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, preferably an electronic lock, comprising: an electric drive (3, 4, 5); a locking mechanism (1, 2) which can be loaded by the drive (3, 4, 5) and which mainly comprises a rotary latch (1) and a locking claw (2). The drive (3, 4, 5) is equipped with at least one involute gear stage (4a, 5a). According to the invention, a locking element (11) is arranged in the joint region (10) between the rotary latch (1) and the locking claw (2), which locking element is mainly supported on the rotary latch (1) and / or the locking claw (2) in a pivotable manner in the locking mechanism plane.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a vehicle lock, particularly a vehicle door lock and preferably an electronic lock, comprising: an electrically driven device; and a locking mechanism that can be loaded by the drive device and mainly includes a rotating locking fork and a locking pawl, wherein the drive device is equipped with at least one involute drive stage. Background Technology

[0002] Motor vehicle locks, especially door locks and preferably electronic locks, are characterized by their exceptionally comfortable operation. Because the locking mechanism, consisting of a rotating fork and locking pawl, is no longer opened mechanically but electrically, not only is comfort improved and the effort required to operate reduced, but overall operation is also observed to be remarkably quiet. The opening process can be initiated, for example, by a sensor in the area of ​​the exterior door handle or during keyless entry.

[0003] This offers additional advantages, namely, the ability to use aerodynamically optimized exterior vehicle doors in this case, as mechanically operated exterior door handles are ultimately unnecessary. For this reason, electronic locks or vehicle locks with electrically driven mechanisms consisting of rotating locking forks and locking pawls are increasingly used. An example of such an electronic lock is given in DE 101 00 008A1.

[0004] In fact, what is important in such electronic locks is ensuring perfect force transmission from the electric drive to the locking mechanism. The electric drive is typically used to disengage the locking pawl from its engagement with the rotating lock fork. This requires an opening force of varying magnitude. For this reason, the aforementioned prior art according to DE 101 00 008A1 utilizes not only a locking pawl bar effectively connected to the locking pawl, but also, additionally, a reduction gear as part of the electric drive. However, the motor used here as part of the electric drive is limited in power due to space and cost considerations.

[0005] In the prior art of this type, according to DE 10 2019 126 570 A1, a design has been provided in which, in relation to the drive assembly of a motor vehicle lock having a lever mechanism for releasing the locking mechanism and a main drive device acting on the lever mechanism, an auxiliary drive device for emergency unlocking / emergency opening of the locking mechanism is additionally implemented. This auxiliary drive device is equipped with a transmission device that provides a high gear ratio for this purpose. Here, at least one transmission stage of this transmission device is designed as an involute stage.

[0006] The characteristics of this involute drive stage lie not only in its compact construction but also in its large transmission ratio. In fact, this allows for both a compact construction and a large transmission ratio.

[0007] However, there remains a need for improvement, as the trend toward reducing the size, weight, and consequently cost of motors continues. In this context, a prerequisite is a further optimized electric drive system. This invention will address this need. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Therefore, based on the above-mentioned technical problems, the object of the present invention is to improve such vehicle locks, and especially vehicle door locks, in such a way that further optimization in terms of operating force can be observed, thereby additionally and effectively realizing cost and weight advantages.

[0009] To address this technical problem, the present invention proposes a locking element in this type of motor vehicle lock, particularly a motor vehicle door lock, wherein a locking element is arranged in the engagement area between the rotating lock fork and the locking pawl, the locking element being mostly supported on the rotating lock fork and / or the locking pawl in a swingable manner in the plane of the locking mechanism.

[0010] Therefore, the present invention first utilizes an electric drive mechanism already optimized in terms of compactness and achievable transmission ratio, namely, an electric drive mechanism equipped with at least one involute drive stage. In addition, the engagement area between the rotary fork and the locking pawl is further optimized, taking into account the opening force required, particularly during electric opening. The contact area between the rotary fork and the locking pawl is optimized, i.e., optimized in terms of the opening force required to open the locking mechanism, by the presence of a locking element in the engagement area between the rotary fork and the locking pawl, and by its rotatable support on the rotary fork and / or the locking pawl and largely within the plane of the locking mechanism. In fact, unlike previous prior art, frictional movement between the locking pawl and the rotary fork during the opening process does not occur here (again). This frictional movement is associated with large frictional forces because the rotary fork and the locking pawl are typically stamped components made of high-strength steel.

[0011] In contrast, this invention proposes a locking element disposed in the engagement region between the rotary fork and the locking pawl, which is further supported, in a manner that allows it to pivot within the plane of the locking mechanism. Thus, during the opening of the locking mechanism, and as the locking pawl consequently disengages from its engagement with the rotary fork, a rolling motion occurs instead of the frictional motion between the locking pawl and the rotary fork. During this process, the locking element disposed in the engagement region pivots, thereby allowing the locking pawl to disengage from its engagement with the rotary fork with a significantly reduced force compared to previous technologies. This achieves a friction-optimized opening process for the locking mechanism.

[0012] The friction-optimized opening process of the locking mechanism is now entirely associated with a specially designed electric drive unit having at least one involute drive stage, which allows for a further reduction in the electrical power supplied by the motor compared to previous embodiments. Therefore, this configuration can be implemented more compactly, with less weight, and at a lower cost compared to previous methods.

[0013] In practice, the following measures are often taken to ensure that the electric drive unit has exactly one involute drive stage. For this purpose, the electric drive unit is typically equipped with a motor and an output wheel, wherein the involute drive stage is realized between the worm gear on the motor's output shaft and the output wheel. That is, it is advantageous to use only a single involute drive stage here, namely, between the worm gear on the motor's output shaft on one hand and the involute teeth on the outer circumference of the output wheel on the other.

[0014] This involute drive stage allows for reduction ratios of 10:1 or greater to be achieved without problems. That is, 10 or more revolutions of the motor or the worm gear mounted on its output shaft are converted into just one revolution of the output wheel. In most cases, even larger reduction ratios of 20:1, 30:1, or greater can be achieved without issue. This allows for relatively high torque to be provided on the locking pawl for opening the locking mechanism, even when operating with a small, compact, low-power, and lightweight motor.

[0015] In this configuration, the output wheel is typically equipped with involute teeth inclined relative to its axis of rotation on its outer circumference. Furthermore, the output wheel typically has an actuating portion on its end facing the lever for use with the lever. That is, the output wheel performs a clockwise or counterclockwise rotational movement about its axis of rotation, which is transmitted to the lever via the actuating portion. Because the lever typically slides along the actuating portion of the output wheel using a protrusion, the lever can thus be oscillating. Advantageously, in this configuration, the actuating portion is constructed in a helical shape with a helical axis. It has proven advantageous that the helical axis of the actuating portion coincides with the axis of rotation of the output wheel.

[0016] In this way, the helical axis of the control forming part and the rotation axis of the output wheel coincide on the end of the output wheel facing the control lever. Thus, the following design scheme is adopted, such that the helical control forming part traces a three-dimensional helix around the rotation axis of the output wheel. Because the protrusion on the front side of the control lever abuts against the control forming part, the control lever gradually swings as the protrusion travels along the aforementioned three-dimensional helix.

[0017] Because the lever typically interacts with the release lever that loads the locking pawl, the oscillating motion caused by the lever in this way can be transmitted to the release lever, which then itself causes the locking pawl to disengage from its engagement with the rotary fork. Since the oscillating locking element is located in the engagement area between the rotary fork and the locking pawl in this case, the described opening process is achieved with particularly low friction.

[0018] In this case, it has proven advantageous that the control lever and release lever are supported coaxially. In principle, the control lever and release lever can also overlap and define a single lever. This contributes to a compact overall construction. This is advantageous when the worm gear on the motor's output shaft typically has multiple involute teeth. The involute teeth are angled such that at least one involute tooth on the output shaft always engages correspondingly with the involute tooth portion on the outer circumference of the output wheel. It has proven advantageous here that the worm gear on the output shaft has a maximum of three involute teeth. This is, of course, merely exemplary.

[0019] The invention also relates to the use of a locking element in a motor vehicle lock, and particularly a motor vehicle door lock, in the engagement area between a rotating lock fork and a locking pawl, as described in claim 10.

[0020] Therefore, a vehicle lock, and particularly a vehicle door lock, with an opening rate further optimized compared to existing technologies is provided and implemented. Specifically, the electric drive unit operates using at least one involute drive stage, and a swingable locking element is additionally provided in the engagement area between the rotating lock fork and the locking pawl. Thus, not only is an electric drive unit with a high reduction ratio provided, but also a friction-optimized engagement area is simultaneously provided between the rotating lock fork and the locking pawl.

[0021] In addition, and advantageously, the worm gear, output wheel, and overall components, as well as the operating lever and release lever, on the output shaft of the motor are typically made of plastic. In this case, "plastic-plastic" friction is achieved between the protrusion on the head side of the operating lever and the operating molded part. Further friction optimization is thus achieved between the involute teeth of the worm gear on the output shaft and the involute teeth on the outer circumferential side of the output wheel. This is a key advantage of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate only one embodiment;

[0023] The diagram shows:

[0024] Figure 1 A perspective view of a motor vehicle lock according to the present invention, and

[0025] Figure 2 The locking mechanism is shown in detail. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The accompanying drawings show a vehicle lock, and particularly a vehicle door lock, which is a so-called electronic lock, in which the locking mechanism 1, 2, consisting of a rotating locking fork 1 and a locking pawl 2, is opened electrically. For this purpose, electric drive units 3, 4, and 5 are provided. Electric drive units 3, 4, and 5 act on a lever mechanism 6, 7, so that the locking pawl 2 can be disengaged from its contact with the rotating locking fork 1 by means of the lever mechanism. Figure 1 The locking engagement shown in the image disengages, which will be explained in detail below.

[0027] For this purpose, the electric drive units 3, 4, and 5 are equipped with at least one involute drive stage 4a and 5a. Within the scope of this embodiment, a unique involute drive stage 4a and 5a is achieved. This involute drive stage is located between the worm 4 on the output shaft of the motor 3, which is part of the electric drive units 3, 4, and 5, and the output wheel 5, which is part of other components of the electric drive units 3, 4, and 5. In fact, the worm 4 and the output wheel 5 are respectively equipped with involute teeth 4a and 5a, which together define the unique involute drive stage 4a and 5a within the scope of this embodiment.

[0028] For this purpose, the involute tooth 4a is located along the entire outer circumference of the worm 4 and on the output shaft of the motor 3 along the entire length of the worm. In contrast, the involute tooth 5a is disposed and arranged on the outer circumference of the output wheel 5 and is inclined relative to the rotation axis 8 of the output wheel 5. Furthermore, the output wheel 5 is equipped with an actuating forming part 5b, i.e., on its end side facing the lever mechanisms 6 and 7. The actuating forming part 5b is an actuating forming part having a helical feature and an associated helical axis 8, which, according to this embodiment, coincides with the rotation axis 8 of the output wheel 5. In fact, the following design scheme is adopted, such that the helical actuating forming part 5b is drawn as a whole with the helical axis or the rotation axis 8 of the output wheel 5 as a reference, forming a three-dimensional helix.

[0029] The joystick mechanisms 6 and 7 mainly consist of a joystick 6 and a release lever 7 that interacts with and loads the locking pawl 2. The joystick 6 is equipped with a front protrusion 6a, which is guided along or loaded by a helical actuation shaping portion 5b. This causes the output wheel 5 to move clockwise around the rotation axis 8. Figure 1 When (as shown in the diagram), the protrusion 6a thus moves along a three-dimensional spiral or actuates the forming part 5b, and thereby the lever 6 swings clockwise about its axis 9. Because the lever 6 and the release lever 7 are coaxial with respect to each other and supported on a common axis 9, the release lever 7 moves clockwise in accordance with the lever 6 and is used as a whole to cause the locking pawl 2 to move along the axis 9. Figure 1 The lever oscillates clockwise as shown. After this, the release lever 7 is coupled to the control lever 6 without relative rotation.

[0030] Therefore, the locking claw 2 is in the closed state of the locking mechanisms 1 and 2, in Figure 1 The locking engagement shown disengages from the rotary locking fork 1. Here, the locking pawl 2 moves around a common axis 9 together with the release lever 7 and the operating lever 6. Subsequently, the rotary locking fork 1 opens with spring assistance and releases the previously engaged (not explicitly shown) locking block / pin. The associated vehicle door is then opened.

[0031] The worm 4 on the output shaft of the motor 3 has a plurality of involute teeth 4a on its outer periphery and along its extension. The involute teeth 4a are inclined such that at least one of these involute teeth 4a engages accordingly with the involute tooth portion on the outer periphery side of the output wheel 5 or with the involute teeth 5a there. According to this embodiment, the worm 4 on the output shaft of the motor 3 has a maximum of three involute teeth 4a. Of course, this is only an example. The reduction ratio achieved here can be generally greater than 10:1, especially even 20:1 or even preferably 30:1 or greater.

[0032] According to the present invention, the design is now carried out in such a way that, corresponding to in Figure 2The diagram shows a locking element 11 arranged in the engagement area 10 between the rotating locking fork 1 and the locking pawl 2. According to this embodiment, the locking element 11 is pivotally supported on the rotating locking fork 1, meaning that the majority of it lies within the locking mechanism plane opened by the rotating locking fork 1 and the locking pawl 2. Figure 2 As shown in the diagram, the locking element 11, for this purpose, utilizes a swing support head 11a that is inserted into the notch 1a of the rotating fork 1, thereby enabling it to perform a corresponding swinging motion. Therefore, if the locking pawl 2 disengages from its locking engagement with the rotating fork 1, it means that the locking element 11 is performing a corresponding swinging motion. Figure 1 or Figure 2 The swinging motion shown in the figure allows the locking pawl 2 to disengage from its engagement with the rotating locking fork 1 with very little friction.

[0033] The locking element 11 may have a guide protrusion 11b projecting relative to the plane of the locking mechanism, which is used to additionally guide the locking element 11 axially and / or radially. The guide protrusion 11b may, for example, be designed as an imprint. Furthermore, a sleeve or component of the rotating locking fork 1 may be used for axial fixation of the pivotable locking element 11, however, this is not shown in detail.

[0034] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram:

[0035] Locking mechanisms 1 and 2

[0036] Rotating Lock Fork 1

[0037] Gap 1a

[0038] Locking claw 2

[0039] Drive units 3, 4, 5

[0040] Motor 3

[0041] worm gear 4

[0042] Output wheel 5

[0043] Involute drive stages 4a, 5a

[0044] Manipulating the forming part 5b

[0045] joystick mechanisms 6 and 7

[0046] Joystick 6

[0047] Bump 6a

[0048] Release lever 7

[0049] Rotating shaft 8

[0050] Axis 9

[0051] Joint area 10

[0052] Locking element 11

[0053] Swing support head 11a

[0054] Guide protrusion 11b

Claims

1. A motor vehicle lock, comprising: Electric drive unit (3, 4, 5); locking mechanism (1, 2) that can be loaded by drive unit (3, 4, 5) and includes a rotating locking fork (1) and a locking pawl (2), wherein drive unit (3, 4, 5) is equipped with at least one involute drive stage (4a, 5a). Its features are, A locking element (11) is arranged in the engagement area (10) between the rotating locking fork (1) and the locking pawl (2), the locking element being mostly supported on the rotating locking fork (1) and / or the locking pawl (2) in a swingable manner in the plane of the locking mechanism; The electric drive unit (3, 4, 5) has a motor (3) and an output wheel (5). The output wheel (5) is equipped with an operating shaping part (5b) for the operating lever (6) on its end side facing the lever (6). The operating shaping part (5b) is constructed in a spiral shape with a helical shaft (8). The lever is equipped with a front protrusion that is guided along the spiral operating shaping part or loaded by means of the spiral operating shaping part.

2. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 1, characterized in that, The involute drive stages (4a, 5a) are realized between the worm (4) and the output wheel (5) on the output shaft of the motor (3).

3. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The output wheel (5) is equipped with an involute tooth (5a) on its outer peripheral side that is inclined relative to the rotation axis (8) of the output wheel (5).

4. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The spiral shaft (8) of the manipulating forming part (5b) coincides with the rotation shaft (8) of the output wheel (5).

5. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The worm (4) on the output shaft of the motor (3) has a plurality of involute teeth (4a) that are inclined such that at least one involute tooth (4a) engages with the involute tooth portion on the outer periphery of the output wheel (5).

6. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, A release lever (7) is provided that interacts with the joystick (6) and loads the locking pawl (2).

7. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 6, characterized in that, The control lever (6) and the release lever (7) are coaxially supported on a common axis (9).

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

9. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vehicle lock is an electronic lock.

10. The application of a locking element (11) in a motor vehicle lock in the engagement area (10) between a rotating locking fork (1) and a locking pawl (2), the motor vehicle lock comprising: Electric drive units (3, 4, 5); locking mechanisms (1, 2) including a rotating locking fork (1) and a locking pawl (2) that can be loaded by the drive units (3, 4, 5), wherein the drive units (3, 4, 5) are equipped with at least one involute drive stage (4a, 5a), wherein the locking element (11) is mostly supported on the rotating locking fork (1) and / or the locking pawl (2) in a swingable manner in the plane of the locking mechanism, wherein the electric drive units (3, 4, 5) have a motor (3) and an output wheel (5), the output wheel (5) being equipped with an actuation shaping part (5b) for the actuation lever (6) on its end side facing the actuation lever (6), the actuation shaping part (5b) being constructed in a spiral shape with a helical shaft (8), the actuation lever being equipped with a front protrusion that is guided along or loaded by means of the spiral actuation shaping part.

11. The application according to claim 10, characterized in that, The vehicle lock mentioned is a vehicle door lock.

12. The application according to claim 10, characterized in that, The vehicle lock is an electronic lock.

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