Motor vehicle lock

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock (2), comprising: a locking mechanism, which comprises a bolt and at least one pawl, the bolt being lockable in at least one locking position by means of the pawl; the invention relates to an actuating element (3, 18, 30) comprising a bearing point (4, 21, 29), and an actuating lever (3, 18, 30) which is received in the bearing point (4, 21, 29) in a pivotable manner, the actuating lever having an arm (12, 13, 24, 25, 31, 32) for holding the actuating lever (3, 18, 30) in the bearing point (4, 21, 29), the holding arm (12, 13, 24, 25, 31, 32) of the actuating element (3, 18, 30) engaging with the bearing point (4, 21, 29) after being inserted into the bearing point (4, 21, 29), the holding arm (12, 13, 24, 25, 31, 32) being deformable.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock having a locking mechanism comprising a locking bolt / ratchet and at least one locking claw / pawl, wherein the locking bolt can be locked in at least one locking position by means of the locking claw, a handling element which is received in an oscillating manner in a bearing point, wherein the bearing point has an arm for retaining the handling element in the bearing point, wherein the lever arm of the handling element engages with the bearing point after insertion into the bearing point. BACKGROUND

[0002] In motor vehicle locks, levers are often used in order to implement different functions of the motor vehicle lock. In addition to the locking mechanism, the motor vehicle lock has, for example, a lever mechanism which enables the locking of the motor vehicle lock, a child lock, an anti-theft lock, the closing of the locking mechanism, the opening and / or locking of the side door, to name only a few functions in a motor vehicle lock. Here, the lever mechanism is actuated by means of a transmission lever, a Bowden cable and / or, for example, by means of an electric motor with a downstream transmission. For this purpose, depending on the arrangement and the function in the motor vehicle, the handling element or the lever is supported in the lock housing or in the lever itself.

[0003] Reference is made only by way of example to DE 10 2008 039 240 A1, which discloses a locking device having at least one locking mechanism comprising a locking bolt and an oscillating first locking claw, wherein a release lever is moved in such a way that the release lever cooperates with a drive pin of the first locking claw during its movement and a lateral locking claw spring is formed between the drive pin and the release lever during the cooperation. Here, if the locking claw is considered as a handling element in the motor vehicle lock, for example, the locking claw is supported on a metal bearing spindle, wherein the bearing spindle is fixed in the lock housing by means of deformation and preferably by means of riveting.

[0004] Conversely, reference is made to DE 10 2018 116 313 A1, which discloses a securing mechanism in which an oscillatingly movable component, here an inertial element, is received on a plastic spindle by means of a bayonet closure. For the installation of the inertial element, the plastic spindle is passed through a recess of the inertial element with its arm and then the inertial element is rotated, wherein the rotation of the inertial element relative to the plastic spindle is designed in terms of construction in such a way that the inertial element can move freely and the arm does not coincide with the recess, so that a reliable normal operation and retention of the inertial element can be achieved. Here, the plastic spindle serves as a bearing point for the inertial element and achieves a reliable retention of the inertial element after insertion, wherein the arm of the plastic spindle engages with the inertial element.

[0005] The receiving parts known from the prior art for supporting a handling element in a motor vehicle lock have proven themselves in principle. However, there is always an effort to realize a support site for a handling element in a motor vehicle lock with as few components as possible, for example in order to save components, to reduce the required installation space or to reduce the weight of the motor vehicle lock. In any case, however, it must be ensured that the reliable handling of the function is ensured, since the motor vehicle lock is a safety-relevant component. On the basis of these prerequisites, the present invention aims to improve the motor vehicle lock. SUMMARY

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved motor vehicle lock. It is furthermore an object of the present invention to provide a support site for a handling element which is realized with as few components as possible, is space-saving and has as light a weight as possible. It is furthermore intended to provide a structurally simple and advantageous possibility for realizing the support site.

[0007] The object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1. Advantageous design options of the invention are given in the dependent claims. It is pointed out, however, that the embodiments described below are not limiting, rather any variant possibility of the features described in the description, the dependent claims and the drawings is possible.

[0008] The object according to claim 1 is achieved in the following way, namely to provide a motor vehicle lock having a locking mechanism comprising a locking bolt and at least one locking claw, wherein the locking bolt can be locked in at least one locking position by means of the locking claw, a handling element which is received in a support site in a pivotable manner, wherein the support site has an arm for retaining the handling element in the support site, wherein the retaining arm of the handling element engages with the support site after insertion into the support site, wherein the lever arm is deformable. By virtue of the structure of the support site according to the invention, it is now possible to provide a support site for a handling element which reliably retains the handling element with the least possible component expenditure. On the one hand, reliable retention can be ensured by deformation, on the other hand, the support site, i.e. the pivotable support of the handling element, can be realized by deformation of the handling element itself. In addition to reliable retention, a connection between the support element and the handling element can also be provided by deformation and, in turn, a pivotable support which is completed by the only mutual cooperation between the support site and the handling element. Thus, the pivotable support of the handling element in the motor vehicle lock can be provided with as few components as possible, i.e. with as few components as possible. Here, the deformation itself replaces an alternative method for connecting or manufacturing the support site. The support site itself is provided by the mutual cooperation of the handling element and the support site. Separate shafts or, for example, rivets, can be omitted.

[0009] In a lock for a motor vehicle, which is also called a locking system, a locking mechanism is incorporated, which comprises a locking bolt and at least one pawl. Here, the locking mechanism in the lock cooperates with a strike, which is fixed on the body of the motor vehicle or on a door, a hatch, a sliding door or the like. A relative movement between the strike and the locking bolt here causes that the locking bolt is swung and at the same time the pawl engages with the locking bolt. A locking mechanism is provided, which has a prelock and a main lock, which is widely known from the prior art.

[0010] According to the embodiments a single-stage or a two-stage locking mechanism is provided, which has a prelock and / or a main lock. Here, the pawl engages with the locking bolt preferably in a spring-preloaded manner. In order to unlock, i.e. in order to release the pawl from the locking bolt, a release lever is used. Here, the pawl is loaded by the release lever in such a way that the pawl disengages from the locking bolt and the locking bolt can be moved from the locked position into the open position. Here, the movement of the locking bolt is mostly realized by means of a spring element and / or due to a pulling load caused by the combination of the strike and the door seal.

[0011] A lever train with at least one lever is used for actuating the release lever. The lever can be for example an inner lever or an outer lever, to name exemplary application fields of the lever. By means of the lever the release lever is moved and the locking mechanism is unlocked.

[0012] It can be advantageous that two, three or more holding arms engage with the lever or the actuating element. On the one hand the swinging movement of the actuating element or the lever can be adjusted by the number of holding arms and on the other hand the free play of the actuating element in the bearing point can be influenced by the number of holding arms. Thus, the holding arms are used on the one hand for adjusting the swinging angle and on the other hand for realizing a stable bearing of the lever. According to the functions that can be adjusted by means of the lever in the motor vehicle lock, the number of holding arms can be chosen or used accordingly.

[0013] If the bearing point and the actuating element are formed by one metal sheet, a further advantageous design variant is realized. The provision of the bearing point and the actuating element made of metal enables on the one hand the use of cost-effective components and on the other hand a stable bearing for transmitting larger forces. Larger forces are required for example at places where the motor vehicle lock has to be closed tightly. Larger forces can also be required when opening for example frozen door elements. The metal composition of the hinged connection of the metal parts can be used in an advantageous manner here. Thus, not only a cost-effective hinged connection with a small number of components can be provided, but also larger forces can be transmitted or transferred via the bearing point. The deformation can be realized by means of the simplest possible component, for example a punch, which in turn causes a production cost that is as low as possible.

[0014] In another design variant of the application, the bearing point is formed by an opening having the same diameter. The bearing point is provided with an opening into which the actuating element is inserted. After the deformation of the holding arm, the actuating element is connected with the bearing point. If a substantially circular opening is punched out or, for example, drilled into the bearing point, a cost-effective and simple production is achieved. In addition to the advantageous production of the opening, the swinging of the actuating element can also be easily achieved by the opening having a uniform diameter.

[0015] In another design variant of the application, the bearing point has at least one shaped portion, in particular a bent-over edge or a molded portion. If the shaped portion is incorporated into the bearing point itself, the bearing point can assume an additional function. As the name already indicates, the bearing point serves for receiving and bearing the actuating element. If now, for example, a bent-over edge is shaped into the bearing point, the bearing point can additionally serve as a stop in the mutual cooperation between the actuating element and the bearing point. In this case, the bent-over edge can cooperate with, for example, the actuating element and / or the holding arm and thus be a swing limiting structure for the actuating lever. In other words, the actuating lever can move against the bent-over edge when swinging, so that a separate stop for the actuating lever can be omitted. This minimizes the number of required components for providing a bearing point for a swingably received lever. However, it is also conceivable to additionally or alternatively mold a molded portion into the bearing point. The molded portion in the bearing point can be simply molded into the bearing point, for example, with the aid of a shaped punch, when producing the bearing point. The molded portion then protrudes on one side from the bearing point and can be used as a stop for the actuating lever or as a stop for the holding arm, depending on the arrangement of the molded portion. It is of course also conceivable here that preferably two, more preferably three or more molded portions are arranged at the circumference of the opening of the bearing point. It is also conceivable, for example, that each holding arm is equipped with a molded portion, so that a stable abutment of the actuating element can be achieved, which can be advantageous, for example, when transmitting larger forces. The bent-over edge and the molded portion can be provided together in the bearing point and cooperate with the extension of the holding arm and / or the actuating lever itself.

[0016] If the bearing point has a separation point in the region of the opening, a variant of the application can be provided again. Here, the separation point means that the bearing point has a separation structure around the opening. Here, the separation structure of the bearing point in the region of the opening can advantageously cooperate with the bent-over edge at the circumference of the opening, so that the bent-over edge (on the one hand) and the separation point (on the other hand) can serve as a stop limiting structure for moving the actuating element. With this advantageous design variant, a bearing point for limiting the mobility of the actuating element can be provided without further components for limiting the swing. Advantageously, of course, the bent-over edge, the molded portion and the separation point can cooperate so that the actuating element can be reliably held and / or limited.

[0017] If the bearing point has a tab, wherein the tab at least partially projects into the opening of the bearing point, so that a position securing structure for the actuating element can be provided, a further advantageous embodiment of the application can be realized. As a tab here a prolongation can be used, which extends from the edge of the opening at the tab towards the center point of the opening. The opening is thus delimited. The tab can likewise be formed into the opening during the production of the opening and serves as a support for the actuating element. In an advantageous manner the tab has a symmetrical configuration and extends over the center point of the opening. By configuring an additional, tab covering the opening, the actuating element can be further stabilized in the bearing point. The tab thus serves as a position securing structure, so that the actuating element can be guided as precisely as possible in the bearing point.

[0018] The shaped portion, in particular the folded edge and / or the embossing and / or the partition point and / or the tab can form a stop for the actuating element. The tab can thus be equipped with a dual function, in particular in the case where the tab serves not only for the position securing of the actuating element, but additionally cooperates with the actuating element in such a way that the tab is a swing limiting structure for the actuating element. In accordance with the arrangement and the embodiment of the lever mechanism according to the application, the described modifications on the bearing point can be incorporated together in the bearing point and / or the actuating element, so that the respective functions can be realized by means of the bearing point. Different swing angles can be adjusted by the stop being arranged at a corresponding distance apart, and the actuating element can be reliably held in the bearing point, so that the force can be transmitted through the bearing point in a gapless manner as far as possible.

[0019] A design variant of the application can also be realized in such a way that the bearing point itself is designed as part of a swingably supported lever. The bearing point itself can be a lever and is received in a swingably supported manner. Thereby the possibility exists that a larger lever stroke can be bridged or a complex mechanism can be provided in the motor vehicle lock. A larger movement is necessary, for example, if a door element is to be opened, for example, or if the locking mechanism is to be closed from the pre-locked position of the locking mechanism to the main-locked position of the locking mechanism by means of the actuating element according to the application.

[0020] In order to realize a deformation of the holding arm and to support the actuating element in the bearing point in a gapless manner as far as possible, it can be advantageous if the material thickness of the bearing point is greater than the material thickness of the actuating element. As is explained again in detail in the embodiments, a free play can be set between the bearing point and the actuating element by means of the material difference, so that a precise movement can also be realized in the lock by means of the bearing point. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] The application is explained in detail below with reference to the attached drawings according to a preferred embodiment. However, the following principles apply, namely that the embodiment does not limit the application, but merely shows one advantageous design form. The features shown can be implemented individually or in combination with other features of the description and claims.

[0022] The figures show:

[0023] Figure 1 An example of a shaftless articulation according to the application is shown in a three-dimensional view, in which the bearing point is formed by an oscillatably supported rod,

[0024] Figure 2 A view of an alternative embodiment of a shaftless articulation relative to Figure 1 The opposite view,

[0025] Figure 3 A first step for engaging the shaftless articulation or rather before the bearing point is engaged with the actuating element,

[0026] Figure 4 The engaged articulation is shown in a sectional view of the bearing point,

[0027] Figure 5 The view of the bearing point and the view of the deformed actuating element are likewise shown in a sectional view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] A three-dimensional view of a shaftless articulation 1 as part of a motor vehicle lock 2 is shown in Figure 1 The shaftless articulation 1 comprises an actuating lever 3 and a bearing point 4. The actuating lever 3 can be, for example, a closing lever for a closing device, which is received in an oscillatably movable manner in the bearing point 5 in such a way that it can oscillate about an axis 5 in the direction of the arrow P. In this embodiment, the bearing point 4 is designed as part of an oscillatably supported rod 6. The rod 6 is supported in the motor vehicle lock 2 in such a way that it can oscillate about an axis 7. The rod 6 and thus also the bearing point 4 can thus likewise oscillate about the axis 7 in the direction of the arrow P2.

[0029] The bearing point 4 comprises an opening 8, wherein the opening 8 is surrounded by the bearing point 4. A separating slit 9 is formed in the bearing point 4, wherein the separating slit 9 forms part of a folded edge 10 in this embodiment. An additional tab 11 is formed in the folded edge 10, which serves to stabilize the actuating lever 3 or rather the actuating element 3.

[0030] The lever 3 is fixed in the bearing point 4, wherein the lever 3 is connected to the bearing point 4 by means of a lever-arm-shaped interlocking. Thus, the lever 3 is received in a manner that it can be swung about the axis 5 and is held in the opening 8 by means of the holding arms 12, 13. As is clear in this embodiment, the movement of the lever element 3 is defined on the one hand by the separating joint 9, by the stop surface 14 formed on the separating joint 9 and by the stop surface 15 on the folded edge 10. Thus, the lever 3 is received in the bearing point 4 in a manner that it can be moved back and forth in the direction of the arrow P starting from the stop surface 15 up to the stop surface 14.

[0031] The position of the lever 3 is fixed in such a way that the circular end 16 of the lever 3 cooperates with the holding arms 12, 13 and is fixed in position by means of the web 11. As is clear, the web 11 extends through the center of the axis 5, so that the lever 3 can be reliably supported in the bearing point 4. In this embodiment, the web 11 is formed symmetrically with respect to the center axis M of the web 11.

[0032] In this embodiment, the angle of swing of the lever element 3 about the axis 5 is defined by the stop surfaces 14, 15, wherein it is also conceivable that the holding arms 12, 13 can be used as stop for the lever 3 in cooperation with the folded edge 10 and the separating joint 9.

[0033] The lever 3 can be used, for example, as a closing lever for a locking mechanism. For this purpose, a part of a locking tongue, not shown, can be engaged in the folded edge 17, and the locking tongue is moved from a pre-locking position into a main locking position. In order to enable the movement of the lever 3 in the direction of the arrow P3, the lever 6 can be driven, for example, by means of an electric motor and / or a Bowden cable and swung about the axis 7, so that a closing force can be applied to the locking tongue. Here, in order to ensure a reliable engagement between the lever 3 and the locking tongue, the lever 3 can be swung about the shaftless articulation 1 in the direction of the arrow P during the closing process.

[0034] A three-dimensional view of an alternative embodiment of the lever element 18 and the lever 18 with respect to the Figure 2 Figure 1 ​back view. The joystick 18 is likewise supported in a pivotable lever 19, wherein the lever 19 can be pivoted about an axis 20. In this embodiment, the support site 21 is equipped with moldings 22, 23. The moldings 22, 23 are fitted into the support site 21 in different directions. If the molding 22 forms a protrusion in the support site 21, the molding 23 is fitted into the support site 21 as a recess. Thus, the moldings or formings 22, 23 are formed in different directions with respect to the support site. It can also be seen that two retaining arms 24, 25 fix the joystick 18 in the support site 21. If the protrusion 22 serves as a stop face for the joystick 18, the recess 23 can cooperate with the retaining arm 25, for example, so that a stop for the joystick 18 is formed. Depending on the design of the moldings 22, 23, the arrangement of the retaining arms 24, 25, the orientation of the extension 26 of the joystick 18, and the arrangement of the extension 26 with respect to the circular end 27 of the joystick 18, the pivoting angle a of the joystick 18 can be adjusted. Of course, combinations of the features shown can also be provided, so that different functions can be implemented with the shaftless articulation 1. In Figure 1 and Figure 2 In two embodiment variants of

[0035] In Figure 3 the arrangement of the lever 28 of another embodiment variant with a support site 29 before the mounting of the joystick 30 is shown. In this regard it can be seen in Figure 3 that the retaining arms 31, 32 are present in an undeformed state. It can also be seen, however, that in the support site 29 a fold 33 is formed, which extends partially around an opening 34. Additionally, in Figure 3 a mounting aid is shown, which has support elements 36, 37 for deforming the retaining arms 31, 32. In this regard, Figure 3 a shaftless articulation 38 is shown in a state before the engagement of the joystick into the support site 29 or the lever 28.

[0036] Now the engagement state of the joystick 30 and the support site 29 is shown in Figure 4 The retaining arms have been deformed, for example, by means of a punch, with a force F, wherein the fold support elements 36, 37 serve as an abutment. The support elements 36, 37 are designed in the mounting aid 35 to be higher than the material thickness D1 of the support site 29, so that a free play S is set between the arms 31, 32 and the support site 29. Thus, the exact orientation between the support site 29 and the retaining arms 31, 32 can be set by means of the mounting aid 35, in particular by means of the fold support elements 36, 37.

[0037] In Figure 5The engagement of the lever 30 with the bearing point 29 is shown in Fig. 3 using an alternative mounting aid 38. The mounting aid 38 dispenses with the bearings 36, 37, so that the holding arms 31, 32 can lie against the bearing point 29 in a gapless manner when the holding arms 31, 32 are deformed. For this purpose, the material thickness Dl of the bearing point 29 is greater than the material thickness of the lever 30. The material thickness D2 of the lever 30 is less than the material thickness Dl of the bearing point 29. B L .

[0038] In any case, the structurally simple, reliable, and with as few components as possible possible bearing of the lever in a motor vehicle lock can be achieved by the structure of the shaftless hinge according to the application. In combination with the free play S that can be set and the web 39, precise guidance of the lever is also possible, so that a large force can also be reliably transmitted by means of the lever.

[0039] List of reference signs:

[0040] 1, 38 shaftless hinge

[0041] 2 motor vehicle lock

[0042] 3, 18, 30 lever element

[0043] 4, 21, 29 bearing point

[0044] 5, 7, 20 axis

[0045] 6, 19, 28 lever

[0046] 8, 34 opening

[0047] 9 separation gap

[0048] 10 fold

[0049] 11, 39 web

[0050] 12, 13, 24, 25, 31, 32 holding arm

[0051] 14, 15 stop face

[0052] 16, 27 rounded end

[0053] 17, 33 fold

[0054] 22, 23 press part

[0055] 26 extension

[0056] 35, 38 mounting aid

[0057] 36, 37 bearing ​

[0058] P, P2, P3 arrow

[0059] M center axis

[0060] α angle of oscillation

[0061] F force

[0062] S arrow

[0063] D L , D B material thickness

Claims

1. Motor vehicle lock (2) having a locking mechanism comprising a locking bolt and at least one locking claw, wherein The locking tongue can be locked in at least one locking position by means of the locking claw; the lever (3, 18, 30) is received in an oscillating manner in a bearing site (4, 21, 29), wherein the bearing site (4, 21, 29) has an arm (12, 13, 24, 25, 31, 32) for retaining the lever (3, 18, 30) in the bearing site (4, 21, 29), wherein the retaining arm (12, 13, 24, 25, 31, 32) of the lever (3, 18, 30) engages with the bearing site (4, 21, 29) after insertion into the bearing site (4, 21, 29), characterized in that the retaining arm (12, 13, 24, 25, 31, 32) is deformable.

2. Motor vehicle lock (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that Two, three or more retaining arms (12, 13, 24, 25, 31, 32) engage with the lever (3, 18, 30).

3. Motor vehicle lock (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The bearing site (4, 21, 29) and the lever (3, 18, 30) are formed from sheet metal.

4. Motor vehicle lock (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The bearing site (4, 21, 29) is formed from openings (8, 34) having the same diameter.

5. Motor vehicle lock (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The bearing site (4, 21, 29) has at least one profile, in particular a folded edge (10) and / or a press-in portion (22, 23).

6. Motor vehicle lock (2) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that The bearing site (4, 21, 29) has a dividing site (9) in the region of the opening (8, 34).

7. Motor vehicle lock (2) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that The bearing site (4, 21, 29) has a tab (13, 39), wherein the tab (11, 39) at least partially projects into the opening of the bearing site (4, 21, 29), so that a position securing structure for the lever (3, 18, 30) can be provided.

8. Motor vehicle lock (2) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that The profile, in particular the folded edge (10, 17, 33) and / or the press-in portion (22, 23) and / or the dividing site (9) and / or the tab (11, 39) forms a stop (14, 15) for the lever (3, 18, 30).

9. Motor vehicle lock (2) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The bearing site (4, 21, 29) is designed as part of a lever (6, 19, 28) which is supported in an oscillating manner.

10. Motor vehicle lock (2) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The material thickness (D L ) of the bearing points (4, 21, 29) is greater than the material thickness of the actuating elements (3, 18, 30).

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