Motor vehicle lock, in particular motor vehicle door lock

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, having a locking mechanism which mainly comprises a rotary lock lever and a locking pawl, a lever train (1, 4) for the locking mechanism, a locking element (6), at least one blocking element (8), and only one spring element (13) which interacts both with the locking element (6) and with the blocking element (8). The lever train (1, 4) can be controlled by means of the locking element (6) in order to at least enter into an "unlocked" functional state and a "locked" functional state and additionally can be controlled by means of the blocking element (8) in order to enter into an "unblocked" functional state and a "blocked" functional state. According to the invention, the spring element (13) additionally interacts with the lever train (1, 4).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a vehicle lock, particularly a vehicle door lock, comprising: a locking mechanism mainly including a rotating locking fork and a locking pawl; a lever system for the locking mechanism; a locking element; at least one locking element; and only one spring element that interacts with both the locking element and the locking element, wherein the lever system is controllable by the locking element to enter at least an "unlocked" functional state and a "locked" functional state, and additionally controllable by the locking element to enter an "unlocked" functional state and a "locked" functional state. Background Technology

[0002] In vehicle locks, and especially in vehicle door locks, it is generally important to reliably and reproducibly maintain all functional states. This must be ensured not only throughout the entire lifespan of the lock, but also, particularly under high and low temperature conditions. Furthermore, there is a general commitment to minimizing structural wear and, consequently, costs.

[0003] In the context of this invention, the term "vehicle lock" includes not only vehicle door locks, but particularly vehicle side door locks. It also generally includes vehicle locks for hoods, rear hatches, sliding doors, fuel tank caps, charging ports, etc. The locking element is, in principle, a central locking element. By means of this central locking element, the lever system can be switched between an "unlocked" and a "locked" state.

[0004] The "unlocked" function typically corresponds to the locking mechanism being able to be opened via the joystick. In contrast, the "locked" function refers to the situation where the locking mechanism is generally not openable via the external joystick, but is still allowed to be opened from the inside.

[0005] The additional locking element can typically be a child safety lock, an anti-theft lock, or both. In the case of a child safety lock—which is typically implemented only on the rear door of a vehicle—the "unlocked" state indicates that the relevant vehicle (rear) door can be opened from the inside, even when, for example, the locking element is in the "locked" state. Conversely, the "locked" state corresponds to the inability to open the relevant vehicle door from the inside.

[0006] If the locking element is an anti-theft locking element, the functional state "unlocked" corresponds to the vehicle door being able to be opened from both the inside and the outside. Conversely, the functional state "locked" means the vehicle door cannot be opened from either the inside or the outside, and thus the vehicle lock cannot be opened even if, for example, the door glass is broken.

[0007] Not only the locking element but also the locking mechanism can be engaged mechanically or by a drive, and can also be engaged manually. Regarding child safety locking elements, nut-shaped child safety locks are known, by means of which different functional states can be manually adjusted. In contrast, the switching of functional states of locking elements or central locking elements is typically performed mechanically or by a drive.

[0008] Temperature-induced effects and / or prolonged use may cause the various described functional states to become unadjustable or unreliable. For this reason, in practice, it is common practice to equip the respective components with a flip spring, by means of which two common functional states are typically bistable. This implementation is structurally expensive because each component is assigned its own flip spring.

[0009] For this reason, existing technologies already provide solutions that allow springs to perform multiple functions. For example, the applicant's DE 10 2017 124 530 A1 describes a vehicle door lock equipped with first and second locking claws. The first locking claw is spring-loaded with an operating lever connected in the middle. For this purpose, the spring has two spring legs extending from the base of the legs, one spring leg resting against the associated operating lever, and the other spring leg resting against another second locking claw. Due to the specific design, the aforementioned teachings do not significantly affect the existing problem of reliably occupying and maintaining the functional state of the locking and latching elements.

[0010] Other prior art, according to DE 101 57 473 A1, relates to a drive unit for a door lock, wherein a spring-shaped engagement member is provided on a gear or cam. Here, when the closing mechanism is in its initial state, the engagement member, or a leaf spring applied in that position, can engage with the unlocking mechanism. The associated leaf spring thus functions to transmit force and is not used for positional change or positional fixation.

[0011] Similarly, there is a prior art based on DE 10 2008 018 500 A1. In this case, a vehicle lock is also implemented in which the associated locking mechanism can be placed in different functional states, such as "unlocked," "locked," "anti-theft lock," or "child safety lock." These functional positions are achieved by means of a resiliently bendable wire or strip. For this purpose, the associated bending functional element is transferred to different functional positions. For this reason, the associated bending functional element ultimately provides a switchable connection between two swingable adjusting elements of the vehicle lock.

[0012] Existing technology has proven in principle that it is feasible to achieve different functions using only a single spring element. However, in this context, the relevant spring element has primarily been used as a connector for mechanical connections. Consequently, the effects caused by temperature cannot be controlled. This invention aims to remedy this limitation. Summary of the Invention

[0013] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to further improve such vehicle locks, especially vehicle door locks, so that, while considering a simple structural design, the different functional states of the lever system can be reliably occupied over the entire temperature range that can be covered.

[0014] To address this technical problem, within the scope of this invention, such vehicle locks and, in particular, vehicle door locks are characterized in that the (only one) spring element interacts not only with the locking element and the locking element, but also additionally with the control lever system.

[0015] According to the invention, the spring element thus performs a triple function. Therefore, the spring element interacts not only with the locking element and the locking mechanism, but also, according to the invention, as a third interaction, with the lever system. Here, the spring element, in combination with the locking and locking elements, is typically used at this location to achieve and provide positional fixation for the related elements (locking and spring elements). In contrast, the additional interaction between the (sole) spring element and the lever system is designed such that, by means of the spring element, the lever, as part of the lever system, is reset after its deflection.

[0016] In other words, within the scope of this invention, a single spring element ensures, on the one hand, that not only the locking element but also the locking element remains in a fixed position. On the other hand, the spring element additionally ensures that the associated lever or lever system as a whole returns to its initial position after its deflection (e.g., to engage the locking mechanism). In this case, the spring element thus performs a reset function, while the interaction with the corresponding element (locking element or locking element) occurs in the sense of a fixed position. This is a key advantage of the invention.

[0017] According to a favorable design, the spring element is connected to the lever of the joystick system. For this purpose, the spring element is typically designed as a helical torsion spring. For this purpose, the helical torsion spring has a leg base / helical coil, to which two spring legs are connected. If the spring element is connected to the lever of the joystick system, the leg base ensures that the spring element is connected to the lever by means of the leg base. Therefore, the leg base typically surrounds the support section of the lever.

[0018] Here, the invention is based on the understanding that the lever is typically rotatably supported in the lock housing or lock case around a support pin. According to an advantageous design, the relevant support pin is surrounded by the leg base of the spring element, thereby ensuring the spring element is simultaneously secured.

[0019] As previously explained, the helical torsion spring not only has a leg base connected to the lever, but also two spring legs extending from the leg base. Advantageously, the spring element is designed such that one of its lever-spring legs rests against the stop of the lever. Therefore, actuation of the lever, with its oscillating motion around its support pin, causes the associated lever-spring leg to deflect. Upon termination of actuation of the lever, the deflected lever-spring leg ensures that the lever oscillates back to its initial position. In other words, the lever-spring leg performs the previously mentioned reset function of the spring element.

[0020] The spring element or its other element-spring leg is now advantageously designed according to the invention such that the element-spring leg interacts with and is capable of interacting with the locking element and the locking element. That is, the element-spring leg in this case is used to fix the respective positions of the associated element and the corresponding element (i.e., both the locking element and the locking element).

[0021] For this purpose, the element-spring leg, which is part of the spring element, is typically equipped with two protrusions. It is also designed such that the corresponding protrusions interact with associated cams on the corresponding element for positional fixation. This is achieved, according to an advantageous design, by assigning the corresponding functional state of the element to the position of the associated cam on one side of the corresponding protrusion. That is, the "locked" functional state of the locking element might correspond, for example, to the position of the cam on the locking element on this side of the associated protrusion of the element-spring leg. Correspondingly, the paired functional state of the locking element, "unlocked," corresponds to the position of the cam on the other side of the associated protrusion. Here, the transition between the two functional states can be easily achieved by the cam on the associated element overcoming the force of the element-spring leg, pressing the protrusion back and transferring it from its position on one side of the protrusion to its position on the other side, and vice versa. In other words, the element-spring leg secures the two bistable functional states of the corresponding element.

[0022] This fixing can be achieved by attaching to, for example, the fixing of the drive mechanism of the related element (which may be equipped with a self-locking mechanism for this purpose). However, if such a self-locking mechanism is not present or the related element is, for example, manually loaded, the related functional state is provided and ensured in any case by means of the element-spring leg or by the combined action of the related protrusion on the element-spring leg and the corresponding cam on the element.

[0023] Finally, the corresponding components can be equipped with toothed sections. These toothed sections allow the components to engage with a related drive mechanism. For example, if a locking element has a toothed section, the worm gear of the drive motor for the locking element engages with this toothed section. Similarly, a locking element can be equipped with a toothed section that is driven by a related motor for the locking element.

[0024] However, alternatively or additionally, the corresponding element may also be equipped with an actuating arm. The corresponding element can be manually loaded via this actuating arm. But the actuating arm can also be loaded by means of a drive device so as to apply the corresponding rotational actuation to the element when it transitions between its two functional states.

[0025] This provides a vehicle lock, and particularly a vehicle door lock, which firstly ensures that both the locking and damping elements are reliably maintained in their respective functional states without problems, persistently, and even at different and particularly lower temperatures.

[0026] In addition to this improved functional reliability compared to existing technologies, a particularly simple structure is also observed. This can be attributed to the fact that the vehicle lock according to the invention utilizes a (unique) spring element that serves not only to fix the position of the locking element but also to fix the position of the tripping element. As a further third function, the associated spring element also functions as a return spring for the lever system or a lever that is part of the lever system. Thus, not only is a structurally simple solution provided, but the use of a (unique) spring element in this location also ensures a particularly cost-effective implementation. This is a major advantage of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0027] The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show only one exemplary embodiment. In the drawings:

[0028] Figure 1A , Figures 1B to 4 The vehicle lock or vehicle door lock according to the invention is shown in one of the following positions: "unlocked", "locked", "unlocked", and finally "locked". Detailed Implementation

[0029] The accompanying drawings show a vehicle lock, and specifically a vehicle door lock. This vehicle lock, in its basic structure, has a locking mechanism (not shown in detail) including a rotating locking fork, locking pawls, and a series of levers 1 and 4. According to this embodiment, and for clarity, the levers 1 and 4 are simplified to an outer lever 1 and a release lever 4 (which will be described in detail below). The outer lever 1 is supported in the lock housing 3 in a manner rotatable about an axis 2. The release lever 4 is also supported in the lock housing 3 in a manner rotatable about the same axis 2.

[0030] The external control lever 1 and the release lever 4 are connected to each other in a nearly rigid manner via the connecting lever 5 (which is only partially identifiable) in their "engaged" state. Correspondingly, the locking element 6 is in the "unlocked" state, and this locking element itself is also supported in the lock housing 3 in a manner that allows it to rotate about the axis 7.

[0031] Locking element 6 is used to move connecting rod 5 to its "engaged" and "disengaged" positions. The first mentioned state corresponds to the functional position of locking element 6, "unlocked". Figure 1A Conversely, the second state of the connecting rod 5, "disengaged," corresponds to the functional position of the locking element 6, "locked." Figure 2 In fact, connecting rod 5 is only... Figure 1A This is shown in the front view. Corresponding to this is... Figure 1B And others Figures 2 to 4 Rear view. In Figure 1A and Figure 1B In the diagram, the "unlocked" state is indicated by a solid line, and this state corresponds to the "engaged" position of connecting rod 5. The "locked" state is indicated by a dashed line, and this state corresponds to the "disengaged" state of connecting rod 5.

[0032] If the locking element 6 is in its "unlocked" functional state, the outer lever 1 and the release lever 4 are approximately rigidly connected to each other via the connecting rod 5, such that a loading of the outer lever 1 in the counterclockwise direction corresponds to the release lever 4 following the outer lever 1 in the counterclockwise direction around a common axis 2 during its movement. Consequently, the stop 4a on the release lever 4 can proceed toward a locking pawl (not shown in detail), which disengages from its engagement with the rotating locking fork, thus releasing the locking pin previously held by the locking mechanism. The associated vehicle door can then be opened (see...). Figure 1A ).

[0033] In addition to the locking element 6, a locking element 8 is also shown in the drawings, which, within the scope of this embodiment and without limitation, is an anti-theft locking element 8 or a child-protective locking element. The locking element 8 is supported relative to the lock housing 3 in a manner similar to that of the locking element 6, allowing it to swing about an axis 9.

[0034] The locking element 6 has an actuating arm 6a, on which the drive device 10, shown only schematically, can act and ensure that the locking element 6 swings about the axis 7 when changing its corresponding functional state. In principle, the locking element 6 can also be manually swung about the axis 7; however, this is not shown (see [link to documentation]). Figure 1B ).

[0035] The locking element 8 also has a corresponding drive mechanism 11. Therefore, in this embodiment, the locking element 8 is equipped with a toothed section 8a, which engages with a worm gear 12 driven by the drive mechanism 11. Thus, the locking element or anti-theft locking element 8 can perform a swinging motion about its axis 9, enabling it to occupy different functional states, "locked" and "unlocked" (see [link]). Figure 1A ).

[0036] The joysticks 1 and 4 can now be controlled by the locking element 6 to enter the previously described functional states of "unlocked" and "locked," and additionally by the locking element 8 to enter the functional states of "unlocked" and "locked." Here, according to the invention, both the locking element 6 and the locking element 8 are additionally provided with spring elements 13 that interact with them. Within the scope of this embodiment, the associated spring element 13 is designed to serve both for fixing the position of the locking element 6 and for fixing the position of the locking element 8, and, according to the invention, to further interact with the joysticks 1 and 4, thus performing a triple function.

[0037] For this purpose, the spring element 13 is connected to the control lever or the outer control lever 1 of the control lever system 1, 4. It can be seen that the spring element 13, as a helical torsion spring, is equipped with a leg base 13a and two spring legs 13b and 13c. Here, the two spring legs 13b and 13c are connected substantially tangentially to the leg base 13a.

[0038] The leg base 13a is itself connected to or attached to the joystick or external joystick 1. For this purpose, within the scope of the embodiment, it is designed such that the leg base 13a surrounds the support section of the associated joystick 1, wherein the support section itself receives within itself a support pin (not explicitly shown) for supporting the joystick 1.

[0039] Spring element 13 rests against the stop portion 14 of lever 1 with one of its lever-spring legs 13b. Thus, during the counter-clockwise opening movement of the lever or outer lever 1 shown, the associated lever-spring leg 13b of spring element 13 is tensioned. After actuation of lever 1 ceases, the tensioned lever-spring leg 13b thus ensures that lever 1 is returned to its initial position by means of this lever-spring leg (see [link to original text]). Figure 1A ).

[0040] Furthermore, the spring element 13, with its additional element—spring leg 13c, rests against both the locking element 6 and the locking element 8, or can interact with both elements 6 and 8 in this manner. That is, the element-spring leg 13c is used to fix the corresponding position of the relevant elements 6 and 8, i.e., it is used to fix the position of both the locking element 6 and the locking element 8.

[0041] For this purpose, the element-spring leg 13c is equipped with two protrusions 15 and 16. The two protrusions 15 and 16 interact with the corresponding cams 17 and 18, respectively. Here, cam 17 is arranged on the locking element 6, while the other cam 18 is located on the locking element 8. Through the interaction between the two protrusions 15 and 16 and the corresponding cams 17 and 18, the corresponding positions of the relevant elements 6 and 8 (i.e., locking element 6 or locking element 8) are fixed.

[0042] In fact, the corresponding functional states of elements 6 and 8 correspond to the positions of the relevant cams 17 and 18 on one side and the positions of the relevant protrusions 15 and 16 on the other side, as can be seen in the attached drawings. Thus, in terms of "unlocking" and "locking" for locking element 6 on the one hand, and "unlocked" and "locked" for locking element 8 on the other hand, the corresponding functional elements 6 and 8 can occupy bistable functional states.

[0043] These two elements 6 and 8 can each independently occupy and reproduce the previously mentioned functional states. This is ensured by their respective related and separately operable drive mechanisms; that is, drive mechanism 10 is responsible for locking element 6, while drive mechanism 11 is responsible for locking element 8. Thus, in principle, "unlocked" and "not locked" can be combined. Figure 1A , Figure 1B ) and "locked up" Figure 4 The combination of "locked" and "not locked" ( Figure 2 ) and "locked up" Figure 3 The functions shown in the various figures are implemented and carried out by combining the functions shown in the figures.

[0044] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram:

[0045] 1, 4 joystick system

[0046] 1. Joystick

[0047] 4. Release lever

[0048] Axes 2, 7, and 9

[0049] 3 Lock housing

[0050] 5 Connecting rods

[0051] 6 Locking elements

[0052] 6a Actuating Boom

[0053] 8 Locking components

[0054] 8a Toothed section

[0055] 10, 11 Drive Unit

[0056] 12 worm gear components

[0057] 13 Spring elements

[0058] 13a Leg base

[0059] 13b Spring Leg

[0060] 13c Spring Legs

[0061] 14 Stop section

[0062] 15, 16 Protrusions

[0063] 17, 18 Cams

Claims

1. A motor vehicle lock comprising: a locking mechanism mainly including a rotating locking fork and a locking pawl; an operating lever system for the locking mechanism; a locking element (6); at least one locking element (8); and only one spring element (13) interacting with both the locking element (6) and the locking element (8), wherein, The joystick system can be controlled by the locking element (6) to enter at least the "unlocked" and "locked" functional states and additionally by the locking element (8) to enter the "unlocked" and "locked" functional states. The joystick system is characterized in that the spring element (13) additionally interacts with the joystick system; wherein the spring element (13) includes a rod-spring leg (13b) and an element-spring leg (13c), the spring element (13) abuts its rod-spring leg (13b) against the stop (14) of the joystick (1) of the joystick system, and its element-spring leg (13c) abuts against both the locking element (6) and the locking element (8).

2. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 1, characterized in that, The spring element (13) is connected to the lever (1).

3. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The spring element (13) is designed as a helical torsion spring, which is connected to the lever (1) by its leg base (13a).

4. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 3, characterized in that, The base of the leg (13a) surrounds the support section of the control lever (1).

5. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 1, characterized in that, The spring leg (13c) is used to fix the corresponding position of the locking element (6) and the locking element (8).

6. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 5, characterized in that, The element-spring leg (13c) is equipped with two protrusions that interact with the associated cams on the associated locking element (6) and locking element (8) for position fixation.

7. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 6, characterized in that, The corresponding functional states of the locking element (6) and the locking element (8) correspond to the positions of the cam relative to the relevant protrusions.

8. The motor vehicle lock according to any one of claims 1 to 2 and 4-7, characterized in that, The corresponding locking element (6) and locking element (8) are equipped with toothed sections (8a) and / or actuator arms (6a) for the corresponding actuation.

9. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 8, characterized in that, The actuator arm (6a) is used for corresponding rotational actuation.

10. The motor vehicle lock according to any one of claims 1-2 and 4-7, characterized in that, The vehicle lock mentioned is a vehicle door lock.

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