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, equipped with a locking mechanism (1, 2) mainly comprising a bolt (1) and a pawl (2). Furthermore, an electric drive (3, 4, 5) for the locking mechanism (1, 2) is provided. Furthermore, an emergency actuation element (6, 7) is provided for manually opening the locking mechanism (1, 2), for example when the electric drive is stopped. According to the invention, the electric drive (3, 4, 5) has an offset profile (4a) for unlocking the emergency actuation element (6, 7).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, comprising a locking mechanism comprising a bolt / ratchet and a pawl / pawl, an electric drive for the locking mechanism, and an emergency operating element for manually opening the locking mechanism, for example when the electric drive stops functioning. Background Art

[0002] Motor vehicle locks, in particular motor vehicle door locks, are increasingly equipped with an electric drive for the locking mechanism for reasons of comfort and improved acoustics. In this case, the control unit ensures, for example, that after registering a sensor signal, the electric drive is activated to disengage the pawl from its engagement with the locking bolt. The locking bolt thus opens in a spring-assisted manner, releasing the previously engaged locking pin and, therefore, the associated motor vehicle door.

[0003] The sensor signal for initiating the electric opening process can originate, for example, from a switch on the outside door handle. However, after a question-and-answer interaction between the user's card or transponder and the vehicle, and after access verification, the associated vehicle lock can then be opened electrically. Therefore, this electric opening process requires little or no operating force and is therefore preferred in practice. Furthermore, the electric opening process can be performed very quietly.

[0004] However, the proper functioning of the electric drive for the locking mechanism requires that the associated vehicle's onboard battery provide sufficient voltage and energy. In practice, this can lead to the problem of the battery becoming discharged or damaged, for example due to an accident, to the point where it can no longer provide the required onboard electrical system voltage. However, for such electronic locks, there are also so-called electrical backup solutions that utilize their own additional power supply for emergency operation.

[0005] However, there are also common problems with such emergency power supplies, namely, the emergency power supply may be damaged or destroyed, lose its power, not be charged during operation, etc. For such cases, an emergency operating element is typically provided for manually opening the locking mechanism, for example, when the electric drive stops.

[0006] In practice, the prior art described in DE 10 2018 104 421 A1 proposes an emergency operating element that is mechanically coupled to an associated motor vehicle door lock via a connecting piece. Additionally, an adjusting element is provided that mechanically interacts with the connecting piece, locking the connecting piece during normal operation and releasing it during emergency operation. The adjusting element can be moved electrically. In this regard, the electric drive provided therein is only indirectly provided and implemented for the locking mechanism.

[0007] Another prior art, described in DE 10 2015 122 121 A1, relates to a method for manually actuating a motor vehicle door, particularly for emergency opening. In this method, the vehicle speed is evaluated, and at least one speed threshold is determined by a controller. The controller is queried in response to the actuation of the door handle and, depending on the speed, activates a functional unit to unlock / open the motor vehicle door.

[0008] Finally, the prior art described in DE 10 2019 126 596 A1 relates to a motor vehicle lock equipped with an electric drive for a locking mechanism. Furthermore, the electric drive can act on a safety lever to bring it into its unlocked position. A stop is provided for the electric drive, which limits its movement, at least when the electric drive is acted on in the opening direction to release the unlocked position. This prevents the locking mechanism from opening.

[0009] The prior art is generally proven when it comes to possible emergency measures to open the locking mechanism, for example, after the electric drive has stopped. However, this still requires improvement, as the proper loading of the emergency operating element, or its activation / deactivation, has not always been possible. In practice, the relevant motor vehicle lock is typically in its locked position. This also applies to the emergency operating element. In this case, the emergency operating element should only be moved to its unlocked state to manually open the locking mechanism when the electric drive has stopped. This has not been possible, or the required functional safety has not been achieved. The present invention remedies this in its entirety. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The object of the present invention is to further develop such a motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, in such a way that an emergency operating element can be activated in a precisely targeted manner when the electric drive stops.

[0011] In order to solve this technical problem, a motor vehicle lock of this type, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, is characterized within the scope of the invention in that the electric drive has an offset profile for unlocking the emergency operating element.

[0012] The present invention is primarily based on the knowledge that an electric drive can be used not only to electrically open the locking mechanism, but also, as a secondary function, to ensure that the emergency operating element is unlocked by means of the deflection profile during emergency operation. This means that, like other motor vehicle locks, the emergency operating element is typically in its "locked" functional position in the normal state. This means that any load applied to the exterior door handle, the interior door handle, or both, generally has no effect on the associated motor vehicle door, which is clearly intended and, in many countries, mandatory even while the vehicle is in motion.

[0013] For example, if the electric drive is about to stop operating or the power supply is no longer guaranteed, the electric drive, through its offset profile, ensures that the emergency operating element is unlocked only when emergency operation or emergency operation is required. By unlocking the emergency operating element, the operator can then easily mechanically and manually open the locking mechanism via the emergency operating element or the emergency operating lever system that is implemented there and thus also unlocked. To this end, the electric drive typically acts on the coupling lever via the offset profile and shifts the coupling lever from the "disengaged" position, which it assumes during normal operation, to the "engaged" position.

[0014] In the disengaged position of the coupling element, the aforementioned emergency operating lever is mechanically disconnected from the emergency operating element. In contrast, the "engaged" position of the coupling element corresponds to a mechanical locking of the emergency operating lever. The present invention achieves this by shifting the coupling element from its normally occupied disengaged position into the engaged position using an offset profile.

[0015] In other words, the vehicle lock is always mechanically locked during normal operation. To unlock the emergency operating element, the electric drive must be actuated, i.e., a "parking position" must be initiated. This is achieved so that in this parking position, the deflection profile shifts the coupling element, which is part of the emergency operating lever system, from its disengaged position to its engaged position. This typically occurs when the electric drive is shut down or is about to shut down. This can occur in the event of a crash or when the battery voltage of the vehicle battery drops below a specific limit. The same applies to the emergency power supply.

[0016] In either case, the present invention provides that, when the onboard electrical system voltage or the emergency power supply voltage drops, the electric drive is actuated at least to the extent that it assumes its previously mentioned "park position." This park position corresponds to the electric drive acting with its deflection profile on a coupling element, which is part of the emergency operating lever system, thereby shifting the coupling element from its previously disengaged position to an engaged position. The emergency operating lever system is now locked or unlocked, and manual application of the emergency operating element allows the locking mechanism to be mechanically and manually opened. As long as the electric drive remains in the "park position," the mechanical emergency operation is activated and the coupling element is unlocked, allowing the associated motor vehicle door to be opened, for example, from the inside using an interior door handle. Opening from the outside is also possible.

[0017] In order to enable the aforementioned "parking position" to be precisely activated by the electric drive, another advantageous embodiment provides that the offset profile for the coupling element, in the exemplary embodiment, covers a defined range of the adjustment travel of the electric drive. In other words, the adjustment travel of the electric drive corresponds at least to the range at which the locking mechanism can be opened by the electric drive, i.e., the pawl disengages from its engagement with the locking tongue. However, the adjustment travel also includes the aforementioned defined range, in which the offset profile ensures activation of the emergency operating element, or unlocking of the coupling element, and thus mechanically locking the emergency operating lever.

[0018] In order to be able to precisely activate a defined range as part of the adjustment path of the electric drive, the electric control signal of the electric drive and / or the signal of the sensor are evaluated. In the first case, the electric control signal of the electric drive is checked taking into account a possible increase in current when the offset profile is reached.

[0019] The present invention is based on the knowledge that the activation of the aforementioned "park position" is accompanied by an increased mechanical resistance. The activation of this "park position" requires that the coupling element be moved from its previously normally disengaged position to the engaged position by means of a deflection profile. This involves a certain expenditure of force, which manifests itself as an increase in the current of the electric control signal of the electric drive. This current increase can be evaluated by the control unit that controls the electric drive, thereby detecting the reaching of the deflection profile. Therefore, the electric drive is typically shut down after the current increase is detected. The electric drive has thus now reached the aforementioned "park position."

[0020] Alternatively or additionally, however, it is also possible to utilize sensors associated with the drive plate and / or the motor of the electric drive. In this case, the position of the drive plate can be detected by means of a sensor to determine whether the aforementioned "parking position" has been reached. However, it is also possible to evaluate a sensor associated with the motor in the same or additional manner. In this case, this sensor can be a rotational angle sensor.

[0021] The present invention is based on the knowledge that a specific rotation angle completed by the motor corresponds to a specific adjustment path of the drive plate. This adjustment path can then be used to infer whether the coupling element has reached the offset profile of the electric drive. In any case, the sensor reliably provides feedback on whether the "park position" has been occupied by the electric drive. Of course, the sensor signal can also be combined with the evaluated current increase when the offset profile is reached. This further increases the accuracy of the "park position" acquisition.

[0022] The drive disc typically not only has a shaped portion for actuating the aforementioned sensor. It is also usually equipped with an actuating cam for the pawl. Within the scope of the present invention, the drive disc, and therefore the electric drive as a whole, thus fulfills its dual function: on the one hand, it disengages the pawl from its engagement with the bolt for electric opening; and on the other hand, it enables the electric drive to switch to emergency opening mode.

[0023] The sensor or sensors mentioned above can operate in various ways. It is therefore conceivable that the sensor operates in a contact-based or contactless manner. Thus, the sensor can be a switch, a Hall effect sensor, or a combination thereof. Optical sensors are also possible.

[0024] Therefore, a motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, is provided that always occupies its locked position during normal operation and is only moved into the unlocked position of the emergency operating lever during emergency operation. This is ensured by an electric drive, which, according to the present invention, has a dual function. The electric drive can be used to load the locking mechanism, typically in one rotational direction, for electric opening, while the aforementioned emergency operating lever can be unlocked in another rotational direction, or in the same rotational direction, for manual and mechanical emergency opening of the locking mechanism. To this end, the electric drive is equipped with a deflection profile, typically used for coupling elements. The deflection profile allows the coupling element to be moved from its previously disengaged position into the engaged position.

[0025] In this way, the associated emergency operating lever system transitions from its mechanically open state to a mechanically locked state, allowing the locking mechanism to be mechanically opened during emergency operation via the emergency operating element, rather than electrically. All of this can be achieved with exceptional simplicity and functional reliability using only one electric drive. This keeps costs and structural complexity low, a major advantage of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate only one embodiment; in which:

[0027] Figure 1 A first embodiment of the motor vehicle lock according to the invention is schematically shown.

[0028] Figure 2 Show the basis Figure 1 A variant of the object,

[0029] Figure 3 Another third embodiment variant of the present invention is shown.

[0030] Figure 4 and Figure 5 Other possible implementations of the present invention are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, is shown in the accompanying drawings. The motor vehicle lock has a locking mechanism 1, 2, which mainly includes a lock tongue 1 and a lock pawl 2, which are schematically shown in FIG. Figure 1 In accordance with Figure 1 In the functional position of the locking mechanism 1, 2, the locking mechanism 1, 2 is in its locked state. In order to open the locking mechanism 1, 2, an electric drive 3, 4, 5 for the locking mechanism 1, 2 is provided.

[0032] The electric drive 3, 4, 5 comprises, according to this embodiment and without limitation, a motor 3, a drive disc 4 meshing with the motor 3, and an actuating cam 5 on the drive disc 4. The rotational movement of the drive disc 4 in the clockwise direction about the associated axis of the drive disc 4 results in that the actuating cam 5 located on the bottom side of the drive disc 4 according to this embodiment loads the bolt 2a as a component of the pawl 2, so that the pawl 2 is rotated about its axis in the direction of the locking pin 2a. Figure 1 Thus, the bolt 1 is freed from the pawl 2 and can itself be swung in a spring-assisted manner in the clockwise direction as shown in FIG. Figure 1 The motor vehicle door is swung upward in the counterclockwise direction (illustrated schematically) and releases the associated locking pin. Thus, the motor vehicle door equipped with the locking pin can be opened.

[0033] Other basic structures also include emergency operating elements 6, 7, which are components of manually actuatable and purely mechanical emergency operating lever systems 6, 7. Therefore, regardless of the aforementioned electric opening process, the locking mechanism 1, 2 can be manually opened by means of the emergency operating elements 6, 7.

[0034] According to this embodiment, the electric drive 3 , 4 , 5 has an offset profile 4 a for the emergency operating element 6 , 7 or for unlocking the emergency operating element 6 , 7 . To this end, the emergency operating element 6 , 7 according to this embodiment comprises a coupling element 6 on the one hand and a transmission lever 7 on the other hand.

[0035] The transfer rod 7 interacts with the offset profile 4a. Furthermore, the transfer rod 7 according to this embodiment ensures that when the transfer rod 7 is loaded by means of the offset profile 4a, the coupling element 6 transitions to its Figure 1 In the "joining" position briefly outlined in the figure.

[0036] The connection element 6 Figure 1 The "engaged" position, schematically depicted in the figure, corresponds to a mechanically locked emergency lever system 6, 7. "Actuation of the emergency lever system 6, 7, for example, by a handle provided on the end (e.g., an inner door handle)" results in the bolt 2a of the pawl 2 being actuated or actuable by the emergency lever system 6, 7 again, such that the pawl 2 is disengaged from its engagement with the bolt 1—this time manually and mechanically—and thus the locking mechanisms 1, 2 are opened and the locking pin is released. This can be achieved in particular if the electric drives 3, 4, 5 are deactivated for the reasons described above.

[0037] According to this embodiment, the offset profile 4a is realized and arranged on the drive disc 4 as a component of the electric drive 3, 4, 5. Furthermore, the offset profile 4a covers a defined region (angle α) of the adjustment path of the electric drive 3, 4, 5.

[0038] According to this embodiment, the angle α is approximately 70°. In contrast, the entire adjustment path of the electric drive 3, 4, 5 corresponds to one complete rotation of the drive disc 4, i.e., according to this embodiment, to an angle of 360° of the drive disc 4. In this case, the occupation of the predetermined area α is achieved according to the invention by evaluating the electrical control signals of the electric drive, such as Figure 3 or by evaluating the signal of the sensor 7, as already described in Figure 1 As exemplarily presented in the and other embodiments.

[0039] If the observation Figure 3In the embodiment variant of , the electric control signals of the electric drive devices 3, 4, 5 are evaluated here taking into account the current increase when the offset profile 4a is reached. Figure 1 As can be seen from the side view and the top view of the , the offset profile 4a is respectively provided with a front and end slope, which transitions into the platform. Now, as long as the drive disc 4 is rotated about its axis by means of the motor 3, the offset profile 4a ensures that the transmission rod 7 gradually pivots counterclockwise about its axis when it hits the slope, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 As a result, the coupling element 6, which is articulated to the transmission rod 7, or the coupling rod provided there, moves downward and transitions from its cyclically and normally operating "disengaged" position to the "disengaged" position. Figure 1 . The emergency operating levers 6, 7 then also assume their unlocked position. The thus locked emergency operating levers 6, 7 can now be actuated by means of a handle as part of the emergency operating levers 6, 7 in order to manually and mechanically open the locking mechanism 1, 2 as described.

[0040] Now, in order to be able to determine without a doubt and to start the "according to the Figure 1 The functional position in occupies the engaged position of the coupling element 6 and thus the transmission lever 7", according to Figure 3 The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4 evaluates the current increase I, schematically illustrated there, as a function of the angle θ covered by the drive disk 4. The schematic diagram illustrates this. Here, the current increase occurs when the drive disk 4 moves with the offset profile 4a against the transmission lever 7, lifts it against the mechanical resistance, and pivots it in the counterclockwise direction already described, ultimately engaging the coupling element 6. Figure 3 This is illustrated in that the current increase can be recognized firstly as an inclined surface starting from the offset shaped portion 4 a and then as a plateau region during the current increase.

[0041] In any case, Figure 3 The current increase, which is schematically outlined in FIG. 1 , can be evaluated by the control unit 8, which controls the electric drive 3, 4, 5 and is only schematically outlined, so that when the current increase is reached, Figure 1 The electric drive 3, 4, 5 can be stopped in the so-called "parking position" shown in FIG. The control unit 8 of the load motor 3 again ensures this.

[0042] Alternatively or additionally, the drive disc 4 and / or the motor 3 of the electric drive 3, 4, 5 can also be equipped with the previously mentioned sensor 7. Here, the sensor 7 is loaded by means of a shaped portion 9 on the outer circumference of the drive disc 4, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2In principle, the shaped portion 9 corresponds to Figure 4 The illustration in FIG can also be a magnet arranged on the drive disc 4, which interacts with the sensor 7 designed as a Hall sensor when overlapping, so that the "parking position" already mentioned can be easily determined and ascertained in this way. Figure 5 A variant is provided with another embodiment in which the sensor 7 is again realized in the form of a Hall sensor, which reacts to the rotational movement of a ring magnet (which acts as a stop or molding 9 to a certain extent) on the output shaft of the electric motor 3 and infers the position of the electric motor 3 and therefore the drive disk 4 from this.

[0043] That is, the sensor 7 can work in a contact manner according to this embodiment, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 In principle, the sensor 7 can also be loaded in a contactless manner, as in the case of Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the case of a variant embodiment of , this is illustrated by way of example with the aid of a Hall sensor arranged there.

[0044] List of reference numerals:

[0045] Locking mechanism 1, 2

[0046] Lock tongue 1

[0047] Locking claw 2

[0048] Bolt 2a

[0049] Drive units 3, 4, and 5

[0050] Motor 3

[0051] Drive disk 4

[0052] Offset molding portion 4a

[0053] Control cam 5

[0054] Emergency operating elements 6, 7

[0055] Connecting element 6

[0056] Transfer rod 7

[0057] Sensor 7

[0058] Control unit 8

[0059] Forming section 9

[0060] Current increase I

Claims

1. A motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, comprising: a locking mechanism (1, 2) mainly comprising a locking tongue (1) and a locking pawl (2); an electric drive (3, 4, 5) for the locking mechanism (1, 2); and an emergency operating element (6, 7) for manually opening the locking mechanism (1, 2), for example when the electric drive (3, 4, 5) stops operating. It is characterized by: The electric drive (3, 4, 5) has an offset profile (4a) for unlocking the emergency operating element (6, 7).

2. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 1, characterized in that The offset profile (4a) covers a predetermined region (α) of the adjustment stroke of the electric drive device (3, 4, 5).

3. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The occupation of the predetermined area (α) is achieved by evaluating electrical control signals of the electric drive (3, 4, 5) and / or signals of the sensor (7).

4. The motor vehicle lock according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The electrical control signal of the electric drive (3, 4, 5) corresponds to the current increase when the deflection profile (4a) is reached.

5. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 4, characterized in that: After the current increase has been detected, the electric drive (3, 4, 5) is shut down.

6. The motor vehicle lock according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: A sensor (7) is provided, which is associated with the drive disc (4) and / or the electric motor (3) of the electric drive (3, 4, 5).

7. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 6, characterized in that: The sensor (7) is provided with a shaped portion (9).

8. The motor vehicle lock according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The sensor (7) operates in a contact or contactless manner.

9. The motor vehicle lock according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The sensor (7) is designed as a switch, a Hall sensor, an optical sensor, etc.

10. The motor vehicle lock according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The drive disc (4) has an actuating cam (5) for the pawl (2).

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