Double-lift locking mechanism with a safety device for a motor vehicle and motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a double-stroke locking mechanism with a safety device for a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle. The double-stroke locking mechanism 10 comprises: a rotary latch 20, a pawl 30, a pawl spring 32 with a first spring strut 33 and a second spring strut 34, a safety device 40 with a safety lever 41 and a safety spring 45, wherein in a first operating state the safety lever 41 is supported on one of the spring struts 33, 34 of the pawl spring 32, and wherein in a second operating state, if the pawl spring 32 is broken, movement of the pawl 30 is blocked by a spring force of the safety spring 45.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the field of automotive engineering. In particular, the present invention relates to a double-stroke locking mechanism with a safety device for a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle.

[0002] German patent application DE 10 2010 003 491 A1 discloses a lock for a motor vehicle with a locking mechanism consisting of a rotary latch, a pre-latch pawl for initial engagement of the rotary latch, and a main latch pawl for subsequent engagement of the rotary latch, wherein the pre-latch pawl is biased towards the rotary latch by a spring. Means are provided to prevent the main latch pawl from being moved into the latched position when the spring used to bias the pre-latch pawl is ineffective.

[0003] German patent application DE 10 2018 107 211 A1 discloses a motor vehicle door lock, in particular a hood or flap lock, with a locking mechanism consisting essentially of a rotary latch and a pawl, and with a spring-loaded lever that interacts with the pawl. It is provided that the lever acts on the pawl, at least in the closing direction of the locking mechanism, in the same closing direction as a spring acting on the pawl, and for this purpose engages a pin of the pawl.

[0004] German patent application DE 2 251 452 A1 discloses a rotary latch lock, particularly for doors or hatches of motor vehicles, with a ratchet wheel rigidly connected to the rotary latch and having at least one detent, and a pawl located below the ratchet wheel in the operating position of the rotary latch lock and engaging in the detent under the action of a first spring, as well as an actuating means for disengaging the pawl and thus releasing a positive-locking connection existing between the rotary latch and a pin associated with it, which is held in a normal position by the force of a second spring. In addition to the first spring in the closed position of the rotary latch, further means are provided to hold the pawl in engagement with the ratchet wheel.

[0005] It is generally known to use a double-stroke lock with a rotary latch and a pawl, wherein at least the pawl is provided with a pawl spring with closing torque.

[0006] The problem here is that if the locking pawl spring fails, the lock mechanism can open unexpectedly. To ensure complete safety in the event of a broken locking pawl spring, not all operating states of the lock are usually covered.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a rotary latch lock which ensures safety in all operating states of the rotary latch lock in the event of a failure of the locking pawl spring, in particular in the event of a breakage of the locking pawl spring.

[0008] The object of the invention is achieved by a double-stroke locking mechanism for a motor vehicle. The double-stroke locking mechanism comprises a rotary latch, a pawl, a pawl spring with a first spring leg and a second spring leg, a safety device with a safety lever and a safety spring, wherein in a first operating state the safety lever is supported on one of the spring legs of the pawl spring, and wherein in a second operating state, if the pawl spring is broken, movement of the pawl is blocked by a spring force of the safety spring.

[0009] A double-stroke locking mechanism, also referred to as a lock, is designed for doors or hatches of motor vehicles. For example, such a double-stroke locking mechanism is installed in the front hatch of a vehicle. A double-stroke locking mechanism is typically opened by two actions. A double-stroke locking mechanism according to the present invention is designed with two detents, i.e., it has two detent positions. The locking pawl of the double-stroke locking mechanism is typically connected to a Bowden cable.

[0010] According to the invention, a safety lever with a safety spring is proposed for a double-stroke locking mechanism. The safety lever can interact with the pawl, while the safety spring provides a locking torque (in Fig. 1. Locking moment (clockwise). This locking moment is counteracted by a greater reaction moment from the pawl spring. Overall, the proposed solution prevents the locking mechanism from opening unexpectedly in the event of a pawl spring failure.

[0011] This mechanism also allows the pawl to remain in its locked position after a spring breakage, preventing it from opening due to gravity. This is achieved by holding the pawl in the open position should it attempt to move due to a broken spring. The safety lever in the locking mechanism and its spring act as a closing force on the pawl, ensuring it remains securely locked in the open position.

[0012] According to the invention, the safety lever is provided that in the first operating state it is mounted outside an engagement area with the locking pawl.

[0013] In this operating state, the safety lever can move freely and is not in contact with the pawl. The rotary latch also has no point of contact with the safety lever in this operating state. The safety lever is mounted independently of the axis of rotation of the rotary latch and the pawl.

[0014] According to the invention, alternatively or additionally to the feature just described, the safety device in the second operating state blocks the rotary latch in the direction of rotation when the rotary latch is in a partially unlocked state.

[0015] In this case, the lock can no longer be engaged. An error message is preferably generated in the vehicle, indicating that the lock is in the open position. This signal prevents the vehicle from being moved, i.e., the vehicle's drive system is deactivated. This prevents the vehicle from being driven with an unlocked lock, thus contributing to the vehicle's operational safety.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the safety lever has a support geometry and that in the first operating state the support geometry is in force with one of the spring struts.

[0017] The support geometry can be formed as a projection on the safety lever. The projection and the safety lever can be a single piece. This contributes to the stability of the safety lever and its reliable function. The projection can be designed such that it temporarily contacts a section of a strut. Preferably, this is the strut located near a counter bearing.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the safety lever has a locking element and that in the second operating state the locking element is in force with a contour of the pawl.

[0019] This means that if the pawl spring is broken, the locking element on the pawl rests on a contour or contact line and thus exerts a force.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the safety lever can be provided with a cam contour.

[0021] The cam contour ensures that the safety lever is moved regularly during normal operation of the double-stroke locking mechanism or the lock itself, specifically the locking pawl, under normal use conditions, i.e., when no defect is present. This prevents the safety lever from seizing or becoming stiff in the event of a malfunction, which can be caused, for example, by aging and weathering.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the safety lever is in force with a counter bearing in the second operating state.

[0023] The second operating state represents the case of a spring bushing of the pawl spring. In this case, the safety lever begins to move or rotate, as there is no longer any counterforce from the pawl spring acting on the safety lever. Due to its rotational movement, the safety lever comes into contact with the counter bearing. The counter bearing can be formed by a housing of the double-stroke locking mechanism.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, it can be provided that in the second operating state, when the rotary latch is in an open state, the safety device blocks the rotary latch in the direction of rotation.

[0025] The locking mechanism is designed to securely latch in the open position. Consequently, the lock can no longer be engaged, and an error message indicating the lock is open is generated. In this case, the vehicle cannot be driven because the error message prevents the vehicle's drive system from being deactivated.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the rotary latch has a first axis of rotation, the pawl has a second axis of rotation, and the safety lever has a third axis of rotation, wherein the three axes of rotation lie on a line.

[0027] Three independently arranged axes of rotation are thus provided. All three axes of rotation preferably run parallel to each other. The axis of rotation of the safety lever is located between the axis of rotation of the rotary latch and the axis of rotation of the pawl. If the three axes of rotation are connected in a sectional view, they preferably lie on a common virtual line. This means that a virtual line can be assumed perpendicular to the axes of rotation, connecting the three axes of rotation. This arrangement contributes to the compactness of the double-stroke locking mechanism. It is particularly advantageous that the axis of rotation of the safety lever lies between the other two axes of rotation of the rotary latch and the pawl. In this way, the functionality of the safety lever is protected from external influences.

[0028] Furthermore, the object of the invention is solved with a motor vehicle that has the double-stroke locking mechanism according to the invention.

[0029] The motor vehicle according to the invention is preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car or truck, or as a passenger bus.

[0030] The invention also includes combinations of the features of the described embodiments. The invention therefore also includes realizations that each exhibit a combination of the features of several of the described embodiments, provided that the embodiments have not been described as mutually exclusive.

[0031] The following are exemplary embodiments of the invention described. This is illustrated by: Fig. 1 an embodiment of a double-stroke locking device according to the invention with a safety device in side view in an intended operating state; Fig. 2 the embodiment of the double-stroke locking mechanism according to the invention Fig. 1 in an intended operating condition; Fig. 3 the embodiment of the double-stroke locking mechanism according to the invention Fig. 1 in the event of a spring breakage; and Fig. 4 the embodiment of the double-stroke locking mechanism according to the invention Fig. 1 in case of a spring breakage.

[0032] The exemplary embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In these exemplary embodiments, the described components each represent individual features of the invention, which can be considered independently of one another and each further develops the invention independently. Therefore, the disclosure is intended to include combinations of features of the embodiments other than those shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

[0033] In the figures, identical reference symbols denote functionally equivalent elements.

[0034] Fig. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a double-stroke locking mechanism 10 according to the invention for a motor vehicle. The double-stroke locking mechanism 10, also referred to below as lock 10, is shown in a side view in a standard operating state, i.e., in normal operation without spring failure or breakage. The double-stroke locking mechanism 10 has a rotary latch 20, a pawl 30, and a pawl spring 32 with a first spring strut 33 and a second spring strut 34. Furthermore, the double-stroke locking mechanism 10 has a safety device 40 with a safety lever 41 and a safety spring 45. In a first operating state, the intended operating state, the safety lever 41 rests on one of the spring legs 33, 34 of the pawl spring 32, whereas in a second operating state, i.e., with a broken pawl spring 32, movement of the pawl 30 is blocked by a spring force of the safety spring 45.

[0035] The double-stroke locking device 10 has a first engagement area 11, a second engagement area 12, and a third engagement area 13. The first engagement area is in Fig. Figure 1 shows that in this first engagement area 11, the rotary latch 20 and the pawl 30 make contact. In the second engagement area 12, in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the rotary latch 20 and the pawl 30 also contact each other; however, the two engagement areas 11, 12 differ in their position within the double-stroke locking mechanism 10. Furthermore, different configurations of the two elements 20, 30 contact each other in the two engagement areas 11, 12, depending on their respective direction of rotation. The third engagement area 13 is in Fig. 3 shown and relates to the contact between the locking pawl 30 and the safety lever 41.

[0036] During normal operation Fig. 1 and Fig. In the case of the rotary latch 20 and the safety lever 41, there is no common contact point; that is, the rotary latch 20 and the safety lever 41 move independently of each other. They are each mounted on a pivot axis 21, 47. In the event of a fault, i.e., failure of the locking pawl spring 32 (e.g., due to breakage), if the locking pawl 30 is actuated in the unlocking direction, the safety lever 41 engages the locking pawl 30 and prevents it from returning to its original position. Consequently, further unlocking and relocking of the rotary latch 20 to its previous closed position are prevented. If the lock 10 was fully locked at this point, it remains in a secure state (pre-release) but can neither be opened nor closed.If the lock 10 was in the secure position or fully open before the locking pawl 30 was actuated, it remains in the fully unlocked position and can no longer be closed.

[0037] In Fig. Figure 1 of the pawl spring 32 has a first spring strut 33 and a second spring strut 34. The second spring strut 34 is supported on a spring bearing 51, which is attached, for example, to a counter bearing 50.

[0038] The safety lever 41 interacts with the locking pawl 30, while the safety spring 45 provides a locking torque 46 (torque MB clockwise in Fig. 1) generates a reaction moment of greater value 35 (MA counterclockwise in Fig. 1) counteracts the pawl spring 32. This means that in normal operation MA is greater than MB.

[0039] Fig. Figure 2 shows the embodiment of the double-stroke locking mechanism 10 according to the invention. Fig. 1 in an intended operating condition.

[0040] The rotary latch 20 can be moved from the fully locked to the fully open position by double actuation of the locking pawl 30. For this purpose, the locking pawl 30 rotates counterclockwise. Fig. 2 and reduces the contact area with the rotary latch 20 until these two elements no longer touch, i.e., no longer have a common contact area. As long as the pawl spring 32 functions as intended, i.e., is not broken, the safety lever 41 is held outside the engagement range of the pawl 30. The contour of the locking element 43 and a contour 36 of the pawl 30 do not interact with each other.

[0041] Fig. Figure 3 shows the embodiment of the double-stroke locking mechanism according to the invention. Fig. 1 in case of a spring breakage. Fig. Figure 3 thus shows the second operating state of the double-stroke locking mechanism 10, namely the fault case in the event of spring breakage. Fig. Figure 3 shows a blockage of the rotary latch 20 in a partially unlocked state. If the pawl spring 32 breaks, the safety lever 41 locks the pawl 30 the moment it attempts to unlock, thus permanently blocking the rotary latch 20 in its position. This is because the safety lever 41 and the contour 36 of the pawl 30 remain permanently engaged in contact area 13. A lock exiting the locked state therefore remains partially locked and cannot be opened or closed. The resulting partial unlocking allows the fault to be detected technically, for example, by a microswitch on the rotary latch 20. The lock is then indicated as open in the vehicle.

[0042] Fig. Figure 4 shows the embodiment of the double-stroke locking mechanism according to the invention. Fig. 1. In the event of a spring breakage. The spring breakage of the locking pawl spring 32 occurred with an open flap or door, i.e., the double-stroke locking mechanism 10 is in an open state.

[0043] Fig. Figure 4 shows a blockage of the rotary latch 20 in the open position. Here, the rotary latch 20 and the pawl 30 contact each other in the second engagement area 12. In the third engagement area 13, the safety lever 41 and the pawl 30 contact each other. The double-stroke locking mechanism is located in Fig. 4 is in an open state and can no longer be locked. Therefore, it is displayed as open in the vehicle.

[0044] Overall, the examples demonstrate how a double-stroke locking mechanism can be provided with a safety device 40. The safety device 40 engages in all fault conditions, i.e., with the vehicle's front hood closed and open, thus ensuring safe vehicle operation. Reference symbol list 10 Double-stroke locking mechanism or lock 11 First intervention area 12 second intervention area 13 third intervention area 20 rotary trap 21 first axis of rotation 30 locking latch 31 second axis of rotation 32 pawl spring 33 first shock absorber 34 second shock absorber 35 Torque of the locking blade spring 36 contour 40 Safety device 41 safety levers 42 Support geometry 43 Locking element 44 Cam contour 45 safety spring 46 Torque of the safety spring 47 third axis of rotation 50 counter bearings 51 spring bearings

Claims

[1] Having a double-lift locking mechanism (10) for a motor vehicle a rotary trap (20), a locking pawl (30), a pawl spring (32) with a first shock absorber (33) and a second shock absorber (34), a safety device (40) with a safety lever (41) and a safety spring (45), wherein in a first operating state the safety lever (41) is supported on one of the spring legs (33, 34) of the pawl spring (32), and wherein in a second operating state, if the pawl spring (32) is broken, movement of the pawl (30) is blocked by a spring force of the safety spring (45), characterized by , that - the safety lever (41) is mounted outside an engagement area (13) to the locking pawl (30) in the first operating state, and / or - the safety device (40) in the second operating state when the rotary latch (20) is in an open state blocks the rotary latch (20) in the direction of rotation. [2] Double-stroke locking device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the safety lever (41) has a support geometry (42) and in the first operating state the support geometry (42) is in force with one of the spring legs (33, 34) of the pawl spring (32). [3] Double-stroke locking device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the safety lever (41) has a locking element (43) and in the second operating state the locking element (43) is in force with a contour (36) of the pawl (30). [4] Double-stroke locking device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the safety lever (41) has a cam contour (44). [5] Double-stroke locking device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the safety lever (41) is in force with a counter bearing (50) in the second operating state. [6] Double-stroke locking device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the safety device (40) in the second operating state when the rotary latch (20) is partially unlocked blocks the rotary latch (20) in the direction of rotation. [7] Double-stroke locking device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotary latch (20) has a first axis of rotation (21), the locking pawl (30) has a second axis of rotation (31) and the safety lever (41) has a third axis of rotation (47) and wherein the three axes of rotation (21, 31, 47) are on a line. [8] Motor vehicle comprising a double-lift locking mechanism (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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