Motor vehicle lock, in particular motor vehicle door lock

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, having a locking mechanism (1, 2, 3) comprising at least a locking bolt (1) and a locking claw (2, 3). Furthermore, an electric drive (6, 7, 8) for electrically opening the locking mechanism (1, 2, 3) is provided. Furthermore, a lever train (9, 10) is provided. The lever train (9, 10) has a first lever (9) and a second lever (10), which are mounted in a manner rotatable coaxially about a common rotation axis (11). The first lever (9) is loaded in order to mechanically open the locking mechanism (1, 2, 3), and the second lever (10) is loaded by means of the electric drive (6, 7, 8) in order to electrically open the locking mechanism (1, 2, 3).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lock, particularly a vehicle door lock, the vehicle lock having: a locking mechanism including at least a bolt and a pawl; an electric drive for electrically opening the locking mechanism; and a lever system, wherein the lever system has a first lever and a second lever, the first lever and the second lever being supported in a manner that allows them to rotate coaxially about a common axis of rotation. Background Technology

[0002] The prior art according to DE 10 2015 004 283 A1 relates to a motor vehicle lock, particularly a motor vehicle door lock, having a locking mechanism and an associated lever system for opening the locking mechanism. It also includes a lock housing with an L-shaped cross-section. Here, one side is designed to support the locking mechanism, and the other L-shaped side is designed to support at least most of the lever mechanism or lever system. In this way, a relatively compact structure has been achieved and implemented in a protected structural manner.

[0003] Furthermore, a so-called automatic opening mechanism is known from DE 10 2007 003 948 A1, which is still compactly and simply constructed. This automatic opening mechanism can be attributed to the fact that, in the locked state, the contact force vector, starting from the contact point between the bolt and the first pawl, is not directed towards the pawl's rotation axis, but rather inclined in this direction. This results in a oscillating torque generated by the bolt relative to the first pawl, which presses the first pawl into the open position for "automatic opening."

[0004] Therefore, the locking claw can be operated easily and quietly when opening the locking mechanism. A locking lever is additionally provided to lock the automatic opening mechanism. Furthermore, according to the prior art described in DE 10 2007003 948 A1, another second locking claw is additionally provided, which can move independently of each other. Here, the first locking claw can engage with the main locking part of the latch, while the second locking claw interacts with the pre-locking part. Here, the second locking claw is associated with the locking lever.

[0005] In this type of prior art according to DE 10 2021 128 868 A1, a motor vehicle lock is provided in which an electric drive not only acts on a release lever to electrically open the locking mechanism, but also simultaneously transfers the safety unit to its "safe" position and interacts with an adjusting element for this purpose. Here, the safety unit ultimately includes a connecting element and a connecting control lever. A connecting bolt is provided at the end of the connecting element, which can move up and down within the connecting forming portion.

[0006] The connecting part is a component of the first control lever, which, together with a second control lever, is rotatably supported coaxially about a common axis. If the connecting bolt is in a position spaced apart from the bottom of the connecting part, this corresponds to the "safety" function position of the safety unit. Conversely, if the connecting bolt occupies the bottom position within the connecting part, this corresponds to the "safety released" function position of the safety unit.

[0007] This approach provides an overall vehicle lock with reduced design costs and a compact structure. However, improvements are still possible because while the electric drive should always be used to electrically open the locking mechanism, additional mechanical opening is usually required. For redundancy, this structural design is recommended so that the locking mechanism can still be mechanically opened, for example, in the event of electric drive failure. Given the compact form factor, there is currently no convincing solution for this. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Accordingly, 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 while having a compact structure, the locking mechanism can be opened not only electrically but also mechanically.

[0009] To solve this technical problem, this type of vehicle lock, particularly a vehicle door lock, is characterized within the scope of this invention by loading a first lever to mechanically open the locking mechanism, and loading a second lever by means of an electric drive to electrically open the locking mechanism.

[0010] Therefore, the present invention is based on the knowledge that a first lever for mechanical opening and a second lever for electrical or electric opening via an electric drive can be supported in a manner that allows them to rotate coaxially about a common axis of rotation. This provides a particularly compact structure. At the same time, this arrangement allows the lever system and the locking mechanism to be functionally separate in principle, which further supports compactness. In practice, an L-shaped lock housing, specifically an L-shaped lock box, can be advantageously used here.

[0011] The following feasible solution exists: the joystick is arranged on the L-side or the operating side. Conversely, the locking mechanism is arranged on the other L-side or the locking mechanism side. This allows for a compact structure with a small installation size without compromising functionality.

[0012] In fact, according to the advantageous design, the second lever extends to the locking mechanism side to interact with the locking mechanism located there. That is to say, the only common point of contact for mechanically connecting the lever system on the operating side and the locking mechanism on the locking mechanism side is achieved through the second lever.

[0013] For this purpose, the second lever is advantageously equipped with a buffer in the area of ​​the junction. This buffer can be connected to the second lever, i.e., connected at the end. In this way, the second lever can advantageously interact with the release lever, which is an additional component of the locking mechanism on the locking mechanism side, and which at this time corresponds to loading, in particular opening, the locking mechanism. In principle, it is also possible to take the following measure: the release lever and one of the locking claws are integrally formed.

[0014] According to another advantageous design, the first lever, during its mechanical operation, actuates the second lever to open the locking mechanism. In this case, the invention employs a scheme where, typically, only the second lever is the sole point of contact with the locking mechanism side as described above. That is, by mechanically loading the first lever and, in the process, actuating the second lever to open the locking mechanism, it is ensured that, during this process, the release lever on the locking mechanism side, as described above, is loaded via the second lever, and the locking mechanism is opened as desired.

[0015] To implement this scheme structurally in detail, generally, the first lever is equipped with a protrusion for actuating the second lever. Therefore, once the first lever is mechanically loaded, its oscillating motion about a common axis of rotation with the second lever causes the first lever to actuate the second lever via the protrusion during this oscillating motion, thus causing both levers to oscillate together about the axis of rotation. This, in turn, triggers a release lever itself, loaded on the locking mechanism side by the second lever, to open the locking mechanism.

[0016] Within the scope of this invention, compactness is further improved by the following arrangement: the output wheel, as part of the electric drive device, is also rotatably supported coaxially with the two levers on a common axis of rotation. Here, the output wheel can engage with the second lever in its opening direction. Furthermore, the output wheel can disengage from the second lever in its reverse opening direction. Here, the opening direction of the output wheel corresponds to the rotation direction of the output wheel about the axis of rotation, which corresponds to the overall opening of the locking mechanism during this process.

[0017] Thus, the "mechanical and electric loading of two levers" can be achieved and implemented particularly simply, functionally suitably, and independently. For the locking mechanism to be opened electrically, only that the output wheel engages with the second lever and is loaded in the opening direction. Therefore, the output wheel and the second lever rotate together about the rotation axis. The first lever remains unaffected. Thus, the second lever loads the release lever on the locking mechanism side, thereby opening the locking mechanism as desired.

[0018] Conversely, if the locking mechanism is mechanically opened, the first lever mechanically swings around the rotation axis for this purpose. Here, a protrusion on the first lever ensures that, during this process, the second lever swings around the rotation axis together with the first lever. In this case, the output wheel remains stationary. Therefore, the second lever further ensures that the release lever on the locking mechanism side opens the locking mechanism as desired. Thus, the functions can be perfectly separated from each other, while simultaneously achieving a particularly compact and functionally suitable structure.

[0019] To further aid the above, the output wheel is designed as a gear sector. In this way, the output wheel can easily engage with the second lever in its opening direction and disengage from it in the reverse opening direction. For this purpose, the second lever, in its simplest form, has a latch, against which the second output wheel or gear sector moves to open the second lever. To disengage the output wheel from the second lever, it is only necessary to swing the output wheel in the reverse opening direction.

[0020] Finally, what has proven particularly advantageous in this respect is that the locking mechanism is designed as a multi-claw locking mechanism. Specifically, a double-claw locking mechanism with a pre-locking claw and a main locking claw is used here. In most cases, the pre-locking claw is equipped with a lever arm that also serves as a release lever. That is, the release lever and the pre-locking claw are integrally formed according to this embodiment. Of course, this is merely exemplary and by no means mandatory.

[0021] The release lever can now be loaded using the second joystick, and thus the pre-locking pawl can be loaded to open the locking mechanism. This is achieved by the pre-locking pawl subsequently disengaging the main locking pawl from its engagement with the bolt during the process.

[0022] Finally, the latch itself can be designed as a multi-piece design. It can be considered that the latch includes a main locking latch with a main locking portion and a pre-locking latch with a pre-locking portion, which are stacked and connected to each other in a layered manner. Furthermore, in most cases, the two latches are supported coaxially and rotatably relative to each other.

[0023] Furthermore, the pre-locking claw interacts with the pre-locking portion of the latch on the pre-locking bolt in the pre-locking plane, while the main locking claw interacts with the main locking portion of the latch on the main locking bolt in a spaced-apart main locking plane parallel to the pre-locking plane. Designing the locking mechanism as a multi-claw locking mechanism, particularly a double-claw locking mechanism, and having both a main locking bolt and a pre-locking bolt on the latch are advantageous and functionally auxiliary options, but not mandatory requirements. More precisely, this approach not only satisfies all safety requirements but also achieves a smaller opening force while reducing noise emissions. This contributes to the particularly compact structure of the motor vehicle lock according to the invention. This is a major advantage of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0024] The invention is illustrated below by way of the accompanying drawings, which show only one embodiment; the drawings show:

[0025] Figure 1 This illustrates the basic features of the motor vehicle lock according to the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 In accordance with Figure 1 The diagram shows a partial view of the vehicle lock when viewed along direction X.

[0027] Figure 3 Showing according to Figure 1 A diagram of a motor vehicle lock when the lock housing is removed along direction Y.

[0028] Figure 4 and Figure 5 Showing according to Figure 1 The vehicle lock with the lock housing removed in the same direction W, and... Figure 5 Remove the main locking claw from the center. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The accompanying drawings show a vehicle lock designed as a vehicle door lock. The vehicle door lock has locking mechanisms 1, 2, and 3, which include at least a bolt 1 and locking claws 2 and 3. In practice, this embodiment has two locking claws 2 and 3, namely a first locking claw 2 and a second locking claw 3. The first locking claw 2 is the main locking claw 2, while the second locking claw 3 is designed as a pre-locking claw 3.

[0030] Figure 2 As clearly shown, the latch 1 in this embodiment is designed as a stacked latch. In fact, the latch 1 includes a main locking latch 1a having a main locking portion and interacting with the main locking pawl 2, and a pre-locking latch 1b additionally interacting with the pre-locking pawl 3. The main locking latch 1a and the pre-locking latch 1b are stacked and connected to each other in a stacked manner and configured to swing about a common rotation axis 4.

[0031] The two locking claws 2 and 3, namely the main locking claw 2 and the pre-locking claw 3, are also coaxially and rotatably supported around a common rotation axis 5. This achieves both a smaller opening force and reduced noise emissions. Furthermore, this allows for a particularly compact structure because the distance between the pre-locking portion and the main locking portion on the latch 1 can be reduced (see...). Figure 4 and Figure 5 ).

[0032] To further reduce the opening force, the latch 1, or according to this embodiment, the main locking latch 1a, is constructed with a latching element 1c that is pivotally supported thereon. This latching element can previously be... Figure 1 As seen in [the document]. Here, such a latching element can be designed similarly to that described in detail in WO 2020 / 083435 A1, which originates from the applicant.

[0033] It should be emphasized that the design schemes of locking mechanisms 1, 2, and 3 as multi-claw locking mechanisms, especially double-claw locking mechanisms, and the design scheme of locking tongue 1 as a stacked locking tongue, are not mandatory requirements in any way. More precisely, these are particularly advantageous variations.

[0034] For the purposes of this invention, the electric drive devices 6, 7, and 8 are of particular importance for electrically opening the locking mechanisms 1, 2, and 3, as described in detail below. For this purpose, the electric drive devices 6, 7, and 8, according to this embodiment, include a motor 6 and transmission devices 7 and 8 connected thereto. The transmission devices 7 and 8 themselves have a gear 7 meshing with the output worm gear of the motor 6 and an output element or output wheel 8 loaded thereon. According to this embodiment, the output wheel 8 is a gear sector.

[0035] Another key feature is the control lever system 9 and 10. The control lever system 9 and 10 has a first control lever 9 and a second control lever 10. The two control levers 9 and 10 are coaxially supported around a common rotation axis or shaft 11. Moreover, the gear sector 8 or output wheel 8 on the output side of the electric drive devices 6, 7, and 8 are rotatably supported on the common rotation axis 11.

[0036] According to the present invention, the first lever 9 is designed to mechanically open the locking mechanism, and the second lever 10 is designed to electrically open the locking mechanisms 6, 7, and 8 by means of electric drive devices 6, 7, and 8. That is, the first lever 9 can mechanically open the locking mechanisms 1, 2, and 3. Correspondingly, the first lever 9 is loaded around a common rotation axis 11 to perform... Figure 2 The simplified outline depicts counter-clockwise movement. Correspondingly, this is based on... Figure 3 The movement is clockwise in the rear view, as indicated by the arrows shown there.

[0037] Here, the loading of the first lever 9 can be exemplarily achieved by means of a door handle or other manual lever connected in the middle by a mechanical connecting element (not shown). In practice, both levers 9 and 10 can be part of an internal lever system, though this is not mandatory. An external lever system can also be provided, or even a hybrid configuration could be considered.

[0038] Furthermore, locking mechanisms 1, 2, and 3 can be electrically opened using electric drive units 6, 7, and 8. For this purpose, the second lever 10 is operated using electric drive units 6, 7, and 8. This includes—this time—a further counter-clockwise movement of the output wheel or gear sector 8—around the rotation axis 11, which is achieved through… Figure 2 The arrows are sketched briefly. Based on... Figure 3 Correspondingly, in the rear view, the clockwise movement of the output wheel 8 or gear sector 8 around the common shaft 11 is related to this.

[0039] According to this embodiment, the mechanical connection with locking mechanisms 1, 2, and 3 is established solely through the second lever 10. That is, the second lever 10 is the (only) point of contact between the lever system 9, 10 and locking mechanisms 1, 2, and 3. This contributes to a compact structure. According to this embodiment, the lever system 9, 10 is arranged on the L-side of the L-shaped lock housings 13, 14. For this purpose, the lock housings 13, 14 have L-shaped lock boxes 13, 14 as main structural elements. Here, one of the L-sides 13 is designed as the locking mechanism side 13 and serves to support locking mechanisms 1, 2, and 3. In contrast, the other second L-side 14 is the operating side 14. Therefore, the operating side 14 receives the lever system 9, 10.

[0040] exist Figure 2 and Figure 3 As can be seen from the comparison, the control levers 8 and 9 supported on the operating side 14 can only interact with the locking mechanisms 1, 2, and 3 supported on the locking mechanism side 13 via the second control lever 10. For this purpose, the second control lever 10 is equipped with a buffer 12 at its end and extends to the locking mechanism side 13.

[0041] Now, in order to specifically realize and implement the opening of locking mechanisms 1, 2, and 3, the first control lever 9 is in accordance with... Figure 2 The diagram shows the mechanism oscillating counterclockwise around the rotation axis 11 to mechanically load locking mechanisms 1, 2, and 3. During this process, and during mechanical operation, the first lever 9 drives the second lever 10 to unlock locking mechanisms 1, 2, and 3. For this purpose, the first lever 9 is equipped with a protrusion 9a that can extend into the plane formed by the second lever 10 and thus drive the second lever 10.

[0042] Furthermore, because the output wheel 8 or gear sector 8, which is a component of the electric drive devices 6, 7, and 8, can engage with the second control lever 10 in the opening direction and disengage from it in the reverse opening direction, the mechanical operation of the first control lever 9 results in the first control lever 9, through its protrusion 9a, only driving the second control lever 10, and in these two levers 9 and 10, according to... Figure 2 In the diagram, it oscillates counterclockwise around a common axis of rotation 11. Here, the output wheel or gear sector 8 remains stationary. According to... Figure 2 The counter-clockwise swinging motion in the diagram corresponds to the buffer 12 located on the end side of the second lever 10 during this process, according to... Figure 2 In the diagram and also according to Figure 3 The diagram shows the movement "upward".

[0043] This causes the pre-locking pawl 3 to be loaded via the buffer 12. The arm 3a of the pre-locking pawl 3 then serves as a release lever 3a. That is, the release lever 3a is an integral part of the pre-locking pawl 3. Because the pre-locking pawl 3 is loaded when the buffer 12 moves "upward," the pre-locking pawl rotates around its axis or rotation axis 5 according to... Figure 4 As shown in the diagram, the bolt 1 swings counterclockwise in the direction roughly outlined there, so the bolt 1 disengages from the pre-locking pawl 3. If the locking mechanisms 1, 2, and 3 are located in the main locking part, the pre-locking pawl 3, which swings counterclockwise around the rotation axis 5 during this process, ensures that the main locking pawl 2 is driven through this process, thereby disengaging the bolt 1 again, that is, disengaging from the two pawls 2 and 3.

[0044] The opening process is particularly effortless here, especially from the main locking part. This is ensured by a latching element 1c rotatably supported on the main locking tongue 1a, which is disposed between the main locking tongue 1a and the associated main locking pawl 2. The opening movement of the main locking pawl 2 now results in a rolling motion between the main locking pawl 2 and the latching element 1c, which reduces the operating force in this area.

[0045] As mentioned earlier, the opening movement of locking mechanisms 1, 2, and 3 is based on... Figure 2 In the diagram, and corresponding to the electric opening, the output wheel or gear segment 8 oscillates around the rotation axis 11 in a counterclockwise direction, as roughly outlined therein. As the output wheel or gear segment 8 oscillates, it moves against the latch 10a on the second operating lever 10. Thus, the second operating lever 10 is driven counterclockwise around the common rotation axis 11 as the output wheel 8 oscillates. Correspondingly, the buffer 12 moves "upward." The first operating lever 9 remains stationary.

[0046] Conversely, when the first lever 9 is mechanically loaded, the first lever ensures that the second lever 10 is driven by the protrusion 9a mounted thereon. During this process, the gear sector 8 remains stationary, and the latch 10a is moved away from the gear sector 8. For this purpose, the latch 10a on the second lever 10 can interact with the associated recess on the gear sector 8, which can be seen in the figures; however, this is not mandatory.

[0047] Finally, by using Figure 2 , Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 , Figure 5 It can also be seen that the previously described "upward movement" of the buffer 12 ultimately causes the release lever 3a, or the correspondingly constructed arm 3a on the pre-locking pawl 3, to move relative to the associated rotation axis 5. Figure 4 and Figure 5 The diagram shows the lever swinging counterclockwise. This is possible because the second lever 10, together with the buffer 12, extends to the locking mechanism side 13, which includes the locking mechanisms 1, 2, 3 supported thereon.

[0048] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram:

[0049] Locking tongue 1

[0050] Locking tongue 1a

[0051] Pre-locking tongue 1b

[0052] Latch element 1c

[0053] Main locking claw 2

[0054] Pre-locking claw 3

[0055] Claws 2 and 3

[0056] Locking mechanisms 1, 2, 3

[0057] Pre-locking claw 3

[0058] Release lever arm 3a

[0059] Rotating shaft 4

[0060] Rotating shaft 5

[0061] Motor 6

[0062] Gear 7

[0063] Output wheel 8

[0064] Gear Segment 8

[0065] Transmission devices 7 and 8

[0066] Drive units 6, 7, 8

[0067] Joystick 9

[0068] Protrusion 9a

[0069] Joystick 10

[0070] Control levers 9 and 10

[0071] 10a of the plug

[0072] Rotating shaft 11

[0073] Buffer 12

[0074] Locking mechanism side 13

[0075] L side 14

[0076] Lock housings 13, 14

Claims

1. A motor vehicle lock, particularly a motor vehicle door lock, said motor vehicle lock comprising: a locking mechanism (1, 2, 3) including at least a bolt (1) and a pawl (2, 3); an electric drive device (6, 7, 8) for electrically opening the locking mechanism (1, 2, 3); and a lever system (9, 10), wherein, The control lever system (9, 10) has a first control lever (9) and a second control lever (10), which are supported in a manner that allows them to rotate coaxially about a common rotation axis (11). Its features are, The first control lever (9) is loaded to mechanically open the locking mechanism (1, 2, 3), and the second control lever (10) is loaded by means of the electric drive device (6, 7, 8) to electrically open the locking mechanism (1, 2, 3).

2. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first lever (9) drives the second lever (10) to open the locking mechanism (1, 2, 3) during its mechanical operation.

3. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first control lever (9) is equipped with a protrusion (9a) for driving the second control lever (10).

4. The motor vehicle lock according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The output wheel (8) of the electric drive unit (6, 7, 8) is rotatably supported on a common rotating shaft (11) along with the two control levers (9, 10).

5. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 4, characterized in that, The output wheel (8) can engage with the second lever (10) in the opening direction and disengage from the second lever (10) in the reverse opening direction.

6. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The output wheel (8) is designed as a gear sector (8).

7. The motor vehicle lock according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The control levers (9, 10) are arranged on the L-operation side (14) of the L-shaped lock housing (13, 14), while the locking mechanisms (1, 2, 3) are arranged on the other L-locking mechanism side (13).

8. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second lever (10) extends to the locking mechanism side (13) to interact with the locking mechanisms (1, 2, 3) located there.

9. The motor vehicle lock according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The locking mechanism (1, 2, 3) is designed as a multi-claw locking mechanism, especially a double-claw locking mechanism (1, 2, 3) with a main locking claw (2) and a pre-locking claw (3).

10. The motor vehicle lock according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The latch (1) is designed as a stacked latch including a main locking latch (1a) and a pre-locking latch (1b).

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