EP3862518B1 - Engine bonnet lock for a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the locking of motor vehicle hoods, and is particularly concerned with a motor vehicle hood latch, a motor vehicle lock module, a hood module for a motor vehicle and a method for locking a motor vehicle front hood.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Front hoods are used in vehicles, for example to close an engine compartment or a front trunk so that it can be opened. To open front hoods, for example, releasable locks are used, which are equipped with a secondary locking system that can be released separately, for example for safety reasons. For example, a bonnet jumps into a pre-locked position when it is unlocked, in which a gap is exposed at the front edge, in order to then release the secondary locking system in the form of a catch hook manually with a lever. A hood closure with a catch hook describes, for example DE 10357285 A1 . The primary locking system can be actuated, for example, via a Bowden cable which has a lever at its end which is arranged in the passenger compartment. To close will brought the front hood into the pre-locked position and then pushed it shut manually so that the lock engages in the lock. However, it has been shown that there is also a desire for further improved user comfort.

DE 10 2017 108 266 A1 deals, according to the abstract, with a hood lock that has a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least one pawl, a locking bolt and an ejector that interacts with the locking bolt, wherein the locking bolt can be brought into a lifting position by means of the ejector and with at least one electrically actuatable Means for moving the lock holder from the lifted-off position into a closed position, a drive lever being provided and the ejector and at least indirectly the rotary latch being actuatable by means of the drive lever. EP 1 455 040 A2 deals, according to the abstract, with a lock in which there is a pivoting locking member, which cooperates with a locking part and which is controlled by a motor, which serves as a closing aid for a flap. A spring-loaded hook, which is pivotably mounted on a carriage, is used as the locking element. The carriage with the hook forms a common structural unit that can be moved in two different ways and can therefore reach three different positions. The structural unit can first be moved in a translatory manner by a motor-gear between an inserted position and an extended position and acts as a closing aid for the closing part. However, the structural unit can then also be twisted rotationally from the inserted position into a rotational position, as a result of which the locking part previously gripped by the hook is released. DE 10 2011 012 656 A1 deals, according to the abstract, with a motor vehicle door lock that is equipped with a locking mechanism and with a closing/opening device. The closing/opening device has at least one drive, at least one transmission element and a drive pawl. The drive works with the interposition of the respective transmission element on the drive pawl in order to open or close the locking mechanism. A mechanical and/or electrical opening drive and a mechanical and/or electrical closing drive are each implemented with an associated opening transmission lever and closing transmission lever. The opening drive includes an opening transfer lever in addition to the opening function for the locking mechanism set up to interrupt a closing function initiated by the closing drive in conjunction with the closing transmission lever.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is therefore a need to provide a front hood latch that is easier to operate.

This object is achieved by a front hood lock of a motor vehicle, a motor vehicle lock module, a motor vehicle hood module and a method for locking a front hood of a motor vehicle according to one of the independent claims. Exemplary embodiments are specified in the subclaims.

According to the invention, a bonnet lock of a motor vehicle is provided. The bonnet lock has a mount for releasably fixing a striker bar, as well as a rotary latch with a pawl and a catch hook that is separate from the rotary latch. The striker can be inserted into the receptacle, i.e. it can be inserted into the receptacle in order to engage the catch hook there in a pre-locking configuration. With the catch hook, the striker can be tightened and brought into a locking constellation in which the rotary latch locks the striker and in which the pawl blocks the rotary latch in the opening direction.

Due to the tightening or tightening with the catch hook, it is not necessary to manually push the front hood shut, which increases user comfort. The use of the catch hook for tightening or tightening results in a design of the bonnet lock that is as space-saving and simplified as possible.

The term motor vehicle or vehicle refers in particular to passenger cars (cars), ie vehicles that have a vehicle interior for transporting people. Cars usually have additional areas in which luggage or other items can be transported. These areas can be areas separated from the vehicle interior, for example. For example, such luggage areas are known as trunks. In motor vehicles, the trunk area can be arranged, for example, in the rear area of the vehicle. at Motor vehicles in which, for example, the engine or other vehicle components that take up space are not accommodated in the front area of the vehicle, space can also be available in the front area for accommodating luggage and other objects to be transported. This area can then also be referred to as the front trunk. For example, front luggage compartments are known in motor vehicles that have a mid-engine or rear-engine concept. However, front trunks are also known in electric vehicles, in which, for example, due to the distribution of batteries in the floor assembly of the vehicle, and also due to separate drive components on the wheel suspension, front and rear trunk compartments can be offered.

When “vehicles” are mentioned above and below, this means in particular motor vehicles in the sense of a land vehicle, for example road vehicles or off-road vehicles. The motor vehicles can be intended in particular for the transport of people, but also for the transport of goods or tools such as machines and tools. The motor vehicle can be equipped with different drives.

The term "bonnet" refers to a movable element which is arranged in the front area of the motor vehicle, i.e. in front of the passenger compartment, and with which the access opening of, for example, an engine compartment or front trunk can be closed. The term "front hood" thus includes engine hoods and front trunk hoods or front trunk lids.

However, the motor vehicle lock for a front hood of a motor vehicle can also be used with a vehicle hood that is located behind the vehicle interior (seen in the direction of travel). The term front hood can also include other hoods, for example rear trunk hoods, which can also be referred to as "rear hoods" in analogy to "front hoods".

The front hood can, for example, be articulated at the rear end (seen in the normal direction of travel of the vehicle) and be detachably held at the front end in order to pivot the front hood upwards and backwards. However, the front hood can also be articulated at the front end and be detachably held at the rear end to the front hood swing upwards and forwards. The front hood can also be hinged on one side (that is, on a longitudinal side of the vehicle) and held releasably on the other side in order to pivot the front hood upwards and laterally transversely to the direction of travel.

In another example, the front hood is held in a displaceable manner. For this purpose, the front hood is initially lifted slightly out of a main closed position into a pre-closed position or pivoted into it, in order to then be moved into the open position by means of a sliding movement.

The term "strike" also refers to a striker, striker, or other geometries that can form a positive connection with the rotary latch of the motor vehicle lock to temporarily and releasably attach a movable component, such as a bonnet, to the vehicle.

For example, the motor vehicle lock can be attached to the moving component and the striker to the fixed part of the vehicle, i.e. for example to the bodywork or the supporting structure of the vehicle.

For example, the striker can be attached to the moving component and the motor vehicle lock to the fixed part of the vehicle, i.e. for example to the bodywork or the supporting structure of the vehicle.

According to one example, the pawl blocks the catch in a closed position in a locking position and releases the catch in an unlocked position. The catch can be moved from the closed position to an open position. The striker is fixed in the closed position by the rotary latch and released in the open position. The catch hook can be moved from a securing arrangement to a release arrangement. The striker is held in the securing arrangement by the catch hook and released in the release arrangement. In the securing arrangement, the catch hook can be moved from a holding position to a closing position. The striker is held fixed in a pre-locking position in the holding position and is locked in a closed position in the closed position. In the pre-locking constellation, the pawl is in the unlocked position, the catch is in the open position, and the catch hook in the securing arrangement is in the holding position. In the closing constellation the pawl is in the locking position, the rotary latch is in the closed position and the catch hook is in the safety arrangement.

For the process, i.e. the moment of closing, the catch hook is in the closing position, only to then return to the holding position when the rotary latch is blocked with the pawl.

The rotary latch has a retaining groove for receiving the striker. When pulling the catch, the catch is inserted into the retaining groove of the rotary latch and the catch is moved by the striker from the open position to the closed position, so that the pawl can engage in the closed position.

When tightening there is a changing constellation of tightening, in which initially the pawl is in the unlocked position, the catch is in the open position and the catch hook in the safety arrangement is in the holding position, but engaged with the striker. The transition then takes place during the closing process, in which the catch hook in the securing arrangement moves into the closing position and the rotary latch moves into the closed position, and the pawl engages with the rotary latch. The catch hook in the securing arrangement then moves back into the holding position.

According to one example, the ratchet is rotatably held in one option. Another option is for the catch hook to be rotatably mounted. In one example, the catch hook is moveable independently of the ratchet.

The bonnet lock can also be referred to as a motor vehicle lock for a bonnet of a motor vehicle.

The locked position can also be referred to as a lock, or as a locked position, locking arrangement or locking position. The unlocked position can also be referred to as unlocked, or as an unlocked position, unlocked arrangement or unlocked position.

The closed position can also be referred to as a closure, or as a closed position, closed arrangement or closed position. The open position can also be referred to as opening, or as opening, opening arrangement or opening position.

The fuse arrangement can also be referred to as a fuse, or as a fuse location, fuse setting or fuse position. The release arrangement can also be referred to as a release, or as a release location, release setting or release position.

The holding position can also be referred to as a holding position, holding position or holding arrangement.

The pinched position can also be referred to as a pinched position, pinched position, or pinched arrangement.

The striker is held fixed in the pre-locked position. Fixed here means that it cannot move in the opening direction, since the catch hook forms a stop for the hasp in this direction. The striker is held locked in the closed position. Locked means that the striker can neither move in the opening direction, since the catch hook forms a stop in this direction and the striker is also engaged with the receptacle of the rotary latch, nor in the closing direction, since the rotary latch forms a stop here. Holding by the catch hook is preferably only for pulling.

The striker is fixed in the closed position in the receptacle. The closed position forms the main locking position.

The main latching position of the striker can also be referred to as the closed position, the locking position or the second latching position. The pre-latching position of the striker can also be referred to as an intermediate position, as a fixing position, or as a first latching position.

The released position of the striker can also be referred to as the release position or as the free position.

The closed position of the rotary latch forms a main notch of the bonnet lock for the striker.

The securing arrangement of the catch hook forms a preliminary catch of the front hood lock for the striker during the closing process. The securing arrangement of the catch hook also forms a pre-locking or pre-release position of the bonnet lock for the striker during the opening process.

The rotary latch is rotatably or pivotably mounted and can be moved from the closed position to the open position and vice versa. The pawl is rotatably or pivotably mounted and can be moved from the locked position to the unlocked position and vice versa. The catch hook is pivotably mounted and can be moved from the securing arrangement to the release arrangement and vice versa.

According to one example, the catch hook is rotatably attached to a movably held support. The support can be moved from a first position to a second position by applying a closing force. The catch hook is in the securing arrangement in the first position in the holding position and in the second position in the closing position.

The bearing can also be referred to as a catch hook bearing or catch hook bearing. The support is held, for example, on a pivotable element. In another example, the support is held on a sliding element.

According to one example, the support is attached to a pivotable lever which is rotatably attached to a stationary lever bearing. The closing force can be introduced into the lever. The lever has a first lever portion and a second lever portion and the lever bearing is disposed therebetween. The bearing is provided on the first lever portion, and the tightening force can be inputted to the second lever portion.

The first and second lever areas can also be referred to as first and second lever elements or as (first) load lever arm and (second) power lever arm. The pivoting lever is also referred to as the closing lever. For example, the lever can be pivoted from a first position into a second position.

The support for the catch hook is in the first position of the lever in the first position in which the catch hook is in the securing arrangement in the holding position. The support for the catch hook is in the second position of the lever in the second position in which the catch hook is in the securing arrangement in the tightening position.

According to one example, the closing force can be introduced into the pivotable lever at an introduction point. The insertion point forms a first lever arm in the first position of the support and a second lever arm in the second position of the support. The second lever arm is larger than the first lever arm.

The lever arm that increases, i.e. becomes larger, is caused, for example, by an angular position of the insertion point in relation to a direction of the applied closing force. The closing force is applied, for example, as a pulling force, e.g. via a Bowden cable. In another example, the closing force is applied as a compressive force.

The increasing lever arm compensates, for example, for an increasing counteracting force of the seal when pressing on the element to be closed (e.g. front hood, trunk lid, tailgate or other vehicle door).

According to one example, one option provides for the rotary latch to be kept prestressed from the open position into the closed position. As an additional or alternative option, it is provided that the pawl is kept biased from the unlocking arrangement into the locking arrangement. As an additional or alternative option, it is provided that the catch hook is kept pretensioned by the release arrangement in the securing arrangement. As an additional or alternative option, it is provided that the catch hook is kept prestressed from the closed position into the holding position.

The catch is kept biased in the direction of the closed position, for example with a spring element. The pawl is kept biased towards the locking arrangement, for example with a spring element. The catch hook is kept biased in the direction of the securing arrangement, for example with a spring element. The catch hook is also kept pretensioned in the direction of the holding position, for example with a spring element.

In one example, the lever is kept biased from the second position to the first position. The lever is kept biased in the direction of the first position, for example with a spring element.

A stop is provided in the securing arrangement for the catch hook.

According to one example, a distance of at least 25 mm is provided between the pre-locking position and the closing position.

According to one example, an option for opening the lock is that the pawl can be moved from the locked position into the unlocked position by an unlocking force. As an additional or alternative option, it is provided that the rotary latch can be moved from the closed position into the open position by a releasing force when the pawl is in the unlocked position. As an additional or alternative option, it is provided that the catch hook can be moved from the securing arrangement into the release arrangement by an unlocking force after the rotary latch has reached the open position.

The unlocking force is, for example, an actuating force for opening the lock, for example from an actuator or control element, e.g. a manually operated grip element or an electric or pneumatic actuator controlled by an opening signal. For example, a handle (e.g. an inside handle or an outside handle) is connected to the pawl with a Bowden cable in order to unlock the lock.

The unlocking force is, for example, an actuating force to open a hood, for example from an actuator, e.g. a manually operated unlocking element or an electric or pneumatic actuator controlled by an unlocking signal.

In one example, the catch hook can be moved from the securing arrangement into the release arrangement by an actuator.

The release force is, for example, a prestressing force that acts on the rotary latch.

The actuator is, for example, an electric actuator, for example as an electromagnetic actuator that can be operated linearly (electromagnetic control element) or as an electromagnetic actuator that can be operated in a rotary manner (electric motor).

According to one example, the catch hook can be moved from the securing arrangement into the releasing arrangement by an unlocking force after the catch has reached the open position. An actuator is provided as an option, with which the arming force can be generated, ie can be generated.

The arming force can be introduced directly into the catch hook, for example manually or with an actuator. The actuator can also be referred to as an unlocking actuator or unlocking actuator.

The release force can also be introduced into the catch hook indirectly via a further element. A lever, for example, which can be moved from a rest position to an activation position, can be provided for introducing the unlocking force. For example, the lever can be moved from the rest position to the activation position by moving the striker into the pre-locking position. In the activation position, the lever is slightly raised, i.e. accessible and manually operable in the pre-locking position, i.e. the front hood is open. The unlocking force can then be transferred to the catch hook with the lever.

According to the invention, a motor vehicle lock module is also provided. The motor vehicle lock module has a bonnet lock according to one of the preceding examples and an actuator unit. The actuator unit is designed as a closing aid for the bonnet lock. With the actuator unit, the closing force can be generated to close the front hood lock.

The motor vehicle lock module can also be referred to as a front hood lock module.

For example, the actuator unit is designed as an electric drive. The drive can be internal or external.

According to one example, a pulling force can be generated with the actuator unit and transmitted to the bonnet lock.

According to one example, the front hood lock and the actuator unit are integrated into a housing structure. Alternatively, the actuator unit can be designed as a separate drive.

According to the invention, a motor vehicle hood module is also provided. The hood module has a front hood lock according to one of the preceding examples or a motor vehicle lock module according to one of the preceding examples and a front hood of a motor vehicle. The bonnet can be detachably attached to a motor vehicle with the bonnet lock.

For example, a striker is provided for engagement with the rotary latch. The striker is held in the closed position by the rotary latch and in the safety arrangement by the catch hook.

In one example, the striker is attached to the movable bonnet and the bonnet latch is located on a stationary part of the motor vehicle.

In another example, the bonnet latch is attached to the movable bonnet and the striker is located on a stationary part of the motor vehicle.

The striker is fixed in the receiver in the locked position.

For example, a striker can be fixed in the receptacle in the locking position, i.e. held, and can be moved in and out or inserted and removed in the receptacle in the open position, i.e. not fixed or not retained.

In one example, a striker can be moved into and out of the receptacle in the open position, and a striker can be temporarily locked in the receptacle in the intermediate position in the pre-locking position and in the pre-release position or pre-release position and in the locking position.

Together with the pre-locking position, the closed position forms a two-stage mounting of a front hood. The front hood is held against (further) opening both in the closed position and in the pre-locked position (or the pre-release position).

For example, the striker can be fixed in the receptacle in the closed position in a closing arrangement, can be held in the pre-locked position in a pre-release arrangement, and is released in the open position in an opening arrangement.

In the unlocked position, the rotary latch can be rotated further into the open position.

The safety mechanism described for closing and locking the front hood can also be used for other hoods of a motor vehicle. The mechanism can also be used for doors if additional security is to be guaranteed and a locking element such as a hood or a door is not to be unlocked immediately the first time it is actuated and is to be pulled shut or pressed when it is closed.

The motor vehicle hood module can also be referred to as a front hood module. The bonnet lock can also be referred to as a motor vehicle lock for a bonnet of a motor vehicle.

• Einführen eines Schließbügels in eine Aufnahme für eine lösbare Fixierung des Schließbügels;
• Hintergreifen des Schließbügels durch einen Fanghaken in einer Vorrastkonstellation;
• Anziehen des Schließbügels mit dem Fanghaken; und
• Bewegen des Schließbügels in eine Schließkonstellation, in der eine von dem Fanghaken separate Drehfalle den Schließbügel arretiert und in der die Drehfalle mit einer Sperrklinke in Öffnungsrichtung blockiert ist.

According to the invention, a method for locking a front hood of a motor vehicle is also provided. The procedure has the following steps:

• Inserting a striker into a receptacle for releasable fixation of the striker;
• Reaching behind the striker by a hook in a Vorrastkonstellation;
• tightening the hasp with the catch hook; and
• Moving the striker into a locking constellation in which a catch that is separate from the catch hook locks the striker and in which the catch is blocked with a pawl in the opening direction.

According to one aspect, the catch hook is designed to pull the bonnet lock shut.

According to one aspect, a front hood latch of a motor vehicle is provided. The bonnet lock has a rotary latch with a pawl and a hook that is separate from the rotary latch. A striker can be introduced into a receptacle in the front hood lock in order to engage there with the catch hook in a pre-locked position. The catch hook is designed to pull the striker further and bring it into a closed position in which the catch locks the striker and in which the pawl blocks the catch in the opening direction.

According to one aspect, a front hood latch of a motor vehicle is provided. The bonnet lock has a receptacle for releasably fixing a striker bar, as well as a rotatably mounted rotary latch, a pawl and a rotatably mounted catch hook. In a locked position, the pawl blocks the rotary latch in a closed position and releases the rotary latch in an unlocked position. The rotary latch can be moved from the closed position into an open position, the striker being fixed in the closed position by the rotary latch and being released in the open position. The catch hook is from a securing arrangement to a release arrangement movable. The striker is held in the securing arrangement by the catch hook and released in the release arrangement. In the securing arrangement, the catch hook can be moved from a holding position to a closing position. The striker is held fixed in a pre-locking position in the holding position and is locked in a closed position in a main locking position in the closed position.

The term “at least one/one” refers to exactly one single element, device, etc., but also includes a plurality of elements, devices, etc., in particular two elements, devices, etc., or three or more.

It should be pointed out that the features of the exemplary embodiments of the bonnet lock, or the motor vehicle lock module, or the bonnet module also apply to embodiments of the method for locking a bonnet of a motor vehicle and vice versa. In addition, those features can also be freely combined with one another where this is not explicitly mentioned.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1

zeigt ein Beispiel für ein Fronthaubenschloss in einer schematischen Ansicht.

Fig. 2

zeigt ein Beispiel für ein Haubenmodul für ein Kraftfahrzeug in einer schematischen Ansicht.

Fig. 3

zeigt ein Beispiel für ein Verfahren zum Verriegeln einer Fronthaube eines Kraftfahrzeugs.

Fig. 4

zeigt ein weiteres Beispiel für ein Fronthaubenschloss in einem Zustand mit geöffneter und nicht gehaltener Fronthaube.

Fig. 5

zeigt das Beispiel aus Fig. 4 in einem Zustand, wenn ein Schließbügel in die Aufnahme des Fronthaubenschloss einfährt.

Fig. 6

zeigt das Beispiel aus Fig. 4 in einem Zustand, wenn der Schließbügel durch einen Fanghaken in einer Vorrastposition fixiert ist.

Fig. 7

zeigt das Beispiel aus Fig. 4 in einem Zustand, wenn der Fanghaken die Fronthaube zugezogen hat.

Fig. 8

zeigt das Beispiel aus Fig. 4 in einem verriegelten Zustand.

Fig. 9

zeigt das Beispiel aus Fig. 8 mit dem Schließbügel in einer Vorrastposition.

Fig. 10

zeigt das Beispiel aus Fig. 9 mit entriegeltem Fronthaubenschloss, wenn der Schließbügel aus der Aufnahme des Fronthaubenschlosses bewegt wird.

Fig. 11

zeigt das Fronthaubenschloss im Zustand mit geöffneter und nicht gehaltener Fronthaube.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be discussed in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

1

shows an example of a bonnet lock in a schematic view.

2

shows an example of a hood module for a motor vehicle in a schematic view.

3

shows an example of a method for locking a front hood of a motor vehicle.

4

shows another example of a bonnet lock in a state with the bonnet open and not held.

figure 5

shows the example 4 in a state when a striker enters the receiver of the front hood lock.

6

shows the example 4 in a state when the striker is fixed in a pre-locked position by a catch hook.

7

shows the example 4 in a state when the catch hook has closed the front hood.

8

shows the example 4 in a locked state.

9

shows the example 8 with the striker in a pre-locked position.

10

shows the example 9 with the bonnet lock unlocked when the striker bar is moved out of the bonnet lock mount.

11

shows the bonnet lock in the state with the bonnet open and not held.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

1 shows an example of a front hood lock 10 of a motor vehicle in a schematic view. The bonnet lock 10 has a receptacle 12 for a detachable fixing of a striker 14 . The bonnet lock 10 also has a rotary latch 16 with a pawl 18 . The bonnet lock 10 also has a catch hook 20 that is separate from the rotary latch 16 . The striker 14 can be inserted into the receptacle in order to be there in a pre-locking constellation VK (see also 6 ) to engage with the catch hook 20. The striker 14 can be tightened with the catch hook 20 and brought into a locking constellation SK (see also 7 and 8 ), in which the catch 16 locks the striker 14 and in which the pawl 18 blocks the catch 16 in the opening direction.

As an option is in 1 Also shown is an automotive latch module 200 that includes an example of the bonnet latch 10 and an actuator assembly 202 . The actuator unit 202 is designed as a closing aid for the front hood lock 10 . To close the front hood lock 10, the closing force can be generated with the actuator unit 202. In a further option, a pulling force can be generated with the actuator unit 202 and transmitted to the bonnet lock. The actuator unit 202 is designed separately from the front hood lock 10, for example. In an option (not shown), the bonnet lock 10 and the actuator unit 202 are formed integrally in one housing structure. A connecting line 204 indicates the connection between the actuator unit 202 and the front hood lock 10 .

2 shows an example of a hood module 300 for a motor vehicle in a schematic view. The hood module 300 includes an example of the front hood latch 10 . The hood module 300 has a front hood 302 of a motor vehicle 304 . The front hood 302 is detachably attached to the motor vehicle 304 with the front hood lock 10 . For example, the front hood 302 is pivotally supported at a rear end with a hinge-like mechanism. The front hood 302 can be locked at a front end with a striker 306 with the front hood lock 10 . In another option (not shown), the hood module 300 includes an example of the automotive latch module.

3 FIG. 4 shows an example of a method 400 for locking a front hood of a motor vehicle. In a first step, a striker is inserted 402 into a receptacle for releasably fixing the striker. In a second step, a catch hook engages behind the striker 404 in a pre-latching configuration. In a third step, the striker is tightened 406 with the catch hook. In a fourth step, the striker is moved 408 into a locking configuration in which a rotary latch that is separate from the catch hook locks the striker and in which the rotary latch is blocked with a pawl in the opening direction.

The following are details of the example 1 also with reference to the Figures 4 to 11 explained.

4 FIG. 14 shows another example of the bonnet latch 10 in a bonnet open and unsupported state. figure 5 shows the example 4 in a state when the striker 14 moves into the receptacle 12 of the bonnet lock 10 . 6 shows the example 4 in a state when the striker 14 is fixed by the catch hook 20 in a pre-locking position, for example the pre-locking constellation. 7 shows the example 4 in a state when the catch hook 20 has closed the front hood. 8 shows the example 4 in a locked state. 9 shows the example 8 with the striker 14 in the pre-locked position. 10 shows the example 9 with the bonnet lock 10 unlocked when the striker 14 is out of the Recording 12 of the bonnet lock 10 is moved. 11 shows the front hood lock 10 in the state with the front hood open and not held.

In 1 the receptacle 12 is designed, for example, as a slit-shaped opening in a base support 22 . The slit-shaped opening can be designed with inlet bevels.

In one option it is provided that the rotary latch 16 is held in a rotatable manner. In an additional or alternative option, provision is made for the catch hook 20 to be rotatably mounted.

The rotary latch 16 is rotatably or pivotably mounted, for example, about a rotary latch axis 24 held on the base support 22 . The rotary movement is indicated with a first double arrow 26 . A first pivoting arrow 27 indicates the movement of the rotary latch 16 .

The pawl 18 is pivotably mounted, for example, about a pawl axis 28 that is also held on the base support 22 . The pivoting movement is indicated with a second double arrow 29 . A second pivot arrow 31 indicates the movement of the pawl 18 .

The catch hook 20 is pivotably mounted about a catch hook axis 30, for example. The pivoting movement is indicated with a third double arrow 32 . A third pivoting arrow 33 indicates the movement of the catch hook 20

In a locking position L1 , the pawl 18 blocks the rotary latch 16 in a closed position S1 . The pawl 18 releases the rotary latch 16 in an unlocking position L2 . The locking position L1 is in 1 shown. For example, the unlocked position L2 is in 4 shown.

The catch 16 can be moved from the closed position S1 to an open position S2 and vice versa. The striker 14 is fixed in the closed position S1 by the rotary latch 16 and released in the open position S2. The closed position S1 is in 1 shown. For example, the opening position S2 is in 4 shown.

The catch hook 20 can be moved from a securing arrangement A1 to a release arrangement A2 and vice versa. The striker 14 is held by the catch hook 20 in the securing arrangement A1 and in the release arrangement A2 Approved. Fuse arrangement A1 is in 1 and for example also in 6 shown. The release arrangement A2 is for example in 10 shown.

In the securing arrangement A1 , the catch hook 20 can be moved from a holding position P1 to a closing position P2 and vice versa. The striker 14 is held fixed in the holding position P1 in a pre-locking position P3 and is locked in the closed position P2 in a closed position P4 . The holding position P1 is in 6 shown. The pre-locking position P3 of the striker 14 is also in 6 shown. The closing position P2 is in 7 shown. For example, the closed position P4 of the striker 14 is in 7 and 8 shown.

In one option, a distance D of at least 25 mm is provided between the pre-locking position P3 and the closing position P2 .

in the in 6 shown Vorrastkonstellation VK is the pawl 18 in the unlocked position L2. The catch 16 is in the open position S2 and the catch hook 20 is in the securing arrangement A1 in the holding position P1.

7 and 8 show the locking constellation SK, in which the pawl 18 is in the locking position L1 . The catch 16 is in the closed position S1 , and the catch hook 20 is in the securing arrangement A1 . In 7 the catch hook 20 located in the securing arrangement A1 is shown in the closed position P2 . In 8 the catch hook 20 located in the securing arrangement A1 is shown in the holding position P1 .

As an option, it is provided that the rotary latch 16 is kept prestressed from the open position S2 into the closed position S1 , ie in 1 counterclockwise. As a further option, it is provided that the pawl 18 is kept prestressed from the unlocking position L2 into the locking position L1 , ie in 1 in clockwise direction. As a further option, it is provided that the catch hook 20 is held biased by the release arrangement A2 into the securing arrangement A1 , ie in 1 in clockwise direction. As a further option, it is provided that the catch hook 20 is kept pretensioned from the closed position P2 to the holding position P1 , ie in 1 up.

The rotary latch 16 is designed with a receptacle 34 for engaging the striker 14 . The rotary latch 16 also has a latching projection 36, which 1 with a locking projection 38 of the pawl 18 is engaged.

The striker 14 is indicated by dashed lines for different positions. In a first position (identified with reference number 14'), the striker 14 is still outside the front hood lock 10 and is not held by the front hood lock 10, for example when the front hood is open. In a second position (identified with reference number 14″), the striker 14 is held by the catch hook 20 and can no longer get out of it. For this purpose, the catch hook 20 has, for example, a holding projection 40 the striker 14 is locked by the rotary latch 16.

The catch hook 20 has an inlet bevel 42 at its upper end in order to 1 ) downward moving striker 14 to be moved to the side to allow the striker 14 to pass the retaining projection 40. The catch hook 20 is pressed by the striker 14 when inserted into the receptacle 12, for example to the left. The catch hook 20 then moves to the right again due to the pretension, so that the holding projection 40 holds the striker 14 .

One option provides that, for opening the front hood lock 10, the pawl 18 can be moved from the locking position L1 into the unlocking position L2 by an unlocking force. A further option provides that the rotary latch 16 can be moved from the closed position S1 into the open position S2 by a releasing force when the pawl 18 is in the unlocked position L2 . A further option provides that the catch hook 20 can be moved from the securing arrangement A1 into the release arrangement A2 by an unlocking force after the rotary latch 16 has reached the open position S2.

Figures 4 to 8 show a closing and pulling process, or locking process, of the front hood lock 10.

In 4 the striker 14 moves downwards, as indicated by a first arrow 44, in order to hit the inlet bevel 42 of the catch hook 20 and pivot the catch hook to the left, as indicated by a second arrow 46,

In figure 5 the striker 14 pushes the catch hook 20 to the left due to the inlet bevel 42, as indicated by a third arrow 48, and enters even further into the receptacle 12, as indicated by a fourth arrow 50, in the direction of the receptacle 34 of the rotary latch 16.

In 6 the catch hook 20 is pivoted to the right again, as indicated by a fifth arrow 52 . The striker 14 is held by the catch hook 20 and can no longer escape from the receptacle 12 . The striker 14 is then moved further in the direction of the catch 16 by the catch hook 20 , as indicated by a sixth arrow 54 . For this purpose, the holding projection 40 of the catch hook 20 is moved downwards.

The striker 14 enters the receptacle 34 of the ratchet 16 as indicated by a seventh arrow 56 in 7 indicated, and pivots the rotary latch 16 in the further course in the direction of the closed position, as indicated by an eighth arrow 58 in 7 implied. The catch comes into engagement with the pawl 18 and is blocked by this in the closed position. The front hood is closed and locked.

Then the catch hook 20, or the retaining projection 40 of the catch hook 20, is moved upwards again, as in 8 with a ninth arrow 60 is indicated. The catch remains in the closed position since it is blocked by the pawl 18 . The striker 14 thus also remains locked in the closed position.

The front hood is now in the closed and locked position.

In Figure 4, Figure 5 and 6 the catch 16 is in the open position S2. In 7 and 8 is the catch 16 in the closed position S1 and the front hood lock 10 is locked.

Figures 9 to 11 show an opening or unlocking process of the front hood lock 10.

In 9 the pawl 18 is no longer in blocking engagement with the rotary latch 16 and the rotary latch 16 is unlocked. The striker 14 has already moved up. For this purpose, for example, a spring element can be provided that pushes the front hood upwards a little. But the striker 14 is still through the catch hook 20 or its projection 40 is held and cannot escape from the receptacle 12.

In 9 a tenth arrow 62 indicates that the catch hook 20 is then pivoted to the left.

For example, the catch hook 20 can be released from the securing arrangement A1 (in 9 still shown) is moved into the release arrangement A2 after the rotary latch 16 has reached the open position S2.

For example, an actuator is provided with which the arming force F 1 can be generated.

In 9 a manually operable release lever 64 is shown. In a further option, a mechanical actuator (not shown) is provided instead of the release lever 64 . In a further option, the unlocking lever 64 and the mechanical actuator are provided in combination. The actuation of the unlocking lever 64 is indicated with an eleventh arrow 66 .

10 shows the unlocking lever 64 pivoted to the left, indicated by a twelfth arrow 68, and the catch hook 20, also pivoted to the left, indicated by a thirteenth arrow 70. The striker 14 can now be moved further in the direction of the opening of the receptacle 12 of the front hood lock 10, indicated with a fourteenth arrow 72.

The catch hook 20 then folds back to the right, ie it is pivoted back into the securing arrangement A1 , for example due to the pretension. The pivoting is indicated with a fifteenth arrow 74 . The striker 14 can now emerge from the receptacle 12 of the bonnet lock 10, indicated by a sixteenth arrow 76. The bonnet (not shown) is now in an open position.

The movement of the catch hook 20 for the closing action is explained in more detail below.

In 1 is shown as an option that the catch hook 20 is rotatably mounted on a movably held support 80. The support 80 can be moved from a first position AP1 , also referred to as the first support position, by applying a tightening force F2 can be moved to a second position AP2 , which can also be referred to as the second support position (see also 6 and 7 ). When the catch hook 20 is arranged in the securing arrangement A1 , the catch hook 20 is in the first position AP1 of the support 80 in the holding position P1 , and in the second position AP2 of the support 80 in the tightening position P2 .

For example, the bracket 80 is attached to a pivotable lever 82 which is rotatably attached to a stationary lever bearing 84 . For example, the catch hook axle 30 is arranged on the lever 82 . The closing force F2 can be introduced into the lever 82 .

The pivotable lever 82 can be moved from a first angular position W1 to a second angular position W2 and vice versa. In the first angular position W1 of the pivotable lever 82, the support 80 is in the first position AP1 (see e.g 6 ). In the second angular position W2 of the pivotable lever 82, the support 80 is in the second position AP2 (see e.g 7 ). An arrow 85 points in 6 and 7 the pivoting of the support 80 on the lever 82 which can be pivoted due to the movement of the lever.

As an option, it is provided that the pivotable lever 82 is kept prestressed from the second angular position W2 into the first angular position W1 , ie in 1 counterclockwise. The catch hook 20 can be moved in the securing arrangement A1 by pivoting the pivotable lever 82 from the holding position P1 to the tightening position P2 and vice versa.

In one option it is provided that the pivotable lever 82 has a first lever area 86 and a second lever area 88 (see also 4 ). The lever bearing 84 is interposed therebetween. The abutment 80 is provided on the first lever portion 86 and, in one example, the pinching force F2 may be applied to the second lever portion 88 . In 6 and 7 shows as an example that the closing force F2 can be introduced into the pivotable lever 82 at an introduction point 90 . The introduction point 90, or a force vector F2V of the closing force F2 acting on it, forms a first lever arm HL1 in the first position AP1 of the support 80 (see 6 ). The introduction point 90, or a force vector F2V of the closing force F2 acting on it, forms in the second position AP2 of the support a second lever arm HL2 (see 7 ). The second lever arm HL2 is larger than the first lever arm HL1 .

In one option, the lever arm increases (so to speak, from 6 to 7 ) in order to compensate for a counter-increasing force of a seal that is increasingly compressed, for example, by an edge area of the front hood when it is pulled shut. The combination of the fishing hook and the pivotable lever 82 forms, for example, a toggle lever.

In another example, only a first lever area is provided and the closing force F2 can be introduced into this first lever area.

The exemplary embodiments described above can be combined in different ways. In particular, aspects of the devices can also be used for the embodiments of the method and vice versa.

In addition, it should be noted that "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Furthermore, it should be pointed out that features or steps that have been described with reference to one of the above exemplary embodiments can also be used in combination with other features or steps of other exemplary embodiments described above. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting.

Claims (15)

1. A front hood lock (10) of a motor vehicle, comprising:

   - a receptacle (12) for a releasable fixation of a striker (14);

   - a rotary latch (16) with a ratchet (18); and

   - a catch hook (20) separate from the rotary latch;

   wherein the striker is insertable into the receptacle in order to engage there with the catch hook in a pre-locking constellation (VK); and

   wherein the catch hook can be used to tighten the striker and bring it into a locking constellation (SK) in which the rotary latch locks the striker and in which the ratchet blocks the rotary latch in the opening direction.
2. Front hood lock (10) according to claim 1, wherein, in a locking state (L1), the ratchet blocks the rotary latch in a locking position (S1), and releases the rotary latch in an unlocking state (L2);

   wherein the rotary latch is movable from the locking position into an opening position (52), wherein the striker is fixed by the rotary latch in the locking position and released in the opening position;

   wherein the catch hook is movable from a securing arrangement (A1) into a releasing arrangement (A2), wherein the striker is held by the catch hook in the securing arrangement and is released in the releasing arrangement; and

   wherein the catch hook is movable in the securing arrangement from a holding position (P1) into a cinched position (P2), wherein, in the holding position, the striker is held fixed in a pre-latching position (P3) and is locked in a closing position in the cinched position;

   wherein, in the pre-latching constellation, the ratchet is in the unlocking state , the rotary latch is in the opening position, and the catch hook in the securing arrangement is in the holding position; and

   wherein, in the locking constellation, the ratchet is in the locking state, the rotary latch is in the closing position, and the catch hook is in the securing arrangement.
3. Front hood lock (10) according to claim lor 2, wherein the rotary latch is rotatably hold; and
   wherein the catch hook is rotatably supported.
4. Front hood lock (10) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the catch hook is rotatably attached to a movably held bearing (80);

   wherein the bearing is movable from a first position (AP1) to a second position (AP2) by application of a cinching force; and

   wherein the catch hook in the securing arrangement is in the holding position in the first position and in the cinched position in the second position.
5. Front hood lock according to claim 4, wherein the bearing is attached to a pivotable lever (82) rotatably attached to a stationary lever bearing (84); wherein the cinching force is insertable into the lever;

   wherein the lever has a first lever portion (86) and a second lever portion (88) and the lever bearing is disposed therebetween; and

   wherein the bearing is provided on the first lever portion, and the cinching force is insertable into the second lever portion.
6. Front hood lock according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the cinching force is insertable into the pivotable lever at an insertion point (90);

   wherein the insertion point forms a first lever arm (HL1) in the first position of the bearing and a second lever arm (HL2) in the second position of the bearing; and

   wherein the second lever arm is larger than the first lever arm.
7. Front hood lock according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotary latch is held biased from the opening position to the locking position; and/or

   wherein the ratchet is held biased from the unlocking state to the locking state ; and/or

   wherein the catch hook is held biased from the releasing arrangement into the securing arrangement; and/or

   wherein the catch hook is held biased from the cinched position to the holding position.
8. Front hood lock according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a distance of at least 25 mm is provided between the pre-latching position and the cinched position.
9. Front hood lock according to any of the preceding claims, wherein for opening the latch:

   - the ratchet is movable by an unlatching force from the locking state to the unlocking state; and/or

   - the rotary latch is movable by a separation force from the locking position into the opening position when the ratchet is in the unlocking state; and/or

   - the catch hook is movable by a release force from the securing arrangement to the releasing arrangement after the rotary latch has reached the opening position.
10. Front hood lock according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the catch hook is movable by a release force from the securing arrangement to the releasing arrangement after the rotary latch has reached the opening position; and
    wherein an actuator is provided with which the release force can be generated.
11. A motor vehicle lock module (200), comprising:

    - a front hood lock (10) according to any one of the preceding claims; and

    - an actuator unit (202);

    wherein the actuator unit is designed as a closing cinching aid for the front hood lock; and

    wherein the actuator unit for closing the front hood lock can be used to generate the closing force.
12. Motor vehicle lock module according to claim 11, wherein, with the actuator unit, a tensile force can be generated and transmitted to the front hood lock.
13. Motor vehicle lock module according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the front hood lock and the actuator unit are formed integrated in a housing structure.
14. A motor vehicle hood module (300), comprising:

    - a front hood lock (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, or a motor vehicle lock module (200) according to any one of claims 11 to 13; and

    - a front hood (302) of a motor vehicle (304);
    wherein the front hood is releasably attachable to the motor vehicle by the front hood lock.
15. A method (400) of locking a front hood of a motor vehicle,
    wherein the method comprises the steps of:

    - Inserting (402) a striker into a receptacle for a releasable fixation of the striker;

    - Engaging (404) behind of the striker by a catch hook in a pre-latching constellation;

    - Cinching (406) of the striker with the catch hook; and

    - Moving (408) the striker into a locking constellation in which a rotary latch, separate from the catch hook, locks the striker and in which the rotary latch is blocked with a ratchet in an opening direction.

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