EP3099872B1 - Closing device for a motor-vehicle hood - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a closing device for a door or a flap and in particular for a hood of a motor vehicle with a locking mechanism comprising a rotary latch and at least one pawl for locking the rotary latch. The locking device comprises a drive with which the locking mechanism can be moved so that a door gap or hood gap can be reduced in the closed state of the door or flap.

A lock or a closing device of the aforementioned type is used for temporary closing of openings in motor vehicles or buildings by means of doors or flaps. In the closed state of such a lock, the rotary latch engages with two arms (called load arm and tentacle) around a particular bow-shaped locking bolt around. The locking bolt may be attached in the case of a motor vehicle to a door or flap of the motor vehicle and then the lock on the body or vice versa. The present invention is particularly advantageous for front hoods or front flaps, which are seen in the usual direction of travel of a motor vehicle front.

In the context of the invention, the locking mechanism is regularly mounted on the body side, so it is found on an associated vehicle body. In contrast, the locking bolt is connected to a hood, so that usually a hood lock or bonnet lock is considered.

Reached the catch of such a lock or such a closing device, starting from an open position by pivoting a closed position, the catch is finally locked by means of the pawl. Such pivoting is by the lock pin (also called "lock holder") reached when it falls by closing an associated door or flap in the catch. A locking surface of the pawl is in the locked state of a locking surface of the rotary latch, thereby preventing that the catch can be turned back in the open position. The locking pin can not leave the locking mechanism in the closed position.

For opening, it is necessary to move the pawl out of its detent position. If the pawl has been moved out of its detent position, the rotary latch rotates in the direction of the open position. In the open position of the catch and thus in the open position of the locking mechanism, the locking bolt can leave the lock. The door or flap can be opened again.

There are locks with two different locking positions of the catch. The rotary latch can then be locked in the so-called pre-locking position and finally by further rotation in the closing direction in the so-called main locking position.

The DE 10 2008 005 181 A1 describes a closing aid for pulling a flap or a door of a vehicle to the vehicle body. The drive known from this also serves to open the door or flap. A combined closing and an electric opening of a tailgate lock goes out of the pamphlets DE 100 33 092 A1 . DE 10 2004 011 798 B3 such as DE 10 2004 013 671 A1 out.

To open a lock, there is an actuator. When the actuating device is actuated, the locking mechanism opens. A handle of a door or flap may be part of the actuator. This handle is usually connected via a linkage or a Bowden cable with an actuating lever of the castle. If the handle is pressed, so by means of the Linkage or the Bowden cable of the actuating lever of the lock pivoted so that the lock opens. A motor vehicle can have a generally pivotable outer handle, which can be reached from the outside, and / or a generally pivotable inner handle, which can be reached from the inside.

If a locking mechanism of a motor vehicle is locked by closing a door or flap, a gap generally remains between the door or flap and the adjacent body. Such a gap should be as low as possible, especially in hoods, which are seen in the usual direction forward to avoid adverse air turbulence in the front area and concomitant air resistance during a ride. A possible gap-free, closed surface is also desirable for optical reasons.

The German reservation DE 10 2013 109 051 deals with minimizing such gaps in doors or flaps. The lock known therefrom is movable and in particular pivotally mounted. Following a locking of the locking mechanism, the lock is generally moved or pivoted by a drive in such a way that a gap between the door or flap and body is minimized. The drive provided for this purpose comprises an electric motor and a pivotable lever, which is called a rocker. By pivoting the lever or the rocker (hereinafter also called "rocker arm") by the electric motor, the lock is pivoted as a whole, that the gap is minimized. The lock housing is held by a pawl which is rotatably mounted on the rocker.

From the US publication US 5 222 775 A is a locking device for a tailgate, which is a catch of a catch and a pawl for locking the catch, and with a drive for a rocker, with which the locking mechanism can be moved as a whole by means of the rocker so that a flap gap can be reduced, wherein the catch and the pawl are directly mounted rotatably on the rocker.

Unless otherwise stated below, the subject matter of the invention may have the aforementioned features individually or in any combination.

It is an object of the invention to provide a further developed locking device with which a gap of a door or flap can be minimized. In particular, it is an objective to minimize injury risks.

To achieve the object, a closing device comprises the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments result from the dependent claims.

A closing device for a door or flap has a catch of the catch and pawl for locking the catch. There is a drive with which the ratchet can be wholly or partially by means of a rocker arm, hereinafter also called rocker, so moved that a door gap or flap gap can be reduced. Thus, if a door or flap is closed, initially there remains a gap between the door and the door frame or between a frame and the associated flap. By the drive, the rocker and thus the locking mechanism or parts of the locking mechanism can be moved so that this gap is reduced. In order to minimize the weight and the number of parts, rotary latch and pawl are preferably rotatably attached to the rocker by means of axles.

It is a catch lever for catching the catch attached to the rocker, and preferably rotatably mounted. Below is too Understand that the catch can hit during a closing operation on the interceptor, so as to initiate a shock from the catch into the rocker. Thus, the drive is protected from such impact forces and thus from damage.

In one embodiment, the locking device is such that the pawl can lock the catch only when the catch has been intercepted by the intercept lever. This design contributes to the fact that a door gap or hood gap is already relatively small before the rotary latch is latched. This helps prevent injury from pinched fingers and the like.

In one embodiment, the lock is such that the pawl can only lock the catch after the drive has pivoted the rocker to reduce a door gap or hood gap. This helps prevent injury from pinched fingers and the like.

In one embodiment, there is a control contour that is able to pivot the intercept lever out of its intercepting position after the interceptor has intercepted the catch. In a technically simple manner, a lock with advantageous properties can thus be provided with a small number of parts, which in particular is able to protect a drive for a gap minimization from shocks and which is such that the risk of injury due to pinched fingers are avoided.

In one embodiment, there is a linkage which can be actuated by a drive to move the pawl into its detent position and / or move it out. This embodiment allows a suitable pivoting of the pawl. As drive in particular the drive is provided, which is able to pivot the rocker. The number of those needed Drives are kept so low. Alternatively, a control contour may be provided, with which the movement of the pawl is suitably controlled in particular causes by pivoting movements of the rocker. The pawl is biased in particular by a spring in such a way that by spring force, the pawl can be moved into its locking position.

In a technically simple embodiment, the drive has a drive pulley, which is able to pivot the rocker.

In one embodiment, the drive pulley has a protruding bolt, also referred to below as the first bolt, with which rotational movements of the drive pulley can be limited. In particular, rotating the drive pulley in this embodiment causes the bolt to be moved against a stop so as to suitably limit rotational movements of the drive pulley. The first bolt is mounted in particular at the edge to allow a small space.

In one embodiment of the invention, the stop for the first pin is provided by a movable stop, in particular by a rotatably mounted lever. This makes it possible to allow rotational movements of the drive pulley despite the presence of a stop, amounting to up to 360 ° and more. Preferably, the rotatably mounted lever has a T-shaped end to serve directly as a stop. The first bolt then enters in particular at an angle of the T-shaped end, when the drive pulley has been rotated in the maximum possible way. Preferably there are one or two further stops, for example in Form of bolts, which limit the pivoting movements of the rotatably mounted lever, so as to provide a stop particularly reliable, which is able to suitably limit the rotational movements of the drive pulley.

In one embodiment, the drive pulley has a protruding bolt, also referred to below as the second bolt, with the pivoting movements of the rocker can be controlled by resting. During a closing operation, the rocker rests on this second bolt, preferably with an arcuate end. Rotary movements of the drive disk then allow movement of the second bolt. As a result, a pivoting of the rocker during a closing operation for the purpose of reducing a gap is made possible when the rocker rests on the second bolt. Since the rocker merely rests, it can be manually pivoted away from the bolt. The door or flap is therefore not drawn with the force expended by the drive. Injury risks are thus avoided if a finger is then in the gap of an associated door or flap or hood.

In one embodiment, a protruding bolt, also referred to as a third bolt, attached to the drive pulley, which can be moved by rotating the drive pulley into an arcuate end of the rocker, so as to detect the rocker and to pivot. By this configuration it is achieved that during a closing operation, the position of the rocker is determined by the position of the bolt when the bolt has been moved into the arcuate end. Manual movements of the rocker by pivoting a door or flap are then no longer possible. The door or flap can then be tightened with the force applied by the drive, such as against a sealing pressure of a door seal or flap seal.

In one embodiment of the invention, a pivoting of the rocker for a gap reduction is first effected by the aforementioned second bolt and then by the aforementioned third bolt. In a first phase during the reduction of a gap, therefore, a finger located in the gap can not be clamped further by the drive. Only when the gap has been sufficiently reduced, the third pin takes over the narrowing of the gap and pulls the door or flap.

In one embodiment of the invention, there is a preferably pivotally mounted support lever which is able to support the rocker, when in this a shock due to a closing operation is initiated. This embodiment contributes to the fact that the drive is protected against impact forces and thus against damage. In order to distribute loads suitable for the purpose of avoiding damage, the support lever in particular supports the pivotable end of the rocker.

In one embodiment of the invention, pivotal movements of the support lever by a bolt, preferably by the said second bolt, the turntable causes. The support lever can thus be moved out of its supporting position at an appropriate time to allow a gap reduction by subsequent pivoting of the rocker. The support lever is preferably biased by a spring in such a way that the support lever can be pivoted by spring force in its from supporting position.

In one embodiment of the invention, rotary latch and pawl are arranged near the axis about which the rocker can be pivoted. The distance between the axes of the catch and the pawl to the axis of the rocker is therefore less than the distance between the axes of the catch and pawl to the end of the rocker, which is pivoted. As a result, a favorable lever ratio is provided in order to be able to move the locking mechanism against a sealing pressure with great force, for example.

In one embodiment of the invention, the rotary latch can be pivoted away from the open position when it is locked. If there are several detent positions, ie a main stop and a pre-rest, then this applies to the main stop position. In particular, there is no stop that is able to limit this pivoting away from the (main) locking position when the locking pin is moved beyond the intended closed position, ie opposite to the opening movement or in the direction of over-stroke position of the rotary latch. This avoids injury risks. If a person falls on the engine bonnet which has been locked as planned, the bonnet is also advantageously yielding in the region of the lock in this embodiment.

Preferably, the locking device has one or more micro-switches, with which positions of one or more components of the locking device can be determined. In particular, this is used to control the drive suitable.

Figur 1:

Schloss in geöffnete Stellung;

Figur 2:

erste Phase während eines Schließvorgangs;

Figur 3:

zweite Phase während eines Schließvorgangs;

Figur 4:

dritte Phase während eines Schließvorgangs;

Figur 5:

Schloss in verrasteter Stellung;

Figur 6:

Schloss mit Drehfalle in einer Überhubposition.

Show it

FIG. 1:

Lock in open position;

FIG. 2:

first phase during a closing process;

FIG. 3:

second phase during a closing process;

FIG. 4:

third phase during a closing process;

FIG. 5:

Lock in latched position;

FIG. 6:

Lock with catch in an overstroke position.

The FIG. 1 shows a catch 1 with tentacle 2 and 3 Lastarm in its open position. The rotary latch 1 is pivotally mounted with an axle 4 on a rocker 5. The rocker 5 can be rotated about its axis 6. The axle 6 is attached to a body, not shown directly or for example indirectly via a lock plate, not shown, on the body of a motor vehicle. The catch 1 can be locked by a pawl 7. The pawl 7 is rotatably mounted by means of an axis 8 on the rocker 5. The pawl 7 has a locking surface 9. This locking surface 9 is located on the locking surface 10 of the rotary latch 1, when the catch 1 is locked.

An intercept lever 11 is rotatably mounted with an axle 12 on the rocker 5 and that in a central region of the rocker 5. The interceptor 11 serves as a puncture protection to protect the drive unit described below from damage when the hood is closed.

The rocker 5 is provided with a protruding stop 13 which limits the pivoting of the intercepting lever 11 counterclockwise. The intercept lever 11 is preferably biased by a spring, not shown, that it can be pivoted by the bias in the direction of the stopper 13. A control contour 14 is attached to the lock plate or directly to the body, with the pivoting of the intercepting lever 11 can be controlled.

In the illustrated open position of the locking mechanism, the pivotable arcuate end 15 of the rocker 5 is supported on a pivotable end 16 of a support lever 17. The support lever 17 is fixed to an axle 18 on a lock plate or directly to the body. The support lever 17 can be pivoted about the axis 18.

A drive pulley 19 is rotatably supported about its axis 20. The axle 20 is attached to a lock plate or directly to the body. From the drive disk 19 is a first pin 21, a second pin 22 and a third pin 23 from. The three bolts 21, 22 and 23 and the axis 20 are preferably arranged approximately along a straight line in order to be able to utilize rotary movements of the drive pulley particularly well and at the same time to keep the installation space small. The first pin 21 is arranged on the edge side of the drive pulley 19. The second pin 22 is located between the axis 20 and the first pin 21 close to the first pin 21. The third pin 23 is disposed close to the axis 20. The axis 20 is located between the second pin 22 and the third pin 23. The drive pulley 19 can be rotated about its axis 20 by an electric drive, not shown.

There is a pivotable lever 24 with a T-shaped end that can be rotated about its axis 25. The axle 25 is attached to a lock plate or directly to the body. There are preferably additionally two stops 26 and 27 for the lever 24 with the T-shaped end, which are attached to a lock plate or directly to the body. The stops 26 and 27 limit the pivotal movement of the lever with the T - shaped end 24.

The pivotable lever with the T-shaped end 24 limits rotational movements of the disc 19. Thus, in the illustrated open position of the first pin 21 of the drive pulley 19 at the T-shaped end of the lever 24, so that the drive pulley 19 not opposite to Clockwise can be rotated. In this position is that T-shaped end of the lever 24 to the preferably bolt-shaped stop 27, which so contributes to that the drive pulley 19 can not be rotated counterclockwise opposite, so that a mechanical end stop is realized.

There is a linkage 28, with which a pivoting of the pawl 7 can be effected. The rod 28 is merely outlined and suitably connected on the one hand to the pawl 7 and on the other hand with a drive, such as the drive, which is also able to rotate the drive pulley 19. The linkage 28 may be connected to one end 29 rotatably connected to the pawl 7. Alternatively or additionally, the end 29 abut against a projection 30 of the pawl 7, so as to be able to pivot the pawl 7, for example, opposite to a spring force out of a detent position. The pawl 7 may therefore be so biased in one embodiment by a spring, not shown, that this spring is able to move the pawl 7 into its locking position.

On the rocker 5, a brake element, damping element or stop 31 may be attached, which or at least temporarily limit or brake a pivoting of the catch 1 in a clockwise direction.

There are microswitches 32, 33 and 34 with which positions of components of the locking mechanism can be detected. With a first microswitch 32, for example, the position of the rotary latch 1 is determined. With a second microswitch 33, for example, the position of the drive pulley 19 is determined. With a third microswitch 34, for example, the position of the rocker 5 is determined. However, it is also possible to provide other alternative or supplementary microswitches with which other positions and / or other components are detected.

In the FIG. 1 Furthermore, a locking pin 35 is shown during closing of an associated hood which is attached to the hood, not shown, of a motor vehicle. The locking pin 35 has not yet reached the catching arm 2 of the catch 1. The hood is still open.

The axes 4 and 8 of the catch 1 and pawl 7 are relatively close to the axis 6, the bearing point of the rocker, arranged and thus relatively far away from the end 15 of the rocker 5, so as to provide a favorable leverage.

Is based on the FIG. 1 the hood of the motor vehicle further closed, the locking pin 35 first reaches the tentacle 2 of the catch 1 and then rotates the catch 1 in a clockwise direction until the load arm 3 of the catch 1 strikes the interceptor 11. The associated shock is introduced via the interceptor 11 in the rocker 5. From here, the shock or the associated forces are introduced into the body and on the one hand on the axis 6 of the rocker 5 and on the other hand via the support lever 17. The drive pulley 19 is thus protected from impact forces that occur during closing. In addition, the tentacle 2 may have reached the damping element 31, so as to additionally initiate impact forces from the rotary latch 1 into the rocker 5. The catch 1 has reached a position that would allow the pawl 7 to be moved into its locked position. However, this is initially prevented by the linkage 28. The hood gap is for example more than 10 mm, in particular 15 mm between hood and headlight grill or grille.

Reaches the catch 1 in the FIG. 2 shown position, so for example, the micro-switch 32 is actuated thereby. In this way, the drive can be set in motion, which can drive or turn the drive pulley 19. The drive pulley 19 then rotates clockwise. The second pin 22 thus passes to the support lever 17 and detects, for example, a projection of the support lever 17. Further rotation of the drive plate 19 in a clockwise direction has the consequence that the support lever 17 from his in the FIG. 2 pivoted position shown in clockwise out becomes. The underside of the arcuate end 15 of the rocker 5 is meanwhile on the second pin 22. A further rotation of the drive plate 19 in a clockwise direction has the consequence that the rocker 5 is pivoted clockwise about its axis 6 and finally in the FIG. 3 reached shown position. This can be effected by the closing movement of the door or flap or alternatively or additionally by gravity, which acts accordingly on a hood. A door or hood gap is reduced accordingly. It is thus reduced the gap to less than 10 mm, for example, to 7 mm.

The FIG. 3 makes it clear that the lever with the T - shaped end has meanwhile disengaged from the stop 27. This lever is for example due to gravity in the in the FIG. 3 shown position has been pivoted. It is important that the rotary latch 1 has still not been locked, although the hood gap is already only a few millimeters, such as a maximum of 7 mm, preferably a maximum of 5 mm. This is for safety because, for example, a finger in the hood gap can not be pinched. Only when the hood gap is sufficiently small that no finger fits into the gap, further rotation of the drive pulley 19 has the consequence that the linkage 28 is moved to a position which causes the pawl 7, the catch 1 locked. But it can also be achieved in the FIG. 3 shown position, for example, the micro-switch 33 are actuated. It can be set as a separate drive for the rod 28 in motion, which causes the pawl 7 by corresponding movement of the rod 28, the rotary latch 1 locked, as shown in the FIG. 4 will be shown.

As the FIGS. 3 and 4 clarify the third pin 23 of the drive pulley 19 into the arcuate end 15 of the rocker 5 enters. As before, then the gap is several mm and is for example between 5 and 7 mm. A further turning of the Drive disk 19 in a clockwise direction has the consequence that finally in the FIG. 5 shown position is achieved by pulling. The third pin 23 of the drive pulley 19, which is meanwhile located inside the arcuate end 15 of the rocker 5, has pivoted the rocker 5 further clockwise about its axis 6. This can be done against a back pressure such as sealing pressure of a seal for the hood. As a result, the hood gap is further reduced, without having to fear a risk of injury. The gap size may thus have been reduced to less than 1 mm, for example to not more than 0.2 mm or not more than 0.1 mm.

By the control contour 14 of the intercept lever 11 has been pivoted out of its catching the catch 1 position clockwise about its axis 12 around out. The first pin 21 of the drive pulley 19 has caught the other side of the T-shaped end of the lever 24 of the corresponding pivotable lever and pivoted this lever counterclockwise about its axis 25. This pivotal movement is finally by reaching the stop 26 as in the FIG. 5 shown been limited. Further rotation of the drive plate 19 in a clockwise direction is then no longer possible. By providing the pivoting lever with the T-shaped end 24, on the one hand, the rotation of the drive pulley 19 is limited. On the other hand, so particularly large rotation angle of the drive pulley are possible and in particular also rotation angle of more than 360 °.

Since the intercept lever 11 in accordance FIG. 5 is pivoted out of its intercepting position, it is possible that the catch 1 pivots further in a clockwise direction, as in the FIG. 6 will be shown. This is for the protection of persons who fall on the associated hood, for example. The hood can thus be pushed further down in the area of the lock, without such a movement being blocked by the locking mechanism, which would constitute a risk of personal injury reduced. It can be realized as a so-called pedestrian protection. Thus, the locking pin 35 can be moved in particular by more than 10 mm, preferably by at least 20 mm further opposite to the opening direction. The latched rotary latch can be pivoted away for this purpose by at least 10 °, preferably at least 20 ° from the open position, as the FIG. 6 clarified.

The element 31 may be a plastic element with a predetermined breaking point. By the plastic element is avoided, for example, if snow is on the hood and the electric drive lifts the hood, that would then spin the catch down. An undesired spin is the element 31 is prevented. The break point can break if a pedestrian falls onto the hood.

Alternatively, that is, in the case where the plastic element is not present, a strong spring may be disposed on the rotary latch, which in turn is then strong enough to lift the hood with a snow load.

An opening of the locking is correspondingly reversed.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

• 1: catch
• 2: catching arm
• 3: load arm
• 4: axis of the rotary latch
• 5: swingarm
• 6: Axis of the swingarm
• 7: pawl
• 8: axis of the pawl
• 9: pawl detent surface
• 10: rotary latch detent surface
• 11: intercept lever
• 12: Axis for intercept lever
• 13: Stop or rotation limiting element for intercepting lever
• 14: Control contour for intercept lever
• 15: arcuate end of the rocker
• 16: pivotable end of a support lever
• 17: Support lever
• 18: Axis of the support lever
• 19: drive pulley
• 20: Axis of the drive pulley
• 21: first pin of the drive pulley
• 22: second pin of the drive pulley
• 23: third pin of the drive pulley
• 24: Lever with T-shaped lever end
• 25: Axis for lever with the T-shaped end
• 26: Stopper or rotation limiting element for the lever with the T-shaped end
• 27: Stopper or rotation limiting element for the lever with the T-shaped end
• 28: linkage for pivoting the pawl
• 29: rod end at the pawl
• 30: projection of the pawl
• 31: Brake element, damping element or stop for rotary latch preferably with predetermined breaking point
• 32: microswitch
• 33: microswitch
• 34: microswitch
• 35: locking bolt
• 36: projection of the support lever

Claims (13)

1. Closing device for a door or flap, in particular for a flap of a motor vehicle, with a locking mechanism consisting of a catch (1) and pawl (7) for ratcheting of the catch (1) and a drive for a swing arm (5), with which the locking mechanism can be completely or partially moved by means of the swing arm (5), in such a way that a door gap or hood gap can be made smaller, whereby the catch (1) and the pawl (7) are directly pivotably attached to the swing arm (5) characterized in that a retaining lever (11) for the catch (1) is attached to the swing arm (5) and is preferably pivotably attached.
2. Closing device according to the previous claim, characterized in that the pawl (7) can only latch the catch (1) when the catch (1) has been retained by the retaining lever (11).
3. Closing device according to one of the two previous claims, characterized in that there is a control contour (14) which is capable of pivoting the retaining lever (11) out of its retaining position after the retaining lever (11) has retained the catch (1) and in particular by pivoting of the swing arm for reduction of a door gap or flap gap.
4. Closing device according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the spring arm can be pivoted by a drive disk which preferably possesses a protruding first bolt (21) with which rotational movements of the drive disk (11) can be limited and in particular by at least one stop.
5. Closing device according to the previous claim, characterized in that the stop demonstrates a mobile lever (24) which preferably demonstrates a T-shaped end.
6. Closing device according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the drive disk possesses a protruding second bolt (22) with which pivoting movements of the swing arm (5) can be controlled by the swing arm (5) being supported by the second bolt (22).
7. Closing device according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the drive disk possesses a protruding third bolt (23), with which the swing arm (5) can be closed against counterpressure for reduction of a door or flap gap.
8. Closing device according to the two previous claims, characterized in that it is created in such a way that a pivoting of the swing arm (5) is initially caused by the second bolt (22) and then by the third bolt (23) for reduction of the gap.
9. Closing device according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that a supporting lever (17) is present which is capable of supporting the swing arm (5) if an impact is conducted in due to a closure process.
10. Closing device according to the previous claim, characterized in that a bolt (22) of the drive disk is capable of pivoting the supporting lever (17).
11. Closing device according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the catch (1) and pawl (7) are arranged close to the axis (6) around which the swing arm (5) can be pivoted.
12. Closing device according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the catch (1) latched by the pawl (7) can be pivoted away from the opening position.
13. Closing device according to the previous claim, characterized in that the catch (1) can be pivoted away from its ratchet position by at least 10°, preferably by at least 20° degrees from its opening position.

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