EP4133152B1 - Motor vehicle lock - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock, with a locking mechanism consisting essentially of a rotary latch and a pawl, furthermore with a drive, and with a securing element, the drive working on the securing element via a rack element, and the rack element being equipped with a blocking element.

Motor vehicle locks typically have a central locking system and, if necessary, an anti-theft device. With the help of the central locking system, all doors equipped with an associated vehicle lock can be locked together. As a result, access from the outside is generally not possible, although the motor vehicle doors in question can still be opened from inside the motor vehicle. If an anti-theft device is also implemented, an opening from the inside is also suppressed in the "theft-proof" state, so that the motor vehicle in question cannot be opened even if the window of the associated motor vehicle door is broken.

To lock such a motor vehicle lock and also to insert an anti-theft device, appropriate mechanisms are provided, which usually work rotary or linear. In this way, the associated motor vehicle lock is transferred to its locked or unlocked state or its theft-proof or theft-unlocked state.

In addition, a child safety function can in principle also be implemented, generally on rear motor vehicle side doors. In the "child-proof" position, the motor vehicle lock in question cannot be opened from the inside, but it can be opened from the outside. As in the case of the anti-theft device, the child lock can also generally be inserted using a drive. In addition, mechanical solutions for operating the child lock are known.

The term security element is to be interpreted broadly in the context of the present application. In fact, this can be a locking element as well as an anti-theft element. This also includes a child safety element. As a result, completely different functional positions of the motor vehicle lock should be able to be set using the security element.

If an accident occurs in a motor vehicle equipped with such a motor vehicle lock, the adjustment from a locked position to an unlocked position or, in the case of an anti-theft device, the adjustment from a secured position to an unlocked position should generally be avoided to prevent unintentional door openings. This is done in the generic state of the art according to the DE 10 2014 000 680 A1 worked with a so-called position securing.

The position securing is intended for a slidably mounted carriage and serves to secure the position of the slidably mounted carriage. For this purpose, the position securing in the known teaching includes a tilting device, with the help of which the carriage can be tilted in the event of excessive acceleration. As a result, overall reliable functionality is realized and made available, taking into account small-scale position securing.

Instead of securing the position in this way, one can basically also proceed in such a way that a drive for the respective securing element is transferred back to its basic position after the securing element has been acted upon. Through such a procedure, the drive is decoupled from the securing element, so to speak, so that, for example, crash-related loading of the drive does not affect the securing element.

In addition, the prior art generally strives to reduce the design effort. For this purpose, in the generic state of the art according to the DE 10 2014 000 680 A1 have already worked with a motor or a drive in order to change both the position of a lock and an anti-theft device if necessary.

With the help of the additionally provided position securing, the set position is then secured. This is relatively complex because securing the position requires a special spring designed as a double-sided collet spring to be implemented. 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 in such a way that different security positions can be assumed reproducibly and safely and reliably, taking into account a structurally simple structure.

To solve this technical problem, a generic motor vehicle lock is characterized in the context of the invention in that the blocking element is designed as a rocker arm defining at least two end positions of the rack element.

According to the invention, at least two end positions of the rack element can initially be defined and implemented by the special blocking element designed as a rocker arm. These two end positions can, for example, belong to the functional positions “child-proof” and “theft-proof”. This makes it possible within the scope of the invention not only to be able to distinguish perfectly between these two functional positions. All that is required for this is a (single) drive for the rack element, which in turn works on the securing element. This reduces the design effort because the anti-theft function and the child safety function do not require their own drive.

Rather, according to the invention, the one (only) drive is used in order to be able to display both the child safety function and the anti-theft function via the rack element. This is possible because the respective end positions "child-proof" or "theft-proof" belong to different end positions of the rack element, which in turn are approached accurately and precisely using the blocking element designed as a rocker arm. In contrast, they correspond Functional positions "child unlocked" as well as "theft unlocked" to a common initial position of the rack element before its operation. In this way, the overall design effort is reduced and functional reliability is increased because the blocking element or the rocker arm directly defines the two end positions of the rack element.

In order to realize and implement this in detail, the rocker arm is usually connected to the rack element. In principle, this can be done in such a way that the rocker arm is connected to the rack element in an articulated manner using a transmission lever. The rocker arm and the transmission lever are generally mounted on the same axis with one another. In addition, in this context the rocker arm is usually equipped with a return spring.

This return spring is advantageously a bistable spring, i.e. H. one that allows application in one direction and also in its opposite direction and ensures a respective return movement to a middle position or middle-0 position after the acting force has ceased. In principle and advantageously, you can also work with a simple torsion spring. This ultimately depends on how the position of the individual functional positions is implemented and realized using the rack element.

The rocker arm is usually C-shaped with two blocking legs. The design is also such that the respective blocking leg of the C-shaped rocker arm interacts with a stop arranged between the blocking legs. That is, due to the C shape of the rocker arm, the invention opens up the possibility of positioning the relevant stop or the several stops between the two ends of the blocking legs.

It has proven to be particularly advantageous in this context if the stop is designed as part of the drive. This means that additional stops that need to be trained can basically be avoided, which means that design effort is further reduced. As a rule, the stop is formed on a worm wheel of the drive. The invention is based on the knowledge that the drive for the rack element is usually equipped with an electric motor and a drive worm on the output shaft of the electric motor. This drive worm engages with the previously mentioned worm wheel of the drive.

Most of the time, the design is such that the worm wheel carries a gear that meshes with the rack element. In this way, different gear ratios can be implemented if necessary, as will be explained in more detail below with reference to the description of the figures.

In any case, according to the invention, the stop is formed on the worm wheel. For this purpose, the worm wheel usually has a rear stop disk, which is usually made in one piece with the worm wheel (made of plastic). The stop disk thereby defines on its outer circumference two opposing stops for the respective blocking leg of the rocker arm which encompasses the stop disk in a C-shape. In this way, the two end positions of the rack element in question can be implemented in a particularly simple and functionally reliable manner.

The securing element is generally connected to the rack element in an articulated manner. In addition, the securing element is usually a spring-loaded securing lever. Through its interaction with the safety lever, the spring ensures that the safety lever is secured in position.

For this purpose, the safety lever is usually designed with a spring cantilever, which interacts with a leg of the spring designed as a leg spring. This leg or spring leg of the spring usually has a nose which interacts and can interact with the spring arm in such a way that the security element or the security lever "unlocks", "theft-proof" and finally "child-proof" a position lock at least in the three positions described learns. For this purpose, the spring arm is equipped with a bulge adapted to the contour of the nose, as will be explained in more detail with reference to the description of the figures.

As a result, a motor vehicle lock and in particular a motor vehicle door lock is made available, which has a particularly simple construction by relying on a (single) drive for both the child lock function and the anti-theft function. The fact that the securing element, which can be controlled into the three different functional positions, is and can also be adjusted using a rack element also contributes to this.

For this purpose, the rack element has a blocking element designed as a rocker arm, with the help of which at least two end positions of the rack element can be defined. An additionally realized initial position of the rack element is approached by the spring assigned to the rocker arm after the application of force by the drive has ceased. This is where the main advantages can be seen.

Fig. 1

das erfindungsgemäße Kraftfahrzeug-Schloss in seiner neutralen Funktionsstellung,

Fig. 2A

das Kraftfahrzeug-Schloss nach Fig. 1 in der neutralen Stellung in Rückansicht,

Fig. 2B

Kraftfahrzeug-Schloss entsprechend der Fig. 2A in der Stellung "kindergesichert" und

Fig. 2C

das Kraftfahrzeug-Schloss gemäß der Fig. 2A in der Stellung "diebstahlgesichert".

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 its neutral functional position,

Fig. 2A

the vehicle lock Fig. 1 in the neutral position in rear view,

Fig. 2B

Motor vehicle lock according to the Fig. 2A in the “childproof” position and

Fig. 2C

the motor vehicle lock according to Fig. 2A in the “theft-proof” position.

The figures show a motor vehicle lock, which is a motor vehicle door lock. This has a locking mechanism, not shown, which essentially consists of a rotary latch and a pawl. To trigger and operate the locking mechanism, an actuating lever 1 is implemented, which is mounted on the same axis as an opening lever 2. Using the opening lever 2, the locking mechanism can be opened mechanically, regardless of the position of the operating lever 1 and a clutch lever 3.

If the clutch lever 3 is in its engaged position (cf. Fig. 2B ), then an action on the operating lever or external operating lever 1 about its axis in the Fig. 1 indicated clockwise direction so that the actuating lever 1 can open the locking mechanism via the opening lever 2 and a release lever 4 by the release lever 4 lifting the pawl that has fallen into the rotary latch from its engagement with the rotary latch. On the other hand, if the clutch lever or outer clutch lever 3 is in its position Fig. 1 (and in the Fig. 2A and 2C ) position shown is "disengaged", a corresponding opening movement of the operating lever or external operating lever 1 is empty in the example case. However, opening via the motor-driven opening lever 2 is still possible. For this purpose, the opening lever 2 is acted upon in a clockwise direction about its axis shared with the actuating lever 1.

The clutch lever or outer clutch lever 3 is inserted into the Fig. 1 (and in the Fig. 2A and 2C ) shown position "disengaged" with the help of a securing element 5, as will be explained in more detail below. For this purpose, a drive 6, 7, 8 for a rack element 9 is also provided. The drive 6, 7, 8 works via the rack element 9 on the securing element 5, as will be explained in more detail below. In addition, the rack element 9 is equipped with a blocking element 10.

According to the invention, the blocking element 10 is designed as a rocker arm 10 defining at least two end positions of the rack element 9. The rocker arm 10 is connected to the rack element 9 in an articulated manner. To A transmission lever 11 is provided for this purpose. It can be seen that the rocker arm 10 is articulated to the rack element 9 using the transmission lever 11. For this purpose, the rocker arm 10 and the transmission lever 11 are mounted on the same axis. You can also see a spring 12, which is assigned to the rocker arm 10. The spring 12 is a return spring. In addition, the spring 12 is designed as a leg spring and, with its leg base, encloses a bearing pin defining the common axis of the rocker arm 10 and the transmission lever 11. The two spring legs extending from the leg base are supported on stops on the rocker arm 10. In this way, a pivoting movement of the rocker arm 10 starts from its position in the Fig. 1 The neutral position shown ensures that the spring or return spring 12 in question is tensioned. After the rack element 9 is no longer acted upon by the drive 6, 7, 8, the spring or return spring 12 ensures that the rocker arm 10 and with it the rack element 9 as well as the entire drive 6, 7, 8 return to their basic position or . Neutral position (in the Fig. 1 or. Fig. 2A shown) is transferred back.

The rocker arm is overall C-shaped with two blocking legs 10a, 10b. The two blocking legs 10a, 10b can thereby interact with a stop 13 arranged between them. According to the exemplary embodiment, this stop 13 is designed as a rear stop disk or stop rib 13, which is connected at the rear to a worm wheel 8 as part of the drive 6, 7, 8.

In fact, the drive 6, 7, 8 is essentially composed of an electric motor 6, a drive worm 7 arranged on the output shaft of the electric motor 6 and the worm wheel 8 in question, which meshes with the drive worm 7. The worm wheel 8 in turn carries a gear 8a, which engages in the rack element 9. In this way, rotational movements of the worm wheel 8 or the gear 8a are converted into linear positioning movements of the rack element 9.

The securing element 5 is in turn connected in an articulated manner to the rack element 9, namely to an end opposite a toothing of the rack element 9. In addition, the securing element 5 is a securing lever 5, which is acted upon by a spring 14 to secure the position.

How it works is as follows. Starting from the in the Fig. 1 and 2A The neutral position shown results in the drive 6, 7, 8 being acted upon in such a way that the gear 8a (in the Fig.1 ) is applied clockwise, causing the rack element 9 to move to the left. As a result of this, the rocker arm 10 also pivots clockwise (in the rear view after the Fig. 2A ), so that its blocking leg 10a comes into contact with the stop disk 13 of the worm wheel 8. This creates the problem in the Fig. 2B "Child-proof" position shown. After no force is applied to the rack element 9 by the drive 6, 7, 8, the return spring 12 ensures that the drive 6, 7, 8 and also the rack element 9 are returned to their starting position or neutral position (cf. Fig. 1 and 2A ).

Actuation of the drive 6, 7, 8 starting from the initial position in such a way that the gear 8a (in the Fig.1 ) rotates counterclockwise now results in the rack element 9 in the Fig. 1 is moved to the right. This means that the rocker arm 10 moves clockwise (in the Fig. 1 and counterclockwise in the Fig. 2C ) is pivoted so that its other blocking leg 10b comes into contact again with the stop or the stop disk 13. Now it's in the Fig. 2C "Theft-proof" functional position shown is reached. This "theft-proof" function corresponds to the fact that a locking lever 15 connected to the rack element 9 has acted on an inner clutch lever 16, in the sense of "disengaging". As a rule, the inner clutch lever 16 is mostly "engaged". At the same time, in the "theft-protected" position, the security element 5 moves the outer clutch lever 3 after the Fig. 2C in the "disengaged" position. As a result, the motor vehicle lock cannot be opened from the inside or outside.

In contrast, the outer clutch lever 3 is in the "child-proof" position Fig. 2b engaged, so that in this functional position only the inner clutch lever 16 is disengaged, so that the motor vehicle lock in question cannot be opened from the inside. In contrast, the outer clutch lever 3 is "engaged" in this case, so that when the motor vehicle lock is unlocked, the associated motor vehicle door can still be opened from the outside and unchanged.

In contrast, the “theft-proof” position corresponds to the Fig. 2C This means that both clutch levers 3, 16 assume their “disengaged” position, so that the motor vehicle lock in question cannot be opened either from the inside or the outside. This is the usual and desired anti-theft feature.

In the Fig. 2A to 2C The different positions of the securing element 5 relative to the spring 14 interacting with the securing element 5 are now shown. For this purpose, the spring 14 has a nose 14a. In addition, the securing element 5 is equipped with a bulge 5a. It can be seen that the three different and previously discussed functional positions neutral or "unlocked or unlocked", "child-proof" and finally "theft-proof" correspond to the fact that a spring arm 5b of the security element 5 with the front bulge 5a either centrally from the nose 14a is secured or is located on one or the other side of the nose 14a. That is, the interaction between the spring 14 and the securing element 5 ensures that the position of the securing element 5 is secured.

Reference symbol list

1

Operating lever

2

Opening lever

3

outer clutch lever

4

Trigger lever

5

Security element

5a

bulge

6, 7, 8

drive

6

Electric motor

7

Drive snail

8th

worm wheel

8a

gear

9

Rack element

10

rocker arm

10a, 10b

blockage leg

11

transmission lever

12

return spring

13

stop disk

14

Feather

14a

Nose

15

Locking lever

16

inner clutch lever

Claims (10)

1. Motor vehicle latch comprising a locking mechanism which substantially consists of a latch and a pawl, further comprising a drive (6, 7, 8) and a securing element (5), the drive (6, 7, 8) acting on the securing element (5) via a toothed rack element (9), and the toothed rack element (9) being equipped with a blocking element (10),
   characterized in that
   the blocking element (10) is designed as a tilting lever (10) that defines at least two end positions of the toothed rack element (9).
2. Motor vehicle latch according to claim 1, characterized in that the tilting lever (10) is connected to the toothed rack element (9).
3. Motor vehicle latch according to either claim 1 or claim 2,
   characterized in that the tilting lever (10) is hingedly connected to the toothed rack element (9) by means of a transmission lever (11).
4. Motor vehicle latch according to any of claims 1 to 3,
   characterized in that the tilting lever (10) is equipped with two blocking legs (10a, 10b) in a C-shaped manner.
5. Motor vehicle latch according to claim 4, characterized in that the blocking legs (10a, 10b) interact with a stop (13) arranged between the blocking legs (10a, 10b).
6. Motor vehicle latch according to claim 5, characterized in that the stop (13) is designed as a component part of the drive (6, 7, 8).
7. Motor vehicle latch according to claim 6, characterized in that the stop (13) is formed on a worm wheel (8) of the drive (6, 7, 8).
8. Motor vehicle latch according to any of claims 1 to 7,
   characterized in that the tilting lever (10) is equipped with a restoring spring (12).
9. Motor vehicle latch according to any of claims 1 to 8,
   characterized in that the securing element (5) is hingedly connected to the toothed rack element (9).
10. Motor vehicle latch according to any of claims 1 to 9,
    characterized in that the securing element (5) is designed as a securing lever (5) interacting with a spring (14) to secure the position.

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