Lock catch for motor vehicle door lock

Abstract

The invention relates to a latch (1, 25) for a motor vehicle door lock, comprising a latch plate (2, 30) and a latch bow (3) fastened to the latch plate, the latch bow (3) being designed with a locking pin (4), a middle section (6) and a connecting region (7, 24), the latch bow (3) being designed to be at least two parts and the middle section (6) and the connecting region (7, 24) being formed by a one-piece plate (5, 23).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a lock catch for a motor vehicle door lock, which comprises a lock catch plate and a lock catch bow fixed on the lock catch plate. The lock catch bow is designed to have a locking pin, a middle section and a connecting area. Background Art

[0002] The striker typically interacts with the locking mechanism of an associated motor vehicle door lock. The striker and motor vehicle door lock are collectively referred to as a motor vehicle locking system. Together, the striker and the locking mechanism in the motor vehicle door lock ensure that the associated motor vehicle door is securely and reliably closed. To this end, the striker is typically attached to the motor vehicle body, such as the B-pillar or C-pillar. The motor vehicle door lock, in turn, is located in the motor vehicle door to be locked. In principle, the reverse is also possible.

[0003] Due to its primary locking function in conjunction with the locking mechanism in a motor vehicle door lock, the lock catch is, on the one hand, a particularly safety-relevant component and, on the other hand, is subject to significant loads, particularly in the event of an accident. Indeed, the protection of vehicle occupants in the event of a side impact depends largely on how reliably the lock catch and the locking mechanism interacting with it can absorb the forces acting upon them. This is because it is crucial that the motor vehicle door remains closed, allowing safety devices installed in or on the door (e.g., side airbags, side impact protection, etc.) to function as intended.

[0004] The forces absorbed via the interaction between the motor vehicle door lock and the lock catch act directly between a locking mechanism contained in the motor vehicle door lock and a locking pin whose bow engages with the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism consists of a locking tongue and at least one locking pawl, whereby during the closing movement of the door element, after the locking tongue engages in the lock bow of the lock catch, the locking pawl engages in the locking tongue and prevents the door element from being opened. The locking mechanism can have a pre-locking position and a main locking position, which are present in the door lock depending on the door element. Depending on the embodiment of the locking mechanism, the respective locking position, i.e. the main locking position or the pre-locking position, can be subjected to a moment for opening or closing, so that a blocking rod can again be used to fix the locking position. In order to be able to absorb the large forces that arise in the event of an accident, the locking mechanism components are at least partially made of metal material, mounted in a metal shaft and retained on a metal lock plate in the motor vehicle door lock.

[0005] In the prior art, various approaches have been taken to further improve such buckles, so that they can absorb much greater forces than before in the event of a crash, without, or without, tearing or generally mechanical damage. In fact, material deformation and tearing are often observed in buckles in practice, especially in the transition from the buckle bow to the buckle plate.

[0006] Various methods are known for increasing the forces that a buckle can absorb. For example, various approaches exist, such as those disclosed in EP 2 031 158 A2, to provide the buckle or its buckle bow with different cross-sectional thicknesses, or to regulate the buckle's elongation by means of notches, as disclosed in DE 10 2010 021 677 A1. However, in practice, these methods are insufficient to cope with the loads actually occurring in the event of a crash or under extreme forces, and the buckle's deformation behavior often associated with them. This is because the connection between the buckle bow and the buckle plate has proven to be particularly important.

[0007] DE 10 2014 006 857 A1 discloses a lock for a motor vehicle door lock, comprising a strike plate and a strike bow fastened to the strike plate, wherein the strike bow is designed with a locking pin, a middle section, and a connecting pin. To reinforce the connection between the locking bow and the strike plate, the disclosure proposes that the strike bow be connected to the strike plate in a form-fitting manner via at least one material-thickened region. To achieve this form-fitting connection, the portion of the strike bow or the locking pin and / or the connecting pin that projects beyond the strike plate is upset. This upset process simultaneously provides the strike plate with an arched portion, which ensures that the upset caps of the locking pin and the connecting pin, formed on the underside of the strike plate as a result of the upset process, can rest against the vehicle body while being spaced apart from the vehicle body.

[0008] Solutions known from the prior art have generally proven effective, but with recent developments in the automotive industry, these solutions have reached their limits. The use of batteries in hybrid or electric vehicles increases the loads on vehicle door locks in the event of an accident. The presence of batteries in a vehicle multiplies its overall weight, thus increasing the loads on the locking mechanism and the latch in an accident. Therefore, it is necessary to find a way to improve the robustness of the latch. This is where the present invention comes in. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved lock catch for a motor vehicle door lock. In particular, the object of the present invention is to improve the load-bearing capacity of the lock catch and to increase the breaking strength of the system consisting of the lock and the lock catch.

[0010] According to the invention, this object is achieved by the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are given in the dependent claims. However, it should be pointed out that the embodiments described below are not restrictive; rather, any reasonable variation of the features described in the description and the dependent claims is possible.

[0011] According to claim 1, the object of the present invention is achieved by providing a lock catch for a motor vehicle door lock, comprising a lock catch plate and a lock catch bow fastened to the lock catch plate, the lock catch bow being designed with a locking pin, a middle section, and a connecting region, the lock catch bow being constructed in at least two parts, the middle section and the connecting region being formed from a sheet metal part / strip-like thin sheet metal part. The design of the lock catch according to the present invention allows the lock catch to be individually reinforced. In particular, the use of a sheet metal part allows the desired strength or breaking strength of the lock catch to be adapted. The strength can be adjusted depending on the thickness of the sheet metal part.

[0012] Another possibility for adjusting the breaking strength is to use different materials for the sheet metal part. This makes it possible to design the latch in an adaptable manner and to adapt the latch to the requirements of the respective vehicle. Advantageously, the latch bow is constructed in at least two parts and comprises a substantially cylindrical locking pin, which is preferably connected to the sheet metal part and the latch plate by forming. Preferred forming processes in this case are cold heading or riveting. The combination of a two-part design with the formation of the middle section and the connecting area from the sheet metal part makes it possible to adapt to higher requirements, in particular in the event of an accident, so that the latch has sufficient strength even in extreme cases. In particular, the sheet metal part can be manufactured easily in an advantageous manner, which in turn has a positive effect on the overall cost of the latch. It is also possible to provide sheet metal parts of different strengths and of various different materials, which in turn has a positive effect on the manufacturing costs of the latch.

[0013] Especially in the event of an accident, the locking system consisting of the vehicle lock and the buckle is subjected to extremely high loads. These loads are also simulated during the certification of locking systems in tensile tests or tensile fracture tests. In this tensile test, the buckle is loaded until it breaks, in order to determine whether the specified specifications have been met and to identify weak points. The buckle design according to the present invention thus allows the buckle to be individually designed to suit the loads.

[0014] As described above, the latch according to the present invention can be used not only for side doors, but also in areas such as front hoods, tailgates, sliding doors, hatches, foldable seats, etc., that is, it can be used in any location where a component that can be used in a swingable or displaceable manner on a motor vehicle must be firmly held in its position.

[0015] In principle, the lock has a striker plate. This striker plate is typically screwed to the vehicle body or movable component using two screws, thereby enabling interaction between the lock and the vehicle lock. The striker plate can also have a bend, allowing rivet heads of other components of the lock to be received in the bend, thereby allowing at least a partial area of ​​the striker plate to be fixed flat to the vehicle body. The bend then receives corresponding rivet heads of other components of the lock.

[0016] The lock catch has a lock catch bow consisting of a locking pin, a middle section and a connecting area. These components form an arch as a whole, so these components can also be called lock catch bows. According to the present invention, the structure of the locking pin, the middle section and the connecting area, which can be described as an arch, is designed as a two-part structure and connected by forming, in particular cold heading. This arch shape forms an opening through which the locking mechanism of the motor vehicle lock can interact with the lock catch. In this case, the locking mechanism arranged in the motor vehicle lock, which consists of a lock tongue and at least one lock pawl, is moved relative to the lock catch so that the lock tongue can move around the lock pin, and the lock pawl then locks the lock tongue in its engaged position. Depending on the application of the motor vehicle lock or the lock catch, a pre-locking position and / or a main locking position can be assumed here.

[0017] In this or these locking positions, the locking tongue engages the locking pin. If extreme loads act on the locking system in one of these locking positions, the locking tongue moves over the locking pin until it contacts the middle section of the latch. Depending on the forces acting on the locking system, for example, a loaded side door must resist breaking forces and prevent it from opening. As the demands on the locking system increase or increase further, it is necessary to adapt the latch to these increased demands. The latch design according to the invention, with a separate locking pin and a middle section and connecting area designed as a plate, allows for individual adaptation to increased and further increased loads.

[0018] In an advantageous development of the invention, the plate condition is connected to the strike plate in a non-detachable manner. If it is technically possible to insert or hook the plate condition into a recess in the strike plate, an advantageous development of the invention provides that the plate condition can be connected to the strike plate in a non-detachable manner. In this structurally simple design of the strike, a simple, cost-effective and manufacturing-technically advantageous design variant of the invention can be achieved. A cost-effective aspect is that the plate condition can be easily punched out of the sheet material, since the sheet material is available in a variety of designs and different materials, and it is cost-effective in terms of production technology since the plate condition can be punched and formed in a simple manner.

[0019] It is also advantageous if the plate member is connected to the strike plate by forming, in particular by riveting. Forming the plate member offers the advantage that the plate member itself can be directly connected to the strike plate, thus eliminating the need for further structural adjustments to the plate member. This has the advantage that the plate member can be implemented in the simplest manner, which in turn has a positive impact on the overall production costs of the strike plate. Furthermore, by forming the entire plate member in the strike plate, a high degree of stability can be achieved in the forming region and thus in the connection between the plate member and the strike plate.

[0020] In this case, a notch can be realized in the strike plate, into which the plate condition can be inserted and can then be shaped. If the plate condition or an extension of the connection area is inserted into the strike plate, the plate condition can have a uniform width. A uniform width of the plate condition can be advantageous in particular in the connection area, since a high stability can be achieved in the lock bow. If a notch corresponding to the plate condition is now formed in the strike plate, a high stability can again be achieved in the installation between the connection area and the strike plate. The connection area and the mounting of the connection area in the strike plate can therefore reinforce the lock bow as a whole and ensure a high operational reliability of the lock, i.e. a breaking strength. Due to the uniform width of the connection area and the extension area of ​​the connection area inserted into the strike plate, a connection between the connection area and the strike plate can be provided without the effects of notch stress concentration in the plate condition.

[0021] According to the present invention, it is also advantageous if the plate member has at least one, preferably two, extensions / elongations, wherein the extensions can be inserted into corresponding notches in the strike plate and formed therein. The plate member can be adapted in the mounting area with the strike plate so that the plate member is tapered and can be inserted into the corresponding notches in the strike plate. This results in a contact area between the plate member and the strike plate, which can be configured to form a support for the extension. Preferably, the at least one extension or tapered portion of the plate member is formed symmetrically, i.e., centrally, on the plate member in the mounting area with the strike plate. However, it is also conceivable, for example, to form two extensions on the plate member, which can be inserted into corresponding notches in the strike plate. Two, preferably symmetrical, extensions on the plate member offer the advantage of easier assembly, as the extensions can also be designed as guides or insertion aids. To this end, the extensions can, for example, have a tapered portion at the end that passes through the notch, thereby enabling easy assembly of the strike plate bow or the plate member during manufacture of the shackle. Preferably, two extensions are formed on the plate, but of course three or more extensions may be formed depending on the embodiment and the load of the buckle.

[0022] In another embodiment variant of the present invention, the sheet metal section, in particular the connecting region, is at least partially curved. The individual design of the connecting region, in particular the kink of the sheet metal section, which can be described as a bulge, yields several advantages. On the one hand, the curved, or bulged, design of the sheet metal section increases the engagement area of ​​the locking tongue. On the other hand, the curved design of the connecting region provides material for deformation of the latch under extreme loads. In other words, deformation can be achieved without sacrificing stability or strength.

[0023] In its simplest form, the plate section is a bend, i.e., an angled shape. Due to this curvature, the plate section arches away from the locking pin. This increases the open area between the locking pin and the connection area, ensuring reliable movement of the locking tongue even under extreme loads, i.e., deformation of the lock catch. Furthermore, sufficient play, i.e., room for movement, is provided for the locking tongue, while the extension of the strike plate can be minimized. The curved shape of the plate section thus offers the possibility of providing sufficient room for movement for the locking tongue and, on the other hand, minimizing the extension of the strike plate in the direction of the extension of the middle section or the arch of the lock catch.

[0024] In another embodiment variant of the present invention, the plate section is designed to be tapered at least partially in the region of the middle section. While the plate section can have a uniform width, it is also conceivable according to the present invention for the plate section to taper from the connection region toward the locking pin. In particular, a conical, i.e., symmetrical, taper of the middle section has proven advantageous. The tapering of the middle section can, in particular, achieve an advantageous force transmission between the locking pin, the middle section, and the connection region. Furthermore, the middle section can be designed to be adapted to the requirements, i.e., the load, in particular, the extreme load. A significant advantage here is that the force paths can be advantageously utilized by continuously varying the width.

[0025] The width of the plate section can also offer advantages. If the width of the plate section in the area where it meets the locking pin is wider than the width of the entry area of ​​the locking tongue, the plate section can provide additional support. The width of the entry area of ​​the locking tongue refers to the area where the locking tongue extends around the locking pin when the locking tongue is in the loaded position. The entry area of ​​the locking tongue is typically tapered, but at the same time, its width is greater than the width of the locking pin. The locking pin also has free space in the entry area of ​​the locking tongue when the locking tongue is in the locked position. According to the present invention, the plate section, and in particular the middle section, is wider in the area where it meets the locking pin than the entry area or opening of the locking tongue in the locked position. Therefore, the middle section covers the entry area and can also provide support. As mentioned above, in extreme situations, such as an accident, the locking tongue can move over the locking pin toward the middle section. If the locking tongue rests circumferentially on the middle section and if the middle section is designed to be larger than the entry area, then coverage is achieved between the locking tongue and the middle section or the plate section. This coverage of the middle section can thus provide support for the locking system consisting of the vehicle lock and the lock catch.

[0026] Another embodiment variant of the invention is obtained if the strike plate has a recess in which the locking pin and the formed part of the plate condition can be received. By forming a recess in the strike plate, which receives the locking pin and the riveted head of the connection area, a flat contact surface can be provided for the strike plate. The extension of the recess thus corresponds at least to the height of the cold-formed area of ​​the locking pin and the connection area. Therefore, the cold-formed area of ​​the strike bow can also form a contact surface for the strike, for example on the B-pillar of a motor vehicle. This ensures that the strike is firmly abutted and securely mounted on the vehicle body. In addition, if, for example, a raised portion is provided on the vehicle body, the recess can, for example, serve as an assembly aid, so that the recess can serve as a positioning aid during assembly.

[0027] The design of the latch according to the invention thus allows the latch to be adapted to the requirements of a motor vehicle in a cost-effective manner using the simplest design methods. In particular, the use of sheet metal components allows for a cost-effective solution to meet the ever-increasing demands of the automotive industry. The high strength achieved through targeted material selection can be combined with the latch's simple manufacturability and applied in an advantageous manner.

[0028] The present invention is described in more detail below using examples with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the examples do not limit the present invention in principle but rather represent advantageous embodiments of the present invention. The features presented can be implemented individually or in combination with other features of the description and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] In the attached figure:

[0030] Figure 1 A three-dimensional view showing a lock buckle designed according to the present invention,

[0031] Figure 2 Show the basis Figure 1 The view of the lock from the perspective of arrow II,

[0032] Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the mounting area of ​​the connection area on the striker plate,

[0033] Figure 4 Shows a view of the locking plate, wherein Figure 3 An extension portion is formed on the connection area. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of a lock catch 1 designed according to the invention is shown. The lock catch 1 comprises a lock plate 2 and a lock bow 3. The lock bow 3 is constructed in two parts and comprises a locking pin 4 and a plate member 5. The plate member 5 comprises a middle section 6 and a connecting region 7.

[0035] The strike plate 2 has openings 8, 9, which are preferably provided as holes in the strike plate. Of course, the openings 8, 9 can also be designed as punched holes or as punched holes 8, 9 with milling or drilling stages 10, 11. Additionally, the strike plate 2 has a recess 12, which can be formed into the strike plate 2, for example, by deep drawing. The locking pin 4 and the connecting region 7 are mounted in the raised region or ridge 13 by forming. To this end, the raised region 13 can each have a notch and / or a hole into which the locking pin 4 and the connecting region 7 are inserted.

[0036] The locking pin 4 is essentially cylindrical, but has a material accumulation or thickening 14, 15 at the respective axial ends. The thickenings 14, 15 serve as contact areas, which rest on the striker plate 2 and the middle section 6, respectively, and thus provide contact or support for the axial ends 16, 17 of the cold-formed locking pin 4.

[0037] The plate section 5 consists of a middle section arranged parallel to the striker plate 2 or the raised portion 13, and a connecting region 7 arranged only partially parallel to the locking pin 4. The striker 1 is symmetrical overall, as indicated by the dashed center line M. Starting from the locking pin 4, the plate section 5 or the middle section 6 widens until it has a width B, which corresponds to the width B of the connecting region 7. In other words, the middle section 6 tapers from the connecting region 7 toward the locking pin 4. However, the middle section 6 has a greater width in the region of contact with the locking pin 4 than the material accumulation 15. This allows the middle section 6 to extend beyond the entry area of ​​the locking tongue and form an additional support surface.

[0038] The connecting region 7 extends from the locking plate 2 to a parallel region of the middle section 6. In this embodiment, the connecting region 7 is designed to be curved, so that the plate section can also be described as S-shaped. Of course, the connecting region 7 can also be designed to be straight, as indicated by the dashed line 18. However, it is advantageous to design the connecting region 7 to be curved, thereby providing an enlarged engagement opening 19 for the locking tongue. The design of the plate section 5 according to the present invention allows, in particular, individual adaptation of the strength of the locking plate 1 by selecting the material, the plate section thickness, and / or the material thickness of the plate section 5.

[0039] Figure 2 Shows the observation from the perspective of arrow II Figure 11 . The recess 12, the openings 8, 9, the cold-formed end 16 and the connecting area 7 in the strike plate 2 can be seen. In this embodiment, the connecting area 7 has a cuboid-shaped extension 20, which extends through a notch 21, which is only shown schematically, and is connected to the strike plate 2 in a non-detachable manner by a cold forming method. Cold forming is also commonly referred to as riveting. The extension 20 can correspond to the width B of the connecting area 7 or have a width b as shown. Due to the width difference between the connecting area 7 and the extension 20, a contact area on the strike plate 2 is also provided by the connecting area 7, which in turn has a positive effect on the cold forming in the area of ​​the recess 12. The advantage provided by the recess 12 here is that the cold-formed areas 16, 20 can be accommodated in the recess 12, so that the strike plate 1 or the strike plate 2 has a flat contact surface 22.

[0040] Figure 3 An alternative embodiment of the plate section 23 and in particular of the connection region 24 of the locking catch 25 is shown. Identical components have the same reference numerals. Thus, in particular, the same locking pin 4 can be used. In this embodiment, the plate section 23 or the connection region 24 has two extensions 25, 26. Figure 3 , the extensions 25, 26 are each shown in their original shape and in their cold-formed or riveted shape. In their original shape, the extensions 25, 26 have chamfers 27, 28, which can provide an assembly aid. The extensions 25, 26 only partially extend beyond the width B of the connection region 24, so that a contact region 29 for cold forming can be provided. This contact region 29 rests on the striker plate 30 after the connection region 24 has been inserted. The contact region 29 thus provides a support for the cold-formed extensions 25, 26. Figure 3 Cold formed areas or rivets or riveted heads 31 , 32 can also be seen.

[0041] Figure 4 The view from the underside of the striker plate 30 toward the catch 25 is shown. The rivet heads 31, 32 in the recess 33 are clearly visible. The design according to the invention allows for individual adaptation to the manufacturing or assembly process, namely by designing the extensions 20, 25, 26 to suit the respective requirements in the motor vehicle. Overall, this results in an individually adaptable catch 1, 25 that can also meet increased strength requirements for the catch 1, 25.

[0042] Reference Signs List

[0043] 1.25 lock

[0044] 2.30 Lock plate

[0045] 3 Locking bow

[0046] 4 Locking pin

[0047] 5. 23 board conditions

[0048] 6 Middle

[0049] 7.24 connection area

[0050] 8, 9 opening

[0051] 10, 11, 27, 28 chamfered parts

[0052] 12, 33 concave part

[0053] 13. Bump

[0054] 14, 15 thickened parts

[0055] 16, 17 axial ends

[0056] 18 dotted line

[0057] 19 Joint opening

[0058] 20, 25, 26 extensions

[0059] 21 Gap

[0060] 22 Flat contact surface

[0061] 29 contact area

[0062] 31, 32 rivet joints

[0063] M Centerline

[0064] B, b width

Claims

1. A lock catch (1, 25) for a motor vehicle door lock, the lock catch comprising a lock catch plate (2, 30) and a lock catch bow (3) fixed to the lock catch plate, the lock catch bow (3) having a lock pin (4), a middle section (6) and a connecting area (7, 24), characterized in that: The locking bow (3) is constructed in at least two parts, the middle section (6) and the connecting area (7, 24) being formed by sheet metal parts (5, 23).

2. The lock buckle (1, 25) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plate member (5, 23) is connected to the locking plate (2, 30) in a non-detachable manner.

3. The lock buckle (1, 25) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that: The sheet metal part (5, 23) is connected to the locking plate (2, 30) by means of a forming method, in particular a cold forming method, preferably a riveting method.

4. The lock buckle (1, 25) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The plate condition (5, 23) can be inserted into the notch (21) of the locking plate (2, 30) and can be formed in the notch.

5. The lock buckle (1, 25) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The plate element (5, 23) has at least one, preferably two, extensions (20, 25, 26), wherein the extensions (20, 25, 26) can be inserted into corresponding recesses (21) in the locking plate (2, 30) and can be formed in the corresponding recesses.

6. The lock buckle (1, 25) according to claim 5, characterized in that: The extension (20, 25, 26) can be designed with an insertion guide (10, 11, 27, 28), in particular with a chamfer (10, 11, 27, 28).

7. The lock buckle (1, 25) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The sheet metal sections (5, 23), in particular the connecting regions (7, 24), are at least partially curved.

8. The lock buckle (1, 25) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The plate extension (5, 23) is designed to be conical at least in places in the region of the middle section (6).

9. The lock buckle (1, 25) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The width of the plate member (5, 23) in the area where it meets the locking pin (4) is wider than the width of the entrance area of ​​the locking tongue.

10. The lock buckle (1, 25) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The locking plate (2, 30) has a recess (12, 33) in which the locking pin (4) and the shaped portion (16) of the plate condition can be received.

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