Motor vehicle lock

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock having a locking mechanism (3, 4) which mainly comprises a rotary latch (3) and a locking claw (4), a motorized drive device (5) for opening / closing the locking mechanism (3, 4), a sensor unit (7, 8, 9) for the locking mechanism (3, 4) which comprises a rotary latch sensor (7) and a locking claw sensor (8), which are connected to a common control unit (10) for evaluation. According to the invention, the sensor unit (7, 8, 9) also comprises a further rotary latch sensor (9) which is evaluated by the control unit (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a motor vehicle lock, which includes: a locking mechanism, which mainly comprises a rotating locking fork and a locking pawl; a motorized / machine-driven drive device for opening / closing the locking mechanism; and a sensor unit for the locking mechanism, which includes a rotating locking fork sensor and a locking pawl sensor, the rotating locking fork sensor and the locking pawl sensor being connected to a common control unit for analysis and processing. Background Technology

[0002] For vehicle locks with the aforementioned structure, such as those described in document EP 2 333 208 A2, the primary concern is avoiding so-called false closure / surface closure. This false closure can generally be understood as a malfunction of the locking mechanism where, based on relevant sensor signals, it indicates that the mechanism is in the primary locking / fully locked position, but in reality, it has not reached that position. To address this, the prior art designs the mechanism such that the rotating fork sensor can be in a total of three different switching positions depending on the position of the rotating fork. The locking pawl sensor, however, only acquires two switching positions based on the position of the locking pawl.

[0003] Therefore, the configuration provided for implementing the locking pawl switch and rotary locking fork switch, or rotary locking tongue switch, includes a two-stage locking pawl switch and a three-stage rotary locking tongue switch. This allows for the detection of a total of six different closed states, thereby improving overall security. However, implementing the rotary locking fork sensor requires a special mechanical design to distinguish between the open switching position, the intermediate switching position, and the main locking switching position. Furthermore, this necessitates the use of a special rotary locking tongue switch constructed as a center-zero switch. Both of these measures increase structural costs and have therefore not been implemented in practice due to cost considerations.

[0004] For similar vehicle locks, such as the one described in the applicant's document WO 2016 / 146108 A1, an actuator is provided that causes at least a gap-like opening in the door leaf relative to the vehicle body. In addition to the actuator, an additional drive mechanism is provided to fully open / close the door leaf. To fix the gap-like opening in the door leaf, the actuator has a drive disc that not only moves against a stop block but also operates a sensor or switch that shuts off the actuator. Therefore, a sensor has been substantially described here by means of which can detect not only the travel of the actuator or drive mechanism but also the gap between the door leaf and the vehicle body. This sensor is also known in principle as an "Ajar-Sensor," meaning "partially open" or "almost closed" in English.

[0005] Besides the complex structural design of prior art according to document EP 2 333 208 A2, in practice, in addition to the aforementioned false closure, the following situation may occur: the locking mechanism acquires a functional position between the pre-locked position and the main locking position. In this case, the open position of the locking mechanism and the associated intermediate position cannot be clearly distinguished by means of, for example, a locking claw sensor or a rotation locking fork sensor. Consequently, in this situation, the control unit that analyzes and processes the sensor signals will not drive the motorized drive device to close the locking mechanism, or such a signal will not appear. The present invention aims to overcome the above-mentioned problems. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to further improve this motor vehicle lock so as to avoid indistinguishable functional states, and in particular to ensure that the motor drive device works without defects.

[0007] To solve this technical problem, this type of motor vehicle lock within the scope of the present invention is characterized in that, in addition to the rotation lock fork sensor and the locking pawl sensor, the sensor unit also includes an additional rotation lock fork sensor, which is analyzed and processed by the control unit.

[0008] Therefore, this invention is based on the understanding that using a rotary locking fork sensor, a locking pawl sensor, and additionally, a separate rotary locking fork sensor significantly improves security because it avoids indistinguishable functional states. According to the invention, the control unit can clearly identify the corresponding functional state of the locking mechanism in the sense of "open," "pre-locked," and "main locked." Specifically, at the start of the opening / closing process and during this period, the signals sent to the control unit by the three sensors for analysis are combined in a form different from or distinguishable from—especially—the corresponding signals in the "open position" and "closed position" of the locking mechanism. This directly avoids false closing and the situation where the "open position" is displayed but actually corresponds to an intermediate position between the pre-locked and main locked positions. Thus, for example, especially when closing the locking mechanism, the motorized drive operates flawlessly. This is a major advantage.

[0009] As described above, the three sensors provided according to the present invention—namely, the rotary locking fork sensor, the locking pawl sensor, and another rotary locking fork sensor—can acquire multiple different combined functional states at the start of the opening / closing process and during the opening / closing process. That is, each sensor can acquire at least two different individual functional states. If the sensors are configured as switches, particularly microswitches, then the two functional states can be identified as "on" or "1," or as "off" or "0."

[0010] Therefore, by using three different sensors, a total of eight, or 23, combined functional states can be provided. Typically, the design ensures that the three sensors acquire at least four different combined functional states. Furthermore, it is often designed so that the relevant combined functional states of the three sensors during the on / off process are all different from the combined functional states in the "on" or "off" state. This clearly avoids false off and false on states, or indistinguishable intermediate states.

[0011] The drive mechanism is generally a tension drive mechanism. Furthermore, this invention relates to a vehicle hatch, particularly a vehicle door, equipped with a vehicle lock having the aforementioned functions.

[0012] Therefore, a vehicle lock and corresponding vehicle hatch are provided as a whole, with a particularly simple structure that simultaneously ensures that all functional states are safely employed and that different intermediate states are correctly identified and excluded. Thus, undefined functional states between the pre-locked position and the main locking position will no longer occur, or such functional states will be detected and, in such states, the actuator advantageously designed to tighten the drive mechanism can easily ensure that the locking mechanism is closed. Any false closure will also be identified or will no longer occur. This is also a major advantage. Attached Figure Description

[0013] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show only one exemplary embodiment.

[0014] Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating the principle of the motor vehicle lock according to the present invention is provided.

[0015] Figure 2 The timeline shows the various sensors in their respective functional states.

[0016] Figure 3 The time distribution / time curve of the sensor signal is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The attached diagram shows the arrangement of the vehicle locks. Figure 1 The vehicle door 1 is shown schematically only, either on or inside it. The vehicle door 1 can be opened and closed relative to the vehicle body 2, which is not shown in detail but is shown schematically only. In this regard, the vehicle door 1 can be a side door of the vehicle. However, in principle, the vehicle lock, which will be described in more detail below, can also generally be installed in or on the vehicle hood—for example, the rear hatch of the vehicle—but this is not shown in detail.

[0018] The basic structure of a motor vehicle lock includes a locking mechanism, which mainly comprises a rotating locking fork 3 and a locking pawl 4. It also includes a motor-driven or electric motor-driven drive unit 5. According to this embodiment, the motor-driven drive unit 5 is configured as a tensioning drive for the locking mechanism. In this regard, the motor-driven drive unit 5 acts on the rotating locking fork 3 and, for example, ensures via an adjusting member 6 that the rotating locking fork 3 is tensioned from the pre-locked position. Correspondingly, Figure 2 The clockwise movement of the rotating locking fork 3 and the leftward movement of the adjusting member 6 toward the motorized drive device 5 are shown.

[0019] The basic structure of the vehicle lock also includes a sensor unit. According to this embodiment, the sensor unit of the locking mechanism can detect all functional states of the locking mechanism. The travel distance of the motor drive unit 5 can also be detected. For this purpose, a control unit 10 is provided to analyze and process the various sensors of the sensor unit. The contact area of ​​the sensor unit is... Figure 2 The middle part is indicated by shading.

[0020] The sensor unit specifically includes a rotary locking fork sensor 7, a locking pawl sensor 8, and an additional rotary locking fork sensor 9 according to the present invention, all of which are connected to the control unit 10. Thus, the control unit 10 can analyze and process the individual sensor signals output by the sensors. Furthermore, a motorized drive device or a tensioning drive device is connected to the control unit 10 and controlled based on the analysis and processing of the individual sensor signals.

[0021] According to this embodiment, all sensors acquire at least two different functional states. In fact, the sensors are switches, particularly microswitches.

[0022] Therefore, the sensor or switch obtains Figure 3 The individual functional states shown are "1" indicating "activated" and "0" indicating "not activated or open". Regarding this, Figure 3 The time distribution / time curves of the individual sensor signals from the sensor are shown. Figure 3 Signals issued by the control unit 10 that act on the motor drive or tension drive are also shown.

[0023] The signals of the motorized drive unit 5 are represented as forward operation "1", stationary "0", and finally reverse operation "1". Each individual signal is shown over time, wherein, additionally in Figure 3The diagram illustrates the functional states of the locking mechanism in the following senses: opening, start of the tightening process (“cinching start”), end of the tightening process (“cinching stop”), and final closing or door closing (“door closed”). Finally, the diagram also shows the reciprocating motion of the motorized drive or tightening drive in the “reverse” sense, or the “reverse stop” used to end reverse operation.

[0024] Since the three sensors operate independently and acquire two states, "1" and "0", the relevant sensors can acquire multiple different combined functional states, such as "011" or "101", at the start of the opening / closing process and during the opening / closing process. For a total of three sensors, each with two functional states "1" and "0", there are a total of eight (23) combined functional states, all of which are acquired during the opening / closing process. Figure 3 As shown in the diagram. In order to distinguish the various functional states without any problems, the eight combined functional states are assigned the letters A to H respectively.

[0025] It can be seen that during the closing motion, that is, in the time period between "cinching start" and "cinching stop", the sensor acquires a total of multiple different combined functional states. According to this embodiment, a total of four different combined functional states are acquired, more precisely, corresponding to... Figure 3 The numbers A, B, C, and D are shown.

[0026] These functional states A, B, C, and D differ from the "open" state of the locking mechanism, and therefore from the "open" state of the vehicle door 1 relative to the vehicle body 2 (combined functional state E), and also from the closed state (combined functional state F). Therefore, the locking mechanism can be detected without defects. Figure 3 The diagram shows a possible intermediate state between the pre-locked position VR and the main locking position HR, and unlike the prior art, there is no longer an indistinguishable functional state.

[0027] Figure 2 and Figure 3 The comparison clearly shows that, from Figure 2Starting from the "open" state indicated by the dashed line, all sensors or switches are activated first. If the operator then moves the rotary fork 3 clockwise as shown until the locking pawl engages in the pre-locking part 3a of the rotary fork 3, the rotary fork sensor 7 or rotary fork switch remains activated during this period, as do the other rotary fork sensor 9 or other rotary fork switch. The locking pawl sensor or locking pawl switch 8 then switches to the open position of the corresponding locking pawl switch 8, which then directly triggers the tightening process ("cinching start").

[0028] After the tensioning process begins, the locking pawl 4 is expelled from the pre-locking portion 3a of the rotary locking fork 3, causing the locking pawl switch 8 to close again. During the transition from the pre-locking portion 3a to the main locking portion 3b, the rotary locking fork switch simultaneously opens because it moves away from the contour of the rotary locking fork 3 that acts on it. Meanwhile, the other rotary locking fork sensor 9 is still actuated by the protrusion 11 on the adjusting member 6. In fact, during the tensioning process, the adjusting member 6 moves to the left towards the motorized drive device 5.

[0029] Then, the tightening process causes the locking pawl 4 to fall into the main locking part 3b of the rotary locking fork 3. Correspondingly, the other rotary locking fork sensor 9 or drive device switch is turned on. As a result, the tightening process can end after reaching the main locking position HR (“cinching stop”). The rotary locking fork switch remains open. Upon reaching the main locking part 3b, the locking pawl switch 8 transitions from its previously acquired actuated state to the open state because the locking pawl 4 falls into the main locking part 3b of the rotary locking fork 3.

[0030] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram:

[0031] 1. Motor vehicle door

[0032] 2. Motor vehicle body

[0033] 3. Rotate the locking fork

[0034] 3a Pre-locking section

[0035] 4 locking claws

[0036] 5 drive units

[0037] 6 Adjustment Components

[0038] 7 Rotary locking fork sensor

[0039] 8 locking claw sensors

[0040] 9. Additional rotation lock fork sensor

[0041] 10 Control Unit

[0042] 11. Protrusion

[0043] VR Pre-locked Position

[0044] HR main lock position

Claims

1. A motor vehicle lock comprising: a locking mechanism (3, 4) mainly including a rotating locking fork (3) and a locking claw (4); a motorized drive device (5) for opening / closing the locking mechanism (3, 4); and a sensor unit (7, 8, 9) for the locking mechanism (3, 4), the sensor unit including a rotating locking fork sensor (7) and a locking claw sensor (8), the rotating locking fork sensor and the locking claw sensor being connected to a common control unit (10) for analysis and processing. Its features are, The sensor units (7, 8, 9) also include an additional rotary locking fork sensor (9), which is analyzed and processed by the control unit (10). The motorized drive unit (5) is a tensioning drive unit. The motorized drive unit (5) acts on the rotating locking fork (3) and ensures, through the adjusting member (6), that the rotating locking fork (3) is tensioned from the pre-locked position. The additional rotation lock fork sensor (9) is actuated by a protrusion (11) provided on the adjustment device (6).

2. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drive unit sensor (9) is used to detect the movement of the drive unit (5).

3. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The travel distance of the drive unit (5) corresponds to the gap between the door leaf (1) and the vehicle body (2).

4. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Three sensors (7, 8, 9) acquire multiple different combined functional states (A, B, C, and D) at the start of the on / off process and during the on / off process.

5. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 4, characterized in that, The combined functional states (A, B, C, and D) of the three sensors (7, 8, 9) during the on / off process are all different from the corresponding combined functional states (E, F) in the "on" or "off" state.

6. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Each sensor (7, 8, 9) can acquire at least two distinct individual functional states, which are in the form of "1" and "0".

7. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The three sensors (7, 8, 9) correspond in combination to a total of eight different combined functional states (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H).

8. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Sensors (7, 8, 9) are switches (7, 8, 9).

9. A vehicle hatch having a door (1) equipped with a vehicle lock according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The vehicle hatch cover according to claim 9, characterized in that, The vehicle hatch is the vehicle door.

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