WO2024037689A1

WO2024037689A1 - Combination of a motor vehicle lock and a motor vehicle lock functional unit

Info

Publication number: WO2024037689A1
Application number: PCT/DE2023/100584
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ömer INAN; Michael Scholz; Holger Schiffer; Peter Szegeny
Original assignee: Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2022-08-19
Filing date: 2023-08-09
Publication date: 2024-02-22
Also published as: DE102022120976A1

Abstract

The invention relates to the combination of a motor vehicle lock (1) and a motor vehicle lock functional unit (2). The motor vehicle lock (1) and the motor vehicle lock functional unit (2) are each of modular form, preferably with their own casings (6, 9), and are largely spatially and functionally separate from one another. The motor vehicle lock (1) and the motor vehicle lock functional unit (2) are furthermore mechanically coupled to one another by a connecting means (3). The motor vehicle lock functional unit (2) has an electric-motor drive (10, 11) and interacts with a remotely located actuating element (4, 5). According to the invention, for the purposes of implementing security functions, the motor vehicle lock functional unit (2) is equipped with a coupling element (13) that is controllable by means of the electric-motor drive (10, 11). The coupling element (13), when in a coupled state, defines a continuous mechanical connection from the actuating element (4, 5) to the motor vehicle lock (1) and, when in a decoupled state, defines an interrupted mechanical connection from the actuating element (4, 5) to the motor vehicle lock (1).

Description

Combination of a motor vehicle lock and a motor vehicle lock functional unit

The invention relates to the combination of a motor vehicle lock and a motor vehicle lock functional unit, wherein the motor vehicle lock and the motor vehicle lock functional unit are each designed to be modular, preferably with their own housing, and largely spatially and functionally separated from one another, furthermore the motor vehicle -Lock and the motor vehicle lock functional unit are mechanically coupled to one another by a connecting means, and wherein the motor vehicle lock functional unit has an electric motor drive and interacts with a locally remote actuator.

The motor vehicle lock functional unit is, within the scope of the generic and starting point prior art according to DE 10 2019 110480 A1, a so-called double locking arrangement. With the help of such a double locking arrangement, a blocking state can be implemented as a functional state of the associated motor vehicle lock. As a result, an anti-theft device is implemented and provided in such a way that an interior door handle experiences a mechanical blockage. This is due to special anti-theft regulations in certain markets.

The modular and typically spatially and functionally separate design of the motor vehicle lock and the motor vehicle lock functional unit offers in this context the possibility of implementing the motor vehicle lock functional unit in question or not if necessary. This allows specific functions to be implemented optionally. Retrofitting such a lock function is also possible, so that a motor vehicle lock serves as a basis and the corresponding removal or Upgrade variants can be used with which the motor vehicle lock in question is equipped.

However, the state of the art cannot be satisfactory in all aspects. The double locking arrangement ensures a mechanical blockage of the inside door handle, which may lead to damage to the inside door handle and/or the connecting means for the mechanical coupling. In addition, the functionality is limited. The invention as a whole aims to provide a remedy here.

The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a combination of a motor vehicle lock and a motor vehicle lock functional unit in such a way that damage can be reliably avoided and an expanded range of applications can be realized.

To solve this technical problem, a generic combination of a motor vehicle lock and a motor vehicle lock functional unit is characterized in the context of the invention in that the motor vehicle lock functional unit has a coupling element that can be controlled using the electric motor drive to implement security functions, which in When engaged, a continuous mechanical connection is defined from the actuator to the motor vehicle lock and when disengaged, an interrupted mechanical connection from the actuator to the motor vehicle lock is defined.

In contrast to the prior art according to DE 10 2019 110 480 A1, the invention works with a coupling element and not with a blocking element. In this way, a continuous mechanical connection can be made when the coupling element is engaged Will be provided. As a result, loading of the actuating member means that the motor vehicle lock is also acted upon accordingly, and as a rule a locking mechanism as part of the motor vehicle lock is opened. For this purpose, a pawl as part of the locking mechanism is usually lifted from its latching engagement with a rotary latch using the actuating member. However, when the clutch is disengaged, such a locking mechanism opening is not possible because the mechanical connection is then interrupted.

The actuator is usually designed locally and functionally by the motor vehicle lock functional unit and accordingly also the motor vehicle lock. In fact, the actuator can be an outside door handle, an inside door handle or a lock cylinder individually or in combination. This means that the invention of course also includes variants such that both an outside door handle and an inside door handle and, if necessary, additionally a locking cylinder are implemented, which work on the motor vehicle lock via the motor vehicle lock functional unit if there is a continuous mechanical connection. If, on the other hand, the mechanical connection is interrupted, it is not possible to act on the motor vehicle lock and in particular to open the lock using the actuator.

In this way, very different security functions can be realized and implemented using the motor vehicle lock functional unit. For example, it is conceivable to realize and implement the “locked/unlocked” functional positions in this way. In this case, the actuating member is typically an outside door handle, which is mechanically connected to the locking mechanism of the motor vehicle lock when the coupling element is engaged. The “unlocked” state corresponds to this. If, on the other hand, the safety function is to be displayed “locked”, the coupling element is in its disengaged state transferred so that the mechanical connection is interrupted. In contrast, an additionally provided inside door handle may be continuously connected to the motor vehicle lock.

In addition, a “child-proof/child-unlocked” security function can also be implemented. In this case, the actuator is an inside door handle in the shelf on a rear motor vehicle side door. The functional position “child-proof” corresponds to the fact that in this case the coupling element is disengaged as part of the intermediate motor vehicle lock functional unit, so that pressure on the inside door handle is empty. If, on the other hand, the coupling element is engaged, this leads to the functional position “child unlocked”. In contrast, an associated outside door handle may be mechanically connected throughout to the motor vehicle lock.

Finally, and by way of example, if the further security function “theft-proof/theft-unlocked” is to be implemented, both an outside door handle and an inside door handle are implemented as an actuating element. In the “theft-proof” functional state, the coupling element is disengaged, so that both the external door handle and the internal door handle are deactivated. If, on the other hand, the motor vehicle lock functional unit is in the functional position "unlocked against theft", the coupling element is engaged and both the outside door handle and the inside door handle are able to work mechanically on the locking mechanism of the motor vehicle lock and to act on it in an opening manner .

Finally, the actuator can also be a locking cylinder. In this case, the coupling element is, as it were, bypassed and an action on the locking cylinder in the sense of “opening” or “unlocking” ensures that the continuous mechanical connection to the motor vehicle lock is used in such a way that the locking mechanism experiences opening. Conversely, a “closing” or “locking” process on the locking cylinder ensures that, for example, a previously designed anti-theft device or the “theft-unlocked” functional position is canceled again and the coupling element is disengaged accordingly.

In addition, according to an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the coupling element is acted upon by means of a contour or coupling contour on an output pulley as part of the electric motor drive. This means that the electric motor drive assigned to the motor vehicle lock functional unit is typically composed of at least one electric motor and the relevant driven pulley. The output pulley is now equipped with a contour or coupling contour, with the help of which the coupling element is acted upon, namely its described functional positions “engaged” or “disengaged” either and depending on the control of the electric motor drive.

For this purpose, the coupling element is usually and advantageously rotatably connected to an actuating lever. The actuating lever can in turn be set up to interact with the driven pulley. In this case, the contour or clutch contour on the output pulley ensures that the clutch element is not acted upon directly with its help, but rather the actuating lever, which in turn adjusts the clutch element.

In addition, the design is such that the coupling element mechanically couples a release lever and the actuation lever to one another when the clutch is engaged. The disengaged state of the clutch element therefore corresponds to the release lever and the actuating lever being mechanically separated from one another. This provides the desired mechanical interruption. In this In this connection, the procedure can be further and advantageously carried out in such a way that the release lever and the actuating lever are mounted on the same axis as one another.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the electric motor drive is set up not only to implement security functions, but also to open the motor vehicle lock by electric motor. This means that in this case the one (single) electric motor drive takes over the implementation of the different safety functions, as already described in the introduction. In addition, the electric motor drive is also capable of electric motor opening of the motor vehicle lock. This provides a particularly cost-effective and compact structure because a single electric motor drive is used. In principle, two separately designed electric motor drives can also be implemented and implemented at this point, although this is not preferred.

In the event that a single electric motor drive is used to implement the safety functions as well as for electric motor opening, the output pulley is advantageously equipped with, on the one hand, the coupling contour for acting on the coupling element and, on the other hand, an additional release contour for acting on the release lever. In this context, the design is advantageously such that the clutch contour and the release contour are shaped on opposite surfaces of the driven pulley.

The previously mentioned release lever as part of the motor vehicle lock functional unit is in turn coupled via the connecting means to the already mentioned locking mechanism as part of the motor vehicle lock. In particular, a coupling of the release lever with a pawl of the locking mechanism, which essentially consists of a rotary latch and a pawl, is observed. This can be the case with this Mechanical connecting means can advantageously be a flexible mechanical connecting means such as a cable or Bowden cable.

As a result, the combination of a motor vehicle lock and a motor vehicle lock functional unit is made available, which opens up the possibility of modularly upgrading a motor vehicle lock that is, so to speak, rudimentary and, in many applications, has the same structure, depending on the intended application and the desired lock functions. Of course, the same also applies to, for example, a locking aid assigned to the motor vehicle lock or, in general, a locking drive.

With the help of the motor vehicle lock functional unit, which is modular and largely designed locally and functionally by the motor vehicle lock, different security functions can now be optionally implemented within the scope of the invention in connection with the motor vehicle lock. In addition, it is additionally and advantageously possible to optionally implement an external electromotive opening function. For this purpose, the motor vehicle lock functional unit usually has its own housing. In principle, however, it is also possible for the housing of the motor vehicle lock functional unit to be attached or flanged to that of the motor vehicle lock. However, this does not change the fact that both the motor vehicle lock and the motor vehicle lock functional unit are each designed to be modular and can therefore work on their own. The local and functional separation is also essential in this context in order to realize the modular character and at the same time open up the possibility of combining the motor vehicle lock with a motor vehicle lock functional unit of the desired design. This is where the main advantages can be seen.

Below we will explain the invention in more detail using a drawing that only shows an exemplary embodiment; show it: Fig.1 shows a combination of a motor vehicle lock and a motor vehicle lock functional unit according to the invention in a first variant

Fig. 2 and Fig.3 the combination according to Fig.2 in another second

Variant in different functional positions.

The figures show the combination of a motor vehicle lock 1 and a motor vehicle lock functional unit 2. The motor vehicle lock 1 and the motor vehicle lock functional unit 2 are mechanically coupled to one another by a connecting means 3. In the context of the exemplary embodiment and not as a limitation, the connecting means 3 is a flexible connecting means 3, for example a Bowden cable or a cable pull. In this way, the motor vehicle lock 1 and the motor vehicle lock functional unit 2 can be selectively and flexibly placed and installed at different locations inside a motor vehicle door, not shown, but this is not shown in detail. The basic structure then includes an actuating member 4, 5 that is locally remote from the motor vehicle lock functional unit 2 and which, according to the exemplary embodiment, is an inside door handle 4 on the one hand and a locking cylinder 5 on the other.

It can be seen that the motor vehicle lock 1 is equipped with its own housing or lock housing 6. Inside the lock housing 6 and essentially a locking mechanism 7, 8 consisting of a rotary latch 7 and a pawl 8 with usual functionality is stored. In addition, further lock components may also be implemented and provided inside the motor vehicle lock 1, but these are not important in the context of the present invention, so that they are not reproduced for reasons of clarity. The motor vehicle lock functional unit 2 is also equipped with its own housing 9. As a result, the motor vehicle lock 1 on the one hand and the motor vehicle lock functional unit 2 on the other hand can each be designed modularly with their own housing 6, 9 and spatially and functionally separated from one another. Both housings 6, 9 may be made entirely or partially from plastic.

The motor vehicle lock functional unit 2 is essentially equipped with an electric motor drive 10, 11 inside. For this purpose, the electric motor drive 10, 11 has an electric motor 10 and an output slide 11, which can be driven and rotated about its axis 12 using a worm located on an output shaft of the electric motor 10.

According to the invention, the motor vehicle lock functional unit 2 now has a controllable device using the electric motor drive 10, 11 to implement security functions of the motor vehicle lock 1

Coupling element 13. The coupling element 13, in its engaged state shown in FIG Connection from the actuator 4, 5 to the motor vehicle lock 1 interrupted.

For this purpose, the coupling element 13 can be acted upon using a coupling contour 14 on the driven pulley 11 as part of the electric motor drive 10, 11. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1, the coupling contour 14 in question can be seen. In the example according to FIG. 2, the clutch contour 14 is provided concealed on the back of the output pulley 11 and works on the clutch element 13 via an actuating lever 17. Starting from the "engaged" state of the coupling element 13 shown in FIG. 1, a clockwise movement of the driven pulley 11, not shown here, about its axis 12 ensures that the coupling element 13 is pivoted and disengaged. As a result, a previously implemented mechanical connection between an actuation lever 15 and a release lever 16 is interrupted. The coupling element 13 is rotatably connected to the release lever 16.

In order to be able to open the locking mechanism 7, 8, the coupling element 13 must be engaged again. For this purpose, the worm wheel 11 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction indicated in FIG. 1 and can engage the coupling element 13 again. The locking mechanism 7, 8 can now be opened using an actuating lever 20 in the clockwise direction indicated in FIG. 1.

2, the transition of the coupling element 13 from the engaged state shown in FIG. 1 to the disengaged state according to FIG. 3 in turn ensures that the mechanical coupling between the actuating lever 15 and the release lever 16 is interrupted. As a result, in both cases, acting on the inside door handle 4 in the disengaged state according to FIG.

Specifically, the connecting means 3 is connected to the pawl 8 and a tensile action on the connecting means 3, indicated by an arrow in the figures, causes the pawl 8 to be pivoted about its axis in the clockwise direction. As a result of this, the pawl 8 is lifted from its latching engagement with the rotary latch 7. Then you can Rotary latch 7 opens with spring support and releases a previously caught locking bolt. The associated motor vehicle door can be opened.

In the variant according to FIG. 2, the additional actuating lever 17 is provided, which in this case is set up to interact with the driven pulley 11. For this purpose, the output pulley 11 has the clutch contour 14 already mentioned on its back side, which cannot be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. With the help of the clutch contour 14, the actuating lever 17 can now be pivoted during the transition from FIG. 2 to FIG In this way, the coupling element 13 connected to the actuating lever 17 is pivoted about its axis in the counterclockwise direction during the transition from FIG. 2 to FIG. 3. As a result of this, the coupling element 13 changes from its “engaged” state according to FIG. 2 to its “disengaged” state as shown in FIG. 3.

In particular, based on the illustration in Figures 2 and 3, it becomes clear that the electric motor drive 10, 11 is not only set up and designed to implement security functions. In addition, with the help of the “single” electric motor drive 10, 11, the motor vehicle lock 1 can also be opened by electric motor. For this purpose, the output pulley 11 in this case has, in addition to the previously mentioned and invisible clutch contour 14 arranged on the rear surface, also a release contour 18. This release contour 18 is designed and able to be cam-shaped according to the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 2 and 3 , to act on the release lever 16 directly so that the release lever 16 performs a pivoting movement in the counterclockwise direction about its axis 19. As a result, a pulling movement is exerted on the connecting means 3, which in turn ensures in the motor vehicle lock 1 that the pawl 8 is lifted from its latching engagement with the rotary latch 7. In the embodiment according to Figures 2 and 3, the actuating lever is 15 and the release lever is 16 mounted on the same axis compared to the common axis 19, rotatable inside the associated housing 9. The same applies to Fig. 1.

The locking cylinder 5 as a further actuating member 4, 5 in the context of the variant according to FIG. 1 works on a separate actuating lever 20, the design of which is such that an action on the actuating lever 20 corresponds to the actuating lever 20 via an arm 21, the release lever 16 can act directly, bypassing the coupling element 13. This corresponds to a pivoting movement of the release lever 16 around the axis 19 common to the actuating lever 15 and actuating lever 20 in a clockwise direction. As a result of this, the release lever 16 is acted upon again in the clockwise direction indicated in FIG.

In principle, there is also the possibility that the inside door handle 4 is not used mechanically to open the locking mechanism 7, 8 in the motor vehicle lock 1. But it is also conceivable that a sensor or switch 22, which is only indicated in FIG. 1, is acted upon via the inside door handle 4 without a mechanical connection. The sensor 22, in conjunction with a control unit, may then ensure that either the electromotive drive 10, 11 is used inside the motor vehicle lock functional unit 2 for the electromotive opening of the locking mechanism 7, 8 in the motor vehicle lock 1 or with the aid of the sensor 22 an additional electromotive opening drive provided inside the motor vehicle lock 1 is controlled. However, this is not shown in detail. Reference symbol list

Motor vehicle lock 1

Motor vehicle lock functional unit 2

Connecting means 3

Actuator 4, 5

Inside door handle 4

Lock cylinder 5

Housing or lock housing 6

Lock 7, 8

Rotary trap 7

Pawl 8

Housing 9 electric motor drive 10, 11

Electric motor 10

Output pulley 11

Axis 12

Coupling element 13

Coupling contour 14

Operating lever 15

Release lever 16

Operating lever 17

Release contour 18

Axis 19

Operating lever 20

Boom 21

Sensor 22

Claims

Patent claims

1. Combination of a motor vehicle lock (1) and a motor vehicle lock functional unit (2), the motor vehicle lock (1) and the motor vehicle lock functional unit (2) each being modular, preferably with its own housing (6, 9 ). 2) has an electric motor drive (10, 11) and interacts with a locally remote actuator (4, 5), so that the motor vehicle lock functional unit (2) is used to implement security functions with the help of the electric motor drive (10, 11). controllable coupling element (13), which in the engaged state has a continuous mechanical connection from the actuating member (4, 5) to the motor vehicle lock (1) and in the disengaged state has an interrupted mechanical connection from the actuating member (4, 5) to the motor vehicle lock (1 ) Are defined.

2. Combination according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling element (13) is acted upon by means of a coupling contour (14) on an output pulley (11) as part of the electric motor drive (10, 11).

3. Combination according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the coupling element (13) is rotatably connected to a release lever (16) or an actuating lever (17).

4. Combination according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the actuating lever (17) is set up to interact with the driven pulley (11).

5. Combination according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the coupling element (13) mechanically couples the release lever (16) and the actuating lever (15) to one another in the engaged state.

6. Combination according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the electric motor drive (10, 11) is set up not only to implement security functions, but also to open the motor vehicle lock (1) by electric motor.

7. Combination according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the release lever (16) and the actuating lever (15) are arranged on the same axis as one another.

8. Combination according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the output pulley (11) of the electric motor drive (10, 11) has on the one hand a coupling contour (14) for acting on the coupling element (13) and on the other hand a release contour (18) for acting on it the release lever (16).

9. Combination according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the release lever (16) via the connecting means (3) with a locking mechanism (7, 8), in particular a pawl (8) which essentially consists of a rotary latch (7) and Pawl (8) existing locking mechanism (7, 8) of the motor vehicle lock (1) is mechanically coupled.

10. Combination according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that locally from the motor vehicle lock functional unit (2) removed actuator (4, 5) as outside door handle, inside door handle (4) or

Locking cylinder (5) is designed individually or in combination.