EP3803003B1 - Motor-vehicle door lock - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a motor vehicle door lock, with a locking mechanism consisting of a rotary latch and at least one pawl, and also with a closing drive and an opening drive for the locking mechanism, with the rotary latch being able to be transferred to an overtravel position with the aid of the closing drive, with the rotary latch being used to open the locking mechanism is held in the overtravel position with the help of the closing drive, so that the opening drive opens the pawl and the closing drive can then move back when the locking mechanism is open, with an additional internal actuating lever and/or an external actuating lever being provided for mechanical loading of the locking mechanism, with the opening drive working on a release lever .

Motor vehicle door locks with a locking mechanism consisting of a rotary latch and at least one pawl, which are also equipped with an opening drive for the locking mechanism, are often referred to in practice as so-called electric locks. This is due to the fact that with the help of the opening drive and an electric motor usually implemented at this point, the locking mechanism is usually opened purely electrically, namely by the opening drive lifting the pawl from its engagement with the rotary latch. As a result, the rotary latch can pivot spring-assisted and release a previously caught locking bolt, as is the case in connection with a two-ratchet mechanism as part of the DE 10 2013 103 245 A1 the applicant is described in detail.

The closing drive ensures that the locking mechanism is also closed with the help of an electric motor. For this purpose, the locking mechanism first assumes a pre-locking position, for example by an operator manually closing an associated motor vehicle door. Starting from this pre-locking position, the closing drive then ensures that the locking mechanism is transferred to the main locking position. In order for the pawl to fall securely into the associated main catch, the closing drive ensures that the locking mechanism or the rotary latch as a whole is transferred into an overtravel position beyond its main catch position.

In the generic state of the art according to DE 10 2006 035 556 A1 both an opening drive and a closing drive or a closing aid are implemented. The rotary latch can also be transferred beyond its latching position or main latching position into an overtravel position or the overtravel position already mentioned. Overall, the aim of the known teaching is to avoid damage occurring in the lock during use.

In a lock, especially for vehicle doors, which in the DE 10 2004 011 798 B3 is described, a combined motorized closing and opening aid is implemented. A first output element acts as a closing aid, while a second output element assumes the function of an opening aid. Since an associated output wheel acts on the first output element in one direction and on the second output element in an opposite direction, both functions can be implemented separately from one another.

The EP 1 404 936 B1 deals with a lock, in particular for motor vehicle doors or flaps, which works in a comparable way. In this case, too, a first output element works in a first running direction of the drive as an opening aid on the pawl. In contrast, a second output element acts in a second direction of travel of the drive part, opposite the first direction of travel, as a closing aid on the rotary latch.

Finally reveal the DE 10 2004 034628 A1 and EP1 048 808 A1 other motor vehicle door locks.

The prior art has basically proven itself in terms of the design and implementation of two-pawl locking mechanisms and in particular multi-pawl locking mechanisms, as in the DE 10 2013 103 245 A1 to be discribed. Because such multi-pawl locking mechanism are characterized by the fact that they can be moved particularly quietly into the open position. However, practice has shown that improvements are still required at this point. Because of the increasing weight of the side doors equipped with such a motor vehicle door lock, increased restoring forces of associated door rubber seals must also be overcome during the closing process, which burden the locking mechanism and associated levers during the opening process. As a result, there are still noises when opening, which operators find annoying. This is where the invention comes in.

The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a motor vehicle door lock in such a way that the noise development, in particular when the locking mechanism is opened, is further reduced compared to previous embodiments.

To solve this technical problem, the invention proposes in a generic motor vehicle door lock that the closing drive has a drive pawl and a transmission lever, the drive pawl being rotatably connected to the transmission lever at one end and being able to interact with a pin of the rotary latch at the other end. wherein the drive pawl interacting with the release lever guide contour and one with the Internal actuating lever/external actuating lever has an interactive ejector contour.

Due to this special procedure and design of the invention, a particularly gentle opening is observed. The invention is initially based on the finding that the overtravel position of the catch used to open the locking mechanism ensures with the help of the closing drive that all elements of an associated trigger chain are decoupled from opening forces built up by a rubber door seal. This means that the tripping chain in question can be transferred to the open position with virtually no force as a result of the assumed overtravel position of the rotary latch and consequently of the locking mechanism, and without this being associated with any disturbing noise development.

The release lever, for its part, ensures that the pawl is lifted from its latching position relative to the rotary latch, which position it assumed when the locking mechanism was in the closed state. Since, according to the invention, the rotary latch is held in the overtravel position to open the locking mechanism and first with the help of the closing drive, there is no longer any latching between the pawl and the rotary latch. The pawl can consequently be opened in the overtravel position of the rotary latch without canceling a latching effect with the aid of the opening drive or, in general, the release chain.

The pawl held in the open position with the help of the opening drive now ensures that the closing drive can then move back when the locking mechanism is open. The invention is based on the further knowledge that when the closing drive is retracted, the rotary latch, starting from its overtravel position, moves into the open position (possibly spring-loaded) can pass. During this process, the pawl is still held in its open position with the help of the opening drive. Here, the rotary latch passes the pawl, which cannot fall into it and can then come to rest on the opened rotary latch. Because as soon as the rotary latch and thus the locking mechanism is open, the opening drive can also return to its basic position, because the pawl is then held in contact with the rotary latch and, in the consequently assumed open position of the locking mechanism, cannot latch into the rotary latch.

In this way, a particularly gentle opening of the locking mechanism is possible, which takes place with almost no force, because the pawl is opened in the overtravel position of the rotary latch with the aid of the opening drive without overcoming any latching forces. The closing drive then moves back when the locking mechanism is open, so that the opening forces built up by the rubber door seal can be reduced in a targeted manner. As soon as the locking mechanism has assumed the open position, the opening drive is also moved back to its starting position because the pawl is held in contact with the opened rotary latch. All of these processes are associated with an astonishingly low background noise compared to the prior art. This is where the main advantages can be seen.

According to the invention, the opening drive works on the release lever already mentioned as a further component of the release chain. In addition, according to the invention, an inside actuating lever and/or an outside actuating lever is provided for mechanical loading of the locking mechanism. The inside actuating lever and/or the outside actuating lever are consequently added to the release chain and ensure that the locking mechanism in question is not only actuated by a motor, but can also be opened mechanically. In addition, the inside operating lever and/or the outside operating lever allow an additional and mechanical ejection. This generally means an interruption of a closing process and/or an electrical opening process.

For mechanical ejection, the inside actuating lever and/or the outside actuating lever usually work on a drive pawl as part of the closing drive and in this way interrupt the closing drive. In addition, it is conceivable that an electrical opening process can be interrupted mechanically. For this purpose, the opening drive and the outside actuating lever and/or the inside actuating lever can act on a common stop edge of the release lever. Since the release lever in turn lifts the pawl from its engagement with the rotary latch, it has proven useful if the release lever is mounted on the same axis as the pawl. In this way, the release lever can advantageously interact with a pin of the pawl during an opening process of the locking mechanism.

As already explained, the closing drive according to the invention has, among other things, a drive pawl and a transmission lever. According to the invention, one end of the drive pawl is rotatably connected to the transmission lever. According to the invention, the other end of the drive pawl interacts with a pin of the rotary latch. The design is also such that the drive pawl converts a motor-driven pivoting movement of the transmission lever into a pushing movement working on the pin of the rotary latch to pull the rotary latch closed.

This means that an electric motor as part of the closing drive initially ensures that the transmission lever is pivoted. The Transmission lever is in turn generally mounted in a stationary manner. The motor-driven pivoting movement of the transfer lever in this way now leads to a pushing movement of the drive pawl. Because the drive pawl is mounted at one end on the transmission lever. The other end of the drive pawl is now moved towards the pin of the rotary latch by the pivoting movement of the transmission lever and ensures that the pin is subjected to a corresponding pushing movement. This pushing movement on the pin of the rotary latch has the consequence that the rotary latch and consequently the locking mechanism are pulled shut.

In order for the drive pawl to be guided towards the pin of the rotary latch and to be able to carry out the pushing movement mentioned, the drive pawl is guided according to the invention with the aid of a guide pin on the release lever. For this purpose, the guide pin in question on the release lever interacts with a guide contour on the drive pawl.

In fact, according to the invention, the drive pawl is not only equipped with the already mentioned guide contour that interacts with the release lever, but also has an ejector contour. The ejector contour in turn interacts with the inside activation lever and/or outside activation lever. As already explained, the interaction described occurs between the guide contour and the guide pin on the release lever or the release lever itself. This ensures that the drive pawl is guided towards the pin of the rotary latch during the closing process described and, after contacting the pin, applies the desired pushing movement to it. In addition, the guide contour can interact with the opening drive via the release lever.

The guide contour and the ejector contour are generally spaced apart. In this way, a distinction can be made between an electrical or motorized traversing range and a manual or mechanical traversing range of the release lever. The electrical travel range of the release lever corresponds to the fact that the release lever is loaded with the help of the opening drive to lift the pawl from the rotary latch to such an extent that the pin or guide pin on the release lever leaves the guide contour, but does not interact or cannot interact with the ejector contour. On the other hand, when the mechanical travel range is completed, the release lever, which is acted upon with the aid of the inside actuating lever and/or outside actuating lever, interacts with its guide pin with the ejector contour on the drive pawl. As a result, the drive pawl is ejected and any closing process is interrupted because this interrupts a mechanical connection from the closing drive via the drive pawl to the pin on the rotary latch.

The drive pawl is generally designed as a frame pawl enclosing a cavity. The guide pin of the release lever can be moved in the cavity. As already explained above, the electrical movement range corresponds to the guide pin of the release lever leaving the guide contour and being moved into the interior of the cavity, but without being able to interact with the ejector contour of the drive pawl. In fact, generally inner longitudinal legs of the frame latch define on the one hand the guide contour and on the other hand the ejector contour, which consequently extend in opposite directions and essentially in the same direction.

As a result, a motor vehicle door lock and in particular an electric lock is made available which not only enables particularly gentle and consequently low-noise opening. But the motor vehicle door lock according to the invention also allows an additional mechanical ejection. This means that any closing process can be mechanically interrupted at any time. This is of particular importance if, for example, during the closing process in the closing door gap between a door leaf and the motor vehicle body, an operator's piece of clothing should be pinched or, in the worst case, even a finger. In any case, the closing process can be interrupted immediately by the operator interrupting the closing process or separating the mechanical connection via the inside actuating lever and/or outside actuating lever. This can be done simply by the operator in question operating an outside door handle, for example, and thereby acting on the outside operating lever. As an alternative to this or in addition, however, an inside door handle and therefore the inside actuating lever can also be acted upon in order to bring about the desired mechanical separation and the interruption of the closing process and/or electrical opening process. This is where the main advantages can be seen.

• Figur 1 Das erfindungsgemäße Kraftfahrzeugtürschloss reduziert auf die für die Erfindung wesentliche Bauteile in einer ersten perspektivischen Ansicht,
• Figur 2 den Gegenstand nach Figur 1 in einer anderen perspektivischen Ansicht,
• Figur 3 eine Vorderansicht des Gegenstandes nach den Figuren 1 bzw. 2,
• Figur 4 eine zugehörige Rückansicht und
• Figuren 5A bis 5C unterschiedliche Funktionsstellungen beim Zuziehen bzw. elektrischen Öffnen des Gesperres.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing that merely represents an exemplary embodiment; show it:

• figure 1 The motor vehicle door lock according to the invention reduced to the components essential to the invention in a first perspective view,
• figure 2 the object figure 1 in another perspective view,
• figure 3 a front view of the object according to figures 1 or 2,
• figure 4 an associated rear view and
• Figures 5A to 5C different functional positions when closing or electrically opening the locking mechanism.

In the Figures 1 to 4 a motor vehicle door lock is shown, which is reduced to the components and elements essential to the invention. You can see first of all a locking mechanism 1, 2, 3 from a rotary latch 1 and a pawl 2, 3. According to the embodiment, two pawls 2, 3 are realized. It is therefore a non-limiting multi-ratchet ratchet 1, 2, 3. The first ratchet 2 is according to the terminology in the previously referred to DE 10 2013 103 245 A1 designed as a comfort latch 2. In contrast, the second pawl 3 is a pre-ratchet pawl 3 (cf. in particular figure 4 ).

In the Figures 3 and 4 is the locking mechanism 1, 2, 3 in a main locking position and interacts with a locking bolt, not shown, which may be arranged on a motor vehicle body. Both pawls 2, 3 are rotatably and stationarily mounted in a lock case, not shown. In the in the Figures 3 and 4 Main locking position shown, the first pawl or comfort pawl 2 ensures that the rotary latch 1 is held in this position. On the other hand, the second pawl or pre-locking pawl 3 ensures that the comfort pawl 2 is not removed from its retracted position in a main locking position of the rotary latch 1 . For the following considerations, the focus is mainly on the first pawl or comfort pawl 2 .

To open the locking mechanism 1, 2, 3, an opening drive 4 works on a release lever 5, as in the figure 1 is indicated. In addition, the locking mechanism 1, 2, 3 can be opened mechanically and independently of the electromotive opening drive 4 independently of the electromotive opening drive 4 with the aid of an internal actuating lever or external actuating lever 6. For this purpose, an inside door handle or outside door handle, which is not expressly shown, ensures that the inside actuating lever or outside actuating lever 6 acts on the release lever 5 in a direction comparable to that of the opening drive 4 (cf. figure 2 ).

A corresponding loading of the release lever 5 in the opening direction in figure 1 indicated direction of the arrow means that a stop edge 7 on the release lever 5 to the right and in the front view after the figure 3 and the rear view of the figure 4 is moved up, like an associated arrow in the figure 3 and 4 implied.

The opening movement of the release lever 5 realized in this way causes the release lever 5 to move in the figure 3 shown pivoting movement clockwise around its axis 8 completes. In fact, the release lever 5 and the first pawl or comfort pawl 2 are mounted on the same axis, taking into account the common axis 8 in the lock housing, not shown in detail. In any case, with an opening process of the locking mechanism 1, 2, 3, a forth-going rotational movement of the release lever 5 in the leads figure 3 shown clockwise to the fact that in this process the first pawl or comfort pawl 2 is taken in the direction of clockwise movement. This is ensured by a connecting pin 9, which is connected to the first pawl or comfort pawl 2 in question and against which the release lever 5 at its described (clockwise) pivoting movement in the course of an opening process in the figure 3 moves.

As a result of this, the first pawl or comfort pawl 2 is lifted off the rotary latch 1 . Because the first pawl 2 in question performs one in the rear view figure 4 Detectable and corresponding counterclockwise movement around the common axis 8 with the release lever 5. This releases the rotary latch 1 from the first pawl or comfort pawl 2, because at the same time the release lever 5 during this process the first latch 3 about its axis 10 in the figure 4 also indicated pivoted clockwise. The now free rotary latch 1 can result in spring-assisted in the figure 4 pivot counterclockwise around its axis 11, thereby releasing the previously caught locking bolt. The locking mechanism 1, 2, 3 is open.

In this context, it is fundamentally irrelevant whether this opening process takes place via the electromotive opening drive 4 or via the inside or outside door handle and the inside operating lever or outside operating lever 6 . Because both procedures result overall in the release lever 5 performing the pivoting movement described and thereby lifting the first pawl or comfort pawl 2 from its engagement with the rotary latch 1 as described. In addition, the release lever 5 lifts the pre-ratchet 3 from the comfort pawl 2 .

In addition to the opening drive 4 already described, the motor vehicle door lock according to the invention is also equipped with a closing drive 12, 13, 14. The closing drive 12, 13, 14 has a drive pawl 14. A transmission lever 13 is also provided. The transmission lever 13 is mounted in a stationary and rotatable manner within the motor vehicle door lock or a motor vehicle housing, specifically about an axis 15. The drive pawl 14 is rotatably connected to the transmission lever 13 at one end. A further axis of rotation 16 is provided for this purpose. With its other end, the drive pawl 14 interacts with a pin 17 on the rotary latch 1 for closing the locking mechanism 1, 2, 3, as will be explained in more detail below.

The drive pawl 14 converts a motor-induced pivoting movement of the transmission lever 13 into a thrust movement working on the pin 17 on the rotary latch 1, so that in this way the rotary latch 1 and thus the locking mechanism 1, 2, 3 as a whole can be closed. This can be seen in particular in the Figures 5A to 5C . In fact, a pivoting movement of the transmission lever 13 about the associated axis 15 in the Figure 5A indicated clockwise to the fact that the drive pawl 14 mounted on the transmission lever 13 is moved in the direction of the pin 17 on the rotary latch 1 . For this purpose, a drive or electric motor 12 works on the transmission lever 13, as is the case figure 3 shows. The movement is guided on the one hand by the axis 16 and on the other hand by a pin or guide pin 18 on the release lever 5 .

For this purpose, the drive pawl 14 according to the exemplary embodiment is designed as a frame pawl enclosing a cavity 19 . The associated longitudinal limbs define a guide contour 20 and an ejector contour 21 on the inside, the design and functioning of which will be explained in more detail below. In any case, during the closing process, with the help of the already described pivoting movement of the transmission lever 13 caused by the closing drive 12, 13, 14, a guided pushing movement of the transmission lever 14 is generated, with the help of which the drive pawl 14 works on the pin 17 on the rotary latch 1 and thereby the rotary latch 1 moves in the pinch direction as seen in the Figures 5A and 5B recognizes. Actually is in the Figure 5A the locking mechanism 1, 2, 3 shown in the pre-locked position. By investing the drive pawl 14 on the pin 17 of the rotary latch 1, the transition from the pre-locked position to the Figure 5A in transition to Figure 5B to the thrust movement already described and to the fact that the rotary latch 1 and therefore the locking mechanism 1, 2, 3 is tightened.

In transition from Figure 5B to the Figure 5C Finally, in this way, the locking mechanism 1, 2, 3 reaches the overtravel position already described in the introduction. To open the locking mechanism 1, 2, 3, the rotary latch 1 is held in this overtravel position with the aid of the closing drive 12, 13, 14. As a result of this, the opening drive 4 can open the pawl or the first pawl 2 . For this purpose, the opening drive 4 is acted upon in such a way that the guide pin 18 on the release lever 5 is in the Figure 5C shown position in the cavity 19 occupies. Since the guide pin 18 on the release lever 5 is spaced apart from the ejector contour 21 in this open position of the pawl or first pawl 2 and consequently does not act on the ejector contour 21, the drive pawl 14 remains unchanged as part of the closing drive 12, 13, 14 in contact with the pin 17 of the catch 1. In the Überhubposition of Figure 5C the opening drive 4 can now open the pawl 2, 3. For this purpose, the pawl 2 is released from the spaced rotary latch 1 with the aid of the release lever 5 in accordance with the Figure 5C indicated clockwise movement lifted.

Starting from the in the Figure 5C shown Überhubposition the closing drive 12, 13, 14 can now be driven back with the locking mechanism open. Here, the opening drive 4 acts on the pawl or the first pawl 2 unchanged in the opening sense. As a result, since the pawl 2 is lifted off the rotary latch 1, the closing drive 12, 13, 14 can return to its starting position. The rotary latch 1 is opened. Now can too the opening drive 4 for the pawl 2 can be moved back to its starting position. This is because the rotary latch 1 in the open position ensures that the pawl 2 cannot fall into a latching position, but rather rests against the open rotary latch 1 .

When in the Figures 5A to 5C illustrated closing process of the locking mechanism 1, 2, 3, a distinction can be made between an electrical and mechanical travel range of the release lever 5. The electrical displacement range of the release lever 5 corresponds to the guide pin 18 on the release lever 5 assuming a position which corresponds approximately to its arrangement in the cavity 19 of the drive pawl 14 . This is to be distinguished from the mechanical travel range, which corresponds to the guide pin 18 in question being able to interact on the release lever 5 with the ejector contour 21 . This is exemplified by the functional sequences according to the Figures 5B and 5C to understand. The closing process can be mechanically interrupted at any time. All that is required for this is that the inside actuating lever or outside actuating lever 6 is acted upon via the already mentioned inside door handle or outside door handle in such a way that the release lever 5 is pivoted, to the extent that its guide pin 18 comes to rest on the ejector contour 21. As a result, the drive pawl 14 may be ejected and consequently the cinching operation is interrupted. This is because the closing drive 12, 13, 14 is then mechanically separated from the rotary latch 1 because the drive pawl 14 can no longer act on the pin 17 on the rotary latch 1 with the pushing movement described. Reference sign designation 1 rotary latch 2 comfort latch 3 pre-ratchet 4 opening drive 5 release lever 6 Inside control lever/Outside control lever 7 stop edge 8th axis 9 connecting pin 10 Axis of the pre-ratchet 11 Axis of the rotary latch 12 closing drive 13 transmission lever 14 drive pawl 15 Axis of the transmission lever 16 axis of rotation 17 Pivot on the rotary latch 18 Guide pin on the release lever 19 cavity 20 guide contour 21 ejector contour

Claims (10)

1. Motor vehicle door latch comprising a locking mechanism (1, 2, 3) consisting of a catch (1) and at least one pawl (2, 3), further comprising a closing drive (12, 13, 14) and an opening drive (4) for the locking mechanism (1, 2, 3), wherein the catch (1) can be transferred to an overtravel position by means of the closing drive (12, 13, 14), wherein,

   in order to open the locking mechanism (1, 2, 3), the catch (1) is held in the overtravel position by means of the closing drive (12,13, 14), so that the opening drive (4) opens the pawl (2, 3) and the closing drive (12, 13, 14) can then move back when the locking mechanism (1, 2, 3) is open, wherein an internal actuating lever and/or an external actuating lever (6) is additionally provided for mechanically applying the locking mechanism (1, 2, 3), wherein the opening drive (4) acts on a release lever (5),

   characterized in that

   the closing drive (12, 13, 14) has a drive pawl (14) and a transfer lever (13), wherein one end of the drive pawl (14) is rotatably connected to the transfer lever (13) and the other end can interact with a pin (17) of the catch (1),

   and wherein the drive pawl (14) has a guide contour (20) which interacts with the release lever (5) and an ejector contour (21) which interacts with the internal actuating lever/external actuating lever (6).
2. Motor vehicle door latch according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening drive (4) moves back into its starting position when the locking mechanism (1, 2, 3) is open.
3. Motor vehicle door latch according to either of claims 1 to 2,
   characterized in that the opening drive (4) and the external operating lever/internal operating lever (6) engage on a common stop edge (7) of the release lever (5).
4. Motor vehicle door latch according to any of claims 1 to 3,
   characterized in that the release lever (5) is mounted coaxially with the locking pawl (2).
5. Motor vehicle door latch according to any of claims 1 to 4,
   characterized in that the release lever (5) interacts with a pin (9) of the pawl (2) during an opening process of the locking mechanism (1, 2, 3).
6. Motor vehicle door latch according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive pawl (14) converts a motorized pivoting movement of the transfer lever (13) into a pushing movement that acts on the pin (17) on the catch (1) in order to close the catch (1).
7. Motor vehicle door latch according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide contour (20) interacts with a guide pin (18) on the release lever (5).
8. Motor vehicle door latch according to claim 1, characterized in that the ejection contour (21) interacts with the internal operating lever/external operating lever (6) via the release lever (5).
9. Motor vehicle door latch according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide contour (20) and the ejection contour (21) are spaced apart from one another, so that a motorized and a manual movement range of the release lever (5) can be distinguished from one another.
10. Motor vehicle door latch according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive pawl (14) is designed as a frame pawl which encloses a cavity (19) together with the guide pin (18) of the release lever (5) which can be moved therein, the internal longitudinal legs of which frame pawl define the guide contour (20) and the ejection contour (21).

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