EP3867471B1 - Motor vehicle lock - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a lock for a motor vehicle, in particular a side door lock, having a locking mechanism consisting of a rotary latch and a first pawl and a second pawl, the first pawl being able to be secured in at least one latching position by means of the second pawl, an actuating element for actuating the first and second pawl and an electric drive for actuating the actuating element and wherein the first and second pawl can be actuated by means of the actuating element.

A lock for a motor vehicle, which is also called a locking system, is used where components that are movably arranged on the motor vehicle have to be held in a secured position. Such locks are known in side doors, hoods, tailgates, sliding doors, covers or, for example, in locks for the backrests of the front passengers in a motor vehicle. Locking mechanisms are used in locks today, which interact with a lock holder. Depending on the arrangement in the motor vehicle, the motor vehicle lock moves in relation to a stationary lock holder or vice versa. The locking mechanism in the locking system has a rotary latch which can be latched by means of at least one pawl. The relative movement causes the lock holder to engage with the rotary latch, after which the pawl locks the rotary latch in the latching position.

Also in order to increase the ease of use, electric drives are used in today's motor vehicle locks, by means of which an electric unlocking of the locking mechanism is made possible.

For example, from the DE 11 2012 002 272 T5 an electrically operated lock for a motor vehicle has become known in which a locking mechanism provided with two pawls can be unlocked by means of an electric drive. Locking mechanisms that are equipped with two pawls offer the advantage that very easy unlocking is made possible, the load acting on the locking mechanism being used here. The first pawl, which fixes the rotary latch in a main locking position, for example, has an opening moment, so that the locking mechanism would open automatically without the other second pawl. The first pawl is held in its position by means of the second pawl, so that a secure locking by means of a two-pawl locking mechanism is possible. The main advantage of this design is that only very small forces are required to move the second pawl, so that reliable unlocking by means of an electric drive is made possible. The document discloses a mechanism that actuates the second pawl by means of a first lever, so that the second pawl disengages from the first pawl.

From the DE 10 2009 029 023 A1 a two-ratchet mechanism has also become known, the ratchet being divided into a carrier ratchet and a locking ratchet.

The pawl itself is held in the locked position by means of a blocking lever. In principle, the design and mode of operation of the locking mechanism is comparable, with an opening moment also being introduced into the locking pawl, so that the locking mechanism would open automatically as a result of the load acting on the locking mechanism. However, the blocking lever prevents the locking mechanism from opening. The load on the locking mechanism is generated by the locking bolt, which introduces a force into the rotary latch, preferably due to a load, for example due to the door seal. To open the ratchet, the blocking lever is disengaged from the pawl so that the ratchet opens automatically as a result of the force applied to the ratchet.

The generic prior art is through the DE 20 2006 012 091 U1 educated. Disclosed herein is an electrically operable lock for a motor vehicle with a locking mechanism consisting of a rotary latch, a first pawl and a second pawl. The first pawl can be secured in a latching position by means of the second pawl, so that an independent unlocking of the locking mechanism can be prevented. Unlocking by itself can occur, for example, when only small forces are acting on the locking mechanism due to vibrations or insufficient sealing forces, so that insufficient holding forces are acting in the locking mechanism. This independent wandering out of the resting position is also referred to as "pawl walkout". To secure the locking position, a second pawl is provided, which secures the first pawl in at least the main locking position. The electric drive, which is also disclosed, works together with an actuating element, wherein the actuating element first moves the second pawl out of the securing position before the actuating element actuates the first pawl and unlocks the locking mechanism.

More relevant prior art is provided by the WO 2011/094834 A1 described. This document discloses a motor vehicle lock with a ratchet mechanism with a first and a second pawl and with a safety lever for the ratchet mechanism which acts on the second pawl.

The known state of the art is not convincing in all respects. On the one hand, the technical solutions are complex in terms of construction and, on the other hand, due to the interaction of the pawls, the ratchet mechanisms cannot provide any final security for the ratchet mechanism opening by itself. This is where the invention comes in.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved motor vehicle lock. In particular, the object of the invention is to secure the locking position and in particular the main locking position in a two-ratchet mechanism and to reliably prevent unintentional opening. In addition, it is the object of the invention to provide a structurally simple and cost-effective solution for a secure two-ratchet mechanism.

The object is achieved by the features of independent patent claim 1. Advantageous configurations are specified in the dependent claims. It should be noted that the embodiments described below are Possible variations of the exemplary embodiments within the scope of the features described in the description and the claims.

According to patent claim 1, the object of the invention is achieved in that a lock for a motor vehicle, in particular a side door lock, is provided, having a locking mechanism consisting of a rotary latch, a first pawl and a second pawl, the first pawl being locked by means of the second pawl in at least one latching position can be secured, an actuating element for actuating the first and second pawl and an electric drive for actuating the actuating element, and wherein the actuating element has a securing element for the locking mechanism. According to the invention, the securing element prevents the first pawl from independently moving out of the area of engagement with the locking mechanism. According to the invention, the securing element is also arranged between the actuating element and the first pawl and interacts with the first pawl so that the first pawl is secured twice. The construction of the motor vehicle lock according to the invention now makes it possible to insert an additional safeguard into a locking mechanism provided with two pawls. In particular, the securing element is provided by the actuating element itself, which enables a constructively favorable arrangement of the securing means and at the same time the number of components for the locking mechanism according to the invention is reduced. The securing element arranged on the actuating element prevents the first pawl from moving independently out of the engagement area with the locking mechanism, so that unintentional opening is prevented and additional security is provided for the locking system.

When speaking of a motor vehicle lock in the context of the invention, this refers to locks that are used, for example, in side doors, sliding doors, flaps, hoods and/or covers, precisely where pivoted or displaceably 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 has a locking mechanism that includes a rotary latch and two pawls. The pawls are arranged in one plane with the rotary latch and are able, in conjunction with a lock holder, to lock the rotary latch in a pre-locking position and/or main locking position. When the locking mechanism is open, an inlet mouth of the rotary latch points in the direction of a lock holder. As a result of a relative movement between the lock holder and the rotary latch, the lock holder runs into the infeed opening and strikes a surface of the rotary latch, as a result of which the rotary latch pivots. The pawls are biased in the direction of the rotary latch, so that the first pawl engages with the rotary latch when a locking position is reached, and the second pawl secures the position of the first pawl.

The locking system or motor vehicle lock can also have a lock housing in which the locking mechanism, a locking unit, an actuating unit, a electric drive and / or transmission parts are arranged. Of course, this list is not exhaustive, but only describes components of the motor vehicle lock that can be used depending on the area of application and functionalities. The lock housing is preferably designed as a plastic injection molded part and can consist of at least one lock housing cover and a lock housing shell. The lock housing primarily serves to protect the functional components from, for example, penetrating moisture and/or dirt. The lock housing components are sealingly connected to one another at least in certain areas.

In addition, a lock case is provided, which can be designed as a bent stamped part and encloses the lock housing at least in certain areas and/or on two sides. The lock case can enclose an entry area for the lock holder and thus serve to further stabilize the lock. The motor vehicle lock is preferably directly connected and screwed to the motor vehicle body via the lock case, which can also be designed as a lock plate. Means for mounting, for example mounting openings, are preferably provided as threads in the lock plate. The lock case also serves to accommodate the axles for the locking mechanism parts.

The electric drive has an electric motor with an output shaft and a drive gear arranged on the output shaft. The drive gear is in operative connection with a driven gear. The transmission formed in this way can, for example Worm gears, spur gears or evoloid gears. According to the invention, the output gear is directly engaged with the actuating element or forms the actuating element at the same time. The transmission is preferably formed from plastic gears. This is advantageous because this makes it possible to achieve a low weight for the motor vehicle and, moreover, only low forces have to be generated, since the second pawl only has to be moved out of the engaged position with the first pawl through the use of a two-pawl locking mechanism.

The actuating element is driven by the electric motor and has at least one actuating surface which can be brought into engagement with the second pawl. The second pawl can be moved by a rotary movement of the actuating element, so that the first pawl is released and can independently move out of engagement with the rotary latch.

According to the invention, the securing element is now arranged between the actuating element and the first pawl. The direct arrangement between the actuating element and the first pawl offers the advantage of providing the securing element in the smallest possible space in the region of engagement with the pawl. At the same time, the securing element can be positioned by the actuating element, so that the actuating element simultaneously serves as a securing element in addition to the unlocking function. Advantageously, the securing element is designed as a blocking cam on the actuating element, the blocking cam having a latching position, in particular one Main locking position, secures. If the actuating element makes the blocking cam available at the same time, the locking position can be unlocked and secured with a minimum number of components. The blocking cam is arranged on the actuating element in such a way that the blocking cam additionally secures the locking position of the first pawl. The first pawl is secured by means of the second pawl according to the above two-pawl principle. In addition, the actuating element holds the first pawl in the detent position by means of the blocking cam. An independent migration of the pawls from the locking position can thus be prevented with great certainty. Even in the event that the second pawl moves out of the area of engagement with the first pawl, for example due to vibrations or strong impacts, the blocking cam on the actuating element secures the position of the first pawl. There is thus a double security for the first pawl.

In one embodiment variant of the invention, the blocking cam can be brought into engagement with the first pawl in a form-fitting manner. By receiving the blocking cam in the first pawl in a form-fitting manner, a maximum of security can be provided for the positioning of the first pawl. The blocking cam is preferably formed as a cylindrical cam on the actuating element, with the cylindrical cam being able to fit into a cooperating recess in the first pawl. The blockade cam is aligned with respect to the first pawl and interacts with the first pawl together that a migration of the first Pawl from the engagement area with the rotary latch can be prevented.

If an actuating contour is arranged between the actuating element and the first pawl, with the first pawl being able to be positioned and actuated by means of the actuating contour, a further embodiment variant of the invention results. An additional actuating contour on the actuating element adds another function to the actuating element. In addition to unlocking the locking mechanism and securing the position of the first pawl, another function is added with the positioning and actuation of the first pawl. The control element can thus be described as a multifunction control element.

The first pawl can be positioned by means of the actuating contour. After the locking mechanism has been opened, the first pawl is moved out of the area of engagement with the rotary latch. After the locking mechanism has been opened, i.e. the lock holder has been released by the rotary latch, the first pawl is spring-loaded and brought back into contact with the rotary latch. If, for example due to external influences, the first pawl does not immediately move back into the starting position, the first pawl can be moved back into the starting position by means of the actuating contour. The first pawl is then spring-loaded in the starting position against the outer contour of the rotary latch and can engage the rotary latch again after interacting with the lock holder. In addition, the first pawl can also be moved out of the engagement area with the rotary latch by means of the actuating contour. The actuator cooperates with an actuating surface with the second pawl and releases the first pawl. If, due to external influences and/or dirt in the area of the locking surface between the first pawl and rotary latch, the first pawl does not move independently out of the engagement area with the rotary latch, it is possible by means of the actuating contour to move the first pawl out of the engagement area with the rotary latch .

In a further embodiment variant, the actuating contour is arranged on the actuating element, with the actuating contour interacting with a stop surface on the first pawl. By forming a special stop surface on the first pawl, the actuating contour can be arranged, for example, as an elevation on the actuating element, which corresponds to an elevation on the first pawl. The stop surface then simultaneously offers the surface for positioning the first pawl in the starting position or detent position, wherein the stop surface can also be used to position the first pawl, ie moving the first pawl out of the starting position. Of course, the actuating contour can also be designed as a groove in the actuating element, which interacts with an elevation on the first pawl.

In detail, the first pawl can be moved into and out of a latched position by means of the actuating contour. The detent position forms the position of the first pawl in that the first pawl is able to be spring-loaded into the detent contours to intervene the rotary latch. The detent position forms the initial position of the first pawl. Advantageously, the first pawl rests resiliently against the rotary latch, so that when a pre-locking position is reached and a main locking position is reached on the rotary latch, the first pawl can engage in the locking contour of the rotary latch. The starting position or locking position of the first pawl is held in the locking position by the actuating contour itself or by a spring means.

If the first pawl has a carrier pawl and a locking pawl, this results in a further advantageous embodiment variant of the invention. This design of the first pawl is advantageous in that the first pawl can interact firmly with the stop surface on the actuating element by means of the actuating contour and can securely fix the first pawl and in particular the carrier pawl. The locking pawl then bears resiliently against the ratchet and is able to engage the detent positions with the ratchet. Advantageously, the first pawl can thus be held by the second pawl and additionally secured by the blocking cam. In addition, the first pawl is held in the latching position via the actuating contour in conjunction with the stop surface. There is thus a high level of safety when positioning the carrier pawl. An independent migration of the first pawl from the area of engagement with the catch can thus be prevented.

Advantageously, the locking pawl can be pivotally mounted on the carrier pawl. The blocking pawl can be accommodated in the support pawl as a separate component such that it can pivot and thus fulfill a separate latching function in relation to the rotary latch. The blocking pawl is then no longer bound to a movement of the carrier pawl. The carrier pawl is positionable and securable, whereas the locking pawl has the sole task of engaging with the ratchet.

If the support pawl is spring-loaded against the rotary latch and the locking pawl is spring-biased in the direction of the rotary latch, this results in a further embodiment variant of the invention. The carrier pawl must move independently out of engagement with the ratchet as soon as the second pawl releases the carrier pawl. Thus, it is advantageous if the carrier pawl is spring-biased against the locking position in the motor vehicle lock. The carrier pawl is moved into the locking position by means of the actuating contour and is held in the starting position or locking position by means of the actuating element and the second pawl. The blocking pawl is spring-biased in the direction of the rotary latch, so that it can snap into the latching surfaces of the rotary latch in the latching position of the carrier latch. A safe positioning of the blocking pawl and holding of the carrier pawl in the latching position is thus ensured.

The invention is described below with reference to the attached drawing based on a preferred exemplary embodiment explained in more detail. However, the principle applies that the exemplary embodiment does not limit the invention, but merely represents a preferred embodiment. The features shown can be implemented individually or in combination with other features of the description and the patent claims.

Fig. 1

eine prinzipielle Darstellung auf ein elektrisch betätigtes Kraftfahrzeugschloss mit einem Zweiklinkengesperre in einer Hauptrastposition

It shows:

1

a basic representation of an electrically operated motor vehicle lock with a two-ratchet locking mechanism in a main locking position

In the figure 1 a motor vehicle lock 1 is shown in principle and with the components that are essential to the invention. The motor vehicle lock 1 has a housing 2 preferably made of plastic, with the housing 2 being surrounded at least in regions by a metal lock case 3 . The housing 2 and the lock case 3 have a lead-in area 4 , with a lock holder 5 being able to interact with a rotary latch 6 through the lead-in area 4 . A main locking position is shown, in which the lock holder 5 is held in the main locking position by a load arm 7 of the rotary latch 6 . For example, a door seal results in a force F that loads the lock holder in the direction of the force arrow F. The rotary latch 6 thus experiences a moment in the direction of the force F about the axis of rotation 8. The axis 8 of the rotary latch 6 is accommodated in the lock case 3 of the motor vehicle lock. The lock case 3 additionally has three fastening points 9 with which the motor vehicle lock 1 can be fastened, for example, in a side door of a motor vehicle.

A locking mechanism 10 of the motor vehicle lock 1 is formed from the rotary latch 6 , a first pawl 11 and a second pawl 12 . The first pawl 11 and the second pawl 12 can each be pivoted about the axes 13, 14 in the lock case 3 of the motor vehicle lock 1. The motor vehicle lock 1 has an actuating element 15 for actuating the locking mechanism 10 . Together with a drive wheel 16 , the actuating element 15 forms a transmission which is driven by an output shaft 18 by an electric motor 17 . The electric motor 17 and the output shaft 18 are accommodated in the lock housing 2 and in bearing pockets 19 , 20 , 21 of the lock housing 2 . In this exemplary embodiment, the actuating element 15 is designed directly as a one-piece, driven gear wheel.

The actuating element 15 has an actuating contour 22 , a securing element in the form of a blockade cam 23 and an actuating surface 24 . The actuating element 15 can be rotated about the axis 25 in the motor vehicle lock 1 and, for example, in the lock housing.

In this exemplary embodiment, the first pawl 11 is constructed in several parts and has a carrier pawl 25 and a locking pawl 26 pivotably mounted on the carrier pawl 25 . The locking pawl 26 is movably mounted on the support pawl 25 in conjunction with a bolt 28 by means of a fork-shaped extension 27 . The bolt 28 limits the movement of the locking pawl 26. The locking pawl 26 is spring-biased toward the ratchet 6, whereas the carrier pawl 25 is spring-biased opposite the ratchet 6 and, in this embodiment, counterclockwise. A stop 29 on the carrier pawl serves as a stop surface for the actuating contour 22. The blocking cam 23 interacts with a receptacle 30 on the carrier pawl 25.

Is shown in the figure 1 the main position. The blocking pawl 26 rests against a latching contour 31 of the rotary latch 6 and in particular a main latching contour 31 of the rotary latch 6 . The carrier pawl 25 is held in a locked position by means of the first pawl 12 . In addition, the blockade cam 23, in cooperation with the receptacle 30, secures the carrier pawl 25 in the starting position or locking position. In addition, the actuating contour 22 is used in conjunction with the stop 29 to position the carrier pawl. As clearly in the figure 1 As can be seen, the locking pawl 26 is held in the direction of the main latching contour 31 by means of a spring preload. The pivoting movement of the locking pawl is limited by the bolt 28 in interaction with the fork-shaped extension. It is thus ensured that the first pawl is held and positioned securely, so that the locking mechanism 10 cannot be opened unintentionally.

To open the locking mechanism, the electric motor 17 is activated so that the actuating element 15 is rotated clockwise about the axis 25 . The operating surface 24 comes into engagement with the second pawl 12 and pivots the second pawl about the axis 13 around. The first pawl 11 is released. At this point in time, the blocking cam 23 has also been moved out of engagement with the receptacle 30 . If, after the second pawl 12 has been pivoted, the first pawl 11 does not independently move out of engagement with the rotary latch 6, it is possible for the first pawl to be moved out of the latching position by means of the actuating contour 22 in conjunction with the stop 29. For this purpose, the actuating element 15 is moved further in a clockwise direction. After releasing the rotary latch 6 and releasing the lock holder 5, the first pawl 11 can be moved back into the starting position or locking position. For this purpose, the actuating element 15 is moved counterclockwise around. If the first pawl 11 does not move back to the starting position on its own, the first pawl 11 is moved back to the starting position by means of the actuating contour 22 in conjunction with the stop 29, so that the second pawl, which is spring-loaded in the direction of the first pawl 11, also blocks the first pawl can fix again. In the open state of the rotary latch 6 , the locking pawl 26 is then spring-loaded against the outer contour 32 of the rotary latch 6 . The locking mechanism 10 can then be moved back into a pre-locking position 33 or a main locking position 31 and engage with the locking pawl 26 by renewed interaction between the lock holder 5 and the rotary latch 6 .

Reference List

1

motor vehicle lock

2

Housing

3

lock box

4

inlet area

5

lock holder

6

rotary latch

7

load arm

8, 13, 14, 25

axis

9

attachment points

10

lock

11

first pawl

12

second pawl

15

actuator

16

drive wheel

17

electric motor

18

output shaft

19, 20, 21

storage bags

22

actuating contour

23

blockade cam

24

operating surface

25

carrier latch

26

locking latch

27

forked extension

28

bolt

29

attack

30

recording

31

locking contour

32

outer contour

33

pre-lock position

f

power

Claims (9)

1. Latch (1) for a motor vehicle, in particular a side door latch, having a locking mechanism (10) consisting of a catch (6), a first pawl (11) and a second pawl (12), it being possible to secure the first pawl (11) in at least one ratchet position (31, 33) by means of the second pawl (12), a control member for operating the first and second pawl (11, 12), and an electric drive (17) for operating the control member (15), the control member (15) having a securing element (23) for the locking mechanism (10), characterized in that the securing element (23) prevents the first pawl (11) from moving independently out of the engagement region with the locking mechanism (6), and in that the securing element (23) is arranged between the control member (15) and the first pawl (11) and thereby interacts with the first pawl such that the first pawl is doubly secured.
2. Latch (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the securing element (23) is designed as a blocking cam (23) on the control member (15), it being possible to secure a ratchet position (31), in particular a main ratchet position (31), by means of the blocking cam (23).
3. Latch (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the blocking cam (23) can be brought into interlocking engagement with the first pawl (11).
4. Latch (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized by an operating contour (22) which is arranged between the control member (15) and the first pawl (11) and is intended for positioning and operating the first pawl (11).
5. Latch (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the operating contour (22) is arranged on the control member (15) and interacts with a stop surface (29) on the first pawl (11).
6. Latch (1) according to either claim 4 or claim 5, characterized in that the first pawl (11) can be moved into a ratchet position (31, 33) and out of said ratchet position (31, 33) by means of the operating contour (22).
7. Latch (1) according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the first pawl (11) has a carrier pawl (25) and a locking pawl (26).
8. Latch (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the locking pawl (26) is pivotably mounted on the carrier pawl (25).
9. Latch (1) according to either claim 7 or claim 8, characterized in that the carrier pawl (25) is spring-preloaded away from the catch (6) and the locking pawl (26) is spring-preloaded toward the catch (6).

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