EP3375959A1 - Auxiliary closing drive - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a closing auxiliary drive for a motor vehicle lock (2), wherein the closing auxiliary drive (1) in the mounted state provides a closing auxiliary drive train (7) which has a closing auxiliary drive motor (8) and a planetary gear (8) connected downstream of the closing auxiliary drive motor (8). 9) with the gear elements sun gear (10), planet carrier (11) and ring gear (12), wherein a first transmission element (13) of the planetary gear (9) with the auxiliary closing drive motor (8) and a second transmission element (14) of the planetary gear (9) with the latch (4) is coupled or coupled, wherein a switchable fixing device (18) is provided, with the for producing and releasing a drive coupling between the first transmission element (13) and the second transmission element (14) each third Transmission element (15) of the planetary gear (9) can be fixed and released. It is proposed that the arrangement be made such that in the context of the auxiliary closing operation after the auxiliary closing adjustment, the fixing device (18) by means of the auxiliary closing drive motor (8) is released, so that a subsequent, in particular spring-driven, reversing adjustment of the second transmission element (14) back to the initial state of the auxiliary closing drive motor (8) is decoupled.

Description

The invention relates to a closing auxiliary drive for a motor vehicle lock according to the preamble of claim 1, a motor vehicle lock with a closing auxiliary drive according to claim 21, a motor vehicle lock arrangement with a motor vehicle lock and a separate auxiliary closing drive according to claim 22 and a method for operating a Schließhilfsantriebs according to claim 23.

The motor vehicle lock, which is associated with the closing auxiliary drive in question, is used in all types of motor vehicle doors of a motor vehicle. The term "motor vehicle door" is to be understood broadly. It includes side doors, rear doors, tailgates, trunk lid, hoods o. The like .. Such a motor vehicle door can be configured as a swing door or as a sliding door.

The closing auxiliary drive in question is used to pull the motor vehicle door by a motorized movement of the latch from its prelocking in its main closed position. The operator has to bring the vehicle door to close only with little force in a Vorschließ-door position, which corresponds to the Vorschließstellung the lock latch. The closing auxiliary drive overcomes the comparatively high door seal pressure, so that the closing operation of the motor vehicle door is made particularly comfortable for the operator.

The known closing auxiliary drive ( DE 10 2013 108 718 A1 ), from which the invention proceeds, provides a closing auxiliary drive train having a closing auxiliary drive motor and a planetary gear downstream of the auxiliary closing drive motor with the usual gear sun gear, planet carrier and ring gear. For the motoric closing of the motor vehicle door, a closing auxiliary operation is provided which comprises a closing auxiliary adjustment of the second gear element and a subsequent reversing adjustment of the second gear element. In this case, the auxiliary closing adjustment are taken over by a first drive and the reversing adjustment by a second drive, of which at least one drive can also be configured spring-driven.

In the known auxiliary closing drive alternately fixing two transmission elements of the planetary gear for the auxiliary closing adjustment on the one hand and the reversing adjustment on the other hand is required. This leads to a comparatively complicated structural arrangement. Furthermore, the resulting noise behavior offers optimization potential, in particular with regard to the noise development associated with the reversing adjustment.

The invention is based on the problem, the known auxiliary closing drive in such a way and further develop that a low noise in Reversierverstellung can be achieved with little design effort.

The above problem is solved in a closing auxiliary drive according to the preamble of claim 1 by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1.

Essential is the fundamental consideration that the fixing and loosening of the third gear element of the planetary gear can be effected by one and the same auxiliary closing drive motor, provided that the fixing device required for this purpose is coupled or coupled in accordance with the auxiliary closing drive train. The reversing adjustment of the second gear element back to the initial state can then be decoupled from the auxiliary closing drive motor, in particular spring-driven, enforce.

In detail, the arrangement is according to proposal made so that the fixing device is released in the context of the auxiliary closing operation after Schließhilfsverstellung means of the auxiliary closing drive motor, so that a subsequent, in particular spring-driven Reversierverstellung the second gear element is decoupled back to the initial state of the auxiliary closing drive motor.

With the proposed solution, it is initially possible to fix the third gear element of the planetary gear and solve without an additional drive motor is required. This simplifies the design effort. At the same time can be easily with the proposed solution generate a spring-driven Reversierverstellung the second gear member, which in turn allows a low design effort, a fast and thus noise-reduced reversing of the second gear member. In this case, the associated spring arrangement is preferably tensioned during the auxiliary closing adjustment of the second transmission element.

The proposed release of the fixing device is proposed according to the Schließhilfsverstellung instead, so that the closing of the door is not affected by the release. However, it may in principle be provided that the release process already starts during the auxiliary closing adjustment, without it already comes to releasing the fixing device.

The preferred embodiment according to claim 4 allows a release of the fixing device, which does not require a blocking of the auxiliary closing drive motor. The release of the fixing device is thus due to an adjustment of the auxiliary closing drive motor, for the completion of the blocking of the auxiliary closing drive motor is not provided. According to claim 5, it is preferably provided that the closing auxiliary drive motor is adjusted time or path controlled, so that a blocking of the auxiliary closing drive motor can be dispensed with. Particularly advantageous is the fact that the omission of the block operation, ie the blocking of the auxiliary closing drive motor, is accompanied by a particularly low noise level. Furthermore, the mechanical load on the components involved in releasing the fixing device is reduced since no blocking forces occur.

The preferred embodiments according to claims 5 and 6 relate to the drive technology coupling between the auxiliary closing drive train and the fixing device to solve the fixing device by means of a release adjustment motor. For this purpose, the auxiliary closing drive train on an engagement component, which is according to claim 6 is preferably an intermediate transmission element which is arranged between the closing auxiliary drive motor and the planetary gear. In other preferred variants, however, the engagement component may also be a motor shaft of the auxiliary closing drive motor or one of the transmission elements of the planetary gear.

Claim 9 relates to a preferred possibility for the non-blocking release of the fixing device such that the engagement component is configured correspondingly blocking-free at least for the release adjustment of the second transmission element. According to claim 10, the same is provided for the intermediate gear member.

The further preferred embodiments according to claims 11 to 13 relate to constructive variants for the fixing device. In this case, the equipment of the fixing device with a fixing element, which interacts ratchet-like with the third gear element of the planetary gear, has proven to be particularly robust mechanically. To release the fixing then only one ejection of the fixing is required, which is structurally no difficulties.

The likewise preferred embodiments according to claims 14 to 16 relate to constructive variants for the adjustment of the fixing element of the fixing device by means of the auxiliary closing drive motor. It is provided according to claim 15 that the engagement component leaves the state of the fixing element unaffected in a first adjustment direction and adjusts the fixing element in the release state in a second, the first adjustment direction opposite adjustment. This can be ensured that during the closing auxiliary adjustment, ie during tightening the motor vehicle door, the fixing element is unaffected by the engagement component. After the auxiliary closing adjustment of the auxiliary closing drive motor can be reversed, so that the engagement component in the second adjustment direction adjusts the fixing in the release state. This release adjustment, in which the fixing device is released, is preferably part of the reversing adjustment, but only forms a small part of the reversing adjustment. In the spring-driven reversing adjustment, this means that the reversing adjustment is completed fully spring-driven after loosening the fixing.

A particularly simple embodiment of the fixing device is the subject of Anpruch 19, wherein the local control is designed as a resilient bendable wire or strip. The bendability results in a particularly simple connection of the control element to the fixing device, without the need for a joint between the control element and the fixing device.

Furthermore, the design of the control as a resilient bendable wire or strip is advantageous because the spring elasticity of the control itself can be used to produce a spring bias of the control. This results in a dual use of the control, which leads to a cost-effective and compact design (claim 20).

According to a further teaching according to claim 21, the self-standing importance, a motor vehicle lock is claimed as such, which is associated with a proposed closing auxiliary drive. In that regard, reference may be made to all versions of the proposed auxiliary closing drive.

Preferably, the motor vehicle lock and the auxiliary closing drive are assigned a common housing, so that there is a uniform assembly. This can be particularly advantageous in terms of manufacturing technology.

According to a further teaching according to claim 22, which has independent significance, a motor vehicle lock arrangement is claimed which has a motor vehicle lock and a proposed auxiliary closing drive, wherein the motor vehicle lock and the auxiliary closing drive are configured separately from each other and spatially separated from each other. Also in this regard may be made to all versions of the proposed auxiliary closing drive.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the motor vehicle lock, in particular the latch of the motor vehicle lock, and the auxiliary closing drive, in particular the second transmission element of the planetary gear, by means of a flexible power transmission means, in particular by means of a Bowden cable, drivingly coupled together.

According to a further teaching according to claim 23, which has independent significance, a method for the operation of a proposed closing auxiliary drive, a proposed motor vehicle lock or a proposed motor vehicle lock arrangement is claimed.

It is essential according to the proposed method, that the fixing device is released in the context of the auxiliary closing operation after Schließhilfsverstellung by means of the auxiliary closing drive motor, so that a subsequent Reversierverstellung back to the initial state decoupled from the auxiliary closing drive motor is executable.

Of particular importance for the proposed method is, as explained in connection with the proposed closing auxiliary drive, that the auxiliary closing drive motor is used not only for the auxiliary closing adjustment, but also for the release of the fixing device. Also in this regard may be made to all versions of the proposed auxiliary closing drive.

A particularly reduced noise results in the preferred embodiment according to claim 24, characterized in that the closing auxiliary drive motor is adjusted without blocking to release the Fixiereineinrichtung. Reference may be made to the above statements on non-blocking adjustment of the auxiliary closing drive motor.

Fig. 1

eine Kraftfahrzeugtür mit einer vorschlagsgemäßen Kraftfahrzeugschlossanordnung, die ein vorschlagsgemäßes Kraftfahrzeugschloss und einen vorschlagsgemäßen Schließhilfsantrieb aufweist,

Fig. 2

den Schließhilfsantrieb gemäß Fig. 1 im Ausgangszustand in einer perspektivischen Ansicht,

Fig. 3

den Schließhilfsantrieb gemäß Fig. 1 während der Schließhilfsverstellung,

Fig. 4

den Schließhilfsantrieb gemäß Fig. 1 während der Reversierverstellung,

Fig. 5

den Schließhilfsantrieb gemäß Fig. 1 im Ausgangszustand in einer perspektivischen Ansicht in einer weiteren Ausführungsform,

Fig. 6

den Schließhilfsantrieb gemäß Fig. 5 während der Schließhilfsverstellung,

Fig. 7

den Schließhilfsantrieb gemäß Fig. 6 während der Reversierverstellung.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing illustrating only embodiments. In the drawing shows

Fig. 1

a motor vehicle door with a proposed motor vehicle lock arrangement, which has a proposed motor vehicle lock and a proposed auxiliary closing drive,

Fig. 2

the closing auxiliary drive according to Fig. 1 in the initial state in a perspective view,

Fig. 3

the closing auxiliary drive according to Fig. 1 during the closing auxiliary adjustment,

Fig. 4

the closing auxiliary drive according to Fig. 1 during the reversing adjustment,

Fig. 5

the closing auxiliary drive according to Fig. 1 in the initial state in a perspective view in a further embodiment,

Fig. 6

the closing auxiliary drive according to Fig. 5 during the closing auxiliary adjustment,

Fig. 7

the closing auxiliary drive according to Fig. 6 during the reversing adjustment.

The Fig. 2 to 4 relate to a first embodiment of the proposed closing auxiliary drive 1, while the Fig. 5 to 7 relate to a second embodiment of the proposed closing auxiliary drive. From the basic construction, the two embodiments are the same, so that the following statements apply to the first embodiment for the second embodiment accordingly. Components of the same function are in the Fig. 2 to 4 on the one hand and in the Fig. 5 to 7 on the other hand have been provided with identical reference numerals.

The proposed closing auxiliary drive 1 is associated with a motor vehicle lock 2, which in turn is associated with a motor vehicle door 3. In the motor vehicle door 3 may be a side door, a rear door, a tailgate, a trunk lid, a hood o. The like. Act. It can be designed as a swing door or as a sliding door.

The motor vehicle lock 2 has the closing elements lock latch 4 and pawl 5. The lock catch 4 can from an open position, not shown in an in Fig. 1 shown main closed position to be pivoted about a latch axis 4a. Between the open position and the main closed position is a Vorschließstellung. Both in the main closing position and in the prelocking position, the lock catch 4 is in holding engagement with a closing part 6. In the open position, the lock catch 4 releases the closing part 6. In the main closed position and in the prelocking position, the latch 4 is locked against pivoting in the opening direction by the pawl 5. For this purpose, the pawl 5 has a locking lug 5 a, which is in the main closed position with a main catch 4 b and in the prelocking position with a preliminary catch 4 c of the lock latch 4 in locking engagement.

The closing part 6 is here and preferably a locking bolt. Alternatively, the closing part 6 may also be a striker or the like.

To be able to adjust the lock latch 4 by motor from the prelocking position to the main closing position, the auxiliary closing drive 1 in the mounted state provides a closing auxiliary drive train 7, which includes a closing auxiliary drive motor 8 and a planetary gear 9 connected downstream of the closing auxiliary drive motor 8 with the usual sun gear transmission elements 10, planet carrier 11 with planetary gears 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d and ring gear 12 has. A first gear element 13 of the planetary gear 9, in this case the sun gear 10, is coupled to the auxiliary closing drive motor 8, while a second gear element 14, in this case the planetary gear carrier 11, is coupled to the latch 4 or can be coupled. The assignment between first, second and third transmission element 13, 14, 15 on the one hand and sun gear 10, planet carrier 11 and ring gear 12 on the other hand can also be provided differently.

As part of a Schließhilfsvorgangs the lock latch 4 is adjustable by means of the auxiliary closing drive motor 8 in the closing direction 16 by the second transmission element 14 from the in Fig. 2 shown starting condition out a Schließhilfsverstellung. The closing auxiliary adjustment ensures the in Fig. 2 illustrated initial state out that the second transmission element 14, here the planet 11, in Fig. 2 is adjusted counterclockwise, so that the soul 17a of the Bowden cable 17, which connects the auxiliary closing drive 1 with the motor vehicle lock 2, is pulled in by the auxiliary closing drive 1. This in turn leads to a pivoting of the lock latch 4 in Fig. 1 in the clockwise direction, which corresponds to the closing direction 16 of the lock catch 4.

To produce and release the necessary for the auxiliary closing drive connection between the first transmission element 13 and the second transmission element 14, the respective third transmission element 15 of the planetary gear 9 is fixable. For this purpose, a switchable fixing device 18 is provided with which the third gear element 15 not only fixable but also detachable is. The term "fixable" means in the present case that the third gear element 15 is not rotatable. For example, the third gear element 15 in the fixed state on a housing o. The like. Of the auxiliary closing drive 1 is fixed. In this case, the fixing device can act directly on the third transmission element or indirectly, possibly via an intermediate transmission element, on the third transmission element.

It is essential that the arrangement is such that, as part of the auxiliary closing operation after the auxiliary closing adjustment, the fixing device 18 is released by means of the auxiliary closing drive motor 8 so that a subsequent, in particular spring-driven, reversing adjustment is decoupled back into the initial state from the auxiliary closing drive motor 8 is. Thus, an interaction between the auxiliary closing drive train 7 and the fixing device 18 is provided, such that the fixing device 18 can be released by means of the auxiliary closing drive motor 8. In this case, this interaction is preferably provided between a transmission stage downstream of the closing auxiliary drive motor 8 and the fixing device 18.

With the motorized release of the fixing device 18, the auxiliary closing drive motor 8 releases the lock latch 4, so to speak, so that the reversing adjustment, decoupled from the auxiliary closing drive motor 8, can be spring-driven. This can be realized with only one auxiliary closing drive motor 8 a particularly fast and therefore noise-optimized Reversierverstellung.

Due to the rapid reversing adjustment, it is also possible to open the motor vehicle door 3 almost immediately after the motorized closing again, since long waiting times regarding the completion of the reversing adjustment omitted.

Here and preferably, the drive technology coupling between the auxiliary closing drive motor 8 and the first gear element 13 of the planetary gear is designed to be self-locking. This means that in the Reversierverstellung a provision of the auxiliary closing drive motor 8 is locked.

As mentioned above, causes in the assembled state, the auxiliary closing adjustment of the second transmission element 14, an adjustment of the lock latch 4 in the closing direction 16. Basically, it may be provided that the auxiliary closing adjustment the second gear member 14 causes an adjustment of the latch 4 of the prelocking in the main closed position. Here and preferably, however, it is so that the auxiliary closing adjustment of the second gear member 14 causes an adjustment of the lock latch 4 from the prelocking into an over-stroke position located beyond the main closing position, so that the pawl 5 can spring-driven safely into the main catch 4b.

In the illustrated and insofar preferred exemplary embodiments, an electrical control arrangement 19 is provided which electrically actuates the auxiliary closing drive motor 8 as part of the auxiliary closing operation.

In principle, the release of the fixing device 18 can still be explained in block operation, as in the Fig. 2 to 4 is provided. In the in the Fig. 5 to 7 the embodiment shown, however, the arrangement is such that the release of the fixing device 18 is accompanied by a non-blocking adjustment of the auxiliary closing drive motor 8. It is here and preferably so that the control arrangement 19 for releasing the fixing device 18, the closing auxiliary drive motor 8 time or distance controlled. This will be explained in more detail below in connection with the proposed method.

After the auxiliary closing adjustment and the release of the fixing device 18, the reversing adjustment is preferably spring-driven. For the generation of the spring-driven reversing adjustment of the second gear element 14, a return spring arrangement 20 is preferably provided. In the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings and insofar preferred embodiments, the return spring arrangement 20 with the second transmission element 14, in this case with the planet 11, coupled or coupled.

The return spring arrangement 20 can in principle also be arranged in the motor vehicle lock 2. Thus, the return spring assembly 20 is coupled or couplable with the lock-trap-side end of the core 17a of the Bowden cable 17.

The spring-driven reversing adjustment of the second transmission element 14 is on the one hand advantageous as an exact control of the auxiliary closing drive motor 8 is not required for the reversing adjustment. A position control of the auxiliary closing drive motor 8, for example by block operation, can be dispensed with for the reversing adjustment.

In general, it is preferably provided that the closing auxiliary process includes a release adjustment of the second transmission element 14 by means of the auxiliary closing drive motor 8, in the context of an adjustable engagement component 21 of the auxiliary closing drive train 7 in engagement with the fixing device 18, this solves comes. The engaging component 21, which will be explained later, is pivotable here and preferably around an engagement component axis 21a. In a manner to be explained, the release adjustment of the second transmission element 14 preferably comprises a starting adjustment path, which is passed through before the fixing device 18 is released. For the preferred case that the release adjustment is opposite to the auxiliary closing adjustment, the starting adjustment path causes a certain amount of relaxation of the auxiliary closing drive train 7. This is advantageous insofar as the release of the fixing device 18 does not take place under full load, which is against the background of the objective a low noise is advantageous.

It can be seen from the illustrations in the drawing that in the auxiliary closing drive train 7 between the auxiliary closing drive motor 8 and the planetary gear 9, an intermediate transmission element 22 is arranged that the engagement component 21 provides. The intermediate gear member 22 has two Stirnradverzahnungen 22a, 22b, which mesh with the motor shaft 23, here with the worm 23a of the motor shaft 23 on the one hand and the sun gear 10 of the planetary gear 9 on the other hand.

In principle, however, the engagement component 21 may also be the motor shaft 23 of the auxiliary closing drive motor 8 or the first or second transmission element 13, 14 of the planetary gear 9.

In general, the release adjustment of the second transmission element 14 can be provided in block operation. This is in the embodiment of Fig. 2 to 4 provided by the realization of a yet to be explained blocking contour 28.

In the in the Fig. 5 to 7 shown embodiment, however, provided that the engagement component 21 is at least for the release adjustment of the second transmission element 14 as described above adjusted without blocking. Accordingly, no blocking contour 28 is provided here. Rather, it is here so that the intermediate gear member 22 is endlessly adjustable without blocking, in particular endlessly, designed.

The structurally simple embodiment of the fixing device 18 is of particular importance in the present case. Accordingly, the fixing device 18 has a fixing element 24, which between one in the Fig. 2 and 3 shown fixing state in which it fixes the third transmission element 15, and a in Fig. 4 shown release state in which it releases the third transmission element 15 is adjustable. Here and preferably, the fixing element 24 is a fixing lever, which is pivotable about a fixing element axis 24a. In this case, the fixing element 24 by means of a fixing element 25 in the fixing state, in the Fig. 2 to 4 counterclockwise, biased.

In the fixing state of the fixing element 24, it is such that the fixing element 24, the third gear element 15 of the planetary gear 9 positively and / or non-positively engaged with each other to fix the third gear element 15. In the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawing, the fixing engagement between the fixing element 24 and the third gear element 15 is primarily a positive engagement. For this purpose, the third gear element 15, here the ring gear 12, at least one latching recess 26, with which the fixing element located in the fixing state 24 is in positive engagement. Here and preferably, it is such that the third gear member 15 has a plurality of latching protrusions 26 which are distributed over a circumference of the third gear member 15, wherein the fixing member 24 located in the fixing state is in positive engagement with one of the latching formations 26. It can be the representations according to the Fig. 2 to 4 infer that the fixing element 24 and the third gear element 15 interact in a ratchet-like manner.

Alternatively, however, a braking engagement between the fixing element 24 and the third gear element 15 may be provided. The advantage here is the fact that the braking of the third gear member 15 then in each position of the third gear element 15 is possible. A preferred possibility, not shown here, for braking the third gear element 15 is that the fixing element 24 is designed as a wrap spring, wherein the fixing element 24 located in the fixing state is in braking engagement with the third gear element 15 for fixing the third gear element 15. In this case, it is preferable for the wrap spring to surround a circumference of the third gear element 15 or a circumference of a component which is coupled to the third gear element 15. It is in each case such that one end of the wrap spring can be brought into engagement with the above-mentioned engagement component 21 in order to release the wrap spring from the third transmission element 15.

The adjustment of the fixing element 24, in particular the adjustment of the fixing element 24 in the release state, is achieved in the illustrated and so far preferred embodiments in a particularly simple manner. In this case, the engagement component 21 has a first control contour 27, via which the fixing element 24 is adjustable. The first control contour 27 is provided with a radial control surface which is aligned substantially parallel to the engagement element axis 21a. At one end of the first control contour 27 is a blocking contour 28, which will be explained below.

In order to avoid that the fixing device 18 is unintentionally released during the auxiliary closing adjustment, a freewheeling mechanism 29 is connected between the engagement component 21 and the fixing element 24 so that the engagement component 21 in a first adjustment direction 30 leaves the state of the fixing element 24 uninfluenced and in a second , the adjustment direction 30 opposite adjusting device 31, the fixing element 24 is adjusted to the release state.

The freewheel mechanism 29 has here and preferably a control element 32, in particular a control lever 32, which is in the first adjustment direction 30 of the engagement component 21 out of engagement of the first control contour 27 and in the second adjustment direction 31 is in engagement with the first control contour 27 or comes and thereby adjusts the fixing member 24 in the release state. The control lever 32 is pivotally mounted on the fixing member 24 about the control lever axis 32a.

Furthermore, it is preferably the case that the engagement component 21 has a second control contour 33 which controls the control lever 32 in the first adjustment direction 30 of the engagement component 21 out of engagement with the first control contour 27. The second control contour 33 is here and preferably provided with a control surface, which is aligned substantially transversely to the engagement component axis 21a. This specification of the orientation of the control surface of the second control contour 33 is to be interpreted broadly, since this is to be understood as a starting bevel 34 to be explained.

A closing auxiliary operation takes place in the proposed closing auxiliary drive 1 as follows:
From the in Fig. 1 shown output state of the auxiliary closing drive motor 8 is electrically controlled by the control assembly 19 such that the engagement member 21 in its first adjustment direction 30, in the Fig. 2 and 3 clockwise, is adjusted. This results in an adjustment of the first gear element 13, here the sun gear 10, in a counterclockwise direction, whereby the planet 11 in the Fig. 2 and 3 is adjusted counterclockwise. As a result, the lock latch 4 via the Bowden cable 17 in its closing direction 16, in Fig. 1 clockwise, adjusted, so that it reaches from the prelocking their main closed position and, if necessary, located beyond the main closed position overstroke position. As a result, the pawl 5 can spring-driven into the main catch 4b. During this closing auxiliary adjustment, the engagement component 21 rotates here and preferably several times. In this case, a tactile portion 36 of the control lever 32 slides along the engagement component 21 and reaches the run-on slope 34 of the second control contour 33. The control lever 32 is thereby lifted and pivots about its control lever axis 32a, which is aligned transversely to the Fixierelementachse 24a of the fixing 24. Subsequently, the tactile section 36 of the control lever 32 slides on a plateau 35, which adjoins the run-on slope 34. Thus, the tactile section 36, so to speak, slides past the first control contour 27, without causing a deflection of the fixing element 24 about the fixing element axis 24a. Subsequently, the control lever 32 falls back on the engagement component 21. This in turn causes the fixing element spring 25, which not only biases the fixing member 24 in the fixing state, but also the control lever 32 in Fig. 2 biased downwards. This process is repeated with each rotation of the engagement component 21. This allows the complete closing auxiliary adjustment without the state of the fixing element 24 changes. This corresponds to the transition from Fig. 2 on Fig. 3 ,

At the in Fig. 3 shown situation, the latch bolt 4 now runs in its overstroke position, wherein the auxiliary closing drive motor 8 is stopped by means of the control assembly 19 upon reaching the overstroke position. This can be provided sensor or time-controlled. Subsequently, the control arrangement 19 controls the auxiliary closing drive motor 8 in the opposite drive direction such that the engagement component 21 rotates in the adjustment direction 31. This causes from the in Fig. 3 shown that the tactile portion 36 of the control lever 32 slides down the run-up slope 34 and then with the radial control surface of the first control contour 27 engages, so that the first control contour 27 presses the fixing member 24 via the control lever 32 in the release state, as shown according to Fig. 4 can be seen. When the tactile portion 36 is located at the end of the first control contour 27, the tactile portion 36 engages a blocking contour 28 of the first control contour 27, so that further adjustment of the auxiliary closing drive motor 8 is stopped. Immediately after the release of the third gear member 15 of the fixing member 24, the third gear member 15, driven by the return spring assembly 20, decoupled from the auxiliary fire drive motor 8, snaps into the initial state. This is in Fig. 4 indicated.

It is now conceivable that the auxiliary closing drive motor 8 and the engagement component 21 in the in Fig. 4 position shown remain until the next closing auxiliary process is started. Alternatively, it may be provided that the auxiliary closing drive motor 8 and the engagement component 21 in the in Fig. 2 shown position to be adjusted so that the release of the fixing member 24 does not have to be waited by the engagement component 21 at the next closing auxiliary operation.

In the in the Fig. 5 to 7 illustrated embodiment, the closing operation is basically as explained above, wherein the engagement component 21 in the first adjustment direction 30, however, is adjustable without blocking. Corresponding is the first control contour 27 without one in the Fig. 2 to 4 shown blocking contour 28 equipped.

In the in the Fig. 5 to 7 illustrated embodiment, it is further such that the control element 32 is designed as a resilient bendable wire or strip, which is for releasing the fixing assembly 18 into engagement with the fixing assembly 18, in particular with the fixing member 24, can be brought.

Preferably, that is in the Fig. 5 to 7 shown control 32 configured as a wire with a round cross-section. Other cross sections are conceivable. In the event that the control is configured as a resilient bendable strip, it is preferable that the cross section is a rectangular cross-section.

That in the Fig. 5 to 7 shown, designed as a resilient wire or strip control element 32 is preferably made of a metallic material, in particular of a spring wire, is formed. In principle, however, a plastic material can also be used here.

In the latter case, it can also be provided that the control element 32 is molded onto the fixing element in the plastic injection molding process.

The designed as a resilient bendable wire or strip control element 32 is coupled to the fixing member 24 such that the control element 32 forms an extension for the fixing element 24. Here and preferably, one end of the control element 32 forms a tactile section 36, which interacts with the engagement component 21 as explained above.

Here and preferably, the control element 32 is designed in the manner of a leg spring, which is designed to generate the prestressing of the fixing element 24 in the fixing state. The turns of the designed as a leg spring control element 32 are aligned with the Fixierelementachse 24a, resulting in a particularly good space utilization.

Preferably, the control element 32 is biased to the engagement component 21, in particular to the first control contour 27, wherein in particularly preferred Embodiment, the bias of the control element 32 to the spring elasticity of the control 32 itself goes back. Specifically, it is in the in the Fig. 5 to 7 shown embodiment so that the spring elasticity of the control element 32 also generates a bias of the fixing member 24 in the fixing state. Here and preferably, the control 32 is designed for this purpose as a leg spring, as mentioned above.

In addition, the spring elasticity of the control element 32 causes a bias of the control element 32 in the direction of the Fixierelementachse 24 a, so that the control element is biased relative to the Fixierelementachse 24 a both in the radial direction and in the axial direction. In the present case, a particularly reliable motion control of the control element 32 by means of the first control contour 27 and the second control contour 33 is ensured without complex spring structures are required.

According to another teaching, the independent role plays a motor vehicle lock 2 is claimed with a proposed auxiliary closing drive 1. It is preferable that, as in Fig. 1 indicated, the motor vehicle lock 2 and the auxiliary closing drive 1 is assigned a common housing 37. As a result, the drive technology coupling between the second transmission element 14 and the lock catch 4 can be realized by a simple transmission element, for example by a transmission lever.

According to another teaching, which also has independent significance, a motor vehicle lock assembly is claimed with a motor vehicle lock 2 and a closing auxiliary drive 1, wherein the motor vehicle lock 2 and the auxiliary closing drive 1 are configured separately from each other and arranged spatially separated from each other. Here is between the second gear member 14 and the latch 4 preferably a remote power transmission means, here and preferably a Bowden cable 17 mentioned above, is provided. The advantage of this further teaching is the fact that the motor vehicle lock 2 on the one hand and the auxiliary closing drive 1 on the other hand can be manufactured and mounted separately from each other.

According to another teaching, which also has independent significance, is a method for the operation of a proposed closing auxiliary drive 1, a proposed motor vehicle lock 2 or a proposed motor vehicle lock assembly claims.

It is essential according to the further teaching that, as part of the auxiliary closing operation after the auxiliary closing adjustment, the fixing device 18 is released by means of the auxiliary closing drive motor 8, so that a subsequent, in particular spring-driven, reversing adjustment is decoupled back into the initial state from the auxiliary closing drive motor 8.

The proposed method is decisively coordinated by the control arrangement 19. It is provided in a particularly preferred embodiment that the auxiliary closing adjustment in a first adjustment and the release adjustment in a second, opposite to the first adjustment direction adjustment of the auxiliary closing drive motor 8 is provided. This is advantageous insofar as a certain relaxation of the auxiliary closing drive train is connected to the release adjustment, as has been explained above.

It is preferably provided that the closing auxiliary drive motor 8 is adjusted in a time-controlled or path-controlled manner for releasing the fixing device 18. For a time-controlled adjustment of the auxiliary closing drive motor 8, the control arrangement 19 is preferably equipped with a timer which controls an energization of the auxiliary closing drive motor 8 for a predetermined period. This is advantageous because a position sensor for the auxiliary closing drive motor 8 is not required. Such a period may preferably be between 10 ms and 1 s, preferably 100 ms.

Alternatively, a path-controlled adjustment of the auxiliary closing drive motor 8 may be provided. In the path-controlled adjustment of the auxiliary closing drive motor 8, the auxiliary closing drive motor 8 is preferably associated with an incremental position sensor.

Especially in the latter two cases, it is provided that the closing auxiliary drive motor 8 is adjusted without blocking to release the Fixiereineinrichtung 18.

With regard to the further teachings may be made to all versions of the proposed closing auxiliary drive 1.

Claims (18)

Closing auxiliary drive for a motor vehicle lock (2), which has the closing elements lock latch (4) and pawl (5), wherein the auxiliary closing drive (1) in the assembled state, a closing auxiliary drive train (7) provides a closing auxiliary drive motor (8) and The planetary gear (9) connected downstream of the auxiliary closing drive motor (8) with the gear elements sun gear (10), planet carrier (11) and ring gear (12), wherein a first gear element (13) of the planetary gear (9) with the auxiliary closing drive motor (8 ) and a second transmission element (14) of the planetary gear (9) with the lock latch (4) is coupled or coupled,
wherein in the context of a Schließhilfsvorgangs the lock latch (4) by means of the auxiliary closing drive motor (8) in the closing direction (16) is adjustable by the second transmission element (14) from an initial state performs a closing auxiliary adjustment,
wherein a switchable fixing device (18) is provided, with which for producing and releasing a drive-technical coupling between the first gear element (13) and the second gear element (14) the respective third gear element (15) of the planetary gear (9) is fixable and detachable,
characterized,
in that the arrangement is such that the fixing device (18) is released by means of the auxiliary closing drive motor (8) as part of the auxiliary closing operation, so that a subsequent, in particular spring-driven, reversing adjustment of the second gear element (14) returns to the initial state from the closing auxiliary drive motor (8) is decoupled. Closing auxiliary drive according to claim 1, characterized in that in the assembled state, the auxiliary closing adjustment of the auxiliary closing drive train (7) an adjustment of the lock latch (4) in the closing direction (16), in particular from a prelocking in a main closed position or in a beyond the main closing position Überhubstellung , causes, and / or that a control arrangement (19) is provided which electrically activates the auxiliary closing drive motor (8) in the context of the auxiliary closing operation. Closing auxiliary drive according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arrangement is made such that the release of the fixing device (18) associated with a non-blocking adjustment of the auxiliary closing drive motor (8) and / or that the control arrangement (19) for releasing the fixing device (18) adjusts the closing auxiliary drive motor (8) time-controlled or path-controlled. Closing auxiliary drive according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that after loosening the fixing device (18) the reversing adjustment is spring-driven, preferably, that for generating the spring-driven reversing a return spring arrangement (20) is provided, further preferably that the return spring arrangement (20) the first or second transmission element (13,14) of the planetary gear (9) is coupled or coupled. Closing auxiliary drive according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closing auxiliary operation comprises a release adjustment of the second transmission element (14) by means of the auxiliary closing drive motor (8), in whose framework an adjustable engagement component (21) of the auxiliary closing drive train (7) in engagement the fixing device (18), this solving comes, preferably, that the release adjustment comprises a start-up adjustment, which is passed before loosening the fixing device (18), preferably that the release adjustment is opposite to the auxiliary closing adjustment. Closing auxiliary drive according to claim 5, characterized in that in the auxiliary closing drive train (7) between the auxiliary closing drive motor (8) and the planetary gear (9) an intermediate transmission element (22) is arranged, which provides the engagement component (21). Closing auxiliary drive according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the engagement component (21) at least for the release adjustment of the second transmission element (14) is adjusted without blockage, and / or that the intermediate transmission element (22) endlessly adjustable blocking, in particular endlessly, designed. Closing auxiliary drive according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing device (18) has a fixing element (24), in particular a fixing lever, which or between a fixing state, in it or he fixed the third gear element (15), and a release state in which he or he releases the third transmission element (15) is adjustable, preferably, that the fixation element located in the fixing state (24) and the third transmission element ( 15) of the planetary gear (9) are positively and / or non-positively in fixing engagement with each other. Closing auxiliary drive according to claim 8, characterized in that the third gear element (15) has at least one latching formation (26) with which the fixing element (24) located in the fixing state is in positive engagement, preferably in that the third gear element (15) has a plurality of latching formations (26). 26) and that the fixing element (24) located in the fixing state is in positive engagement with one of the latching formations (26), more preferably that the fixing element (24) and the third transmission element (15) interact in a ratchet-like manner. Closing auxiliary drive according to claim 8 and optionally according to claim 9, characterized in that the fixing element (24) is configured as a wrap spring and that the fixation element located in the fixing (24) for fixing the third transmission element (15) in braking engagement with the third transmission element ( 15) stands. Closing auxiliary drive according to claim 5 and optionally according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the engagement component (21) has a first control contour (27), via which the fixing element (24) is adjustable, and / or that between the engagement component (21) and the fixing element (24) a freewheel mechanism (29) is connected such that the engagement component (21) in a first adjustment direction (30) the state of the fixing element (24) unaffected and in a second, the first adjustment direction (30 ) opposite adjusting direction (31) adjusts the fixing element (24) in the release state. Closing auxiliary drive according to claim 11, characterized in that the freewheel mechanism (29) has a control element, in particular a control lever (32), which in the first adjustment direction (30) of the engagement component (21) is disengaged from the first control contour (27) and in the second Adjustment (31) in engagement with the first control contour (27) is or comes and thereby adjusts the fixing element (24) in the release state, Closing auxiliary drive according to claim 11 and optionally according to claim 12, characterized in that the engagement component (21) has a second control contour (33), the control element (32) in the first adjustment direction (30) of the engagement component (21) disengaged from the first control contour (27) controls. Closing auxiliary drive according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the engagement component (21) in the first adjustment direction (30) is adjustable without blocking. Closing auxiliary drive according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control element (32) is designed as a resilient bendable wire or strip, for releasing the fixing arrangement (18) in engagement with the fixing arrangement (18), in particular with the fixing element (24), can be brought, and / or that the control element (32) on the engaging component (21), in particular on the first control contour (27) is biased, preferably, that the bias of the control element (32) on the spring elasticity of the control element (32). itself, preferably, that the spring elasticity of the control element (32) also generates a bias of the fixing element (24) in the fixing state. Motor vehicle lock with a closing auxiliary drive (1) according to one of the preceding claims. Motor vehicle lock arrangement with a motor vehicle lock (2) and a closing auxiliary drive (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the motor vehicle lock (2) and the auxiliary closing drive (1) are configured separately from each other and spatially separated from each other. Method for operating a closing auxiliary drive (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 15 or a motor vehicle lock (2) according to Claim 16 or a motor vehicle lock arrangement according to Claim 17,
characterized,
in that the fixing device (18) is released by means of the auxiliary closing drive motor (8) as part of the auxiliary closing operation, so that a subsequent, in particular spring-driven, reversing adjustment of the second gear element (14) returns to the initial state from the auxiliary closing drive motor (8). is decoupled, preferably, that the closing auxiliary drive motor (8) for releasing the fixing device (18) is time or distance controlled, and / or that the closing auxiliary drive motor (8) for releasing the Fixiereineinrichtung (18) is adjusted without blocking.

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