Motor vehicle lock

Abstract

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for operating an opening drive device for a motor vehicle lock, particularly a motor vehicle door lock. In this case, a locking mechanism (1, 2) is provided, mainly comprising a rotating locking fork (1) and a locking pawl (2). A sensor (7) associated with the rotating locking fork (1) is also provided. Furthermore, drive units (3, 4, 5, 6) are provided to indirectly or directly load the locking pawl (2), wherein the drive units (3, 4, 5, 6) are controlled based on signals from the sensor (7). According to the invention, the sensor (7) only generates a signal when the rotating locking fork (1) can be freely opened.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for operating an opening drive device for a motor vehicle lock, particularly a motor vehicle door lock, the motor vehicle lock having: a locking mechanism mainly comprising a rotating locking fork and a locking pawl; a sensor associated with the rotating locking fork; and a drive unit for indirectly or directly loading the locking pawl, wherein the drive unit is controlled based on signals from the sensor. Background Technology

[0002] For comfort reasons, vehicle locks, especially vehicle door locks, are increasingly being designed as so-called electronic locks, in which case they have electrically operated opening actuators. This allows the locking mechanism to be opened in a particularly comfortable manner. In fact, to load the actuator, it is usually sufficient to operate a switch or sensor, for example, on or inside the exterior door handle, which detects and then loads the actuator to open the previously closed locking mechanism. For this purpose, the actuator acts indirectly or directly on the locking pawl. During opening, the locking pawl disengages from its engagement with the rotating locking fork, after which the rotating locking fork opens with spring assistance and releases the previously engaged locking pin. Thus, doors, hoods, or similar devices equipped with the relevant vehicle lock or vehicle door lock can also be opened. This has proven reliable in principle.

[0003] In fact, prior art of this type, as specified in DE 10 2004 042 966 A1, describes known motor vehicle locks equipped with bolt monitoring. Currently, the control device ensures the electric release of the locking pawl based on bolt monitoring. Furthermore, in terms of bolt monitoring, prior art uses a so-called AJAR switch to detect whether the bolt has begun the opening process. In fact, with the aid of such an AJAR switch, it is generally possible to determine whether the fork is in a partially open or beginning-to-open state.

[0004] A drive mechanism for an electrically adjustable functional element in a motor vehicle is known from DE 10 2005 052 665 A1. The functional element can also be a locking pawl. To reduce the associated load, operation is also utilized during a period when the drive motor is energized. This period is determined here as follows: in this example, the locking pawl safely reaches the so-called target position during this period. Therefore, no additional detection of the rotating locking fork is required.

[0005] The scope of DE 10 2013 012 015 A1 relates to a motor vehicle lock having a main motor and an auxiliary motor. Both motors are configured to open the locking pawl. Additionally, an open signal can be obtained from a sensor on the latch. This sensor is also an AJAR switch.

[0006] Finally, one could also consider a motor vehicle door lock based on the viewpoint of DE 100 09 391A1, in which the motor blockage is accompanied by a detectable current increase. In this case, the position sensor is explicitly eliminated.

[0007] Existing technology has proven reliable in principle by providing an opening drive mechanism or an electrically operated drive unit for directly or indirectly loading the locking pawl. For this purpose, either the signal from the sensor detecting the rotating locking fork can be evaluated, or the current boost of the motor, which is part of the drive unit, can be evaluated. However, in practice, functional states may arise where the locking pawl interacts with or is likely to interact with the opened rotating locking fork. For this reason, in practice, it is primarily handled by using the drive unit to load the locking pawl throughout the entire range of motion of the rotating locking fork, typically until it enters the so-called overtravel range.

[0008] The overtravel range essentially extends after the locking pawl has moved beyond the main locking portion. This means that even when the locking pawl has left the main locking portion of the rotary fork, it remains loaded for safety until it enters the overtravel range, i.e., even when the main locking portion and pre-locking portion of the rotary fork have passed, for example, the locking teeth on the locking pawl. This step is necessary to prevent any possible interaction between the locking pawl and the rotary fork under any circumstances and to ensure the free opening of the rotary fork, i.e., to ensure that the rotary fork is open throughout its entire travel, or more precisely, to ensure no interaction with the locking pawl.

[0009] For safety reasons, existing technologies primarily employ the following measures: the locking pawl is moved into the overtravel range or loaded by means of the drive unit. Therefore, it is also necessary to additionally provide mechanical braking to the drive unit, i.e., mechanical braking at the end of the movement. For this purpose, an end stop is typically provided to the drive unit. Since the locking pawl, at the end of its travel stroke, is usually within the overtravel range and mostly unloaded, it is directly or indirectly loaded by means of the drive device or drive unit, causing the drive unit to typically collide with the end stop at high speed. This results in, for example, a worm gear, which is part of the drive unit, striking the end stop. This can potentially damage some components of the drive unit.

[0010] This is because the aforementioned worm gear and its teeth are typically made of plastic. The worm located on the motor's output shaft is also typically made of plastic, and this worm engages with the teeth on the outer periphery of the worm gear. If the worm gear now violently collides with the end stop, damage to the corresponding (plastic-made) teeth is possible, especially over a prolonged period. For this reason, a damper that engages with the end stop is usually employed.

[0011] In addition to the mechanical load on the drive unit observed and described according to the prior art, the arrival at the end stop is also accompanied by noticeable acoustic noise to varying degrees. Both aspects are generally disadvantageous and require improvement. Based on this, the present invention is proposed. Summary of the Invention

[0012] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to further improve the method and equipment for operating the unlocking drive device of a motor vehicle lock, so as to reduce the mechanical load on the drive unit in particular compared with the prior art and obtain optimized noise characteristics.

[0013] To solve this technical problem, this type of method within the scope of the present invention is characterized in that the sensor associated with the rotary locking fork only generates a signal when the rotary locking fork can be freely opened.

[0014] For this purpose, the sensor can be positioned relative to the rotary locking fork such that all locking parts on the rotary locking fork pass over the locking teeth on the locking pawl. Because the locking teeth of the locking pawl can then abut against the circumferential surface of the rotary locking fork, more precisely, no interaction will be observed. Simultaneously, the drive unit can be braked and / or reversed.

[0015] According to the advantageous design, within the scope of the alternative, the free opening of the rotary locking fork is accompanied by a sensor reporting that the rotary locking fork has opened, while simultaneously, the electrical power applied to the drive unit is below a predetermined threshold. This means that the drive unit is controlled based on the sensor signal, and once both the sensor reports that the rotary locking fork has opened and the electrical power applied to the drive unit is below the predetermined threshold, the drive unit is ultimately shut off after the opening process. Only when both conditions occur simultaneously is a signal ultimately generated, or in other words, the drive unit is shut off due to the generation of a signal; that is, the drive unit can be shut off.

[0016] Here, in most cases, it is also stipulated that a predetermined threshold for the electrical power applied to the drive unit corresponds to a threshold for the current consumed by the drive unit over time. In other words, the aforementioned threshold for electrical power is related to the threshold for the current consumed. This is because it can generally be assumed that the voltage applied to the drive unit remains constant throughout the process or that there are no large fluctuations under any circumstances. Thus, according to the invention, the current consumed by the drive unit and the condition of being below the predetermined threshold, combined with the sensor's report that the rotary lock fork has been opened, can ultimately be used as a measure of whether the rotary lock fork is freely open.

[0017] Here, the invention is also based on the understanding that when the locking pawl enters the overtravel range, the free opening of the rotating fork is typically achieved. Within this overtravel range, the drive unit applies almost no load to the locking pawl because the locking pawl has reliably disengaged from the rotating fork. Furthermore, it is generally stipulated here that the locking pawl entering the overtravel range is associated with, and particularly coincides with, electrical power falling below a threshold.

[0018] Here, the present invention is based on the understanding that the current consumed by the drive unit has unique time characteristics. First, a strong current surge is observed to start the drive unit and overcome any possible starting torque. Thereafter, during indirect or direct loading of the locking pawl, the current consumed by the drive unit decreases mostly exponentially. Once the locking pawl reaches its overtravel range, any possible interaction between the locking pawl and the rotating locking fork is eliminated, thus allowing the locking pawl to be loaded almost unloaded by the drive mechanism within the overtravel range.

[0019] The transition of the locking pawl under load during the opening process and as it swings away from the rotating fork thus transforms into a near-unloaded loading of the locking pawl upon entering the overtravel range. Accompanying this is a drop in the current consumed by the drive unit below a predetermined threshold, which is therefore related to the locking pawl entering the overtravel range. Once the current consumed by the drive unit is now below this predetermined threshold and the sensor has previously reported that the rotating fork has opened, the drive unit can therefore be braked and / or reversed. This has a particular advantage, achieved according to the invention, that the drive unit does not travel towards the end stop of the mechanism at all, or at least travels towards the end stop of the mechanism with braking. Therefore, the possible mechanical load on the drive unit is significantly reduced according to the invention compared to the prior art. Furthermore, noise characteristics are also optimized because there is no longer a “sudden impact.”

[0020] This allows the drive unit to either not reach the end stop at all, or even if it does, only at a braking speed. Consequently, some components of the drive unit can be designed with lower mechanical stability compared to existing technologies. This applies, for example, to optional transmission mechanisms that are part of the drive unit. This is typically accompanied by a smaller structural volume and lighter weight occupied by the drive unit compared to existing technologies, providing a significant advantage. Additional cost advantages are gained, as the end stop can often be eliminated altogether. Long service life and improved functionality are achieved with significantly less or no mechanical load upon impact with the end stop, because the specially implemented control according to the invention prevents potential damage to the interlocking teeth. In fact, this control ensures that the end stop can be completely eliminated or protected, as the drive unit is braked and / or reversed before reaching it according to the invention. This is a major advantage of the invention.

[0021] The subject of this invention also lies in an apparatus for operating such an opening drive mechanism, which operates particularly advantageously according to the claimed method. In any case, the sensor can be independently positioned to detect the rotating locking fork, so that the sensor only generates a signal when the rotating locking fork can be freely opened. This signal is used to cause the drive unit, which indirectly or directly loads the locking pawl, to be typically braked and / or reversed, thereby eliminating the need for an existing, but not absolutely necessary, end stop, or at most the drive unit approaches the end stop at a braked speed.

[0022] Typically, for the corresponding braking or commutation signal of the drive unit, not only the sensor signal is evaluated, but also the time-based curve of the current consumed by the drive unit is additionally evaluated. This time-based current curve has a unique trajectory, allowing for the definition of a threshold, particularly one that accompanies the overtravel range of reaching the locking pawl, being below a predetermined value. That is, the overtravel range of the locking pawl and the condition of reaching the locking pawl are therefore related to the current consumed by the drive unit being below a predetermined value according to the invention. In fact, this consumed current corresponds to the drive unit loading the locking pawl with almost no load; therefore, possible interaction with the rotating locking fork does not (again) occur in principle within this overtravel range. This is a major 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 A schematic diagram illustrates a device according to the invention for operating an opening drive mechanism for a motor vehicle lock; and

[0025] Figure 2A time-resolved graph showing the sensor's manipulation and the current consumed by the drive unit. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The accompanying drawings illustrate a device for operating an opening drive mechanism for a vehicle lock. The vehicle lock is not limited to vehicle door locks. The vehicle lock or vehicle door lock has locking mechanisms 1 and 2, which mainly include a rotating locking fork 1 and a locking pawl 2. Furthermore, drive units 3, 4, 5, and 6 are implemented to indirectly or directly load the locking pawl 2.

[0027] The positioning and position of the rotating locking fork 1 can be detected by sensor 7. Sensor 7, as well as drive units 3, 4, 5, 6, or motor 3 which is part of drive units 3, 4, 5, 6, are connected to a common control unit 8.

[0028] Drive units 3, 4, 5, and 6 have the aforementioned motor 3, which carries a worm 4 on its output shaft. The worm 4 meshes with the teeth on the outer periphery of the worm wheel 5. The worm wheel 5 is equipped with a cam 6, which, according to this embodiment, can and is configured to directly load the locking pawl 2. Furthermore, an end stop 9 is implemented for drive units 3, 4, 5, and 6; however, in principle and according to the invention, this end stop can also be omitted. The end stop 9 can be equipped with a rubber element or damper (not explicitly shown) to prevent violent impact on the worm wheel 5 interacting with it at the end of the operating stroke of drive units 3, 4, 5, and 6, and to minimize any accompanying acoustic noise.

[0029] To open Figure 1 The locking mechanisms 1 and 2, which are in the closed state, are driven by electric drive units 3, 4, 5, and 6 in a manner controlled by control unit 6 such that the cam 6 carried by the worm wheel 5 rotates around the axis of the worm wheel 5. Figure 1 The clockwise motion is shown. Due to the eccentric construction of cam 6, the clockwise motion of worm gear 5 causes locking pawl 2 to gradually oscillate counterclockwise around its axis, which also... Figure 1 The text states that...

[0030] Therefore, the locking pawl 2 gradually disengages from its engagement with the rotary locking fork 1. Since the rotary locking fork 1 is loaded by a spring (not shown) or the possible door rubber force of the associated vehicle door, the disengagement of the locking pawl 2 from its engagement with the rotary locking fork 1 will cause the rotary locking fork 1 to move around its axis along... Figure 1 The same clockwise upward swing is also shown. As a result, the previously held locking pin 10 is released, and the corresponding vehicle door can also be opened.

[0031] Once the locking pawl 2 can no longer interact with the rotating fork 1, the rotating fork 1 opens freely. According to this embodiment, this occurs when one or both locking portions 1a, 1b of the rotating fork 1 have safely passed the locking teeth 2a of the locking pawl 2. For this purpose, the locking pawl 2 moves to a so-called overtravel range via drive units 3, 4, 5, 6, within which the locking pawl 2 is loaded almost without load via drive units 3, 4, 5, 6. After the overtravel range ends, drive units 3, 4, 5, 6 proceed to or can proceed to the end stop 9, as will be described in detail below.

[0032] Now, in Figure 2 The opening process is described using a diagram. Ultimately, two different curves can be seen. More precisely, one curve is a dashed line representing the time-resolved (time-varying / time-recording) signal of the sensor 7 that detects the rotation of the locking fork 1, while the other curve is a solid line representing the time-resolved signal of the current I consumed by the drive units 3, 4, 5, 6, or the motor 3 therein.

[0033] At the start of the opening process (t = t0), and even before that, sensor 7 already provides a signal "1", corresponding to the closing of the rotating locking fork 1. Once the drive units 3, 4, 5, 6, and especially motor 3, are energized from time t = t0, the current I consumed by motor 3, represented by the solid line, will increase to the value I. 最大 This can be attributed to the need to overcome the starting torque and potential static friction of drive units 3, 4, 5, and 6 at the start of the opening process.

[0034] Subsequently, the current I consumed by motor 3 and, consequently, drive units 3, 4, 5, and 6 mostly decreases exponentially over time t. According to this embodiment and the invention, it can now be designed such that, when the locking claw 2 transitions to... Figure 2 The “t” shown 超程 Within the specified range, sensor 7 performs a signal conversion from "1" to "0" in the sense that the rotating locking fork 1 is opened. Reaching this "t"... 超程 "The range will be accompanied by the current I consumed by motor 3 dropping to a predetermined threshold." Below or below this threshold

[0035] Here, sensor 7 can be arranged and designed as follows, that is, only when locking claw 2 enters the overtravel range "t" 超程"Only when the locking pawl 2 enters the overtravel range will the sensor report that the rotating locking fork 1 has been opened. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the signal from sensor 7 and the current I consumed by motor 3 can be correlated with each other in control unit 8. In any case, when the locking pawl 2 enters the overtravel range..." 超程 "When inside, rotating the locking fork 1 achieves free opening. Within this overtravel range, drive units 3, 4, 5, and 6 can apply almost no load to the locking claw 2."

[0036] According to the present invention, the locking claw 2 now enters the overtravel range "t". 超程 "The internal electrical power or current I consumed by motor 3 is lower than the threshold." Related. Therefore, when locking pawl 2 enters the overtravel range "t" 超程 "During this time, drive units 3, 4, 5, and 6 can be reversed and / or braked. Therefore, according to the present invention, the following will not occur." Figure 2 In the overrange range "t" 超程 "The subsequent increase in current corresponds to the drive units 3, 4, 5, and 6 reaching the end stop 9. This means that, according to the present invention, based on..." Figure 2 The graph actually ends before the current rises again at the end stop, or rather, this current rise can be significantly reduced because drive units 3, 4, 5, and 6 are braked and / or reversed in advance, i.e., before reaching end stop 9.

[0037] Therefore, within the overtravel range "t" 超程 "The subsequent increase in current I is replaced by..." Figure 2 As indicated by the dashed lines, this is achieved according to the present invention. It should be considered that, based on the design of the control unit 8 and the drive units 3, 4, 5, and 6, the area indicated by the dashed lines need not be reached, or is unnecessary to reach, so that the end stop 9—as described above—can be omitted in principle. In any case, by means of the control unit 8 and by evaluating the signal of sensor 7 through the special positioning of sensor 7 or in conjunction with the current I consumed by drive units 3, 4, 5, and 6, a significant reduction in the mechanical load on drive units 3, 4, 5, and 6 is successfully achieved compared to the prior art. This also has a favorable effect on noise characteristics. This is a major advantage of the present invention.

[0038] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram:

[0039] 1. Rotate the locking fork

[0040] 1a Locking part

[0041] 1b Locking part

[0042] 2a Locking tooth

[0043] 2 Locking claws

[0044] 3 motors

[0045] 4. Worm

[0046] 5. Worm Gear

[0047] 6 Cams

[0048] Drive units 3, 4, 5, and 6

[0049] 7 sensors

[0050] 8 Control Unit

[0051] 9. End stop

[0052] t time point

[0053] I Current

[0054] I ü threshold

[0055] I 最大 value

[0056] t 超程 Overtravel range

Claims

1. A method for operating an opening drive device for a motor vehicle lock, the motor vehicle lock having: a locking mechanism (1, 2), the locking mechanism mainly comprising a rotating locking fork (1) and a locking claw (2); a sensor (7) associated with the rotating locking fork (1); and a drive unit (3, 4, 5, 6) for indirectly or directly loading the locking claw (2), thereby controlling the drive unit (3, 4, 5, 6) based on signals from the sensor (7). Its features are, Sensor (7) only generates a signal when the rotating locking fork (1) can be freely opened. Based on the generated signal, the drive units (3, 4, 5, 6) are turned off, and The free opening of the rotating locking fork (1) is accompanied by a report from the sensor (7) that the rotating locking fork (1) has been opened, and at the same time, the electrical power applied to the drive units (3, 4, 5, 6) is lower than a predetermined threshold.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The predetermined threshold value of the electric power corresponds to a threshold value (I Ü ) of the current (I) consumed by the drive unit (3, 4, 5, 6) based on time.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, When the locking claw (2) enters the overtravel range (t 超程 ), the free opening of the rotary latch (1) is achieved.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, In the case that the locking claw is in the overtravel range (t 超程 ) the drive unit (3, 4, 5, 6) loads the locking claw almost without load and / or commutates and / or brakes.

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The locking claw (2) enters an overtravel range (t 超程 ) associated with a consumed current or electrical power below a threshold value (I Ü ).

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The locking claw (2) enters the overtravel range (t 超程 ) in correspondence with the consumed current or electric power being below a threshold value (I Ü ).

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

8. An apparatus for operating an opening drive device for a motor vehicle lock, the apparatus being used to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the motor vehicle lock comprising: a locking mechanism (1, 2) mainly comprising a rotating locking fork (1) and a locking pawl (2); a sensor (7) associated with the rotating locking fork (1); and a drive unit (3, 4, 5, 6) for indirectly or directly loading the locking pawl (2), wherein, The drive units (3, 4, 5, 6) are designed to operate the locking claw (2) based on signals from the sensor (7). Its features are, Sensor (7) only generates a signal when the rotating locking fork (1) can be freely opened. Based on the generated signal, the drive units (3, 4, 5, 6) are shut down, and A control unit (8) is provided, which evaluates the signal from the sensor (7) and the electrical power consumed by the drive unit (3, 4, 5).

9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The control unit (8) evaluates the current (I) consumed by the drive units (3, 4, 5, 6) in a time-resolved manner.

10. The device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The control unit (8) correlates the time-resolved current (I) with the signal from the sensor (7).

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

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