EP2828456B1 - Motor vehicle door lock - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a motor vehicle door lock, with an actuation / locking lever mechanism having a first lever and a second lever, wherein both levers are mutually coupled to each other in at least two different relative positions, wherein at least one first lever a connected detent spring for interacting with at least one locking contour on having another second lever.

In the prior art according to the DE 23 55 556 A is operated in a motor vehicle door lock with a locking mechanism, which has a forceps trap with two latch arms. The two trap arms are each mounted on bolts. In addition, a spring is provided, which is supported by the two bolts of the latch arms.

In the generic state of the art according to the DE 89 16 180 U1 two levers, namely a clutch lever and an actuating lever are coupled together, in different relative positions. A relative position corresponds to the engaged state, while another relative position belongs to the disengaged state. This has proven itself in principle. However, the known solution is kinematically quite complex and hardly suitable for other applications. Because the change of the coupling position is achieved by a Doppelhubbetätigung.

From the WO 98/07941 A1 For example, a motor vehicle door latch having an actuation / latching lever mechanism with a first lever and a second lever, both levers with each other in at least two various relative positions are coupled together, and with a detent spring, the

In motor vehicle door closures newer type, which are equipped with a so-called quick release function, this quick release function ensures that the actual and motorized unlocking process is abbreviated as it were, for example in the course of the so-called "keyless entry" function. These special Stelloperationen are required, with the help of the operating lever chain directly into the unlocked state is transferred, or a previously interrupted mechanical connection to the release lever is made (see. DE 10 2005 043 227 B3 ). This has proven itself in principle, but is in need of improvement in view of the coupling between the integrated lever in the quick release levers. In fact, there is the fundamental possibility or even the danger that two levers coupled in this process are not exactly aligned in their relative position with respect to one another, so that dysfunctions are observed. Here, the invention aims to provide a total remedy.

The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a motor vehicle door lock so that the coupling of the two levers is functional and, in particular, the assumed relative positions are set and maintained in a safe and reproducible manner.

To solve this technical problem, a generic motor vehicle door lock in the invention is characterized in that the detent spring is formed on the first lever. In this connection, it is possible for the detent spring and the first lever to form and define a one-piece component.

In all cases, the first lever with the integrally formed detent spring ensures that the second other lever is acted upon by means of the detent spring.

For this reason, the first lever with the detent spring is usually designed as a fixed lever. In contrast, it is in the second lever with the locking contour to a relative to the fixed lever in different locking positions alignable locking lever. That is, the fixed lever regularly maintains its position, whereas the locking lever is formed aligned with respect to the fixed lever and against the force of the detent spring in the various locking positions. Mostly at least two locking positions can be realized. According to an advantageous embodiment, even three or more locking positions can be defined.

To realize this in detail, the detent spring and the locking lever can be arranged level with each other, wherein the spring force built up by the detent spring thus acts in the direction of the plane of the locking lever acted upon by the detent spring.

But it is just as possible and conceivable that the detent spring and the locking lever are arranged plane different from each other. In this case, the detent spring and the detent lever thus describe different and regularly arranged at an angle to each other planes. Mostly, it has proven in this context, when the detent spring and the locking lever are arranged perpendicular to each other. That is, in this case, the detent spring exerts a spring force, which is aligned perpendicular to the plane defined by the locking lever level.

A particularly cost-effective and functional solution is characterized in that the locking lever is mounted on the fixing lever in a rotation axis. The detent spring is arranged in the region of the axis of rotation. In this case, the detent spring ensures at a level arrangement between the detent spring and the locking lever that the detent spring with the detent lever a vertical force applied to the axial direction of the axis of rotation. In contrast, corresponds to the plane different arrangement of detent spring and locking lever, in particular their vertical arrangement to each other that the detent spring acts on the locking lever with an axial force. In this case, the spring force built up by the detent spring thus acts in the axial direction of the axis of rotation. In principle, the axial force and the vertical force to the axial direction of the axis of rotation but also at the same time attack the locking lever.

The detent spring is according to a preferred embodiment, a leaf spring. In this case, the first lever or fixed lever is usually designed in cross-section L-shaped, wherein the detent spring is formed on an L-leg. This makes it possible to produce a first lever or fixed lever and the detent spring as it were in one go, which is particularly cost-effective.

The latching contour may be a latching recess that at least partially accommodates the leaf spring. In this case, the catch recess usually at the same time a stop available. This stop marks a first detent position. In addition, at least one further second stop may be realized, which corresponds to a further locking position of the locking lever relative to the fixed lever.

Moreover, it is within the scope of the invention, when the locking lever is adapted to take at least three different locking positions. In this context, it has proven useful when the detent spring and the locking lever are arranged equal to each other. Because of this it is possible to make the formed on an L-leg of the fixed lever leaf spring or detent spring with a polygonal contour end side of the locking lever interact. Depending on the number of edges of this polygonal contour or polygon structure can theoretically represent any number of locking positions of the locking lever relative to the fixed lever. In this case, each locking position corresponds to the fact that the leaf spring comes into contact with an edge on the polygon structure. - In principle, this polygon structure can of course be combined with a spring washer as a detent spring. In this case, it is conceivable that the spring ring is equipped with the polygonal structure cross-axial webs and each locking position corresponds to the fact that the polygon structure is compared with the finger-like cross-axial webs as it continues to be rotated.

If two or more locking positions are taken by the locking lever relative to the fixed lever, it has proven useful if at least one of the locking positions can be fixed solely by means of the detent spring. That is, in this case, the locking position by the interaction between the detent spring and the locking contour alone - without additional stop - defined.

At least one detent position of the plurality of detent positions, however, can be fixed by means of the detent spring and additionally by means of a stop. In this case, on the one hand, the interaction between the detent spring and the abutment contour and, on the other hand, the abutment and the detent lever ensure in total that the detent lever assumes the relevant detent position. In principle, it is of course also conceivable that all locking positions of the locking lever relative to the fixed lever can be fixed only with the help of the detent spring. Likewise, all detent positions can just as well be defined by the fact that both the detent spring and the corresponding stop ensure that the detent lever assumes its desired detent position relative to the fixed lever.

The locking lever is preferably an unlocking lever and in particular a quick release lever. In this case, the locking lever may be part of a release lever chain. In contrast, the fixed lever typically belongs to the operating lever mechanism. To realize the quick-release function, the latching lever is pivoted relative to a first latching position or basic position into a deflection position or second latching position. This can be done by motor or manually. As a result of taking this deflection position on the part of the quick release lever or locking lever can be for example on the operating lever chain directly deflect a locking mechanism acting on trigger lever, so that the locking mechanism is opened almost instantaneously. All of this succeeds quickly and functionally reliable as well as reproducible, because the basic position and deflection position of the locking lever or quick release lever are taken properly and reproducibly by the interaction with the detent spring. Here are the main benefits.

Fig. 1

einen erfindungsgemäßen Kraftfahrzeugtürverschluss,

Fig. 2

den Gegenstand nach Fig. 1 im Schnitt entlang einer Linie A-A,

Fig. 3

eine abgewandelte Ausführungsform der Fig. 1 in vergrößerter Darstellung,

Fig. 4

eine Variante des Kraftfahrzeugtürverschlusses, die keinen Teil der Erfindung bildet, im Längsschnitt und

Fig. 5

die Variante nach Fig. 4 in Aufsicht.

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

a motor vehicle door lock according to the invention,

Fig. 2

the object after Fig. 1 in section along a line AA,

Fig. 3

a modified embodiment of the Fig. 1 in an enlarged view,

Fig. 4

a variant of the motor vehicle door lock, which forms no part of the invention, in longitudinal section and

Fig. 5

the variant after Fig. 4 in supervision.

In the figures, a motor vehicle door lock is shown, which has an actuating lever mechanism 1 and an unlocking lever mechanism 2. By way of example, only a first lever or fixed lever 1 are represented by the actuating lever mechanism 1, whereas the locking lever mechanism 2 is also represented only by a second lever 2. In the actual installation situation, not shown, the actuating lever mechanism 1 as well as the locking lever mechanism 2 include further unspecified levers to which it does not come closer in the present case.

As usual, the actuating lever mechanism 1 is typically in mechanical communication with a handle, such as an inside door handle and / or outside door handle. A loading of the handle for opening a motor vehicle door associated with the motor vehicle door closure shown corresponds to that of the first lever or fixed lever 1 about an associated axis of rotation 3 in the illustration after Fig. 1 is pivoted counterclockwise, as an arrow indicates. In these pivotal movements of the mounted on the fixed lever 1 in the axis of rotation 3 locking lever 2 reaches a merely indicated release lever 4 is not.

On the other hand takes the locking lever 2 in comparison to its solid first detent position or basic position compared to the fixed lever 1 its deflection or second detent position, which is shown in phantom, so leads the already discussed pivotal movement of the fixed lever 1 using the handle to that now the release lever 4 can be acted upon. As a result, the handle is now able to open a not closer shown locking mechanism on the release lever 4. Actually, the release lever 4 operates on a pawl, not shown, and lifts it from a catch. The catch opens spring-loaded and releases a previously captured locking pin. As a result, the motor vehicle door can be opened immediately.

The process described corresponds to a quick release, which is achieved manually and / or motorized in that the locking lever 2 is transferred in the example case of the basic position shown in solid line in its dash-dotted line deflection position. In fact, both levers 1, 2 are coupled together in at least two different relative positions, the home position and the deflection position as described. This coupling is a detent coupling. Because the first lever or fixed lever 1 is equipped with a connected detent spring 5. The detent spring 5 is adapted to interact with at least one detent contour 6 on the other second lever or detent lever 2. The detent spring 5 is at the first Molded lever or fixed lever 1. In fact, the detent spring 5 and the first lever 1 form a one-piece component.

Based on the corresponding sectional view in Fig. 2 can be seen in addition that the fixed lever 1 in conjunction with the integrally formed detent spring 5 forms a total of L-shaped lever 1, 5 in cross section. In this case, the fixed lever 1 defines the longer L-leg, whereas the detent spring 5 is formed on the shorter L-leg. In this way, the fixed lever 1 and the detent spring 5 can be made together and in one go. This keeps costs low. In addition, the detent spring 5 is formed in this case as a leaf spring 5.

It can be seen that the detent spring 5 and the locking lever 2 in the example shown after the Fig. 1 to 3 are arranged level with each other. That is, the spring force F built up by the detent spring 5 acts in the direction of the plane spanned by the detent lever 2. That indicates the Fig. 1 by a corresponding force arrow F for the spring force F built up by the detent spring 5.

To the detent spring or leaf spring 5 corresponds to the already mentioned locking contour 6 on the locking lever 2. In the embodiment of the Fig. 1 to 3 the detent spring 5 or leaf spring 5 is rectangular in cross section, so that the contour 6 also has a rectangular shape. As a result, the latching contour 6 simultaneously forms a stop 7 for the front end of the leaf spring 5.

With the help of the stop 7 in connection with the interaction between the detent spring 5 and the locking lever 2, the first detent position or the solid in the Fig. 1 shown basic position of the locking lever 2 relative to the fixed lever 1 defined. If now out of this position the Locking lever 2 is pivoted to the deflection position shown in phantom with the previously described effects, so is another stop 8 available, which again in conjunction with the interaction between the detent spring 5 and the locking contour 6 for the defined assumption of the deflection of the locking lever 2 provides , The stop 8 is - like the detent spring 5 - to the fixed lever 1 (integrally) formed. This makes the production particularly easy and fast. Because for the ultimate operation, it is sufficient only to define the fixed lever 1 together with the folded detent spring 5 and the folded and also connected stop 8 and then only the locking lever 2 with the help of the rotation axis 3 pivotally connected to the fixed lever 1.

Based on Fig. 3 becomes clear that the locking lever 2 not only for taking the two in the Fig. 1 shown locking positions, namely the basic position and the deflection position, is set up and suitable. Rather, the locking lever 2 can also occupy three or more different locking positions. For this purpose, the locking lever 2 in the variant after Fig. 3 over a polygon contour 9 with several edges 10 in the region of its rotation axis end.

Depending on the number of edges 10 in the polygon contour 9 can be three, four or even more different locking positions of the locking lever 2 relative to the fixed lever 1 represent and set up. In this case, each locking position in the example case corresponds to the fact that the locking lever 2 is fixed solely by means of the detent spring 5. That is, there are no additional stops used, although this is of course possible and is encompassed by the invention. In the described variant according to the Fig. 1 to 3 are the detent spring 5 and the locking lever 2 as explained equal to each other. The design is such that the detent spring 5, the locking lever 2 with the force or spring force F acted upon, which is perpendicular to the axial direction of the axis of rotation 3, as the Fig. 1 suggests. Consequently, the locking lever 2 can assume a switching function, namely, manually or by motor from the solid position shown by basic position Fig. 1 Move to the dash-dotted deflection position as described, and back.

The variant after the 4 and 5 , which does not form part of the invention works in principle exactly as already with reference to the Fig. 1 to 3 explained. The main difference to the variant after the Fig. 1 to 3 is that in the variant after the 4 and 5 the detent spring 5 and the locking lever 2 are arranged at an angle to each other. In fact, designed in the present case as a spring ring 5 detent spring 5 a spring force F, which is perpendicular to the plane defined by the locking lever 2 plane. Incidentally, the detent spring 5 in the variant of the 4 and 5 also not formed on the fixed lever 1, but connected to the fixed lever 1, namely on the rotation axis 3. In fact, the interpretation is made such that the axis of rotation 3 in the variant according to the 4 and 5 as loaded with the spring ring 5 connecting axis for rotatable mounting of the locking lever 2 is formed on the fixed lever 1.

The detent spring or the spring ring 5 ensures that the detent lever 2 is acted upon in the axial direction of the axis of rotation 3 with the spring force F built up by it. In this case, the detent spring 5 thus provides for an axial force acting on the detent lever 2 in the Fig. 4 indicated way works. A change of the various locking positions of the locking lever 2 relative to the fixed lever 1 requires that the locking lever 2 is acted upon by a switching force F _s , which in the context of the illustration Fig. 4 attacks at its one projection 11 opposite end. In fact, the projection 11 on the locking lever 2 interacts again with a stop edge 6 on the fixed lever 1. Verified the Fig. 5 there are two opposite stop edges 6, which are formed on respective longitudinal edges of the longitudinally extending fixed lever 1.

So that the locking lever 2 of his one in Fig. 5 shown solid position or first detent position in the dash-dotted position or second detent position can be transferred, the detent lever 2 must be applied to the switching force F _s at the opposite end of the projection 11, so that the projection 11 as it were above the fixed lever 1 "lifted "is and then comes to rest on the other opposite stop edge 6 or can come. In this case, at least two locking positions as in Fig. 5 represents, define. Of course, more than two locking positions are conceivable.

Based on Fig. 5 It is clear that the detent lever 2 shown in the dash-dotted deflection position 2 is again able to apply the release lever 4 can. This does not succeed when the locking lever 2 is in the solid line drawn basic position. In this way, a quick-release function can be realized again, as already described with reference to the variant according to the Fig. 1 to 3 was explained in detail. Of course, the invention is not limited to this, because it is basically the interaction of the two levers 1, 2 - regardless of their function - arrives.

Claims (13)

1. Motor vehicle door lock, comprising an actuating / locking lever mechanism (1, 2) with a first lever (1) and a second lever (2), wherein both levers (1, 2) can be coupled together in at least two different relative positions, wherein at least the one first lever (1) has a connected latch spring (5) for interaction with at least one ratchet contour (6) on the other second lever (2), characterized in that the latch spring (5) is integrally formed on the first lever (1).
2. Motor vehicle door lock according to claim 1, characterized in that the first lever (1) with the latch spring (5) is designed as a fixed lever (1) and the second lever (2) with the ratchet contour (6) as a ratchet lever (2) alignable in different locking positions compared to the fixed lever (1), wherein the ratchet lever (2) relative to the fixed lever (1) can be positioned in different ratchet positions.
3. Motor vehicle door lock according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the latch spring (5) and the ratchet lever (2) are arranged level with each other, wherein the spring force generated by the latch spring (5) thus is active in the direction of the plane of the ratchet lever (2) equipped with the latch spring (5).
4. Motor vehicle door lock according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the latch spring (5) and the ratchet lever (2) are arranged in planes different from each other, whereby the latch spring (5) and the ratchet lever (2) thus describe planes that are different and regularly arranged at an angle to each other.
5. Motor vehicle door lock according to claim 4, characterized in that the latch spring (5) and the ratchet lever (2) are arranged perpendicular to each other, wherein the latch spring (5) thus exerts a spring force, which is aligned perpendicular to the plane defined by the ratchet lever (2).
6. Motor vehicle door lock according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the ratchet lever (2) is mounted on the fixed lever (1) in a rotation axis (3).
7. Motor vehicle door lock according to claim 6, characterized in that the latch spring (5) is arranged in the region of the axis of rotation (3).
8. Motor vehicle door lock according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the latch spring (5) acts on the ratchet lever (2) with an axial force (F) and / or vertical force (F) to the axial direction of the rotation axis (3).
9. Motor vehicle door lock according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the latch spring (5) is designed as a leaf spring (5) and the ratchet contour (6) is designed as a ratchet recess (6) at least partially receiving the leaf spring (5).
10. Motor vehicle door lock according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the ratchet lever (2) is adapted to take at least three different ratchet positions.
11. Motor vehicle door lock according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the ratchet lever (2) is fixable in at least one of the ratchet positions solely by means of the latch spring (5).
12. Motor vehicle door lock according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the ratchet lever (2) is fixable in at least one ratchet position by means of the latch spring (5) and additionally by means of a stop (7, 8).
13. Motor vehicle door lock according to one of the claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the latch lever (2) is designed as an unbolting lever and especially as a quick-action unbolting lever.

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