Motor vehicle locks, especially motor vehicle door locks

Abstract

The present invention relates to a motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, which is equipped with a locking mechanism (2, 3) in its basic structure, which mainly includes a rotary lock fork (2) and a locking pawl (3). In addition, an energy storage rod (6) that can be controlled by the rotary lock fork (2) is implemented, which temporarily holds the locking pawl (3) in its open position (energy storage position) at least during the opening process of the locking mechanism (2, 3). According to the present invention, a common spring (8a, 8b, 8c) is provided for loading the rotary lock fork (2) and the energy storage rod (6).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, which has a locking mechanism and an energy storage rod / force storage rod. The locking mechanism mainly includes a rotating lock fork and a locking pawl. The energy storage rod can be controlled by rotating the lock fork and temporarily holds the locking pawl in the open position (energy storage position / force storage position) of the locking pawl at least during the opening process of the locking mechanism. Background Art

[0002] The motor vehicle locks of the aforementioned characteristics are usually equipped with an additional release lever, by means of which the locking mechanism can be opened. To this end, the release lever acts on the locking pawl and lifts the locking pawl from its locked position with the rotary latch. Since the relevant motor vehicle locks and, in particular, motor vehicle door locks are typically mounted on motor vehicle doors, motor vehicle hatches, or also on motor vehicle hoods, the corresponding motor vehicle doors, motor vehicle hatches, or even motor vehicle hoods can be opened in this manner. Because in this process, the stop previously grasped by the locking mechanism and connected to the relevant motor vehicle door, motor vehicle hatch, or motor vehicle hood is released. In the open position or energy-storage position of the locking pawl, the energy-storage lever is used to prevent the locking pawl from locking with the rotary latch.

[0003] In practice, this situation may occur when, for example, snow loads on the front or rear hatch hinder opening. In this case, the release lever is used as usual to release the locking pawl from its locking engagement with the rotary latch. The rotary latch is then opened under spring support and / or by the spring force established by means of a surrounding rubber seal. However, due to the snow load, after the loading with the release lever is completed, the locking pawl may unexpectedly engage in the pre-locking position (or also in the main locking position) and thus hinder full opening. This is because this causes the stop to not be released. In this case, the energy storage rod ensures that the open position of the locking pawl is stored with energy or that the locking pawl usually remains in its open position until the rotary latch is fully opened and thus avoids the unexpected locking of the locking pawl. As a result, the stop and the motor vehicle door, motor vehicle hatch or motor vehicle hood associated with the stop are released in any case.

[0004] For this purpose, the prior art according to WO 2015 / 062578 A2 uses an energy storage lever configured as a spring. Thus, a reliable opening should be provided even when affected, for example, by the aforementioned snow load.

[0005] In another similarly constructed design according to DE 10 2018 120 435 A1, a so-called double-pawl locking mechanism is implemented, which comprises a comfort pawl and a locking pawl that secures the comfort pawl at least in the locked position of the locking mechanism. By means of an energy storage lever, the comfort pawl is held open at least during the locking process of the locking mechanism until it can reliably engage the rotary latch after being released by the energy storage lever. To this end, the energy storage lever interacts directly with the comfort pawl.

[0006] In particular, the prior art according to WO 2015 / 062578 A2 has proven advantageous in principle. However, in practice, energy storage rods designed as springs face two fundamental problems. On the one hand, the spring action of the energy storage rod may decrease due to aging or environmental stress. On the other hand, the set spring action may not be optimally adapted to all conceivable and practical situations, particularly with regard to the control of varying loads. This is why the present invention is used. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is to further develop a motor vehicle lock of the aforementioned design in such a way that flawless functionality is provided while maintaining a design that is optimized in terms of structural design.

[0008] In order to solve this technical problem, within the scope of the present invention, a motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, is characterized in that a common spring is provided which loads the rotary latch and the energy storage lever.

[0009] Firstly, the present invention is based on the fact that, in contrast to the prior art according to WO 2015 / 062578 A2, the energy storage rod is rigidly formed and therefore requires an additional spring. The ultimate effect of this spring is that the energy storage rod can be controlled without problems by rotating the locking fork.

[0010] To this end, the rotary latch usually acts on the charging rod by means of a control stop for the charging rod. This usually only occurs when the rotary latch has already assumed its fully open position and the pawl can therefore no longer be locked with the rotary latch. In this case, the rotary latch cancels the charging position by means of its control stop for the charging rod.

[0011] For this reason, the control stop on the rotary lock fork can interact with the control protrusion on the energy storage rod to cancel the energy storage position. As a result, the energy storage rod swings relative to the locking pawl, and the locking pawl is no longer (remained) in its open position or energy storage position. Subsequently, the locking pawl is usually abutted against the now opened rotary lock fork under spring support. Clearly, locking with the rotary lock fork will not occur here, because the energy storage position is only cancelled when the rotary lock fork has occupied its fully open or almost fully open position. The described interaction between the control stop on the rotary lock fork and the control protrusion on the energy storage rod is then carried out.

[0012] In order to ensure that this interaction between the control stop on the rotary latch and the control projection on the energy storage lever occurs flawlessly and when the fully or almost fully opened position of the rotary latch is reached, the spring that is involved and that loads the energy storage lever serves to bring the control projection on the energy storage lever into contact and guide it accordingly relative to the control stop on the rotary latch.

[0013] In addition to the so-called first spring function of the common spring that loads the rotary latch and the energy-storage lever according to the present invention, this common spring also performs a second spring function. This is because the common spring simultaneously serves to load the rotary latch toward its open position. In other words, according to the present invention, the first and second spring functions described above are performed by the common spring that loads the rotary latch and the energy-storage lever.

[0014] To achieve this in detail, the spring that loads both the rotary latch and the energy storage lever is designed as a helical torsion spring. This helical torsion spring has a coiled section and two spring legs. The spring is regularly connected to the rotary latch with its coiled section. In practice, the coiled section is usually arranged concentrically with respect to the axis of the rotary latch.

[0015] Here, one of the two spring legs of the helical torsion spring is designed as a rotating lock fork spring leg that loads the rotating lock fork in most cases. In contrast, the other second spring leg is usually an energy storage rod spring leg that loads the energy storage rod. In addition, it is designed so that the corresponding spring leg abuts on the rotating lock fork stop or the energy storage rod stop. In other words, the rotating lock fork spring leg correspondingly abuts on the rotating lock fork stop, while the energy storage rod spring leg abuts on the energy storage rod stop.

[0016] Furthermore, the design is such that the fork spring leg rests primarily radially against the fork stop relative to the fork axis. This allows the fork spring leg to exert a substantial portion of the tangential force on the fork stop, which is also radially positioned. This results in a spring force being applied to the fork that is primarily oriented perpendicularly to the radial direction relative to the fork axis, and accordingly, an optimal torque is generated on the fork relative to the fork axis. For this purpose, a common spring fork spring leg is used, which rests primarily radially against the fork stop relative to the fork axis. At the same time, a relatively large torque can be applied to the fork, specifically in the direction of opening the fork, by means of the common spring.

[0017] In contrast, the energy storage rod spring leg rests on the energy storage rod stop, predominantly tangentially relative to the axis of the rotary latch. This results in the energy storage rod acting on its energy storage rod stop with a significantly smaller spring force than the rotary latch spring leg. Therefore, the force generated by the energy storage rod spring leg on the energy storage rod stop is only used to keep the energy storage rod in contact with the control stop on the rotary latch via the control projection already described. Therefore, a small force is sufficient.

[0018] Finally, the rotary lock fork and the energy storage rod and the locking pawl are typically supported in the housing in a manner that can rotate around the axes spaced apart from each other. The housing can be a lock housing. In addition, it is usually designed so that the three axes spaced apart from each other extend substantially parallel to each other. Thus, the rotary lock fork, the locking pawl and the energy storage rod are spaced apart from each other and supported in the corresponding housing or lock housing in a manner that can rotate, and as described, once the rotary lock fork reaches its fully open or almost fully open position, the interaction of the energy storage rod and the rotary lock fork will occur. Because the control stop on the rotary lock fork is used to release the energy storage rod from its engagement with the locking pawl through its control protrusion, and therefore the locking pawl abandons its previously stored energy and forced open position occupied by the energy storage rod. Subsequently, the locking pawl is abutted against the fully opened or almost fully opened rotary lock fork by spring force and can no longer be locked with the rotary lock fork.

[0019] The result is a motor vehicle lock that is particularly functionally reliable and age-resistant. This is because the rigid design of the charging lever ensures functionality and the required functional reliability over a long period of time. At the same time, the shared spring leg of the charging lever ensures that the rotary latch can control the charging lever flawlessly, and in particular, that the charged position is released when the rotary latch is in the open or fully open position.

[0020] In addition to the aforementioned, flawless functionality, a cost-effective, structurally simple design is also achieved. This is explained by the fact that, according to the present invention, the separate springs for the rotary latch and the separate springs for the charging lever, as previously used in the prior art, are replaced by a common spring that loads both the rotary latch and the charging lever. This not only reduces manufacturing costs but also simplifies assembly. This is a major advantage of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of the accompanying drawings which illustrate only one exemplary embodiment; the drawings show:

[0022] Figure 1 The motor vehicle lock according to the invention is shown with its essential components in the locked position.

[0023] Figure 2 Show the basis Figure 1 an object which is in the charged position or the released position of the locking pawl, and

[0024] Figure 3 Shown from the basis Figure 2 The transition of the energy storage position and the cancellation of the energy storage position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The figures illustrate a motor vehicle lock, which is not limited to a motor vehicle door lock. The motor vehicle lock primarily comprises a lock housing 1, which may not be limited to the merely schematically illustrated lock case 1 and / or an additional housing (made of plastic) that covers the lock case 1. Locking mechanisms 2, 3, including a rotary fork 2 and a pawl 3, are mounted in the lock case 1. For this purpose, the rotary fork 2 and the pawl 3 each have a corresponding rotary fork axis 4 or pawl axis 5. The two axes 4, 5 are oriented largely parallel to each other and spaced apart from one another, and according to this exemplary embodiment, extend perpendicularly to the lock case 1, which is oriented in the plane of the drawing.

[0026] Furthermore, a charging rod 6 is provided, which can be controlled by rotating the locking fork 2. The charging rod 6 is also mounted so that it can rotate about an axis 7, which extends perpendicularly to the lock case 1 and largely parallel to the two axes 4 and 5 and spaced apart from them. In contrast to the rotating locking fork 2 and the locking pawl 3, the charging rod 6 can be mounted in the previously mentioned housing (made of plastic) or on the lock case 1.

[0027] As already explained, the energy storage rod 6 can be controlled by the rotary lock fork 2. For this purpose, the rotary lock fork 2 has a control stop 2a for controlling the energy storage rod 6. The energy storage rod 6 itself has a control protrusion 6a. If the energy storage position of the energy storage rod 6 and thus the locking pawl 3, which will be described in detail below, is to be cancelled, the control stop 2a on the rotary lock fork 2 can interact with the control protrusion 6a on the energy storage rod 6, as will be described in detail below and with the help of Figure 2 and Figure 3 As can be seen clearly.

[0028] The energy storage rod 6, which can be controlled by rotating the locking fork 2, is used to keep the locking pawl 3 in its open position, i.e. the energy storage position, at least temporarily during the opening process of the locking mechanism 2, 3. Figure 2 As shown in Figure 3 Reproduced the cancellation of the energy storage position.

[0029] According to the invention, a common spring 8a, 8b, and 8c is now implemented for loading the rotary latch 2 and the energy storage lever 6. The springs 8a, 8b, and 8c are helical torsion springs comprising a coiled section 8a and two spring legs 8b and 8c. The springs 8a, 8b, and 8c are connected to the rotary latch 2 with their coiled section 8a. In practice, the coiled section 8a of the respective spring 8a, 8b, and 8c is arranged concentrically with the axis 4 of the rotary latch 2 or the rotary latch axis 4, as can be seen from the example of the embodiment of the invention. Figure 1 As best understood.

[0030] Here, the overall design is such that one spring leg 8b of the springs 8a, 8b, 8c is designed as a rotary fork spring leg 8b that loads the rotary fork 2. In contrast, the other second spring leg 8c is a charging rod spring leg 8c that loads the charging rod 6. Here, the corresponding spring legs 8b, 8c abut against the rotary fork stop 2b or the charging rod stop 6b.

[0031] In practice, the design is such that the fork spring leg 8b rests against the fork stop 2b mainly radially or in a radial direction R relative to the axis 4 of the fork 2. In other words, the fork spring leg 8b and the fork stop 2b rest mainly radially or in a radial direction R relative to the axis 4 of the fork 2 or the fork axis 4. Figure 1 In contrast, the energy storage rod spring leg 8c rests on the energy storage rod stop 6b tangentially relative to the axis 4 of the rotary lock fork 2. In other words, the energy storage rod spring leg 8c and the energy storage rod stop 6b are aligned with the axis 4 of the rotary lock fork 2 or the rotary lock fork axis 4. Figure 1 The tangential direction T also shown in FIG extends.

[0032] In this way, the rotating lock fork spring leg 8b can Figure 1 The force indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1 is applied to the rotary lock fork 2 primarily perpendicularly in the radial direction R with respect to the axis 4 of the rotary lock fork 2, thereby generating a counterclockwise torque acting on the axis 4. This counterclockwise torque serves to load the rotary lock fork 2 in the opening direction about the axis 4 of the rotary lock fork, that is, to load the rotary lock fork in the counterclockwise direction, such as by means of Figures 1 to 3 The order is understandable.

[0033] The fact that the charging rod spring leg 8c rests mostly tangentially on the charging rod stop 6b with respect to the charging rod 6 results in the charging rod also being loaded. Figure 1 The force indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1 is used to load the energy storage rod 6—with reference to its axis 7—with a torque also acting in the counterclockwise direction. The common springs 8a, 8b, 8c thus ensure that the rotary latch 2 is loaded in its opening direction, and that the energy storage rod 6 is also loaded with its control projection 6a in the direction of the control stop 2a on the rotary latch 2 in the desired spring-loaded manner.

[0034] The working principle is as follows. Figure 1 The locked state of the locking mechanism 2, 3 is shown in FIG. In this locked state, the locking pawl 3 interacts with the main locking part 9 of the rotary lock 2. In addition to the main locking part 9, the rotary lock 2 also has a pre-locking part 10. However, in principle, it is also possible to operate only one of the two locking parts 9, 10 on the rotary lock 2. Figure 1 In the locked position shown of the locking mechanism 2, 3, the energy storage rod 6 engages in the recess 3a of the locking pawl 3. In addition, it can be seen that the energy storage rod 6 rests on the stop 3b of the locking pawl 3 with a cantilever 6c.

[0035] This is achieved by providing a force indicated by an arrow. This force is generated based on the fact that the energy storage rod spring leg 8c is also Figure 1 The charging rod stop 6 b is loaded in the force direction shown in FIG. 1 and thus serves to generate a (slight) torque in the counterclockwise direction with reference to the axis 7 of the charging rod 6 .

[0036] From the basis Figure 1 Starting from the locked position or main locking position, the locking mechanism 2, 3 can now be opened. For this purpose, a release lever, not explicitly shown, which is loaded mechanically and / or manually, can move the locking pawl 3 from the locking position according to Figure 1 Starting from the position of the locking pawl 3, the locking pawl 3 moves in the counterclockwise direction around its axis or the locking pawl axis 5. Figure 2The pawl 3 takes up and holds this position against the pawl spring 11 which preloads the pawl 3 in the direction of the rotary catch 2. For this purpose, an energy storage rod 6 is used which holds the pawl 3 disengaged from the rotary catch 2 in its position. Figure 2 The locking pawl 3 or the energy storage rod 6 has an energy storage position corresponding to this. In this energy storage position, the cantilever 6c of the energy storage rod 6 abuts against the stop 3b of the locking pawl 3 or overlaps the stop, such as by means of Figure 2 As can be understood, because the energy storage rod 6 is equipped with a torque acting counterclockwise about its axis 7 due to the force generated by the energy storage rod spring leg 8c, the cantilever 6c of the energy storage rod 6 is retained against the stop 3b of the pawl 3. In this energy storage position or open position of the pawl 3, the rotary fork 2 can be swung upward in the opening direction, that is, the pawl 3 cannot be locked with the rotary fork 2. In other words, the main locking portion 9 and the preliminary locking portion 10 of the rotary fork 2 each move along the pawl 3. Here, the rotary fork 2 is loaded counterclockwise about the axis 4 in the opening direction of the rotary fork by means of the rotary fork spring leg 8b.

[0037] In from Figure 2 Towards Figure 3 It can be seen from the transition that Figure 2 In the charging position, the control projection 6a on the charging lever 6 abuts the control stop 2a on the rotary catch 2, or the control stop 2a on the opened rotary catch 2 moves in the direction of the control projection 6a on the charging lever 6. As soon as the rotary catch 2 with its pre-locking portion 10 passes the pawl 3, an interaction occurs between the control stop 2a on the rotary catch 2 opened in the counterclockwise direction about its own axis 4 and the control projection 6a on the charging lever 6.

[0038] This leads to, from Figure 2 Towards Figure 3 In the transition from , the control protrusion 6a on the energy storage rod 6 moves along the ramp-shaped control stop 2a on the rotating lock fork 2, so that the energy storage rod 6 moves from Figure 2 Towards Figure 3 In the transition, the energy storage rod shaft 7 is swung clockwise. As a result, the cantilever 6c on the energy storage rod 6 is released from the stop 3b on the locking pawl 3 and the process is used to release the locking pawl 3 or the energy storage rod 6 according to the Figure 2 The energy storage position is cancelled.

[0039] After this, the pawl 3 can be supported on the outer circumference on the now completely open rotary latch 2. The stop previously engaged by the rotary latch 2 and not explicitly shown is released. The pawl spring 11 ensures that the pawl 3 rests on the rotary latch 2 on the outer circumference.

[0040] List of reference numerals:

[0041] 1 Lock Box

[0042] 2.3 Locking mechanism

[0043] 2 Turn the locking fork

[0044] 3 Locking claws

[0045] 4, 7, 5 axes

[0046] 4 Turn the lock fork shaft

[0047] 5 Locking claw shaft

[0048] 7-axis

[0049] 6 Energy storage rod

[0050] 6a Control protrusion

[0051] 6b Energy storage rod stop

[0052] 6c Cantilever

[0053] 8a, 8b, 8c springs

[0054] 8a Winding section

[0055] 8b Rotating lock fork spring leg

[0056] 8c Energy storage rod spring leg

[0057] 9, 10 Locking parts

[0058] 9 Main locking part

[0059] 10 Pre-locking part

[0060] 11 Locking claw spring

[0061] R radial direction

[0062] T tangential direction

Claims

1. A motor vehicle lock, comprising: a locking mechanism (2, 3), the locking mechanism mainly comprising a rotating lock fork (2) and a locking pawl (3); and an energy storage rod (6), the energy storage rod being controllable by the rotating lock fork (2) and temporarily holding the locking pawl (3) in its open position, at least during the opening process of the locking mechanism (2, 3), the open position also being referred to as the energy storage position, It is characterized in that A common spring (8a, 8b, 8c) is provided for loading the rotating locking fork (2) and the energy storage rod (6). The spring (8a, 8b, 8c) is designed as a helical torsion spring having a coiled section (8a) and two spring legs (8b, 8c), The spring (8a, 8b, 8c) is connected with its winding section (8a) to the rotary latch (2).

2. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 1, characterized in that One spring leg (8b) is designed as a rotating fork spring leg (8b) for loading the rotating fork (2), while the other spring leg (8c) is designed as an energy storage rod spring leg (8c) for loading the energy storage rod (6).

3. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The corresponding spring legs (8b, 8c) are in contact with the rotary lock fork stop portion (2b) or the energy storage rod stop portion (6b).

4. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 2, characterized in that: The rotary lock spring leg (8b) rests against the rotary lock stop (2b) mainly radially relative to the axis (4) of the rotary lock (2).

5. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 2, characterized in that: The energy storage rod spring leg (8c) rests on the energy storage rod stop (6b) in a tangential manner relative to the axis (4) of the rotary lock fork (2).

6. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The rotary locking fork (2) has a control stop portion (2a) for controlling the energy storage rod (6).

7. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 6, characterized in that: The control stop (2a) on the rotary locking fork (2) interacts with the control projection (6a) on the energy storage rod (6) in order to cancel the energy storage position.

8. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The rotary latch (2), the energy storage rod (6) and the locking pawl (3) are supported in the housing (1) around axes (4, 7, 5) that are spaced apart from each other.

9. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 1, characterized in that: Motor vehicle locks are motor vehicle door locks.

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