Lock catch for motor vehicle door locking system

Abstract

The invention relates to a lock catch (1) for a motor vehicle door locking system, comprising a lock catch plate (2), a lock pin (3), a middle section (4) and a connecting pin (5), the lock catch (1) comprising a separate lock pin (3) and a separate connecting pin (5).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a lock catch / stopper for a motor vehicle door locking system. The lock catch comprises a lock catch plate, a lock pin, a middle section and a connecting pin, wherein the lock catch comprises an independent lock pin. Background Art

[0002] In general, the lock catch interacts with the locking mechanism of the associated motor vehicle door lock. The lock catch and the motor vehicle door lock generally define a motor vehicle door locking system. The lock catch in combination with the locking mechanism in the motor vehicle door lock ensures that the associated motor vehicle door can be locked safely and reliably. For this purpose, in general, the lock catch is connected to the motor vehicle body, for example to the B-pillar or C-pillar of the associated motor vehicle body. Conversely, the motor vehicle door lock is located in the motor vehicle door to be locked. In principle, the reverse can also be implemented.

[0003] Since the lock catch performs the main locking function in combination with the locking mechanism in the motor vehicle door lock, the lock catch is, on the one hand, a component that is particularly important for safety, and, on the other hand, is subject to particular loads, especially in the event of an accident. In fact, in the event of a side impact, the protection of the vehicle occupants depends primarily on how reliably the lock catch and the locking mechanism interacting with the lock catch can absorb the forces. This is because it is of the utmost importance that the motor vehicle door remains locked so that the safety devices arranged in or on the motor vehicle door (such as brake assist, side airbags, side impact protection, etc.) can function as intended.

[0004] The forces absorbed by 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 of the lock catch bow that engages with the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is formed by a locking tongue / ratchet and at least one pawl / pawl, wherein, during a locking movement of the door element, after the locking tongue engages in the lock catch bow of the lock catch, the pawl engages in the locking tongue and prevents the door element from opening.

[0005] The locking mechanism can have a pre-locking part and a main locking part which may be present in the door lock depending on the door element. Depending on the embodiment of the locking mechanism, the corresponding locking position (that is to say the main locking position or the pre-locking position) can be equipped with an opening torque or a locking torque, so that the locking position can be fixed using a deadlocking lever. In order to be able to absorb the strong forces that occur in the event of an accident, the locking mechanism components are at least partially made of metal material, supported in a metal shaft and held on a metal locking plate in the motor vehicle door lock.

[0006] In the prior art, various approaches have been taken to further develop such locks so that they can absorb much greater forces than before in the event of a crash without, or without being able to, break or generally mechanically damage them. In fact, material deformations and, in particular, breaks in the transition from the lock bow to the lock plate are often observed in practice with locks.

[0007] In order to increase the forces absorbed by the buckle, various methods are known. Specifically, there are various methods of equipping the buckle or its buckle bow with different cross-sectional thicknesses (such as described in EP 2 031 158 A2, for example), or methods of presetting the elongation of the buckle by means of a curved portion (such as disclosed in DE 10 2010 021 677 A1, for example). However, this is not enough to reflect the loads that actually occur in reality during a collision or when extreme forces occur, and the deformation behavior of the buckle that is usually associated with this. Because it has been proven that the connection between the buckle bow and the buckle plate is a critical point.

[0008] DE 10 2014 006 857 A1 discloses a lock for a motor vehicle door locking system, which has a lock plate and a lock bow fastened to the lock plate, wherein the lock bow is designed to have a locking pin, a middle section and a connecting pin. In order to strengthen the connection between the lock bow and the lock plate, the public document proposes that the lock bow is connected to the lock plate in a form-locking manner through at least one material thickened area. In order to achieve a form-locking connection, the part of the lock bow that protrudes from the lock plate, i.e., the corresponding part of the locking pin and / or the connecting pin, is upset. Through the upsetting process, the lock plate is simultaneously provided with a protrusion, which ensures that the upset cap generated on the lower side of the lock plate due to the upsetting process can be in contact with the locking pin on the one hand and in contact with the connecting pin on the other hand in a manner spaced apart from the vehicle body.

[0009] The solutions known from the prior art have basically proven themselves, but they have reached their limits with the development of the automotive industry. The use of batteries in hybrid or electric vehicles increases the loads on the motor vehicle door locking system that occur in an accident. The presence of batteries in a motor vehicle increases the total weight of the motor vehicle several times, so that the loads that occur in an accident on the locking mechanism and the lock catch also increase. Therefore, it is necessary to find ways to increase the durability of the lock catch. The present invention is provided here. Summary of the invention

[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved lock catch for a motor vehicle door locking system. In particular, the object of the present invention is to improve the load capacity of the lock catch and to increase the breaking strength of the system comprising the lock and the lock catch.

[0011] According to the present invention, the object of the present invention is achieved by the features described in the independent claim 1. Advantageous designs of the present invention are given in the dependent claims. However, it should be pointed out that the embodiments described below are non-restrictive, on the contrary, any variation possibilities of the features described in the description and the dependent claims are feasible.

[0012] According to claim 1, the object of the present invention is achieved in the following manner, namely, a lock for a motor vehicle door locking system is provided, the lock having a lock plate, a lock pin, a middle section and a connecting pin, wherein the lock has an independent lock pin, and wherein the lock pin additionally has an independently formed connecting pin. Now, the lock design according to the present invention realizes the possibility of designing the lock bow to be individually adapted to the loads and especially extreme loads in the event of an accident. Individual loads in the event of an accident are particularly relevant to safety, because it must be ensured that the vehicle doors, hoods or engine hoods remain locked, especially in the event of an accident. At this time, the side doors are particularly important because the occupants of the motor vehicle must be protected. Only in combination with the safe locking of the vehicle doors can other safety systems (such as brake assist systems, seat belts, airbags, etc.) fully function. Through the lock structure according to the present invention and in particular through the individual design of the connecting pin, the lock can be adapted to the regulations of the motor vehicle manufacturer by individually adjusting the connecting pin.

[0013] In particular, in the event of an accident, the locking system consisting of the motor vehicle lock and the lock catch is subjected to extreme loads. When approving the locking system, these loads are simulated, in particular, in a tensile test or a breaking test. In this case, the lock catch is loaded in a tensile test until it breaks, in order to be able to verify, on the one hand, whether the predefined technical specifications have been met, and, on the other hand, to identify weak points. The lock catch structure according to the invention now provides the possibility of designing the lock catch so that it can be individually adapted to the loads.

[0014] As already mentioned above, the latch according to the invention is not only applicable to side doors, but can also be used in the area of ​​hoods, tailgates, sliding doors, covers, folding seats, etc. Any application is conceivable in which it is necessary to keep a component that is used in a pivotable or displaceable manner on the motor vehicle fixed in its position.

[0015] In principle, the lock has a locking plate. The locking plate is usually screwed to the vehicle body or the movable component by means of two screws, so that the locking plate and the motor vehicle lock can interact. In this case, the locking plate can additionally have a bend, so that the riveted head of other components of the lock, which may be provided, can be received in the bend, so that at least a partial area of ​​the locking plate can be fastened flatly to the vehicle body. The bend then receives the corresponding riveted head of the other components of the lock.

[0016] In addition, the lock catch has a locking pin, a middle section and a connecting pin. These components are generally formed in an arcuate shape, so that these components can also be referred to as a lock catch arc. According to the invention, the components of the locking pin, the middle section and the connecting pin are designed as independent components and are connected to each other in terms of assembly technology. The arrangement of the locking pin, the middle section and the connecting pin, which can be described as an arcuate shape, forms an opening through which a locking mechanism of the motor vehicle lock can interact with the lock catch. In this case, the locking mechanism, which is arranged in the motor vehicle lock and includes a locking tongue and at least one locking pawl, moves relative to the lock catch in such a way that the locking tongue can move around the locking pin, and then the locking pawl locks the locking tongue in its engagement position.

[0017] Depending on the area of ​​application of the motor vehicle lock or lock catch, a pre-locking position and / or a main locking position can be assumed at this time. In the locked position, the lock tongue surrounds the locking pin. Now, if an extreme load acting on the locking system occurs in one of these locked positions, the lock tongue moves on the locking pin until the lock tongue and the middle section of the lock catch come into contact. Depending on the forces that occur and act on the locking system, for example, a side door that is subjected to the load must resist breaking forces and must be prevented from opening. As the requirements for the locking system increase or increase further, the lock catch must adapt to these increased requirements. By means of the lock catch structure according to the invention with an independent locking pin and an independent connecting pin, it is possible to adapt individually to increased and further increased loads.

[0018] If the lock pin and / or the connecting pin have an increased cross section in the abutment area with the strike plate, further improvement of the operational safety of the locking system can be achieved. By increasing the cross section, the abutment surface of the lock pin or the connecting pin in the direction of the strike plate can be increased. Thus, the load capacity of the lock can be improved as a whole and the safety of the motor vehicle can be improved. Here, the thickening of the lock bow in the area of ​​the strike plate can achieve an increase in the load capacity of the lock bow. By increasing the cross section in the base area of ​​the lock pin and / or the connecting pin, the abutment surface at the fastening plate or the strike plate can be maximized. By maximizing the abutment surface, the resistance to bending stress is improved. In particular, bending stress can act on the lock pin in the transverse direction of the vehicle and / or in the vertical direction. Usually, a coordinate system is inserted in the motor vehicle for design. Here, the x-axis forms the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the y-axis forms the transverse direction of the vehicle, and the z-axis forms a vertical line relative to the ground of the motor vehicle or the motor vehicle. Thus, bending stress may be enhanced in the y-direction and the z-direction in particular.

[0019] Here, it is proved to be particularly advantageous that the locking pin and / or the connecting pin have a cross section that is continuously enlarged toward the abutment area. Usually, the locking pin is configured as a cylinder, that is to say, the locking pin has a circular cross-sectional shape. According to the present invention, the connecting pin is also configured as a circle, that is to say, the connecting pin also has a circular cross-sectional shape. At least the locking pin has a joint area for the locking tongue, wherein the joint area for the locking tongue has a uniform diameter. In other words, the joint area for the locking tongue is equipped with a uniform diameter. According to the present invention, starting from this joint area and observing in the direction of the lock plate, the cross-sectional shape is continuously increased, so that in the top view looking at the locking pin and / or the connecting pin, the projection surface is conically increased. In other words, the locking pin and / or the connecting pin are at least partially designed as a cylinder, and are also at least partially designed as a cone. Here, the increased, that is to say, conical area of ​​the locking pin or the connecting pin extends so that the locking pin and / or the connecting pin increase toward the abutment surface of the lock plate.

[0020] In another design variant of the present invention, the middle section is designed to be flat towards the locking pin and / or the connecting pin at least in the assembly area. "Flat" in this regard means that the middle section has a cross-sectional shape in the assembly area that can be described as a rectangle. The flat or rectangular design of the middle section towards the locking pin and / or the connecting pin in the assembly area enables simple assembly of the middle section, wherein preferably cold forming is used to connect the middle section to the locking pin and / or the connecting pin. In this way, the load capacity of the lock can also be adjusted individually. Here, depending on the requirements for the lock, the connection area of ​​the middle section can be designed to be flat, and the area between the assembly areas can be designed to be, for example, circular or elliptical, in order to achieve additional stability of the lock as a whole.

[0021] However, it can also be advantageous if the middle section is designed to be flat so that the middle section as a whole has a rectangular cross-sectional shape. In terms of design and processing technology, it is advantageous to design the middle section as a whole to have a rectangular cross-sectional shape. On the one hand, a middle section designed to be flat can be manufactured simply and cost-effectively, and on the other hand, this can simplify the processing of the middle section. The middle section can then be punched out into strips, for example, and can also be referred to as an assembly plate. Subsequently, holes can be formed in the assembly plate or the middle section, for example, wherein the holes can be used to receive locking pins or connecting pins, so that, for example, cold forming of the extension through the assembly plate is possible.

[0022] An advantageous design variant of the invention is achieved if the locking pin has a material thickening in the assembly area with the middle section. The material thickening can increase the contact surface between the locking pin and the middle section, in particular the flattened area of ​​the middle section, so that the bending load capacity can be increased. The material thickening in the area of ​​the middle section increases the bending load capacity. In addition, the material thickening can increase the contact surface when riveting the locking pin in an advantageous manner, thereby providing an additional contact surface for riveting or deforming the locking pin. According to the invention, the material thickening on the locking pin forms an contact surface for the locking tongue in the connection area with the middle section. By providing an additional contact surface for the locking tongue through the locking pin structure according to the invention, the load capacity of the lock can be further increased.

[0023] As experiments have shown, the abutment of the lock tongue causes the load to be dispersed from the lock pin to the lock tongue. Since the lock tongue is not only engaged with the lock pin through the support arm, but is engaged with the lock pin through the flange formed by the thickening according to the invention, that is to say, the lock tongue is formed to abut at least partially on the periphery of the lock pin, the force can be additionally transferred from the support arm to the capture arm of the lock tongue. The support arm of the lock tongue is subjected to less force and the fracture resistance in the x direction of the motor vehicle, that is to say, in the longitudinal direction, is improved. Usually, if only the support arm abuts against the lock pin, wherein the support arm surrounds the lock pin, the abutment surface between the lock tongue and the lock pin realizes the lateral force transmission between the lock tongue and the lock pin through the collision flange designed according to the invention. In other words, the lock tongue also abuts against the collision flange laterally and flatly, that is to say, against the thickening, whereby, in particular, the fracture resistance can be improved. Here, the collision flange or the material thickening can be designed as a flat abutment surface on the lock pin.

[0024] As already explained above, the design of the material thickening on the locking pin as a flange can additionally achieve an increase in the strength of the locking system. The design of the flange on the locking pin makes it possible not only to provide the locking tongue with a contact surface in the middle, but also to allow the locking tongue to rest at least partially on the flange at the periphery. As a result, load distribution is provided by the contact area of ​​the locking tongue on the flange of the locking pin, wherein the contact surface on the locking tongue can be adjusted according to the size of the flange and can thus be designed to match the requirements. Depending on the load to be absorbed, that is to say the requirements of the locking system, the flange can have different diameters. Preferably, the flange is designed on the periphery of a locking pin that is also designed cylindrically, that is to say at least partially with a uniform diameter. The flange forms a flat contact surface for the locking tongue.

[0025] Advantageously, the flange and / or the locking tongue have a plastic sheath in the region of the contact of the locking tongue on the flange. The plastic sheath offers the advantage that the noise generated during the interaction between the locking tongue and the flange during operation of the motor vehicle can be minimized. Vibrations and / or vibrations in the motor vehicle can cause the locking tongue to contact the flange of the locking pin and thus cause an interaction between the locking tongue and the flange. Advantageously, by providing the plastic sheath at least partially on the flange and / or on the locking tongue in the contact region, a smooth interaction of the friction pairs can be achieved and noise generation can be prevented.

[0026] Furthermore, an advantageous design variant of the invention can be that the locking pin and / or the connecting pin is designed as a riveted pin. The locking pin and / or the connecting pin can be formed as a separate component and can be connected to the locking plate and the middle section. In this case, an advantageous connection method provides for cold forming of the locking pin and / or the connecting pin, so that sufficient strength can be achieved in the lock. This riveting method can also be easily integrated into the manufacturing process of the lock.

[0027] The locking pin and / or the connecting pin can be manufactured as a single component, for example a punched component. Here, the locking pin and / or the connecting pin in the form of a rivet pin has a bend at least on the end side and before riveting, which can be used as a contact surface at the lock catch and / or the middle section. The lock catch plate and the middle section are then equipped with corresponding holes, so that the component designed as a rivet pin can be easily connected to the middle section and the lock catch plate. The contact surface on the rivet pin then simultaneously forms a support for cold forming, that is to say riveting. The lock catch manufactured according to the invention has an increased bending strength in the y-direction and the z-direction and an increased fracture resistance in the x-direction of the motor vehicle, and can thus meet the requirements of automobile manufacturers. In particular, the requirements for increased fracture resistance and bending strength can be met as a whole.

[0028] Finally, the locking pin and the connecting pin can also be designed symmetrically. Symmetry offers the advantage that, on the one hand, it enables cost-effective production and, on the other hand, simplifies assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The present invention is explained in detail below based on embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, in principle, the embodiments do not limit the present invention, but only present advantageous design modes of the present invention. The features shown can be implemented individually or in combination with other features in the description and claims.

[0030] in:

[0031] Figure 1 A side view of a lock buckle designed according to the present invention is shown.

[0032] Figure 2 Shown according to Figure 1A diagram of the individual components of the lock designed according to the present invention, and

[0033] Figure 3 Shown in conjunction with the locking mechanism according to Figure 1 The arrow III in FIG. 1 is a top view of the lock buckle designed according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] exist Figure 1 1 shows a side view of a lock 1 designed according to the invention. The lock 1 has a lock plate 2, a lock pin 3, a middle section 4 and a connecting pin 5. In addition, a locking tongue 16 is shown as part of a locking mechanism 7. The locking tongue 6 engages with the lock pin 3, so that this embodiment shows, for example, a main locking position of the locking mechanism 7 interacting with the lock 1.

[0035] exist Figure 1 It can be clearly seen that the locking tongue 6 abuts against the flange 8 on the locking pin 3. At this time, the locking tongue 6 abuts against the flange 8 via the load-bearing arm 9 and the capture arm 10. Therefore, through the structure of the locking pin 3 according to the invention, abutment areas 11, 12 for the locking tongue 6 are provided, which clearly show that the locking tongue 6 can abut against the flange 8 in a planar manner. As a result, it is possible to distribute the load from the locking tongue 6 to the flange and then to the locking pin. In the absence of the flange 8, the locking tongue 6 abuts against the middle section 4, wherein only the load-bearing arm 9 can be used to transmit forces in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, that is, in the x-direction of the vehicle. By forming the flange 8 on the locking pin 3 according to the invention, load distribution can be performed, which in turn increases the strength of the locking system including the vehicle lock and the lock buckle 1.

[0036] It can also be seen that the locking pin 3 and the connecting pin 5 have different, that is, varying, diameters. The continuously increasing diameter on the locking pin and in the middle section enables an increase in the contact area 13, 14 on the locking pin and the connecting pin 5. In other words, the locking pin 3 and the connecting pin 5 are designed to be reinforced in the base area 15, 16 so that the contact surface of the pin on the striker plate 2 is maximized. By maximizing the contact surface 13, 14, the ability of the pin 3, 5 to resist bending loads, especially in the y-direction and z-direction of the motor vehicle, is increased.

[0037] exist Figure 2 In FIG. 1 , individual parts of the locking clasp 1 are shown as separate components. Identical components are provided with the same reference numerals. The locking pin 3 has a flange 8 , wherein the flange 8 also serves as a support for riveting the locking pin 3 to the middle section 4 . Figure 2, the initial shapes 17, 18, 19, 20 of the rivet pins 3, 5 are shown in dotted lines. The rivet pins 3, 5, more precisely the locking pins and the connecting pins 5, can be connected to the locking plate 2 and the middle section 4 in their initial shapes 17, 18, 19, 20. For this purpose, holes 21, 22 are shown in hidden lines in the middle section 4 as an example, into which the initial shapes 17, 18 can be inserted in order to finally connect the rivet pins 3, 5 to the middle section 4. Similarly, there are two holes 23, 24 in the locking plate, into which the initial shapes 19, 20 of the rivet pins 3, 5 can be inserted. It can be clearly seen that the locking plate 2 has a shoulder 25, so that the rivet heads 26, 27 can be received in this shoulder 25.

[0038] Now, Figure 3 The interaction of the locking mechanism 7 with the carabiner 1 is shown. The main locking position of the locking mechanism 7 is shown, wherein the locking pawl 28 locks the locking tongue 6 in the main locking position. The function of this type of locking mechanism 7 in interaction with the carabiner 1 is well known. According to the invention, in interaction with the locking pin 3 and in particular with the projection 29 of the flange 8 over the catch arm 10, a load distribution from the locking tongue 6 to the carabiner 1 can be achieved. As a result, the load distribution on the catch arm 10 and the load-bearing arm 9 can achieve an increase in the load capacity of the locking system and an overall increase in the breaking strength and / or bending strength of the carabiner 1.

[0039] List of reference numerals:

[0040] 1 Lock

[0041] 2 Locking plate

[0042] 3 Lock pin

[0043] 4 Middle

[0044] 5 Connecting pin

[0045] 6. Lock tongue

[0046] 7 Locking mechanism

[0047] 8 Flange

[0048] 9 Loading arm

[0049] 10 Capture Arm

[0050] 11, 12, 13, 14 Snapping area

[0051] 15, 16 base

[0052] 17, 18, 19, 20 Initial shape

[0053] Holes 21, 22, 23, 24

[0054] 25 Shoulder

[0055] 26, 27 Rivet joints

[0056] 28 Locking claw

[0057] 29 Exceeding

Claims

1. A lock catch (1) for a motor vehicle door locking system, the lock catch comprising a lock catch plate (2), a lock pin (3), a middle section (4) and a connecting pin (5), wherein: The lock buckle (1) has an independent lock pin (3), and is characterized in that the lock buckle (1) has an independently formed connecting pin (5).

2. The lock buckle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The locking pin (3) and / or the connecting pin (5) has an enlarged cross section in the contact area (13, 14) with the locking plate (2).

3. The lock buckle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The locking pin (3) and / or the connecting pin (5) has a cross section which increases continuously towards the contact area (13, 14).

4. The lock buckle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The middle section (4) is designed to be flat toward the locking pin (3) and / or the connecting pin (5), at least in the assembly region.

5. The lock buckle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The middle section (4) is designed to be flat, so that the middle section (4) as a whole has a rectangular cross-sectional shape.

6. The lock buckle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The locking pin (3) has a material thickening (8) in the assembly area with the middle section (4).

7. The lock buckle (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that: The material thickening (8) forms abutment surfaces (11, 12) for the locking tongue (6).

8. The lock buckle (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: The material thickening (8) is designed as a flange (8).

9. The lock buckle (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that: In the contact areas (11, 12) where the locking tongue (6) and the collar (8) are in contact, the collar (8) and / or the locking tongue (6) have a plastic sheathing.

10. The lock buckle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The locking pin (3) and / or the connecting pin (5) are designed as rivet pins.

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