WO2009056119A2

WO2009056119A2 - Motor vehicle door lock

Info

Publication number: WO2009056119A2
Application number: PCT/DE2008/001779
Authority: WO
Inventors: Frank Blumenthal; Winfried Schlabs; Hendrik Wahmann; Thorsten Bendel; Holger Schiffer; Claus Töpfer; Uwe Reddmann; Michael Scholz; Ludger Graute; Thomas SCHÖNENBERG; Armin Handke
Original assignee: Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2007-11-02
Filing date: 2008-11-03
Publication date: 2009-05-07
Also published as: DE102007052890A1; EP2231971A2; DE102007052890B4; WO2009056119A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle door lock comprising a locking mechanism (3, 4) and an closing/opening device (10 to 18) that impinges on said locking mechanism (3, 4) by means of at least one motor (10) by interconnecting a transmission device (11 to 17). Said transmission device (11 to 14) works with variable drive torque on said locking mechanism (3, 4).

Description

Motor vehicle door lock

Description:

The invention relates to a motor vehicle door lock, with a locking mechanism, and with a closing / opening device, which acts on the locking mechanism by means of at least one motor with the interposition of a transmission device.

Closing devices in motor vehicle door closures generally serve to assist the closing operation of an associated motor vehicle door. This results from the realization that often only the pre-locking position is achieved, especially in heavyweight doors and slamming. In order to still be able to ensure a perfect closure, the closing device ensures that the locking mechanism is transferred to the main locking position. Here, more or less large opposing forces would have to be overcome, which are usually applied by a door rubber seal. An example of such a closing device is described in DE 20 2004 001 850 U1.

In addition, there are opening devices for locking, as they are the subject of DE 10 2004 052 599 A1. Here, following an opening signal, an opening movement is effected on the catch in the closing direction of the catch, until such time as the pawl can be lifted or adjusted. As a result, the associated locking mechanism can be opened by motor.

The known procedures have basically proven, but then come up against limits when large forces must be overcome either during the opening process or during the closing process. In particular, when closing a motor vehicle door today increase the forces disproportionately. This can be attributed to the increasing desire of car manufacturers, wind noise as effectively as possible from the interior

keep. As a result, resorted to tight-fitting door rubber gaskets, the restoring forces are not insignificant when closing the door. In order nevertheless to ensure a perfect closure, even in order to provide a secure closure of the motor vehicle door even in the event of an accident, is worked as a result of this with relatively large engines for Zuzieheinrichtung. These are not only expensive, but also often bulky and heavy. Both properties are contrary to the previous efforts to reduce costs and save space, for example, to accommodate additional aggregates in the doors (side airbags, speakers, windows, etc.) at all. This is where the invention starts.

The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing a motor vehicle door lock of the embodiment described at the beginning in such a way that high actuation forces can nevertheless be generated in the case of a compact and inexpensive construction.

To solve this technical problem, the invention proposes in a generic motor vehicle door lock, that the transmission device with variable drive torque works on the locking mechanism. In this case, it is usually the case that the drive torque of the transmission device initially increases and then remains in the range of a maximum value, or slightly decreases again after exceeding the respective maximum value.

The invention is based on the recognition that, in particular when pulling a motor vehicle door initially increasing restoring forces must be overcome and subsequently the drive torque can be reduced or not further increased. This. Can be traced back in the core of the property of door rubber gaskets, which initially build up in their expansion in the course of the door closing restoring forces and after exceeding a certain deformation usually even generate sinking restoring forces. In any case, the invention bears particular account of this deformation behavior of door rubber gaskets.

Characterized in that the transmission device operates with variable drive torque and in particular a rising to the maximum value drive torque, the motor can be made relatively kleinbauend and cost. Nevertheless, the desired functionality is achieved. Most often, the increase of the variable drive torque of the transmitter follows an exponential function which asymptotically approaches the maximum value. However, it is also possible in principle for the drive torque to drop slightly (again) once the maximum value has been reached.

This course of the drive torque is inventively provided by a special kinematics of the transmission device available. For this purpose, the transmission device advantageously has a crank mechanism, which is advantageously connected to a rotary element or rotary element that in turn is acted upon by the motor. In an advantageous embodiment, the crank mechanism is composed essentially of a first crank arm and a second crank arm.

The first crank arm is regularly connected to the rotary element acted upon by the engine, while the second crank arm engages with the first crank arm in a pivotal connection and pivots about a stationary axle. In this way, the first crank arm not only ensures that the second crank arm pivotally connected thereto makes pivoting movements about the stationary axle, as a result of which the locking mechanism is ultimately loaded, but at the same time an angle enclosed by the two crank arms also changes. This will be explained in more detail with reference to the description of the figures.

The crank mechanism or the second crank arm works on a drive lever. The drive lever acts on its part in a contour on Lock engaging pawl. The drive lever and the pawl are usually connected to each other via a hinge. The rotary joint is usually acted upon by a spring, which ensures that the drive lever and the pawl enclose a predetermined angle to each other, which can indeed be changed against spring force, but is taken up again with the help of the spring after the end of a force.

The crank mechanism is usually connected in a connection point to the rotary member, which is rotated by means of the motor in rotation. Most often, the first crank arm of the crank mechanism is a pivotal connection with the said connection point. Looking at the movement of this connection point, for example, during the closing process, the connection point performs between its starting point and end point in about half a turn.

Finally, in order to raise the drive torque exerted by the transmission device on the ratchet to a high level, it has proven useful if the rotary element acted upon by the motor, to which the crank drive is connected, is designed as a gear transmission. Mostly at this point two intermeshing gears are used, namely a first gear of small diameter, which is supported by a worm wheel, which meshes directly with a worm on an output shaft of the engine. This first small-diameter gear meshes with a second gear having a multiple diameter, so that the rotational movement of the output shaft of the engine undergoes a total reduction and a considerable torque is available on the output side of the second gear, and consequently the rotary element as a whole.

This torque is now in turn increased by means of the subsequent crank mechanism, and variable, as already described. As a result, the invention contributes in particular to the closing process. taking account of different restoring forces and is particularly well adapted to them. As a result, a small-sized and cost-effective engine is used. Here are the main benefits.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing showing only one exemplary embodiment; show it:

1 shows the motor vehicle door lock according to the invention with its essential elements and a Zuzieheinrichtung,

Fig. 2 shows a detail of FIG. 1 in different functional positions and

3a and 3b a front and rear view of the locking mechanism.

In the figures, a motor vehicle door lock is shown, which basically consists of a motor vehicle door lock 1 and a lock holder 2 indicated only in FIG. 3a. The motor vehicle door lock

1 is arranged inside a motor vehicle door, not shown, whereas the lock holder 2 may be attached to the body in the region of a B-pillar, for example.

The motor vehicle door lock or the motor vehicle door lock 1 has a locking mechanism 3, 4, which can be seen in particular in FIG. 3 a. This is composed of a rotary latch 3 and a pawl 4, which cooperate in the usual manner. That is, to transfer the locking mechanism 3, 4 in its closed position, the lock holder 2 moves into the rotary latch 3, so that the pawl 4 initially in a pre-catch 5 and then a main catch 6 of the rotary latch 3 occurs.

In Fig. 1 can still be seen an inlet mouth 7, in which the lock holder

2 enters the described process. In addition, Fig. 1 shows a Combined and unimportant for further considerations engine 8, which takes over a central locking and anti-theft function and at the same time ensures or can provide a child safety insert. Finally, components of an actuating / locking lever chain 9 are shown, which are also of secondary importance for the further considerations.

Decisive for the invention is now a closing / opening device 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18, which in the present case is designed as a closing aid 10 to 18. The closing / opening device 10 to 18 or the closing aid 10 to 18 has a motor 10 designed as an electric motor 10, which works by means of an output shaft 11 and a worm 12 to a first gear 13. The first gear 13 has a small diameter and is supported by a meshing with the worm 12 worm wheel. The first gear 13 with a small diameter meshes with a second gear 14 of significantly larger diameter, so that in this way a rotary member 13, 14 is provided, which is designed as a gear transmission and can be rotated by the motor 10 in rotation and a reduction the motor rotation provides.

In the present case, the second gear 14 performs to pull the locking mechanism 3, 4 in about half a turn, as in the comparison of the two end positions corresponding to FIG. 2 becomes clear. For this purpose, the second gear 14 moves in the illustration corresponding to FIGS. 1 and 2 in a clockwise direction.

To the rotary member 13, 14 and the second gear 14, a crank mechanism 15, 16 is connected, which in turn operates on a drive lever 17, which acts on a latch 18 at the end of the drive chain described. The pawl 18 is embodied here as a closing pawl 18 and not restricting it. The closing pawl 18 engages in a contour 19 on the rotary latch 3, which is configured in the embodiment as Zuziehkontur 19. This is the case when the electric motor 10 is applied in the attracting sense and the second gear 14 moves in a clockwise direction. Because in this case, the Zuziehkontur 19 entering Zuziehklinke 18 ensures that the rotary latch 3 is pivoted in the illustration of FIG. 3a in the clockwise direction and, for example, safe from its pre-locking with fallen into the pre-latching 5 pawl 4 in the main latching position with in Hauptast 6 incident pawl 4 is transferred as shown.

The closing / opening device or closing aid 10 to 18 is composed according to the invention and in principle from the already mentioned motor or electric motor 10 and a transmission device 11 to 18 acted upon, which finally acts on the locking mechanism 3, 4 as described, within the scope of the exemplary embodiment therefor ensures that the catch 3 is tightened. Of particular importance, it is now according to the invention that the transmission device 11 to 18 with variable drive torque to the locking mechanism 3, 4 operates. In fact, the drive torque of the transmission device 11 to 18 initially increases and reaches a maximum value. The drive torque essentially follows an exponential function which asymptotically approaches the maximum value. This maximum value is either maintained or the drive torque falls slightly after exceeding the aforementioned maximum value.

To achieve this in detail, has the transmission device 11 to 18 on the already mentioned crank mechanism 15, 16. This crank mechanism 15, 16 is as described connected to the rotary member 13, 14 and is acted upon by this.

In fact, the crank mechanism 15, 16 is composed of a first crank arm 15 and a second crank arm 16, which are pivotally connected to each other. The first crank arm is attached to the rotary element 13, 14. concluded, in the present case, a pivotal connection with the second gear 14 in the region of a connection point A with this one. It can be seen on the basis of FIG. 2 that the said connection point A performs approximately a 180 ° or half turn when the motor 10 acts on the transmission device 11 to 18 in a pulling-in sense. In fact, a start position and end position of said connection point A to be recognized in FIG. 2 correspond to two positions of this connection point A, which are diametrically opposed to an axis 20 of the second gear 14.

As a consequence thereof, the drive torque exerted by the crank mechanism 15, 16 on the drive lever 17 and consequently the closing pawl 18 and thus the locking mechanism 3, 4 first increases. This can be attributed to the fact that the connection point A in the described and in Fig. 2 indicated movement, the first crank arm 15 increasingly increases and at the same time in this lever movement of the lever arm between the connection point A and the axis 20 and thus increases the torque. Consequently, the torque acting on the first crank arm 15 increases. This reaches its maximum approximately when the connection point A - starting from the illustration of FIG. 1 - has completed an approximately 90 ° rotation.

Subsequently, the drive torque drops off, but not significantly, because the crank mechanism 15, 16 or the two crank arms 15, 16 increase their included angle with this movement. This angular magnification between the crank arms 15, 16, in turn, lengthens the effective lever arm from the connection point A to the stationary axle 21, about which the second crank arm 16 of the crank mechanism 15, 16 pivots. As a result, a certain compensation of the first crank arm 15 acting and falling torque is achieved. As a result, the drive torque so increases, remains in the range of a maximum value or falls slightly after exceeding this maximum value again. In any case, the drive torque exerted on the catch 3 via the closing pawl initially increases almost exponentially in order to asymptotically reach a maximum value which is essentially maintained until the end of the closing process or until the end point is reached, or at best decreases slightly. As a result, the transmission device 11 to 18 is able to overcome with the thus constructed variable drive torque increasing restoring forces when pulling the vehicle door. All this is possible with little design effort, with recourse to a relatively small and thus cost-effective design and compact motor 10.

Finally, it can be seen that the second crank arm 16 of the crank mechanism 15, 16 is pivoted about a fixed axis 21 in order to represent the described change in angle between the crank arms 15, 16 can. The drive lever 17 and the pawl 18 are connected to each other via a hinge 22. An associated spring ensures that both parts 17, 18 maintain the same angle to each other. Reinforcing plates for holding on the one hand the rotary member 13, 14 and on the other hand of the crank mechanism 15, 16 provide overall that the functionality is maintained at force application.

Claims

claims:

1. Motor vehicle door lock, with a locking mechanism (3, 4), and with a Zuzieh / opening device (10 to 18), which acts by means of at least one motor (10) with the interposition of a transmission device (11 to 18) the locking mechanism (3, 4) , characterized in that the transmission device (11 to 14) with variable drive torque to the locking mechanism (3, 4) works.

2. Motor vehicle door lock according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive torque of the transmission device (11 to 18) initially increases and remains in the range of a maximum value or slightly falls after exceeding the maximum value again.

3. Motor vehicle door lock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the transmission device (11 to 18) has a crank mechanism (15, 16).

4. Motor vehicle door lock according to claim 3, characterized in that the crank mechanism (15, 16) consists essentially of a first crank arm (15) and a second crank arm (16).

5. Motor vehicle door lock according to claim 4, characterized in that the first crank arm (15) to a from the motor (10) acted upon rotary element (13, 14) is connected.

6. Motor vehicle door lock according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the second crank arm (16) is pivotally connected to the first crank arm (15) and pivoted about a stationary axis (21).

7. Motor vehicle door lock according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the crank mechanism (15, 16) on a drive lever (17) works, which in turn acts on a in a contour (19) on the locking mechanism (3, 4) engaging pawl (18).

8. Motor vehicle door lock according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the drive lever (17) and the pawl (18) via a spring acted upon with a swivel joint (22) are interconnected.

9. Motor vehicle door lock according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a connection point (A) of the first crank arm (15) to the rotary member (13, 14) from the starting point to the end point performs approximately half a turn.

10. Motor vehicle door lock according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the rotary element (13, 14) is designed as a gear transmission with reduction.