EP3266966A1 - Motor vehicle lock - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock (3) comprising a locking mechanism (5) with a rotary latch (6) and a pawl (7), actuating lever means (8), a drive motor (8) for operating the locking mechanism (5) and / or the actuating lever means (8). 9) and a lock housing (10), wherein the lock housing (10) at one of its side edges (11) has a recess (12) which extends in the direction of the center of the lock housing (10). A plug-in cover (14) further has a receiving pocket 15 which has an access opening (17) on one side edge (16) and which on the side edge (19) opposite the access opening (17) projects in the direction of the center of the receiving pocket (16). 15) extending slot (18), wherein the lock housing (10) at least partially with the incision (12) in front through the access opening (17) into the receiving pocket (15) of the plug-in cover (14) is inserted inserted such that the rotary latch jaw (6a) can be pivoted into both the slot-shaped recess (12) of the lock housing (10) and into the slot (18) of the receiving pocket (15) for fixing a closing part of the motor vehicle (1).

Description

The invention is directed to a motor vehicle lock, comprising a locking mechanism, which comprises a rotary latch with a rotary latch jaw and a pawl, actuating lever means, an electric drive motor designed to operate the locking mechanism and / or the actuating lever means and a box-shaped lock housing in which the locking mechanism, the actuating lever means and the electric drive motor are housed, wherein the box-shaped lock housing has at one of its side edges a slot-shaped notch, which extends in the direction of the center of the lock housing.

Motor vehicle locks of the type described are long known from the prior art and are used, for example, to lock a tailgate of a motor vehicle with the aid of a catch and pawl existing locking by a fixed to the body of the motor vehicle locking bolt into engagement with the catch of the arranged on the tailgate locking mechanism is brought. Such known motor vehicle locks usually have a metal housing, in which the locking mechanism and other components of the motor vehicle lock are housed. When mounted in a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle lock must be covered with its metal housing by a panel or cover to meet today's demands on a sublime appearance of the motor vehicle. In this case, the installation of such a panel or cover proves to be disadvantageous, as are provided for the attachment of the panel or cover special ways of attachment, thereby increasing the cost and ultimately the manufacturing and assembly costs.

The invention has for its object to provide a solution that provides a motor vehicle lock in a structurally simple manner, the on a complex Dispensed construction for attaching a panel or cover and is inexpensive to manufacture.

In a motor vehicle lock of the type described, the object is achieved in that a plug-in cover has a receiving pocket having an access opening at one side edge and having on the side opposite the access opening side edge extending in the direction of the center of the receiving pocket slot wherein the lock housing is at least partially arranged with the slot-shaped incision inserted through the access opening into the receiving pocket of the plug-in cover such that the rotary latch jaw both in the slot-shaped incision of the lock housing and in the slot of the receiving pocket for fixing a closing part of the motor vehicle swiveled is.

Advantageous and expedient refinements and developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

The invention provides a motor vehicle lock for a tailgate of a motor vehicle is available, which is characterized by a functional design and has a compact and inexpensive construction. According to the invention, the lock housing is at least partially inserted into the receiving pocket of the plug-in cover, so that the plug-in cover serves as a panel, which increases the optical grandeur of the motor vehicle lock. In addition, the plug-in cover is a shock protection and prevents damage as a protective cover of the lock housing.

In an embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the lock housing has an engine storage space serving for supporting the electric drive motor, which is arranged on the slot-shaped incision opposite side of the lock housing, wherein the engine storage space has at least two bearing points for supporting the electric drive motor and in the direction of the slot-shaped An incision for the introduction of the electric drive motor in the engine storage space serving through opening comprises. In this way, the electric drive motor is mounted protected on the lock housing.

It is advantageous according to a development of the invention, when the plug-in cover has a motor receiving chamber which is designed to introduce the electric drive motor in the motor receiving chamber in a direction away from the slot direction open, wherein the engine storage space and the motor receiving chamber einhausen the electric drive motor. The electric drive motor is thus completely surrounded by the motor housing chamber and the engine storage space, wherein in the wall of the motor housing chamber and / or the engine storage compartment an opening for a drive train of the electric drive motor may be formed so that the electric drive motor can actuate the locking mechanism and / or the actuating lever means ,

It is structurally particularly favorable in an embodiment of the invention, when the motor receiving chamber has at least two web-shaped and a counter bearing for the electric drive motor forming support lugs. In this way, the electric drive motor is not only safely and stably stored and held, but it is also advantageously achieved a precise alignment of the axis of the drive train to a gear of a spindle gear of the motor vehicle lock.

The invention provides in a further embodiment that on the outside of the lock housing at least one protruding locking lug is formed, which engages with at least one latching lug corresponding to the EinsteckAbdeckung corresponding recess for fixing the plug-in cover to the lock housing. In this case, the at least one latching lug be formed such that before engaging with the at least one latching recess, the at least one latching nose rests on the wall of the plug-in cover, that a bias voltage is generated, through which the plug-in cover for pre-assembly to the lock housing is held securely.

For final fixation of the plug-in cover on the lock housing, the invention provides in a further embodiment, that the plug-in cover has at least one latching hook, which engages behind a latching shoulder on the lock housing for fixing the plug-in cover to the lock housing.

The plug-in cover of the invention is a multifunctional cover, i. The plug-in cover offers several functions. In addition to a shock protection and a more elevated appearance of the lock housing, the EinsteckAbdeckung can additionally serve to hold a noise-reducing damping element to an inlet mouth of the lock housing, in which a locking pin retracts when locking. To minimize noise when retracting the locking bolt, the invention provides in a further embodiment, that the slot-shaped incision of the lock housing is surrounded by an elastically formed inlet buffer, wherein the slot of the plug-in cover fixes the elastically formed inlet buffer on the lock housing.

With regard to the multi-functional capability of the plug-in cover according to the present invention, it is further provided that a punched grid is clipped into a receptacle formed on the lock housing for supplying energy to the electric drive motor, wherein the plug-in cover is formed with a support surface urging the stamped grid into the receptacle. The punched grid must therefore no longer be attached to the lock housing as previously by caulking or similar fixation options. With the help of the invention, it is perfectly sufficient if the stamped grid is clipped only in a designated holder, the mounting surface of the plug-in cover for the secure and positionally accurate fixation of the stamped grid ensures, so that the assembly costs and thus the installation costs can be significantly reduced ,

Finally, it is advantageous in another embodiment of the invention, when the plug-in cover of a Plastic material exists. As a result, a cost-effective production in an injection molding process is possible, in addition, the weight of the entire motor vehicle lock can be kept low.

It is understood that the features to be explained above and below can be used not only in the particular combination given, but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the present invention. The scope of the invention is defined only by the claims.

• Figur 1 eine Seitenansicht eines Kraftfahrzeugs mit einem Kraftfahrzeugschloss gemäß der Erfindung,
• Figur 2 eine perspektivische Ansicht auf das erfindungsgemäße Kraftfahrzeugschloss,
• Figur 3 eine weitere perspektivische Ansicht des Kraftfahrzeugschlosses,
• Figur 4 eine perspektivische Einzelteildarstellung des Kraftfahrzeugschlosses mit einem Schlossgehäuse, einem Gesperre und einer Einsteck-Abdeckung,
• Figur 5 eine perspektivische Vorderansicht auf das Schlossgehäuse und die Einsteck-Abdeckung,
• Figur 6 eine perspektivische Rückansicht auf das Schlossgehäuse und die Einsteck-Abdeckung,
• Figur 7 eine Perspektivansicht für eine Lagerung eines elektrischen Antriebsmotors und zwei Detailansichten der Lagerung,
• Figur 8 eine vergrößerte Darstellung der Lagerung des elektrischen Antriebsmotors,
• Figur 9 eine perspektivische Darstellung des Kraftfahrzeugschlosses, bei dem die Einsteck-Abdeckung einen Abschnitt des Schlossgehäuses noch nicht vollständig aufgenommen hat, und
• Figur 10 eine Perspektivansicht auf die Einsteck-Abdeckung von oben.

Further details, features and advantages of the subject matter of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawing, in which an exemplary and preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. In the drawing shows:

• FIG. 1 a side view of a motor vehicle with a motor vehicle lock according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 a perspective view of the motor vehicle lock according to the invention,
• FIG. 3 another perspective view of the motor vehicle lock,
• FIG. 4 a perspective detail view of the motor vehicle lock with a lock housing, a locking mechanism and a plug-in cover,
• FIG. 5 a front perspective view of the lock housing and the plug-in cover,
• FIG. 6 a rear perspective view of the lock housing and the plug-in cover,
• FIG. 7 a perspective view of a storage of an electric drive motor and two detailed views of the storage,
• FIG. 8 an enlarged view of the mounting of the electric drive motor,
• FIG. 9 a perspective view of the motor vehicle lock, wherein the plug-in cover has not yet fully received a portion of the lock housing, and
• FIG. 10 a perspective view of the plug-in cover from above.

In FIG. 1 is a motor vehicle 1 in the form of a car exemplified, which in the example has a flap or tailgate 2, which is closed by a motor vehicle lock 3 and can be opened. The FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the in FIG. 1 merely indicated by way of example motor vehicle lock 3. FIG. 3 on the other hand shows the motor vehicle lock 3 in an enlarged view, wherein a representation of an in FIG. 2 shown Bowden cable 4 has been omitted for the sake of clarity. The FIGS. 4 to 10 then show more details of the motor vehicle lock 3 according to the invention, which will be discussed below.

Regarding FIG. 3 in which the motor vehicle lock 3 is shown with its essential components, comprises a locking mechanism 5, which has a rotary latch 6 with a rotary latch jaw 6a and a pawl 7, a plurality of actuating lever means 8, which among other things serve to actuate the locking mechanism 5, an electric drive motor (evident from the FIGS. 7 and 8 ) formed to operate the ratchet 5 and / or the operating lever means 8, and a box-shaped lock housing 10 in which the ratchet 5, the operating lever means 8 and the electric drive motor 9 are housed. The rotary latch 6 and pawl 7 cooperate in a manner known in the art to securely lock the liftgate 2 in a closed condition. Since the operation of rotary latch 6 and pawl 7 well known in the prior art, it is only mentioned for completeness, that the rotary latch 6 is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation on the lock housing 10 and the rotary latch jaw 6a for receiving a closing member, not shown serves. Further, the pawl 7 is pivotally mounted to the lock housing 10 about a further axis of rotation. The lock housing 10 is designed in two parts in the illustrated embodiment, wherein a base housing 10a for the storage of the above-mentioned Components is used, whereas a cover housing 10b essentially serves as a cover for the base housing 10a. The base housing 10 a and the cover housing 10 b thus form the box-shaped lock housing 10.

The box-shaped lock housing 10 has on one of its side edges 11 a slot-shaped incision 12 which extends in the direction of the center of the lock housing 10. To lock the tailgate 3 of the motor vehicle 1 falls into the recess 12 a closing part, which is fixed by the locking mechanism and held. For this purpose, the rotary latch 6 is mounted in a known manner so that it can pivot into the incision 12 for fixing the arranged in the incision 12 closing part, which is known from the prior art, so it requires no detailed explanations.

According to the invention, a plug-in cover 14 is provided which has a receiving pocket 15. The receiving pocket 15 serves to receive at least a portion of the lock housing 10, which has the recess 12. The receiving pocket 15 has an access opening 17 on a side edge 16 (see, for example FIG. 10 ), through which the lock housing 10 in the receiving pocket 15 at least partially inserted. On the side opposite the access opening 17 side edge 19 of the receiving pocket 15, a slot 18 is formed, which extends in the direction of the center of the receiving pocket 15. When the lock housing 10 is inserted in sections in the receiving pocket 15, then the incision 12 and the slot 18 are substantially one above the other, that the catch 6 can pivot into the slot 18 and the recess 12, if there is a closing part of the motor vehicle 1 is arranged to close the tailgate 2. In other words, the lock housing 10 is at least partially arranged with the slot-shaped incision 12 advancing inserted through the access opening 17 into the receiving pocket 15 of the plug-in cover 14 such that the rotary latch jaw 6a both in the slot-shaped incision 12 of the lock housing 10 and in the Slot 18 of the receiving pocket 15 for fixing a closing part of the motor vehicle 1 is pivoted to lock the tailgate 2.

So that the closing part does not generate any unwanted noises when it moves into the slot-shaped incision 12, the slot-shaped incision 12 of the lock housing 10 is surrounded by an elastically formed inlet buffer 20 (see, for example FIGS. 6 and 7 ). The elastic inlet buffer 20 is a separate component and pressed into the slot-shaped incision 12 and clamped there. Without the plug-in cover 14, there would be the risk that the elastic inlet buffer 20 could become detached during assembly of the motor vehicle lock 3 on the motor vehicle 1 and fall out of the slot 12. This danger is prevented by the plug-in cover 14, because the slot 18 of the plug-in cover 14 fixes the elastically formed inlet buffer 20 on the lock housing 3 and keeps the inlet buffer 20 in the slot 18 in an oppressive manner as soon as the plug-in cover 14 on the lock housing 10 is deferred, as it is for example in FIG. 9 is shown in which a state during assembly of plug-in cover 14 and lock housing 10 is shown. In the in FIG. 9 shown position, the lock housing 10 is already inserted so far into the receiving pocket 15 of the plug cover 14 that the inlet buffer 20 can not fall out of the slot 12.

So that the plug-in cover 14 can not slide off the lock housing 10 after installation but is securely fixed to the lock housing 10, three locking lugs 21 are formed in the illustrated embodiment on the outside of the lock housing 10 on a side wall, which protrude from the side wall of the lock housing 10 as it is for example in FIG. 6 is shown. These locking lugs 21 are engaged with locking recesses 22, which are formed corresponding to the plug-in cover 14 (see, for example, lower illustration of FIG. 6 ). When the lock housing 10 is mounted on the plug-in cover 14, the latching lugs 21 are moved on the inside of the wall of the plug-in cover 14 until, for example, FIG the locking lugs 21 reach into the recesses 22 and there engage behind a respective edge of the recess 22.

The fixation of the plug-in cover 14 on the lock housing 10 is further increased by a latching hook 23 which is laterally formed on the plug-in cover 14, such as FIG. 6 shows. When the plug-in cover 14 is mounted on the lock housing 10, the latching hook 23 engages behind a latching projection 24 on the lock housing 10 which, in the embodiment shown, is designed in the form of an edge of the lock housing 10. The connection made by the latching hook 23 and the latching projection 24 is not only the fixation of the plug-in cover 14 on the lock housing 10. Rather, this is a punched grid 25 are held securely. The punched grid is used to supply the electric drive motor 9 with energy and is clipped into a formed on the lock housing 10 receptacle 26. The receptacle 26 may be a recess formed in the material of the lock housing 10, which has the contour of the stamped grid 25. So that the punched grid 25 is securely held on the lock housing 10, the plug-in cover 14 has a mounting surface 27 (see, for example FIG. 6 ), on which the latching hook 23 is formed. The support surface 27 thus covers the punched grid 25 and thereby secures the punched grid 25 on the lock housing 10. In other words, the plug-in cover 14 is formed with the punched grid 25 in the receptacle 26 urging support surface 27.

But the plug-in cover 14 has another function, as will be explained below. The lock housing 10 has a bearing for the electric drive motor 9 serving engine storage space 28, as seen from FIG. 7 it can be seen in which the front wall of the lock housing 10 is cut away to gain insight into the drive motor 9. The engine storage space 28 is arranged on the slot-shaped incision 12 opposite side of the lock housing 10 (see, for example FIG. 5 ). The engine storage space 28 has two bearing points 28a, 28b, which serve to mount the electric drive motor 9. Furthermore, the Engine storage space 28 in the direction of the slot-shaped incision 12 a serving for introduction of the electric drive motor 9 in the engine storage space 28 through opening 29. So that the electric drive motor 9 does not move out of the passage opening 29, the plug-in cover 14 has a motor accommodating chamber 30. The motor accommodating chamber 30 is designed to be open for insertion of the electric drive motor 9 in a direction away from the slot 18 direction. Consequently, the walls of the engine storage space 28 and the motor housing chamber 30 surround the electric drive motor 9 and dwell the drive motor 9 such that the drive motor 9 is arranged protected in all spatial directions. The motor receiving chamber 30 has two web-shaped support lugs 31a and 31b, which form an abutment to the bearing points 28a, 28b.

In summary, a motor vehicle lock 3 or a motor vehicle lock arrangement 3 has been described above, which comprises the locking mechanism 5, which comprises the rotary latch 6 with the rotary latch jaw 6a and the pawl 7, operating lever means 8, the electric drive motor designed to operate the locking mechanism 5 and / or the actuating lever means 8 9 and the box-shaped lock housing 10, in which the locking mechanism 5, the actuating lever means 8 and the electric drive motor 9 are housed, wherein the box-shaped lock housing 10 has at its side edges 11 a slot-shaped recess 12 which extends in the direction of the center of the lock housing 10. The EinsteckAbdeckung 14 has the receiving pocket 15 which has an access opening 17 on the side edge 16 and on the access opening 17 opposite side edge 19 extending in the direction of the center of the receiving pocket 15 slot 18, wherein the lock housing 10 at least partially with the slit-shaped incision 12 is arranged inserted through the access opening 17 into the receiving pocket 15 of the plug-in cover 14 inserted in such a way that the rotary latch jaw 6a both in the slot-shaped incision 12 of the lock housing 10 and in the slot 18th the receiving pocket 15 for fixing a closing part of the motor vehicle 1 can be pivoted. The plug-in cover 14 is formed of a plastic material, which keeps the weight of the motor vehicle lock low overall.

Of course, the invention described above is not limited to the described and illustrated embodiment. It will be appreciated that numerous modifications which are obvious to a person skilled in the art according to the intended application can be made to the embodiment shown in the drawing without departing from the scope of the invention. The invention includes everything that is contained in the description and / or shown in the drawing, including what is obvious to those skilled deviating from the specific embodiments.

Claims (9)

Motor vehicle lock (3), comprising a locking mechanism (5), which comprises a rotary latch (6) with a rotary latch jaw (6a) and a locking pawl (7), actuating lever means (8), one for operating the locking mechanism (5) and / or the actuating lever means (8) formed electric drive motor (9) and a box-shaped lock housing (10) in which the locking mechanism (5), the actuating lever means (8) and the electric drive motor (9) are housed, wherein the box-shaped lock housing (10) at one of its Side edges (11) has a slot-shaped recess (12) which extends in the direction of the center of the lock housing (10),
characterized in that
a plug-in cover (14) has a receiving pocket (15) which has an access opening (17) on one side edge (16) and the side edge (19) opposite the access opening (17) extends in the direction of the center of the receiving pocket (16). 15) extending slot (18), wherein the lock housing (10) at least partially with the slot-shaped incision (12) in front through the access opening (17) into the receiving pocket (15) of the plug-in cover (14) is inserted plugged such in that the rotary latch jaw (6a) can be pivoted into both the slot-shaped recess (12) of the lock housing (10) and into the slot (18) of the receiving pocket (15) for fixing a closing part of the motor vehicle (1). Motor vehicle lock (3) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the lock housing (10) has an engine storage space (28) serving for supporting the electric drive motor (9), which is on the side of the lock housing opposite the slot-shaped notch (12) (10) is arranged, wherein the engine storage space (28) at least two bearing points (28a, 28b) for supporting the electric drive motor (9) and in the direction of the slot-shaped notch (12) for introducing the electric drive motor (9) into the engine storage room (28) serving through opening (29). A motor vehicle lock (3) according to claim 2, characterized in that the plug-in cover (14) has a motor housing chamber (30) for directing the electric drive motor (9) into the motor housing chamber (30) in one of the slot (18) Direction is open, wherein the engine storage space (28) and the motor receiving chamber (30) einhausen the electric drive motor (9). Motor vehicle lock (3) according to claim 3, characterized in that the motor receiving chamber (30) has at least two web-shaped and an abutment for the electric drive motor (9) forming support lugs (31a, 31b). Motor vehicle lock (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the outside of the lock housing (10) at least one protruding locking lug (21) is formed with at least one of the at least one latching lug (21) corresponding to the plug-in cover (14) formed latching recess (22) for fixing the plug-in cover (14) on the lock housing (10) is engaged. Motor vehicle lock (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug-in cover (14) has at least one latching hook (23) for fixing the plug-in cover (14) on the lock housing (10) to the lock housing (10). 10) locking projection (24) engages behind. Motor vehicle lock (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the slot-shaped incision (12) of the lock housing (10) is surrounded by an elastically formed inlet buffer (20), wherein the slot (18) of the plug-in cover (14) elastically formed inlet buffer (20) fixed to the lock housing (10). Motor vehicle lock (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for powering the electric drive motor (9) a stamped grid (25) in a on the lock housing (10) formed receptacle (26) is clipped, wherein the plug-in cover (14 ) is formed with a punched grid (25) in the receptacle (26) urging support surface (27). Motor vehicle lock (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug-in cover (14) consists of a plastic material.

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