EP3987135B1 - Motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle bonnet lock - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle hood lock, with a locking mechanism consisting of the essential rotary latch and pawl for interaction with a locking bolt, and with a catch hook for independent and additional securing of the locking bolt, the locking mechanism having a locking mechanism and the catch hook having a catch hook drive are equipped.

For safety reasons, motor vehicle locks and in particular motor vehicle hood locks have, in addition to the actual locking mechanism for securing the locking bolt, an additional catch hook, with the help of which the locking bolt can be secured independently of the locking mechanism. In fact, if the front hoods are not closed properly, for example, there is a risk that they will swing up from a pre-locking position due to the attacking wind and completely cover the driver's view. This is dangerous and accident-prone. To ensure that this does not or cannot happen, the catch hook provides the additional security of the locking bolt as described. As a rule, the catch hook is swung away manually by a vehicle user after the locking mechanism has previously been opened in order to be able to open the hood or front hood in question.

A motor vehicle lock and in particular a front lid lock or front hood lock is used in the DE 10 2010 061 518 A1 described. Here the catch hook is equipped with a control flank and a locking flank. In addition, the catch hook is firmly connected to the rotary latch. In this way, an overall improvement in locking technology should be achieved.

At the DE 10 2017 102 813 A1 According to the applicant, the hood lock implemented there is also equipped with a setting device for the locking bolt. There is also at least one adjusting spring that acts on the setting device and a sensor for querying the position of the hood. An additional additional spring ensures that in the event of failure and/or Malfunction of the adjusting spring when the hood is raised. In this way, a perfect position query of the hood should be provided overall with the help of the sensor.

In the generic state of the art according to the DE 10 2017 108 266 A1 A locking drive and a catch hook drive are implemented in the form of actuating devices or small drives. With the help of the locking drive, the pawl of the locking mechanism can be lifted from its engagement with the rotary latch. The catch hook drive ensures that the catch hook releases the locking bolt. The catch hook is usually loaded with a spring so that the catch hook drive ensures the opening of the catch hook and the release of the locking bolt against the force of the spring.

The state of the art, especially according to the generic DE 10 2017 108 266 A1 has generally proven itself when it comes to realizing a comfortable opening of the motor vehicle hood lock. Such a requirement arises in particular in the event that the associated motor vehicle hood and in particular the motor vehicle front hood is used to close a trunk provided at the front of the motor vehicle. The front hood can then be conveniently opened electrically from inside the vehicle using the locking drive. Bowden cables or adjusting rods that were often provided at this point in the past and could be acted upon mechanically can then be expressly omitted.

Also from the US 2014//088826 A1 is a motor vehicle hood lock with a locking mechanism consisting essentially of a rotary latch and a pawl for interaction with a locking bolt and with a catch hook for independent and additional securing of the locking bolt, the locking mechanism being equipped with a locking mechanism and the catch hook being equipped with a catch hook drive, the locking mechanism being and the catch hook drive can be selectively acted upon in accordance with motor vehicle signals.

However, with trunks closed with such a hood at the front or rear or wherever on or in the motor vehicle, this is the case The problem is that people accidentally trapped in the trunk in question have to be able to open it from the inside. Such an opening of the motor vehicle hood lock from the inside is particularly problematic when the vehicle is in motion. Because then, as with the previously discussed prior art, there is a risk that the associated hood will swing up uncontrollably in the case of a front hood and impede the driver's view with the negative consequences already described. The invention as a whole aims to provide a remedy here.

The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a motor vehicle lock and in particular a motor vehicle hood lock in such a way that increased security requirements are met and, in particular, people locked in the trunk can be released without endangering their own health or that of vehicle occupants. The invention is based on a motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle hood lock, with a locking mechanism consisting essentially of a rotary latch and a pawl for interaction with a locking bolt, with a catch hook for independent and additional securing of the locking bolt, the locking mechanism having a locking drive and the catching hook having a Catch hook drive are equipped, the locking drive and the catch hook drive being selectively acted upon in accordance with motor vehicle signals, with a control unit provided for controlling the drive in question and with a safety unit independent of the control unit for controlling at least the catch hook drive

To solve this technical problem, a generic motor vehicle lock and in particular a motor vehicle hood lock within the scope of the invention is characterized in that the security unit and the control unit process the relevant motor vehicle signal in parallel.

The locking drive and the catch hook drive can, for example, work pneumatically. As a rule, however, both the locking drive and the catch hook drive are electric motor actuators, which are generally used in the motor vehicle sector and have proven themselves. For this purpose, the respective Electric motor drive usually uses an electric motor and an additional actuator. With the help of the adjusting device, the locking device can be opened or the catch hook can be acted upon. Of course, other ways of acting on the locking mechanism or the catch hook with the associated drive are also possible.

The previously mentioned motor vehicle signals are, for example, a motor vehicle speed, an opening signal in the motor vehicle interior, an opening signal in the motor vehicle trunk, a motor vehicle brake signal, a motor vehicle tilt signal, etc. That is, according to the invention, at least one of these previously mentioned motor vehicle signals is initially evaluated. Depending on the evaluation of this motor vehicle signal, the catch hook drive, the locking mechanism or both are then acted upon.

If the motor vehicle is at rest and the motor vehicle speed is therefore below a threshold value of, for example, walking speed (5 to 6 km/h), then in such a case the associated motor vehicle signal is evaluated in such a way that both the locking drive and the catch hook drive are in the opening sense be acted upon so that the associated hood can be raised or swung open.

In most cases, an opening signal in the vehicle interior or in the vehicle trunk is also evaluated in this context. This means that if such an opening signal is observed and detected, this, in conjunction with the queried motor vehicle speed and when the vehicle is stationary or almost stationary, leads to both the locking mechanism and the catch hook being opened, so that as a result of this the associated hood can be swung open . In this context, it is also possible and conceivable to evaluate a motor vehicle brake signal. In this case, the hood is only permitted to be opened if the motor vehicle is additionally braked.

In this context, the invention takes into account the fact that, for example, the motor vehicle is switched off and the engine is therefore missing Signal of the motor vehicle speed can roll off in the event of an inclination, which should definitely prevent an opening. For this purpose, the motor vehicle brake signal may be evaluated. In general, however, such a functional state is represented by the fact that if there is no vehicle speed signal, opening is not possible anyway.

In addition, alternatively or additionally, a vehicle tilt signal can also be evaluated. At this point, the invention takes into account the fact that the opening of a hood of the motor vehicle, for example in an inclined state, is not permitted in order to prevent the hood from swinging open abruptly. In this case, it is possible to only open the locking mechanism and, in contrast, to keep the catch hook in engagement with the locking bolt in order to prevent the hood from opening abruptly due to the inclined position of the motor vehicle. In any case, one or more motor vehicle signals can be advantageously evaluated and, depending on their characteristics, ensure that the locking drive alone, the catch hook drive together with the locking drive or none of the drives is acted upon. In this context, a single loading of the catch hook drive is usually not possible anyway or is excluded for safety reasons. This means that the catch hook drive is opened either together or after the locking drive or remains in its position catching the locking bolt for safety reasons.

In order to be able to represent these different functional positions, a control unit is provided according to the invention to control the drive in question. In addition, the control unit evaluates the one or more of the motor vehicle signals described above.

In addition to the control unit, an independent safety unit is implemented according to the invention, which is provided and designed to control at least the catch hook drive. This means that the safety unit for its part and advantageously within the scope of the invention ensures that only the catch hook drive is controlled with its help.

In this context, the design can also be such that the security unit is connected downstream of the control unit. According to the invention, the security unit and the control unit process the one or more motor vehicle signals in parallel.

The safety unit controls the catch hook drive to electrically open the catch hook depending on the relevant motor vehicle signal. Alternatively, the safety unit ensures that an electrical supply line to the catch hook drive is electrically isolated. In this case, the safety unit ensures that the catch hook cannot be opened. The galvanic isolation of the electrical supply line of the catch hook drive, which is carried out with the help of the safety unit, increases safety enormously because the galvanic isolation of the electrical supply line is maintained, regardless of whether the control unit controls the safety unit or the catch hook drive or not.

This means that the safety unit acts on the catch hook drive with priority over the control unit. In other words, signals from the safety unit to the catch hook drive take precedence over any signals from the control unit for acting on the catch hook drive in a hierarchical manner, so that only the safety unit ensures the relevant action on the catch hook drive.

The catch hook drive itself can be set up to open the catch hook and in addition to mechanically blocking it. Such a mechanical blockage of the catch hook is usually carried out when there is no release signal from the safety unit. The mechanical blockage can be set up as an alternative or even in addition to the galvanic isolation of the electrical supply line of the catch hook drive. This means that as long as the release signal from the safety unit is missing, either the electrical supply line of the catch hook drive is electrically isolated or the catch hook drive ensures the mechanical blockage of the catch hook. In both cases, the invention ensures that the catch hook maintains its position catching and securing the locking bolt under all circumstances. This means that even malfunctions in the control unit can be caught and controlled because the safety unit takes priority over the control unit to act on the catch hook drive.

The catch hook drive can be equipped with an additional blockade drive to mechanically block the catch hook in the absence of a release signal. However, it is also possible to design the catch hook drive in such a way that it is set up and ensures both the opening of the catch hook and its mechanical blockage in the absence of a release signal.

The locking drive, on the other hand, is usually only set up to open the locking mechanism. To do this, the locking drive works on the pawl in such a way that it is lifted off the rotary latch. As a result, the locking bolt is released from the locking mechanism. However, a complete opening of the hood now requires that the catch hook is also opened or releases the locking bolt. This is only possible in accordance with the vehicle signals, as described in detail previously.

As a result, overall increased safety requirements for the impact on the associated hood are met. Because malfunctions, for example of the control unit or the locking mechanism, in no case lead to the opening of the catch hook while driving or depending on the previously discussed motor vehicle signals. The additional security unit or security module can be implemented using simple means. Before the catch hook is opened, the motor vehicle signal to be checked is checked redundantly by both the control unit and the safety unit. This is because the security unit and the control unit process the vehicle signal(s) in parallel. In the event of any discrepancies, the safety unit maintains the blockage of the catch hook. In this way, a significant increase in security is observed compared to previous solutions. This is where the main advantages can be seen.

Fig. 1

das erfindungsgemäße Kraftfahrzeugschloss in Gestalt eines Kraftfahrzeug-Haubenschlosses reduziert auf die wesentlichen Bestandteile in seinen Grundzügen und

Fig. 2

die schaltungstechnische Umsetzung der Ansteuerung des Kraftfahrzeugschlosses bzw. Kraftfahrzeug-Haubenschlosses nach Fig. 1.

The invention is explained in more detail below using a drawing that only shows an exemplary embodiment; show it:

Fig. 1

the motor vehicle lock according to the invention in the form of a motor vehicle hood lock reduced to the essential components in its basic features and

Fig. 2

the circuit implementation of the control of the motor vehicle lock or motor vehicle hood lock Fig. 1 .

In the Fig. 1 a motor vehicle lock is shown in the form of a motor vehicle hood lock. Based on Fig. 1 It can be seen that the motor vehicle lock or motor vehicle hood lock is equipped with a lock case in which a locking mechanism 1, 2 consisting of a rotary latch 1 and a pawl 2 is rotatably mounted. The locking mechanism 1, 2 interacts with a lock holder or a locking bolt 3 of the lock holder. An additional ejector, not shown, may ensure that the locking bolt 3 moves in the opposite direction to that in the Fig. 1 The closing direction indicated by an arrow is acted upon after an opening process.

As soon as the locking bolt 3 is in the in Fig. 1 The closing direction shown moves into an inlet mouth 4 of the lock case, the rotary latch 1 is in the Fig. 1 indicated clockwise, so that the pawl 2 can engage behind an extension 6 of the rotary latch 1 with a hook-shaped contour 5 when the locking mechanism 1, 2 is then in the closed state. To do this, the locking bolt 3 moves against a contact surface 7 of the rotary latch 1.

The locking bolt 3 is additionally secured in the closed position of the motor vehicle lock or hood lock shown with the aid of a catch hook 8, which for this purpose is acted upon in the indicated counterclockwise direction around its axis with the aid of a spring, not shown, and secures the locking bolt 3 in addition to the rotary latch 1. As part of the exemplary embodiment, the locking mechanism 1, 2 now has an electromotive locking drive 9 and an electromotive catch hook drive 10 is also implemented.

Based on a comparative consideration of the Figures 1 and 2 you can see that the locking drive 9 and the catch hook drive 10 in accordance with Motor vehicle signals 11 can be selectively applied. According to the exemplary embodiment, the motor vehicle signals 11 are, for example, the motor vehicle speed, which is below a limit speed of, for example, 5 to 6 km/h. Only then is the motor vehicle speed or the relevant motor vehicle signal 11 evaluated by a control unit 12 or a safety unit 13 to allow the relevant drive 9, 10 to be activated at all.

In fact, you can see in the schematic representation of the circuit implementation according to the Fig. 2 that in addition to the control unit 12, the safety unit 13 is also implemented, with the help of which at least the catch hook drive 10 is controlled. Furthermore, you can see in the Fig. 2 another opening signal 14, which can be generated by a vehicle user from the vehicle interior. Furthermore, a further opening signal 15, which can be generated inside a trunk that is closed with the help of a hood carrying the locking bolt 3, for example by a person located there.

Based on the circuitry overview according to the Fig. 2 It can be seen that the safety unit 13 is designed independently of the control unit 12 and, according to the exemplary embodiment, only serves and is used to control the catch hook drive 10. In addition, the security unit 13 is connected downstream of the control unit 12. Both the security unit 13 and the control unit 12 can process the motor vehicle signals 11 in parallel. Finally, the design is such that the safety unit 13 acts on the catch hook drive 10 with priority over the control unit 12. This means that any activation or release signals from the safety unit 13 for the catch hook drive 10 take precedence, so that additional signals from the control unit 12 may be ignored or can be ignored.

The overall design is as follows. In order to open the hood equipped with the locking bolt 3, an opening signal 14, 15 must first be present. One of the two opening signals 14, 15 is sufficient. The relevant opening signal 14, 15 is sent by the Control unit 12 evaluated and recorded. In addition, the control unit 12 evaluates the vehicle speed 11 in the exemplary embodiment. If the vehicle speed 11 is below the previously specified limit value, the control unit 12 sends a signal to the locking drive 9. The locking drive 9 works to open the locking mechanism 1, 2 on the pawl 2 and ensures in accordance with the Fig. 1 indicated arrow direction for the pawl 2 to be lifted from its engagement with the rotary latch 1 in the closed position of the locking mechanism 1, 2. As a result, the hook or the hook-shaped contour 5 on the pawl 2 is released from the extension 6 of the rotary latch 1, so that the rotary latch 1 swings open so far that the locking bolt 3 is opposite to the one in the Fig. 1 shown closing direction is moved upwards. However, the catch hook 8 is still in engagement with the locking bolt 3 and remains unchanged.

The catch hook drive 10 can now be controlled indirectly and indirectly via the safety unit 13. For this purpose, the motor vehicle signal 11 is checked redundantly by both the control unit 12 and the security unit 13. If the safety unit 13 determines that the vehicle signal 11 meets the required criterion, the safety unit 13 as a whole ensures that the catch hook drive 10 moves the catch hook 8 in the direction indicated by the arrow Fig. 1 acted upon, consequently lifting against the force of the spring from its engagement with the locking bolt 3. As a result, the hood is released and can be opened completely.

However, if the safety unit 13 determines that the motor vehicle signal 11 does not meet the requirements that the safety unit 13 can generate a release signal for the catch hook 10, the safety unit 13 either ensures that an electrical supply line for the catch hook drive 10 is electrically isolated becomes. Or, alternatively, it is also possible for the safety unit 13 to act on the catch hook drive 10 to mechanically block the locking bolt 3 in the absence of a release signal.

Any malfunction of the locking mechanism 1, 2 and/or the control unit 12 is ignored insofar as the safety unit 13 only ensures the loading of the catch hook drive 10, with priority over the control unit 12.

If, for example, discrepancies are observed during the evaluation of the motor vehicle signal 11 and the redundant test by the control unit 12 and the safety unit 13, the safety unit 13 ensures in any case and for safety reasons that the electrical supply line to the catch hook drive 10 is electrically isolated or the catch hook drive 10 is applied to block the locking bolt 3. In any case, such malfunctions result in the locking bolt 3 still being secured with the help of the catch hook 8 or the associated hood cannot be fully opened. The catch hook drive 10 can be designed in two parts, with a first drive part, which acts on the catch hook 8 in a clockwise direction to release the locking bolt 3, and a further second drive part, which ensures that the catch hook 8 is blocked in the absence of a release signal from the safety unit 13. In principle, you can also work with a single drive at this point.

For example, if an opening request is made from the trunk via the opening signal 15 while the motor vehicle is driving, the control unit 12 ensures in this case that the locking mechanism 1, 2 is opened, but the catch hook 8 still secures the locking bolt 3. As a result, any person in the trunk receives breathing air through the gap created in this way between the hood and the vehicle body and the hood remains secured as before and unchanged with the help of the catch hook 8. In this case, the control unit 12 interprets the opening signal 15 in a corresponding sense and ignores the additional criterion for the vehicle speed or the motor vehicle signal 11. Nevertheless, the safety unit 13 querying the motor vehicle signal 11 still ensures, unchanged and as before, that the catch hook 8 is secured. either the electrical supply line to the catch hook drive 10 is interrupted or the catch hook drive 10 blocks the catch hook 8.

Reference symbol list

1

Rotary trap

2

Blocking links

1, 2

Lock

3

Locking bolt

4

Inlet mouth

5

Hook

6

renewal

7

investment area

8th

Catch hook

9

Locking drive

10

Catch hook drive

11

Motor vehicle signals

12

Control unit

13

Security unit

14, 15

Opening signal

Claims (7)

1. Motor vehicle latch, in particular a motor vehicle hood latch, comprising a locking mechanism (1, 2) consisting substantially of a catch (1) and a pawl (2) for interacting with a locking pin (3), comprising a catch hook (8) for independent and additional securing of the locking pin (3), the locking mechanism (1, 2) being equipped with a locking mechanism drive (9) and the catch hook (8) with a catch hook drive (10), the locking mechanism drive (9) and the catch hook drive (10) being optionally acted upon in accordance with motor vehicle signals (11), comprising a control unit (12) provided for actuating the drive (9, 10) in question, and comprising a safety unit (13) which is independent of the control unit (12) for actuating at least the catch hook drive (10), characterized in that the safety unit (13) and the control unit (12) process the relevant motor vehicle signal (11) in parallel.
2. Motor vehicle latch according to claim 1, characterized in that the motor vehicle signals (11) are, for example, a motor vehicle speed, an opening signal in the motor vehicle interior, an opening signal in the motor vehicle trunk, a motor vehicle braking signal, a motor vehicle inclination signal, etc.
3. Motor vehicle latch according to either claim 1 or claim 2,
   characterized in that the safety unit (13) is connected downstream of the control unit (12).
4. Motor vehicle latch according to any of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that the safety unit (13) actuates, on the basis of the motor vehicle signal (11), the catch hook drive (10) for opening the catch hook (12) or galvanically isolates an electrical supply line of the catch hook drive (10).
5. Motor vehicle latch according to any of the claims, characterized in that the safety unit (13) prioritizes acting on the catch hook drive (10) over the control unit (12).
6. Motor vehicle latch according to any of claims 1 to 5,
   characterized in that the catch hook drive (10) is configured to open the catch hook (8) and in addition to mechanically block said hook if there is no release signal.
7. Motor vehicle latch according to any of claims 1 to 6,
   characterized in that the locking mechanism drive (9) for opening the locking mechanism (1, 2) is configured by lifting the pawl (2) from the catch (1).

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