Lock catch for motor vehicle door lock

Abstract

The invention relates to a lock catch (1) for a motor vehicle door lock, comprising a lock catch plate (2) and a lock catch bow (3) fastened to the lock catch plate (2), the lock catch bow (3) having a locking pin (5), a central section (6, 6 ') and a connecting pin (7), the lock catch bow (3) being designed as at least two parts.

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 portion fixed on the lock catch plate, wherein the lock catch bow portion is designed with a lock pin, a middle section and a connecting pin. Background Art

[0002] The striker usually interacts with the locking mechanism of the associated motor vehicle door lock. The striker and the motor vehicle door lock are collectively referred to as a motor vehicle locking system. The striker together with the locking mechanism in the motor vehicle door lock ensures that the associated motor vehicle door is safely and reliably closed. For this purpose, the striker is usually connected to the motor vehicle body, for example to the B-pillar or C-pillar of the associated motor vehicle body. The motor vehicle door lock is then arranged 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 the 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 certain loads, especially in the event of an accident. In fact, the protection of the vehicle occupants in the event of a side impact depends to a large extent on how reliably the lock catch and the locking mechanism interacting therewith are able to absorb the forces. This is because it is of the utmost importance that the motor vehicle door remains closed so that the safety devices arranged in or on the motor vehicle door (e.g. side airbags, side impact protection, etc.) can 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 lock catch bow engages with the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism consists of a locking tongue and at least one pawl, whereby during the closing movement of the door element, after the locking tongue engages in the lock bow of the lock catch, the pawl engages in the locking tongue and prevents the door element from being opened.

[0005] 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 the locking position can again be fixed using a blocking rod. In order to be able to absorb the greater forces which occur in the event of an accident, the locking mechanism components are at least partially made of metal material, are mounted in a metal shaft and are held on a metal locking plate in the motor vehicle door lock.

[0006] In the prior art, various approaches have been taken to further improve such locks, so that they can absorb much greater forces than before in the event of a crash, without or without the possibility of tearing or, in general, mechanical damage. In fact, with locks, material deformations and tears are often observed in practice, in particular in the transition from the lock bow to the lock plate.

[0007] Various methods are known for increasing the forces that a lock can absorb. Thus, there are various methods for providing the lock or its lock bow with different cross-sectional thicknesses, such as disclosed in EP 2 031 158 A2, or for defining the elongation of the lock by means of a notch, such as disclosed in DE 10 2010 021 677 A1. However, this is not sufficient in practice to cope with the loads that actually occur in the event of a crash or under the action of extreme forces and the deformation behavior of the lock that is usually associated therewith. This is because the connection between the lock bow and the lock plate has proven to be particularly important.

[0008] A lock for a motor vehicle door lock is known from DE 10 2014 006 857 A1, which has a lock plate and a lock bow fixed to the lock plate, wherein the lock bow is designed with a lock pin, a middle section and a connecting pin. In order to strengthen the connection between the lock bow and the lock plate, the document proposes that the lock bow is connected to the lock plate in a form-locking manner via at least one material thickening area. To achieve this form-locking connection, the lock bow or the lock pin and / or the connecting pin that protrudes from the lock plate are upset. Through this upset process, the lock plate is simultaneously provided with an arched portion, which ensures that the upset caps of the lock pin and the connecting pin formed on the lower side of the lock plate due to the upset process can be spaced apart from the vehicle body, while the lock plate rests on the vehicle body.

[0009] The solutions known from the prior art have been proven to be effective, but with the new developments in the vehicle industry, these solutions have already reached their limits. Due to the use of batteries in hybrid or electric vehicles, the weight of the vehicle increases, and thus the loads in the event of an accident also increase. The presence of batteries in a motor vehicle multiplies the total weight of the motor vehicle, and thus the loads acting on the locking mechanism and the lock in the event of an accident also increase. Therefore, it is necessary to find a way to improve the robustness of the lock. The present invention is aimed at this technical problem. Summary of the invention

[0010] 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.

[0011] According to the invention, the solution to this object is achieved by the features of the independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are given in the dependent claims. It should be noted, however, that the embodiments described below are not restrictive, but rather any reasonable variant of the features described in the description and the dependent claims is possible.

[0012] According to claim 1, the object of the present invention is achieved by providing a lock for a motor vehicle door lock, the lock having a lock plate and a lock bow fixed to the lock plate, the lock bow having a locking pin, a middle section and a connecting pin, wherein the lock bow is constructed in at least two parts. The design of the lock according to the present invention makes it possible to design the lock bow individually to match the load, especially the extreme load in the event of an accident. The differential loads in the event of an accident are particularly relevant to safety, because in particular in the event of an accident it must be ensured that the vehicle doors, tailgate or front hood remain closed. The side doors are particularly important because the occupants of the motor vehicle must be protected. Only in combination with the reliable locking of the vehicle doors can other safety systems (such as brake assist systems, seat belts and airbags) fully function.

[0013] The loads in a crash are very high and are simulated during the design of the buckle by means of a tensile (fracture) test. In this case, the buckle is loaded until it breaks in a tensile test in order to be able to determine whether the specified specifications have been met and to be able to identify weak points and thus design the buckle individually. The invention applies in particular here and shows a method for improving the load-bearing capacity of a buckle.

[0014] As described above, the lock according to the present invention can be used not only for side doors, but also in areas such as front covers, tailgates, sliding doors, hatches, foldable seats, etc., that is, it can be used in any position 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 lock plate, which is designed as a base for the lock bracket and preferably has at least two holes, through which the lock can be fixed to the motor vehicle or the movable component. The holes in the lock plate preferably have conical countersunk holes, so that a flat surface with the lock plate can be achieved using suitable screws with a conical head. The lock plate can also additionally have a bend, so that the rivet head of the lock bow can be accommodated in the bend, so that a flat fixing of at least one component area of ​​the lock plate to the vehicle body can be achieved. The bend then receives the corresponding rivet head of the lock bow.

[0016] The lock bow is preferably divided into three areas with different functions. Starting from the lock pin, the lock bow has a middle section and a connecting pin. The lock pin is a part of the lock bow, which engages with the locking mechanism, especially the lock tongue. In other words, when, for example, the side door is closed, the lock tongue engages with the lock pin fixed on the motor vehicle and rotates through the interaction and relative movement between the lock pin and the lock tongue so that the lock tongue can reach its locking position. The lock pin is preferably fixed on the lock plate at right angles, i.e. along the normal direction of the lock plate. Starting from the lock bow, the middle section extends substantially parallel to the lock plate, thereby realizing the engagement area in the lock pin for the locking mechanism. The connecting pin is connected to the middle section, and the connecting pin extends from the middle section to the lock plate. The connecting pin can be implemented as a straight or at least partially curved. The lock bow designed according to the present invention provides the possibility of strengthening the lock pin separately, because the lock pin can be designed as a separate component in a manner that can be adapted to these requirements, especially the load in the event of an accident.

[0017] The lock hook can consist of a first part forming the locking pin and a second part forming the middle section and the connecting pin. In other words, the locking pin forms a separate component which directly interacts with the locking mechanism and can be designed in a manner that is compatible with the interaction with the locking tongue. In particular, the interaction or interaction between the locking tongue and the locking pin is crucial for the load-bearing capacity of the lock, since in the event of an accident and during tensile tests, the forces are transmitted via the locking pin to the locking tongue and the locking mechanism and vice versa.

[0018] It is also advantageous if the locking pin has a substantially cylindrical shape and is preferably designed as a latch pin. The cylindrical basic shape of the locking pin enables easy interaction between the locking tongue and the locking pin. The locking tongue has an access opening consisting of a capture arm and a load arm in a common construction method. Because when the locking tongue first engages the locking pin, the capture arm engages with the locking pin, and thereafter, when the locking tongue is closed or the locking tongue is locked in the main locking, the load arm interacts with the locking pin so that a tensile force is transmitted through the locking pin or a retaining force is transmitted in the event of a collision. The load arm and the capture arm are designed as stamped parts, which can have a plastic coating but have a flat surface that interacts with the locking pin. Therefore, easy engagement, rotation and retention of the locking system can be achieved by the cylindrical shape of the locking pin at least in the area that engages with the locking tongue.

[0019] It is also advantageous if the middle section has a flat area which can be connected to the locking pin. The first part of the middle section, in particular the part of the middle section connected to the locking pin, thus serves as a contact surface for the locking pin, wherein an opening, in particular a hole, can be provided in the flat area, into which the locking pin can be inserted. If a part of the locking pin passes through the opening in the flat area, the locking pin can be riveted to the flat area in order to form a strong and highly load-bearing connection between the middle section and the locking pin. The locking pin is thus connected to the striker plate on one side and permanently connected to the middle section by molding on the opposite side.

[0020] If the latch bow has at least one material thickening, the load capacity and thus the safety of the motor vehicle can be increased. The latch bow, i.e. the locking pin, the middle section and the connecting pin, is connected to the latch plate as a bow. Thickening the latch bow in the area of ​​the latch plate can increase the load capacity of the latch bow. Since the bottom area of ​​the locking pin and the connecting piece (if necessary) is thickened, the contact surface on the fixing plate or the latch plate can be maximized. By maximizing the contact surface, the resistance to bending forces can be increased. Bending forces can act on the latch pin in particular in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle or in the vertical direction. A coordinate system for planning is usually introduced into the motor vehicle. The y-axis forms the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the x-axis forms the transverse direction of the vehicle, and the z-axis forms the vertical direction relative to the motor vehicle or the ground of the motor vehicle. Bending forces can be increased in particular in the y and z directions.

[0021] In addition, the locking pin can have a material thickening in the connection area with the middle section. As described above, the material thickening can increase the contact surface between the locking pin and the middle section, especially in the flat area of ​​the middle section, so that the ability to withstand bending loads can be increased. The material thickening in the middle section area thus increases the ability to withstand bending loads. In addition, the material thickening can advantageously increase the contact surface when riveting the locking pin, thereby additionally providing a contact surface that can be used for riveting or forming.

[0022] According to the invention, the material thickening in the connection area between the locking pin and the middle section forms a contact surface for the locking tongue. By additionally providing the locking pin with a contact surface structure for the locking tongue according to the invention, the load-bearing capacity of the lock bow can be significantly improved. As confirmed by the test, the load distribution from the locking pin to the locking tongue is caused by the contact of the locking tongue. Since the locking tongue according to the invention is not only engaged with the locking pin via the load arm, but also via the flange formed by the thickening, that is, the locking tongue is at least partially in contact with the locking pin in the circumferential direction, the force can be transmitted from the load arm to the capture arm. The load arm of the locking tongue is relieved of load and the breaking strength in the x direction, that is, in the transverse direction of the motor vehicle, is improved.

[0023] If normally only the load arm rests on the locking pin and the load arm grips the locking pin, the contact surface between the locking tongue and the locking pin can achieve lateral force transmission between the locking tongue and the locking pin through the anti-collision ridge designed according to the invention. In other words, the locking tongue also additionally lies flat on the side of the anti-collision ridge, i.e. the thickening, thereby increasing the breaking strength in particular. The anti-collision ridge or the thickening can be designed as a flat contact surface on the locking pin.

[0024] It is also advantageous if the middle section and the connecting pin are made in one piece from wire. The one-piece design of the middle section and the connecting pin offers the possibility of economically efficient and at the same time precise production of the catch bow. In particular, the two-component design of the catch bow enables individual adaptation to the joining conditions between the locking tongue and the catch bow. As a result, the catch bow can be reinforced individually in the interaction area between the locking pin and the locking tongue, and the force transmission between the locking tongue and the catch bow can be improved in addition.

[0025] Depending on the requirements and the embodiment of the catch bow, the middle section and the connecting pin can have different cross-sectional geometries. In the area of ​​the connecting pin, if it is advantageous for the connecting pin to have a circular cross-sectional shape, the middle section has a cross-sectional shape that can essentially be described as rectangular. In particular, the catch bow can be individually adjusted to the loads occurring in the catch bow by designing the cross-sectional shape. However, the spatial conditions for the interaction between the catch bow and the motor vehicle lock also have an influence on the design of the cross-sectional shape of the middle section and the connecting pin, since the spatial conditions in the motor vehicle lock are generally reduced. Therefore, the flat shape of the middle section can advantageously influence the structural space in the motor vehicle lock, since less space is required for the interaction between the motor vehicle lock and the middle section due to the flat design of the middle section.

[0026] It is believed that the individual design of the lock bow allows for an adaptation of the interaction between the locking tongue and the locking pin, which in turn can increase the load-bearing capacity in the event of an accident. The individual design of the lock bow can distribute the load and can also additionally increase the breaking strength of the lock bow.

[0027] The present invention is described in more detail below based on embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, in principle, the embodiments do not limit the present invention, but only represent advantageous embodiments of the present invention. The features presented can be implemented alone or in combination with other features of the description and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] In the attached figure:

[0029] Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of a lock designed according to the present invention is shown, which has a plastic base, a lock plate and a lock bow.

[0030] Figure 2Show according to Figure 1 A side view of the lock buckle of the present invention,

[0031] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a locking mechanism interacting with a locking pin, in particular with an anti-collision flange of the locking pin, is shown,

[0032] Figure 4 Detailed view showing the midsection and connecting pin as separate components,

[0033] Figure 5 A separate view showing a locking pin designed according to the present invention,

[0034] Figure 6 An isolated view of the striker plate is shown in side view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of a lock 1 is shown, which consists of a lock plate 2, a lock bow 3 and a plastic base 4. The lock bow 3 has a locking pin 5, a middle section 6 and a connecting pin 7. In this embodiment, the lock bow 3 is constructed in at least two parts and includes a separate locking pin 5 and a separate integral middle section 6 and a connecting pin 7.

[0036] The strike plate 2 has through holes, which additionally also contain countersunk holes 10. The strike plate 1 can be bolted to the vehicle body via these holes. By appropriately selecting bolts, for example countersunk bolts, a surface flush with the surface 11 of the strike plate 2 can be achieved. In addition, the strike plate 2 has a bend 12, which enables the rivet joints 13, 14 described below to be arranged spaced apart from the vehicle body, so that the strike plate 2 can be fixed flat on the vehicle body. In addition, a plastic base 4 is arranged in at least a partial area around the strike plate 2, which on the one hand enables noise minimization and on the other hand enables, for example, a centering device formed on the plastic base 4.

[0037] Figure 2 Show according to Figure 1 1. The thickening 15 on the locking pin 5 and the thickening 7 on the connecting pin 7 can be clearly seen, which allows the bearing surface on the locking plate 2 to be raised. A thickening in the form of an anti-collision flange 19 is also formed on the locking pin 5, which allows the contact surface on the locking mechanism 20, in particular the locking tongue 21, to be raised. The locking pin 5 is connected to the flat region 22 of the middle section 6 by riveting, wherein a riveted joint 23 is realized.

[0038] Figure 3The locking mechanism 20 is shown in principle. The locking mechanism 20 consists of a locking tongue 21 and a locking pawl 24. The two locking parts 21, 24 are respectively received in the motor vehicle lock in a manner that can be swung around axes 25, 26. The main locking position of the locking mechanism 20 is also shown, in which the locking pawl 24 and the locking tongue 21 are in contact with each other in the main locking position 27. The locking tongue 21 has a capture arm 28 and a load arm 29. A part of the coordinate system marked with y and z is also shown. The locking tongue 21 acts together with the locking pin 5, wherein the anti-collision flange 19 as a thickened portion at least partially rests on the capture arm and the load arm in the circumferential direction. It can be clearly seen that the anti-collision flange 19 or the thickened portion 19 on the locking pin 5 extends beyond the capture arm 28 and the load arm 29. Therefore, the locking pin 5 can absorb forces in the y direction and the z direction.

[0039] exist Figure 4 The middle section 6' and the connecting pin 7 are shown in FIG. The same parts are provided with the same reference numerals. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The middle section 6 of the embodiment of the invention is designed so that the flat area 22 extends substantially centrally from the middle section 6 toward the locking pin 5, while Figure 4 The flat region or the region 22 with a flat surface on one side is adapted to the end 30 of the middle section 6' with a flat side in a substantially planar manner, i.e., on one side. Depending on the requirements of the buckle 1, the middle sections 6, 6' can be adapted individually, wherein according to Figure 1 and 2 In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the middle section 6 and the flat side surface 31 additionally provide a contact surface 31 for the load arm 29 .

[0040] exist Figure 5 In the figure, the locking pin 5 is shown as a separate component and is separated from the locking bow 3 and the locking plate 2. The rivet heads 13, 23 can be seen, which connect the locking pin 5 to the locking plate 2 and the flat area 22. The thickening 16 can increase the contact surface 18, and the anti-collision flange 19 shown here increases the contact surface towards the locking tongue 21 and the rivet head 23 or the flat area 22 of the middle section 6, 6'. The locking pin 5 is essentially cylindrical and can have a radial (protruding) portion 32 in the area facing the anti-collision flange 19, or as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown, a flat contact surface 33 is formed toward the locking tongue 21. Figure 5 As shown, the indentation 16 or the thickened portion 16 can be designed with sharp edges.

[0041] exist Figure 6 , the locking plate 2 is shown as a separate component. The bend 12 can be clearly seen, which can form a receptacle for the rivet joints 13, 14 of the locking pin 5 or the connecting pin 7. The striker plate 2 can thus be connected flat to the flat underside 34 of the motor vehicle body.

[0042] Reference numerals list

[0043] 1 Lock

[0044] 2 Locking plate

[0045] 3 Locking bow

[0046] 4 Plastic base

[0047] 5 Lock pin

[0048] 6, 6' middle

[0049] 7 Connecting pin

[0050] 8, 9 holes

[0051] 10 Countersunk hole

[0052] 11 Surface

[0053] 12 Bending part

[0054] 13, 14, 23 Rivet joints

[0055] 14, 16, 17 thickened parts

[0056] 17, 18, 31, 33 contact surfaces

[0057] 19 Anti-collision flange, thickened part

[0058] 20 Locking mechanism

[0059] 21 Lock tongue

[0060] 22 Flat Area

[0061] 24 Locking claw

[0062] 25, 26 axis

[0063] 27 Main locking position

[0064] 28 Capture Arm

[0065] 29 Load Arm

[0066] 30 end

[0067] 32 Radial section

[0068] Y, Z loading direction, coordinate system

Claims

1. A lock catch (1) for a motor vehicle door lock, the lock catch comprising a lock catch plate (2) and a lock catch bow (3) fixed to the lock catch plate (2), the lock catch bow (3) having a lock pin (5), a middle section (6, 6') and a connecting pin (7), characterized in that: The locking clip (3) is constructed in at least two parts.

2. The lock buckle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The locking pin (5) is designed as a separate component.

3. The lock buckle (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that: The lock bow (3) comprises a first component forming a lock pin (5) and a second component forming a middle section (6) and a connecting pin (7).

4. The lock buckle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The locking pin (5) has a substantially cylindrical shape and is preferably designed as a locking latch.

5. The lock buckle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The central section (6, 6') has a flat region (22) which can be connected to the locking pin (5), in particular to the impact collar (19).

6. The lock buckle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The locking bow (3) has at least one material thickening portion (15, 16, 17).

7. The lock buckle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The locking pin (5) has a material thickening (16, 19) in the respective connection region.

8. The lock buckle (1) according to any one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that: The material thickenings (15, 16, 17) form contact surfaces (33) for the locking tongue (21).

9. The lock buckle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The middle section (6, 6') and the connecting pin (7) are integral and can be formed from wire.

10. The lock buckle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The middle section (6, 6') and the connecting pin (7) have different cross-sectional geometries.

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