JP7363005B2 - car lock - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a lock for an automobile, in particular a lock for a rear door, which has a locking mechanism including a rotary latch and at least one pawl, and is provided with a lock holder, the lock holder having a locking mechanism in at least one latch position. , a drive element and a pivotable attachment attachment point of the pawl, the pawl being actuable by the at least one coupling rod and by the drive element.

More and more electrical auxiliary units are being fitted to motor vehicles in order to facilitate and influence the handling and noise behavior of the motor vehicle operator. To close components movably fixed to a motor vehicle, locks or closing devices are used which hold the movable components in a closed position so that the vehicle can be guided safely. These closing systems are increasingly equipped with electric drives, for example to allow the operator to conveniently open side doors. Closing systems are used not only for side doors, but also for sliding doors, rear doors, hoods and/or covers, precisely to keep moving components in a safe position during operation of the motor vehicle. It is also used where it is required.

The locking or closing system uses a locking mechanism consisting of a rotating latch and at least one pawl that is capable of interlocking with a lock holder to secure a movable component. For example, when a side door of a car is closed, a rotating latch placed in the open position engages a lock holder, which rotates due to relative movement between the lock holder and the rotating latch; It is fixed in the pre-latched position or the main-latched position by the pawl. The side door or, for example, the rear door is closed against the resistance of the seal so that the locking mechanism counteracts the sealing pressure.

These sealing pressures can exert large forces on the lock holder and locking mechanism in order to safely seal and reduce noise inside the vehicle. When the locking mechanism is unlocked, that is, when the pawl is released from the rotary latch, the pawl is released from the engagement area with the rotary latch, but the rotary latch is accompanied by an opening sound. Various solutions are known from the prior art to influence open noise.

For example, EP2 573 301B1 describes a closing system in which the pawl can follow the opening movement of a rotary latch in at least some areas. The locking mechanism is electrically openable and the pawl is connected to the drive element via a lever chain. When the drive is actuated to open the locking mechanism, the pawl can follow the movement of the rotating latch, at least in some areas, so that it can counteract the sealing pressure by reducing it. The lever chain has a variable length lever that can be used to apply the brake and release the lock.

EP2 573 300A2 discloses a motor vehicle lock with a rotating latch pretensioned towards the open position which engages around the lock holder in the closed position and releases the lock holder, position includes a pawl that engages the rotary latch to prevent the rotary latch from moving toward the open position. Further, in the vehicle door lock according to the present invention, the coupling section of the pawl portion has a driving element connected for movement, and the pawl portion is in an engaged position and the pawl portion is disengaged from the rotating latch. The rotary latch is movable in the direction of the open position by moving between the released position and the open position. During movement from the engaged position in the direction of the released position, the drive element moves the pawl in such a way that the rotary latch, which is still engaged with the pawl during this movement, moves in the direction of the open position.

Some of the solutions known from the prior art are structurally complex and require a large amount of space within the motor vehicle lock, which is not possible in all cases. This is the starting point of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved lock for a motor vehicle, particularly for a rear door. In addition, the aim of the invention is to implement a low-noise unlocking considering a structurally simple, space-saving and cost-effective construction.

This object is achieved by the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. It should be noted that the embodiments described below are not limiting; on the contrary, any possible variations of the features stated in the description and the dependent claims are possible.

According to claim 1, an object of the present invention is to provide a lock for an automobile, in particular a lock for a rear door. and the lock holder is engageable in at least one latched position with the drive element and the pivotable attachment point of the pawl, the pawl being actuated by the at least one coupling rod and by the drive element. Possibly, the coupling rod interacts with the pawl by means of a coupling member with a transmission ratio. With the structure of the automobile lock according to the present invention, low-noise unlocking and continuous opening processing of the locking mechanism can be realized. In particular, the structural design makes it possible to achieve a latching position that allows the locking mechanism to be reliably closed with minimal space requirements. In particular, the use of a coupling member that integrates the transmission ratio in the drive chain makes it possible to overcome the high closing forces that occur when the locking mechanism is opened and then guide the rotary latch into the open position. . The coupling member interacts with the pawl such that the pawl is successively released from the rotational latch via the coupling rod. Due to the continuous opening process, the actual break-off noise between the rotating latch and the pawl can be eliminated or at least reduced to a minimum.

When reference is made to a lock of a motor vehicle in the context of the present invention, this includes locks that are used not only for the rear door, but also for side doors or covers or, for example, for the backrest of a motor vehicle. The lock can thus be used when a pivotably or displaceably mounted component is fixed in one position.

The automobile lock includes a locking mechanism having a rotating latch and at least one pawl. The locking mechanism interacts with a lock holder that is substantially stationary on the vehicle, and relative movement between the lock mechanism and the lock holder rotates the rotating latch and rotates the pawl to at least one latched position. Secure the latch. Here, locking mechanisms including a pre-latch portion and a main latch portion, and locking mechanisms having only one main latch position are known. The locking mechanism can have one or two pawls that interact with each other. The first pawl blocks the rotating latch in the latched position, and the second pawl secures the first pawl in the latched position. This locking mechanism having two pawls is often used when an opening torque is generated in the locking mechanism at the main latch position.

The motor vehicle lock according to the invention is an electrically actuatable motor vehicle lock which is provided with a drive element which allows the locking mechanism to be unlocked from the latched position. Here, the drive element may be a manually actuated Bowden cable or may consist of at least one electric motor and a gear element connected downstream of the electric motor, the gear element being , cooperates with the pawl so that the pawl can move from the latched position to the open position. The pawl is pivotably moved about the attachment point by the drive element. The present invention relates to a lock, in which the pawl is accommodated in a pivotable attachment point and can be actuated by a coupling rod and a drive element. Here, the term "swivelable attachment point" means that the attachment point of the pawl itself is movably accommodated in the vehicle lock. The attachment point for the pawl is accommodated by a coupling member in the motor vehicle lock, preferably on a fixed diameter. The coupling member forms a further gear element with which a transmission ratio can be achieved in the locking mechanism. The pivotable attachment point, in particular via the transmission receptacle, allows the pawl to move the dead center of the coupling member in such a way that, on the one hand, a quiet unlocking of the locking mechanism is possible and, on the other hand, a closing torque is generated in the locking mechanism. You can cross over and turn. Here, "closing torque" means that the rotating latch exerts a torque on the pawl that prevents or inhibits the locking mechanism from opening automatically.

In one embodiment of the invention, the coupling member is pivotably housed within the housing of the motor vehicle lock. The connecting member is designed as a disc-shaped element, preferably as a stamped part. Preferably, the coupling member is made from steel. The coupling element itself can be pivoted in the lock housing and/or the lock case of the motor vehicle lock and is accommodated in a bearing shaft, in particular made of steel, and is preferably fixed by riveting. The pawl is then pivotably mounted on the coupling member and can be pivoted or moved by the coupling member on a circular path about the bearing axis of the coupling member. In addition to accommodating the pawl, the coupling member has further accommodation points, in particular attachment points for the coupling rod. The coupling member thus serves as a means for transmitting the torque introduced into the coupling member by the coupling rod, which torque can be transmitted to the attachment point of the pawl. Depending on the variant of one embodiment of the lock and the corresponding requirements, different transmission ratios can be set by the arrangement of the attachment points of the coupling member. The attachment points of the pawl and the coupling rod are preferably arranged at different radii around the attachment point of the coupling member on the coupling member. Preferably, the radial distance of the attachment point of the claw portion from the central axis of the attachment point of the coupling member is smaller than the radial distance of the attachment point of the coupling lever from the center point of the attachment point of the coupling member. In other words, the attachment point of the coupling lever is farther from the center of the attachment point of the coupling member than the attachment point of the claw portion.

A further variant of the embodiment of the invention is obtained if the coupling member has an ejector for the pawl. The coupling member moves the pawl driven by the coupling rod such that the rotating latch moves towards the open position. Then, by moving the claw portion in a radial direction centered on the attachment point of the coupling member, the rotary latch is continuously removed from the latched position, and the sealing pressure acting on the rotary latch can be reduced. If the pawl is moved such that no or little pressure is exerted on the pawl by the rotary latch, an ejector arranged on the coupling member pivots or moves the pawl out of the area of engagement with the rotary latch. can be done. For this purpose, the coupling member has an ejector surface that can be engaged with the pawl. Here, in the open or unlocked position of the locking mechanism, the pawl can remain disengaged from the rotary latch and/or be disengaged from the rotary latch by the storage lever. condition can be maintained, which allows the rotary latch to be moved to the fully open position.

A further variant of the embodiment of the invention is obtained if the coupling member allows the locking mechanism to be brought into the closed position, in particular the main latch closed position. The coupling member is pivotably accommodated in the motor vehicle lock and is movable by means of the coupling rod. The coupling member is capable of disengaging the pawl from the rotary latch, so that after the locking mechanism has been released and the rotary latch has been rotated to the open position, the attachment point of the pawl can be moved back to the rotary latch. It is also possible to pivot it into an initial position where it can be engaged. For this purpose, the coupling member pivots the attachment point of the pawl after opening into an initial position in which a closing torque can preferably be set on the locking mechanism.

In a variant of one embodiment, the drive element has an eccentric receptacle for the coupling rod. In a preferred embodiment, the drive element comprises an electric drive, preferably a direct current motor, on the output shaft of which a worm can be mounted, for example. The worm interacts with a worm gear, which makes it possible to unlock the locking mechanism and in particular to realize a gear stage for driving the coupling rod. Preferably, the coupling rod is arranged eccentrically on the gearwheel of the transmission so that as much as possible an optimized torque can be introduced into the coupling rod and thus on the coupling member. The coupling rod can be arranged directly on the gearwheel or on the control and drive element. The control and drive element can, for example, be fixed directly to the gearwheel, such that the bearing shaft of the coupling rod is supported by the gearwheel and/or the control and drive element. The gear or worm gear can also be designed integrally with the control and drive elements. Although a worm gear is shown as an embodiment of the invention, it is of course also conceivable to use other tooth shapes and gears as the drive for the coupling rod.

A further variation of one embodiment is that the drive element interacts with the pawl such that the drive element can move the pawl to the unlocked position by actuating the drive element in a single actuation direction. Occurs when Preferably, the drive, in particular the electric motor, can be controlled in only one drive direction, which allows an inexpensive and simple control of the drive elements. In particular, the use of limit switches and/or stops in motor vehicle locks can be dispensed with. This offers structural and therefore cost advantages by using a single direction of actuation for the drive element.

Advantageously, the coupling member can be tilted back and forth by means of the drive element. The coupling member is pivotably housed within the motor vehicle lock, and the continuous rotational movement of the drive element by the coupling rod and the positioning of the coupling rod relative to the attachment point of the coupling member causes a tilting movement of the coupling member. . The coupling member is moved back and forth, the forward movement being referred to as the movement in which the pawl disengages from the rotating latch. The forward movement, ie the return movement of the coupling member, is referred to as the movement that returns the pawl to its initial position so that the rotary latch can again engage the pawl. The structural design therefore allows converting a continuous movement of the drive element into a tilting movement of the coupling member.

A further variant of the embodiment of the invention is obtained if a locking lever is provided and the locking lever can be engaged with the pawl when the pawl is in the unlocked position. The storage or locking lever ensures that a pawl moved into the unlocked position, for example by an ejector, remains in the open or unlocked position. The fixed lever is called a storage lever because the position of the pawl part is stored. This is advantageous, for example, when a load such as a snow load acts on the rear door and the rotary latch cannot be smoothly moved to the open position. In this position of the rotary latch which is not fully opened, it is possible for the pawl to fall again, for example into the prelatch of the rotary latch. This repeated, unintentional fall of the pawl onto the rotating latch is prevented by a locking or storage lever. The locking lever is advantageously arranged pivotably in the motor vehicle lock and is preferably mounted in the lock housing and/or the lock case of the motor vehicle lock. The storage or fixation lever is preferably made of plastic.

If the coupling member has a first attachment point for the coupling rod and a second attachment point for the pawl, a design change is obtained that can advantageously influence the transmission ratio. As a result, a transmission ratio can be set in the coupling member in which a predeterminable or predefinable torque for unlocking the locking mechanism can be set. This makes it possible, on the one hand, to achieve a space-saving structure, and at the same time provides a low-noise but powerful unlocking of the locking mechanism.

In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail on the basis of preferred exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the principle applies that this embodiment does not limit the invention, but merely represents one embodiment. The features indicated can be implemented individually or in combination with further features of the description and the claims.

FIG. 1 is a top view of the lock for an open rear door in the main latching position, with only the lock components important for explaining the invention shown. 2 is a top view of the lock for the rear door according to FIG. 1, with the pawl part at least partially displaced from the main latching position by the drive element, the coupling rod and the pivotable attachment point; FIG. . FIG. 3 shows the further opening of the locking mechanism with movement of the pivotable attachment point of the pawl, which engages with the pawl. FIG. 4 shows the pawl out of the engagement area with the pivotable latch and rotating latch in the open position. FIG. 5 shows the release lock mechanism and the process of returning the pawl to its initial position.

detailed description

In FIG. 1, a motor vehicle lock 1 constructed according to the invention is shown in a plan view of a locking mechanism 2 and in a partially opened view. The locking mechanism 2 is shown in the main latching position, and the rotating latch 3 is held in the main latching position by, for example, a pawl 4 such that a lock holder (not shown) can hold the rear door in the closed position. The rotary latch 3 is pivotably mounted on an attachment point 5 in the locking housing 6 and/or the locking case. On the other hand, the claw portion 4 is accommodated in a pivotable attachment point 7, and the attachment point 7 is supported by a coupling member 8. The coupling member 8, like the rotary latch 3, is pivotably mounted on the lock housing 6 and/or the lock case.

As will be explained in more detail below, in order to open the locking mechanism 2, the coupling member 8 performs a movement around the attachment point 9 and performs a tilting movement around the attachment point 9. The coupling member 8 itself is driven by a coupling rod 10 and an electric drive element 11. The electric drive element 11 comprises an electric motor 12 on the output shaft 13 of which a worm 14 is mounted. The worm 14 meshes with a worm gear 15. The coupling rod 10 is actuated by a worm gear and a control and drive element 16 cooperating with the worm gear. On the one hand, the coupling rod 10 is driven by a control and drive element 16.

FIG. 2 shows the start of the opening process, that is, the unlocking process of the lock mechanism 2. The coupling rod 10 is driven by the electric drive element 11 and the worm gear 15 moves clockwise in the direction of the arrow P1. For this purpose, the coupling rod 10 is pivotably accommodated in the attachment point 18 . The coupling rod 10 moves the coupling member 8 through the attachment point 19, about which the coupling member 8 pivots or tilts in the direction of arrow P2. As a result of the movement of the coupling member 8, the rotary latch 3 is lowered by the pawl 4 and the coupling member 10. Therefore, FIG. 2 shows the start of the unlocking process of the locking mechanism 2.

Further opening processing is illustrated in FIG. Then, as a result of the coupling member 8 being further pivoted in the direction of arrow P2, the rotary latch 3 can be further pivoted in the opening direction, that is, in the clockwise direction. It is preferable that an external force F acting on the rotary latch 3 is applied to the rotary latch 3 by the lock holder 21 . When the rotary latch 3 is not engaged with the lock holder 21, the rotary latch 3 is provided with a leg spring (not shown), and a spring load is applied to the rotary latch 3 in the opening direction, that is, in the clockwise direction. . The pivotable mounting 7 has the effect of carrying out a continuous opening process. The continuous opening process is characterized by a continuous decrease in the force F from the lock holder 21. According to FIG. 1, the highest load acts on the locking mechanism 2 in the main latching position. As a result of the successive opening process, this maximum force is reduced slowly, i.e. continuously, so that the locking mechanism can be unlocked with less noise. So-called break-off noise can be prevented or eliminated.

As can also be seen in FIG. 3, the coupling member 8 is in contact with the ejector 22 or with the stop surface of the coupling member 8. The maximum pressure acting on the motor vehicle lock 1 in the main latching position of the locking mechanism 2 is continuously reduced by the displacement of the attachment point 7 of the pawl. In this unloaded or at least largely unloaded position of the locking mechanism 2, the locking mechanism 2 can then be opened with little or no noise.

FIG. 4 shows the locking mechanism 2 fully opened, so that the lock holder 21 is free. In this open position, the rotary latch 3 rests against a stop 23, which is preferably a rubber-elastic damping element. The rotary latch 3 is held in this open position by a rotary latch spring. As is clear from FIG. 1, the ejector 22 disengages the claw portion 4 from the engagement area with the rotary latch 3, allowing the rotary latch to be moved in the direction of the open position without any hindrance. In order to prevent the pawl 4 from accidentally falling into the rotary latch 3, a fixing lever 24 is pivotably received within the motor vehicle lock 1, so that the pawl 4 is in the unlocked position shown in FIG. Hold 4. The fixed lever 24 can obtain a force to counter the force F due to the snow load acting on the rear door, and can prevent the locking mechanism 2 from fully opening, that is, the rotation latch 3 from moving to the open position, so it can also be used as a snow load lever. Called. If the rotary latch 3 does not move completely into the open position, the pawl 4 will engage the rotary latch 3 and return in the absence of the locking lever 24, preventing, for example, inadvertent locking of the locking mechanism 2 into the pre-latched position. and/or falls may occur. The locking lever 24 is accommodated in the motor vehicle lock 1 so as to be pivotable about an attachment point 25.

In FIG. 4, the coupling member 8 has reached the bottom dead center position T relative to the force acting on the coupling lever 10. By further rotating the worm gear 15 in the direction of arrow P1, the coupling member 8 returns to the initial position A. The worm gear 15 moves in the direction of the arrow P1, that is, the worm gear only moves clockwise in the direction of the arrow P1. On the other hand, the coupling member 8 is moved clockwise in the direction of arrow P2 until the locking mechanism 2 is fully opened, and then the coupling member 8 is retreated in the direction of arrow P3. It can be called movement. The coupling member 8 is returned to its initial position A and the top dead center position T0 is passed in relation to the force acting on the pawl. Beyond the top dead center position T0, the pawl 4, together with its attachment point 7, is aligned with the attachment point 9 of the coupling member 8, which generates a closing torque in the locking mechanism 2. In other words, in the initial position, the locking mechanism 2 is pushed into the closed position, so that the maximum degree of safety for the closed position of the motor vehicle lock can be achieved.

By fully opening the rotary latch 3, the fixed lever 24 is released from the pawl 4, so that the pawl 4 comes into contact with the rotary latch 3. Here, the motor vehicle lock 1 can be locked again by interacting with the lock holder 21. The construction of the motor vehicle lock 1 according to the invention makes it possible to provide an improved motor vehicle lock 1 that meets the highest requirements in terms of noise characteristics and space requirements.

Explanation of the sign

1...Automotive lock, 2...Lock mechanism, 3...Rotating latch, 4...Claw part, 5, 6, 9, 18, 19, 25...Attachment point, 6...Lock housing, 8...Coupling member, 9...Coupling Rod, 11... Electric drive element, 12... Electric motor, 13... Output shaft, 14... Worm, 15... Worm gear, 16... Control and drive element, 17... Control outline part 20... Main latch part, 21... Lock holder, 22...Ejector, ejector surface, 23...Stop part, 24...Fixed lever, P1, P2, P3...Arrow, F...Force, T (T0)...Dead center position, A...Initial position.

Claims (8)

A lock for a motor vehicle (1) having a locking mechanism (2) with a rotating latch (3) and at least one pawl (4),
comprising a lock holder (21) engageable in at least one latching position to said locking mechanism (2), said pawl (4) actuatable by at least one coupling rod (10) and a drive element (11); , the coupling rod (10) is arranged on the transmission device and interacts with the pawl (4) by a coupling member (8) ,
the coupling member (8) is pivotably housed in the housing (6) and/or the lock case of the motor vehicle lock (1);
the coupling member (8) has a first attachment point (19) for the coupling rod (10) and a second attachment point (7) for the pawl (4);
Lock (1), characterized in that said first attachment point (19) and said second attachment point (7) are arranged at different radii around the attachment point (9) of said coupling member (8) . Lock (as claimed in claim 1), characterized in that the coupling member (8) has an ejector (22) for removing the pawl (4) from the area of engagement with the rotary latch (3). 1). Lock (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2 , characterized in that the coupling member (8) allows the locking mechanism (2) to be brought into the closed position (A). Lock (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the drive element (11) has an eccentric receptacle for the coupling rod (10). The drive element (11) is configured such that the pawl (4) can be moved to an unlocked position by actuating the drive element (11) in a single actuation direction (P1). Lock (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , characterized in that it interacts with (4). Lock (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that the drive element (11) allows the coupling member (8) to be tilted back and forth. A fixing lever (24) is provided, the fixing lever (24) being capable of engaging the pawl (4) in the unlocked position of the pawl (4). 6. The lock (1) according to any one of 6 . Claim 1, characterized in that the coupling member (8) allows the pawl (4) to be moved into a main latching position, in which a closing torque acts on the locking mechanism (2). The lock (1) according to any one of 1 to 7 .

Images