Motor vehicle lock

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock comprising a locking mechanism with a rotary latch (1) and at least one pawl (14), wherein the rotary latch (1) can be locked in at least one detent position by means of the pawl (14), and wherein the rotary latch (1) is formed with a first load arm (4) which engages with a lock holder (7) in the locked state and a second catch arm (5) which engages with the lock holder (7) during locking, and the load arm (4) is formed with an indentation (10), wherein the indentation (10) terminates in front of a free end (11) of the load arm (4).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock comprising a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least one pawl, wherein the rotary latch can be locked in at least one locking position by means of the pawl and wherein the rotary latch is designed with a first load arm which engages with a lock holder in the locked state and a catch arm which engages with the lock holder during locking, and the load arm is designed with an impression.

[0002] Motor vehicle locks, also known as locking systems, locks, or motor vehicle closures, are used wherever pivoting or sliding components on the motor vehicle must be held in position while the vehicle is in motion. Movable components include, for example, flaps, doors, covers, or hoods that must be moved for maintenance purposes or to enter the vehicle. To hold the movable components in position, a motor vehicle lock preferably works together with a lock holder, which in turn is preferably arranged on the body of the vehicle. Of course, there are also applications in which the motor vehicle lock is attached to the body and the lock holder is arranged on the movable component relative to the lock.

[0003] The lock holder can be designed as a bolt or a shackle and interacts with a locking mechanism in the vehicle lock. The locking mechanism comprises a rotary latch and at least one pawl. When the movable component is closed, the rotary latch engages with the lock holder and is rotated or pivoted. After a certain pivoting angle, the position of the rotary latch is locked by the pawl. There are one or two locking positions, depending on the requirements of the movable component. For example, two locking positions are required by law for side doors on motor vehicles.

[0004] The primary purpose of motor vehicle locks is to hold moving components in position while the vehicle is in motion. However, it must be possible to ensure that the moving components remain secure even in extreme situations. An extreme situation occurs, for example, when the vehicle is exposed to extreme stress in the event of an accident. There are also standards for this that must be observed when designing the locking mechanism in the motor vehicle lock in order to guarantee that the moving component is securely engaged even under these extreme situations. Some of the standards have to be adapted due to changes in motor vehicles. Newer vehicles, in particular, which are equipped with electric or partially electric drives, contain batteries that significantly influence the weight of the vehicle.If these heavier vehicles are involved in accidents, this results in increased stress on the safety architecture of the vehicles.

[0005] In order to increase the resistance of a motor vehicle lock to transverse forces, DE 10 2009 048 222 A1 discloses a motor vehicle lock in which the locking mechanism in the motor vehicle lock is additionally supported by a force-absorbing surface. The motor vehicle lock comprises a mounting plate on which a rotary latch is mounted so as to pivot about a pivot axis. The rotary latch has two legs that together flank a fork-shaped opening in the rotary latch. The first leg cooperates with the pawl when the rotary latch is in the closed position, and the free end of the second leg overlaps with a force-distribution element when the rotary latch is in the closed position. This force-distribution element overlaps a force-absorbing surface on the mounting plate.The pawl's bearing pin is equipped with a collar that extends far enough into the pivoting range of the rotary latch to allow the rotary latch to rest on the collar when locked. This increases its strength. Additionally, a embossed groove in the form of a bead is located on the second leg of the rotary latch. The embossed groove on the second leg further increases the rigidity of the rotary latch.

[0006] The current state of the art has proven itself in this respect, so that the resistance and rigidity have been required to date. As described above, motor vehicles are evolving toward greater weights and correspondingly higher crash loads, so that greater demands are also placed on motor vehicle locks. This is where the invention comes in.

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide an improved motor vehicle lock. In particular, the object of the invention is to provide a motor vehicle lock that has greater resistance and, in particular, can provide greater rigidity in the locking mechanism. Furthermore, the object is to provide a cost-effective solution.

[0008] The object is achieved according to the invention by the features of independent patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims. It should be noted that the exemplary embodiments described below are not limiting; rather, any possible variations of the features described in the description and the subclaims are possible.

[0009] According to claim 1, the object of the invention is achieved by providing a motor vehicle lock comprising a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least one pawl, wherein the rotary latch can be latched in at least one latching position by means of the pawl, and wherein the rotary latch is designed with a first load arm that engages with a lock holder in the latched state and a second catch arm that engages with the lock holder during latching, and the load arm is designed with an indentation, wherein the indentation ends before a free end of the latching arm. The design of the motor vehicle lock according to the invention allows the rigidity of the rotary latch to be significantly increased, resulting overall in greater resistance to external influences and in particular to extreme loads. The rotary latch is preferably manufactured as a stamped sheet metal part made of steel.The embossing in the load arm can influence the rigidity of the rotary latch and, in particular, achieve greater rigidity in the stamped part. By partially introducing an embossing that ends before a free end of the load arm, the flow of force in the rotary latch can be specifically influenced. On the one hand, the base area of ​​the rotary latch achieved by stamping is retained, and on the other hand, the embossing can be used to specifically influence the rigidity. The load arm therefore has a plane that extends around the embossing and forms a flat surface of the load arm, so that the lines of force in the area of ​​the free end of the load arm remain almost unaffected by the embossing. The embossing increases the rigidity of the rotary latch and, in combination with the flat extension, particularly around the free end of the load arm, the stability of the stamped part can be additionally utilized.This combination advantageously results in a specifically adjustable stiffness, from the interaction of unhindered lines of force and the increase in stiffness through the embossing introduced into the rotary latch.

[0010] When referring to a motor vehicle lock according to the invention, synonyms such as locking device, lock, or door lock are used interchangeably. The term "motor vehicle lock" also encompasses locks used in doors, sliding doors, hatches, and / or covers in motor vehicles—in other words, wherever pivoting or sliding components on the motor vehicle must be held securely in place. Preferably, but not restrictively, the motor vehicle lock according to the invention refers to a side door. Such motor vehicle locks comprise a locking mechanism consisting of a rotary latch and a pawl.

[0011] The locking mechanism can be equipped with two or more pawls or, for example, a locking or blocking lever. Such pawls are known from the prior art. The pawl preferably engages directly with the rotary latch, and the locking or blocking lever secures the position of the pawl in the locking position, a pre-locking position, and / or the main locking position. Recent developments also demonstrate solutions in which a movable locking element is additionally pivotably mounted in the rotary latch.

[0012] The rotary latch has a fork-shaped opening. This fork-shaped opening can accommodate a lock holder, lock holder bracket, or bolt, and the interaction between the rotary latch, the pawl, and the lock holder ensures secure locking of the vehicle lock. When a side door, for example, is open, the rotary latch is in a position where part of the fork-shaped opening can engage with the lock holder. When the door element is closed, this part of the rotary latch engages with the lock holder, thus allowing the rotary latch to rotate around the rotary latch axis. This part of the rotary latch can therefore also be referred to as the catch arm. After the rotary latch has been rotated and the rotary latch has locked in the pre-locking or main locking position, an opening force acts on the rotary latch, which is absorbed by the pawl.This opening force or relative force between the rotary latch and the lock holder is primarily generated by a seal, in this example the door seal, whereby this relative force acts between the lock holder and the load arm of the rotary latch. The load arm thus absorbs the closing force of the moving component, in this case the side door. Even under extreme conditions, the load arm must ensure secure locking of the locking mechanism so that opening of the moving component can be prevented in the event of an accident. By incorporating an indentation into the load arm, the rigidity of the load arm can be increased and thus the overall durability of the vehicle lock can be increased.

[0013] In one embodiment of the invention, a gap between the catch arm and the load arm forms a fork-shaped opening, with the indentation extending at least partially around a lower end of the opening. The indentation, i.e. the depression or bead in the load arm, extends so far that the indentation is arranged at least partially around a lower end of the fork-shaped opening. In the event of extreme load, a very high force acts between the lock holder and the load arm. The fork-shaped opening acts as a notch in the rotary latch and simultaneously ensures that a transition area between the load arm and catch arm forms the area exposed to the highest loads or forces.By incorporating the embossing, the rigidity of the rotary latch is increased. By extending the embossing into the transition area between the load arm and the catch arm, i.e., in the area of ​​the notch in the rotary latch, the rigidity of the rotary latch can be further increased. The point of maximum load can thus be strengthened.

[0014] Advantageously, the indentation can be designed as a bead. The indentation is preferably introduced into the rotary latch using an embossing process, such as deep drawing. In this case, the indentation is introduced into the rotary latch to such an extent that the shape of a bead, i.e. a depression in the rotary latch, is created. In other words, the material in the rotary latch is deformed to such an extent that a depression in the shape of a bead is created on one side and a raised area is created on the opposite side of the rotary latch. The indentation thus creates a depression in the plane of the rotary latch on one side and a raised area on the opposite side that extends beyond the plane of the rotary latch and in particular of the load arm. This allows for targeted stiffening of the rotary latch.

[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the rotary latch has a bevel. By incorporating a bevel into the rotary latch according to the invention, the rigidity of the rotary latch can be increased. A bevel can be achieved by forming the stamped part or the rotary latch. Forming the rotary latch results in an increase in rigidity in the area of ​​the deformation. In terms of material technology, this increase in rigidity is achieved by dislocation migration and dislocation buildup within the material, which limit the elasticity of the material and thus lead to an increase in the rigidity or strength of the material. By introducing the bevel, the overall strength of the rotary latch can be specifically influenced.

[0016] If the bevel is arranged in the area of ​​the forked opening, in particular at a lower end of the forked opening, this again results in an advantageous embodiment of the invention. As already explained above, the highest stress peaks or highest loads occur in the area of ​​the notch, i.e. below the forked opening in the rotary latch. If the bevel is now placed in the area of ​​the notch, i.e. the transition area between the load arm and the catch arm, the resistance of the rotary latch and thus of the locking mechanism and consequently of the motor vehicle lock can be achieved by increasing the strength in the area of ​​the transition. The bevel extends over the entire area of ​​the transition, whereby the overall strength in the transition area can be increased.The bending can be carried out, for example, by means of bending, i.e. multiple forming, or can be introduced into the rotary latch by means of deep drawing.

[0017] It can also be advantageous if the embossing extends at least partially over the bend. The combination of embossing and bending represents a possibility for increasing the strength of the locking mechanism and thus of the motor vehicle lock as a whole. The targeted introduction of a bend in the rotary latch and preferably in an area of ​​the load arm and / or the transition area and / or the catch arm can increase the strength of the rotary latch overall. The combination of the embossing with the bend therefore leads overall to an increase in the strength of the locking mechanism. It has been shown that the introduction of a bend in the area between the load arm and the catch arm is advantageous and, preferably, the rigidity can be further increased if the embossing extends into the area of ​​the bend.

[0018] Advantageously and in a further embodiment of the invention, the fold is introduced into the rotary latch in such a way that the load arm is arranged in a plane parallel to the catch arm. The fold can be introduced into the rotary latch by means of forming or a forming process. This forming is preferably carried out by deep drawing the stamped rotary latch. The fold is preferably introduced into the transition area between the load arm and catch arm. The fold is designed in such a way that the load arm extends in its longitudinal extent in a plane parallel to a longitudinal extent of the catch arm. In other words, the load arm and catch arm are offset from one another, but arranged parallel to one another. There is therefore an offset between the load arm and catch arm, whereby the offset can be described as a parallel displacement between the catch arm and the load arm.The bevel forms the transition step between the parallel planes of the rotary latch areas.

[0019] If the indentation is made in the rotary latch opposite to the bend, this results in a further advantageous embodiment of the invention. Starting from a plane of the catch arm, wherein in the plane of the catch arm there may also be a receiving opening or bore for a bearing axis of the rotary latch, for example, the bend starting from the plane of the catch arm can offset the load arm laterally. For example, if the load arm is offset in one direction to the left starting from the catch arm, then according to the invention the indentation in the load arm will be made in opposite directions. By way of example only, an offset of the load arm to the left and an indentation in the load arm can cause the load arm to be raised to the right. The height offset thus compensates for itself. If the load arm is offset to the left, the load arm is raised in the opposite direction, i.e. to the right.In other words, the bead introduced into the load arm by means of the stamping is oriented in the opposite direction to the bevel. This reduces the overall space required for the rotary latch, as the bevel and the stamping are oriented in different directions, so that minimal space is required for the rotary latch designed according to the invention.

[0020] The rotary latch is preferably designed as a stamped sheet metal part with a thickness of 4 mm to 8 mm, preferably 5 mm to 7 mm. By forming a bevel and / or a bead or embossing, the thickness of the rotary latch can be reduced, which in turn reduces the space required while also providing increased resistance. In particular, the increased demands placed on the motor vehicle can be met by the design of the rotary latch according to the invention. Increased requirements for the lock's tensile strength with regard to extreme loads can be adjusted by the targeted introduction of a bevel and / or embossing, so that a motor vehicle lock with increased strength can be provided.

[0021] Advantageously and in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rotary latch is provided with a plastic coating. The plastic coating on the rotary latch can be used specifically to minimise noise and to improve the interaction between the rotary latch and the lock holder, and the rotary latch and the pawl. The plastic coating can also be used as a supporting element in the interaction between the locking mechanism and a lock plate, i.e. the plate in which the locking mechanism is rotatably received. Overall, the design of the locking mechanism or motor vehicle lock according to the invention makes it possible to achieve greater resistance, particularly with regard to increased requirements. This can be achieved using the simplest of construction means and by reshaping the rotary latch, so that on the one hand the strength and / orrigidity of the locking mechanism can be achieved and on the other hand this can be achieved at the lowest possible cost.

[0022] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the principle applies that the exemplary embodiment does not limit the invention, but merely represents an advantageous embodiment. The features presented can be implemented individually or in combination with other features of the description and the patent claims.

[0023] It shows: Fig. 1 a three-dimensional view of a rotary latch designed according to the invention with a bevel and an embossed portion, Fig. 2 a view of the rotary latch according to the Fig. 1 from the direction of arrow II, Fig. 3 a view of the rotary latch according to the Fig. 1 from the direction of arrow III, and Fig. 4 a view of the rotary latch according to the Fig. 1 from the direction of arrow IV.

[0024] In the Fig. 1 is a three-dimensional view of a rotary latch 1 of a motor vehicle lock, shown as a detached component. An opening in the form of a bore 2 can be seen, wherein the bore serves to accommodate an axis (not shown), so that the rotary latch 1 can be rotatably mounted about a pivot axis 3. The rotary latch essentially consists of a load arm 4 and a catch arm 5. A fork-shaped opening 6 extends between the load arm 4 and the catch arm 5. The opening 6 simultaneously forms a notch in the rotary latch 1. A lock holder 7 is shown in the opening 6 purely as an example, wherein the position of the lock holder 7 shows a position of the lock holder 7 in which the lock holder 7 rests against the load arm 4, for example in a main detent position of a locking mechanism.

[0025] Between the load arm 4 and the catch arm 5 is a transition area 8, wherein in this exemplary embodiment, a bevel 9 is provided in the rotary latch 1 in the transition area 8. In addition to the bevel 9, an indentation 10 is incorporated into the rotary latch 1. The indentation 10 extends from an upper end 11 of the load arm 4 into the transition area 8. The indentation 10 ends before the upper end 11 of the load arm 4.

[0026] The dotted line indicates a plastic casing 12, which may extend partially over the rotary latch 1. A recess 13 in the rotary latch 1 may serve to accommodate another rotary latch component, which is not shown here.

[0027] If the rotary latch 1 is located as shown in the Fig. 1 in interaction with the lock holder 7 in a main locking position, a force F is applied to the load arm 4, whereby the rotary latch 1 is loaded as a whole. Preferably in the case in which a pawl 14 engages with the catch arm 5 or another rotary latch component, the greatest load is generated in the transition area 8. If one now considers the case of an extreme load, such as an accident, high forces F act on the load arm 4, which are transferred via the transition area 8 to the pawl 14. In particular, the formation of the folded edge 9 and the embossed portion 10 can additionally stiffen the load arm 4 and the transition area 8, so that even high forces, such as those that can occur in new and modern vehicles, in particular electric vehicles, can be absorbed.

[0028] In the Fig. 2 is the rotary latch according to the Fig. 1 from the perspective of arrow II from the Fig. 1. The bevel is visible, with the load arm 4 extending from a plane of the catch arm 5 in the direction out of the drawing plane. Also visible is the indentation 10, which is in the Fig. 2 can be seen as a bead or depression. It can also be seen that the indentation only partially extends beyond the free end 11 of the load arm 4. This is also clearly evident in the Fig. 2 that the bead or indentation 10 extends beyond the bevel 9, so that in the transition area 8 a double hardening is introduced into the rotary latch 1 by the forming process.

[0029] In the Fig. 3 is a view of the rotary latch 1 according to the Fig. 1 from the direction of arrow III. Due to the bevel 9, the catch arm 5 and the load arm 4 are located in different, but parallel, planes E4, E5. The position of the different planes E4, E5 is indicated by the dotted lines in the Fig. 3. The dotted lines can be seen as the center lines of the load arm 4 and the catch arm 5. The different planes E4 and E5 are spaced apart by a distance a. Starting from the plane E5, the plane E4 of the load arm 4 lies by the distance a in the Fig. 3 is offset to the left. The indentation 10, however, is formed in the rotary latch 1 in such a way that a protrusion 15 is formed extending from the plane E4 toward the plane E5. The indentation 10 is thus formed in the rotary latch 1 in the opposite direction to the bevel 9. Opposite the protrusion 15 is the recess 16. Overall, the bevel 9 is thus formed in the opposite direction to the indentation 10 in the rotary latch 1.

[0030] The Fig. 4 shows the view of the rotary latch 1 from the direction of arrow IV from the Fig.1. The bevel 9 in the transition area 8 between the load arm 4 and the support arm 5 is clearly visible. By inserting or reshaping the rotary latch 1, the overall rigidity and strength of the rotary latch 1 can be increased. In particular, by combining an indentation 10 with the bevel 9, a high-strength rotary latch that meets the increased requirements and thus a locking mechanism in a motor vehicle lock can be provided. List of reference symbols 1 rotary latch 2 holes 3 swivel axis 4 load arm 5 tentacle 6 Opening, notch 7 lock holders 8 Transition area 9 Bending 10 Imprint 11 upper end 12 plastic sheathing 13 Recess 14 pawl 15 Survey 16 Deepening F Force a distance E4, E5 level QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2009 048 222 A1

[0005]

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle lock comprising a locking mechanism with a rotary latch (1) with at least one pawl (14), wherein the rotary latch (1) can be locked in at least one locking position by means of the pawl (14), and wherein the rotary latch (1) is designed with a first load arm (4) which, in the locked state, engages with a lock holder (7) and a second catch arm (5) which engages with the lock holder (7) during locking, and the load arm (4) is designed with an impression (10), characterized by that the indentation (10) ends before a free end (11) of the load arm (4). [2] Motor vehicle lock according to claim 1, characterized by that a distance between the catch arm (5) and the load arm (4) forms a fork-shaped opening (6) and the indentation (10) extends at least partially around a lower end of the opening (6). [3] Motor vehicle lock (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized bythat the indentation (10) is designed as a bead (16). [4] Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the rotary latch (1) has at least one bevel (9). [5] Motor vehicle lock according to claim 4, characterized by that the bevel (9) is arranged in the region of the fork-shaped opening (6), in particular at a lower end of the fork-shaped opening (6). [6] Motor vehicle lock according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by that the indentation (10) extends at least partially over the bend (9). [7] Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized by that the bevel (9) is introduced into the rotary latch (1) in such a way that the load arm (4) is arranged in a plane (E4, E5) parallel to the catch arm (5). [8] Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized bythat the indentation (10) is inserted into the rotary latch (1) opposite to the bevel (9). [9] Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the rotary latch (1) is designed as a stamped sheet metal part with a thickness of 4 mm to 8 mm, preferably a thickness of 5 mm to 6.5 mm. [10] Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by that the rotary latch (1) has a plastic coating (12).

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