WO2019242816A1

WO2019242816A1 - Motor vehicle lock

Info

Publication number: WO2019242816A1
Application number: PCT/DE2019/100565
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Szegeny; Holger Schiffer
Original assignee: Kiekert Ag
Priority date: 2018-06-22
Filing date: 2019-06-19
Publication date: 2019-12-26
Also published as: DE102018115056A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock (1) comprising a locking mechanism (3, 4) having a rotary latch (3) and at least one pawl (4), wherein the rotary latch (3) can be latched in at least one latching position by means of the pawl (4), and having a separate, rotatable latching element (5) arranged in the engagement region (2) between rotary latch (3) and pawl (4), wherein the latching element (5) can be guided by means of a guide means (6) between the rotary latch (3) and the pawl (4), and wherein the latching element (5) can be guided by means of a single guide means (6) which circumferentially encloses the latching element (5) at least in certain regions.

Description

Motor vehicle lock

The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock aufwei send a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least egg ner pawl, the rotary latch can be locked by means of the locking pawl in at least one latching position and a separate rotatable locking element arranged in the engagement area between the latch and pawl, in particular a ball, wherein the locking element can be guided by means of a guide means between the catch and pawl.

Motor vehicle locks are used in motor vehicles where pivotal, displaceable or in another way movably arranged components on the motor vehicle must be fixed. Particularly with regard to the side doors and / or a tailgate, high demands are placed on ease of use. It is therefore always the endeavor of the developers of the motor vehicle locksmith and the automotive industry to increase the convenience in the operation of the motor vehicle locksmith.

The motor vehicle lock, and in particular the locking mechanism arranged in the motor vehicle lock, cooperates with a lock holder, which is usually attached to the motor vehicle body, when closing. The locking mechanism consisting of a rotary latch and pawl is moved into a latching position by means of the lock holder. This latching position then makes it possible to position and hold the movable component securely while the motor vehicle is in use. The locking position is achieved by the engagement of the pawl in a locking surface of the rotary Trap achieved so that the locking mechanism can get into a main rest position, for example. The interplay between the locking parts, i.e. the rotary latch and pawl, causes closing and opening noises, which have a significant influence on the comfort behavior of the motor vehicle lock.

From the generic DE 10 2016 215 336 Al a motor vehicle lock has become known in which a locking element in the form of a ball or egg nes cylinder is arranged in the engagement region between the rotary latch and pawl for the development of a favorable haptic and acoustic of the motor vehicle. In order to ensure that the ball, for example, in the engagement area between the catch and pawl, a guide cage is disclosed in the publication, the guide cage being arranged either on the pawl or on the catch. The use of a guide cage and the attachment of the guide cage to the rotary latch or pawl is tied to an elaborate manufacturing process, with the highest levels of accuracy, particularly with regard to guiding the latching element, being associated only with the most elaborate and therefore cost-intensive manufacturing processes. The generic state of the art cannot convince in all respects. This is where the invention comes in.

According to claim 1, the object of the invention is achieved in that a motor vehicle lock is provided, having a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least one pawl, the rotary latch can be locked in at least one latching position by means of the pawl and one in the engagement area between Rotary latch and pawl arranged separate, rotatable locking element, in particular a ball, the Ras telement by means of a guide means between the rotary latch and the pawl can be guided and wherein the Ras telement by means of a single, at least partially circumferentially enclosing Guide means is feasible , Arranging or circumferentially guiding the latching element in a single guide means creates the possibility of guiding the latching element independently of the pivoting and / or rotating movements of the locking mechanism. This is particularly advantageous because a guide means is provided which can guide the locking means between the locking parts regardless of the position and play tolerances of the locking parts.

The locking element can thus be held securely and accurately in the engagement area between a contact surface on the rotary latch and a contact surface on the pawl by means of the guide means. For this purpose, the guide means has a guide which is at least partially circumferential, by means of which the latching element can provide a guide for the latching element which is stable on one side but is secure.

The latching element is preferably designed as a ball, so that an engagement surface that can be described as point contact on the contact surface of the rotary latch and pawl can be achieved. But it is also conceivable that a cylindrical locking element can be arranged by means of the guide means, so that a line contact on the contact surfaces of the locking parts can be formed or achieved. Preferably, the locking element is held by means of a ball or cylinder guide in the engagement area between the pawl and catch.

Advantageously, the guide means can hold the ras telement by means of the guide in the engagement area, only a support element arranged on one side of a locking part being necessary. A carrier element can for example be mounted on a pivot axis of the pawl or rotary latch. Starting from the carrier element, as a position and guide means, the guide can then extend circumferentially around the locking element. However, it is also conceivable that there are additional extensions between the carrier element and the latching element, so that a weight reduction of the guide means is possible.

Is spoken in the sense of the invention of a motor vehicle lock, so that motor vehicle locksmith are included, for example, in side doors, sliding doors, flaps, hoods and / or covers are set, exactly where swivel-mounted or sliding components are arranged on the motor vehicle conceivable it is also to arrange the motor vehicle lock in a backrest of a seat.

The motor vehicle lock has a locking mechanism which has a rotary latch and at least one pawl. Preferably and in particular, at least one pawl is arranged in one plane with the rotary latch and is able, in interaction with the latching element and a lock holder, to lock the rotary latch in one position lock. When the ratchet is open, an inlet points maul the rotary latch in the direction of a lock holder, where the rotary catch swivels due to a relative movement between the lock holder and the rotary latch. The pawl is generally biased in the direction of the catch so that the pawl and in particular the catch element come into engagement with the catch when a catch position is reached. A pre-locking position and a main locking position of the locking mechanism can be assumed here.

The locking system or motor vehicle lock can furthermore have a lock housing in which the locking mechanism, a locking unit, an actuation unit, an electric drive and / or gear parts can be arranged. This list is of course not exhaustive, but only describes components of the motor vehicle lock that can be used depending on the area of application and functionalities. The lock housing is preferably formed as a plastic injection molded part and can consist of at least one lock housing cover and a lock housing shell. The lock housing primarily serves to protect the functional components from, for example, moisture and / or dirt. The lock housing components are sealed together.

The lock case can be designed as a bent stamped part and encloses the lock housing at least in regions and / or on two sides. The lock case can enclose an inlet mouth for the lock holder and thus serve to further stabilize the lock. Preferably, the motor vehicle lock on the lock box or a lock plate as a flat lock case, directly connected to the motor vehicle body and screwed. Means for mounting, for example mounting openings, are preferably provided as threads in the lock plate in the lock plate.

In the engagement area between the rotary latch and pawl, a locking element is arranged, which can be produced as a separate component and at least rotatable in relation to the rotary latch and the pawl can be formed. Preferably, who uses the cylindrical locking elements or a kugelför-shaped design of a locking element. The Ras telement itself serves to optimize the engagement behavior in relation to the catch, whereby when the catch element engages in the catch, it rolls off, so that a low-noise interaction between the catch element as a blocking element for the catch in interaction with the catch is available.

It is particularly important that the Rastele element can be precisely guided and at the same time the alignment between the pawl and the rotary latch takes place with the smallest possible play tolerances. In particular, the solution known from the prior art offers no possibility of eliminating the troughs present in the pivot axes of the locking parts, so that the tolerances in the pivot axes of the locking parts have a negative effect on the interaction of the locking parts and the locking element. The advantageous arrangement of the means for Füh ren in a fixed attachment in the motor vehicle overcomes these disadvantages and provides means for Available that are easy to construct and easier to assemble the motor vehicle lock with a separate mounting option.

In one embodiment of the variant, the guide means encloses latching means at least in regions and fully, in particular by means of a guide completely. The locking means is arranged between the rotary latch and the pawl and forms the locking means in the engagement area of the locking parts. The locking element can be positioned by means of the guide and can be held in the grip area, so that a secure locking of the locking mechanism is possible. The guide means and in particular a special guide encloses the locking element to catch, the locking element in the direction of the locking parts extends beyond the guide, so that on the one hand an interaction between the locking part and the Ras telement is possible and on the other hand a safe guidance of the locking element along one Curve path is possible. A curved path results, for example, when the guide element is received in a pivot axis of a locking part, so that a circular path with a radius around the pivot axis results from the pivoting movement of the guide means.

The guidance of the guide means can enclose the locking element be extensive or partially full. If the guide encloses the locking element le diglich in some areas, the locking element can also be guided, for example, along a lock case of the motor vehicle lock and by means of the lock case. This can be particularly advantageous if the latching element is designed as a ball, so that the latching element can rest on the lock case next to the contact surfaces on the locking parts. If the guidance of the guide means completely surrounds the locking element in some areas, then the locking element can be guided solely by means of the guide means or the guidance between the locking parts.

If the guide means is kept independent of the locking components, there is a further advantageous embodiment variant of the invention. The guide means leads the locking element in the engagement area between the catch and the pawl. The guide means is arranged independently and movably in the motor vehicle lock, independently of the locking components. This makes it possible for the locking element to be disengaged from the locking parts and in particular the catch by an independent movement which follows independently of the locking components. This enables the latching element to slide or roll off the rotary latch with little noise. Even during the closing process, this results in the possibility that the locking element can reach a main locking position depending on the forces acting on the locking element.

Closing and opening forces can act on the locking element. Closing forces insofar as there is a closing moment due to the engagement between the catch and pawl, so that the latching element and thus the guide means can be urged into a main latching position by the closing moment. It is therefore a faster closing or locking of the locking possible.

A further embodiment variant of the invention results when the guide means is pivotally received in the motor vehicle lock, in particular is mounted. A pivotable mounting of the guide means has the advantage that the locking element of the movement path resulting from the interplay of the catch and pawl can lead safely and smoothly, thereby avoiding stresses in the locking mechanism by the locking element. The rotary latch and pawl are pivotally or rotatably received in the motor vehicle lock. The pawl is only pivoted through small angles, the pawl being pivoted about a pivot axis. The pivoting movement thus results in a circular path around the pivot axis, which the latching element can follow through a pivotable mounting in the motor vehicle lock. This results in favorable conditions of engagement between the pawl, locking element and rotary latch.

If the guide means is mounted in a ratchet axis, and in particular the ratchet axis, a further embodiment variant of the invention results. By storing the guide means in the locking partial axis, inexpensive storage with a low percentage of components in the motor vehicle lock can be made possible. The locking part axis itself then serves as a receiving means for the guide means. On the one hand, there is therefore no need for a separate mounting of the guide, and at the same time Telement follow the circular path, which can be specified by the locking part, safely and easily. The latching element can then be held on a circular path by means of the guide means and can roll on the locking parts in the area of engagement between the pawl and the catch. Even outside the engagement area, the storage in the pivot axis of a locking part enables the possibility that the locking element can be guided securely on the locking part and can perform a rolling movement.

In addition, it is conceivable that the guide means has a separate bearing / bearing axis. The position tion / bearing axis can preferably be arranged on the lock housing or a lock plate.

If the pawl has a driving contour for the guide means, there is a further embodiment variant of the invention. The pawl is spring-loaded in the direction of the catch. Preferably, the pawl has a leg spring, which extends for example around a pivot axis of the pawl and biases the pawl in the direction of the catch. To unlock the locking mechanism, the pawl is preferably moved out of the grip area of the rotary latch by means of a release lever. The movement of the pawl simultaneously moves the ras telement out of the engagement area of the catch. If, due to dirt and / or forces acting on the latching element, the latching element does not move out of the engagement area with the rotary latch independently, preferably rolling off the rotary latch, pawl a driving contour which, due to the force acting on the pawl through the release lever, moves the latching element out of the engagement area with the rotary latch. This can ensure that the locking element can be moved safely out of the engagement area with the rotary trap.

The driving contour can preferably be positively attached to the locking element and can engage on the locking element and / or the guide and / or an extension and / or on the carrier element of the guide means. This ensures that the pawl should be moved out of the engagement area with the rotary latch by the release lever and the catch element should not follow the movement directly, so that the catch element is forcibly removed from the engagement area with the catch.

If the pawl has a contact surface for the guide means, there is a further embodiment of the invention. A contact surface on one of the locking parts, preferably on the pawl, can apply a preload to the guide means in the direction of the locking position. The pawl is spring-loaded in the direction of the locking positions, in particular before locking and main locking position, that is, in the direction of engagement with the rotary latch. A contact surface on the pawl has the effect that the spring preload of the pawl also acts on guide means. The action of the spring preload can thus on the one hand ensure a secure locking in the locking position and on the other hand can serve as a stabilizing means of the locking position. The guide means preferably has a carrier element that extends across the pawl. The carrier element preferably comes into engagement with the contact surface. However, it is also conceivable that the contact surface acts directly on the latching element and / or the extension and / or the guide.

If the guide means has a carrier element with extensions arranged on the carrier element, and a ball guide can be held by means of the extension in the area of engagement between the catch and pawl, this results in an advantageous embodiment of the invention. The guide means guides the locking element along the circular path. The latching element itself is held securely in the engagement area by means of a guide and in particular a ball guide. The guide means itself can then be connected to the support element via extensions, so that there is a constructively favorable, space-saving and light construction for the guide means. Large moments can be absorbed by the carrier element, which occur, for example, in interaction with a contact surface on the pawl. The extensions then serve to keep the Rastele element with respect to the locking parts free, so that an engagement of the locking element in the locking parts and / or a driving contour and / or a contact surface is possible. The guide itself serves to secure the position of the ball or a cylinder, the locking element being securely and permanently held in the engagement area.

If at least one locking part has at least one incidence limitation, in particular a contact surface for the ras telement, there is a further design _V ariante of the invention. On the one hand, the guide means is spring-loaded by means of a contact surface in the direction of the catch. On the other hand, the latching element must be movable into a predeterminable, that is to say determinable, latching position in the engagement area. The training of a limit of incidence for the latching element in the rotary latch can consequently ensure that the latching element can be held in a definable latching position. The contact surface on the rotary latch can interact positively with the latching element _Z and / or represent a contact surface for guiding the latching element. Due to the contact surface on the locking part and preferably on the catch, the depth of incidence of the pawl and in particular the locking element can be richly determined in the intervention.

It is also conceivable that the opening limit is arranged externally, in particular on the lock housing and / or a lock case.

In a further embodiment variant of the invention, the guide means can be made of steel or as a composite component made of steel with a plastic casing. The guide means is preferably made of steel, so that the maximum forces occurring in the locking mechanism can be safely absorbed. For reasons of noise minimization, however, it is also conceivable that, for example, areas of the guide means are provided with a plastic jacket. The plastic coating, for example, the interaction with a contact surface on the pawl can be designed such that a low-noise interaction is possible. It is also conceivable is that, for example, the locking element itself toffläge in the guide in an art _S feasible, so that favorable sliding conditions between the latching element and the Introductio are adjustable. However, it is also conceivable that the guide or ball guide can be designed as a bent stamped part made of a steel and in particular a stainless steel, so that the latching element can be guided in the form of a ball bearing. Depending on the requirements of the guide means and the structural conditions, a low-noise interaction of the guide means with the locking mechanism can thus be achieved through the selection of a material and in particular the formation of a composite component made of steel and plastic.

The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings using preferred exemplary embodiments. However, the principle applies that the exemplary embodiments do not limit the invention, but only represent embodiments. The features shown can be carried out individually or in combination with other features of the description as well as the patent claims individually or in combination.

It shows:

FIG. 1 shows a detailed view of a locking mechanism of a motor vehicle lock designed according to the invention, the area of engagement between the catch and pawl being shown with a locking element in a top view, Figure 2 is a detailed view of the locking element according to Figure 1 from a view of the line II-II, and

Figure 3 shows a further detailed view of an alterna tive embodiment of a locking element from a view along the line II-II from Fig. 1

1 shows a plan view of a partial area of a motor vehicle lock 1 and in particular a handle area 2 between a rotary latch 3 and a pawl 4. The catch 3 as well as the pawl 4 are rotatably or pivotally arranged in the motor vehicle lock 1. A main locking position is shown, with a locking element 5 between the rotary latch 3 and the pawl 4 by means of a guide means 6 is guided. The locking element 5 is held by egg ner at least partially circumferential guide 7 in the engagement area with the catch 3. The Füh tion or ball guide 7 can enclose the locking element 5 circumferentially or only partially, where the locking element is always guided in such a way that a vertical as well as in a locking plane E direction for the locking element 5 is guaranteed. The ball guide 7 is connected by means of extensions 8, 9 to a carrier element 10 of the guide means 6 and is pivotably mounted in a pivot axis 11. The pivot axis 11 for the guide means 6 forms the pivot axis 11 for the pawl 4 at the same time Locking element 5 can thus be guided on a circular path K with the Ra dius R around the pivot axis 11.

The ball guide 7 encloses the locking element in a form-fitting manner and to such an extent that the locking element 5 can also be guided in a positionally secure manner outside the engagement area with the catch.

A main locking position of the locking mechanism 3, 4 with the locking element 5 is shown in FIG. The lock is in a locked state. To secure the position of the locking element 5, the locking element rests against a contact surface 12 of the catch 3, the contact surface 12 being able to be formed as a separate component or in one piece with the catch 3. The rotary latch 4 is spring-biased in the direction of the arrow Pi, for example by means of a leg spring. The rotary latch 4 thus penetrates the direction of the rotary latch 3. A further contact surface 13 on the pawl 4 causes the carrier element 10 to also experience a load in the direction of the spring preload. By means of the spring preload and / or a closing moment acting on the rotary latch 4 and / or an additional pawl not shown in this figure, the rotary latch 4 and thus the latching element 5 are held in engagement with the rotary latch. Depending on the design of the motor vehicle lock 1, different forces can thus act on the pawl 4, which in turn act on the guide means 6 by means of the contact surface 13, so that reliable guidance and positioning of the latching element 5 in the latched position is possible. The contact surface 13, which primarily serves to transmit the force acting on the pawl 4 to the carrier element 10, can be formed in one piece with the catch 4 or can be fastened to the pawl 4 as a separate component. Different joining methods, such as welding, riveting, etc., are conceivable here.

In order to move the locking element 5 out of the engagement area with the rotary latch 3, the pawl 4 is moved in the direction of the arrow P2, for example by means of a release lever, not shown. A pivoting movement of the pawl 4 causes a driving contour 14 to come into engagement with the latching element, so that the latching element can be moved out of the engagement area 2 with the catch 3. Advantageously, during the disengagement of the locking element 5 with the rotary latch 3, a rolling movement occurs, which in turn enables the locking mechanism 3, 4 to be unlocked easily and quietly. After disengaging the Rastele element 5 with the rotary latch 3, the rotary latch 3 can move in the direction of arrow P3 around a pivot axis 15 of the rotary latch 3, so that a lock holder held by means of the locking mechanism 3, 4 is released, so that a door or Flap can be opened.

To re-close or lock the locking mechanism 3, 4, the latching element 5 can again engage with the rotary latch by means of the stop surface 13 and via the carrier element 10. FIG. 2 shows a view of an embodiment of a ball guide 7 for the locking element 5. The ball guide 7 encloses the locking element 5 to catch, so that a very precise guidance of the Rastele element 5 and the guide means 6 is possible. It is conceivable that the ball guide 7 is rule between a lock case 16 and, for example, a lock housing and / or a reinforcing plate 17. The guide means 6 can thus experience an additional securing of the position, so that the locking element 5 can be guided securely in the locking plane E. The locking level E forms a level that is defined by a center point

18 of the locking element 5 and extends through a center line of the rotary latch 3 and the pawl 4. It can thus be ensured that the locking element can be guided as precisely as possible along the center line of the locking parts 3, 4 and in locking level E. This enables the locking element 5 to be guided safely. It should only be noted here that instead of a ball, a cylindrical locking element can also be used, only the guide 7 differing from the ball guide 7 shown in the figures. A cylindrical design of the locking element offers the part before that a cylinder surface flat, preferably li nie-shaped, can engage with the catch 3 and the pawl 4.

An alternative embodiment of a ball guide 19 is shown in FIG. Identical components are to be understood with identical reference symbols. The ball guide

19 surrounds the latching element 15 only in some regions, the ball guide 19 enclosing the latching element 5 encloses at angles of more than 180 degrees, so that the locking element 5 can be guided securely. It should be noted that in this embodiment the guide means 6 is mounted on the pivot axis 11 of the rotary latch 4, but it is also conceivable that the guide means 6 on the pivot axis 15 of the rotary latch 3 is durable. It is also conceivable that the striking surface 13 is formed, for example, on the carrier element 10 of the guide means 6. The guide means 6 itself is preferably made of steel, with a ball guide 7, 19 made of a composite material, for example made of steel, with a plastic sheath, can be carried out.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 motor vehicle lock

2 area of engagement

3 rotary latch

4 pawl

5 locking element

6 leadership tools

7, 19 guidance, ball guidance

8, 9 extensions

10 support element

11, 15 pivot axis

12, 13 contact surface

14 entrainment contour

16 lock case

17 lock housing, reinforcement plate

18 center point

E locking level

K circular path

R radius

PI, P2, P3 arrow

Claims

claims

1. Motor vehicle lock (1) having a locking mechanism (3, 4) with a catch (3) and at least one pawl (4), the catch (3) being able to be locked in at least one locking position by means of the locking pawl (4) and a rotatable locking element (5), in particular a ball (5), arranged in the engagement area (2) between the rotary latch (3) and pawl (4), the locking element (5) being guided between the rotary latch (5) by means of a guide means (6). 3) and the pawl (4) can be guided, characterized in that the latching element (5) can be guided by means of a single guide means (6) which at least partially surrounds the latching element (5) at least in regions.

2. Motor vehicle lock (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide means (6) the Rastmit tel (5) at least partially completely surrounds.

3. Motor vehicle lock (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the guide means (6) is held independently of the locking components (3, 4).

4. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the guide means (6) is pivotally received in the motor vehicle lock (1), in particular is mounted.

5. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the guide means (6) in a ratchet axis (11, 15), in particular the pawl axis (11), is mounted.

6. Motor vehicle lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the pawl (4) has a driving contour (14) for the guide means (6), in particular a carrier element (10).

7. Motor vehicle lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the pawl (4) has a stop surface (13) for the guide means (6).

8. Motor vehicle lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least one locking part (3, 4) at least one drop-in limit, in particular the catch (3) a stop surface (12) for the latching element (5th ) having.

9. Motor vehicle lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the guide means has a carrier element (10) with on the carrier element (10) on ordered extensions (8, 9), wherein a Ku gel guide (7, 19th ) by means of the extensions (8, 9) in the engagement area (2) between the catch (3) and pawl (4) is durable.

10. Motor vehicle lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the guide means (6) as a steel component or as a composite component made of steel with a plastic casing.