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, which is equipped with a locking mechanism (2, 3) which mainly comprises a rotary lock lever (3) and a locking claw (2). Furthermore, an electric opening drive (5, 6, 7) for the locking mechanism (2, 3) and an emergency actuating element (11, 12, 13) for manually emergency opening of the locking mechanism (2, 3) are realized. According to the invention, in the scope of a first variant, the emergency actuating element (11, 12, 13) is designed to be resettable by the force of a spring (15) from its actuating position into its rest position. In a second alternative variant, the emergency actuating element (11, 12, 13) is designed in such a way that it is locked in its actuating position and is designed to be manually resettable into its rest position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a motor vehicle lock, particularly a motor vehicle door lock, having a locking mechanism, an electric opening drive for the locking mechanism, and an emergency operating element for manually opening the locking mechanism in an emergency. The locking mechanism mainly includes a rotating locking fork and a locking pawl. Background Technology

[0002] Motor vehicle locks, especially so-called electric locks, are increasingly being used in motor vehicles for comfort reasons. In practice, these motor vehicle locks, and particularly motor vehicle door locks, are opened by means of an electric opening actuator for the locking mechanism, either driven by a motor or electrically. For this purpose, a switch, such as on the exterior door handle or generally on the exterior door handle, is operated or operated independently of it. Instead of a switch, a sensor may also be used.

[0003] In any case, the user's intention to open the door is typically sensed and transmitted to the control unit, which then loads an electric opening actuator, thereby electrically opening the (locked) locking mechanism. For this purpose, the electric opening actuator acts, for example, on a release lever, which in turn disengages the locking pawl from its engagement with the rotating locking fork. Thus, the rotating locking fork can swing under spring support or due to the opening force established by the door's rubber seal, releasing the previously engaged locking pin. This allows the vehicle door to be opened. This is advantageous in principle.

[0004] In practice, emergency operating elements are primarily used when the electric or motor-driven opening mechanism used for the locking system fails to function or functions adequately, for example, due to low onboard electrical voltage in the vehicle. A similar scenario can be observed, for example, when the onboard electrical voltage is interrupted for maintenance purposes and access to the vehicle is still required through the relevant vehicle door. Therefore, the emergency operating element must, in principle, be accessible, but on the other hand, it must not be abused from the outside to prevent unauthorized opening of the vehicle's doors.

[0005] In fact, in this prior art according to the applicant's WO 2020 / 074032 A1, the emergency release device is designed as an emergency operating element, wherein the operative connection between the electric or motor-driven opening actuator and the release lever can be released by operating the emergency release device. The emergency release device is essentially formed in a pin shape. Furthermore, the emergency release device has a threaded first connecting end or a clamping connection or locking connection. An operating geometry is provided on the other second end of the emergency release device, which can be designed as a regular polygonal structure, particularly a hexagonal structure. Thus, the operating geometry of the emergency release device can be realized through a recess. Appropriate tools are required to operate the polygonal or hexagonal structure.

[0006] Other prior art of the same type as US2018 / 0087298 A1 can also be designed similarly. In this case, an emergency operating element designed as a swingable lever is implemented, which loads a release lever, which in turn disengages the locking pawl from its engagement with the rotating locking fork in the locked state of the locking mechanism. This allows for manual emergency opening of the locking mechanism. However, in this case, a special profile is also provided on or within the emergency operating element, which ultimately requires the use of a special tool to load so that the emergency operating element swings and thereby causes the locking mechanism to open urgently.

[0007] When it comes to achieving and implementing manual emergency opening in the event of a failure of the electrically operated opening actuator, the prior art has proven advantageous in principle. However, this requires special and additional tools, which makes the operation difficult. Furthermore, the associated emergency operating elements must be reset with specialized tools to ensure the defect-free functionality of the electrically or motor-driven opening actuator again during normal operation. This is complex and inconvenient because storing and using the specific tools can be problematic, as these tools may be unavailable, lost, etc. Therefore, the present invention generally provides a remedy. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to further improve such vehicle locks, especially vehicle door locks, so that the loading and, in particular, the resetting of the emergency operating element can be performed as simply and without tools as possible.

[0009] To address this technical problem, this type of vehicle lock, within the scope of the first variant, is characterized in that the emergency control element is designed to be reset from its operating position to its rest position by the force of a spring.

[0010] The relevant spring can be directly configured for the emergency operating element. In this case, it has proven advantageous to design the spring as, for example, a helical spring or coil spring surrounding the emergency operating element. In principle, the spring can also be alternatively or additionally designed as a locking pawl spring.

[0011] Here, the invention starts from the knowledge that an emergency operating element can be returned or reset to a resting position after being loaded and occupied in an operating position by means of a spring. For this purpose, a spring directly provided to the emergency operating element can be used. However, alternatively or additionally, the spring force can also be provided by a locking pawl spring. In this case, it is designed such that, in order to manually and urgently open the locking mechanism, the emergency operating element indirectly or directly loads the locking pawl and disengages it from its locking engagement with the rotating fork. In this case, the locking pawl spring can now be designed to not only return or reset the locking pawl (again) to its abutment with the rotating fork after the locking pawl has been manually removed, but also, within the scope of this variation, simultaneously move the emergency operating element, which interacts indirectly or directly with the locking pawl, from the operating position back to the resting position.

[0012] In an alternative second variation, this type of vehicle lock, particularly vehicle door lock, is configured such that the emergency operating element is locked in its operating position and designed to be manually returned to its rest position. That is, in this case, the corresponding manual loading of the emergency operating element ensures that the emergency operating element is manually returned from its operating position to the rest position with corresponding locking or frictional resistance. Here, for manual reset of the emergency operating element, an actuating element connected to the emergency operating element can be provided. The actuating element involved can be a flexible actuating element acting on the emergency operating element. For example, such a flexible actuating element can be designed as a cable, rope, cord, Bowden cable, etc.

[0013] In this case, a particularly preferred variation proposes that the operating element and the emergency control element are defined as a single structural unit. Here, a one-piece structural unit has proven particularly advantageous. As long as the emergency control element is made of, for example, plastic, then the associated operating element can in this case be injection molded from plastic onto the emergency control element.

[0014] In both cases, according to the invention, the loading of the emergency control element is performed not only manually but also without tools. The resetting of the emergency control element is also performed purely manually and similarly without tools. Thus, the operation is generally simplified, and according to the invention, there is in principle no risk that the tools or special tools required for this in the prior art are unavailable, lost, etc.

[0015] To prevent potential unacceptable misuse despite this, emergency operating elements are typically concealed, i.e., arranged invisibly at the vehicle door. It has proven particularly advantageous to mount and arrange the emergency operating elements behind a preferably removable trim piece. According to a particularly advantageous design, this preferably removable trim piece is the interior trim piece of the associated vehicle door. Here, the term "vehicle door" should be interpreted broadly within the scope of this invention. That is, vehicle doors include not only vehicle side doors, but also clearly and explicitly vehicle covers, such as vehicle rear covers, vehicle front covers, vehicle fuel tank caps, vehicle covers for covering charging sockets, etc.

[0016] In cases where the emergency operating element is preferably located behind a removable trim piece, particularly an interior trim piece, of the associated vehicle door, in the aforementioned example, emergency opening can typically only be achieved and implemented manually from inside the vehicle. The emergency operating element can also typically be located behind a removable exterior trim piece of the associated vehicle door, for example, behind a crash barrier, or behind the exterior door handle or its trim piece. Thus, the emergency operating element can also be accessed from the outside, allowing the associated vehicle door to be opened using a manually operated emergency operating element even if the electric or motor-driven opening mechanism fails.

[0017] In all cases, the emergency operating element is advantageously designed as an operating pin that can be loaded indirectly or directly onto the locking pawl. This operating pin has the fundamental advantage that a relatively large pushing or operating force from the operator can be transmitted for manually opening the locking mechanism in an emergency. For this purpose, the operating pin advantageously has a front operating surface. This operating surface extends in the shape of a disc-shaped operating surface from the circumferential side of the generally cylindrical operating pin, so that the operator can apply the required pushing force when the operating pin is linearly loaded. For example, loading the disc-shaped operating surface can be considered simply and clearly by pushing and pressing with the thumb.

[0018] The emergency operating element typically passes through an opening in the lock housing. Because the lock housing usually houses not only the vehicle lock itself, but also the electrically operated unlocking mechanism and control unit, including its associated sensor mechanism, it is generally designed so that the emergency operating element passes through the relevant opening in the lock housing in a sealed manner. This ensures, particularly when the emergency operating element is positioned behind a removable exterior trim piece, that, for example, water, dust, etc., cannot enter the lock housing from the outside through the opening. The lock housing, as always and unchanged, serves to securely cover the vehicle lock or the components located within it.

[0019] Here, the emergency operating element is typically achieved by sealingly penetrating the opening in the lock housing in such a way that the operating pin, advantageously implemented in this case, has a stepped diameter. In practice, the operating pin usually consists of two parts: a guide region in a cylindrical guide section on the front side that engages with the lock housing, and a smaller diameter through region connected to the guide region. The through region passes through the opening in the lock housing and has the previously mentioned operating surface on the head side. In this way, the guide region, which guides in the guide section, also serves as a stop for the emergency operating element, so that a spring, acting as a helical spring, can advantageously be arranged between the operating surface and the lock housing to reset the emergency operating element.

[0020] In the first variant, the loading of the emergency operating element or operating pin is now used to compress the associated spring and can be released again after loading the operating pin, thereby resetting or returning the operating pin. Here, the guide area of ​​the operating pin, received in the guide section, is linearly loaded, thereby causing the locking pawl to disengage indirectly or directly from its engagement with the rotating lock fork. The operating pin then returns from its operating position to the resting position by means of the spring. Here, the guide area of ​​the operating pin abuts against the guide section in the opening area of ​​the lock housing with its front stop.

[0021] The only difference in the similar design in the second variant is that, in this case, the actuating element or actuating pin is held within the guide by friction in the guide area in its actuated position or is braked during the return movement of the actuating element or actuating pin. In order to reset the actuating pin in this case, the operator must manually return the emergency actuating element or actuating pin to the rest position. This is achieved particularly cleverly through the advantageously connected actuating element and the loading of the actuating element.

[0022] The result is a vehicle lock that provides, in particular, tool-free operation or tool-free loading during manual emergency opening and when the emergency operating element is reset. Therefore, operation is exceptionally simple and intuitive, requiring no additional auxiliary devices. This is the main advantage of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate only one embodiment; wherein:

[0024] Figure 1 and Figure 2 One view shows the vehicle lock according to the invention in perspective, and the other view shows the vehicle lock according to the invention in partial cross-section side view.

[0025] Figure 3 A and Figure 3 B is a perspective overview showing the locking mechanism, including the electrically operated opening actuator, along with the emergency operating elements.

[0026] Figure 4A and Figure 4B The diagram illustrates the operation of the emergency control element using a connected actuator in a variant embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The accompanying drawings illustrate a vehicle lock, which is advantageously, but not limited to, a vehicle door lock. All related vehicle locks, and particularly vehicle door locks, are incorporated in particular... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The lock housing 1, made of plastic, can be seen inside. Inside the lock housing 1, essentially... Figure 3 The locking mechanisms 2 and 3, which are shown schematically only, are rotatably supported. A metal lock housing 4 is provided and implemented to support the locking mechanisms 2 and 3.

[0028] Furthermore, the illustrated vehicle lock or door lock is equipped with an electric or motor-driven opening actuator 5, 6, 7, which indirectly acts on the release lever 8 and, consequently, on the locking mechanisms 2, 3. In practice, the release lever 8 and the locking pawl 2 are supported in a manner that allows them to rotate coaxially about a common axis 9. Furthermore, the release lever 8 and the locking pawl 2 are connected to each other in a manner that prevents relative rotation. The electric opening actuator 5, 6, 7 itself has a motor 5, which, on its output side, acts on a worm gear 6, causing the worm gear to rotate about its corresponding axis 10. According to this embodiment, the worm gear 6 is equipped with a helical spatial profile 7, which acts on the end of the release lever 8.

[0029] Therefore, in Figure 3 The worm gear 6, shown in A, moves counterclockwise during the electric opening process to cause the end of the release lever 8, which rests on the helical profile 7, to move to the left in a helical manner, according to this embodiment. This causes the release lever 8 to rotate clockwise about an axis 9 common to the locking pawl 2. Because the locking pawl 2 is engaged with the release lever 8 in a non-rotatable manner, the locking pawl 2 is also loaded clockwise and thereby releases the rotating locking fork 3, which was previously engaged in a locking manner by the locking pawl. Figure 3 In the closed position shown in A.

[0030] Therefore, rotating the locking fork 3, if necessary, opens under spring support and releases the previously held, but not explicitly shown, locking pin. This corresponds to the electrically or motor-driven opening process of the associated vehicle lock or its locking mechanisms 2, 3.

[0031] Additionally, emergency operating elements 11, 12, and 13 are also implemented, more specifically, emergency operating elements for manually opening locking mechanisms 2 and 3 in an emergency. According to this embodiment, this manual emergency opening of locking mechanisms 2 and 3 is implemented and carried out such that emergency operating elements 11, 12, and 13, in accordance with... Figure 3 In the case of view A, by the operator or vehicle user Figure 3 Manual loading, for example, with the thumb, is performed in the direction of the arrow shown in B. The associated pushing motion acting on the linearly movable emergency operating elements 11, 12, 13 causes these elements to act on the stop 14 arranged on the release lever 8. This results in the need to manually and urgently open the locking mechanisms 2, 3. Figure 3 The manual loading of the emergency operating elements 11, 12, and 13 shown in B corresponds to causing the release lever 8 to rotate clockwise about its axis 9, or more precisely, to rotate independently of the opening actuators 5, 6, and 7. Because the locking pawl 2 is connected to the release lever 8 in a manner that prevents relative rotation, this—as in the case of electric opening—again causes the locking pawl 2 to disengage from its engagement with the rotating locking fork 3.

[0032] Within the scope of the illustrated embodiments, the two basic operating modes differ from each other when the emergency control elements 11, 12, and 13 are reset. According to... Figure 3 Within the range of variations, emergency operating elements 11, 12, and 13 are designed to be reset by the force of spring 15, that is, from their position... Figure 3 The maneuvering position shown in B starts from and returns to its original location. Figure 3 In the stationary position shown in A.

[0033] Therefore, spring 15 is configured to the emergency operating elements 11, 12, and 13 according to this embodiment. In this first variant, according to Figure 3 As can be seen in Figure A, the spring 15 is designed as a helical spring and at least partially surrounds the emergency operating elements 11, 12, 13, or the emergency operating elements 11, 12, 13 pass through the spring 15. For this purpose, the emergency operating elements 11, 12, 13 are equipped with a front guide region 11 with a larger diameter and an adjacent through region 12 with a smaller diameter. A disc-shaped operating surface 13 is provided on the head side of the through region 12, which, in this variant, is designed such that, for example, a user presses their thumb onto the relevant operating surface 13, thereby engaging the emergency operating elements 11, 12, 13, designed as operating pins 11, 12, 13 according to… Figure 3 In the diagram of B, from the rest position shown to the right ( Figure 3 A) Move to the indicated control position ( Figure 3 B) in.

[0034] As can be seen, for this purpose, the spring 15 surrounds the through-region 12 and is arranged on the wall of the lock housing 1 in the region of the opening 16 of the lock housing 1. The through-region 12 of the emergency operating element or operating pin 11, 12, 13 passes through the opening 16 of the lock housing 1. Here, the spring 15 is arranged between the disc-shaped operating surface 13 and the lock housing 1. The guide region 11 is correspondingly inserted into the guide portion 17 inside the lock housing 1 and can move back and forth linearly in the guide portion 17. Because the guide region 11 has a larger diameter than the through-region 12, the reset movement of the emergency operating element or operating pin 11, 12, 13—loaded by the spring 15—is restricted in such a way that the guide region 11 moves inward toward the wall region of the lock housing 1 surrounding the opening 16 by a stop on the head side.

[0035] The basis for emergency operating elements or operating pins 11, 12, and 13 Figure 4A and Figure 4B Another second variant is similarly designed, but can be achieved without the spring 15 for resetting. More precisely, it is done in such a way that the emergency operating elements 11, 12, and 13 are manually reset, and for this purpose, an operating element 18 is provided connected to the emergency operating elements 11, 12, and 13. The operating element 18 on the emergency operating elements 11, 12, and 13 is a flexible operating element 18, which, according to this embodiment, is designed as a cable or cord with a pull ring, so that the user can reset the emergency operating elements 11, 12, and 13 with their fingers via the pull ring. Figure 4A and Figure 4B In the embodiments, according to Figure 4B The view shows that the emergency control elements or control pins 11, 12, and 13 are in... Figure 4B The arrow indicates movement to the left. Figure 4A The emergency control elements 11, 12, and 13 are shown in their resting positions. In contrast, according to... Figure 4B The view corresponds to the operating position of the emergency control element or control pins 11, 12, 13.

[0036] According to this embodiment, the operating element 18 and the emergency control elements 11, 12, and 13 are designed as structural units, and in particular, as integral structural units. For this purpose, the flexible operating element 18 is injection-molded onto the emergency control elements 11, 12, and 13, thus the emergency control elements are injection-molded parts.

[0037] According to Figure 3In this embodiment, the locking pawl 2 is loaded indirectly and indirectly by means of the emergency operating element or operating pins 11, 12, 13, i.e., loading is performed with the release lever 8 connected in the middle. Of course, loading the locking pawl 2 directly and indirectly is also possible. Furthermore, in all embodiments, the emergency operating element or operating pins 11, 12, 13 pass through the opening 16 in the lock housing 1 in a sealed manner. A seal 19 is provided for this purpose. According to the embodiment, the seal 19 is designed as a circular seal embedded in the operating pins 11, 12, 13. In fact, the relevant seal or circular seal 19 is located in the guide region 11 of the emergency operating element or operating pin 11, 12, 13. In this way, the present invention ensures that moisture, dust, etc., do not enter the interior of the lock housing 1 through the opening 16.

[0038] The lock housing 1 and the emergency operating elements 11, 12, 13, including the connected operating element 18, are all made of plastic, for example, designed as injection molded parts. Consequently, the guide portion 17 of the guide area 11 for receiving the emergency operating elements 11, 12, 13 is also made of plastic. In this way, not only is simple and cost-effective manufacturing provided, but the emergency operating elements 11, 12, 13 are also received with particularly low friction inside the lock housing 1 or the associated guide portion 17. This is because the low friction of the plastic / plastic combination is typically observed here.

[0039] The emergency operating elements or operating pins 11, 12, and 13 are generally concealed behind the removable trim 20, thus making them invisible and preventing misuse. Therefore, in order to engage the relevant operating pins 11, 12, and 13, the removable trim 20 must first be opened or removed. Here, according to this embodiment, the trim refers to the interior trim of the relevant vehicle door, or also to the exterior trim, or both. This has already been described at the beginning.

[0040] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram:

[0041] Lock housing 1

[0042] Locking mechanisms 2 and 3

[0043] Locking claw 2

[0044] Rotating Lock Fork 3

[0045] Lock Box 4

[0046] Turn on drive devices 5, 6, and 7

[0047] worm gear 6

[0048] Outline 7

[0049] Release lever 8

[0050] Axis 9

[0051] Shaft 10

[0052] Emergency control elements 11, 12, 13

[0053] Guide Area 11

[0054] Passing through area 12

[0055] Control surface 13

[0056] Block 14

[0057] Spring 15

[0058] Opening 16

[0059] Guidance Department 17

[0060] Operating component 18

[0061] Circular seal 19

[0062] Decorative Items 20

Claims

1. A motor vehicle lock comprising: a lock housing (1); a locking mechanism including a rotating locking fork (3) and a locking pawl (2); an electrically operated opening drive for the locking mechanism; and an emergency operating element for manually opening the locking mechanism in an emergency. Its features are, The emergency control element is designed to return from its operating position to its rest position by the force of the spring (15). The emergency operating element is designed as an operating pin that loads the locking pawl (2) indirectly or directly, and the operating pin has an operating surface (13) that allows the operator's operating force to be transmitted. A spring (15) surrounds the emergency operating element and is positioned between the operating surface (13) and the lock housing (1). The vehicle lock also includes a release lever (8), wherein the release lever (8) and the locking pawl (2) are supported in a manner that allows them to rotate coaxially about a common axis (9), and the release lever (8) and the locking pawl (2) are connected to each other in a manner that prevents them from rotating relative to each other. The electric opening drive is designed to act indirectly on the release lever (8) and thus on the locking mechanism. A stop (14) is arranged on the release lever (8), wherein manual loading of the emergency operating element causes the emergency operating element to act on the stop (14) and cause the release lever (8) to rotate about the common axis (9) independently of the electric opening drive, so that the locking pawl (2) disengages from the engagement of the locking pawl with the rotating locking fork (3), thereby enabling manual emergency opening of the locking mechanism.

2. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vehicle lock mentioned is a vehicle door lock.

3. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The spring (15) is designed as a locking claw spring.

4. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The emergency operating element passes through the opening (16) in the lock housing (1) in a sealed manner.

5. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Emergency control elements are located behind the decorative element (20).

6. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 5, characterized in that, The decorative element (20) is detachable.

7. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 5, characterized in that, The decorative element (20) is the interior decorative element of the motor vehicle door to which it belongs.

8. A motor vehicle lock comprising: a lock housing (1); a locking mechanism including a rotating locking fork (3) and a locking pawl (2); an electrically operated opening drive for the locking mechanism; and an emergency operating element for manually opening the locking mechanism in an emergency. Its features are, The emergency control element is locked in its operating position and designed to be manually reset to its rest position. The emergency operating element is designed as an operating pin that loads the locking pawl (2) indirectly or directly, and the operating pin has an operating surface (13) that allows the operator's operating force to be transmitted. An operating element (18) is provided for manually resetting the emergency control element, and the operating element (18) is designed as a flexible operating element that acts on the operating surface (13). The vehicle lock also includes a release lever (8), wherein the release lever (8) and the locking pawl (2) are supported in a manner that allows them to rotate coaxially about a common axis (9), and the release lever (8) and the locking pawl (2) are connected to each other in a manner that prevents them from rotating relative to each other. The electric opening drive is designed to act indirectly on the release lever (8) and thus on the locking mechanism. A stop (14) is arranged on the release lever (8), wherein manual loading of the emergency operating element causes the emergency operating element to act on the stop (14) and cause the release lever (8) to rotate about the common axis (9) independently of the electric opening drive, so that the locking pawl (2) disengages from the engagement of the locking pawl with the rotating locking fork (3), thereby enabling manual emergency opening of the locking mechanism.

9. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 8, characterized in that, The vehicle lock mentioned is a vehicle door lock.

10. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 8, characterized in that, Flexible operating components are designed as cables, ropes, or ties.

11. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 8, characterized in that, The flexible operating element is designed as a Bowden cable.

12. The motor vehicle lock according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that, The operating element (18) and emergency control element define the structural unit.

13. The motor vehicle lock according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that, The operating element (18) and emergency control element define an integrated structural unit.

14. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 13, characterized in that, The integrated structural unit is made of plastic.

15. The motor vehicle lock according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that, The emergency operating element passes through the opening (16) in the lock housing (1) in a sealed manner.

16. The motor vehicle lock according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that, Emergency control elements are located behind the decorative element (20).

17. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 16, characterized in that, The decorative element (20) is detachable.

18. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 16, characterized in that, The decorative element (20) is the interior decorative element of the motor vehicle door to which it belongs.

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