Motor vehicle 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). In addition, a mechanical actuating lever system (3, 6, 7, 8, 9) is provided. In addition, an electric drive (4, 5) is provided. The locking mechanism (1, 2) can be opened by means of an electric drive (4, 5) and a lever train (3, 6, 7, 8, 9). Furthermore, the joystick train (3, 6, 7, 8, 9) and the electric drive (4, 5) are connected to one another by means of a coupling element (10). According to the invention, the joystick train (3, 6, 7, 8, 9) moves the coupling element (10) away from the drive (4, 5) when it is loaded and at least when the drive (4, 5) is inverted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a vehicle lock, particularly a vehicle door lock, comprising: a locking mechanism mainly including a bolt / ratchet and a pawl / pawl; a mechanical lever system; and an electric drive unit, wherein the locking mechanism can be opened by means of the electric drive unit and the lever system, wherein the lever system and the drive unit are connected to each other by a connecting element. Background Technology

[0002] The motor vehicle locks that are to be protected are, in principle, any locking device in or on a motor vehicle. These include not only the door locks specifically mentioned, but also tailgate locks, hood locks, fuel tank cap locks, charging port cap locks, locks for storage compartments or seats, etc. These motor vehicle locks are now typically opened electrically. For this purpose, an electric actuation mechanism usually acts on a release lever.

[0003] In this configuration, the release lever disengages the pawl from its locking engagement with the bolt while the locking mechanism is in the locked state. Consequently, the bolt opens with spring assistance, releasing the previously engaged locking pin. The associated vehicle door can then be opened. This electric drive mechanism for electrically unlocking vehicle locks is particularly comfortable and can be operated with minimal user effort.

[0004] For example, one could consider a scenario where the user loads an exterior door handle equipped with a sensor. In this case, a query performed by the sensor through the control unit provides information about the loaded door handle and initiates an electric opening process for the locking mechanism. In principle, this electric opening process could also be automatically initiated in conjunction with an interrogation / response dialogue. In this scenario, the user has a transponder, which is queried by the associated vehicle whether the user has permission to enter. If the query result is "yes," then the electric opening of the locking mechanism ("keyless entry") is initiated.

[0005] Because the electric drive unit is typically supplied with power from a source within the vehicle, such as the vehicle battery, the locking mechanism cannot be electrically opened in the event of battery failure. Such battery failure could be due to aging or after prolonged parking. Similarly, an accident involving the vehicle could also occur.

[0006] For this reason, such vehicle locks are, in most cases, additionally equipped with so-called mechanical redundancy. This mechanical redundancy is achieved via a mechanical lever system. In most cases, the mechanical lever system is designed to typically disengage when the electric drive is energized, thus preventing the locking mechanism from being additionally loaded via the mechanical lever system. In most cases, the mechanical lever system and the electric drive are used together with the previously mentioned release lever to disengage the locking mechanism.

[0007] Currently, in order for the electric drive unit (on the one hand) and, for example, a door handle (on the other hand), which is part of a mechanical lever system, to at least alternately act on the release lever involved to open the locking mechanism, the lever system and the drive unit are typically mechanically connected to each other via a connecting element. Therefore, in principle, there is also a feasible solution where, in the event of a failure of the electric drive unit, the electric drive unit can be reset using the mechanical lever system.

[0008] In the prior art of this type as described in DE 10 2019 133 654 A1, the release lever is operable by means of an electric drive and at least one manually operable lever as part of the lever system. Furthermore, a locking unit is provided to prevent manual unlocking of the locking mechanism.

[0009] This prior art has been proven in principle, yet room for improvement remains. Therefore, in practice, it is common practice to use a connecting element that links the electric drive unit to the lever system. This connecting element typically moves not only when the locking mechanism is electrically opened but also during the return stroke of the electric drive unit. Thus, the lever system can be selectively disengaged or engaged, for example, through the connecting element and the connected lever system. "Loading the electric drive unit to open the locking mechanism" in most cases results in the lever system being disengaged via the connecting element. The lever system is re-engaged when the drive unit reverses.

[0010] However, due to the following danger—that the connecting element moves with the electric drive unit, especially when the electric drive unit is reversing—if the lever system is additionally loaded via the door handle during this process, the reversing connecting element and the lever system actually interact to some extent. This may result in locking or at least make it difficult to manually load the lever system smoothly and thus lose feel. This is considered disadvantageous by the operator, taking comfort into consideration. The present invention will remedy this overall. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to develop such a motor vehicle lock, especially a motor vehicle door lock, so that it can still achieve complete functionality with a simple structure, and in particular, improve the feel compared with the prior art.

[0012] To address this technical problem, this type of vehicle lock, within the scope of the invention, is characterized in that the lever system, when loaded and at least when the drive unit is reversed, moves the connecting element away from, in particular, away from, the drive unit.

[0013] Here, the invention is based first on the knowledge that the connecting element is typically supported in an associated lock housing in a swingable manner. Here, the connecting element interacts with both the electric drive and the lever system. In practice, the connecting element is typically equipped with an adjusting arm for this purpose, which interacts with or is capable of interacting with an adjusting element that is part of the electric drive. For this purpose, the electric drive typically has a motor and the aforementioned adjusting element. Advantageously, the adjusting element can be a worm gear.

[0014] Furthermore, the connecting element is in most cases equipped with a control arm mechanically connected to the lever system. Therefore, whenever the adjusting element undergoes a motor-driven movement, this movement, according to the invention, not only results in the electric opening of the locking mechanism, but also typically accompanies a swinging movement of the connecting element, which is transmitted to the lever system via the control arm. Thus, the lever system can be shifted to different functional positions during the electric opening of the locking mechanism, for example, from its disengaged state to its engaged state and from its engaged state back to its disengaged state, and vice versa. For this purpose, the connecting element typically acts on a connecting rod, which is part of the lever system, and this connecting rod engages or disengages accordingly.

[0015] If the connecting rod is "engaged," the lever system is simultaneously mechanically engaged. Conversely, the "disengaged" state of the coupling element corresponds to the mechanical disengagement of the lever system. As described, according to the invention, these different functional positions can be achieved simultaneously with the electrically unlocking mechanism or invoked by reversing the electric drive.

[0016] To prevent any collision with the control lever system, at least during the reversal of the electric drive, or in other words, to ensure that the loaded control lever system and the reversing electric drive do not act in opposite directions on the connecting element, the control lever system, when loaded, ensures that the connecting element is moved away from or detached from the drive unit. Therefore, the adjusting element, or worm gear, which is part of the electric drive system, idles relative to the control lever system.

[0017] This eliminates any collision between the connecting element and the control lever system. Furthermore, it improves the feel, as the control lever system can now be additionally loaded, particularly when the electric drive is reversed. This is because the connecting element swings away from the reversing adjustment element, so in this situation, the control lever system is loaded "only" and not additionally by the adjustment element, which is part of the electric drive system. This also improves the overall feel.

[0018] This invention also ensures that the connecting element can re-interact with the electric drive after the lever system is no longer loaded. That is, loading the lever system first ensures that the adjusting element, which is part of the electric drive, idles. However, if the lever system is no longer loaded, the idleing also ends, and the connecting element re-interacts with the electric drive, or can interact with the electric drive. This is particularly advantageous when a specific functional position of the lever system can be simultaneously achieved and implemented when the electric drive is loaded to electrically open the locking mechanism. In contrast, this functional sequence is generally not required on the lever system when the electric drive is reversed.

[0019] The temporary idling of the adjusting element, and particularly the worm gear, initiated by the lever system or door handle here, is reliably ensured in all circumstances, on the one hand preventing any functional damage, and on the other hand improving the feel. In this case, reverse braking motion is explicitly avoided within the scope of the invention. This is a major advantage of the invention.

[0020] According to another advantageous design, the joystick system, in addition to the release lever, the control lever, and the already mentioned door handle, also includes a connecting rod. Here, according to the invention, the connecting rod is equipped with a shaped portion configured to interact with a mating shaped portion on the connecting element. This interaction between the shaped portion and the mating shaped portion ensures, when the joystick system and thus the connecting rod are loaded, the desired freewheeling occurs, or the shaped portion on the connecting rod moves against the mating shaped portion on the connecting element, thereby disengaging the connecting element from its engagement with the adjusting element, which is part of the electric drive mechanism.

[0021] However, the exemplary molded portion, either on or attached to the connecting rod that is part of the lever system, may also include a freewheeling lever as a supplement to the lever system. This freewheeling lever is configured to interact with the connecting element and, when the lever system is loaded and at least when the electric drive is reversed, re-ensure that the adjusting element, as part of the electric drive, can perform the desired freewheeling. For this purpose, the freewheeling lever acts on the connecting element and typically disengages it from its engagement with the adjusting element, or worm gear.

[0022] Alternatively, a design can be adopted in which the connecting element has a coupling element. Here, this coupling element is typically preloaded by means of a spring toward the drive unit, specifically toward the adjusting element or worm gear that is part of the electric drive unit. For this purpose, the spring can be connected to the connecting element.

[0023] Within the first variation, the coupling element is supported on the connecting element in a linearly displaceable manner. Now, whenever the lever system, or the door handle as part of the lever system, is loaded and the electric drive is simultaneously reversed, the linearly displaceable coupling element is pushed backward against the spring force from the adjusting element, or the worm gear. As soon as the reversing motion ends, the linearly displaceable coupling element can thus re-establish interaction with the adjusting element, or the worm gear.

[0024] In addition to, or alternatively, possible variations, it may be considered that the coupling element is rotatably supported on the connecting element. In this case, the connecting element is advantageously equipped with an operating pin, which is typically located on the head side of the connecting element and on the adjusting arm. The operating pin allows the connecting element to interact with the adjusting element, or worm gear. For this purpose, the worm gear may be equipped with a corresponding shaped portion.

[0025] Simultaneously, the aforementioned idling can be achieved through this control pin. In this case, the control pin can be moved from its engagement position with the adjusting element or worm gear relative to the electric drive to the idling position by means of a coupling element rotatably supported on the connecting element. This can also be achieved by overcoming the spring force, so that when no longer loaded by the rotatable coupling element, the control pin involved automatically moves to its engagement position relative to the adjusting element or worm gear.

[0026] In other words, the electric drive unit is advantageously equipped with a motor and an adjusting element, particularly a worm gear. In this case, the connecting element can interact with the adjusting element, or the worm gear. For this purpose, the worm gear has at least one shaped portion for loading the connecting element.

[0027] Therefore, a vehicle lock is provided that functions reliably and offers improved tactile feedback compared to existing technologies. In this configuration, the electric drive unit (on one hand) and the lever system (on the other hand) for electrically opening the locking mechanism do not collide with each other while loading the locking mechanism. More precisely, such collisions are avoided by allowing the electric drive unit to idle relative to the mechanical lever system. This is a key advantage of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0028] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate only one embodiment; the drawings show:

[0029] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a motor vehicle lock according to the present invention, which is in the form of a motor vehicle door lock, is shown.

[0030] Figure 2 and Figure 3 Showing according to Figure 1 Detailed images of different variations of vehicle door locks. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The accompanying drawing shows a vehicle lock, which is a vehicle door lock. This vehicle lock has, in its basic structure, […]. Figure 1 The locking mechanisms 1 and 2, which are only briefly shown and mainly consist of a latch 1 and a pawl 2, are illustrated in the figure. Here, the locking mechanisms 1 and 2 extend in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the figure. To open the locking mechanism, a release lever 3 is provided, which rotates counterclockwise around its axis for this purpose. Figure 1 The swinging motion is simplified in the diagram. This allows the release lever 3 to move against the bolt of the locking pawl 2 and disengage the pawl from its locking engagement with the latch 1 while the locking mechanisms 1 and 2 are locked. Consequently, the locking pin (not shown) disengages, and the associated vehicle door can be opened.

[0032] To initiate the previously described swinging motion of the release lever 3 to electrically open the locking mechanisms 1 and 2, an electric drive device 4 and 5 are provided. This electric drive device includes a motor 4 and an adjusting element 5. According to this embodiment, the adjusting element 5 is a worm gear, which, when not in... Figure 1 The back side shown is equipped with an operating cam, which causes the release lever 3 to move along the axis of rotation when the adjusting element, or worm gear 5, oscillates in the simplified counterclockwise direction. Figure 1 The counterclockwise direction shown in the figure oscillates around its axis.

[0033] Additionally, a mechanical control lever system 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 13 is provided. Besides the release lever 3 already described and interacting with the electric drive units 4 and 5, the mechanical control lever system 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 13 additionally includes a door handle or control lever 6, or an inner control lever 6, a connecting lever 7, a steering lever 8, one or two transmission levers 9, and a control lever 13. Instead of the electric drive units 4 and 5, the locking mechanisms 1 and 2 can be opened via the transmission lever 9 when the control lever system 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 13 is loaded via the door handle or inner control lever 6. To prevent mutual interference or collision when the common release lever 3 is loaded, a connecting element 10 is additionally provided. According to this embodiment, the connecting element 10 is designed as a reset lever.

[0034] In practice, the connecting element 10, loaded by means of the electric drive units 4, 5 or their worm gear 5, typically ensures that the mechanical operating levers 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13 are disengaged or disconnected when the locking mechanisms 1, 2 are electrically opened by means of the electric drive units 4, 5. For this purpose, the connecting rod 7 disengages. Conversely, in the initial position (not shown here), the connecting rod 7 is engaged, and the operating levers 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13 are engaged. The operating levers 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13 and the electric drive units 4, 5 are always connected to each other via the connecting element 10.

[0035] To prevent potential malfunctions, and especially to eliminate reverse movement when the electric drive units 4 and 5 reverse after the electric opening process of locking mechanisms 1 and 2, and simultaneously when the door handle 6 is applied, the operating levers 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 13 are ensured, particularly when the operating levers are applied via the door handle 6, and at least when the electric drive units 4 and 5 reverse, that the connecting element 10 is kept away from the electric drive units 4 and 5. To this end, the present invention proposes... Figure 2 and Figure 3 The two basic variations are shown in the figure.

[0036] In fact Figure 2 and Figure 3 The main components shown are the adjusting element, or worm gear 5, which is part of the electric drive units 4 and 5, as well as the connecting element 10 and the control levers 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 13. Only the connecting rod 7 and the steering lever 8 are shown within this section. In this respect, the connecting rod 7 is particularly important relative to... Figure 1 The diagram in the image has been modified.

[0037] Corresponding to Figure 2 The variant shown in the diagram is now constructed such that the connecting rod 7 is equipped with a shaped portion, or arm 7a, which is configured to interact with a mating shaped portion 11 on the connecting element 10. Within the scope of the illustrated embodiment, the mating shaped portion 11 is disposed on or coincides with the coupling element 11. For this purpose, the coupling element 11 can be linearly displaced and supported on or within the connecting element 10. Furthermore... Figure 2 Spring 12 can be seen, which loads coupling element 11 toward adjusting element 5.

[0038] If an operator manipulates the control levers 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 13 by pulling door handle 6, the corresponding connecting rod 7 will typically move downwards. Figure 2The corresponding arrows are used to illustrate this. The downward movement of the connecting rod 7 causes the forming part 7a to load the coupling element 11, that is, to make it move "downward" against the force of the spring 12. As a result, the coupling element 11 can no longer interact with the adjusting element, or the worm gear 5. In this case, the actuating forming part 5a provided on the worm gear 5 passes by the coupling element 11 and therefore cannot cause the connecting element 10—as is normally done—to swing counterclockwise around its axis.

[0039] Conversely, if the levers 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 13 are no longer loaded, the connecting rod 7 moves upward, and the coupling element 11 can re-interact with the adjusting element, or worm gear 5. In this case, the shaped portion 5a on the adjusting element or worm gear can load the connecting element 10 via the coupling element 11 and, according to this embodiment, can cause it to swing counterclockwise about its axis. This counterclockwise rotation of the connecting element 10 typically causes the levers 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 13 to engage. In this regard, the connecting rod 7 is "engaged".

[0040] As can be seen, the spring 12 of the loading coupling element 11 is connected to the coupling element 10 according to this embodiment. In fact, the spring 12 is a helical torsion spring, one of its spring legs is fixedly connected to the coupling element 10, while the other free leg is directed toward the adjusting element or worm gear 5 to load the coupling element 11.

[0041] exist Figure 3 In another variation shown, the coupling element 11 is supported on the connecting element 10 in a non-linearly displaceable manner, or more precisely, rotatably supported on the connecting element. For this purpose, the rotatable coupling element 11 (on one hand) and the connecting element 10 (on the other hand) use a common shaft, or axis of rotation, and are thus coaxially supported.

[0042] Furthermore, in this configuration, the connecting element 10 is equipped with an operating pin 10c. Here, the operating pin 10c is located on the adjusting arm 10a of the connecting element 10, i.e., on the head side. In addition to the adjusting arm 10a, the connecting element 10 is also equipped with an operating arm 10b, which ensures mechanical connection with the control levers 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, and specifically with the steering lever 8 here.

[0043] Now, if the control levers 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 13 are reloaded via the door handle 6 and the connecting lever 7 appears, then... Figure 3The "downward" movement shown in the diagram is caused by the corresponding molding portion 7a, which actuates the rotatable coupling element 11, causing the coupling element 11 to swing counterclockwise about an axis common to the connecting element 10. Therefore, the rotatable coupling element 11 ensures that the connecting element 10, via the operating pin 10c on the connecting element 10, swings in the same phase as the coupling element 11 about the same axis in a counterclockwise direction.

[0044] Therefore, the operating pin 10c cannot interact with the adjusting element or worm gear 5, which is part of the electric drive devices 4 and 5. In other words, the connecting element 10 or its operating pin 10c ensures, in this case, that the connecting element 10 can be moved relative to the electric drive devices 4 and 5 from the engaged position to the idle position by means of the operating pin. Therefore, in this idle position, the control element or worm gear 5 can rotate unimpeded, and in particular, reverse from the electric opening process of the locking mechanisms 1 and 2 until it reaches the initial position.

[0045] The two variations are characterized in that the connecting element 10 can interact with the adjusting element 5, or worm gear, which is part of the electric drive devices 4 and 5, respectively. Furthermore, the specific design ensures that when the control levers 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 13 are loaded, and simultaneously when the electric drive devices 4 and 5 are reversed, the adjusting element or worm gear 5 disengages from the connecting element 10, i.e., the duration of disengagement is consistent with the time when the mechanical control levers 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 13 are loaded.

[0046] Conversely, after the control levers 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 13 are no longer loaded, the coupling element 10 can re-interact with the electric drive units 4 and 5. In this case, the coupling element 11... Figure 2 and Figure 3 The two variations of the implementation are reset by means of spring 12, so that the forming part 5a on the adjusting element or worm gear 5 acts on the connecting element 10, and the connecting element can swing counterclockwise by electric drive devices 4 and 5.

[0047] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram:

[0048] 1. Locking tongue

[0049] 2 locking claws

[0050] 3. Release lever

[0051] 4 motors

[0052] 5 Adjustment elements

[0053] 6. Internal control lever

[0054] 7 Connecting rod

[0055] 8. Steering pole

[0056] 9. Passing rod

[0057] 10 Connecting elements

[0058] 10a Adjusting arm

[0059] 10b control arm

[0060] 10c Control pin

[0061] 11. Pairing Molding Section

[0062] 12 springs

[0063] 13 joysticks

Claims

1. Motor vehicle lock, in particular motor vehicle door lock, having a locking mechanism (1, 2) which mainly comprises a locking bolt (1) and a locking claw (2), a mechanical lever train (3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13), an electric drive (4, 5), wherein The locking mechanism (1, 2) can be opened by means of an electric drive (4, 5) and a lever train (3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13), wherein the lever train (3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13) and the drive (4, 5) are connected to one another by means of a coupling element (10), characterized in that The lever train (3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13) moves the coupling element (10) away from the drive (4, 5) when it is loaded and at least when the drive (4, 5) is reversed.

2. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 1, characterized in that After the lever train (3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13) is no longer loaded, the coupling element (10) can interact with the electric drive (4, 5) again.

3. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The lever train (3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13) is equipped, in addition to the release lever (3) and the lever (6), in particular the inner lever (6), with a coupling lever (7) having a profile (7a) which is provided for interacting with a counter-profile (11) on the coupling element (10).

4. Motor vehicle lock according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The lever train (3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13) has an idling lever for interacting with the coupling element (10).

5. Motor vehicle lock according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The coupling element (10) has a coupling element (11) as a counter-profile (11), which is advantageously preloaded toward the drive (4, 5) by means of a spring (12).

6. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 5, characterized in that The spring (12) is coupled to the coupling element (10).

7. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that The coupling element (11) is supported on the coupling element (10) in a linearly displaceable manner and / or in a rotatable manner.

8. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 7, characterized in that The coupling element (10) has a lever pin (10c) which can be moved from its engagement position into an idling position relative to the electric drive (4, 5) by means of the coupling element (11).

9. Motor vehicle lock according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The electric drive (4, 5) has an electric motor (4) and an adjustment element (5), in particular a worm gear (5).

10. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 9, characterized in that The coupling element (10) interacts with the adjustment element (5).

Images