EP3973124A1

EP3973124A1 - Motor vehicle lock

Info

Publication number: EP3973124A1
Application number: EP20740186.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Carsten Fuchs
Original assignee: Kiekert AG
Current assignee: Kiekert AG
Priority date: 2019-05-21
Filing date: 2020-05-14
Publication date: 2022-03-30
Also published as: DE102019113422A1; CN113906188A; WO2020233743A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock (1) for a movable part (110) of a vehicle (100), having a lock housing (10) in which a locking mechanism (2) consisting of at least one pawl (3) and a rotary latch (4) is arranged, and having at least one damping element (20), wherein the damping element (20) is arranged in the lock housing (10) in such a way that at least the pawl (3) and/or the rotary latch (4) can be brought into contact with the damping element (20), wherein the at least one damping element (20) has a progressive damping characteristic (a).

Description

Motor vehicle lock

description

The present invention relates to the field of motor vehicle locking systems and relates to a motor vehicle lock according to the preamble of the independent device claim.

Nowadays the demands on door acoustics are getting higher and higher. The locking mechanism of door locks causes z. B. when opening / unlocking the motor vehicle lock a noise perceptible by the user. The noise is generated in particular by the locking mechanism, which can be brought into operative connection with a locking bolt on the vehicle, with the unlocking release of the rotary latch and rotating around the rotary latch axis into an unlocking position. The rotary latch is usually spring-loaded so that a movement in the direction of the unlocking position can be ensured. In addition, the door sealing pressure acts on the locking mechanism, in particular the rotary latch, and thus also contributes to the opening movement. The locking mechanism usually comprises metal and / or plastic and comes to a stop in the lock housing at its unlocking position. If the rotary latch and / or the pawl hits this stop, the above-mentioned noises occur.

Numerous damping elements are already known from the prior art, which are intended to take account of the above-mentioned requirements. These are usually arranged on the lock plate, the lock case or a cover and act as a stop for the rotary latch or the pawl.

From DE 20 2005 010 526 U1 a ratchet damper is known which is arranged on a lock plate and interacts with a contour of the rotary latch. The locking damper is essentially cylindrical and geometrically complementary to formed the rotary latch portion. Such a cylindrical locking damper is also known from DE 20 2005 020 452 U1, which can be brought into contact with the rotary latch and can additionally roll on the rotary latch. DE 10 2014 014 731 A1 shows a further development of the aforementioned locks in which an additional damping element is arranged in the lock, which can be brought into contact with the rotary latch.

The disadvantage of the known prior art is that the indicated damping elements do not adequately meet the requirements for opening acoustics. In particular, the prior art does not show a solution for opening / unlocking with as little noise as possible.

The present invention is therefore based on the technical object of providing at least one motor vehicle lock, the disadvantages of the prior art being at least reduced. In particular, the object of the present invention is to propose a motor vehicle lock which provides a low-noise locking mechanism, preferably a low-noise opening process, in a structurally simple manner.

The above object is achieved by a motor vehicle lock having the features according to independent claim 1.

Further features, details, advantageous developments and improvements of the invention emerge from the subclaims, the description and the drawings. The features described in the patent claims, the description, the drawings and the subclaims can be combined or varied with one another in any desired, technologically sensible manner and can show further embodiments of the invention. It should be noted that the exemplary embodiments described below to explain the invention are not restrictive. According to the invention, the object is achieved by a motor vehicle lock for a movable part of a vehicle, in particular a door, flap, tailgate, seat, charging plug lock, hood or sliding door. The motor vehicle lock has a locking mechanism made up of at least one pawl and a rotary latch and at least one damping element assigned to the locking mechanism. The damping element is arranged in the lock housing in such a way that at least the pawl and / or the rotary latch can be brought into contact with the damping element. According to the invention, that at least one damping element has a progressive damping characteristic.

According to the invention, a progressive damping characteristic curve means that the force is increased as the deflection / immersion of the rotary latch or pawl into the damping element increases. This progressive damping behavior is z. B. known in shock absorbers for bicycles or motor vehicles. The characteristics of the damping element thus have an influence on the opening acoustics, in particular on the impact of the locking part on the damping element.

A major advantage of the motor vehicle lock according to the invention is that the first contact of the rotary latch or pawl with the damping element is as gentle as possible and the contact is thus made with little noise, in particular less noise than with previous damping elements. The progressive course enables a gentle first contact, while at the same time the catch or pawl can further dip into the damping element (i.e. compress / deform the damping element) so that the energy can be completely absorbed. One can therefore also speak of a soft response behavior, which enables an increase in comfort through improved opening acoustics.

The damping element is arranged in the lock housing so that at least the rotary latch and / or the pawl are braked and stopped during and / or at the end of the opening movement, i.e. the unlocking movement of the locking mechanism, and thus serves as a stop. Generic Motor vehicle locksmiths can have at least one lock housing, a lock cover and a lock case (subsumed under the term lock housing below), the locking mechanism thus being essentially enclosed / locked by the lock housing. Accordingly, the damping element can be arranged on one of the components belonging to the lock housing, lock case and lock cover or housing.

If a motor vehicle lock for a movable part is referred to as a motor vehicle in the context of the invention, this should be understood to mean at least side door locks, wing door locks, swing doors, patch doors, patch flap locks and leaf locks or bonnet locks and charging plug locks. These all fall under the generic term motor vehicle lock.

The contact between the rotary latch and / or pawl and the at least one damping element can take place according to the invention during the opening movement and / or at the end of the opening movement. In particular and preferably, the damping element is designed as a stop for the rotary latch or pawl.

In addition, it is advantageous if the damping element comprises a stop section for the pawl and / or the rotary latch, the stop section having a point-shaped or vertically extending linear contact area on which the damping element and the pawl and / or the rotary latch can be brought into contact. This enables a small contact area which enables soft immersion, that is to say a soft response behavior can be achieved.

According to a particularly advantageous development, the width of the stop section increases starting from the contact area. This means that the damping element widens or widens in the course of the stop section. The area of the contact area is as small as possible. The stop section is preferably designed to taper to a point so that the contact area is as small as possible. By the so shaped geometry, the progressivity of the damping element can be easily changed / adapted.

In the context of the invention, at least the stop section can be essentially triangular.

According to the invention, the damping element, in particular the stop section, can have at least one material recess, as a result of which the damping characteristic can be changed. The recess can, for. B. be designed as a bore or blind hole. The response behavior can be influenced by the material recess in such a way that the damping element can deform more easily in the region of the recess. Thus, the locking part can immerse more gently. The damping characteristic and thus the response behavior can therefore be changed in sections on the damping element.

The rotary latch of a motor vehicle lock usually has a fork-shaped inlet slot formed by the load arm and catch arm, in which the locking bolt of a vehicle door or flap enters when the door or flap is closed. The locking bolt then pivots the rotary latch, which can be locked in place via the pawl. The locking bolt can then no longer leave the inlet slot of the rotary latch. This detent position is also called the down position. The locking of the rotary latch and the pawl can preferably take place on the load arm of the rotary latch. For this purpose, the load arm has corresponding contours (latching contours) for different latching positions (preliminary latching, flaup latching) at which the pawl contacts the rotary latch and latches. A damping element according to the invention preferably interacts at least in sections with the load arm and / or catch arm of the rotary latch.

The damping element can advantageously be designed as a 2-component component, in particular the two components having degrees of flattening that differ from one another. In particular, the two components can be manufactured using a plastic injection molding process, which reduces manufacturing costs can be reduced. If the components have different degrees of hardness, the damping characteristic can be adapted to the circumstances.

The hardness at the contact area is preferably smaller / less than in the remaining area of the stop section. For example, the contact area can be made of a softer material so that a soft initial contact with the locking component can be achieved. In order to absorb the remaining energy, the second component can be made harder, so that the second component is less deformed.

It can be advantageous if the damping element has an angle a in the region of the stop section, the angle a between approximately 25 ° and approximately 160 °, preferably between approximately 50 ° and approximately 130 °, particularly preferably between approximately 75 ° and approximately 1 15 °.

It is also conceivable that the damping element is arranged in the lock housing in such a way that the pawl and / or the rotary latch contact the damping element in an open position of the lock and / or during an opening process.

It can be advantageous if the damping element comprises elastomer, in particular polyurethane. With a very compact design, dampers made of elastomer materials allow movements in several spatial directions, which is why they are particularly advantageous. In addition, they have the advantage that different damper characteristics can be implemented for different spatial directions. This advantage is only possible through the very free design. Elastomer dampers are particularly suitable when identifiers with a strongly progressive course are required. By choosing the elastomer material, it is also possible to vary the stiffness without changing the geometry. In addition, materials can be used which show a high level of material damping, so that a damping function is integrated and an additional damper can often be dispensed with. With foamed elastomers the spectrum of increase realizable characteristics even further. The release of elastomer dampers is relatively inexpensive, which further enhances their attractiveness. Polyurethanes are particularly advantageous here.

It can be advantageous that an actuating lever arranged in the lock housing for actuating the at least one pawl and / or rotary latch can also be brought into contact with the damping element. The opening noises in the lock can thus be further reduced. In particular, the damping element is arranged in the housing in such a way that contacting a locking part, pawl or rotary latch and the actuating lever is made possible.

Further measures improving the invention emerge from the following description of an embodiment of the invention, which is shown schematically in the figures. It should be noted that the figures are only of a descriptive character and are not intended to restrict the invention in any way. There are thus also embodiments to be regarded as encompassed and disclosed by the invention, which are not explicitly shown or explained in the figures, but emerge from the explained embodiments and can be generated by separate combinations of features. In the figures, the same reference symbols denote the same or functionally identical components, unless stated otherwise.

Show it:

Figure 1 shows a possible embodiment of an inventive

Motor vehicle lock in the open position,

FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of a possible embodiment of a damping element according to the invention from FIGS. 1 and FIG. 3 shows a possible progressive damping characteristic for a damping element according to the invention.

1 shows a possible embodiment of the motor vehicle lock 1 according to the invention. The lock 1 has a lock housing 10 with a locking mechanism 2 arranged therein, the locking mechanism 2 comprising at least one pawl 3 and a rotary latch 4. The rotary latch 4 also has a catch arm 4.1 and a load arm 4.2. In addition, there is a damping element according to the invention

20 arranged in the lock housing 10 such that the damping element 20 makes contact with the catch arm 4.1 of the rotary latch 4 when the locking mechanism 2 is in the open position I, ie in the unlocked state. The damping element 20 has a stop section 21, the stop section 21 being essentially triangular and forming the contact area 22 with a tip. The first contact area between the rotary latch 4 and the damping element 20 is therefore as small as possible. This makes it possible for the first contact to be immersed as gently as possible and thus be quiet. The further course of the damping element 20, that is to say from the contact area 22 to the receptacle 24 of the damping element 20, is of progressive design, so that the energy of the opening rotary latch 4 can be absorbed. After the gentle initial contact, the rotary latch 4 is accordingly preferably braked more strongly. The force of the damping element 20 thus increases with the immersion depth / compression.

FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of the damping element 20 and a section of the motor vehicle lock which is identified in FIG. 1 with a dashed circle.

The damping element 20 is fastened in the lock housing 10 by means of the receptacle 24 and serves as a stop for the rotary latch 4 and for the actuating lever 5 on the damping section 26. The damping element 20 has a stop section

21, which is essentially triangular. I.e. the section 21 has a tapering contact area 22, so that the contact surface of the rotary latch 4 and damping element 20 is as small as possible. Preferably the contact area is

22 and thus also the contact surface linear or punctiform. The damping element 20 has an angle α in the area of the stop section 21 which is approximately 90 °. This results in a tapered geometry with the smallest possible contact area between the rotary latch 4 and the damping element 20.

In addition, the damping element 20 has a recess 23 in the stop section 21. In Fig. 2, this recess 23 is designed as a blind hole. The progressivity and thus the damping characteristic can be adapted by means of the recess 23. It is conceivable to place a component in the recess

23 to be arranged, which has a different hardness compared to the rest of the damping element 20 and so adapt the damping characteristic. The damping element 20 is by means of the cylindrical receptacle 24 on z. B. is attached to a step mandrel in the lock housing 10. In addition, the damping element 20 has a fastening section 25 with which the damping element 20 is fastened in the lock housing, preferably in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner.

In addition to the damping of the rotary latch 4, the damping element 20 in FIG. 2 is designed in such a way that contact with an actuating lever 5 can be established, whereby it is also at least braked and / or damped or comes to a stop.

Overall, the damping element 20 is preferably designed as a 2-component component, the two components preferably having different hardnesses.

3 shows a possible damping characteristic curve a for a damping element according to the invention. The deformation of the damping element is shown on the x-axis. The Y-axis shows the force F. It is easy to see that a gentle initial contact is made possible and only when the depth of immersion of the locking component increases in the damping element, the force increases, whereby the energy of the locking component, which is introduced into the damping element, can be completely absorbed by the latter. However, this ensures that the locking component is gently dipped into the damping element, which enables the lock to be opened with little noise.

The foregoing description has been presented for purposes of explanation with reference to specific implementations. However, the above illustrative discussions are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the claims to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The implementations have been selected to best explain the principles underlying the claims and their practical applications, thereby enabling others of skill in the art to evaluate the implementations best with various modifications as may be appropriate for the use certain contemplated applications.

If an exemplary embodiment comprises an “and / or” link between a first feature and a second feature, this should be read in such a way that the exemplary embodiment according to one embodiment has both the first feature and the second feature and, according to a further embodiment, either only the has the first feature or only the second feature.

List of reference symbols

1 motor vehicle lock

2 lock

3 pawl

4 rotary latch

4.1 tentacle

4.2 Lift arm

5 operating levers

10 lock housing

20 damping element

21 stop section

22 Contact Area

23 recess

24 recording

25 mounting section

26 Damping section for operating lever a angle

I open position

F Force from pawl or rotary latch

X Deformation of damping element a damping characteristic

Claims

1. Motor vehicle lock (1) for a movable part (1 10) of a vehicle (100) with a lock housing (10) in which a locking mechanism (2) is arranged from at least one pawl (3) and a rotary latch (4), and with at least one damping element (20), wherein the damping element (20) is arranged in the lock housing (10) such that at least the pawl (3) and / or the rotary latch (4) can be brought into contact with the damping element (20), thereby characterized in that the at least one damping element

(20) has a progressive damping characteristic (a).

2. Motor vehicle lock (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the damping element (20) has a stop section

(21) for the pawl (3) and / or the rotary latch (4), the stop section (21) having a point-like or vertically extending linear contact area (22) on which the damping element (20) and the pawl (3) and / or the rotary latch (4) can be brought into contact.

3. Motor vehicle lock (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stop section (21) widens starting from the contact area (22).

4. Motor vehicle lock (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the stop section (21) is essentially triangular.

5. Motor vehicle lock (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the damping element (20), in particular the stop section (21), has at least one material recess (23), whereby the damping characteristic (a) can be changed.

6. Motor vehicle lock (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the damping element (20) is designed as a 2-component component, in particular that the two components have different degrees of hardness.

7. Motor vehicle lock (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hardness at the contact area (22) is smaller than in the remaining area of the stop section (21).

8. Motor vehicle lock (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the damping element (20) in the region of the stop section (21) has an angle a, the angle a between approximately 25 ° and approximately 160 °, preferably between approximately 50 ° and about 130 °, particularly preferably between about 75 ° and about 115 °.

9. Motor vehicle lock (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the damping element (20) is arranged in the lock housing (10) such that the pawl (3) and / or the rotary latch (4) in an open position (I. ) of the lock (1) contacted the damping element (20).

10. Motor vehicle lock (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the damping element (20) has elastomer, in particular polyurethane.

1 1. Motor vehicle lock (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an actuating lever arranged in the lock housing for actuating the at least one pawl and / or rotary latch can be brought into contact with the damping element.