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). Furthermore, a mechanical actuating element (9, 10), in particular an emergency actuating element (9, 10), is provided for manually or emergently opening the locking mechanism (1, 2). The actuating element (9, 10) is arranged at least partially outside the lock housing (4). Furthermore, the actuating element (9, 10) acts on the locking mechanism (1, 2) by means of a transmission element (12, 13) in order to achieve an opening or emergency opening and is pressurized by an operator. According to the invention, the transmission element (12, 13) is provided for further conducting pressure from the actuating element (9, 10) to the locking mechanism (1, 2).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, having a locking mechanism which mainly comprises a locking bolt / ratchet and a locking pawl / pawl, a mechanical operating element, in particular an emergency operating element, for manually opening or emergency opening the locking mechanism, wherein the operating element is arranged at least partially outside the lock housing and acts on the locking mechanism by means of a transmission element in order to achieve the opening or emergency opening and is loaded with a pressure by the operator for this purpose. BACKGROUND

[0002] Motor vehicle locks, in particular motor vehicle door locks, are nowadays increasingly opened in an electrically powered manner. For this purpose, an electrical opening drive for the locking mechanism is provided. In this way, the associated motor vehicle lock, in particular the motor vehicle door lock, can be opened in a remote-controlled manner after a preceding question / answer dialogue. The opening can also be achieved by operating a key, for example. In this way, the comfort of opening the associated motor vehicle door is increased and, in addition, no operating force or only a very small operating force is required. For this reason, electronic locks of this type are increasingly in demand.

[0003] However, a problem with such motor vehicle locks is that the intact functionality of the electrical opening drive for the locking mechanism requires a power-sufficient normally operating on-board battery. This prerequisite cannot always be fulfilled, for example when the motor vehicle is to be opened after a longer parking time. If the opening of the door is desired after a collision or accident, problems can also arise.

[0004] After an accident, it is often necessary to open the door in a mechanical manner in order to enable the vehicle occupants to escape from the motor vehicle involved in the accident. For this reason, various solutions are already known from the prior art, by means of which an emergency operation is achieved by using an emergency operating element.

[0005] EP 3 995 655 A1, for example, describes a handling device for emergency opening of a vehicle locking component. For this purpose, an emergency operating element and a connection unit are provided. By means of the connection unit, a pulling force is transmitted from the emergency operating element to the opening mechanism or the locking mechanism.

[0006] DE 10 2021 129 562 A1, which is also attributed to the applicant, is similarly employed. In this case, too, a lever which is supported on the lock housing is loaded in a pulling manner in order to be able to finally ensure the opening of the locking mechanism. This pulling loading is achieved and carried out in that a cover which is movable relative to the housing is employed as an emergency operating element. Here, the pivoting movement of the cover is further conducted in a pulling manner via a transmission element to the lever.

[0007] In the emergency locking device corresponding to DE 10 2019 104 656 A1, the following measures are taken, namely that the operating element is connected to the door lock by means of a pulling element for unlocking. The operating element can assume a rest position and an operating position. In the rest position, the operating element is integrated in a flush manner into the interior trim part of the vehicle door. The operating element can be displaced from its rest position into its operating position by means of unlocking. The transmission element used is likewise a pulling element.

[0008] The same applies to the last teaching to be considered, which is according to DE 10 2018 108 999 A1. In fact, it relates here to a kind of operating unit for opening a strike of a motor vehicle door. To this end, the operating element can be moved into an open position. In this open position, the operating element ensures the opening of the strike with an intermediate connection of a movable mechanism. The movable mechanism is a Bowden cable, wherein the end of the Bowden cable is at least indirectly coupled with the operating element.

[0009] That is to say, the loading of the operating element here in the form of a pressed key with a pressure is again transmitted to the Bowden cable in such a way that the Bowden cable can load the locking mechanism with a pulling force.

[0010] This prior art has already proven itself in principle, which relates to a mechanical loading of a locking mechanism by means of an operating element and an intermediate connection of a transmission element, for example in the form of a Bowden cable. Here, too, in the closest prior art according to DE 10 2018 108 999 A1, there is also talk of loading the operating element with a pressure, which can usually be achieved relatively simply by the operator. However, in this case, as in all prior technical solutions, the following measures are also taken, namely that the transmission element ultimately exerts a pulling force on the locking mechanism in order to be able to mechanically open or emergency open the locking mechanism.

[0011] From the point of view of the best possible protection against theft, the loading of a pulling force by means of a transmission element is problematic. Because if, for example, the window glass of a motor vehicle door is smashed, an unauthorized person can easily exert a pulling force by means of the operating element and the Bowden cable coupled thereto and thereby illegally open the locking mechanism and thus the motor vehicle without permission. Even in the closest prior art according to DE 10 2018 108 999 A1, this can be achieved if the decorative panel, which here receives the operating element or the key, falls off from the interior trim. Because the Bowden cable can then be touched and can accordingly be loaded in a pulling manner without authorization. The invention will remedy this overall. SUMMARY

[0012] The technical problem addressed by the present application is to further develop such a motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, such that the safety, in particular the theft protection, is again significantly improved relative to the prior art.

[0013] To solve this technical problem, the present application proposes, based on such a motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, that a transmission element is provided for further conducting pressure from the actuating element to the locking mechanism.

[0014] In most cases, the following design is additionally also employed, namely that the transmission element is provided only for further conducting pressure from the actuating element to the locking mechanism. It has furthermore proven to be particularly advantageous if the actuating element can likewise only be loaded with pressure. Thereby, neither a pulling force can be applied to the transmission element by the actuating element nor can the transmission element be used for further conducting such a pulling force. In the context of a particularly preferred variant, therefore, the actuating element can only be loaded with pressure and the transmission element is likewise provided only for further conducting pressure from the actuating element to the locking mechanism.

[0015] In this way, the safety and the theft protection can be significantly improved. The above can be achieved even if the additional blocking mechanical lever train, i.e. the mechanical actuating element and / or the transmission element, is omitted. In this way, costs can be reduced and a particularly cost-effective and at the same time functionally reliable solution can be provided.

[0016] Here, the present application is based on the knowledge that the loading of the actuating element and the transmission element with pressure only for manually opening or emergency opening the locking mechanism ensures that the locking mechanism cannot be opened at will even if the actuating element or the transmission element is manipulated, i.e. even if, for example, the window pane of the associated motor vehicle door has been smashed. Any manipulation leads to the fact that the pressure loading cannot be (re)achieved and executed, since the transmission element, which is typically designed flexibly, for example as a Bowden cable, can only be loaded with pressure in an undamaged state.

[0017] Typically, such a Bowden cable has a jacket which serves to some extent as a support and a cable core which can be moved inside the jacket. Only the undamaged interaction of the jacket and the cable core ensures that the required pressure for opening the locking mechanism can actually be applied by the cable core and at the same time the jacket serves as a support. The actuating element is likewise configured such that it is typically designed as a push button / paddle button / button. The push button can only transmit the pressure built for loading the transmission element and be built in the necessary size if the button element is elastically supported relative to the receptacle surrounding the button element.

[0018] The jacket of the Bowden cable is coupled to the receiving part, so that any damage to the receiving part and / or the jacket and / or a break in the mechanical connection between the receiving part and the jacket disrupts the functionally intact pressure loading. This is necessarily the case in the event of an unauthorised intrusion, so that the additional locking device can be omitted as a theft protection measure. Furthermore, the safety is significantly increased compared to the prior art, since hitherto the locking mechanism could be opened unauthorised by means of the constructed tension loading when the operating element was damaged or touched. According to the application, however, the locking mechanism can be loaded intuitively and with little effort, in particular from the motor vehicle interior, so that even in the event of a failure of the electrical energy supply to the additionally provided electrical opening drive, the vehicle occupant located in the motor vehicle interior can open the motor vehicle door. This is the main advantage of the application.

[0019] The Bowden cable, which is generally provided here to transmit the pressure, generally extends continuously into the dry space / dry cargo compartment and / or the interior of the motor vehicle. In most cases, the transmission element ends in the interior of the motor vehicle, so that the locking mechanism can be loaded manually therefrom. It is additionally provided in this respect that the transmission element penetrates a seal, for example in the inner door panel. By means of the seal, it is ensured that the separation between the moist space and the dry space inside the motor vehicle door is maintained by the transmission element and is not disturbed.

[0020] The transmission element itself can be coupled to an operating lever to open or emergency open the locking mechanism. For this purpose, the operating lever concerned can be supported inside or outside the lock housing. Furthermore, it is provided in most cases that the operating lever extends outwards via a sealing opening of the lock housing. The lock housing itself generally comprises a metal lock box, which supports the locking mechanism, and a lock cover, which is generally made of plastic.

[0021] It has proven advantageous for the operating element to be arranged on or in the interior trim of the door. Thereby, the vehicle occupant can easily and intuitively use the operating element when it is necessary to open or emergency open the locking mechanism manually. It has also proven advantageous in this respect for the operating element to be arranged in the region of the handle recess. Thereby, the operating element can be easily found and, for example, touched.

[0022] As already mentioned, the operating element is generally designed as a push button. Since such a push button typically at least slightly (in a spring-aided manner) protrudes from the receiving part, in which it is supported, the push button can be easily perceived and loaded in terms of haptics. It has also proven advantageous in this respect for the operating element to be embedded in the receiving surface in a flush manner.

[0023] The receiving surface can be the door trim already described. This design, which is flush with the surface, means in this context that the receiving part for the key element is flush with the surface in the receiving surface. Advantageously, the door trim already described can be involved here.

[0024] A motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, is thus provided, which enables the manual opening or emergency opening of the locking mechanism and at the same time provides an improved protection against theft. This applies even if the fact is taken into account that the mechanical lever train comprising the actuating element and the transmission element is omitted additionally, for example mechanically. This is mainly due to the fact that only a pressure is exerted on the actuating element and the transmission element. This is the main advantage of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] The application is explained in detail below with reference to the drawings, which show only one embodiment; in the drawings:

[0026] Figure 1 a schematic view of a motor vehicle lock according to the application,

[0027] Figure 2 a motor vehicle door associated therewith, which has an actuating element mounted on a door trim, and

[0028] Figure 3 a schematic cross-sectional view of a door trim with an actuating element according to Figure 2 the application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] A motor vehicle lock is shown in the drawings, which is designed as a motor vehicle door lock in the scope of this embodiment. For this purpose, the motor vehicle lock or motor vehicle door lock has a locking mechanism 1, 2, which is only outlined and mainly comprises a latch 1 and a pawl 2, inside. The basic structure also comprises a lever 3, which is supported inside or outside the lock housing 4. The lever 3 can be swung about its axis 5.

[0030] The swinging movement of the lever 3 thus indirectly or directly leads to the fact that the pawl 2 is released from its locking engagement with the latch 1 in the locking state shown here Figure 1 is shown. The latch 1 is thus opened in a spring-aided manner and releases the not shown, previously seized bolt. Thereby, in Figure 1 the locking mechanism 1, 2, which is only outlined and in Figure 2The associated motor vehicle door 6, which is shown in perspective view, can be opened. To this end, a release lever 7 can be provided, which takes up the pivoting movement of the lever 3 about its axis 5 in order to open the locking mechanism 1, 2 and to transmit the pivoting movement to the locking claw 2 in such a way that the locking claw is released from its engagement with the locking tongue 1. Alternatively thereto, the locking mechanism 1, 2 can also be opened electrically. To this end, an electrical or electric opening drive 8 is provided according to this embodiment, which, instead of mechanically or manually opening the locking mechanism 1, 2 as described above, likewise ensures that the locking mechanism 1, 2 can be opened electrically.

[0031] Further basic structures include mechanical actuating elements 9, 10, which are emergency actuating elements 9, 10 according to this embodiment. The emergency actuating elements 9, 10 are designed as push buttons 9, 10 according to the design shown in Figure 3 . In particular, the push buttons have a push button element 9, which is supported in a receptacle 10 and can perform a linear movement, which is outlined in Figure 3 , relative to the receptacle 10 against the force of a spring 11. In fact, the push button element 9 is supported on the spring 11, which itself extends from the floor of the receptacle 10 to the bottom of the push button element 9. Thereby, the push button element 9 can perform a linear movement, which is outlined in Figure 3 , against the force of the spring 11. To this end, the push button element 9 can be designed cylindrically, and the receptacle 10 is correspondingly designed hollow-cylindrically in order to receive and guide the cylindrical push button element 9.

[0032] Furthermore, a transmission element 12, 13 is shown. The transmission element 12, 13 is designed flexibly according to this embodiment and, for example, is designed as a Bowden cable 12, 13, which transmits pressure. In fact, the Bowden cable 12, 13 comprises a cable core 12 and a sheath 13, which surrounds the cable core 12.

[0033] The actuating elements 9, 10 are arranged at least partially outside the lock housing 4 and can be loaded with pressure manually by an operator. According to this embodiment, it can be seen that the lock housing 4 (on the one hand) and the actuating elements 9, 10 (on the other hand) are separated from one another in terms of position and function, wherein the transmission element 12, 13 ensures a functional coupling. In this way, the actuating elements 9, 10 can act on the locking mechanism 1, 2 by means of the transmission element 12, 13, i.e. for opening or emergency opening of the locking mechanism 1, 2. To this end, the actuating elements 9, 10 are loaded with pressure.

[0034] In fact, according to the application, the following design is employed in this embodiment, namely that the transmission elements 12, 13 are provided for further conducting the pressure from the actuating elements 9, 10 to the locking mechanism 1, 2. In the context of the embodiment presented, the following design is employed in particular, namely that the actuating elements 9, 10 or emergency actuating elements 9, 10 are provided only for loading the pressure. The transmission elements 12, 13 are likewise provided only for further conducting the pressure from the actuating elements 9, 10 to the locking mechanism 1, 2. Thus, in particular, the pushbutton element 9 is loaded with pressure only in the diagram in Figure 3 , whereby the cable core 12 can likewise be moved with pressure only relative to the outer jacket 13, so that the cable core 12 itself swings the lever 3, which then ensures, directly or indirectly with intermediate connection of the release lever 7, that the locking claw 2 disengages from its locking engagement in the locked state illustrated in Figure 1 . In this way, the locking mechanism 1, 2 is opened or opened in emergency, and the motor vehicle door 6 equipped with the motor vehicle lock or motor vehicle door lock can then be opened, namely manually and purely mechanically.

[0035] From a comparative observation of Figure 1 and Figure 2 , it can be seen that the transmission elements 12, 13 extend all the way into the dry space and / or the interior space of the motor vehicle. Here, the transmission elements 12, 13 are threaded through the seal 14 outlined in Figure 1 . According to this embodiment, the seal 14 is arranged in the inner door panel 6b of the motor vehicle door 6. In fact, the motor vehicle door 6 has an outer door panel 6a, which can be seen in Figure 2 , and additionally has the already described inner door panel 6b. Here, the inner door panel 6b is equipped with an opening for the seal 14 to be fitted therein, which is itself threaded through by the transmission elements 12, 13.

[0036] As already mentioned, the transmission elements 12, 13 are coupled to the lever 3 for opening or opening in emergency the locking mechanism 1, 2. Here, in the context of this embodiment, the lever 3 is supported on the inner side of the lock housing 4. Furthermore, the lever 3 extends outward via a not explicitly shown sealing opening of the lock housing 4, so that the lever 3 can be connected and coupled with the transmission elements 12, 13.

[0037] From a comparative observation of Figure 2 and Figure 3 , it can be seen that the actuating elements 9, 10 are arranged on or in the door trim 15. For this purpose, in particular according to this embodiment, the receptacle 10, which receives and guides the pushbutton element 9, is fitted into an opening of the door trim 15.

[0038] Furthermore, according to Figure 2It can be seen that the actuating elements 9, 10 are arranged and disposed in the region of the handle recess 16. By this, the pushbutton element 9 implemented here can be easily loaded by the vehicle occupant and can also be directly found intuitively. Since the pushbutton element 9 protrudes slightly in a spring-loaded manner from the receptacle 10 and thus from the door trim 15. This applies even if the fact is taken into account that the actuating elements 9, 10 are overall embedded in a surface flush manner in the receptacle face, which in the scope of this embodiment is provided and formed by the door trim 15.

[0039] The working principle is as follows. In normal operation or under normal circumstances, the locking mechanism 1, 2 is opened by means of the electrical or electric opening drive 8. For this purpose, the electric opening drive 8 acts on the locking claw 2 in such a way that the latter is released from its locking engagement with the locking bolt 1. Subsequently, the locking bolt 1 can be opened in a spring- assisted manner and releases the previously seized lock pin. The motor vehicle door 6, which is equipped with a motor vehicle lock or motor vehicle door lock, can be opened.

[0040] However, if the electrical energy supply for the electrical or electric opening drive 8 is interrupted, in particular after an accident or crash, the vehicle occupant can still escape from the motor vehicle by loading the previously described mechanical actuating rod system 9, 10; 12, 13. This mechanical actuating rod system 9, 10; 12, 13 comprises, on the one hand, the mechanical actuating elements 9, 10 and, on the other hand, the transmission elements 12, 13.

[0041] In particular, this manual or mechanical opening process corresponds to the relevant vehicle occupant loading the pushbutton element 9. By this, the pushbutton element 9 enters the receptacle 10, which guides the pushbutton element 9. The cable core 12 of the transmission element 12, 13 is coupled to the pushbutton element 9.

[0042] Now, loading the pushbutton element 9 with pressure results in loading the cable core 12 with pressure. In the exemplary case, in order to be able to transmit this pressure loading overall to the actuating lever 3 in order to release the locking claw 2 from its locking engagement with the locking bolt 1, the receptacle 10 together with the jacket 13 serves as a support. For this purpose, the jacket 13 is coupled to the receptacle 10 and by this loading the pushbutton element 9 with pressure can be used to load the cable core 12 with pressure.

[0043] Loading the cable core 12 with pressure now ensures that the actuating lever 3, which is coupled to the cable core 12, is swung about its shaft 5. This swinging movement of the actuating lever 3 is directly or with intermediate connection of the release lever 7 converted into a swinging movement of the locking claw 2 about its shaft in the drawn clockwise direction. This results, as in the case of the electrical actuating locking mechanism 1, 2, in opening or (emergency) opening the locking mechanism 1, 2 in this case as well.

[0044] List of reference signs:

[0045] locking mechanism 1, 2

[0046] latch 1

[0047] latch pawl 2

[0048] joystick 3

[0049] lock housing 4

[0050] shaft 5

[0051] motor vehicle door 6

[0052] vehicle door outer panel 6a

[0053] vehicle door inner panel 6b

[0054] release lever 7

[0055] opening drive 8

[0056] key element 9

[0057] receiving portion 10

[0058] actuating element 9, 10

[0059] pushbutton key 9, 10

[0060] spring 11

[0061] transmission element 12, 13

[0062] cable core 12

[0063] bowden cable 12, 13

[0064] jacket 13

[0065] sealing portion 14

[0066] vehicle door trim 15

[0067] handle recess 16

Claims

1. A motor vehicle lock, particularly a motor vehicle door lock, comprising: a locking mechanism (1, 2), the locking mechanism mainly including a bolt (1) and a pawl (2); and mechanical operating elements (9, 10), particularly emergency operating elements (9, 10), for manually or in an emergency opening of the locking mechanism (1, 2), wherein, The actuating elements (9, 10) are at least partially arranged outside the lock housing (4) and act on the locking mechanism (1, 2) by means of the transmission elements (12, 13) to achieve opening or emergency opening, and for this purpose, pressure is applied by the operator. Its features are, The transmission elements (12, 13) are configured to further transmit pressure from the actuating elements (9, 10) to the locking mechanism (1, 2).

2. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transmission elements (12, 13) are flexibly designed, for example, as Bowden cables (12, 13) for transmitting pressure.

3. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The transmission elements (12, 13) extend into the dry space and / or interior space of the motor vehicle.

4. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 3, characterized in that, The transmission elements (12, 13) pass through the sealing portion (14) in, for example, the inner panel (6b) of the door.

5. The motor vehicle lock according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The transmission elements (12, 13) are connected to the lever (3) to open or urgently open the locking mechanism (1, 2).

6. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 5, characterized in that, The lever (3) is supported inside or outside the lock housing (4), and preferably extends outward through a sealed opening in the lock housing (4).

7. The motor vehicle lock according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The control elements (9, 10) are arranged on or in the door trim (15).

8. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 7, characterized in that, The control elements (9, 10) are located in the area of ​​the handle groove (16).

9. The motor vehicle lock according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The control elements (9, 10) are designed as push-buttons (9, 10).

10. The motor vehicle lock according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The actuating elements (9, 10) are embedded in the receiving surface in a flush manner.

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