EP2681389B1 - Motor vehicle door lock - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a motor vehicle door lock, with a locking mechanism and with a mechanical lever mechanism and a motorized opening unit, which are each individually set up to open the locking mechanism.

Such motor vehicle door locks are, for example, by the relevant prior art according to the DE 20 2008 003 845 U1 the applicant or by the DE 196 42 698 A1 known. In the latter case the DE 196 42 698 A1 The procedure is such that a handle part of a door handle is fixed in its normal position under normal or normal operation. After unlocking the door lock, an associated vehicle door without pivoting of the handle part can be opened by simply pulling the handle.

If there is an emergency or crash, such as a crash accident, an electronic control unit evaluates a signal of an associated impact sensor. As a result, a locking bolt is withdrawn, which has previously blocked the handle part of the door handle. As a result, the door lock can be opened mechanically. In contrast, an opening of the door lock in normal operation by an electric motor or a motorized opening unit takes place.

The known approach has proven itself in principle, but then reaches its limits when the motorized opening unit is not or no longer able to open the locking mechanism in normal operation. Because in this functional position formerly no mechanical opening is provided. In addition, the constructive and therefore financial expense in the realization of such a motor vehicle door lock is enormous.

The document DE 101 39 975 A discloses a motor vehicle door lock according to the preamble of claim 1.

The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing a motor vehicle door lock of the construction described above so that, with perfect functionality, there is the additional possibility of mechanically supporting the per se motor opening process. In addition, this should succeed in a structurally simple and inexpensive construction.

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

In the context of the invention, the normal operation corresponds to the fact that the motor vehicle door lock or its locking mechanism is not opened and also take appropriate measures. On the other hand, the opening operation means that the ratchet undergoes an opening by lifting a pawl from an associated ratchet. Because this process has the consequence that a previously captured by the catch locking bolt is released.

Since the locking bolt is usually connected to a motor vehicle door, this process corresponds to the fact that an associated motor vehicle door, motor vehicle door, etc. can be opened. That is desired. However, unintentional openings should be omitted.

Such unintentional openings can be caused, for example, in an accident or in the event of a crash by the acceleration forces occurring there. According to the invention, such unintentional openings are not allowed because the motorized opening unit ensures that the mechanical lever mechanism in the associated normal operation (this also belongs the crash case) performs a freewheel over the locking mechanism. In other words, any operations of the mechanical lever mechanism result in normal operation (even in a crash) in associated pivoting movements, but free running or idling relative to the locking mechanism, so do not cause the pawl to lift off the catch or take off. An unwanted opening of the associated motor vehicle door is therefore excluded. Only when and only if the motor opening unit is actuated by a corresponding opening command is given to an electric motor of the motor opening unit, the locking mechanism is opened. Because in this case, the opening operation is present and the motor opening unit ensures that the mechanical lever mechanism is brought into engagement with the locking mechanism. Then, an action on the mechanical lever mechanism causes the pawl is lifted from the catch and can also be lifted.

In addition, not only the motorized opening unit provides for the opening of the locking mechanism during opening operation. Rather, the locking opening is supported by the lever mechanism then engaged with the locking mechanism. In most cases, in this context, even a minimal Verfahrwerg of the electric motor of the motor opening unit is sufficient, so that the mechanical lever mechanism comes into engagement with the locking mechanism. As a result, even situations can be mastered without problems, in which, for example, the force of the electric motor is not sufficient to lift the pawl as such from the catch. Because this process is mechanically supported according to the invention.

In addition, since the motor opening unit according to the invention operates unidirectionally, this unidirectional operation is sufficient even in the event of a crash, thus under Recourse to the mechanical lever mechanism of the opening process of the locking supported or even (if necessary) can be completed. As a result, expensive electronic measures are not required and, moreover, they can be operated with a simply constructed electromotive drive by its unidirectional design.

A spring in accordance with the invention, which is usually provided in addition in this context on the drive, ensures that the motorized opening unit is acted upon in the opposite direction to the (unidirectional) drive direction. This allows the motorized opening unit with the help of the spring after the loss of the drive easily in their original position (again) convict. This corresponds to the normal operation and consequently the freewheel of the lever mechanism relative to the locking mechanism.

Either way, the locking mechanism can be easily and reliably opened in any case as a result of the realized mechanical redundancy. Because it is sufficient that the electric motor of the motor opening unit completed only a small travel, which as such is not or not enough for lifting the pawl of the catch sufficient or sufficient. In fact, this small travel is (only) capable of bringing the lever mechanism from the freewheel into engagement with the ratchet. As a result, the mechanical lever mechanism can support or completely take over the opening process of the locking mechanism. All of this succeeds with astonishingly simple means and therefore particularly cost-effectively. Here are the main benefits.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the mechanical lever mechanism has an interacting with the locking mechanism release lever. That is, the release lever located immediately near the ratchet provides the core ensure that the lever mechanism free-runs in normal operation with respect to the locking mechanism and is engaged with the locking mechanism during opening operation.

For this purpose, the release lever usually has a contour for a pin engaging therein. This pin is usually formed as a mechanical connecting pin between the pawl and the release lever. In fact, the pin may be mounted on a slide or in a slot, which is arranged between the release lever and the pawl. The pin is perpendicular to this backdrop and connects the pawl mechanically with the release lever.

The contour in the release lever is typically formed in two parts. In fact, the contour is usually subdivided into a freewheeling area and an engagement area. In this case, it has further proven, if the contour is designed L-shaped. Because in this context, one L-leg acts as a freewheeling area, while the other L-leg is formed as an engagement area. The L-leg designed as a freewheeling area is typically the vertical L-leg, whereas the L-leg defining the engagement area is designed as a horizontal L-leg.

The connecting pin between the pawl and the release lever in the freewheel area or the associated L-leg of the L-shaped contour in the release lever, the release lever can be pivoted about its axis without these pivotal movements are transmitted to the pawl. Rather, the pin in question moves in this process along the freewheel area or along the vertical L-leg. The pivoting movements of the release lever thus go empty. The mechanical lever mechanism runs free. Normal operation corresponds to this.

If, however, the opening operation is initiated and for this purpose the motorized opening unit is acted upon, then this ensures that the journal or connecting pin leaves the freewheel area and merges into the engagement area. As a result, the mechanical connecting pin between the pawl and the release lever dips into the engagement area or horizontal L-leg of the L-shaped contour of the release lever. As a result, pivoting movements in this functional position cause these pivoting movements of the release lever are transmitted to the connecting pin and the connecting pin "takes along" the pawl. In this way, the pawl is lifted from the catch and can open the catch spring-assisted. A previously captured locking pin with the resulting consequences is released.

To be able to realize this in more detail, the release lever and the pawl of the locking mechanism are designed coaxially with each other. In fact, the release lever and the pawl are usually received together on the matching axis in a lock case of the door lock.

As already explained in the introduction, the motorized opening unit operates unidirectionally and has an electric motor. This electric motor works on a driven by him drive pulley. The drive pulley as such usually carries an eccentric. The eccentric is usually designed as a drive cam.

In this case, the drive cam on the one hand interact with a stop element on the pawl and on the other hand with an actuating element. Once the drive cam moves against the stop element on the pawl, the pawl is lifted by means of the drive cam of the catch. The Rotary latch can open as a result of this. Before or at the same time, the drive cam on the other hand ensures that the already mentioned actuating element is acted upon.

The actuator ensures the position changes of the pin or the mechanical connecting pin between the pawl and the release lever. As already described, the pin can be placed on the one hand in the freewheel area of the contour of the release lever and on the other hand in its engagement region. This defines the normal operation on the one hand and the opening operation on the other hand. In order to reach the different positions, the actuator works on the pin. For this purpose, the actuator is acted upon by the motor opening unit in turn.

The actuator operates on the pin such that the pin is arranged in normal operation in the freewheeling area and in the opening operation in the engagement region of the contour on the release lever. For this purpose, the adjusting element is advantageously designed as a pivot lever. The actuator or the pivot lever is thus functionally between the motor drive and the pin or connecting pin. For this purpose, the adjusting element may be arranged between the pawl and the release lever and act directly on the pin bearing the backdrop.

For this purpose, the adjusting element or the pivot lever is generally mounted approximately centrally on an axle. One end of the pivot lever is equipped with a stop or stop pin on which abuts the eccentric of the motor opening unit to pivot the pivot lever. In any case, the pivot lever mechanically couples the eccentric of the drive disc of the motorized opening unit with the pin. An additional control element or swivel lever associated return spring ensures ensure that when eliminating the action of the motorized opening unit of the pivot lever or the actuator again assumes its original position.

Fig. 1

das erfindungsgemäße Kraftfahrzeugtürschloss ausschnittsweise im Normalbetrieb und

Fig. 2

den Gegenstand nach Fig. 1 im Öffnungsbetrieb.

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 sections in normal operation and

Fig. 2

the object after Fig. 1 in opening operation.

In the figures, a motor vehicle door lock is shown, which is constructed in its basic structure with a ratchet 1, 2 of a rotary latch 1 and with the rotary latch 1 in a manner usually interacting pawl 2. In principle, the ratchet 1, 2 may also have a pawl lever 2 instead of the pawl 2 shown, which then interacts with a pawl, not shown in the usual manner. The functionality of the pawl lever 2 in question corresponds to that of the pawl 2 in the following considerations. D. h., The lever with the reference numeral 2 may basically be a pawl lever 2, which operates on a pawl, not shown, which in turn interacts with the catch 1. In the context of the example shown, however, this pawl lever 2 is not realized, but rather the figured pawl 2. All functions described below, however, both with respect to the pawl 2 shown and to the alternative pawl lever 2 in the context of the example not shown conceivable and are encompassed by the invention.

The Fig. 1 now shows the normal operation of the motor vehicle door lock with the opposite of the catch 1 sunken pawl 2. Thus, a merely indicated locking pin 3 is caught and an associated and not shown motor vehicle door is closed. - In contrast, represents the Fig. 2 the opening operation. In this case, the pawl 2 has been lifted from the catch 1 and can open the catch 1 by a spring, not shown, and release the locking pin 3. The same applies to the motor vehicle door.

The mechanical lever mechanism 4, 5 is composed of a release lever 4 and one or more operating on the release lever 4 further levers 5 together. To be able to lift off the pawl 2 from the closed rotary latch 1 with the help of the release lever 4, the release lever 4 must be pivoted about its axis 6 in the clockwise direction, as a in Fig. 1 indicated arrow shows. That is, the mechanical lever mechanism 4, 5 is arranged to open the locking mechanism 1, 2.

Also for opening the locking mechanism 1, 2 is a motor opening unit 7 to 9 in the situation. For this purpose, the motorized opening unit 7 to 9 in the exemplary embodiment is composed of an electric motor 7 and a drive pulley 8 driven by the electric motor 7. The drive pulley 8 carries an eccentric 9. The eccentric 9 is formed as a drive cam.

Starting from the functional position to Fig. 1 or normal operation, initiated by the electric motor 7 rotational movement of the drive pulley 8 about its axis 10 corresponding to the drive direction 11 in the counterclockwise direction that the eccentric or drive cam 9 interacts with a stop element 12 on the pawl 2.

In this stop element 12 may be a stop edge, a stop contour, etc., which dips into the adjustment of the drive cam 9 in normal operation. As a result, the drive cam 9 is able to act on the pawl 2 on its stop element 12 after completion of a certain travel. As a result, the pawl 2 is pivoted about its axis 6 in a clockwise direction, as an arrow in Fig. 1 suggests. As a result, the pawl 2 is lifted from the catch 1 and the locking mechanism 1, 2 is opened.

The pawl 2 and the release lever 4 are coaxially mounted on the common axis 6 in a merely indicated lock case 13. Also in the lock case 13 experiences the motor opening unit 7 to 9 or the drive pulley 8 with its associated axis respectively axis of rotation 10 a storage. The electric motor 7 operates with a known drive worm on the drive pulley 8 by the drive worm engages in an external toothing of the drive pulley 8 in a known manner.

Before it comes to the described motor opening of the locking mechanism 1, 2 or to the fact that the drive cam 9 via the stop element 12, the pawl 2 lifts off the catch 1 or at the same time, the drive cam 9 provides for the application of an actuating element 14. This actuator 14 is designed as a pivot lever. In the embodiment, the actuator or the pivot lever 14 is functionally and topologically between the pawl 2 and the release lever 4. Also between the two aforementioned levers 2, 4, a link 15 is arranged, which carries a pin 16. The pin 16 is present as a mechanical connection pin 16th formed between the pawl 2 and the release lever 4. Finally, one still recognizes an L-shaped and thus at least two-part contour 17 in the release lever 4 for the pin 16 engaging therein.

The L-shaped contour 17 in the release lever 4 is designed with a free-wheeling region 17a in the vertical one leg 17a and an engagement region 17b in the horizontal other L-leg 17b. Also, the pawl 2 has a contour 18, but the overall is applied horizontally and slit-like. The pin or connecting pin 16 passes through the contour 18 of the pawl 2, the link 15 and finally the contour 17 in the release lever 4 in this order. This is of course not mandatory and only on the embodiment coins. Consequently, the pin or connecting pin 16 extends perpendicular to the plane of the drawing and, accordingly, perpendicular to the two levers 2, 4.

The operation is as follows. Im in Fig. 1 illustrated normal operation, the motor opening unit 7 to 9 ensures that the lever mechanism 4, 5 performs a freewheeling with respect to the locking mechanism 1, 2. Because the normal operation corresponds to the fact that the drive cam 9 rests on the drive pulley 8 on a stop pin 19 of the actuating element or pivot lever 14, that the actuating element or the pivot lever 14, the connecting pin 16 is not applied. The actuator or the pivot lever 14 is located as well as the drive cam 9 in its normal position.

In this basic position, the electric motor 7 is not energized. In addition, a counter to the drive direction 11 working spring 20, which is associated with the motor opening unit 7 to 9, ensures that the drive cam 9 occupies the respective basic position and maintains. The same applies to the adjusting element or the pivot lever 14, which is also associated with a spring, not shown, and this in the normal position in Fig. 1 holds.

In this basic position of the motor opening unit 7 to 9 and consequently of the control element or the pivot lever 14 is carried by the gate 15 pin 16 in the freewheel area 17a of the contour 17 of the release lever 4. In addition, the pin in question 16 at the left end of the horizontal slot-like Contour 18 arranged in the pawl 2. As soon as the mechanical lever mechanism 4, 5 is acted upon in this normal operation, the connecting pin 16 moves along the vertical L-leg or the freewheeling portion 17a of the release lever 4. The action of the mechanical lever mechanism 4, 5 in normal operation is such that the release lever 4 to his joint with the pawl 2 axis 6 a in the Fig. 1 executed by an arrow indicated clockwise movement. In this process, the pawl 2 consequently remains at rest, so is not lifted from the catch 1.

However, if the illustrated motor vehicle door lock passes into the opening operation, then the functional position will become the end of the associated adjusting movement of the motorized opening unit 7 to 9 Fig. 2 reached. The opening operation may be initiated, for example, by a switch operation, a handle operation, etc., which corresponds to a total that the electric motor 7 of the motor opening unit 7 to 9 undergoes an application.

Because of the unidirectional design of the motor opening unit 7 to 9, the energization of the electric motor 7 ensures that the drive pulley 8 moves in the drive direction 11 in the counterclockwise direction about its axis 10. As a result, the drive cam 9 moves away from the stop pin 19 on Swing lever 14. As a result, the pivot lever 14 rotates about its axis 21 spring assisted in a clockwise direction. This can be seen in a comparison of the functional positions of the pivot lever 14 in the transition from the Fig. 1 to Fig. 2 ,

Since the pivot lever or the actuator 14 is equipped with a U-shaped guide portion 14a for the pin 16 received therein, the pin 16 follows the pivotal movement of the pivot lever 14. In this way, the connecting pin 16 of the freewheel portion 17a of the contour 17 in the release lever 4 transferred into the engaging portion 17b. At the same time the connecting pin 16 from the left end of the slot-like contour 18 in the pawl 2 in the right end over. This is dot-dashed in the Fig. 1 shown and the final position shows the Fig. 2 , In order to initiate the movement of the pivoting lever or actuating element 14 in the described sense, the adjusting element or pivot lever 14 may be assigned a return spring.

So as soon as the drive cam 9 releases the pivot lever or the adjusting element 14, the pivot lever or the adjusting element 14 - acted upon by the addressed return spring - the movement in the transition from the Fig. 1 to Fig. 2 take place. Here, the connecting pin 16 is transferred into the engaging portion 17b. The motor opening unit 7 to 9 thus ensures the engagement of the mechanical lever mechanism 4, 5 immediately at the beginning of the opening operation. The further rotational movement of the drive cam 9 now causes the drive cam 9 interacts with the stop element 12 on the pawl 2 and lifts it from the catch 1. In this context, the mechanical lever mechanism 4, 5 - assist in supporting if necessary. For the mechanical lever mechanism 4, 5 is in engagement with the locking mechanism 1, 2.

In fact, an action on the release lever 4 of the mechanical lever mechanism 4, 5 about its axis 6 in the clockwise direction now ensures that the connecting pin 16 located in the engagement region 17b "carries along" the pawl 2 as it were. For example, should the force of the electric motor 7 not be sufficient to lift the pawl 2 from the rotary latch 1, the mechanical lever mechanism 4, 5 can intervene in support of this position. For this purpose, the release lever 4 or the lever mechanism 4, 5 by a door handle, not explicitly shown, for example, an internal door handle and / or exterior door handle, are acted upon.

Claims (13)

1. A motor vehicle door lock comprising a locking mechanism (1, 2) and comprising a mechanical lever system (4, 5) as well as a motor opening unit (7, 8, 9) which are respectively and individually adapted to open the locking mechanism (1, 2), wherein during normal operation the motor opening unit (7, 8, 9) provides a free run of the lever system (4, 5) with respect to the locking mechanism (1, 2) and ensures that the lever system (4, 5) engages into the locking mechanism (1, 2) during opening operation, characterized in that the motor opening unit (7, 8, 9) works in a unidirectional manner and a spring (20) which acts in the opposite direction with respect to the unidirectional drive direction is allocated to the motor opening unit (7, 8, 9).
2. A motor vehicle door lock according to claim 1, characterized in that the mechanical lever system (4, 5) comprises a release lever (4) which interacts with the locking mechanism (1, 2).
3. A motor vehicle door lock according to claim 2, characterized in that the release lever (4) comprises a contour (17) adapted for a stud (16) which engages into this one.
4. A motor vehicle door lock according to claim 3, characterized in that the stud (16) is designed as a mechanical connecting stud (16) between a safety catch (2) of the locking mechanism (1, 2) and the release lever (4).
5. A motor vehicle door lock according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the contour (17) in the release fever (4) is divided into at least two parts comprising a free run portion (17a) and an engagement portion (17b).
6. A motor vehicle door lock according to one of the claims 3 through 5, characterized in that the contour (17) is L-shaped, wherein the one L-leg (17a) is designed as free run portion (17a) and the other L-leg (17b) is designed as engagement portion (17b).
7. A motor vehicle door lock according to one of the claims 2 through 6, characterized in that the release lever (4) and the safety catch (2) of the locking mechanism (1, 2) are coaxial one to another.
8. A motor vehicle door lock according to one of the claims 1 through 7, characterized in that the motor opening unit (7, 8, 9) comprises a drive disk (8) driven by an electric motor (7).
9. A motor vehicle door lock according to claim 8, characterized in that the drive disk (8) carries an eccentric (9).
10. A motor vehicle door lock according to claim 9, characterized in that the eccentric (9) is designed as a drive cam (9) which interacts with a stop element (12) on the safety catch (2), on the one hand, and with an actuator (14), on the other hand.
11. A motor vehicle door lock according to claim 10, characterized in that the actuator (14) acts upon the stud (16) such that this one is arranged in the free run portion (17a) in normal operation and in the engagement portion (17b) of the contour (17) on the release lever (4) in the opening operation.
12. A motor vehicle door lock according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the actuator (14) is designed as a swiveling lever which mechanically couples the eccentric (9) of the drive disk (8) to the stud (16).
13. A motor vehicle door lock according to one of the claims 10 through 12, characterized in that a return spring is allocated to the actuator (14).

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