Motor vehicle locks and vehicles including such motor vehicle locks
By adding a microswitch to the vehicle lock to detect the position of the latch, the problem of the door closing in the opposite direction in frameless vehicles is solved, and the door status can be accurately detected and reliably opened.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- KIEKERT AG
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-26
AI Technical Summary
The frameless door design of existing vehicles causes the doors to close in the opposite direction after the open button is pressed, resulting in a poor user experience. Furthermore, the door electronic control unit cannot accurately detect the door's opening status.
First and second microswitches are added to the vehicle lock to detect the fully unlocked and locked positions of the latch, respectively, to ensure that the door ECU can accurately know the door's opening status and prevent the door from closing in the opposite direction.
It improves the reliability and user experience of door opening, ensures that the doors will not close in reverse under special circumstances, and enhances the convenience of vehicle use.
Smart Images
Figure CN224282258U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to vehicle technology applications, and more particularly to a vehicle lock for opening / closing a vehicle side door, the vehicle lock comprising a housing, a locking mechanism, a drive mechanism, and a signal triggering mechanism. Furthermore, this invention also relates to a vehicle including this vehicle lock. Background Technology
[0002] Today's vehicles increasingly feature comfort functions and aesthetic appeal. For example, instead of mechanical interior door handles, they are designed to open doors via buttons.
[0003] However, for vehicles equipped with frameless doors, due to their lower center of gravity and automatic closing angle design, after pressing the electronic open button and gently pushing the door, the door often does not immediately open from the inside out; instead, it may move in the opposite direction to the closed position (i.e., the lock returns to the master locking position). This phenomenon often confuses vehicle users—they have clearly pressed the open button, yet they still cannot get out of the car smoothly. This results in a poor user experience when opening the door.
[0004] In addition, current car locks only have a full lock switch and a lock / unlock switch. The door electronic control unit (ECU) can only detect whether the door is fully closed. This means that it cannot detect the middle position of the door or know whether the door is fully open. Therefore, it can only use a fixed time (e.g., 200 milliseconds) to forcibly release the door.
[0005] Therefore, improved vehicle locks are still needed to address the aforementioned issues. Utility Model Content
[0006] One objective of this invention is to solve at least one of the aforementioned problems and defects existing in the prior art.
[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle lock is provided, the vehicle lock comprising: a housing having an internal cavity; a locking mechanism disposed in the cavity, the locking mechanism comprising a pawl and a bolt movable between a locked position and a fully unlocked position, wherein in the locked position, the pawl engages the bolt to prevent bolt movement and the vehicle lock is in a closed state, and in the fully unlocked position, the pawl disengages from the bolt and the vehicle lock is in a fully open state; a driving mechanism disposed in the cavity, the bolt being rotatable about a rotation axis fixed in the housing by the driving mechanism; and a signal triggering mechanism disposed in the housing, the signal triggering mechanism comprising a first micro switch and a second micro switch, wherein the first micro switch is configured to detect the fully unlocked position of the bolt to confirm whether the vehicle lock is in a fully open state, and the second micro switch is configured to detect the locked position of the bolt to confirm whether the vehicle lock is in a closed state.
[0008] Optionally, the first micro switch is arranged in a recess in the housing, and the latch has a lug on its outer periphery for engaging with the first micro switch.
[0009] Optionally, the lug portion is configured such that when the latch is rotated to the fully unlocked position, the lug portion presses the button of the first micro switch, causing the first micro switch to send an indication signal to the vehicle's electronic control unit that the vehicle lock is in the fully open state.
[0010] Optionally, a first micro switch is integrated into the circuit board of the vehicle lock. The latch has a protruding portion and a recessed portion arranged side by side in a direction parallel to the rotation axis on its outer periphery. It also has a circumferentially adjacent portion that is adjacent to the recessed portion in the circumferential direction of the latch. The radial distance between the recessed portion and the rotation axis is smaller than the radial distance between the protruding portion and the rotation axis, and smaller than the radial distance between the circumferentially adjacent portion and the rotation axis. Thus, the recessed portion forms a shape that is radially recessed toward the inside of the latch relative to both the protruding portion and the circumferentially adjacent portion.
[0011] Optionally, the circumferentially adjacent portion is configured to cooperate with a first micro switch, wherein when the latch is rotated to the fully unlocked position, the circumferentially adjacent portion presses the button of the first micro switch, causing the first micro switch to send an indication signal to the vehicle's electronic control unit that the vehicle lock is in the fully open state.
[0012] Optionally, the latch has an unlocked position engagement portion on its outer periphery for cooperating with a second micro switch. The unlocked position engagement portion and the lug portion are arranged sequentially along the circumference of the latch. The unlocked position engagement portion is configured such that after the latch rotates away from the locked position, the unlocked position engagement portion presses the button of the second micro switch, causing the second micro switch to send an indication signal to the vehicle's electronic control unit that the vehicle lock is in an unlocked state.
[0013] Optionally, the protruding part of the locking tongue is configured such that after the locking tongue rotates away from the locked position, the protruding part presses the button of the second micro switch, causing the second micro switch to send an indication signal to the vehicle's electronic control unit that the vehicle lock is in an unlocked state.
[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle is provided, the vehicle including a side door and the aforementioned vehicle lock.
[0015] Because the vehicle lock according to this utility model adds an extra micro switch and related design to detect the braking position, the vehicle door ECU can know whether the door opening is sufficient, thereby solving the problem of door self-closing in special circumstances. Attached Figure Description
[0016] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are non-limiting embodiments. The drawings are merely illustrative and not necessarily drawn to scale. Furthermore, they show only those parts necessary to illustrate the present invention, while other parts may be omitted or simply mentioned. That is, the present invention may include other components besides those shown in the drawings.
[0017] Figure 1 A portion of a motor vehicle lock according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown schematically in a top view, wherein the motor vehicle lock is in the fully open state.
[0018] Figure 2 A schematic top view is shown. Figure 1 The image shows the housing of the vehicle lock and the first micro switch.
[0019] Figure 3 The perspective view is shown schematically. Figure 1 The bolt of the vehicle lock shown.
[0020] Figure 4a , Figure 4b and Figure 4c It schematically shows that in Figure 1 The diagram shows the positional relationship and mutual cooperation between the latch and the micro switch in different states of the vehicle lock.
[0021] Figure 5A portion of a motor vehicle lock according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown schematically in perspective view.
[0022] Figure 6 The perspective view is shown schematically. Figure 5 The bolt of the vehicle lock shown.
[0023] Figure 7 The perspective view is shown schematically. Figure 5 The circuit board of the vehicle lock shown.
[0024] Figure 8a , Figure 8b and Figure 8c It schematically shows that in Figure 5 The diagram shows the positional relationship and mutual cooperation between the latch and the micro switch in different states of the vehicle lock. Detailed Implementation
[0025] The driver according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific features are set forth to enable those skilled in the art to gain a more complete understanding of the present invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that implementations of the present invention may not have some of these specific features. Furthermore, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described.
[0026] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center", "circumferential", "radial", "lateral", "longitudinal", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "upper", "lower", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", and "outer" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this utility model.
[0027] Figure 1 A portion of a motor vehicle lock according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. (See figure) Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle lock 100 may include: a housing 1, the interior of which is formed a receiving cavity; and a locking mechanism disposed in the receiving cavity, the locking mechanism including a pawl (not shown) and a bolt 2 movable between a locked position and a fully unlocked position. In the locked position, the pawl engages and locks the bolt 2 to prevent the bolt 2 from moving, and the vehicle lock 100 is in a closed state; in the fully unlocked position, since the pawl is disengaged from the bolt 2, the vehicle lock 100 is in a fully open state.
[0028] Furthermore, the vehicle lock 100 may also include a drive mechanism (not shown) disposed in a receiving cavity of the housing 1. Driven by the drive mechanism, the latch 2 can rotate about a rotation axis fixed in the housing 1. The drive mechanism may include a drive motor and a transmission device.
[0029] Additionally, the vehicle lock 100 may also include a signal triggering mechanism disposed in the housing 1, which may include a first micro switch 50 configured to detect the fully unlocked position of the bolt 2.
[0030] Furthermore, the signal triggering mechanism may also include a second microswitch 60 configured to determine whether the bolt 2 is in the locked position. When the bolt 2 is in the locked position (see...) Figure 4a and Figure 8a When the second micro switch 60 is not pressed, the door electronic control unit (ECU) can confirm that the latch 2 is locked by the pawl and the vehicle lock 100 is in the closed state.
[0031] Additionally, the signal triggering mechanism may include a third micro switch 70, which may be configured to detect the position of a control gear (not shown), i.e., detect the forward or reverse position of the control gear, for use (e.g., in an emergency) to confirm whether the vehicle lock 100 is in the locked / unlocked state.
[0032] Figure 2 The diagram schematically shows the housing 2 of the vehicle lock 100 and the first microswitch 50 installed in a corresponding cavity within the housing 2. Figure 3 The bolt 2 of the vehicle lock 100 is shown schematically.
[0033] like Figure 2 As shown, the first micro switch 50 can be arranged in the cavity of the housing 1. The latch 2 may have a lug portion 20 on its outer periphery for cooperating with the first micro switch 50, see [reference]. Figure 3 .
[0034] Figures 4a to 4c It schematically shows that in Figure 1 The diagram illustrates the positional relationship and mutual cooperation between the latch 2 and the micro switch in different states of the vehicle lock. Figures 4a to 4c In the illustrated embodiment, the first micro switch 50 is mounted in a recess in the housing 1, but the housing 1 is hidden to clearly show the micro switch. In this embodiment, the first micro switch 50 can be fixedly connected to the housing 1 by soldering. The second micro switch 60 and the third micro switch 70 are mounted on the circuit board 3 of the vehicle lock 100.
[0035] The latch 2 may have a non-locking position engaging portion 26 on its outer periphery for cooperating with the second micro switch 60. The non-locking position engaging portion 26 and the lug portion 20 are arranged offset relative to each other in both the circumferential and axial directions. Thus, when the latch 2 rotates from the locked position to the unlocked position, the non-locking position engaging portion 26 begins to press the button of the second micro switch 60, causing the second micro switch 60 to send an indication signal to the ECU that the vehicle lock is in an unlocked state. As the latch 2 continues to rotate to the fully unlocked position and the lug portion 20 also begins to press the button of the first micro switch 50, the first micro switch 50 sends an indication signal to the ECU that the vehicle lock is in a fully open state. See below for details.
[0036] Figure 4a The diagram shows the latch 2 in the locked position. At this position, a pawl (not shown) engages the latch 2 and locks it in place. Neither the first microswitch 50 nor the second microswitch 60 is activated. The ECU can determine that the vehicle lock 100 is in the closed state.
[0037] Figure 4b It shows from Figure 4a The locked state shown Figure 4c This is an intermediate state during the fully unlocked movement process, as shown. In fact, once the latch 2 disengages... Figure 4a In the locked position shown, the unlocked part 26 of the latch 2 faces the second micro switch 60 and presses the button of the second micro switch 60, causing the second micro switch 60 to send an indication signal to the ECU that the vehicle lock 100 is in an unlocked state; while the first micro switch 50 does not contact any part of the latch 2 and is therefore not pressed. In this case, the ECU can keep the pawl in the disengaged state by continuously energizing the drive motor of the vehicle lock 100. Thus, even if the door (e.g., a side door) moves in the opposite direction, the vehicle lock 100 will not be closed (because the pawl will not engage and lock the latch 2), and the door can still be opened normally.
[0038] From Figure 4b The intermediate state shown Figure 4c During the fully unlocked state movement shown, the unlocked position of the latch 2, specifically the non-locking part 26, continuously presses against the second micro switch 60. For example... Figure 4c As shown, when the latch 2 is rotated to the fully unlocked position, the lug 20 of the latch 2 faces the first micro switch 50 and presses the button of the first micro switch 50, causing the first micro switch 50 to send an indication signal to the ECU that the vehicle lock 100 is in the fully open state. In this case, the ECU can allow the door to move in the closing direction, and when the latch 2 is rotated to the locked position, the pawl can engage and lock the latch 2 to lock the vehicle lock.
[0039] Figure 5 A portion of a motor vehicle lock according to a second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated schematically. Figure 6 The bolt of the motor vehicle lock according to the second embodiment is schematically shown. Figure 7 schematically shown Figure 5 The circuit board of the motor vehicle lock according to the second embodiment.
[0040] In this second embodiment, the first micro switch 50 is not installed in the corresponding cavity of the housing 1 as in the first embodiment, but is integrated into the circuit board 3 of the vehicle lock 100. Furthermore, as... Figure 6 As shown, corresponding to the arrangement of the first micro switch 50 in this second embodiment, the latch 2 has a protruding portion 22 and a recessed portion 24 arranged side by side in a direction parallel to the rotation axis on its outer periphery, and also has a circumferential adjacent portion 28 adjacent to the recessed portion 24 in the circumferential direction of the latch 2. The circumferential adjacent portion 28 can be configured to cooperate with the first micro switch 50.
[0041] The radial distance between the recessed portion 24 and the rotating shaft is less than the radial distance between the protruding portion 22 and the rotating shaft, and less than the radial distance between the circumferential adjacent portion 28 and the rotating shaft. Thus, the recessed portion 24 forms a shape that is radially recessed toward the latch 2 relative to both the protruding portion 22 and the circumferential adjacent portion 28.
[0042] Figures 8a to 8c It schematically shows that in Figure 5 The diagram illustrates the positional relationship and mutual cooperation between the latch 2 and the micro switch in different states of the vehicle lock. Figures 8a to 8c In the circuit, the first micro switch 50, the second micro switch 60 and the third micro switch 70 are all installed on the circuit board 3 of the vehicle lock 100.
[0043] Figure 8a The diagram shows the latch 2 in the locked position. At this position, a pawl (not shown) engages the latch 2 and locks it in place. Neither the first microswitch 50 nor the second microswitch 60 is activated. The ECU can determine that the vehicle lock is in the closed state.
[0044] From Figure 8a The locked state shown Figure 8c During the fully unlocked state movement shown, as the locking bolt 2 disengages... Figure 8aAfter the locking position is shown, the recessed portion 24 and protruding portion 22 of the latch 2 begin to face the first micro switch 50 and the second micro switch 60, respectively. The second micro switch 60 sends an indication signal to the ECU that the vehicle lock 100 is in an unlocked state because its button is pressed by the protruding portion 22. The first micro switch 50 is not pressed by the recessed portion 24 because it is recessed radially inward towards the latch 2. In this situation, the ECU can keep the pawl disengaged by continuously energizing the drive motor of the vehicle lock 100. Thus, even if the door (e.g., a side door) moves in the opposite direction, the vehicle lock 100 will not be closed (because the pawl will not engage and lock the latch 2), and the door can still be opened normally. Meanwhile, the latch 2 reaches the... Figure 8b This is an intermediate state (semi-locked position).
[0045] The locking tongue rotates beyond... Figure 8b The semi-locked position shown continues towards Figure 8c During the fully unlocked movement shown, the protruding portion 22 of the latch 2 continues to press against the second micro switch 60. When the latch 2 rotates to the fully unlocked position, the circumferentially adjacent portion 28 of the latch 2 faces the first micro switch 50 and begins to press the button of the first micro switch 50, causing the first micro switch 50 to send an indication signal to the ECU that the vehicle lock 100 is in the fully open state. In this case, the ECU can allow the door to move in the closing direction, and the pawl can engage and lock the locking fork 2 to close the vehicle lock 100.
[0046] The vehicle side door is mentioned exemplarily in this document, but is not limited thereto; vehicle locks for vehicle side doors also apply to other aspects of the vehicle, such as the front cover, rear cover, or sliding door.
[0047] The term "motor vehicle" as used in this article includes both gasoline-powered vehicles and new energy vehicles.
[0048] Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments described above are exemplary and can be improved thereon. The structures described in the embodiments can be freely combined without causing any conflict in structure or principle.
[0049] After a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will clearly understand that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims, and that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in the specification.
[0050] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram:
[0051] 100 Motor Vehicle Locks
[0052] 1. Shell
[0053] 2. Locking tongue
[0054] 20 protruding ear parts
[0055] 22 Axial protrusions
[0056] 24 Depressed portion
[0057] 26 Non-locking position mating parts
[0058] 28 weeks to adjacent parts
[0059] 3 circuit boards
[0060] 50 First Micro Switch
[0061] 60 Second Micro Switch
[0062] 70 Third Micro Switch
Claims
1. A motor vehicle lock, characterized in that The vehicle lock (100) includes: The housing (1) has a receiving cavity formed inside; The locking mechanism provided in the receiving cavity includes a pawl and a bolt (2) that can move between a locked position and a fully unlocked position. In the locked position, the pawl engages the bolt (2) to prevent the bolt (2) from moving and the vehicle lock is in a closed state. In the fully unlocked position, the pawl separates from the bolt (2) and the vehicle lock is in a fully open state. A drive mechanism is provided in the receiving cavity, through which the locking tongue (2) can rotate around a rotation axis, the rotation axis being fixed in the housing (1); and A signal triggering mechanism arranged in the housing (1) includes a first micro switch (50) and a second micro switch (60). The first micro switch (50) is configured to detect the fully unlocked position of the latch (2) to confirm whether the vehicle lock (100) is in the fully open state, and the second micro switch (60) is configured to detect the locked position of the latch (2) to confirm whether the vehicle lock (100) is in the closed state.
2. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 1, characterized in that The first micro switch (50) is arranged in the cavity of the housing (1), and the latch (2) has a lug (20) on its outer periphery for cooperating with the first micro switch (50).
3. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 2, characterized in that The lug portion (20) is configured such that when the latch (2) is rotated to the fully unlocked position, the lug portion (20) presses the button of the first micro switch (50), causing the first micro switch (50) to send an indication signal to the electronic control unit of the vehicle that the vehicle lock is in the fully open state.
4. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first micro switch (50) is integrated in the circuit board (3) of the vehicle lock. The latch (2) has a protruding portion (22) and a recessed portion (24) arranged side by side in a direction parallel to the rotation axis on its outer periphery. It also has a circumferential adjacent portion (28) adjacent to the recessed portion (24) in the circumferential direction of the latch (2). The radial distance between the recessed portion (24) and the rotation axis is smaller than the radial distance between the protruding portion (22) and the rotation axis, and smaller than the radial distance between the circumferential adjacent portion (28) and the rotation axis. Thus, the recessed portion (24) forms a radially inwardly recessed shape relative to both the protruding portion (22) and the circumferential adjacent portion (28) toward the latch (2).
5. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 4, characterized in that, The circumferential adjacent portion (28) is configured to cooperate with the first micro switch (50), wherein when the latch (2) is rotated to the fully unlocked position, the circumferential adjacent portion (28) presses the button of the first micro switch (50), causing the first micro switch (50) to send an indication signal to the electronic control unit of the vehicle indicating that the vehicle lock is in the fully open state.
6. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The latch (2) has an unlocked position engagement portion (26) on its outer periphery for cooperating with the second micro switch (60). The unlocked position engagement portion (26) and the lug portion (20) are arranged sequentially along the circumference of the latch (2). The unlocked position engagement portion (26) is configured such that after the latch (2) rotates away from the locked position, the unlocked position engagement portion (26) presses the button of the second micro switch (60), so that the second micro switch (60) sends an indication signal to the electronic control unit of the motor vehicle that the motor vehicle lock is in an unlocked state.
7. The motor vehicle lock according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The protruding part (22) of the locking tongue (2) is configured such that after the locking tongue (2) rotates away from the locked position, the protruding part (22) presses the button of the second micro switch (60), so that the second micro switch (60) sends an indication signal to the electronic control unit of the motor vehicle that the motor vehicle lock is in an unlocked state.
8. A vehicle, the vehicle including a side door, characterized in that, The vehicle also includes a motor vehicle lock according to any one of claims 1 to 7.