EP3746617A1

EP3746617A1 - Motor vehicle lock

Info

Publication number: EP3746617A1
Application number: EP19703637.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Frank Kunst; Andreas Ziganki; Ömer INAN
Original assignee: Kiekert AG
Current assignee: Kiekert AG
Priority date: 2018-01-29
Filing date: 2019-01-22
Publication date: 2020-12-09
Also published as: WO2019144994A1; DE102018101892A1; US20210040771A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock (1) having a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least one pawl, comprising an electric drive unit (2). The drive unit (2) interacts at least indirectly with the locking mechanism, and the drive unit (2) has an electric motor (4) with an output shaft (6) and an output means (7) secured to the output shaft (6), wherein means for guiding and/or binding (13, 15, 17, 20, 21, 23, 25, 26) a lubricant (11) are arranged between the electric motor (4) and the output means (7).

Description

Motor vehicle lock

The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock comprising a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least one pawl, with an electric drive unit to, wherein the drive unit interacts at least indirectly with the Gesper re and wherein the drive unit an electric motor with an output shaft and a driven shaft attached to the output shaft, preferably a gear, and more preferably a screw.

Motor vehicle locking systems, such as those used in doors, flaps, hoods or covers, are nowadays often provided with electric drives, which increase the comfort of the motor vehicle. Thus, it is for example possible to lock or unlock by means of a wireless remote control, the locking system or, for example, or to unlock or unlock, just to name a few examples of the use of electrical drives in the motor vehicle lock. If the electric drives in the motor vehicle lock lead to an increase in comfort, a long life of the locking systems must always be ensured over the entire service life of the motor vehicle. In particular, the gears driven by the electric gear, lever and / or slide long, ge low noise and easy to work, the locking systems and in particular the moving parts of the locking system are installed with lubricants.

If the lubricants, such as, for example, fats and / or oils, on the one hand ensure a low-noise, long-lasting and smooth meshing of the lock components, the penetration of the lubricant into the interior of the electric drive or of the electric motor should be avoided as far as possible. Lubricants get into the engine inside, so over time lubricants can deposit on the winding insulation, which can cause damage to the electric drives, as well as the cooling conditions in the engine can be affected. In order to To avoid penetrating of lubricants in the interior of the engine, various solutions have been known from the prior art.

DE 2 004 167 A1 discloses an electric motor with a rolling bearing and an oil mist lubrication provided for the rolling bearing. The Mo torwelle is guided in a roller bearing and held between two bearing caps in egg nem bearing plate. By means of a nozzle oil is guided in the direction of the rolling camp, passed through the bearings and passes over the other bearing cap and a drain opening again abge from the storage area. A disc with labyrinth chambers acts together with a sealing ring, so that the oil or oil mist can not get into the interior of the engine.

From DE 103 24 849 B4 an electric motor with a shaft seal for sealing a motor shaft of the electric motor has become known. Lubricants that reach beyond tooth gaps in the shaft behind a sealing disc of the engine are discharged purposefully. For this purpose, behind the outer sealing disc which is fixedly connected to the motor housing, a rotating sealing disc is arranged. The rotating sealing disc has a groove structure on which the lubricants direct directed radially outward. The lubricants are then removed via openings in the outer sealing washer via an annular gap. Penetration of lubricants into the interior of the engine can thus be prevented.

Another form of deriving the lubricant has become known from US 6,376,949 B1. Here, a circular centrifugal disc is arranged on the output shaft of the motor, which engages over at least one oil seal of the engine. Lubricants, which reach the centrifugal disc are derived by means of rotation and centrifugal force and get into a arranged in the cover of the motor drip tray, through which the lubricant is then discharged via a drainage line. The well-known from the prior art sealing systems for the discharge of lubricant from the interior of the electric motor are structurally complex and condition partly beyond the actual sealing addition discharge lines. The structural configurations also require a space that is not available in motor vehicle locking systems. This is where the invention starts.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved motor vehicle lock ready. In particular, it is an object of the invention, tenzu fernshal lubricant from the range of an opening of the output shaft of the electric drive. In addition, it is an object of the invention to provide a structurally simple and cost-effective solution for removing the lubricant from the loading area of the electric motor.

The object is achieved by the features of the independent patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. It should be noted that the embodiments described below are not restrictive, but rather any variation possibilities of the features described in the description and the subclaims are possible.

According to claim 1, the object of the invention is achieved ge that a motor vehicle lock is provided comprising a lock with a catch and at least one pawl, with a rule electrical drive unit, wherein the drive unit interacts at least indirectly with the locking mechanism and wherein the drive unit an electric motor having an output shaft and a drive shaft attached to the driven shaft from Ab, preferably a gear and more preferably a worm, and wherein between the electric motor and the output means, a means for guiding and / or bonding a lubricant is arranged. Due to the construction of the motor vehicle lock according to the invention, it is now possible to lubricate the lubricant in the region of an opening of the Electric motor and in particular in the area of the exit from the drive shaft of the electric motor could pass, dissipate or bind. The electric drives or electric motors in motor vehicle mechanics do not require continuous supply of lubricant, so that a completeness ended discharge of the arranged inside the motor vehicle lock lubricant is possible. Through the use of a guide and / or Bin demittels between the electric motor and the output means, the lubricant can be dissipated or bonded. This ensures that the windings in the interior of the electric motor of fats and / or oils and / or moisture and / or dusts remain free from the interior of the motorized vehicle lock.

In addition to the mentioned engine components such as windings and insolations, of course, the other engine components such as collector, commutator, brushes and contacts are also protected against damage by lubricants. The penetrating substances can favor or cause Isolierun gene and / or lead to short circuits, which is reliably prevented by the inventive design of the locking system.

A targeted derivation of the lubricant ensures that the lubricant is led away from the electric motor. Alternatively, it is just conceivable that between the driven means and the opening in the Elek romotor for the output shaft, a binder is used, that receives the reaching into the sen intermediate lubricant. Binding of the lubricant prevents the penetration of the lubricant into the neins of the electric motor.

If, in the context of the invention, a motor vehicle lock is used, then such motor vehicle locksmiths are included which, on the one hand, are electrically actuatable and, on the other hand, fix and / or hold components movably arranged on the motor vehicle during operation of the motor vehicle. The power Vehicle locks can be used, for example, in side doors, sliding doors, flaps, hoods and / or covers, ebendort where pivotally or slidably mounted components are arranged on the motor vehicle. It is also conceivable to arrange the motor vehicle lock in a backrest of a seat.

The motor vehicle lock in this case has a locking mechanism which trap a rotation and has at least one pawl. Preferably, at least one pawl is arranged in a plane with the rotary latch and is able to lock in conjunction with a lock holder, the rotary latch in a posi tion or to hold. When the locking mechanism is open, a locking jaw of the rotary latch points in the direction of a lock holder, with the rotary latch pivoting as a result of a relative movement between the lock holder and the rotary latch. The pawl is biased generally in the direction of the rotary latch, so that the pawl engages in reaching a detent position with the rotary latch. Here, a pre-locking position or a main detent position of the locking mechanism can be taken.

The electric drive unit interacts directly or indirectly with the Ge lock. In this case, an electric motor, preferably a DC motor is provided, which is received in a secure position in a housing of the motor vehicle lock. The electric motor drives an output shaft via an output shaft, which can be, for example, a toothed wheel or, for example, a worm of a worm drive. The output means in turn can engage in a gear stage or form a gear stage and interact with other components, such as levers, sliders or a worm wheel. Thus, by means of the electric drive function Stel lungs of the motor vehicle lock adjustable or initiated. In the motor vehicle lock one or more electric motors can be used in drive units. In this case, the drive unit can, for example, interact indirectly with the locking mechanism and unlock the locking mechanism, lock the locking system so that unlocking can be prevented, the locking mechanism is locked. lock or transfer the catch from a pre-locking position to a main catch position or insert, for example, a child safety, to describe only a few exemplary functions in the locking system, but always have an indirect influence on the locking mechanism. On the one hand, unlocking can be triggered, prevented or a locking of the locking mechanism can be initialized.

The output means is fixed to the output shaft or motor shaft ver prevented. The output shaft preferably has a D-shaped cross-section, the menwirkt together with a cooperating opening in the output means.

In one embodiment variant, the guiding and / or binding agent has means for slipping the lubricant, in particular a discharge collar or a centrifugal collar. The guide and / or binder may for example be formed from a mounted on the output shaft rotationally symmetric rule plastic component, wherein in the plastic component grooves are formed, which allow removal of the lubricant. By a rotational movement of the guiding and / or binding agent, the lubricant can then be purposefully discharged from the region of the output shaft. An Ableitkragen can thus be formed of a spiral-shaped groove, which transports the lubricant by means of centrifugal force in a region of the lock housing, which is not critical for the lubricant.

It is also conceivable that the means for deriving is designed as a centrifugal collar, wherein a centrifugal collar, for example, rotationally symmetrical or even as selectively formed by coverage of the output shaft extending guide groove. In this case, the groove can extend in a straight line starting from the output shaft radially outward. Preferably, the discharge means is in direct contact with the output means that the lubricant can pass directly to the discharge means. Irrespective of the geometric design of the discharge means, the discharge means acts in such a way that the means of the electric motor are introduced into the output shaft. tete rotational energy, the lubricant from the opening portion of the drive shaft from spinning out.

If the guiding and / or binding agent is formed integrally with the output means, this results in a further advantageous embodiment variant of the invention. Advantageously, the guide and / or Bindemit tel in one piece, that is, for example, in the form of an injection molded component, be formed from. The one-piece design offers the advantage of a kos tesfactory production and the possibility of a complete management of the discharged lubricant. If the output means, for example, as a plastic gear or plastic worm, it can be formed with ho hen degrees of freedom gutters or, for example, a Ableitkragen be formed on the screw. In an advantageous manner, however, the worm can also be formed from a metallic material, to which, for example, an outlet collar or a centrifugal collar can then be sprayed on. Thus, a one-piece piece can also be produced as a composite part.

It is also conceivable that a composite part in the form of a metallic screw or a metallic gear, with a molded plastic component is formed with drain grooves, which in turn cooperates with absorbent binders. In this case, the absorbent binders may be molded or attached to the discharge means. Thus, the discharge means can be formed from the output means, discharge means and binder.

In an advantageous embodiment variant of the invention, the electromobility is absorbed in a lock housing and the guide means engages over the lock housing such that a derivation of the lubricant in an area outside a motor mount in the lock housing is made possible lichbar. The electric motor is preferably held in a form-fitting lock housing housing of the motor vehicle lock. In this case, the housing has an opening through which protrudes at least the output shaft from the Motorenaufnah me. In this case, the motor mount can also collar-shaped ausgebil- det, so that a certain protective function for the outlet opening of the motor shaft can be achieved even by the formation of the lock housing. Advantageously, the guide and / or binder overlaps at least the opening of the motor mount such that a lubricant of the type is derivable that the lubricant is not feasible in the region of the passage opening of the output shaft. The output shaft and in particular the motor windings in the interior of the electric motor are thus selectively protected from the lubricants.

If the guiding and / or binding agent engages over the motor receptacle in the shape of a funnel or hat, the result is an advantageous embodiment variant of the invention. A hat-shaped overlapping the motor mount and insbesonde the passage opening of the output shaft by the electric motor to taking lock housing provides maximum protection against a lead the lubricant in the interior of the electric motor. A hat-shaped or funnel-shaped design of an end, for example, an integrally formed plastic end of a worm of a worm gear is also inexpensive and structurally easy to produce beyond.

In a further embodiment variant, the guide and / or Bin demittel acts positively with the lock housing together. It is conceivable that the lock housing of the motor vehicle lock webs, which protrude into the region of the output means. If, for example, the drive means then has molded-on or molded-on guide elements, closure of the access area of the output shaft into the electric motor is possible. In this case, for example, the guide and / or Bin demittel surround the output means annular and have an oblique or meandering shape, for example. It is also conceivable that a kind of labyrinth seal can be formed by means of the annular extension and the lock housing. The annular guide means and the lock housing engage positively in one another, so that very small annular gaps arise which prevent penetration of the lubricant. Advantageously, can be done by the combination of guide means and lock housing, a derivation of the lubricant.

If the guide and / or binder formed as a rubber-elastic seal, so there is a further embodiment variant of the invention. Rubber elastic sealants are also known in many embodiments as shaft seals. Thus, there is a cost-effective and con structive simple integration of a rubber-elastic seal in the power vehicle lock. Preferably, the seal is fastened to the lock housing or arranged between the lock housing and the electric motor.

The output shaft protrudes through the seal, wherein the opening in the rubber-elastic seal with the diameter of the output shaft korres pondiert, so that a secure sealing of the electric drive is made possible lichbar. In particular, the lock housing of the motor vehicle lock can cooperate with the rubber-elastic seal in such a way that the rubber-elastic seal fully encloses the electric motor in Be train on the driven means. Also in this embodiment variant results in a safe derivation of the lubricant, so that no Schmiermit tel can get into the engine interior. If the guiding and / or binding agent can be formed as a felt disk, this results in a further advantageous embodiment variant of the invention. A thin felt disk, which is round or square executable, can act as a favorable sealant between the engine and the driven means. In this case, the felt disk is either across a drive shaft end away mounted or the felt disk has a Monta slit, so that the felt disk is subsequently inserted into the lock housing. Advantageously, the housing can provide a guide for the felt disc, so that on the one hand easy mounting of the felt disc is possible and on the other hand, a secure positioning of the felt disc is possible. The felt washer can also be provided between a housing shell and a housing cover of the motor vehicle. Lock be included, so that a full sealing of the opening of the output shaft in the engine is possible.

In this case, the felt disk simultaneously forms a lubricant binder, so that on the one hand the lubricant derivable and on the other hand in highly viscous lubricants, such as warm or hot oils, a Absorbie ren of the oils is possible. In this case, the felt disk may also be formed in multiple layers as a composite material disc, so that, for example, cooperates a sealing plastic layer with a felt layer. In this material combination can be done on the one hand, a lubricant intake and on the other hand, a lubricant discharge. In particular, when the felt disk is saturated, the combination of felt disk and plastic layer provides a secure sealant for the lubricants.

In an advantageous manner and in a further embodiment variant, the felt disk in the housing can be guided and / or fixed, in particular in grooves of the housing feasible. By storing the felt washer in the housing of the motor vehicle lock, there is the possibility to safely mount the felt washer and to allow a permanent alignment of the felt disk with respect to the output shaft. Grooves which are formed in the housing, Kings nen thereby serve as a guide for insertion and after insertion for fi xation of the felt disc.

In one embodiment of the invention, the output means of a me-metallic material and the guide and binder is formed from a plastic. The combination of two materials of metallic output means and for example thermoplastic guide and / or binder has the advantage that on the one hand large forces over long lifetimes are transferable bar, and on the other hand has the advantage that the management and / or binding medium can be produced inexpensively. The combination of several materials can thus provide a targeted selection of materials that a allows safe derivation of lubricants from the motor of the motor vehicle lock.

The advantages described in this invention can also be transferred to a elekt romechanisches drive module, wherein an electric drive unit is provided and wherein the drive unit is an electric motor with an output shaft and an output shaft located on the drive from Ab, preferably a gear and more preferably a worm wheel having. In this case, a means for guiding and / or bonding a lubricant is arranged between the electric motor and the output means, wherein the drive module is part of a microdrive, in particular a Ladeste ckerverriegelung or a closing aid or a lock in a motor vehicle. By this construction of a drive module can inven tion according to the electric motor to be protected from penetration of a fluid.

Hereinafter, the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings with reference to a preferred embodiment tert erläu detail. However, it is the principle that the embodiment does not limit the inven tion, but merely represents an embodiment. The illustrated features may be performed individually or in combination with other features of the specification as well as the claims individually or in combination.

It shows:

1 shows a schematic representation of a motor vehicle lock with a drive unit and a gear stage and a funnel-shaped guide and / or binder, 2 shows another embodiment of a guide and / or binder in the form of a rubber-elastic seal,

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the intermediate region between the

Electric motor and the driven means with a guide and / or binder in the form of a felt disk,

Figure 4 shows two alternative embodiments of guide and / or binders with a centrifugal element and a conical guide means, and

Figure 5 shows two alternative embodiments with a lubricant telableitekragen and a guide means which cooperates formschlüs sig with the lock housing.

In the figure 1 is a dashed line a motor vehicle lock 1 in principle Darge presents. The motor vehicle lock 1 has a drive unit 2 with a worm gear 3, wherein the worm gear 3 cooperates indirectly with a locking mechanism, not shown. The drive unit 2 has an electric motor 4, which is received in a form-locking manner in a lock housing 5. An output shaft 6 protrudes from the electric motor 4 forth and carries a drive means 7, wherein the drive means 7 cooperates with a worm gear 8. The worm gear 8, in turn, can interact directly with a lever, toothed wheel and / or sliding element.

As can further be seen from FIG. 1, the output shaft 6 projects out of an opening 9 of the lock housing 5. In the engagement region 10 between rule worm gear 8 and output means 7 is preferably lubricant 1 1 can be arranged, so that after assembly of the motor vehicle lock 1 favorable friction conditions in the gear stage 12 can be achieved. Is it due to temperature influences and / or due to Frictional heat to a flow of the lubricant 1 1, it may result in a corresponding direction of rotation of the drive means 7, a lubricant flow in the direction of the arrow P. Fats are preferably used as lubricant 1 1. At higher temperatures, these lubricants 1 1 can liquefy and reach the opening portion 9 of the output shaft 6 in a corresponding direction of rotation of the drive means 7 and / or position of the drive unit 2 in the motor vehicle. By the inventive design of the guide means 13 in the form of a funnel, the lubricant 11 can be led away from the opening 9. The guide means 13 engages over the lock housing 5 at least in the opening area 9 of the drive unit 2.

The guide means 13 encloses the motor mount 14 at least to the extent that a discharge of the lubricant 11 in a region outside the Publ tion 9 takes place. Due to the structure of the guide means 13 according to the invention thus no lubricant 1 1 in the opening portion 9 of the drive shaft from 6 reach.

FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of a guide means 15. The guide means 15 is formed in this embodiment as a rubber-elastic seal 15. The rubber-elastic seal 15 surrounds the output shaft 6 sealing and is circumferentially with a log you tion flange 16 fixed to the motor housing 14 of the lock housing 5 a related party. By using proven and commercially available rubber-elastic shear seals, a cost-effective lubricant seal 15 can be provided for sealing the motor windings.

FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of a guide means. The guiding and / or binding agent 17 is designed as a felt disk 17 in this embodiment. The felt disk is firmly received in grooves of the lock housing 5. The felt washer 17 is sealingly against the output shaft 6. Now get lubricant 1 1 in the direction of Arrow P from the drive means 7 in the direction of the opening 9, the lubricant 1 1 is received by the felt disk 17. For example, in Fal le a saturation of the felt disk 17, the excess lubricant for example, via a slope 19 in the lock housing 5 derived who the.

FIG. 4 shows two alternative embodiments of guiding and binding means 20, 21. The guide and / or binder 20 is conical or designed as a conical circular ring. Since the drive shaft from preferably D-shaped, the guide and / or binder 20 can be pushed with a corresponding opening on the drive shaft from 6 and fixedly mounted.

In the embodiment according to the guide and / or binder 21, it extends the guide means 21 radially outward, with only a region-wise extension for deriving the lubricant is required. In the guide and / or binder 21, a guide groove 22 is formed, which allows a targeted discharge of the lubricant 1 1.

FIG. 5 shows two further embodiments of a guide and / or binder. A guide means 23 engages positively in an extension 24 of the lock housing 5 a. Thus, the lubricant can be derived from the opening 9. In this case, the Füh is means 23 fixedly connected to the output shaft 6.

In a further embodiment of a guide and / or binder, a combined embodiment of guide means 25 and binder 26 is shown. The guide means 25 is integral with the drive means 7 executable or anspritzbar to the drive means 7. In addition, the guide means 25 has a guide groove 27, so that the lubricant is 1 1 targeted derivable. If the lubricant 1 1 from rich direction of the arrow P coming into the guide groove 27, so the lubricant 11 due to the centrifugal force with a rotation of the output shaft radially outwardly promoted. In an end region 28 of the guide groove 27, a binder 26 is arranged, wherein the binder 26 can be mounted, for example, as a circular ring disc on the motor mount 14. The binder may be, for example, a felt disk. By the targeted derivation of the liquefying lubricant, the opening 9 can be safely protected from penetration of the lubricant 1 1. The motor windings are thus protected from contamination.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 motor vehicle lock

2 drive unit

3 worm gear

4 electric motor

5 lock housing

6 output shaft

7 drive means

8 worm gear

9 opening

10 area

11 lubricant

12 gear stage

13,15,17,

20, 21, 23,

25, 26 guide means and / or binder 14 motor mount

16 sealing flange

18 grooves

19 slope

20, 27 guide groove

28 end area

P arrow

Claims

claims

1. motor vehicle lock (1) having a locking mechanism with a catch and at least one pawl, with an electric drive unit (2), wherein the drive unit (2) at least indirectly menwirkt together with the locking mechanism and the drive unit (2) an electric motor (4) with an output shaft (6) and one on the output shaft (6) located output means (7), preferably a gear and more preferably a worm wheel, characterized in that between the electric motor (4) and the output means (7) has a means for guiding and / or binding (13, 15, 17, 20, 21, 23, 25, 26) of a lubricant (1 1) is arranged.

2. motor vehicle lock (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide and / or binder (13, 15, 17, 20, 21, 23, 25, 26) a means for deriving the lubricant (1 1), in particular a Ableitkra gene or sling collar having.

3. motor vehicle lock (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the guide and / or binder (13, 15, 17, 20, 21, 23, 25, 26) integrally formed with the output means (7) is.

4. motor vehicle lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the electric motor (4) in a lock housing (5) is taken and the guide and / or binder (13, 15, 17, 20, 21 , 23, 25, 26) engages over the lock housing (5) in such a way that it is possible to discharge the lubricant (11) into an area outside a motor mount (14) in the lock housing (5).

5. motor vehicle lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the guide and / or binder (13, 15, 17, 20, 21, 23, 25, 26) the engine mount (14) funnel or hat-shaped overlaps.

6. motor vehicle lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the guide and / or binder (13, 15, 17, 20, 21, 23, 25, 26) cooperates positively with the lock housing (5) ,

7. motor vehicle lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the guide and / or binder (13, 15, 17, 20, 21, 23, 25, 26) can be formed as a rubber-elastic seal.

8. motor vehicle lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the guide and / or binder (13, 15, 17, 20, 21, 23, 25, 26) can be formed as a felt disk.

9. motor vehicle lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the felt washer in the housing (5) feasible and / or fi xierbar, in particular in housing grooves (18), is feasible.

10. motor vehicle lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the output means (7) made of a metallic material and the guide and / or binder (13, 15, 17, 20, 21, 23, 25 , 26) is formed from plastic.

11. Electromechanical drive module with an electric drive unit (2), wherein the drive unit (2) an electric motor (4) with a drive shaft from (6) and one on the output shaft (6) located output means (7), preferably a gear and still more preferably a worm wheel, has, wherein between the electric motor (4) and the output means (7) comprises means for guiding and / or binding (13, 15, 17, 20, 21, 23, 25, 26) of a lubricant (1 1 ) is arranged, characterized in that the drive module to part of a microdrive, in particular a Ladesteckerverrie gelung or a Zuziehhilfe or a lock in a motor vehicle.