WO2020224708A1

WO2020224708A1 - Motor vehicle lock, in particular motor vehicle door lock

Info

Publication number: WO2020224708A1
Application number: PCT/DE2020/100337
Authority: WO
Inventors: Holger Schiffer; Michael Scholz; Andreas Schmitz; Ömer INAN; Peter Szegeny; Michael LÜTTIG
Original assignee: Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2019-05-08
Filing date: 2020-04-24
Publication date: 2020-11-12
Also published as: DE102019111901A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, which is equipped with: a lock housing (1a, 1b); at least one optional first follower (5), which is disposed in the lock housing (1a, 1b) and accessible via a first opening (9), for acting on a first safety unit (3); and finally an additional cover (2) for the lock housing (1a, 1b). According to the invention, also provided in the lock housing (1a, 1b) is an optional second follower (6), which is accessible via a second opening (10), for a second safety unit (4), wherein the cover (2) is designed to selectively seal the first opening (9), the second opening (10) or both openings (9, 10).

Description

description

Motor vehicle lock, in particular motor vehicle door lock

The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, with a lock housing, furthermore with at least one optional first switch nut arranged in the lock housing and accessible via a first opening for actuating a first security unit, and with an additional cover for the lock housing.

With the aid of the lock housing, in a motor vehicle lock and in particular a motor vehicle door lock, the components essential for its functions are covered and protected from environmental influences. These essential components are first and foremost, and not by way of limitation, a locking mechanism consisting of a rotary latch and pawl. Furthermore, an actuating lever mechanism and at least one locking unit are typically received in the lock housing. The locking unit can be an internal locking unit or also an external locking unit or both.

The internal locking unit typically interacts with one or more internal locking levers, a locking motor or also a child safety device or a child safety lever or the like. The same may apply to the external locking unit. In addition, the external locking unit mostly works together with, for example, a lock cylinder on at least one driver's door. Furthermore, one or more child safety levers or generally child safety devices that interact with the internal locking unit can be found on one or both rear side doors. As a result, the driver's door, in the example of the lock cylinder, can generally also be manually locked from the outside - independently of a central locking system that is usually provided. The same applies to the rear side doors or a sliding door, in which a child safety device can be inserted and laid out via the one or more child safety levers. As is known, an inserted child safety device corresponds to the fact that the vehicle door in question is four-bolted from the inside. As in the case of the lock cylinder, the internal locking unit can also be inserted using the child safety device or the child safety lever in this case and the associated motor vehicle door can be locked from the inside. As a result, associated motor vehicle door locks for the driver's door on the one hand and the front passenger door and the rear side doors on the other hand are each designed differently. This also applies to associated lock housings which, for example, in connection with a motor vehicle door lock for the driver's door have a connection for a lock cylinder, whereas corresponding connections for child safety must be provided on the rear side doors. In contrast, both of the aforementioned connections can be omitted for a passenger door. In practice, this results in different variants for the lock housing.

In the generic prior art according to DE 44 44 048 C2, a lock housing there is equipped with an additional coupling element housing. The coupling element housing can be connected to the lock housing. In the interior of the coupling element housing, a coupling element system is provided, which in turn is equipped with a shift nut. The switch nut can be coupled with a lock cylinder to implement external locking. In this way, attempts have already been made in the past to make a motor vehicle door lock universally installable without structural changes.

Although the known embodiment has proven itself, it can be further improved with regard to the achievable universal character. This is where the invention comes in.

The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a motor vehicle lock and in particular motor vehicle door lock in such a way that in particular the number of possible variants for different lock housings is reduced even further compared to the prior art.

To solve this technical problem, the invention proposes in a generic motor vehicle lock that in addition to the first With the optional switch nut in the lock housing, a second optional switch nut accessible via a second opening is provided for a second securing unit, the cover optionally being set up to close the first opening or the second opening or both openings.

The invention is based first of all on the knowledge that a universally usable motor vehicle lock and in particular motor vehicle door lock in the interior of its lock housing not only have a first switch socket for a first fuse unit, but also with a second switch socket for a second fuse unit must be equipped if these security units are required on the lock concerned. Because the universal character of the motor vehicle lock and in particular of the associated lock housing requires that use on a driver's door and, for example, on a rear side door as well as on a passenger door must be covered. For this reason, the first switch socket is typically designed as a lock cylinder switch socket, while the second switch socket is generally a child safety switch socket.

The first switch nut or lock cylinder switch nut is consequently set up to interact with a lock cylinder which is generally only and exclusively on a driver's door of a motor vehicle. In contrast, the second switch nut or child safety switch generally interacts with a child safety device or a child safety lever, which is largely located on the rear side doors of a motor vehicle or on or in a sliding door. Accordingly, the first securing unit is a locking unit or external locking unit, while the second securing unit is also designed as a locking unit and specifically as an internal locking unit. In principle, the two locking units described above can be dispensed with on a passenger door.

Since the two security units described above are generally and preferably activated manually, namely on the one hand with the aid of a key in a lock cylinder interacting with the lock cylinder switch nut and on the other hand by, for example, manual activation the child safety switch, it is necessary that the lock housing is equipped with two different openings for the respective access or connection or direct manual activation. In fact, the first opening is usually a lock cylinder opening in the lock housing, while the second opening is usually designed as a child safety opening in the lock housing.

According to the invention, the cover provided in addition to the lock housing now ensures that either the first opening or lock cylinder opening, the second opening or child safety opening or both openings are closed. This can in principle be realized and implemented with a single cover, which is coupled to the lock housing for this purpose, for example detachably plugged, clipped on or otherwise connected to the lock housing. However, it is also possible that a separate cover is used depending on the equipment variant. Either way, the number of possible variants for the lock housing is significantly reduced, in the best case to a basic lock housing. This basic lock housing is equipped with the first switch socket, with the second switch socket, with both switch sockets or even with no switch socket at all, depending on the installation location. As a result of this, the first opening, the second opening, both openings or even no opening at all can then be realized, which is provided by the cover or the respective cover. In this way, a standardization achieved according to the invention occurs that was previously not considered possible. This is where the main advantages can be seen.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the respective shift nut is advantageously rotatably mounted in the lock housing. For the rotatable mounting of the shift nut in the lock housing, corresponding recesses formed in the lock housing are mostly provided. Here, the invention is based on the knowledge that the lock housing is generally made of plastic and corresponding recesses for receiving the respective shift nut can easily be implemented in a plastic injection molding process used for the release position. The shift nut is also generally made of plastic and can be adjusted in this way optionally place in the corresponding recess or in the multiple recesses for their rotatable mounting or not.

When they are mounted together in the lock housing, the two shift sockets usually support one another. This means that additional bearings are usually unnecessary. The procedure here is also advantageously such that the two shift sockets with their respective engagement areas are opposite one another. The engagement area is used either for connection to a locking cylinder, for example, or for direct manual actuation of a child safety device with, for example, a mechanical aid, such as a key, a screwdriver or the like, which engages in a slot of a child safety nut, for example. I.e. the respective shift nut is advantageously set up with its associated engagement area for manual actuation.

As already explained, the respective shift nut is advantageously used for manual actuation of the associated fuse unit. Since the securing unit is mostly either an external locking unit or an internal locking unit as a securing unit, the respective switch nut is advantageously connected to the external locking unit and / or internal locking unit as a securing unit.

In addition, the respective shift nut usually interacts with at least one sensor. In the simplest case, the sensor is a switch and, in particular, a microswitch. In this way, the position of the switch nut can be monitored, for example in such a way that the sensor is connected to a control unit and its signals are evaluated by this and / or displayed. In this context, it has proven particularly useful if the switch and, in particular, microswitches each maintain their position. As a result, changes or adaptations to an electrical component carrier that typically carries the switch are not required. In other words, the sensor or switch maintains its position, regardless of whether it is acted upon with the aid of the first switch socket, the second switch socket or both switch sockets. This also contributes to the standardization and simplification of the motor vehicle lock according to the invention. The lock housing itself can be constructed in several parts with a lock cover and component housing. With the aid of the lock cover, a lock box implemented in a motor vehicle door lock is typically covered. On the other hand, the component housing serves to hold and cover the already mentioned electrical component carrier. Of course, this only applies as an example and is not mandatory.

As a result, a motor vehicle lock and in particular a motor vehicle door lock is made available, the lock housing of which can ultimately be traced back to just a basic lock housing. Because the lock housing can optionally be equipped with the first switch socket, the second switch socket, with both switch sockets or even no switch socket at all. As a result, all variants that can be represented in practice on a driver's door, front passenger door or rear side doors or even in a sliding door can be implemented in this context by using one or more remaining openings for the first switch socket, the second switch socket or for both switch sockets covered by the cover or not. For this purpose, the cover can usually be detachably connected to the lock housing. This is where the main advantages can be seen.

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

1 shows the motor vehicle lock according to the invention in the form of a

Motor vehicle door lock with associated lock housing in an overview,

FIG. 2 shows a section through the housing according to FIG. 1 in the area of the additionally provided cover,

3 shows a front view of the object according to FIG. 2 with the cover removed and FIGS. 4A to 4C show different variants of the lock housing corresponding to the illustration in FIG. 2 in different installation situations

In the figures, a motor vehicle lock is shown, which is a motor vehicle door lock. The motor vehicle door lock has a lock housing 1 a, 1 b, which, according to the exemplary embodiment, is composed of a lock cover 1 a on the one hand and a component housing 1 b on the other, which can be seen in particular in the sectional view according to FIG. Of course, a one-piece lock housing 1 a, 1 b can also be used, but this is not shown. In addition to the lock housing 1 a, 1 b, a cover 2 is also implemented, which can be optionally coupled to the lock housing 1 a, 1 b. For this purpose, the cover 2 can be detachably connected to the lock housing 1 a, 1 b, for example via a clip connection, a snap connection or the like.

The lock housing 1 a, 1 b takes in its interior a not expressly shown locking mechanism from rotary latch and pawl. For this purpose, the locking mechanism is rotatably mounted in a lock case, not shown and locked with the aid of the lock housing 1 a, 1 b. There is also an operating lever mechanism inside the lock housing 1 a, 1 b, with the help of which the locking mechanism can be operated from inside or outside, for example from the inside via an inside handle or from the outside via an outside handle. In principle, an electric motor actuation is also conceivable and is also covered according to the invention.

In addition to the actuating lever mechanism, a locking unit 3, 4 or, in general, a first securing unit 3 and a second securing unit 4 are also implemented. According to the exemplary embodiment, the first securing unit 3 is an external locking unit 3, whereas the second securing unit 4, on the other hand, is designed as an internal locking unit 4. Accordingly, the first securing unit or external locking unit 3 is equipped for realizing external locking, for example with the aid of a lock cylinder 7, which is only indicated in FIG. 2, and is set up for external locking. In contrast, the second interacts Safety unit or internal locking unit 4 with a child safety device 8 or a corresponding tool for realizing the child safety device 8.

In order to connect the lock cylinder 7 to the external locking 3, a first switch nut 5 is arranged in the interior of the lock housing 1 a, 1 b. According to the exemplary embodiment, the first switch nut 5 is rotatably mounted in the interior of the lock housing 1 a, 1 b. According to the exemplary embodiment, the first switch nut is accordingly a lock cylinder switch nut 5 which is operatively connected to the indicated lock cylinder 7 or can be coupled to it.

The lock housing 1 a, 1 b is also set up to accommodate a further second shift nut 6. This second switch nut 6 is a child safety switch 6, which is operatively connected to the child safety 8 or a corresponding tool.

Based on the different variants in FIGS. 4A to 4C, it can be seen that both of the aforementioned shift nuts 5, 6 can be placed inside the lock housing 1 a, 1 b, as is indicated in FIG. 4A. In addition, it is possible to work only with the second switch nut or child safety switch nut 6 inside the lock housing 1 a, 1 b, as shown in FIG. 4B. Finally, according to the invention, a variant can also be implemented in which operation is carried out without a shift nut 5, 6, as shown in FIG. 4C. Accordingly, a motor vehicle door lock with lock housing 1 a, 1 b on a driver's door corresponds to FIG. 4A. The illustration in FIG. 4B corresponds to the installation location on a rear side door, and finally FIG. 4C shows an installation situation on a front passenger door that is not equipped with either a cylinder lock switch 5 or a child safety switch 6.

With the help of the cover 2 provided in addition to the lock housing 1 a, 1 b, corresponding openings 9, 10 in the lock housing 1 a, 1 b can now optionally be covered, which establish the mechanical connection on the one hand to the lock cylinder 7 and on the other hand to the child safety device 8. In fact, the lock cylinder 7 can mechanically connect to the first switch nut 5 or the lock cylinder switch nut 5 via the first opening 9 in the lock housing 1 a, 1 b connected. In contrast, the second opening 10 serves to establish a mechanical connection with the child safety device 8 to the second switch nut 6 or child safety switch nut 6. The cover 2 optionally ensures that, depending on the installation situation as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, any remaining openings 9, 10 in the lock housing 1 a, 1 b, which functions as a basic lock housing, can be closed and neither dirt nor moisture can penetrate for closing the first opening 9, the second opening 10 or both openings 9, 10. The first opening 9 is a lock cylinder opening, while the second opening 10 is designed as a child safety opening.

In the installation situation on a driver's door according to FIG. 4A, only the second opening 10 is closed, because in this case the child safety switch 6 is typically not required and consequently a corresponding connection to the child safety 8 is unnecessary. In contrast, the installation situation according to FIG. 4B on a rear side door corresponds to the fact that the mechanical connection to the lock cylinder 7 is not required, so that the first opening 9 is closed with the aid of the cover 2. In contrast, the second opening 10 is accessible so that the child safety switch 6 can be operatively connected to the child safety device. Finally, FIG. 4C shows the installation situation on a passenger door that requires neither the cylinder lock nut 5 nor the child safety nut 6, so that both openings 9, 10 are closed with the aid of the cover 2.

The illustration in FIG. 2 shows that both shift sockets 5, 6 support one another. The two shift sockets 5, 6 with their respective engagement area 1 1, 12 are opposite one another. The engagement area 1 1 is provided and implemented in the first switch socket 5 or lock cylinder switch socket 5 for locking a mechanical connection with the lock cylinder 7. The second engagement area 12 is a component of the second switch nut 6 or child safety switch 6, which ensures the mechanical connection with the child safety device 8. That is to say, both engagement areas 1 1, 12 are set up for manual actuation of the respective shift nut 5, 6. In principle, the two shift sockets 5, 6 can also each be moved by a motor. Mixed forms are also conceivable. The front view according to FIG. 3 makes it clear that the two shift sockets 5, 6 are not only arranged opposite one another with their respective engagement area 1 1, 12 and support one another, but also at least partially interlock. However, there is no mechanical connection because the child safety device 8 on the one hand and the lock cylinder 7 on the other hand must be able to be actuated independently of one another.

It can be seen from FIG. 3 that both the first switch nut or lock cylinder switch nut 5 and the second switch nut or child safety switch nut 6 each have their own switching contour 13, 14. The switching contour 13 belongs to the first switching nut or locking cylinder switching nut 5, whereas the second switching contour 14 is provided and arranged on the second switching nut or child safety switching nut 6. Both switching contours 13, 14 are designed to interact with a sensor 15 which, according to the exemplary embodiment, is a switch and, in particular, a microswitch. The sensor 15 or switch is connected to a control unit 16, which evaluates its signals and works ver.

As soon as, for example, the lock cylinder 7 is actuated and thereby rotates the first switch socket or lock cylinder switch socket 5 rotatably mounted in the lock housing 1 a, 1 b, this means that the associated contour 13 on the relevant switch socket 5 can actuate the sensor 15. This is because a counterclockwise movement corresponds to this in the illustration according to FIG. 3. At the same time, the first securing unit 3 or external locking unit 3 is acted upon during this process. A corresponding file in FIG. 3 presses this against an associated connection 17 for the external lock 3.

The second safety unit or internal locking unit 4 is also connected via a connection 18, but to the second switch nut or child safety switch 6. In this case, actuation of the child safety device 8 causes the relevant switch nut 6 to be pivoted again in the counterclockwise direction, so that the associated contour 14 is rotated counterclockwise in the direction of the sensor 15. This is indicated by an arrow in FIG. 3. As a result of this, the associated second switch nut or child safety switch nut 6 is rotated via the child safety device 8 and with its contour or switching contour 14 ensures that the sensor 15 is acted upon in a manner comparable to that when the lock cylinder 7 is actuated. The second securing unit 4 or internal locking unit 4 is acted upon via the connection 18 and ensures that, in the example, the rear side door equipped with it is locked from the inside. As a consequence of this, the relevant rear side door cannot be opened from the inside, so that the desired child safety function is implemented, especially since the relevant rear side door can still be opened from the outside.

Based on FIG. 2 and FIGS. 4A to 4C, it can be seen that both shift sockets 5, 6 are mounted in or on the lock housing 1 a, 1 b and are rotatable. In fact, the lock housing 1 a, 1 b is designed in several parts and in particular in two parts with the previously mentioned lock cover 1 a and an associated component housing 1 b. Both the lock cover 1 a and the component housing 1 b each have a contour or recess 19, 20 which accommodates the relevant shift nut 5, 6 and which at the same time ensures the rotatable mounting of the associated shift nut 5, 6. In fact, the recess 19 is in or on the lock cover 1 a and ensures the rotatable mounting of the first switch socket or the lock cylinder switch socket 5 in or on the lock cover 1 a. The further second recess 20 is implemented in or on the component housing 1 b and in turn ensures the rotatable mounting of the second switch nut or child safety switch 6. With the help of the cover 2, the two switch sockets 5, 6 are detachably housed on the lock housing 1 a, 1 b In addition, one opening 9, 10 or both openings 9, 10 are optionally closed depending on the installation situation. There is also the possibility of installing one or both shift sockets 5, 6, for example, rotated by 180 degrees in the associated recess 19, 20. In principle, one and the same cover 2 can also be used in different installation situations. List of reference symbols

1 a, 1 b lock housing

2 cover

3 first fuse unit

4 second fuse unit

5 first shift nut

6 second shift nut

7 lock cylinders

8 Parental controls

9 first opening

10 second opening

1 1 first area of intervention

12 second area of intervention

13 first switching contour

14 second switching contour

15 sensor

16 control unit

17 first connection

18 second connection

19 first recess

20 second recess

Claims

1 . Motor vehicle lock, in particular motor vehicle door lock, with a lock housing (1 a, 1 b), furthermore with at least one optional first switch nut (5) arranged in the lock housing (1 a, 1 b) and accessible via a first opening (9) for Acting on a first security unit (3) and with an additional cover (2) for the lock housing (1 a, 1 b), characterized in that in addition in the lock housing (1 a, 1 b) an optional second accessible via a second opening (10) Shifter (6) is provided for a second fuse unit (4), the cover (2) optionally being set up to close the first opening (9), the second opening (10) or both openings (9, 10).

2. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 1, characterized in that the respective shift nut (5, 6) is rotatably mounted in the lock housing (1 a, 1 b).

3. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the two shift sockets (5, 6) are mutually supported.

4. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the two shift sockets (5, 6) with their respective engagement area (1 1, 12) are opposite.

5. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the respective shift nut (5, 6) with its associated engagement area (1 1, 12) is set up for manual actuation.

6. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the respective shift nut (5, 6) to a

External locking unit (3) and / or internal locking unit (4) is connected as a respective securing unit (3, 4).

7. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the respective shift nut (5, 6) interacts with at least one sensor (15).

8. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 7, characterized in that the sensor (15) is designed as a switch, in particular a microswitch, which interacts with at least one contour (13, 14) on the switch nut (5, 6).

9. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the lock housing (1 a, 1 b) is constructed in several parts with a lock cover (1 a) and component housing (1 b).

10. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the first switch nut (5) is designed as a lock cylinder switch nut (5) and the second switch nut (6) as a child safety switch nut (6).