WO2020200362A1

WO2020200362A1 - Motor vehicle door lock

Info

Publication number: WO2020200362A1
Application number: PCT/DE2020/100220
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas Badewicz
Original assignee: Kiekert Ag
Priority date: 2019-04-05
Filing date: 2020-03-19
Publication date: 2020-10-08
Also published as: DE102019108967A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle door lock which is equipped with a lock case (1) and also with a locking mechanism (6, 7) mounted on the lock case (1). Also provided is a reinforcing element (2) for the lock case (1) and/or the locking mechanism (6, 7). The lock case (1) is equipped with at least one connecting web (10) which projects into a receptacle (11) of the reinforcing element (2). According to the invention, the connecting web (10) engages, with predetermined play (S), in the receptacle (11) surrounding it in order to limit any deformations.

Description

Motor vehicle door lock

description

The invention relates to a motor vehicle door lock, with a lock case and a locking mechanism mounted on the lock case, and with a reinforcing element for the lock case and / or the locking mechanism, the lock case being equipped with at least one connecting web which protrudes into a receptacle of the reinforcing element.

In a motor vehicle door lock of the type, as it has become known from DE 103 20 449 A1, a reinforcing element is used which absorbs forces acting on the housing or the lock case without torque in relation to the locking mechanism. For this purpose, the lock case is equipped with at least one fastening web for the reinforcing element, which protrudes into the associated receptacle of the reinforcing element. The reinforcement element is connected to the lock case by means of one or more press fits. In this way, crash safety can be improved, particularly in the event of a side impact. An associated locking mechanism can consequently be opened more or less easily even after such a side impact.

In the prior art according to DE 20 2012 010 242 U1, a reinforcing element is used which is set up to support at least one lever of the locking mechanism and / or an obligatory lever mechanism. For this purpose, the reinforcement element is equipped with at least one bearing pocket for the lever held therein between at least two bearing legs.

The prior art has basically proven itself when it comes to protecting the lock case and / or the locking mechanism from excessive deformation to protect against an accident, in particular a side impact. In fact, such deformations of the lock case or the locking mechanism, in extreme cases, mean that a motor vehicle that has been involved in an accident or its motor vehicle door can no longer be opened. However, a door opening is absolutely necessary, for example, to be able to rescue vehicle occupants by rescue workers or to enable vehicle occupants to get out on their own. At this point, the approaches in the prior art are promising, but still leave room for improvement.

The invention is based on the technical problem of developing such a motor vehicle door lock so that any deformations of the reinforcing element as well as the lock case and the locking mechanism are reduced to a minimum and, in particular, improvements over the prior art are observed.

To solve this technical problem, the invention proposes in a generic motor vehicle door lock that the connecting web engages with a predetermined clearance in the receptacle surrounding it in order to limit any deformations of the reinforcing element and consequently of the lock case and / or the locking mechanism.

In the context of the invention, in contrast to the aforementioned prior art according to DE 103 20 449 A1 or according to DE 20 2012 010 242 U1, there is expressly not a fixed and, as it were, play-free connection between the connecting web and the reinforcing element gear. Consequently, of course, the lock case equipped with the connecting web is not firmly connected to the reinforcing element, at least not in the area of the connecting web.

This coupling of the lock case and the reinforcing element “with play” surprisingly allows deformations to be limited within the scope of the invention. As a result of this is then also with an increased Functionality of the locking mechanism to be expected, so that vehicle occupants can easily be rescued even after an accident due to the functionality of the locking mechanism, which is still given, or can easily leave the motor vehicle in question.

The invention is based on the knowledge that, for example, in the case of a motor vehicle door lock for a motor vehicle side door and a side impact, corresponding forces can be absorbed primarily in the vehicle transverse or y direction by the locking bolt and the locking mechanism to a certain extent. If, in addition, there is a deformation of the locking mechanism or the lock case on which the locking mechanism is mounted, such deformations are allowed to a certain extent. Because, for example, when the lock case is deformed, the connecting web coupled to the lock case also follows this defor mation.

Since the connecting web engages with a predetermined clearance in the surrounding him acquisition on the reinforcing element, the reinforcing element only acts from a certain degree of deformation of the lock case and consequently of the connecting web in the example. The consequence of this is that the connecting web is not only displaced within the receptacle, but can also in principle perform axial movements without the reinforcement element being deformed directly as a result. Rather, such radial movements and axial movements of the connecting web within the receptacle are permitted to a certain extent and lead to the connecting web, for example, resting against the edge of the receptacle and being able to be moved axially with respect to the edge.

Only when the connecting web and with it the lock case perform significant movements in the direction of the plane of the reinforcing element, the reinforcing element unfolds its full effect and acts such deformations opposite. That is, the invention basically allows deformations of the lock case, at least in the area of the connecting web, which correspond to axial movements of the connecting web. In contrast, transverse movements of the connecting web are intercepted by the reinforcing element as soon as the connecting web has bridged the play within the receptacle surrounding it.

The invention is based on the further knowledge that Axialbe movements of the connecting web and consequently, to a certain extent, bulges of the lock case do not, or not significantly, negatively affect the functionality of the locking mechanism to a certain extent. On the other hand, relative movements of the individual components of the locking mechanism to one another, essentially the rotary latch and pawl, are suppressed with the aid of the reinforcement element or such relative movements are counteracted by corresponding deformations by the reinforcement element. In fact, such relative movements directly influence the functionality of the locking mechanism, so that the invention specifically counteracts such conceivable movements as a result of the deformation of the lock case or the locking mechanism with the aid of the reinforcing element. This is where the main advantages can be seen.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the connecting web engages with pre-given radial play in the circular receptacle surrounding it. In fact, the connecting web is mostly designed to be cylindrical. As a rule, the recording is a circular opening or circular recording. The connecting web mostly engages centrally in the receptacle or circular receptacle. As a result, the receptacle or circular receptacle surrounds the connecting web with a predetermined radial play. In fact, within the scope of this design, there is the same radial play between the connecting web in all radial directions. In addition, it has proven useful if the reinforcing element and the lock case are arranged essentially coplanar with one another. In most cases, both the reinforcement element and the lock case are each plate-shaped or largely plate-shaped components. That is, the reinforcement element is mainly designed as a reinforcement plate. According to the invention, the lock case is mostly a lock plate. Due to the coplanar arrangement of the reinforcement element or the reinforcement plate and the lock case or the lock plate to one another, the two aforementioned plate-shaped elements define a free area between them.

In this case, the design is advantageously such that the connecting web bridges the free area in question between the reinforcing element and the lock case. As a result, the connecting web can on the one hand be anchored perfectly in the lock case and on the other hand has the required length so that it can engage in the receptacle on the reinforcement element. In fact, the reinforcement element and the lock case are arranged at a distance from one another.

In the context of a particularly preferred variant of the invention, at least two connecting webs and two associated receptacles are provided. In this way, deformations of the reinforcing element can be limited in a particularly effective manner essentially in a plane spanned by the reinforcing element. The plane spanned by the reinforcement element usually coincides with a yz plane. The y-direction corresponds to the transverse direction of the vehicle. The z-direction coincides with the vertical axis direction of the motor vehicle. Logically, in this way, the reinforcing element absorbs particular deformations of the motor vehicle door lock according to the invention in this plane spanned by the axis of the floch and the transverse direction. This is the plane in which deformations are primarily observed in the event of a side impact. In addition, it is provided that the two connecting webs are arranged on the edge of the reinforcing element. The lock case and the reinforcement element are also connected to each other via axes of rotation for the locking bolt. That is, the bolts, which also define the axes of rotation for the locking mechanism, ensure a firm and, at the same time, play-free connection between the lock case and the reinforcing element. In addition, the connecting webs between the lock case and the reinforcement element are also provided.

The overall design is such that the bolts and the connecting webs are arranged following the edge of the reinforcing element and its contour. As a result, the reinforcement element can prevent any deformations particularly effectively because the bolts and the connecting webs follow the edge and the contour of the reinforcement element and are therefore able to absorb particularly high torques compared to the locking bolts, which are mainly arranged centrally in comparison to the reinforcement element.

The respective connecting web serves not only to limit any deformations of the reinforcing element and consequently of the lock case and / or the lock. But the connecting web can connect the lock case to a lock cover as a further and second function. Lock case and lock cover taken together usually form a lock housing.

Finally, it has proven to be particularly advantageous if at least one web is provided which is formed on the lock case and rests on the edge of the reinforcement element in order to limit deformations occurring perpendicular to the reinforcement element plane. As already explained, the connecting webs in connection with the associated receptacles in the reinforcement element primarily ensure that deformations in the yz plane be limited. The previously mentioned web formed on the lock case is now oriented in the x or longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle and primarily ensures that deformations of the motor vehicle door lock are prevented in this x or longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle.

As a result, a motor vehicle door lock is made available which particularly effectively prevents any deformation of the lock case and / or the locking mechanism or at least largely limits it. This ensures that the locking mechanism, in particular, continues to function even after an accident, which contributes to an enormous increase in safety. This is where the main advantages can be seen.

The invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of a drawing that shows only one exemplary embodiment. The only figure shows a motor vehicle door lock in a perspective view, reduced to the essential components for the inven tion.

The single figure shows a motor vehicle door lock which is equipped with a lock case 1 and a reinforcing element 2. In addition, one recognizes a locking bolt or lock holder 3 which is connected to a lock holder plate 4. In the exemplary embodiment, the lock holder plate 4 may be fixed to a B or C pillar of a motor vehicle body 5 which is only indicated.

The locking bolt 3 interacts with a locking mechanism 6, 7 as part of the lock case. The locking mechanism 6, 7 is composed, as usual, of a rotary latch 6 and a pawl 7. In the representation of the single figure, it can be seen that the motor vehicle door lock, which is essentially formed from the lock case 1 and the locking bolt 3, is closed. The same applies to a motor vehicle door, which is not shown and which receives the motor vehicle door lock, opposite the motor vehicle body 5. The spatial orientation of the illustrated motor vehicle door lock or motor vehicle door lock is such that both the lock case 1 formed as a lock plate and the reinforcement element 2 designed as a reinforcement plate are essentially oriented in a yz plane. The y direction corresponds to a transverse direction of the vehicle. The vertical axis direction is designated with the z-direction. As usual, the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is identified as the x-direction.

In the event of a side impact of the motor vehicle in question, forces are usually observed in the vehicle transverse or y-direction, as indicated by a force arrow F acting on the locking bolt 3 in the y-direction in question. As a result of such a side impact, deformations of the lock case 1 as well as deformations of the locking mechanism 6, 7 are to be expected. In order to keep such deformations as small as possible and to ensure the functionality of the locking mechanism 6, 7, the reinforcement element 2 is provided.

It can be seen that the rotary latch 6 is rotatably mounted about an axis defined by a bolt 8. Another axis of rotation for the pawl 7 is defined by a further bolt 9. In addition, two connecting webs 10 are also provided according to the exemplary embodiment.

The two connecting webs 10 are connected to the lock case 1 or the lock plate in the exemplary embodiment. In addition, the two connecting webs 10 can connect the lock case 1 to a lock cover, not shown. As usual, the lock case 1 and the lock cover, not shown, taken together form a closed lock housing.

The lock case 1 is consequently equipped with the two connecting webs 10. The respective connecting web 10 jumps into a receptacle 1 1 of the reinforcing element 2 before. In fact, the connecting web 10 in question engages with a predetermined play S in the receptacle 11 in the surrounding area Reinforcing element 2 a. This is clear from the enlarged detail view.

It can be seen that the connecting web 10, which is cylindrical in the exemplary embodiment, is arranged centrally within the receptacle 11 in the reinforcing element 2. Since the receptacle 1 1 is also circular or designed as a circular receptacle 1 1, a predetermined radial play S of the connecting web 10 in question occurs within the receptacle 1 1 or circular receptacle 1 1 surrounding it, as indicated by an indicated radius R in FIG enlarged representation is shown.

The reinforcement element 2 or the reinforcement plate and the lock case

1 and the lock plate are arranged essentially coplanar to one another. This is because both plate-shaped components 1, 2 essentially extend in the corresponding y-z plane. As a result, a free area 12 is formed between the reinforcement element 2 and the lock case 1, which is bridged by the respective connecting web 10.

Since, according to the exemplary embodiment, two connecting webs 10 engage two associated receptacles 11, deformations of the lock case 1 and / or the locking mechanism 6, 7 in particular can be made by the reinforcing element

2 defined plane, according to the embodiment of the yz plane, limit. This is because such deformations of the lock case 1 in the relevant yz plane lead to the connection web 10 in question coming to rest on the edge of the receptacle 11 surrounding it after completing the game or radial game S. A further radial movement of the connec tion web 10 is now limited by the edge of the receptacle 11 and consequently the reinforcing element 2. In contrast, axial movements of the connecting web 10 in question are still possible within certain limits, that is to say in the x direction. The two connecting webs 10 are arranged on the edge of the reinforcing element 2. In addition, the design is such that the two bolts 8, 9 for defining the axis of rotation of the rotary latch 6 on the one hand and the pawl 7 on the other hand are also arranged on the edge of the reinforcing element 2. The overall design is such that the relevant bolts 8, 9 and also the connecting webs 10 are each arranged on the edge of the reinforcing element 2. In addition, the bolts 8, 9 in conjunction with the connecting webs 10 follow the contour of the reinforcement element 2.

In the context of the exemplary embodiment, the reinforcement element 2 is not only designed as a reinforcement plate, but also has a C-shaped design in plan view. By contrast, the locking bolt 3, which is largely arranged in the center, is encompassed by the C-shaped reinforcing plate or the reinforcing element 2. Since both the bolts 8, 9 and the two connecting webs 10 are each arranged on the edge of the reinforcing element 2 and follow its contour, any forces F introduced into the illustrated motor vehicle door lock via the locking bolt 3 with the help of the bolts 8, 9 and the connecting webs 10 Transferred radially far from the lock case 1 to the reinforcing element 2. As a result, the reinforcement element 2 can provide particularly high counter torques. Overall, this means that deformations of the reinforcement element 2 and consequently of the lock case 1 and of the locking mechanism 6, 7 are limited. This applies in particular to the y-z direction, that is to say a transverse plane traversed by the relevant motor vehicle.

It can be seen that the lock case 1 is also equipped with an integrally formed web 13. This web 13 rests on the edge of the reinforcement element 2. As a result, deformations occurring perpendicular to the reinforcement element 2 plane are limited, ie deformations of the reinforcement element 2 and consequently of the lock plate 1 as well as of the locking mechanism 6, 7 in the x or vehicle longitudinal direction. Such deformations in the relevant The longitudinal direction of the vehicle does not occur exposed in the event of a side impact in the transverse or y-direction, but is nevertheless observed.

Claims

1. Motor vehicle door lock, with a lock case (1) and a lock (6, 7) mounted on the lock case (1), and with a reinforcing element (2) for the lock case (1) and / or the lock (6, 7), wherein the lock case (1) is equipped with at least one connecting web (10) which protrudes into a receptacle (1 1) of the reinforcing element (2), characterized in that the connecting web (10) with a predetermined play (S) in the receptacle surrounding it (1 1) intervenes to limit any deformation.

2. Motor vehicle door lock according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting web (10) engages with a predetermined radial play (S) in the circular receptacle (1 1) surrounding it.

3. Motor vehicle door lock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the reinforcing element (2) and the lock case (1) are arranged essentially coplanar to one another.

4. Motor vehicle door lock according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the connecting web (10) bridges a free area (12) between the reinforcing element (2) and the lock case (1).

5. Motor vehicle door lock according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least two connecting webs (10) and two associated receptacles (1 1) are provided to avoid deformations essentially in a plane (yz plane) spanned by the reinforcing element (2) ) to limit.

6. Motor vehicle door lock according to claim 5, characterized in that the two connecting webs (10) on the edge of the reinforcing element (2) are arranged. 7. Motor vehicle door lock according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the lock case (1) and the reinforcing element (2) via axes of rotation for the locking mechanism (6,

7) defining bolts (8, 9) are connected to one another.

8. Motor vehicle door lock according to claim 7, characterized in that the bolts (8, 9) and the connecting webs (10) on the edge of the Reinkungsele Mentes (2) and are arranged following its contour.

9. Motor vehicle door lock according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the respective connecting web (10) connects the lock case (1) with a lock cover.

10. Motor vehicle door lock according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a web (13) formed on the lock case (1) is seen in front, which rests on the edge of the reinforcing element (2) in order to be perpendicular to the reinforcing element plane (2 ) to limit occurring deformations.