locking lever 9 likes a movement in the Fig. 1 experienced indicated arrow direction. The outer locking lever 9 is connected, for example, with a lock cylinder. As soon as a key is inserted into the lock cylinder and rotated in the direction "lock", a movement associated therewith ensures that the outer lock lever 9 is pivoted in the direction of the arrow about the pivot axis 13 common to the lock lever 5 and acts on the lock lever 5 in the counterclockwise direction.

On the rotation axis 13, not only the outer lock lever 9 is supported but also the lock lever 5 and the lock main lever 5, respectively a catch 3 of the locking mechanism 3, 4. Actually, the locking mechanism 3, 4 is composed on the one hand of the rotary latch 3 and on the other hand interacting with the rotary latch 3 and incident in the closed rotary latch 3 pawl 4 of conventional design. It can be seen that the locking mechanism 3, 4 on the one hand and the locking lever or locking lever 6 and a trigger lever 7 on the other hand are received in the housing 1, but on opposite sides with respect to the partition wall 2 arranged therebetween.

By this arrangement, the locking lever 5 and the clutch lever 6 and the actuating lever 7 on the one hand in a plane below the partition wall 2 with respect to Fig. 2 and consequently are arranged below the locking mechanism 3, 4 as well as an arrangement is conceivable in which the locking lever 5, the clutch lever 6 and also the operating lever 7 are placed above the locking mechanism 3, 4. As a result, door locks of different types, such as a so-called left lock and a so-called right lock while maintaining the basic construction can be realized.

A peculiarity of the illustrated door lock or the motor vehicle door lock realized therewith, to which a lock bolt not expressly shown and interacting with the locking mechanism 3, 4, now lies in the following. How to use the Fig. 1 can recognize, form the locking lever or locking main lever 5 and the inner locking lever 8 and the outer locking lever 9, a lever system 5, 8, 9, which is designed in the context of the example as a locking lever system 5, 8, 9. The two levers 5, 8 are connected at an angle to each other and interact with each other, because the pin 15 on the inner locking lever 8 in the pin receptacle 16 on the locking lever or locking main lever 5 engages. In the example, both levers 5, 8 are arranged perpendicular to each other, which of course does not constitute a compelling arrangement.

In fact, the two aforementioned levers 5, 8 are pivotally coupled together by a releasable plug connection 15, 16 in the region of a housing opening 17. This is done in detail so that the inner locking lever 8 is equipped with the pin 15 which protrudes perpendicularly from the inner locking lever 8. In this way, the inner locking lever 8 is designed as a pin lever 8. The pin 15 engages in the pin receiving means 16 or a pocket 16 formed thereby on the other lever 5, namely laterally. As a result, the locking lever or locking main lever 5 is designed overall as a pocket lever 5. In addition, there is a lateral clamping connection between on the one hand the pin 15 and on the other hand, the laterally open pocket 16.

In detail, the pocket or pin receptacle 16 has two lateral side cheeks 16b and a base 16a to which the two side cheeks 16b are connected. Since the two side cheeks 16b rise substantially perpendicular to the base 16a of the pocket 16, a substantially U-shaped configuration of the pocket 16 is realized in cross-section. As a result, the pocket 16 has a side opening slot 18 on its side opposite the base 16a. Consequently, the two side cheeks 16b are spaced apart, taking into account the interposed opening slot 18.

This lateral opening slot 18 ensures that the pin 15 is only partially immersed laterally in the pocket 16 and can also dip in and Remaining connected to the pin lever or inner locking lever 8. Since the pocket 16 stands perpendicular to the locking lever or locking main lever respectively the pocket lever 5, a union between the inside locking lever 8 and the locking lever 5 takes place in that the inside locking lever or pin lever 8 with its pin 15 is substantially perpendicular in comparison to the drawing plane Fig. 1 is inserted into the associated pocket 16. In this process, the two side cheeks 16b spring back and surround the pin 15 immersed in the pocket 16 releasably. For detachable connection 16b Rastausformungen 19 and associated latching notices 20 are provided in the longitudinal direction of the respective resilient side walls. In this way, it is even possible to fix the pin 15 releasably in different "heights" within the pocket 16, as the longitudinal section through the pocket 16 according to Fig. 3B makes it clear.

Due to the fact that the pocket 16 extends into the housing opening 17 or into the region of the housing opening 17, the housing opening 17 is at least partially filled by the pocket 16 or its pocket opening 21. Since the pocket opening 21 in turn is almost completely filled by the pin 15 in conjunction with the latching formations 19, the housing opening 17 experiences a significant closure through the protruding into the housing opening 17 pocket 16 with its pocket opening 21st

In any case, the pocket 16 extends from the housing opening 17 into the housing interior. As a result, between the two side cheeks 16b in combination with the base 16a of the pocket 16, a channel is formed for receiving the pin 15, which also extends perpendicularly from the housing opening 17 in the direction of the housing interior extends, in the direction of the locking lever or locking main lever 5 out.

In a comparative analysis of FIGS. 3A to 3C it can be seen that the locking lever or locking main lever 5 or the pocket lever 5 is located completely inside the housing 1. In contrast, the inner locking lever or pin lever 8 protrudes at least partially out of the housing in question 1 and is partially outside the housing 1. Because he partially penetrates the housing opening 17. Due to the fact that the releasable connector 15, 16 between the two levers 5, 8 in Realized area of the housing opening 17, the motor vehicle door lock shown including a cover 22 for the housing 1 can be completely (pre-) mounted.

Only after attachment of the cover 22 of the inner locking lever 8 is pivotally connected to the locking lever 5 by the realized at this point releasable connector 15, 16 is made. For this purpose, the pin lever or inner locking lever 8 with the pocket lever respectively locking main lever 5 by a compared to the housing opening 17 substantially perpendicular plug movement (iw perpendicular to the plane after Fig. 1 ) releasably united. After this union between the pin lever 8 and the pocket lever 5, a pin or mandrel 23 is finally inserted into the housing 1 defining the axis of rotation 14 for the pocket lever or inner locking lever 8. For in the region of this axis of rotation 14, the pocket lever or inner locking lever 8 is rotatably connected to the housing 1 by the inserted into aligned openings pin or mandrel 23. The aligned openings are arranged in the region or below the housing opening 17 in the interior of the housing 1.

Since the axis of rotation 14 is the end of a rotary arm 8a of the pin lever 8 at the bottom of the housing 1, extending from the axis of rotation 14 to the pin 15 extending lever arm almost over the entire thickness S of the housing 1. This can be with the help of the inner locking lever. 8 relatively large torques on the locking main lever 5 with the interposition of the releasable plug connection 15, 16 exercise, so that only small pivoting movements of the inner locking lever 8 about the rotation axis in question 14 are required to pivot the locking main lever 5. As a result, the housing opening 17 can be kept relatively small to allow the pivoting movements of the inner locking lever 8 in question.

In addition to the already mentioned rotary arm 8a with the end defined axis of rotation 14 of the pin lever 8 additionally has a connecting arm 8b, which receives a connection via, for example, a linkage with an inner locking knob. The rotary arm 8a of the pin lever 8 carries the pin 15th

In the context of the embodiment, the pin lever or inner locking lever 8 is designed as an angle lever, preferably L-shaped angle lever. By contrast, the locking lever or locking main lever 5 is a surface lever with a predominantly planar extension parallel to the partition 2. This is of course only to be understood as illustrative and not restrictive.

Based on Fig. 4 and 5 It is clear that defined by the pin or mandrel 23 axis of rotation 14 for the inner locking lever 8 at least one reinforcing opening 24 in the housing 1 with predetermined lateral clearance a, b passes through. This lateral clearance a, b adjusts itself by the fact that the pin 23 in the exemplary embodiment and is not restrictive cylindrically formed, whereas the reinforcing opening 24 has a rectangular and in particular square shape. In comparison to the square reinforcement opening 24, the pin 23 is arranged centrally, namely, for example, at the intersection of the diagonal. As a result, the already mentioned lateral game a, b sets in, namely a game a in the drawing plane according to FIG Fig. 1 In any case, the defined by means of the pin 23 axis of rotation 14 passes through the relevant gain opening 24 in the housing 1 with the mentioned and predetermined lateral clearance a, b.

On the basis of a comparative analysis of the Fig. 4 and 5 it can be seen that the reinforcing opening 24 is formed in a reinforcing tab 25. In the embodiment, the reinforcing tab 25 is provided on the cover 22 and formed on this. In addition, it is clear that the reinforcing tab 25 is equipped with a positioning projection 26. The positioning projection 26 engages in a recess or receiving pocket 27 for the reinforcing tab 25.

Before assembly of the inner locking lever 8 as well as the pin 23, the housing 1 and the cover 22 have been combined with each other. In this process, the positioning projection 26 of the reinforcing tab 25 engages the cover 22 in the complementarily shaped recess or receiving pocket 27 in the housing 1. It can be seen that the positioning projection 26 is formed in a circular arc with front-side stop edge, which engages over the complementary circular arc-shaped recess or receiving pocket 27.

The pivot axis 14 defining pin 23 engages in aligned openings, which are found in the region of the housing opening 17 and respectively in webs 28 are formed. The webs 28 are provided on both sides of the inner locking lever 8 and take the inner locking lever 8 between them. In this process, any manufacturing tolerances can be easily compensated. This ensures the reinforcing opening 24 with the lateral clearance a, b with respect to the pin 23.

The recess or receiving pocket 27 is located beyond the webs 28. In fact, the receiving pocket 27 for the positioning projection 26 on the reinforcing tab 25 of the cover 22 next to the housing outer web 28 of the two webs 28 is arranged. As a result, the receiving pocket 27 is closed as soon as the cover 22 is combined with the housing 1 or an upper housing part 22 and a lower housing part 1 are connected to one another. This happens before mounting the inside locking lever. 8

Claims (9)

1. A motor vehicle door lock comprising a housing (1) having a locking mechanism (3, 4) and comprising a lever system (5, 8, 9) received in said housing (1) and comprising at least two interacting levers (5, 8) which are connected to each other at an angle, wherein the one lever (8) is connected to the housing (1) while defining a rotation axis (14), characterized in that the rotation axis (14) passes through at least one reinforcement opening (24) in the housing (1) with a predefined lateral play (a, b),
   the rotation axis (14) is defined by a pin (23) passing through the reinforcement opening (24),
   the pin (23) engages in aligned openings in said housing (1) and
   the aligned openings are formed in webs (28) which receive the lever (8) between them.
2. A motor vehicle door lock according to claim 1, characterized in that the reinforcement opening (24) is formed in a reinforcement bracket (25).
3. A motor vehicle door lock according to claim 2, characterized in that the reinforcement bracket (25) is provided on a cover (22) of the housing (1).
4. A motor vehicle door lock according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the reinforcement bracket (25) is provided with a positioning projection (26) which engages with a recess (27) of said housing (1).
5. A motor vehicle door lock according to claim 4, characterized in that the recess (27) is designed as a reception pocket (27) for the reinforcement bracket (25), which pocket is formed in said housing (1).
6. A motor vehicle door lock according to claim 1, characterized in that the aligned openings are provided in the area of a housing opening (17).
7. A motor vehicle door lock according to claim 1, characterized in that the webs (28) are formed in said housing (1).
8. A motor vehicle door lock according to one of the claims 5 through 7, characterized in that the reception pocket (27) is arranged beyond the webs (28).
9. A motor vehicle door lock according to one of the claims 1 through 8, characterized in that the reinforcement opening (24) is designed rectangular, especially square, with the rotation axis (14) which is arranged centrally with respect to said opening.

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