Car lock

Abstract

The present invention relates to an automobile lock (1, 23) comprising: a locking mechanism (2, 24) having a rotating latch (3) and at least one claw (4, 25), wherein the rotational movement of the rotating latch (3) can be locked by the claw (4, 25) to at least one latch position; an assist closing device (11, 29) wherein the locking mechanism (2, 24) can be moved from a pre-latch position to a main latch position by the assist closing device (11, 29); an assist opening device wherein a door element can be moved from a closed position to an open position by the assist opening device; and a drive unit wherein the unlocking of the locking mechanism (2, 24) can be enabled by the drive unit, and selective assist closing or assist opening of the door element can be enabled by the movement of at least one part of the locking mechanism (2, 24).

Description

Technical Field

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a locking mechanism including a rotary latch and at least one pawl, wherein the rotational movement of the rotary latch can be locked by the pawl at at least one latch position, a locking mechanism, an assist closing device, wherein the locking mechanism can be shifted from a preliminary latch position to a main latch position by the assist closing device, an assist opening device, wherein a door element can be shifted from a closed position to an open position by the assist opening device, and a drive unit, wherein the locking mechanism can be unlocked by the drive unit, and relates to an automotive lock comprising the same.

Background Art

[0002]

[0002] In order to enhance the comfort level in automobiles and make the automobiles as easy to operate as possible, more and more comfort functions are being integrated into automobiles. For example, it is known that automobile doors, hatches, or hoods are closed by an assist closing device and / or opened by an assist opening device. This may be due, on the one hand, to the desire to make it possible to easily close and / or open the door, and on the other hand, for example, to the desire to eliminate the need for an exterior door handle in order to achieve a design corresponding to the automobile. Assist closing devices are frequently used especially in fully automatic tailgates. These hatches can be operated, for example, simply by a wireless remote control without manual operation of the hatch itself.

[0003]

[0003] A locking system with an assist closing device is generally used for all conceivable doors, hatches, etc. on an automobile. As a result, not only side doors but also trunk lids, tailgates, or hoods may be affected and these are also included within the scope of the present invention. With the help of the assist closing device, the door or vehicle door in question can be moved from the aforementioned pre-latch position to the main latch position, mainly against the resistance of the seal.

[0004]

[0004] In German Utility Model No. 202008015089, the procedure involves providing a transmission lever coaxial with the axis of the rotating latch of the locking mechanism. In addition, a drive pawl is attached to the transmission element. The drive pawl is then connected to the drive device by a Bowden cable or other connecting means.

[0005]

[0005] In addition to assisting with assist closing drive devices for automobile locking systems, assist opening devices have also become known. Assist opening devices, also known as openers, presenters, or lifters, are preferably used to move a movable component in an automobile to an open position so that an operator can grasp the movable component and open it completely. Assist opening devices work in cooperation with electrically unlockable locking systems so that, as a result, assist opening of the movable component can be performed after the electric unlocking or opening of the locking mechanism. When the locking mechanism is open, for example, an automobile door can be moved to the open position without manual operation of an external operating handle.

[0006]

[0006] German Patent Application Publication No. 102011015669 describes an opener for a vehicle door or hatch that can be used to move a door, hatch, or hood from a closed position to an open position. If the assist opening device relates to, for example, a side door of an automobile, the door can be opened, for example, using an electric pulse. To do this, the locking mechanism of the door lock must first be unlocked, preferably electrically, so that the door can be opened. For example, if the pressure of the door seal is insufficient to move the door from a closed position to an open position, the door can be moved to the open position by the assist opening device. The open position is defined as the position in which the operator of the automobile can grasp the door so that the door can be fully opened. An electric drive device functions as the assist opening device, which acts mechanically on the automobile door in the form of a pivotal movement of levers via a drive pawl and an inner lever and an outer lever.

[0007]

[0007] From German Patent Application Publication No. 102015003918, an automotive lock has become known, comprising: a locking mechanism including a rotary latch and at least one claw, wherein the rotational motion of the rotary latch can be locked by the claw; a drive unit, wherein the claw can be moved to an unlocked position for the locking mechanism; and an assist opening device, wherein a vehicle component housing the automotive lock can be moved from a closed position to an open position by the assist opening device. In one modified embodiment, the drive unit forms a drive unit for the assist opening device. An electric motor preferably functions as a drive unit for electrically opening the automotive lock, which acts on an actuator, for example, via gears, as a result of the claw being disengaged from the rotary latch. When the electric motor present in the automotive lock is used as a drive unit for the assist opening device, a further drive unit for the assist opening device can be made unnecessary.

[0008]

[0008] From German Patent Application No. 102021102021132120.4, an automotive lock has become known comprising: a locking mechanism including a rotary latch and at least one claw, wherein the rotational movement of the rotary latch can be locked by the claw to at least one latch position; an assist closing device, wherein the locking mechanism can be moved from a pre-latch position to a main latch position by the assist closing device; and an assist opening device, wherein a door element can be moved from a closed position to an open position by the assist opening device, wherein the coupling element can be controlled by a drive unit so that the assist opening and assist closing of the door element can be enabled by the assist closing device. This combined use of an assist closing drive unit for assist closing and assist opening makes it possible to use components present in an automotive lock for multiple functions.

[0009]

[0009] Assist closing devices and assist opening devices, known from the prior art and used in a wide range of applications, have proven to be fundamentally useful. One problem that automotive manufacturers and suppliers are constantly concerned with is minimizing the weight of the vehicle and the installation space of its components. The weight of individual components can minimize the weight of the vehicle and thereby reduce the fuel consumption of the vehicle. This is addressed by the present invention. [Overview of the project]

[0010]

[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved automotive lock having the described comfort features such as a power closure or an assisted opening device. The object of the present invention is also to provide a cost-effective solution with a simple design that achieves comfort features in minimal installation space and using as few components as possible.

[0011]

[0011] According to the present invention, this objective is achieved by the features of independent claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in the dependent claims. It should be noted that the exemplary embodiments described below are not limiting, and rather any variation options of the features described in the specification and dependent claims are possible.

[0012]

[0012] According to claim 1, an object to the present invention is to provide an automotive lock comprising: a locking mechanism including a rotary latch and at least one claw, wherein the rotational movement of the rotary latch can be locked by the claw to at least one latch position; an assist closing device, wherein the locking mechanism can be moved from a pre-latch position to a main latch position by the assist closing device; an assist opening device, wherein a door element can be moved from a closed position to an open position by the assist opening device; and a drive unit, wherein the locking mechanism can be unlocked by the drive unit, wherein selective assist closing or assist opening of a door element can be enabled by the movement of at least one part of the locking mechanism. The design of the automotive lock according to the present invention now creates the option to realize the comfort functions "assist closing" and "assist opening" using as few components as possible that exist in the automotive lock due to the basic design of the automotive lock alone. In the process, it is possible to selectively perform the assist closing or assist opening process of the door element. The selection is made by the position of the locking mechanism, and as a result, assisted closing or assisted opening may be performed based on the locked state of the locking mechanism and the door element.

[0013]

[0013] When referring to the automotive locks according to the present invention, synonyms such as locking device, lock, or door lock are used interchangeably. The term “automotive lock” also encompasses locks used on the doors, sliding doors, hatches, and / or covers of automobiles, i.e., locks used wherever a component mounted in a pivotable or displaceable manner to an automobile must be held firmly in place. The automotive locks according to the present invention preferably relate to side door locks. Such automotive locks include a locking mechanism comprising a rotating latch and a claw.

[0014]

[0014] The locking mechanism may further comprise two or more pawls, or, for example, a latch lever or a blocking lever. Such pawls are known from the prior art. In this process, the pawls directly engage with the rotary latch, and the latch lever or blocking lever fixes the position of the pawls in the latch position, preferably the main latch position.

[0015]

[0015] A distinction is made between the pre-latch position and the main latch position. The detent lock mechanism is used particularly in side doors, where the door element can be held firmly in the open position in the pre-latch position and positioned in a fully operational state in the main latch position. A claw holds the rotary latch in the pre-latch position and the main latch position, where the rotational movement of the rotary latch is locked.

[0016]

[0016] When the door element is closed, the rotary latch first moves to the pre-latch position, and then can be automatically moved from the pre-latch position to the main latch position by an assist closing device. This transition of the locking mechanism from the pre-latch position to the main latch position is performed by the assist closing device. In doing so, the assist closing device accesses the rotary latch directly or indirectly to move the door element from the open position to the closed position. The assist closing is performed by progressing from the pre-latch position beyond the main latch position to the overtravel position of the rotary latch, thereby ensuring that the claws securely engage the rotary latch. Assist closing devices are known in various forms and can be located inside the vehicle as an external assist closing device within the vehicle lock, on the vehicle lock, or separated from the vehicle lock.

[0017]

[0017] When the locking mechanism proceeds from the main latch position, i.e., the fully closed position of the door element, to unlock, the rotary latch is released. The engagement of the claw from the latch position causes the rotary latch to move or pivot from the main latch position by the force of the rotary latch spring and the door seal. The assist opening device causes the door element to move to the open position in addition to the pressure of the rotary latch spring and the door seal. The assist opening device can act on the rotary latch or cooperate directly with the striker as a separate element.

[0018]

[0018] The automobile lock according to the present invention comprises an electrically unlockable locking mechanism. For this purpose, the automobile lock comprises at least a drive unit that enables the unlocking of the locking mechanism. The drive unit can act directly or indirectly on the pawl and, for example, operate a trigger lever that disengages the pawl from engagement with the rotary latch. Such an automobile lock is also called an electrically operated automobile lock or E-lock.

[0019]

[0019] In a preferred embodiment and in one modified embodiment of the present invention, an advantage is obtained when the guide for the assist closing device can be controlled by at least one of the locking mechanism components. The guide for the assist closing device is provided on an automotive lock and can be controlled by at least one locking mechanism component. Depending on the position of the locking mechanism in the latch position or the open position of the locking mechanism, the controlling locking mechanism component can guide the assist closing device or the guide for the assist closing device so that the assist closing or assist opening of the door element can be achieved. The guide may consist of, for example, a linear guide provided on the automotive lock. The guide may be provided with a switch, for example, which can deflect the assist closing device so that each function in the automotive lock can be set. In any case, the guide is designed so that the assist closing device can be deflected by the locking mechanism component in the direction of each function. The assist closing device moves along the guide and can follow different movement paths depending on the selected function, i.e., assist closing or assist opening. This makes it possible to achieve selective assist closing or assist opening of the door element. However, since the assist closing device remains engaged with the guide at all times, switching can be eliminated, and the selected closing or opening can be easily performed simply by deflecting the assist closing device within the guide.

[0020]

[0020] When the drive mechanism for the assist closing device cooperates indirectly, particularly by a Bowden cable, with the locking mechanism, a further preferred modified embodiment of the present invention can be achieved.

[0021]

[0021] Preferably, the drive unit connected to the assist closing device by a Bowden cable can be located within the vehicle, spaced apart from the auto lock. This offers the advantage of achieving a compact design for the auto lock. In particular, the design of the auto lock according to the present invention and the selective functionality of assist closing and assist opening implemented therein make it possible to provide an auto lock with a high level of functionality using minimal design resources. Thus, the design according to the present invention makes it possible to realize an E-lock with assist closing and assist opening devices that can have increased functionality by only existing components, namely the claw and rotary latch, and can be controlled via the locking mechanism.

[0022]

[0022] It may also be preferable, and may represent a modified embodiment of the present invention, if the Bowden cable can be guided in a guideway within the automotive lock. The guide within the automotive lock can function as a guide for the Bowden cable or a Bowden cable core and a Bowden cable nipple positioned on the Bowden cable core. The Bowden cable can then move within and along the guide, where it may be selected by lock mechanism components that control only the path of movement. The Bowden cable of an assist closing device can then selectively cooperate with an assist opening device or an assist closing device. However, it is also conceivable that the Bowden cable is fixedly connected to an operating element that can be controlled by lock mechanism components.

[0023]

[0023] For example, when the locking mechanism is opened and the pawl is moved by an electric drive, the pawl can engage with the travel path and / or guideway of the assist closing device, thereby causing deflection and enabling the assist opening of the door element.

[0024]

[0024] In contrast, if the pawl is moved from the released position to contact the rotary latch, for example, so that the locking mechanism can latch into place, the pawl releases the guideway and the locking mechanism can be closed. There is no need to deactivate the assist closing device during the assist opening process; rather, the assist closing device selectively engages with the assist opening device.

[0025]

[0025] If at least one of the locking mechanism components, preferably a pawl, allows the Bowden cable to be deflected within the guideway, this results in a further modified embodiment of the present invention. The pawl is preferably used to select an "assist closing" or "assist opening" function. The pawl can block the travel path or function as a guide means. For example, an assist closing device or a drive device can be continuously engaged with an assist closing device and an assist opening device, so that only the guideway is selectively released or blocked. The pawl can be preferably used for this purpose as it engages with a rotary latch or performs a pivoting motion to release the rotary latch. This pivoting motion can be utilized to control the guideway. However, it is also conceivable that the rotary latch may be used directly or indirectly for control purposes within the range of its pivoting motion by utilizing the pivoting motion of the rotary latch as an operating means.

[0026]

[0026] If the actuation means, in particular the actuation lever, can be operated by a locking mechanism component, this then brings about a modified embodiment of the present invention. The actuation lever can be used to deflect the closing drive, and as a result the guideway can be used in different directions via the actuation means. The actuation lever can be pivotably housed, for example, in an automotive lock, and can operate a power closure or an assist opening device using different operating directions.

[0027] When the locking mechanism component includes means for deflecting the Bowden cable, a further preferred variant embodiment of the present invention can be achieved. For example, when the guideway has different movement paths, a guide component arranged on the locking mechanism component and preferably connected integrally with the locking mechanism component engages with the guideway, and thus, deflection to each selected guideway can be enabled.

[0028] When the deflecting means is designed integrally with the locking mechanism component, it can also be suitable and can constitute a further variant embodiment of the present invention. The locking mechanism component can function as a selection aid and can be used as a blocking element, a guiding element, or a steering element. Depending on requirements, the deflecting means may be formed from the metal core of the claw or may be part of the plastic sheath of the locking mechanism component. Depending on a specific embodiment, an extension can be formed on the claw or the rotary latch, and as a result, the assist closing device can be selectively deflected to each selected function in an automobile.

[0029] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the principle that the exemplary embodiments do not limit the present invention but merely represent suitable specific embodiments applies. The features shown can be implemented individually or in combination, either individually or in combination with further features in the specification and the claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0030] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram of an automotive lock comprising a locking mechanism and an assist closing device that enables selective assist closing or assist opening of a door element. [Figure 2] It is also a schematic diagram of an alternative specific embodiment of an automotive lock that enables selective assist closing or assist opening of a door element using an assist closing device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0031]

[0030] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of an automobile lock 1, with side and top views of the locking mechanism 2. The main latch position of the locking mechanism 2 is shown, where the rotary latch 3 is engaged with the claw 4. The locking mechanism components 3 and 4 may be pivotably mounted and housed on a lock plate 7, for example, together with their shafts 5 and 6. In the main latch position, the striker 8 is held by the locking mechanism 2, and as a result, the door element is in the operating position, i.e., the closed position. The locking mechanism 2 comprises a preliminary detent 9 and a main detent 10, where a rotary latch spring 11 is additionally illustrated as an example.

[0032]

[0031] An assist closing device 11, including a Bowden cable 12, a Bowden cable core 13, and an external drive unit 14, is also shown. The Bowden cable 12 or Bowden cable core 13 is connected to a deflection means, the deflection means 15, which is housed in the automotive lock 1 as a pivotable lever. The deflection means 15 can be moved clockwise and counterclockwise in the direction of arrow P via a guideway 16. Depending on the direction of movement of the deflection means 15, assist closing or assist opening of the lock mechanism or door element can be performed. For this purpose, for example, battery modules 17, 18 are directly connected to the deflection means 15.

[0033]

[0032] Figure 1 shows the main latch position of the locking mechanism 2. The claw 3 is engaged with the main detent 10, as a result exposing the guideway, in particular the first portion 19 of the guideway 16. Thus, the deflection lever 15 can pivot counterclockwise around the axis 20. This makes it possible, for example, to close the locking mechanism 2. When the locking mechanism 2 is now electrically unlocked and the claw 4 moves to the position shown as the dashed line 21, the rotary latch 3 is released and the door element can move. In this case, the claw 4 blocks the first portion 19 of the guideway 16, as a result, the counterclockwise pivot of the deflection means 15 can be blocked. In this case, when the drive unit is operated, and thus the Boden cable core 13 is operated, the deflection means 15 can pivot to the second portion 22 of the guideway 16, as a result, assisted opening of the door element can be performed via the battery modules 17, 18. As a result, selective assisted opening or assisted closing of the door element or the locking mechanism can be performed via the movement of the locking mechanism 2.

[0034]

[0033] Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the automotive lock 23, again as a top view of the locking mechanism 24. Identical components are indicated by the same reference numerals. The locking mechanism 23 is also shown in the main latch position, where the claw 25 engages with the rotary latch 3 and the main detent engages with the rotary latch 3. In this point, Figure 2 shows the closed position of the door element. In this particular embodiment, the guideway 26 is fork-shaped and has a first, substantially linear portion 27 and a second portion 28 branching therefrom. Thus, the assist closing device 29 allows the Bowden cable 12 or Bowden cable core 13 to be deflected within the automotive lock.

[0035]

[0034] In this exemplary embodiment, selective operation of the assist opening function or the assist closing function is also controlled via the pawl 25. For this purpose, the pawl 25 preferably comprises a guide section 30 integrally connected with the pawl 25, as shown herein. The Bowden cable 12 can be steered by the guide section 30 in different directions, i.e., different portions 27, 28 of the guideway 26. For this purpose, the guide section 30 engages with the guideway 26 and thus controls the path of movement of the Bowden cable nipple 31 connected to the Bowden cable core 13. The Bowden cable nipple 31 can then push a lever mechanism connected to the assist opening device and the assist closing device. The connection of the Bowden cable 12 is of course not limited to a lever mechanism, and gears, teeth, and / or linearly guided elements can also be connected here, which should then be understood as merely an example.

[0036]

[0035] For example, if the locking mechanism 24 is closed through the second portion 28 of the guideway 26, then there is now an option to release the first portion 27 of the guideway 26 by electrically operating the pawl 25. The pawl then pivots to the position 32 shown by the dashed line, as a result releasing the first portion 27 of the guideway 26, and the Bowden cable can move in the direction of the first portion 27 of the guideway. In this way, assisted opening of the striker or door element can be performed through the guideway, in particular the first portion 27 of the guideway. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0037] 1.23 Car locks 2.24 Locking mechanism 3-turn latch 4.25 Nails 5, 6, 20 axes 7 Lock Plate 8 Striker 9. Reserve detent 10 Main detent 11.29 Assist Closing Device 12 Bowden Cables 13. Bowden Cable Core 14 Drive unit 15 Deflection means 16, 26 Guideway 17, 18 Operating means 19, 27 Part 1 21, 32 Dashed line 22, 28 Part 2 30 Guide Sections 31 Bowden Cable Nipple P arrow

Claims

1. A locking mechanism (2, 24) comprising a rotating latch (3) and at least one claw (4, 25), wherein the rotational movement of the rotating latch (3) can be locked in at least one latched position by the claw (4, 25), An assist closing device (11, 29) wherein the assist closing device (11, 29) enables the locking mechanism (2, 24) to move from the pre-latch position to the main latch position, An assist opening device, wherein the assist opening device enables the door element to move from a closed position to an open position, A drive unit, wherein the locking mechanism can be unlocked by the drive unit, In an automobile lock (1, 23) equipped with, Automotive lock (1, 23) characterized in that at least one movement of a part of the locking mechanism (2, 24) enables selective assisted closing or assisted opening of the door element.

2. The automobile lock (1, 23) according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide of the assist closing device (11, 29) is controllable.

3. The automobile lock (1, 23) according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive unit (14) of the assist closing device (11, 29) cooperates indirectly, particularly with the lock mechanism (2, 24) by a Bowden cable (12).

4. The automobile lock (1, 23) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the Bowden cable (12) can be guided in the guideways (16, 26) within the automobile lock (1, 23).

5. Automotive lock (1, 23) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the deflection of the Bowden cable (12) within the guideway (16, 26) can be made by at least one of the locking mechanism components (3, 4, 25), preferably the claw (4, 25).

6. The automobile lock (1, 23) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the guideway (16, 26) can be blocked by the locking mechanism component (3, 4, 25).

7. An automobile lock (1, 23) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the operating means, in particular the operating lever, can be operated by the lock mechanism components (3, 4, 25).

8. The automobile lock (1, 23) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the lock mechanism component (3, 4, 25) includes means (15) for deflecting the Bowden cable (12).

9. The automobile lock (1, 23) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the deflection means (15) is designed to be integrated with the lock mechanism components (3, 4, 25).

10. The automobile lock (1, 23) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the lock mechanism component (3, 4, 25) is an electrically operable claw (4, 25).

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