Lock for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a lock (1) for a motor vehicle, having a locking mechanism (3) comprising a locking bolt (3) and at least one locking claw, a lock housing (2), wherein the locking mechanism components (3) are each received in an oscillating bearing in the lock housing (2) by means of locking mechanism component shafts (4, 5), a lock housing (16), wherein the lock housing (16) at least surrounds the locking mechanism component shafts (4, 5), wherein the lock housing (16) is receivable on at least one locking mechanism component shaft (4, 5).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lock for a motor vehicle, the lock having: a locking mechanism including a bolt / ratchet and at least one pawl / pawl; a lock housing, wherein the locking mechanism components are respectively received in the lock housing in a swing-supported manner by means of the locking mechanism component shafts; and a lock housing, wherein the lock housing at least surrounds the locking mechanism component shafts. Background Technology

[0002] Here, the basic structural design of the locking system is such that the latch, which can engage with the locking system, is surrounded by the locking system, and the movable member is fixed in its position. For this purpose, the bolt preferably engages with the latch, wherein the bolt is held in the locked or locked position by means of a pawl. Particularly in side doors, the lock has two locking positions: a pre-locked position and a main locking position, in which the side door is fully locked.

[0003] Motor vehicles are subject to environmental influences. Therefore, rain, snow, heat, cold, or dust can affect the function of components that can be operated by the user. In particular, to protect the functional elements in the vehicle's locking system, the functional elements of the locking device are equipped with cover devices.

[0004] The cover device is, in most cases, made of plastic and forming a housing, which is usually constructed in at least two pieces. To ensure the functional elements of the locking device are sealed, for example, to prevent moisture intrusion, the housing components typically have a sealing profile that forms a seal when the housing components are installed or assembled to form the housing. This seal serves two purposes: firstly, to prevent the intrusion of, for example, moisture and / or dirt; secondly, it can influence the acoustic emission of the functional elements of the locking device. Therefore, the seal serves two purposes: firstly, to ensure that nothing hinders or limits the function of the locking device; and secondly, to ensure optimal noise levels in the locking device.

[0005] The multi-piece structure of the housing or cover assembly of the locking device may be limited by structural constraints, i.e., by the installation location of the locking device, and / or the reason may be that the manufacture of the locking device requires a multi-piece structure. It has been demonstrated here that the housing components have sealing profiles corresponding to each other, which form a seal when mated.

[0006] A motor vehicle door lock is known from DE 20 2008 004 332 U1, comprising a lock housing having at least one sealing portion, wherein the sealing portion is secured in an associated receiving cavity within the lock housing by means of at least one cavity element. In addition to the cavity element, the sealing portion also has at least one fitting element that engages the receiving cavity from above and / or from below. Here, the motor vehicle lock housing has a lock cover and a cover portion that engage with a sealing profile arranged at least partially. The lock cover has a receiving portion into which a protrusion of the cover portion engages, thereby forming a meandering sealing profile.

[0007] DE 10 2015 108 733 A1 discloses a housing of at least two parts, comprising: a first housing component receiving a locking mechanism therein; and a second housing component that acts as a housing cover to close the first housing component. To secure, align, and connect the two housing components, a second sealing region is provided with a protrusion that engages with a pointed groove. Thus, a sealed connection can be achieved between the two housing components, and simple and precise installation can be accomplished.

[0008] If the fastening of the housing component can be achieved through the housing or different housing parts, a solution is also known in which a lock housing, at least partially surrounding the lock housing, is used to fasten the housing. Thus, for example, as known from DE 10 2017128 735 A1, the lock housing is constructed with an extension that engages in a protrusion on the housing, so that the housing can be fastened (described as a clamp-on connection) to the lock housing. Furthermore, this document discloses a component for mounting a motor vehicle lock, wherein the component for mounting can be designed, for example, as a threaded sleeve and can be form-locked into the lock housing.

[0009] If solutions are now known in which the lock housing components can be directly connected to each other or the lock box can be used to secure the lock housing, then these solutions have been validated in principle.

[0010] Motor vehicle lock developers have always strived to achieve such small tolerances that components can be precisely aligned relative to each other while simultaneously ensuring easy installation. Precision components with small tolerances are technically expensive to manufacture. Therefore, the goal is to achieve precise alignment of motor vehicle lock components with minimal structural cost. This invention is proposed based on this objective. Summary of the Invention

[0011] In view of the aforementioned problems, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved vehicle lock. In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle lock that provides high precision while maintaining the same component mass, and simultaneously incorporates additional stabilizing components.

[0012] The objective is achieved by the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are given in the dependent claims. However, it should be noted that the illustrated embodiments are not limiting, and rather, any variations of the features disclosed in the specification, claims, and drawings are feasible.

[0013] The object of the present invention is achieved by providing a lock for a motor vehicle, the lock having: a locking mechanism including a bolt and at least one pawl; a lock housing in which locking mechanism components are rotatably received by means of locking mechanism component shafts; and a lock housing that at least surrounds the locking mechanism component shafts, wherein the lock housing is received on at least one locking mechanism component shaft. The structure of the motor vehicle lock according to the invention has a number of advantages. Additional stabilizing effects are achieved in the motor vehicle lock due to the mutual cooperation between the lock housing and the locking mechanism component shafts. The housing gains additional support by abutting against the locking mechanism component shafts, thereby allowing for compliance with tolerances. The locking mechanism component shafts are typically fixedly mounted and preferably riveted to the lock housing or lock plate. Therefore, the locking mechanism component shafts are fixedly connected to the metal lock housing and thus provide a very precisely aligned mating surface for the lock housing.

[0014] The vehicle lock is dimensionally measured and tolerance-calibrated with reference to the position of the latch in the main locking position. When the locking mechanism is in the main locking position, i.e., in the fully locked position, the vehicle lock receives the latch. In this case, the latch is positioned such that it rests against the load arm of the latch bolt, especially when a preload is applied to the door seal or hatch seal. Based on the central axis of the latch, the position of the locking mechanism component shafts, and particularly the tolerances of the locking mechanism component shafts, are tolerance-calibrated. Therefore, the locking mechanism component shafts are provided with fastening points by directly calibrating the tolerances based on the latch, which have only small tolerances. Now, if the lock housing rests against the locking mechanism component shaft, the small tolerances of the locking mechanism component shafts provide a very precisely identifiable mating surface.

[0015] To account for small dimensional tolerances in the locking mechanism component shaft, the components cooperating with the locking mechanism can be designed to have multiple tolerances. If, for example, a separately supported release lever is arranged in a vehicle lock, the interaction between the release lever and, for example, the locking claw results in a distance tolerance between the latch center and the locking mechanism component shaft, plus a distance tolerance between the latch center and the release lever support point. Therefore, the support point of the release lever relative to the locking mechanism component shaft of the locking claw has at least two tolerances. Thus, the mating surface on the locking mechanism component shaft provides the fastening point in the vehicle lock, which only has a positional tolerance of the locking mechanism component shaft relative to the latch center.

[0016] The locking mechanism components, namely the latch and pawl, are supported on metal shafts in the vehicle lock. For this purpose, the locking mechanism component shaft is usually designed as a stepped spindle that passes through the lock housing or through the lock housing and the first housing component and is then riveted together by forming process, such as cold riveting.

[0017] As previously described, the locking mechanism component shaft is preferably designed as a stepped mandrel. A stepped mandrel here means that the locking mechanism component shaft serves as a support point for locking mechanism components, such as the bolt and pawl, and / or other lock components, and the steps or shoulders on the stepped mandrel can also be used to abut against other lock components. Therefore, the diameter section of the stepped mandrel can, for example, serve as a support shaft for the bolt, and a shoulder with a smaller diameter can, for example, be located at the support point of the bolt. In this case, the smaller diameter section can, for example, pass through the lock housing and / or lock case, thereby providing a contact surface for the bolt through the lock housing or lock case. The thinner end of the stepped mandrel that passes through the opening in the housing or lock housing can, in this case, be formed, for example, on the side of the lock housing or case opposite to the bolt, to establish an unremovable connection with the lock housing and thus achieve reliable support for the locking mechanism component. Furthermore, a larger diameter section can be provided on the stepped mandrel on the side of the bolt support location opposite to the smaller diameter section, which in this case forms a support surface or contact surface for the bolt. The larger diameter section can support other components of the locking mechanism, or a smaller diameter section can be provided after the larger diameter section, in which case it is used to accommodate, for example, a helical torsion spring. Therefore, the stepped spindle can reliably and stably support the locking mechanism components and can perform multiple functions in a motor vehicle lock.

[0018] The motor vehicle lock according to the invention has a lock housing that at least partially covers components of the locking mechanism in at least a region of the locking mechanism. The lock housing can be received in at least one shaft of the locking mechanism component. "Can be received" here means that the connection between the lock housing and the shaft of the locking mechanism component can be established in such a way that the lock housing can be fastened to or in the shaft of the locking mechanism component. In any case, the lock housing can be positioned via the shaft of the locking mechanism component and thus aligned relative to the latch pin and the central axis arranged in the latch pin.

[0019] Advantageously, the lock housing can be form-locked to the shaft of the locking mechanism component. This form-locking connection between the housing component and the shaft of the locking mechanism component forms an advantageous design variation of the invention because the lock housing can be reliably positioned and secured to the shaft of the locking mechanism component through the form-locking. It is conceivable, for example, that the lock housing partially engages the shaft of the locking mechanism component above and, for example, engages into a groove in the shaft of the locking mechanism component. Therefore, the housing can be reliably held while simultaneously being positioned relative to the shaft of the locking mechanism component. Furthermore, the lock housing is additionally stabilized by the form-locking connection between the housing and the shaft of the locking mechanism component.

[0020] Furthermore, it is advantageous that the locking mechanism component shaft has a recess into which the lock housing can at least partially engage, at least partially. This "lock housing engaging or inserting into the locking mechanism component shaft" allows for easy mating of the lock housing, particularly when a mating aid structure, for example, is provided on the lock housing. The recess in the locking mechanism component shaft can, for example, form-lockingly receive the lock housing. For example, it is conceivable that the lock housing has an extension, for example, rectangular or quadrangular, so that the lock housing can be inserted into and secured to the motor shaft. "Centered engagement" achieves simple installation and can also be implemented cost-effectively on the lock housing.

[0021] In another design variation of the invention, the recess has a cylindrical shape, thus the locking mechanism component shaft is at least partially designed as a hollow cylinder. The "partially hollow cylinder design of the locking mechanism component shaft" provides the advantage of reducing the weight of the stepped mandrel or the locking mechanism component shaft. Simultaneously, the hollow cylindrical region of the locking mechanism component shaft can serve as a receiving portion for the lock housing. Therefore, the lock housing can be partially or completely inserted into the recess of the locking mechanism component shaft, and the depth of the hollow cylindrical receiving portion can simultaneously serve as an auxiliary means for positioning the lock housing relative to the locking mechanism component shaft. It is also conceivable that, in addition to the cylindrical design, a form-locking mechanism can be designed between the recess and the extension on the lock housing to easily and reliably position and lock the lock housing using the locking mechanism component shaft.

[0022] Additionally, if a reinforcing plate is provided, wherein the locking mechanism component shaft can be connected by means of the reinforcing plate, another design variation of the invention is achieved. The reinforcing plate is used in motor vehicle locks where additional stability is required. If the locking mechanism component shaft is fixed to one side in the lock housing or lock plate, the locking mechanism component shaft can be additionally secured by the reinforcing plate and can be used to further improve the stability of the motor vehicle lock. Preferably, the reinforcing plate is received and fixed in the locking mechanism component shaft, which is designed as a stepped mandrel. "The reinforcing plate being fixed to the locking mechanism component shaft" can be achieved by form-locking, force-locking, or it can also be achieved by forming as a non-removable connection. Different fixing methods for the reinforcing plate can be provided depending on the application of the locking mechanism and the required stability. The reinforcing plate can be additionally held in the lock housing and / or used as a support or holding point for other functional elements or components of the motor vehicle lock. Therefore, for example, it is conceivable that a stop buffer can be arranged in the opening of the reinforcing plate, so that, for example, the locking mechanism component, release lever, or closing lever works in conjunction with the damping element.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the reinforcing plate can be non-removably connected to the locking mechanism component shaft, particularly by means of forming / deformation. At least one locking mechanism component shaft, non-removably connected to the reinforcing plate, extends through the reinforcing plate and can be connected there, for example, by riveting, i.e., cold forming. Thus, the stepped mandrel can, for example, extend through the lock housing and be cold-formed there, serving as a rotational shaft for, for example, the lock claw, and extend through the reinforcing plate and be non-removably connected there. This provides stable and reliable support for the locking mechanism components. In this case, according to the invention, the lock housing can, for example, be connected to a recess in the stepped mandrel. Therefore, a stable vehicle lock can be provided on the one hand, and the housing is precisely positioned and supported on the other.

[0024] As previously mentioned, the locking mechanism component shaft can be designed as a stepped mandrel, wherein at least one functional element can be mounted on the locking mechanism component shaft. Examples of functional elements include helical torsion springs, dampers, rods, or fixing elements or guides, which need to be received or supported in the vehicle lock. For example, it is generally conceivable to fix a release lever on the locking component shaft. The above examples are certainly not limiting; more precisely, the locking mechanism component shaft can also be used simply as a stop, for example, for a spring element. Depending on the application of the stepped mandrel, different diameter segments, slots, or protrusions can be provided on the stepped mandrel.

[0025] As previously described, one embodiment of the invention involves an extension on the lock housing that can be inserted into a recess in the locking mechanism component shaft. Even though only one extension is always mentioned here, it is also conceivable that both locking mechanism component shafts may have recesses or be form-fitted to the housing. Preferably, the lock housing is made of plastic and surrounds at least one area of ​​the locking mechanism component shaft. Depending on the design of the vehicle lock, only one housing cover may be provided, as in, for example, a hatch lock, or the lock housing may be constructed in multiple parts and formed by the lock housing and the housing cover. In this case, depending on the arrangement in the vehicle and the lock housing, the housing cover or the housing itself may have one or more extensions that cooperate with the locking mechanism component shaft. In summary, this thus achieves easy installation of the housing, and the housing can be precisely aligned with the locking mechanism for installation.

[0026] The lock housing is preferably made of plastic, more preferably of thermoplastic plastic, such as PPA, as an injection-molded component. Therefore, the lock housing can be manufactured cost-effectively, and the extension on the lock housing can be integrally molded onto the lock housing. According to the invention, the extension itself can also be designed as a hollow cylinder. The hollow cylindrical design of the locking mechanism component shaft and the hollow cylindrical design of the extension can positively influence the weight of the vehicle lock. Therefore, maximum stability can be introduced into the lock housing, enabling easy installation while achieving these advantages with a lighter weight. Attached Figure Description

[0027] The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the following principle applies: the embodiments do not limit the invention, but merely illustrate an advantageous design. The features shown may be implemented individually or in combination with other features of the specification and the claims.

[0028] The diagram shows:

[0029] Figure 1 A top view of a motor vehicle lock designed according to the present invention is shown, wherein the top view of the reinforcing plate, the locking mechanism, and the lock housing are shown.

[0030] Figure 2 The diagram shows the path along line II-II as a crossing according to Figure 1 A cross-section of a motor vehicle lock. Detailed Implementation

[0031] exist Figure 1The diagram shows a motor vehicle lock 1 containing the core components of the present invention. A locking mechanism 3 is arranged within a lock housing 2, wherein two locking mechanism component shafts 4 and 5 are provided, which additionally support a reinforcing plate 6. A retaining element 7 is additionally mounted on the reinforcing plate 6, wherein the retaining element 7 receives a latch buffer 8. The reinforcing plate 6 also has an extension 9 extending into the lock housing 2. The lock housing 2 can be mounted, for example, on a motor vehicle's tailgate via bolt holes 10. For clarity, in... Figure 1 Only one bolt hole 10 has a reference numeral.

[0032] The vehicle lock 1 shown is in the main locking position, in which the latch (shown in shaded line) is secured by the latch 3, thus the component pivotally fixed to the vehicle can be positioned and reliably held during driving. It can be clearly seen that the locking mechanism component shaft 5 of the pawl is designed as a stepped spindle. Figure 1 The various steps 11 are clearly visible. In this embodiment, the reinforcing plate 6 is held by a shoulder 12 and by means of a stepped spindle 5. A portion of the release lever 13 of the vehicle lock 1 can also be seen on the stepped spindle 5 or the locking mechanism component shaft 5.

[0033] The locking mechanism component shaft 4 extends through the reinforcing plate 6 and has a recess 14. The locking mechanism component shaft 4 also protrudes from the reinforcing plate 6 and has been fixedly connected to the reinforcing plate 6 by means of molding, wherein a surrounding flange 15 is formed, which on one hand forms an edge for the opening 14 and on the other hand fixes the reinforcing plate 6 to the locking mechanism component shaft 4.

[0034] Now Figure 2 A cross-section of the motor vehicle lock 1 is shown along line II-II. This is based on... Figure 1 The vehicle lock 1 has an installed lock housing 16. In this embodiment, the lock housing 16 covers the entire locking mechanism 3, is integrally formed with the extension 17, and is connected to the locking mechanism component shaft 4 through an opening 14 or a recess 14.

[0035] In addition, the reinforcing plate 6, the locking mechanism component shaft 4, the bolt 3, and the lock housing 2 can be seen. The locking mechanism component shaft 4 is designed as a stepped spindle and extends from the lock housing 2 to the reinforcing plate 6. Figure 2Starting from the lower region of the attached diagram, a rivet head 18 can be seen on the locking mechanism component shaft 4, which connects the stepped mandrel 4 to the lock housing 2. A smaller diameter segment is attached to the rivet head 18 and passes through the lock housing 2. A larger diameter segment 20, attached to the smaller diameter segment 19, forms the latch support portion 20. In addition to the lock housing 2, another shoulder 21 on the stepped mandrel 4 forms a lateral stop for the latch 3. The upper region of the stepped mandrel 4 is designed as a hollow cylinder 22. In this embodiment, a helical torsion spring 23 is mounted around the hollow cylinder 22. The helical torsion spring 23 can, for example, serve as a return spring for the latch 3. Finally, the stepped mandrel 4 extends through the reinforcing plate 6 and forms a flange 15 above the reinforcing plate 6.

[0036] The extension 17 of the lock housing 16 extends into the opening 14 of the hollow cylindrical extension 22 of the stepped mandrel 4. In this embodiment, the stepped mandrel is formed as a hollow cylinder, and the extension 17 also has a cylindrical shape. Here, the extension is also formed as a hollow cylinder, thereby achieving a smaller weight. Other mating shapes, such as rectangular, square, elliptical, etc., are also conceivable.

[0037] In addition, as in Figure 2 As can be clearly seen, by fastening the lock housing 16 to the stepped spindle 4 and inserting the extension 17 into the hollow cylinder 22 of the stepped spindle 4, the lock housing 16 can be aligned very precisely with respect to the central axis M of the locking mechanism 3. Therefore, taking the reference line B used to calibrate the dimensions of the motor vehicle lock 1 as a starting point, the lock housing 16 can be aligned very precisely with respect to the reference line B. There is only a small tolerance between the reference line B and the center line M of the locking mechanism component axis 4, thus enabling very precise positioning of the lock housing 16.

[0038] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram:

[0039] 1. Motor vehicle lock

[0040] 2 Lock Box

[0041] 3. Locking mechanism and locking bolt

[0042] 4, 5 Locking mechanism component shaft, stepped mandrel

[0043] 6 Reinforcing Plates

[0044] 7. Holding element

[0045] 8. Locking tongue buffer

[0046] 9. Extension

[0047] 10 Bolt holes

[0048] 11 steps

[0049] 12-spindle shoulder

[0050] 13 Release lever

[0051] 14 concavity

[0052] 15 Flanges

[0053] 16 Lock housing

[0054] 17. Extension

[0055] 18 Rivet Heads

[0056] 19 large diameter section

[0057] 20. Locking tongue support area

[0058] 21-axis shoulder

[0059] 22 Hollow Columns

[0060] 23. Helical Torsion Spring

[0061] M central axis

[0062] B. Baseline, Zero Line

Claims

1. A lock (1) for a motor vehicle, the lock having: The locking mechanism (3) includes a locking tongue (3) and at least one locking claw; Lock box (2), wherein, The locking mechanism component (3) can be received in the lock box (2) in a swingable manner by means of the locking mechanism component shafts (4, 5); Lock housing (16), wherein the lock housing (16) at least surrounds the shafts (4, 5) of the locking mechanism components. Its features are, The lock housing (16) can be received on at least one locking mechanism component shaft (4, 5).

2. The lock (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lock housing (16) is form-locked to the shafts (4, 5) of the locking mechanism components.

3. The lock (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The locking mechanism component shafts (4, 5) have recesses (14), and the lock housing (16) can be at least partially engaged in the recesses (14).

4. The lock (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The recess (14) has a cylindrical shape, wherein the locking mechanism component shaft (4, 5) is designed at least partially as a hollow cylinder (22).

5. The lock (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, A reinforcing plate (6) is provided, wherein the shafts (4, 5) of the locking mechanism components can be connected by means of the reinforcing plate (6).

6. The lock (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The reinforcing plate (6) can be connected in a non-removable manner, especially by means of the shafts (4, 5) of the forming and locking mechanism components.

7. The lock (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The locking mechanism component shaft (4, 5) can be designed as a stepped mandrel, wherein at least one functional element (23) can be mounted on the locking mechanism component shaft (4, 5).

8. The lock (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The extension (17) on the lock housing (16) can be inserted into the recess (14).

9. The lock (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The extension (17) can be integrally formed with the lock housing (16).

10. The lock (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The extension (17) can be designed as a hollow column.

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