EP3935245B1 - Motor vehicle lock - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, with a locking mechanism consisting of at least one rotary latch and at least one pawl, and with a release lever mounted so that it can rotate about an axis, the pawl being mounted on the release lever so that it can rotate about an axis.

The aforementioned motor vehicle lock can be, for example, a motor vehicle door lock. Basically, the term motor vehicle lock also includes tailgate locks, bonnet locks, tank flap locks, loading flap locks, to name just a few examples. The locking mechanism used at this point essentially has the rotary latch and the pawl. In principle, however, multi-ratchet mechanisms can also be used, in which a rotary latch with two or more pawls is used, as is the case, for example, in the prior art according to DE 10 2009 029 023 A1 is described.

In the above teaching after the DE 10 2009 029 023 A1 acts on the pawl in the main locking position of the locking mechanism an opening moment. In this case, the pawl comprises a rotatably mounted carrier pawl and a locking pawl connected thereto via a joint. In this way, the well-known motor vehicle lock can be opened with little effort. However, the opening moment acting on the pawl in the main locking position of the locking mechanism may lead to problems such that the pawl moves dynamically, e.g. B. while driving a motor vehicle, opens unintentionally. This process is also referred to as "pawl walkout". In the generic state of the art according to DE 102 14 691 B4 it is all about releasing the pawl from the rotary latch with the help of low release forces. For this purpose, the pawl is pivotably mounted on or on a release lever. In the locked position, the rotary latch rests against a stop face of the pawl due to a spring. In addition, the pawl rests on the rotary latch at a further point or rocking point, with the rocking point lying between a point of application and the aforesaid stop surface. The release lever engages the point on the pawl to release the rotary latch.

The well-known teaching after the DE 102 14 691 B4 is equipped with the fundamental disadvantage that the spring acts between the rotary latch and the lock case in the locking position and thus comes into contact with its detent stop on the stop surface of the pawl. In addition, an additional further spring is provided, which acts between the rotary latch and the pawl and pulls the pawl against the rotary latch.

Furthermore, the U.S. 2017/122012 A1 and the WO 2015/044463 a motor vehicle lock with the features of the preamble of claim 1.

The use of multiple springs in the ratchet is in need of improvement in several respects. First of all, springs are relatively expensive, so that the correspondingly designed motor vehicle lock has competitive disadvantages. In addition, such springs can decrease in their effectiveness in practical operation and in particular over several years, as a result of which functional impairments are possible. Finally, springs can corrode, so that, for example, additional forces have to be overcome when they are actuated. This is where the invention aims to remedy the situation overall.

The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a motor vehicle lock and in particular a motor vehicle door lock in such a way that the opening movements of the locking mechanism are made available with reduced force while taking into account a functionally reliable and cost-effective design.

To solve this technical problem, the invention proposes in a generic motor vehicle lock that the rotary latch applies a closing moment to the pawl when the locking mechanism is in the closed state, which when the locking mechanism is opened by the associated movement of the release lever and the displacement of the axis for the The pawl transitions into an opening moment on the pawl, the release lever being equipped with a stop for angular limitation of the rotational movement of the pawl relative to the release lever, with an annular recess being realized on the pawl according to the invention, into which a pin of the release lever dips as the stop and provides the desired limitation of rotational movement of the pawl relative to the release lever.

In the context of the invention, the release lever is equipped with a stop for angular limitation of the rotational movement of the pawl relative to the release lever. This stop ensures that with continued rotation of the release lever, the pawl is carried along and lifted off the catch, even if the friction between the catch and the pawl is too high for the opening moment to be sufficient to lift the pawl from the catch. In this way, a high level of triggering safety for the locking mechanism can be achieved, even in cases where, for example, the friction between the rotary latch and the pawl is increased due to the ingress of dirt. The angular movement of the rotational movement of the pawl in relation to the release lever and its limitation is implemented in detail such that the pawl is designed in the form of a fork with two fork arms on the stop side, ie in the direction of the stop on the release lever. The stop on the release lever now enters between the two fork arms. This automatically leads to the desired angular limitation of the rotational movement of the pawl relative to the release lever. Here it has proven useful if the rotational movement of the pawl relative to the release lever is limited to an angle of up to a maximum of 80° and in particular up to 50°. Of course, this only applies as an example and depends on the actual topological conditions.

First of all, a particularly functionally reliable operation is made available, which at the same time is characterized by a reduced opening torque in an opening process compared to the prior art. In fact, the rotary latch initially applies a closing moment to the pawl when the locking mechanism is in the closed state. In this way, any dynamic and unintentional openings of the pawl, for example, while driving a motor vehicle almost impossible. This means that even if the rotary latch and pawl move against one another when the locking mechanism is in the closed state, the closing moment exerted by the rotary latch on the pawl ensures that the rotary latch does not unintentionally open or the pawl cannot release the rotary latch. This is a particularly safety-relevant aspect.

At the same time and when the locking mechanism is opened, the opening process is connected with a movement of the release lever in the opening direction. At the same time, the opening movement of the release lever causes the axis about which the pawl rotates relative to the release lever to also be shifted in the opening direction. The shifting of the axis or axis of rotation of the pawl relative to the release lever during the opening process described now has the result that the rotary latch acts on the pawl when opening the locking mechanism with an opening moment.

The opening movement is supported overall by this opening moment during the opening movement of the locking mechanism. This applies both to the case that the motor vehicle lock in question is conventionally opened manually as well as when the opening process is carried out by a motor in the sense of an "electrical opening". In principle, of course, both variants can also be implemented together. Either way, the opening moment exerted on the pawl by the rotary latch when the locking mechanism is opened ensures that the opening process is facilitated overall. As a result, for example, convenience is increased when the lock is opened mechanically, and motor power can be reduced when the lock is opened electrically.

In order to implement this in detail, the design is usually made in such a way that the catch works on the pawl with a force in the closed state of the locking mechanism which is directed inwards compared to the axis of the release lever. The release lever is mounted in the lock case so that it can rotate about the axis in question. Due to the fact that the rotary latch exerts a force on the pawl in the closed state of the locking mechanism, the force direction or vector of which is directed inwards, the desired closing moment is exerted on the pawl in the closed state of the locking mechanism. The inward direction of the force in relation to the axis of the release lever ensures that the release lever and thus also the pawl mounted on it are acted upon in the opposite direction to the opening direction, ie in the closing direction. This effectively suppresses accidental openings of the locking mechanism. In the closed position of the locking mechanism, the axis of the pawl lies in an undercut with respect to the direction of the force, i.e. the direction of the force is directed in such a way that the force acts on the pawl in the closing direction and a closing moment is therefore present.

In contrast, in the opening state of the locking mechanism, the rotary latch acts on the pawl with a force which is directed outwards compared to the axis of the release lever. As soon as the release lever is acted upon manually or mechanically and/or by a motor in the opening direction, this rotary movement around its axis defined in the lock case and due to the friction between the rotary latch and the pawl causes the axis with which the pawl is released to open at the same time is mounted on the release lever, in Opening direction of the release lever is shifted. As a result of this displacement of the axis for the pawl, the vector of the force exerted by the rotary latch on the pawl also migrates over the axis supporting the release lever in the lock case and goes in the outward direction compared to the axis of the release lever. At the same time, this is associated with the desired opening moment with which the rotary latch acts on the pawl. The axis of the pawl is then in front of the direction of the force in a precut. With the opening moment, the rotary latch pushes the pawl away so that the locking mechanism opens by itself.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, a spring is also provided between the release lever and the pawl. The spring in question is usually mounted on the release lever and is designed as a torsion spring. One leg of the spring is fixed to the release lever, while the other free leg, and thus the spring as a whole, biases the pawl generally toward an elongated configuration compared to the release lever.

An additional spring is usually provided. This spring ensures that the release lever is acted upon in the opposite direction to its opening direction. In this way, the spring ensures that the release lever is not unintentionally acted upon in the opening direction, for example by vibrations or other forces acting on it when the vehicle is driving, but rather, like the locking mechanism, retains its basic position or basic position belonging to the closed position.

As a result, a motor vehicle lock is made available, which is structurally simple, in particular additional springs between the rotary latch and pawl as in the prior art according to DE 102 14 691 B4 waived. Rather, both the closed position of the locking mechanism and an opening process are implemented by a corresponding geometric and structural design of the locking mechanism. This results in cost advantages and improved functionality, also and especially on long time scales. This is where the main advantages can be seen.

Fig. 1

ein nicht erfindungsgemäßes Bespiel eines Kraftfahrzeug-Schlosses in geschlossenem Zustand bzw. mit dem im Schließzustand befindlichen Gesperre,

Fig. 2

einen Öffnungsvorgang des Gesperres,

Fig. 3

das Gesperre in vollständig geöffneter Stellung, und

Fig. 4A,4C

weitere nicht erfindungsgemäße Beispiele eines Kraftfahrzeug-Schlosses.

Fig.4B

ein erfindungsgemäßes Kraftfahrzeug-schloss.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to drawings that represent a preferred exemplary embodiment; show it:

1

a non-inventive example of a motor vehicle lock in the closed state or with the locking mechanism in the closed state,

2

an opening process of the locking mechanism,

3

the ratchet in the fully open position, and

Figures 4A,4C

further non-inventive examples of a motor vehicle lock.

Figure 4B

a motor vehicle lock according to the invention.

In the figures, a motor vehicle lock is shown, which is not limited to a motor vehicle door lock, ie one which is typically fitted in or on a motor vehicle door, not shown. In its basic structure, the motor vehicle lock has a ratchet mechanism consisting of a rotary latch 1 and a pawl 2. In alternative configurations, the ratchet mechanism can also include a number of pawls 2 and be designed, for example, as a two-ratchet ratchet, or even include a number of rotary latches. The basic structure then includes a release lever 3. To open the locking mechanism, the release lever 3 is applied manually and/or by a motor, which is indicated by an arrow P in the 2 is indicated and corresponds to an application of force to the release lever 3 in the direction of the arrow P.

The release lever 3 is rotatably mounted in a lock case 4 . For this purpose, a bolt that defines an axis 5 for the release lever 3 is anchored in the lock case 4 . In order to distinguish it from the other axes, which are to be described in more detail below, the axis 5 of the release lever 3 in relation to the lock case 4 is referred to below as the release lever axis 5 .

The rotary latch 1 is also mounted in the lock case 4, in which case a rotary latch axis 6 is defined in a manner comparable to that of the release lever 3. The pawl 2 is mounted on the release lever 3. A further axis 7, the pawl axis 7, is thereby defined. According to the exemplary embodiment, the pawl 2 is below in supervision of the motor vehicle lock of the release lever 3 is arranged, but can also be arranged above the release lever 3. In principle, mixed forms are also conceivable.

In the 1 the locking mechanism is shown in the closed state. Here, the pawl 2 interacts with a main catch 1a of the rotary latch 1, which can be seen in addition to a preliminary catch 1b that is also provided. In contrast to the usual locking mechanisms, the pawl 2 lies on the inside of the rotary latch 1 instead of on the outside. Since the rotary latch 1 is biased with respect to its rotary latch axis 6 in the opening direction by means of a spring, which to a in the 1 Corresponds to the indicated clockwise movement of the rotary latch 1 about its rotary latch axis 6 , the rotary latch 1 exerts a force F on the pawl 2 in the closed state of the locking mechanism. This force F acts on a rotary latch/pawl contact surface 8 on the pawl 2 . The force F remains largely the same in terms of amount (that is, with regard to the respective length of the arrow) in the other functional positions to be discussed below, but changes its direction, as can be seen when comparing the force F drawn in the figures. Due to the frictional forces between the pawl 2 and the rotary latch 1 , the force F in question largely comes from the contact surface between the rotary latch and the pawl 8 .

In the closed state of the locking mechanism, the rotary latch 1 acts on the pawl 2 with a closing moment. This closing moment results from the fact that the force F in question exerted by the rotary latch 1 on the pawl 2 and acting on the rotary latch/pawl contact surface 8 on the pawl 2 is directed inwards compared to the release lever axis 5 . That is, starting from the contact surface of the catch/pawl 8, the direction of the force F in the closed state of the locking mechanism is in the direction of a closing movement of the pawl 2 about its pawl axis 7, ie inwards. In the same way, the release lever 3 is acted upon by the force F in relation to its release lever axis 5 in the opposite direction to its opening direction.

However, if the locking mechanism is opened manually and/or by a motor and the associated and already described actuation of the release lever 3 in the direction of the arrow P, such an opening process causes the release lever 3 to move about its release lever axis 5, starting from its basic position according to 1 rotated slightly clockwise. This pivoting movement of the release lever 3 in the clockwise direction means that the pawl axis 7 is also pivoted in the clockwise direction. Since at the same time the pawl 2 remains on the main catch 1a of the rotary latch 1 during this process due to the friction existing between the rotary latch 1 and the pawl 2, this leads to a pivoting movement of the pawl 2 relative to the release lever 3, namely in a counterclockwise direction in relation to the pawl axis 7.

While the release lever 3 and the pawl 2 mounted thereon in the closed position of the locking mechanism as shown in FIG 1 have a rectified or collinear arrangement, such that the pawl 2 is practically oriented in extension of the release lever 3, it is now in the opening process described to the fact that the release lever 3 and the pawl 2 in one 2 indicated angle α between them. In the context of the invention, the design is such that the rotational movement of the pawl 2 relative to the release lever 3 is limited to an angle α of up to a maximum of 75°. In order to implement this angle limitation in detail, the pawl 2 is equipped with two fork arms 2a, 2b on the stop side, ie in the direction of a stop not expressly shown and provided on the underside of the release lever 3.

The stop protruding from the underside of the release lever 3 dips between the two fork arms 2a, 2b of the pawl 2. As a result, on the one hand, the rotational movement of the pawl 2 relative to the release lever 3 is limited, taking into account the angle α. On the other hand, the design ensures that the pawl 2 is held in the closed state of the locking mechanism 1, 2 in extension of the release lever 3, as in the 1 shown is. This is because the fork arm 2b on the right in the illustration strikes the stop on the underside of the release lever 3 . If, on the other hand, the opening process occurs according to the functional position in the 2 , the left fork arm 2a of the pawl 2 interacts with said stop and limits the rotational movement 2 to the angle a described.

In Figure 4B a motor vehicle lock is shown according to the invention. In the Figures 4A and 4C further variants of a motor vehicle lock which are not according to the invention are also shown, in which the locking mechanism has alternative means for limiting the rotational movement of the pawl 2 in relation to the release lever 3 . Comparable limitations of the angle of rotation or angle α are achieved as before, but with an explicit drawing in the Figures 4A to 4C omitted for the sake of clarity. An exception here is only the embodiment according to Figure 4A which shows angles α up to almost 90° at this point. That is, the additional embodiments according to the Figures 4A to 4C make it clear that the rotational movement of the pawl 2 relative to the release lever 3 is limited to an angle α of up to a maximum of 90°. In fact, you can see in the Figure 4A that the pawl 2 has an L-shape or an L-protrusion 11 for this purpose. This L-projection 11 interacts with the afore-described stop projecting from the release lever 3 in order to limit the rotational movement of the pawl 2 relative to the release lever 3 . This can be seen from the different functional positions in the Figure 4A .

At the motor vehicle lock after the Figure 4B on the other hand, according to the invention, the pawl 2 has an annular shape. In fact, in this context, an annular recess 12 is realized, into which a pin 13 dips and ensures the desired limitation of the rotational movement of the pawl 2 relative to the release lever 3 . The pin 13 is the stop that has already been mentioned and protrudes from the release lever 3 .

The variant after the Figure 4C finally works in such a way that the release lever 3 is equipped with a fork contour 14 . The fork contour 14 now in turn interacts with a stop projecting from the pawl 2 . This again leads to the desired limitation of the rotational movement of the pawl 2 relative to the release lever 3.

The already described and in the 2 shown opening state of the locking mechanism leads overall to the fact that the rotary latch 1 continues to work with the force F on the pawl 2 . However, the displacement of the pawl axis 7 and the associated angular arrangement of the pawl 2 in relation to the release lever 3 has the consequence that the force F exerted by the rotary latch 1 on the pawl 2 compared to the axis 5 of the release lever 3 or the release lever axis 5 is directed outward. This means that the force F, with its direction now working on the pawl 2, ensures that the pawl 2 is opened by the outward orientation of the force F. The same applies to the release lever 3. This means that the opening process is supported, as has already been described in the introduction.

Due to the opening process on the part of the rotary latch 1 exerted on the pawl 2 opening moment, it finally comes at the transition from the 2 to the 3 to the fact that the pawl 2 releases the rotary latch 1, which then, supported by its spring, pivots about the rotary latch axis 6 in the indicated clockwise direction and releases a previously caught and not expressly shown locking bolt. The associated motor vehicle door can be opened as a result. In this case, the overall opening forces used are lower than before, because the rotary latch 1 exerts the described opening moment on the pawl 2 in the opening state of the locking mechanism.

Finally, a spring 9 can also be seen in the figures, which is provided between the release lever 3 and the pawl 2 . According to the exemplary embodiment, the spring 9 is equipped as a leg spring with two leg arms 9a, 9b. The spring or torsion spring 9 is on the release lever 3 stored. One leg arm 9a is fixed to the release lever 3, while the other free leg arm 9b and thus the spring 9 as a whole prestresses the pawl 2 in the direction of an extended arrangement compared to the release lever 3. This extended arrangement is in the 1 shown and corresponds to the embodiment that the right fork arm 2b of the pawl 2 rests against the stop of the release lever 3.

In addition to the spring 9 already described, another spring 10 mounted in the lock case 4 is also implemented. The spring 10 is also a torsion spring. A leg 10a of the spring 10 is fixed in or on the lock case 4 . In contrast, the leg 10b of the spring 10 that is free acts on the release lever 3 in the opposite direction to its opening direction, ie with a force which acts in the opposite direction to the arrow P of the manual and/or motorized application. In this way, the release lever 3 is in its basic position according to the 1 held and can only be applied manually and/or by motor in the direction of the arrow P against the force of the spring 10 .

Reference List

1

rotary latch

1a

main rest

1b

first stop

2

pawl

2a

left fork arm

2 B

right fork arm

3

release lever

4

lock box

5

Axis / release lever axis

6

rotary latch axis

7

Axle / pawl axle

8th

Contact surface rotary latch/pawl

9

spring / torsion spring

9a

thigh arm

9b

free thigh arm

10

spring / torsion spring

10a

leg

10b

free thigh

11

L tab

12

annular recess

13

cones

14

fork contour

f

power

P

Arrow / arrow direction

a

angle

Claims (9)

1. Motor vehicle latch, in particular a motor vehicle door latch, having a locking mechanism consisting of at least one catch (1) and at least one pawl (2), and having an actuating lever (3) mounted for rotation about a shaft (5), the pawl (2) being mounted on the actuating lever (3) for rotation about a shaft (7), the catch (1) acting upon the pawl (2) with a closing moment when the locking mechanism is in the closed state, which moment transitions into an opening moment on the pawl (2) when the locking mechanism is opened as a result of the associated movement of the actuating lever (3) and the displacement of the shaft (7) for the pawl (2), the actuating lever (3) being provided with a stop for limiting the angle of the rotational movement of the pawl (2) with respect to the actuating lever (3), characterized in that an annular recess (12) is implemented in the pawl (2), into which recess a pin (13) of the actuating lever (3) dips as the stop and ensures the desired limitation of rotational movement of the pawl (2) with respect to the actuating lever (3).
2. Motor vehicle latch according to claim 1, characterized in that when the locking mechanism (1, 2) is in the closed state, the catch (1) acts on the pawl (2) with a force (F) which is directed inward in comparison with the shaft (5) of the actuating lever (3).
3. Motor vehicle latch according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that when the locking mechanism (1, 2) is in the open state, the catch (1) acts on the pawl (2) with a force (F) which is directed outward in comparison with the shaft (5) of the actuating lever (3).
4. Motor vehicle latch according to claim 1, characterized in that the pawl (2) is forkshaped on the stop side with two fork arms (2a, 2b), the stop on the actuating lever (3) dipping between the two fork arms (2a, 2b),
5. Motor vehicle latch according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotational movement of the pawl (2) with respect to the actuating lever (3) is limited to angles (α) of up to a maximum of 80°, in particular up to a maximum of 50°.
6. Motor vehicle latch according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a spring (9) is provided between the actuating lever (3) and the pawl (2).
7. Motor vehicle latch according to claim 6, characterized in that the spring (9) pretensions the pawl (2) in the direction of an elongate arrangement in comparison with the actuating lever (3).
8. Motor vehicle latch according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a spring (10) is provided which acts upon the actuating lever (3) counter to its opening direction.
9. Motor vehicle latch according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the actuating lever (3) is acted upon manually and/or by a motor for opening the locking mechanism (1, 2).

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