Lock holder

Abstract

The invention relates to a lock holder for a motor vehicle locking device, in particular a lock holder as a component of a motor vehicle door lock with an associated motor vehicle door lock (1). The lock holder has a locking bolt (2). Furthermore, the lock holder is additionally equipped, at least partially, with a light source (8, 9). According to the invention, the light source (8, 9) is energy self-sufficient and, in particular, requires no electrical connection.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a lock holder for a motor vehicle locking device, in particular a lock holder as a component of a motor vehicle door lock with associated motor vehicle door lock, wherein the lock holder has a locking bolt, and wherein the lock holder is additionally equipped at least partially with a light source.

[0002] The lock holder essentially consists of a lock holder plate and the locking bolt. The locking bolt, usually U-shaped, is connected to the lock holder plate. The lock holder plate typically connects the locking bolt to the vehicle body, but it can also be installed on the door or hatch side of a vehicle. The locking bolt usually interacts with the vehicle's door lock. Specifically, the locking bolt engages with a locking mechanism of the vehicle's door lock, and in particular the rotary latch, which engages the locking bolt when the vehicle's door lock is closed. The locking pawl prevents the rotary latch from pivoting into its open position. To achieve this, the locking pawl engages with the rotary latch, thus preventing it from opening.

[0003] In principle, the lock catch or its locking bolt can also interact with other locking devices as part of the vehicle locking system. For example, it is conceivable that the lock catch interacts with a latch or a locking wedge to define a closed position. However, the standard design is such that the vehicle door lock, with its locking mechanism consisting essentially of a rotary latch and locking pawl, is mounted in or on a door leaf of a vehicle hatch or vehicle door. As soon as the corresponding vehicle door or hatch is closed relative to the vehicle body, the locking mechanism, and specifically the rotary latch, as part of the vehicle door lock, can interact with the lock catch located on the opposite side of the vehicle, and specifically with the locking bolt, as described.

[0004] In practice, this often leads to the problem that, especially in poor visibility, pedestrians, cyclists, or other motorized road users fail to notice when a car door is opened. Furthermore, in such conditions, users may get caught on the lock cylinder or its bolt, which protrudes from the car body, during the opening process, potentially causing contamination from oils or greases. In general, carelessness or incorrect operation by users can also lead to injuries to the bolt or lock cylinder.

[0005] For this reason, the prior art, as defined in DE 10 2015 116 773 A1, already discloses a lock holder that incorporates a lighting element. This lighting element is at least one LED, which is typically arranged in a surface area of ​​the associated lock holder plate. In this way, at least part of the surface area can be illuminated. This not only makes it possible to illuminate the lock holder, particularly in poor visibility conditions, thus preventing soiling or injury, but also allows the lighting element to be used for advertising purposes. A shape, symbol, and / or character can be displayed using the lighting element. This has proven to be a successful approach.

[0006] The established teaching according to DE 10 2015 116 773 A1 stipulates that the lighting elements or LEDs located in recesses in the lock holder plate must be electrically connected to the vehicle body when the lock holder is installed. This is typically done via electrical connecting cables, which are, for example, connected to a vehicle battery.

[0007] This approach is problematic and has disadvantages because it further complicates the installation of the lock holder, for example, by connecting it and its mounting plate to the B-pillar of a vehicle body. The mounting plate must not only be screwed to the B-pillar, but the electrical connection must also be established. This requires specific measures from vehicle manufacturers, such as equipping the B-pillar with an opening in the area of ​​the mounting plate for the necessary electrical cables. Furthermore, this additional installation step increases costs and is often simply "forgotten," potentially leading to costly warranty repairs or retrofits.This invention aims to remedy this situation overall.

[0008] The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a lock holder for a motor vehicle locking device in such a way that the assembly is significantly simplified compared to previous methods while maintaining the same functionality, and cost advantages are observed.

[0009] To solve this technical problem, a generic lock holder for a motor vehicle locking device is characterized within the scope of the invention in that the light source is designed to be energy self-sufficient.

[0010] The energy-autonomous design of the light source means that it illuminates without requiring any external electrical power supply to the lock holder. Generally, the light source is designed to be disconnected from the lock holder's electrical supply. This means that the energy required for the light source is either provided by the lock holder's own power source or by the fact that the energy is not supplied to the lock holder via electrical wiring. The energy can be transferred to the light source by natural or artificial light. In this case, the light source is advantageously designed with a coating of a phosphorescent material.

[0011] A phosphorescent material is a material capable of exhibiting what is known as afterglow. The term phosphorescent material, or phosphorescence, refers, as usual, to a form of luminescence in which, after excitation by, for example, irradiation, the material exhibits an afterglow that can last for up to several hours, depending on its composition. Typically, phosphorescent materials contain metal sulfides, such as zinc sulfide. At the quantum mechanical level, the absorption of photons in these materials excites electrons to a higher energy level. The subsequent return of the electron, accompanied by light emission, occurs via transitions that are normally forbidden by quantum mechanics and therefore take place slowly, resulting in the afterglow described above.

[0012] Specifically, the coating made of the phosphorescent material can be a luminescent paint and / or a luminescent lacquer. That is, the coating in question is applied to the lock holder in a manner comparable to paint or lacquer, either partially or completely. This can advantageously be done using conventional coating methods for paints or lacquers, for example, by spraying, dipping, etc. Such a procedure is known in principle, as evidenced by DE 20 2023 106 977 U1, which is cited here as a reference. However, in this context, the luminescent paint or lacquer is used on a tool, for example, a hand-held power tool. According to the invention, the coating is applied partially or completely to the top surface of the lock holder plate for this purpose.

[0013] The coating made of phosphorescent material is typically excited by daylight and / or a light source. This effectively charges the coating. In other words, the energy supply is contactless and explicitly not via the electrical leads required for the lock holder according to the prior art as defined in DE 10 2015 116 773 A1, and therefore, as per the application, is free of connection requirements with regard to these electrical leads.

[0014] In a particularly advantageous embodiment with independent significance, the coating made of the phosphorescent material can also be excited or charged by means of a light source integrated into the vehicle lock. The light source in question is advantageously an LED (Light Emitting Diode) integrated into the vehicle lock. This LED may be arranged in the entry opening of the vehicle lock, as is already known in principle and in itself, for example from DE 10 2013 008 354 A1, which originates from the applicant.

[0015] In this way, the LED in the entry point of the vehicle lock can advantageously charge the corresponding coating of the phosphorescent material on the lock holder, i.e., supply it with the necessary light energy. This usually occurs when the vehicle lock is closed, whereas in DE 10 2013 008 354 A1, the LED is predominantly activated when the corresponding vehicle door, and thus the vehicle lock, is open. This allows the LED to fulfill its warning function.

[0016] According to the invention, the light source or LED in the entry opening now performs an additional function: when the vehicle lock or vehicle door is closed, the coating of the lock holder or its lock holder plate made of the phosphorescent material is additionally illuminated and thus charged as needed. In other words, the LED is ultimately controlled to illuminate depending on the operating conditions. A control unit is generally provided for this purpose.

[0017] The control unit can determine whether the vehicle lock, and therefore the corresponding vehicle door, is open or closed. To do this, the control unit may use sensors in the vehicle lock to detect the locking mechanism and / or so-called door contact switches to determine whether the corresponding vehicle door is closed.

[0018] When the vehicle door is closed, the control unit could, for example, periodically ensure that the light source or LED in the locking mechanism is energized for a certain period of time. It is conceivable that the resulting irradiation of the phosphorescent coating on the lock cylinder could occur, for instance, for five minutes every ten hours while the door is closed. Of course, other intervals and durations are also conceivable and are covered by the invention.

[0019] Alternatively, or additionally, the energy-autonomous design of the light source can also be achieved by not using the previously described coating of phosphorescent material. In this case, the light source is designed as an LED, supplied with electrical energy wirelessly via an electrical buffer, for example. This means that, in this case as well, the energy-autonomous design of the light source is advantageously linked to the fact that the light source is designed without electrical connections to the lock holder. This is possible because, in this case, the electrical energy is transferred wirelessly to the light source or to the electrical buffer implemented at or within the lock holder.The contactless transfer of electrical energy ensures that the electrical buffer storage is charged and in turn supplies the light source, which is designed as at least one LED, with the required electrical energy.

[0020] To implement this in detail, the light source, or rather its electrical buffer, is charged contactlessly, for example, inductively. This can preferably be done when the vehicle lock is closed, by placing, for instance, a transmitting coil for the electrical energy in the lock's entry point. When the lock is closed, this transmitting coil is inductively coupled to a receiver coil, which is part of the light source. The required electrical energy is then inductively transferred to the light source, or rather to the electrical buffer, which is part of the light source and thus of the lock mechanism, via this coupling between the transmitting and receiver coils.

[0021] In principle, electrical energy can also be transferred to the electrical buffer storage device without contact, specifically via conduction, preferably when the vehicle lock is closed. In this case, the design is such that, for example, the entry jaw of the vehicle lock, or more generally the vehicle lock itself, is equipped with an external contact that interacts with a corresponding mating contact in the lock holder as soon as the vehicle lock is closed and the lock holder or its locking bolt is inserted into the entry jaw.

[0022] Then, electrical contact is established between the contact of the vehicle lock on one side and the mating contact, which is part of the lock holder, on the other. This allows the light source, or rather its electrical buffer, to be recharged. In both cases, the necessary electrical energy is then available inside the buffer to illuminate the light source, or at least one LED integrated into the lock holder. This can also be controlled if a control unit is additionally integrated into the lock holder.

[0023] The result is a novel lock holder for a motor vehicle locking system, in which the at least partially integrated light source is energy self-sufficient and, in particular, requires no electrical connections to the lock holder. Consequently, neither electrical connections to the lock holder nor body modifications, such as creating an opening for these connections, are necessary. Instead, the lock holder and the vehicle lock can be positioned in their usual location using established fastening methods. This leads to significantly simplified installation and thus cost savings compared to the prior art according to DE 10 2015 116 773 A1.

[0024] Furthermore, the car manufacturer does not need to make any structural modifications; the existing mounting points for the vehicle lock and the lock holder can be retained, and modifications to the body (such as openings for electrical wiring) are expressly unnecessary. These are the key advantages.

[0025] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing that illustrates only one embodiment; the drawing shows: Fig. 1. The lock holder according to the invention for a motor vehicle locking device in a perspective overview, Fig. 2 the object according to the Fig. 1 partially in section and in side view in conjunction with the associated motor vehicle door lock in excerpts and Fig. 3 A view of the motor vehicle door lock in its installed state when looking at the front of a corresponding motor vehicle door.

[0026] The figures depict a lock holder for a motor vehicle locking system. Specifically, it shows a lock holder as a component of a motor vehicle door lock with an associated motor vehicle door lock 1. The lock holder itself has, as essential structural features, a locking bolt 2 and a lock holder plate 3 that supports the locking bolt 2. Based on the Fig. Figure 1 shows that the lock plate 3 has an elliptical surface area. Of course, the lock plate 3 can also have other surface shapes, such as rectangular, square, round, etc., or combinations of such surface shapes. The locking bolt 2 is U-shaped and connected to the lock plate 3. The locking bolt 2 rests mostly perpendicularly on the lock plate 3.

[0027] The motor vehicle lock 1 is itself equipped with a locking mechanism 4, 5, which consists of a rotary latch 4 and a pawl 2 of conventional design that engages with it in a detent-like manner. In the exemplary embodiment, the locking mechanism 4, 5 is only recognizable in the Fig. 2 schematically. The design is as usual such that, in the closed state of the motor vehicle lock 1, the lock holder interacts via its locking bolt 2 with the relevant locking mechanism 4, 5, consisting essentially of the rotary latch 4 and the pawl 5. This is shown by the Fig. 2.

[0028] It can be seen that in order to assume the closed state, according to the Fig. 3. The vehicle lock 1 with its guide jaw 6 is moved in the direction of the arrow shown. Correspondingly, a door leaf 7 supporting the vehicle lock 1 is closed against a vehicle body (not explicitly shown).

[0029] If the vehicle lock 1 now moves in the direction of the arrow according to the Fig. 3, this also applies to the entry jaw 6, into which the locking bolt 2 of the lock holder increasingly enters or dips during this process. This movement results in the locking bolt 2 interacting with the rotary latch 4, and the rotary latch 4 engaging the locking bolt 2, which protrudes in a U-shape on the lock holder plate 3. As soon as the vehicle lock 1 reaches its locked position or locked state according to the Fig. Once position 2 is reached, the spring-assisted pawl 5 engages the rotary latch 4, ensuring that the locking state of the locking mechanism 4, 5 is maintained. Fig. Position 2 is maintained until the locking mechanism 4, 5 is opened. For this to happen, the locking latch 5 must be disengaged from the rotary latch 4, so that the rotary latch 4 then opens under spring tension and releases the locking bolt 2. This allows the door leaf 7 to be opened again.

[0030] Within the scope of the invention, and of particular importance, is the fact that the lock holder is additionally equipped, at least partially, with a light source 8, 9. In a first embodiment, the light source 8 is a coating 8 made of a phosphorescent material. The coating 8 can, by way of example and without limitation, be applied fully or partially to the lock holder plate 3, as can be seen from the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. In this context, logos, letters, numbers, etc., can also be implemented. Both light sources 8 and 9, which will be described in detail below, have in common that the respective light source 8 and 9 is energy self-sufficient and, in particular, requires no electrical connections to the lock holder. That is, the lock holder shown in the figures expressly does not require any electrical connections to supply the light source 8 and 9 with the necessary electrical energy. Accordingly, such electrical connections inside the vehicle body are unnecessary, as is any opening in the vehicle body that would otherwise be required to route the electrical connections to the lock holder.

[0031] The coating 8 made of the phosphorescent material in the first variant of the Fig. 1 may contain, for example, metal sulfides and, by way of example, zinc sulfide as a phosphorescent material. This is, of course, not a limitation. Furthermore, the coating 8 is advantageously designed as a phosphorescent paint and / or lacquer, and can therefore be applied to the lock holder plate 3 like a paint or lacquer, for example, by spraying or dipping in the exemplary embodiment. In fact, the coating 8 made of the phosphorescent material in the exemplary embodiment is a circular surface, which is, of course, only an example.

[0032] To excite the phosphorescent material of the coating 8 to glow or afterglow, the coating 8 is excited or charged by daylight and / or by means of an additionally provided light source 10. In the exemplary embodiment, this light source 10 is one or more LEDs 10 integrated into the vehicle lock 1. In fact, in this context and as shown by the Fig. 3 proved to be particularly advantageous when the LED 10 in question is arranged in the entry opening 6 of the vehicle lock 1. In this case, a control unit 11 is also provided inside the vehicle lock 1, with the aid of which the LED 10 is controlled to illuminate, depending on the operating mode.

[0033] The following is meant by this. The light source, or LED 10, which is integrated into the vehicle lock 1, normally serves as a warning device if the door leaf 7 of the vehicle door equipped with the vehicle lock 1 is opened, for example, in the dark or under unfavorable lighting conditions. This gives the LED 10 in the guide opening 6 a warning function for other traffic, cyclists, pedestrians, etc. As a result, potential collisions with the open vehicle door or its door leaf 7 are avoided.

[0034] During the day, the coating 8 of the lock holder or the lock holder plate 3 is excited or charged by daylight. This is not possible at night. The same applies if the vehicle door or door leaf 7 remains closed for an extended period and the coating 8 therefore no longer glows. In this case, the control unit 11 in the vehicle lock 1 ensures that the LED 10 is activated when the door leaf 7, and consequently the vehicle lock 1, is closed, depending on the operating mode, i.e., in this case, when the vehicle lock 1 is closed. This might occur, for example, every five or ten hours after the door leaf 7, and thus the vehicle lock 1, is closed, for a duration of five minutes.

[0035] In any case, the LED 10 in or on the entry opening 6 of the vehicle lock 1 is not only illuminated by the control unit 11 inside the vehicle lock 1 when the door leaf 7 is opened, in order to fulfill its warning function. Furthermore, according to the invention, the control unit 11 also ensures, when the vehicle lock 1 is closed, that the coating 8 opposite the LED 11 is charged by means of the light emitted by the LED 11.

[0036] In the Fig. Figure 2 shows another variant of the light source 8, 9. In fact, the light source 9 implemented here is an LED 9. This LED 9 may, for example, be embedded in the lock holder plate 3 or arranged on its surface. An electrical buffer 12, which may also be embedded in or connected to the lock holder plate 3, provides the electrical power to the LED 9. In the simplest case, the electrical buffer 12 is a rechargeable battery.

[0037] The electrical buffer storage device 12 in question, and thus the light source 9 or the LED 9 according to the alternative embodiment, is now charged contactlessly, for example inductively. For this purpose, the Fig. 2 a transmitting coil 13 is provided as a component of the vehicle lock 1, which interacts with an associated receiver coil 14 in or on the lock holder or its lock holder plate 3, again in the closed state of the vehicle lock 1. In this way, the electrical buffer storage 12 can be charged contactlessly and specifically inductively in the closed state of the vehicle lock 1.

[0038] Furthermore, and in a variant not explicitly shown, it is also possible for the electrical buffer storage 12 to be charged conductively. In this case, instead of the transmitting coil 13, a contact inside the vehicle lock is used, which interacts with a corresponding contact instead of the receiver coil 14 when the vehicle lock 1 is closed. This means that, unlike the embodiment according to the Fig.2 no air gap is observed between the transmitting coil 13 and the receiver coil 14 when the motor vehicle lock 1 is closed, but rather in this case the alternatively provided contact and counter-contacts touch each other, so that in this way the electrical buffer storage 12 is supplied with the required electrical energy.

[0039] In any case, the invention takes advantage of the fact that the vehicle lock 1 inside the door leaf 7 is typically and routinely equipped not only with the control unit 11, but also with the necessary electrical supply lines. These electrical supply lines provide, for example, the required electrical energy to electric motors inside the vehicle lock 1. According to the invention, this also applies to the LED 10 in the entry opening 6 and, when the vehicle lock 1 is closed, to the inductive or conductive charging of the buffer storage device 12 of the lock holder. That is, the electrical buffer storage device 12 is charged electrically in any case without contact and preferably when the vehicle lock is closed. In particular, the lock holder expressly does not have its own electrical supply lines and is therefore designed without connections for such electrical supply lines.

[0040] These electrical leads are found – so to speak – in connection with the vehicle lock 1, where they are already mandatory and indispensable for the reasons described above. This allows the invention to be implemented with minimal effort, and additional wiring, body modifications, etc., are expressly unnecessary. This is where the main advantages lie. Reference symbol list 1 motor vehicle door lock 2 locking bolts 3 Lock holder plate 4, 5 locks 4 rotary trap 5 locking pawl 6 Inlet mouth 7 door leaves 8, 9 light bulbs 8 coating 10 light bulbs 10 LED 11 Control unit 12 buffer storage tanks 13 Transmitting coil 14 Receiver coil QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] DE 10 2015 116 773 A1 [0005, 0006, 0013, 0023] DE 20 2023 106 977 U1

[0012] DE 10 2013 008 354 A1 [0014, 0015]

Claims

[1] Lock holder for a motor vehicle locking device, in particular a lock holder as a component of a motor vehicle door lock with an associated motor vehicle door lock (1), wherein the lock holder has a locking bolt (2), and wherein the lock holder is additionally equipped at least partially with a light source (8, 9), characterized by , that the light source (8, 9) is energy self-sufficient and in particular is designed to be free of electrical supply lines. [2] Lock holder according to claim 1, characterized by , that the light source (8, 9) is formed as a coating (8) made of a phosphorescent material. [3] Lock holder according to claim 2, characterized by that the phosphorescent material contains metal sulfides, for example zinc sulfide. [4] Lock holder according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by , that the coating (8) is designed as a phosphorescent paint and / or phosphorescent lacquer. [5] Lock holder according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized by , that the coating (8) is stimulated or charged by daylight and / or by means of a light source (10). [6] Lock holder according to claim 5, characterized by , that the light source (10) is designed as an LED (10) integrated into the motor vehicle lock (1). [7] Lock holder according to claim 6, characterized by , that the LED (10) is arranged in the inlet opening (6) of the motor vehicle lock (1). [8] Lock holder according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by , that the LED (10) is assigned a control unit (11) which controls the LED (10) to light up depending on the operating mode. [9] Lock holder according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by , that the light source (9) is designed as, for example, an LED (9) supplied with electrical energy via an electrical buffer storage device (12). [10] Lock holder according to claim 9, characterized by, that the electrical buffer storage (12) is charged without contact, for example inductively and / or conductively.

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