CAR LOCK

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock with a lock latch and a pawl arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] The motor vehicle lock in question can be associated with any locking element of a motor vehicle. This includes tailgates, trunk lids, front hoods, especially engine hoods, side doors, or the like. These locking elements can be pivoting or designed like sliding doors.

[0003] The known motor vehicle lock (EP 2 492 423 B1), from which the invention is based, has a lock latch pivotable about a geometric lock latch pivot axis, which interacts in the usual way with a locking part, in particular a striker. To lock the lock latch in its respective closed position, the motor vehicle lock has a pawl arrangement consisting of a pawl, an intermediate lever, and a lever-shaped locking part, hereinafter referred to as the locking lever. The pawl, which interacts directly with the lock latch, is mounted on the intermediate lever so as to be pivotable about a geometric pawl pivot axis and thus follows pivoting movements of the intermediate lever about its geometric intermediate lever pivot axis. The locking lever is pivotable between a locked position and a released position about a geometric locking part pivot axis.In the locked position, this locks the intermediate lever, which is in its home position, against pivoting in its deflection direction. In the released position, the intermediate lever is released by the locking part. The forces acting from the locking part on the lock latch, which are primarily due to the door seal counterpressure, are transferred from the lock latch in its closed position via the retracted pawl to the intermediate lever, so that when released by the locking part, the intermediate lever can pivot in its deflection direction. The lock latch thus presses the pawl, simultaneously pivoting the intermediate lever in its deflection direction.

[0004] This mechanism works very reliably when the lever mechanism is freely movable. However, under certain environmental conditions, such as very low outside temperatures, jamming can occur, for example due to icing, which makes it difficult to pivot the intermediate lever in its deflection direction when the vehicle lock is to be opened.

[0005] A motor vehicle lock with a similar mechanism is also known from WO 2010 / 034295 A1.

[0006] The invention is therefore based on the problem of optimising the operational reliability of the motor vehicle lock under unfavourable ambient conditions, in particular low outside temperatures.

[0007] The above problem is solved in a motor vehicle lock according to the preamble of claim 1 by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1.

[0008] The fundamental idea is to give the locking part, which is specifically designed as a locking lever, an additional function in addition to its familiar blocking function. This additional function is that the locking part can force the intermediate lever toward its deflected position when moving in its release direction. If the intermediate lever is jammed in its home position due to unfavorable environmental conditions, the locking part can exert additional force on it to deflect the intermediate lever. This reliably releases any jamming of the intermediate lever, and the intermediate lever is "broken free." This function is also known as an icebreaker function.

[0009] Of particular note here is that an already driven component of the pawl assembly, namely the locking part, is equipped with an additional function, the aforementioned icebreaker function, which is automatically executed by a regular movement of the locking part in its release direction. This significantly improves the operational reliability of the vehicle lock with simple measures.

[0010] In principle, according to a preferred embodiment of the motor vehicle lock, if there is no jamming, for example due to icing or the like, the intermediate lever can also be moved into its deflected position, and the pawl can be released, solely or primarily by the forces exerted on it by the lock latch. According to another preferred embodiment, however, it can also be provided that the pivoting of the intermediate lever is effected solely or primarily by the movement of the locking part.

[0011] In detail, it is now proposed that the locking part has a contour arrangement with a pressing-on contour and that when the locking part is moved, in particular motor-driven, in its release direction, a force, in particular compressive force, can be exerted by the locking part via its pressing-on contour onto the intermediate lever, due to which a torque is exerted on the intermediate lever about its intermediate lever pivot axis in its deflection direction. It should be noted that the movement of the locking part can not only be motor-driven, but can also, according to another embodiment, be effected additionally or alternatively manually, in particular via an actuating lever. Such an actuating lever is coupled, for example, to a door handle, in particular an inside door handle or outside door handle, in order to effect the movement of the locking part.

[0012] According to the preferred embodiment according to claim 2, the contour arrangement of the locking part has a locking contour, via which the said blocking function is achieved. The locking contour thus serves to lock the intermediate lever, which is in its basic position, against pivoting in its deflection direction about the geometric intermediate lever pivot axis when the locking part is in the locked position.

[0013] Claim 3 relates to a guide piece of the intermediate lever, for example a projection, in particular a cam, which can be guided along the pressing contour and / or the locking contour in order to ensure the transmission of force between the locking part and the intermediate lever.

[0014] Claim 4 specifies that the respective force due to which the torque on the intermediate lever in its deflection direction results can be exerted by the locking part on the intermediate lever when the locking part moves from the locked position to the release position and / or from the release position to a final position. The final position is a position which, from the direction of the locked position, extends beyond the release position. It is therefore conceivable that the locking part does not yet exert any force on the intermediate lever at the beginning of its movement, in particular a pivoting movement, from the locked position, but rather initially merely releases it and only then exerts the said force on the intermediate lever. Alternatively, however, a design is also conceivable in which a force is exerted by the locking part on the intermediate lever right from the start from the locked position.

[0015] Claim 5 relates to an optional guide contour, which can also be part of the contour arrangement of the locking part and via which the intermediate lever can be braked when pivoting from its basic position to its deflected position. Thus, with a strong preload of the lock latch in its opening direction, the intermediate lever, once released by the locking part, can be suddenly displaced toward its deflected position. This can lead to undesirable noise, which is prevented by the aforementioned guide contour of the locking part. Alternatively or additionally, a suitable preload of the intermediate lever against its deflection direction can prevent such a sudden movement. Accordingly, a separate guide contour can be dispensed with.

[0016] According to the particularly preferred embodiment according to claim 6, a closed gate is provided, which forms the pressing contour and the locking contour. A closed gate means that a contour is provided that completely surrounds the inside and encompasses the pressing contour and the locking contour. In this way, the locking part is particularly stable and cannot deform, for example, even in the event of a crash, to the point where it bends and unintentionally releases the intermediate lever. Additionally or alternatively, a stop part fixed to the housing can also be provided, which prevents unintentional bending of the locking part, in particular of a section of the locking part encompassing the locking contour.

[0017] According to the likewise preferred embodiment according to claim 7, the intermediate lever together with the pawl forms a toggle lever mechanism.

[0018] Claims 8 to 10 define particularly preferred paths for the line of action of the contact force between the intermediate lever and the locking part. This line of action particularly preferably runs through the locking part's pivot axis. In principle, however, it can also bypass it, preferably in such a way that, due to the forces transmitted to the intermediate lever on the lock latch side, a torque is always exerted on the locking part in its locking direction. In principle, however, it is also conceivable that the line of action runs on the other side of the locking part's pivot axis.

[0019] Claim 11 relates to a particularly preferred path for the line of action of the contact force between the lock latch and the pawl. This path preferably runs through the pawl pivot axis. However, other paths are also conceivable.

[0020] Claim 12 specifies particularly preferred arrangements of the pivot axes of the individual levers of the locking mechanism of the motor vehicle lock, i.e., the lock latch and the pawl assembly. As already mentioned, the pawl pivot axis is preferably arranged on the intermediate lever.

[0021] Claim 13 concerns possibilities for preloading, in particular spring preloading, the levers of the locking mechanism.

[0022] According to the particularly preferred embodiment according to claim 14, a drive arrangement, in particular a motor drive arrangement with an electric drive motor, is provided to drive the locking part. A locking part drive shaft preferably extends through a housing wall of the motor vehicle lock (claim 15). This has the advantage that, if the housing wall forms a partition between a wet side and a dry side of the motor vehicle lock, the passage of the drive train through the housing wall can be easily sealed.

[0023] In the following, the invention is explained in more detail with reference to a drawing which merely represents exemplary embodiments. In the drawing, Fig. 1 shows a motor vehicle with a motor vehicle lock arrangement which has a motor vehicle lock according to the invention installed here in a motor vehicle door, Fig. 2 shows an exploded view of the motor vehicle lock according to the invention together with a drive arrangement, Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the motor vehicle lock according to the invention during an opening process shown in views a) to d), and Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of a further embodiment of the motor vehicle lock according to the invention during an opening process shown in views a) to d).

[0024] In Fig. 1 A motor vehicle with an open motor vehicle door as a locking element is shown as an example. A motor vehicle lock arrangement is shown in Fig. 1 shown below enlarged in a perspective view and in a sectional view.

[0025] The motor vehicle lock arrangement comprises a proposed motor vehicle lock 1 with a lock latch 2 and a pawl arrangement 3, wherein the lock latch 2 can be pivoted into at least one closed position, in particular a main closed position and optionally a pre-closed position, in each of which it is in holding engagement with a locking part 4, and an open position in which it releases the locking part 4.

[0026] In the embodiment illustrated here and thus preferred, the motor vehicle lock 1 is assigned to a locking element of the motor vehicle, here the side door shown, whereas the locking part 4 is assigned to the body of the motor vehicle. In principle, however, the reverse is also conceivable.

[0027] As mentioned above, the proposed motor vehicle lock 1 in question can be assigned to any locking element of a motor vehicle. This includes, in addition to side doors, tailgates, trunk lids, front hoods, especially engine hoods, or the like. All relevant statements apply accordingly to all other types of locking elements.

[0028] The pawl arrangement 3 has a pivotably mounted pawl 5 which interacts with the lock latch 2 and can be brought, in particular pivotally, into a retracted position and a lifted position, a pivotably mounted intermediate lever 6 which interacts with the pawl 5 and can be brought, in particular pivotally, into a basic position and a deflected position, and a movably mounted locking part 7 which interacts with the intermediate lever 6, in particular a pivotably mounted locking lever which can be brought, in particular pivotally, into a locking position and a release position.

[0029] Preferably, of the three components "pawl 5," "intermediate lever 6," and "locking part 7," the intermediate lever 6 and / or the locking part 7 cannot be brought into contact with the lock latch 2, and / or only the pawl 5 can be brought into contact with the lock latch 2. Additionally or alternatively, it is preferably the case that of the two components "intermediate lever 6" and "locking part 7," the locking part 7 cannot be brought into contact with the pawl 5 and / or the lock latch 2, and / or only the intermediate lever 6 is or can be brought into contact with the pawl 5.

[0030] In a conventional manner, the pawl 5 locks in the engaged position ( Fig. 3a ), 4a)) the lock latch 2 in the respective closed position against pivoting in its opening direction 8, that is to say in the direction from its closed position to its open position, and releases in the lifting position ( Fig. 3c ), 4c)) the lock latch 2 is released in its opening direction 8.

[0031] The locking part 7, here the locking lever, locks in the locking position ( Fig. 3a ) and d), Fig. 4a ) and d)) the intermediate lever 6 in the basic position against pivoting in its deflection direction 9, that is in the direction from its basic position to its deflection position, and releases in the release position ( Fig. 3b ), 4b)) releases the intermediate lever 6 in its deflection direction 9.

[0032] In the basic position of the intermediate lever 6, the pawl 5 is in its engaged position, especially when the lock latch 2 is in its closed position ( Fig. 3a ), 4a)) or can be pivoted into its engaged position, in particular by moving the lock latch 2 from its open position into its closed position ( Fig. 3d ), 4d)).

[0033] When pivoting from its basic position to its deflected position, the intermediate lever 6 brings the pawl 5 into its lifted position ( Fig. 3c ), 4c)).

[0034] When pivoting from its deflection position to its basic position, the intermediate lever 6 brings the pawl 5 into a position from which the pawl 5 pivots into its engagement position when the lock latch 2 is moved from its open position to its closed position ( Fig. 3d ), 4d)).

[0035] What is essential is that the locking part 7, here the locking lever, has a contour arrangement 10 with a pressing-on contour 11 and that during the particularly motor-driven movement, in particular pivoting, of the locking part 7 in its release direction 12, a force, in particular a compressive force, can be exerted from the locking part 7 via its pressing-on contour 11 onto the intermediate lever 6, due to which a torque is exerted on the intermediate lever 6 about its intermediate lever pivot axis 6a in its deflection direction 9. The release direction 12 here means the direction from the locked position of the locking part 7 to its release position.

[0036] A key advantage of this arrangement is that two functions can be realized with one and the same locking part 7 and / or one and the same contour arrangement 10: a blocking function, on the one hand, and a breakaway or icebreaker function, on the other. Thus, the contour arrangement 10 can, on the one hand, prevent the intermediate lever 6 from pivoting in its deflection direction 9. On the other hand, however, the same contour arrangement 10 can also force the intermediate lever 6 into its deflection direction 9 if it is no longer locked by the locking part 7, in particular if the intermediate lever 6 is jammed, for example due to icing.

[0037] In order to provide the locking, i.e. the blocking function, the contour arrangement 10 here and preferably has a locking contour 13, via which the intermediate lever 6, which is in the basic position, is locked against pivoting in its deflection direction 9. This is shown schematically in the Figuren 3a ) and 4a ) for the two exemplary embodiments. A holding force is thus exerted by the locking part 7 on the intermediate lever 6 via the locking contour 13. Here, and preferably, the pressing contour 11 and the locking contour 13 are spaced apart from one another and, in particular, face one another.

[0038] From this in the Figuren 3a ) and 4a ), namely the closed state of the proposed motor vehicle lock 1, the motor vehicle lock 1 is opened. This is shown for the first embodiment in the Figuren 3b ) to d) and for the second embodiment in the Figuren 4b ) to d) are shown schematically.

[0039] In the closed state of the motor vehicle lock 1, the lock latch 2 is in its closed position and the pawl 5 is in its engaged position, i.e., the lock latch 2 is locked in its opening direction 8. Here, and preferably, the lock latch 2 is not in contact with the intermediate lever 6. The intermediate lever 6 is in its basic position, and the locking part 7 is in its locked position.

[0040] To open the motor vehicle lock 1, as shown in the Figuren 3b ) and 4b), the locking part 7 is moved from its locking position to its release position, here pivoted counterclockwise relative to the locking position. The intermediate lever 6 is here and preferably still in its basic position or is slightly deflected from the basic position towards its deflected position. A deflection of the intermediate lever 6 takes place here and in the further course of the opening process, for example, by a clockwise pivoting movement. In the Figuren 3b ) and 4b ) the locking pawl 5 is slightly opposite to the one shown in Fig. 3a ) and 4a), here counterclockwise, whereby the pawl 5 is still engaged and the lock latch 2 is accordingly still locked. The pawl 5 has moved from a position in which it was not in contact with the intermediate lever 6 to a position in which it is now in contact with the intermediate lever 6.

[0041] In Fig. 3c ) and 4c) it is shown that the intermediate lever 6 has moved further, here clockwise, into its deflected position. This can be achieved by the forces exerted by the lock latch 2 via the pawl 5 on the intermediate lever 6 and / or by a rotational movement, here counterclockwise, of the locking part 7, which is motor-driven, for example. By moving the intermediate lever 6 into its deflected position, the pawl 5 is brought into its lifted position. It is then still in stop position on the intermediate lever 6, but is lifted out by the deflection of the intermediate lever 6 and thus releases the lock latch 2. The pawl 5 has therefore moved in comparison to the state in Fig. 3b ) and 4b ) relative to the intermediate lever 6. The locking part 7 has moved, in particular motor-driven, over the release position into Fig. 3b ) and 4b), namely into the closed position. This preferably represents the end position of the locking part 7. Due to the preload acting on it, the lock latch 2 is pivoted about the geometric lock latch pivot axis 2a relative to the closed position, in this case clockwise. The locking part 4 is then no longer in holding engagement with the lock latch 2.

[0042] The Figuren 3d ) and 4d) finally show the final state, in which the locking part 7 has been moved back into its locked position and the intermediate lever 6 into its basic position. The lock latch 2 remains in its open position. The pawl 5 is still raised, but no longer in abutment against the intermediate lever 6, but is deflected relative to the intermediate lever 6, in particular deflected even further than in its raised position and in particular also further than in its retracted position. The pawl 5 has thereby moved relative to the intermediate lever 6 compared to the state in Fig. 3c ) and 4c ), here clockwise, especially over the Fig. 3a ) and 4a) relative to the intermediate lever 6. The pawl 5 rests here against the lock latch 2 which is in the open position. If the lock latch 2 is now pivoted about its geometric lock latch pivot axis 2a, the pawl 5 falls back into the respective engaged position, here counterclockwise, until the state in Fig. 3a ) and 4a ) is reached again. The locking part 7 and the intermediate lever 6 do not move when the locking pawl 5 engages, which here first engages the pre-locking position and then the main locking position.

[0043] Here and preferably, a guide piece 14, preferably a projection, in particular a cam, of the intermediate lever 6 can be guided along the pressing contour 11 (when moving the locking part 7 in its release direction 12) and / or along the locking contour 13 (when moving the locking part 7 from its release position to its locking position). Here and preferably, this is a common guide piece 14 that can be guided along the pressing contour 11 and the locking contour 13.

[0044] When the guide piece 14 is guided along the pressing contour 11, a force is exerted by the locking part 7 on the intermediate lever 6, resulting in the torque on the intermediate lever 6 in its deflection direction 9. When the guide piece 14 is guided along the locking contour 13, the holding force is generated, which locks the intermediate lever 6 against pivoting in its deflection direction 9.

[0045] Furthermore, it can be provided that the respective force due to which the torque on the intermediate lever 6 results in its deflection direction 9 can already be exerted by the locking part 7 on the intermediate lever 6 during the movement, in particular by a motor-driven movement, of the locking part 7 from the locked position to the release position. However, in this case, the force can only be exerted by the locking part 7 on the intermediate lever 6 during the movement of the locking part 7 from its release position to its final position. It is also conceivable that the force can be exerted over the entire movement of the locking part 7.

[0046] In the embodiment in Fig. 3 Here, and preferably, the contour arrangement 10 of the locking part 7 further comprises a guide contour 15. After the locking part 7 has moved from its locking position into its release position, the intermediate lever 6, in particular a guide piece 14 or the guide piece 14 of the intermediate lever 6, can be braked via this guide contour 15 when pivoting from its basic position into its deflected position.

[0047] This is preferably the case when the intermediate lever 6 is not jammed, for example due to icing, and the lock latch 2 exerts a force, resulting from door seal counterpressure and in particular a preload, in particular spring preload, via the retracted pawl 5 on the intermediate lever 6, from which force a torque results in the deflection direction 9 of the intermediate lever 6 about its intermediate lever pivot axis 6a. In this case, pivoting of the intermediate lever 6 in its deflection direction 9 is braked. A braking force thus counteracts the movement of the intermediate lever 6 via the locking part 7. In particular, no force is then exerted by the locking part 7 via its pressing contour 11 on the intermediate lever 6.

[0048] According to Fig. 3 Here, and preferably, the guide contour 15 and the pressing contour 11 are spaced apart from one another and, in particular, face one another. Additionally or alternatively, as here, the guide contour 15 adjoins the locking contour 13.

[0049] In principle, however, as in Fig. 4 shown, an alternative embodiment of the locking part 7 is conceivable. Thus, in the embodiment in Fig. 4 The intermediate lever 6 cannot be braked by the locking part 7 when pivoting from its basic position to its deflected position after the locking part 7 has moved from its locked position to its released position. The locking part 7 does not have a separate guide contour here.

[0050] In the embodiment in Fig. 3 The contour arrangement 10 of the locking part 7 has a closed guide 16, which forms the pressing contour 11 and the locking contour 13, in particular also the guide contour 15. Such a guide 16 ensures a high degree of dimensional stability within the locking part 7, in particular in the event of a crash. Additionally or alternatively, as in Fig. 4 A housing-mounted stop part 17 may also be provided, which can counteract deformations of the locking part 7, particularly in the event of a crash. "Housing-mounted" here means the rigid arrangement on the lock housing.

[0051] Here and preferably, it is further provided that the intermediate lever 6 together with the locking pawl 5 forms a toggle lever mechanism 19. Such a mechanism, in which the locking pawl 5 is pivotally mounted on the intermediate lever 6, makes it easy to hold the locking pawl 5 stably in its engaged position when the intermediate lever 6 is in its basic position and to release this stable position easily, in particular with little effort, by the locking part 7 deflecting the intermediate lever 6. Easy release of the locking pawl 5 from its engaged position and movement into its raised position is further facilitated here by the fact that the lever arm of the intermediate lever 6 between its contact surface for engagement with the locking contour 13 and the intermediate lever pivot axis 6a is longer than the lever arm between the locking pawl pivot axis 5a and the intermediate lever pivot axis 6a.

[0052] As the Figuren 3a ) and 4a), it is here and preferably the case that when the intermediate lever 6 is in the basic position and the locking part 7 is in the locking position, the locking part 7 is in supporting engagement with the intermediate lever 6, in particular via the guide piece 14, via a support surface, in particular via the locking contour 13, and the force action line 20 of the contact force between the intermediate lever 6 and the locking part 7 runs through the locking part pivot axis 7a.

[0053] This means that the locking part 7 is not driven by the intermediate lever 6 via this supporting engagement in the direction opposite to the release direction 12, nor in the release direction 12. The above-mentioned supporting engagement between the intermediate lever 6 and the locking part 7 is also referred to as "neutral engagement" or "neutral engagement" in this specific design, since the line of action 20 of the contact force between the intermediate lever 6 and the locking part 7 runs through the locking part pivot axis 7a, so that no torque is exerted on the locking part 7 due to the forces transmitted from the lock latch 2 via the pawl 5 to the intermediate lever 6. This is achieved here and preferably by a curved locking contour 13 that runs concentrically around the locking part pivot axis 7a.

[0054] According to another variant, however, it is also conceivable that the line of action 20 of the contact force between the intermediate lever 6 and the locking part 7 runs past the locking part pivot axis 7a in such a way that, due to the forces transmitted to the intermediate lever 6, a torque always results on the locking part 7 in the direction opposite to the release direction 12.

[0055] This means that the locking part 7 is driven by the intermediate lever 6 via this supporting engagement in its locking direction. The above-mentioned supporting engagement between the intermediate lever 6 and the locking part 7 is also referred to in this special design as "engagement with a closing tendency" or "engagement with an undercut design," since the force action line 20 of the contact force between the intermediate lever 6 and the locking part 7 runs past the locking part pivot axis 7a in such a way that, due to the forces transmitted from the lock latch 2 via the pawl 5 to the intermediate lever 6, a torque is always exerted on the locking part 7 in its locking direction. In principle, it can be provided that the force action line 20 runs inside or outside the friction cone of the two friction partners, "intermediate lever 6" and "locking part 7," when the intermediate lever 6 is in its basic position and the locking part 7 is in the locked position.

[0056] In principle, a variant is also conceivable in which the line of action 20 of the contact force between the intermediate lever 6 and the locking part 7 runs past the locking part pivot axis 7a in such a way that, due to the forces transmitted to the intermediate lever 6, a torque always results on the locking part 7 in its release direction 12.

[0057] This means that the locking part 7 is driven by the intermediate lever 6 via this supporting engagement in its release direction 12. The above-mentioned supporting engagement between the intermediate lever 6 and the locking part 7 is also referred to in this special design as "engagement with opening tendency" or "engagement with a front-cut design," since the force line of action 20 of the contact force between the intermediate lever 6 and the locking part 7 runs past the locking part pivot axis 7a in such a way that, due to the forces transmitted from the lock latch 2 via the pawl 5 to the intermediate lever 6, a torque is always exerted on the locking part 7 in its release direction 12.

[0058] In order to ensure that in the latter variant, when the intermediate lever 6 is in the basic position and the locking part 7 is in the locked position, the locking part 7 does not inadvertently shift into the release position, for example when driving over undulating surfaces or through potholes, it is preferably provided as an additional measure that the line of action of force 20 runs within the friction cone of the two friction partners "intermediate lever 6" and "locking part 7" when the intermediate lever 6 is in the basic position and the locking part 7 is in the locked position.Additionally or alternatively, it can also be provided that the locking part 7 is pre-tensioned in its locking direction, in particular spring-loaded, preferably with a pre-tensioning force from which a torque on the locking part 7 in its locking direction results that is greater than or equal to the torque that results on the locking part 7 in its release direction 12 due to the forces transmitted from the lock latch 2 via the pawl 5 to the intermediate lever 6. In the latter case, it is fundamentally even conceivable for the force action line 20 to run outside the friction cone of the two friction partners "intermediate lever 6" and "locking part 7" when the intermediate lever 6 is in the basic position and the locking part 7 is in the locked position. Additionally or alternatively, it can also be provided that the locking part 7 is driven by a drive arrangement 21, in particular with an electric drive motor 22, via the orwhich the locking part 7 is adjustable, is held in the locking position.

[0059] Further here and preferably, how the Figuren 3a ) and 4a ) show, when the motor vehicle lock 1 is mounted, in particular mounted in a motor vehicle door, it is provided that when the lock latch 2 is in the closed position, in particular the main closed position and / or pre-locking position, and the pawl 5 is in the engaged position, the pawl 5 is in supporting engagement with the lock latch 2 via a support surface and the force action line 23 of the contact force between the lock latch 2 and the pawl 5 runs through the pawl pivot axis 5a.

[0060] According to another variant, which should also be mentioned for the sake of completeness, it is also conceivable in principle that the line of action 23 of the contact force between the lock latch 2 and the pawl 5 runs past the pawl pivot axis 5a in such a way that, due to the forces transmitted from the locking part 4 to the lock latch 2, a torque is always exerted on the pawl 5 in its lifting direction 24, i.e., in the direction away from its retracted position. As a result, the pawl 5 is driven by the lock latch 2 via this supporting engagement in the lifting direction 24. The above-mentioned supporting engagement between the lock latch 2 and the pawl 5 is also referred to in this special design as "engagement with opening tendency" or "engagement with a front-cut design."

[0061] According to another variant, it is also conceivable that the force line 23 of the contact force between the lock latch 2 and the pawl 5 passes the pawl pivot axis 5a in such a way that, due to the forces transmitted from the locking part 4 to the lock latch 2, a torque is always exerted on the pawl 5 opposite to its lifting direction 24. As a result, the pawl 5 is driven by the lock latch 2 via this supporting engagement opposite to the lifting direction 24.

[0062] In the last two variants, it can also be provided that the line of action of force 23 runs inside or outside the friction cone of the two friction partners "lock latch 2" and "pawl 5".

[0063] As in particular Fig. 2 As illustrated, here and preferably the geometric lock latch pivot axis 2a of the lock latch 2 and / or the geometric intermediate lever pivot axis 6a of the intermediate lever 6 and / or the geometric locking lever pivot axis 7a of the locking lever 7 is fixed to the housing. "Fixed to the housing" here means the rigid arrangement on the lock housing, for example, the strike plate 18. Here and preferably the geometric pawl pivot axis 5a of the pawl 5 is arranged on the intermediate lever 6 and follows its movements. In principle, according to an embodiment not shown here, the pawl pivot axis 5a can also be fixed to the housing.

[0064] In the illustrated and thus preferred embodiments, it is further the case that the lock latch 2 is prestressed, in particular spring-prestressed, in its opening direction 8 and / or the pawl 5 is prestressed against its lifting direction 24 and / or the intermediate lever 6, in particular via the pawl 5, into its basic position and / or the locking part 7 is prestressed in its locking direction. Here and preferably, one and the same spring 25 prestresses the pawl 5 and / or the intermediate lever 6 and / or the locking part 7. It is conceivable that the spring 25 prestresses the respective components, in particular the pawl 5 and the intermediate lever 6, via one and the same spring leg of the spring 25. It is also conceivable that the spring 25 prestresses the respective components, in particular the pawl 5 and / or the intermediate lever 6 on the one hand and the locking part 7 on the other, via different spring legs of the spring 25.

[0065] It has already been mentioned above that a drive arrangement 21, in particular a motorized drive arrangement 21 with an electric drive motor 22, can be provided to drive the locking part 7. The drive arrangement 21 is preferably configured, as here, to drive the locking part 7 in its release direction 12 and / or counter to its release direction 12. Additionally or alternatively, manual actuation via a manually operable actuating lever, in particular an actuating lever coupled to a door handle 26, for example, an inside door handle or an outside door handle, is also conceivable.

[0066] Fig. 2Finally, it is shown that here and preferably a locking part drive shaft 27, which transmits a rotary movement from the drive arrangement 21, in particular from the drive motor 22, to which the locking part 7 is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner and which runs coaxially to the geometric locking part pivot axis 7a, extends from the locking part 7 along the geometric locking part pivot axis 7a through a housing wall 28 of the motor vehicle lock 1 to the drive arrangement 21. Here and preferably, the housing wall 28 forms a partition between a wet side 29 and a dry side 30 of the motor vehicle lock 1, also called a wet room / dry room partition. Such a feedthrough of the drive train between the wet side 29 and the dry side 30 can be sealed particularly easily. Thus, here only a rotating shaft 27 runs through the housing wall 28, which can be easily sealed by means of an annular sealing element in the housing wall 28.In this way, the electric drive motor 22 and any microswitches present on the dry side 30 of the motor vehicle lock 1 are optimally protected against moisture.

Claims

1. Motor vehicle lock having a lock latch (2) and a pawl arrangement (3), wherein the lock latch (2) is pivotable into at least one locking position, in particular a main locking position and optionally a pre-locking position, in which it is in each case in holding engagement with a locking part (4), and into an open position, in which it releases the locking part (4), wherein the pawl arrangement (3) has a pivotably mounted pawl (5) which interacts with the lock latch (2) and can be brought into an engagement position and a disengagement position, a pivotably mounted intermediate lever (6) which interacts with the pawl (5) and can be brought into a basic position and a deflection position, and a movably mounted blocking part (7) interacting with the intermediate lever (6), in particular a pivotably mounted blocking lever, which can be brought into a blocking position and a release position, wherein, in the engagement position, the pawl (5) blocks the lock latch (2), which is in the respective locking position, against pivoting in its opening direction (8), and, in the disengagement position, releases the lock latch (2) in its opening direction (8), wherein, in the blocking position, the blocking part (7) blocks the intermediate lever (6), which is in the basic position, against pivoting in the deflection direction (9) thereof, and, in the release position, releases the intermediate lever (6) in the deflection direction (9) thereof, wherein, in the basic position of the intermediate lever (6), the pawl (5) is in its engagement position or is pivotable into its engagement position, and wherein the intermediate lever (6) upon pivoting from its basic position into its deflection position brings the pawl (5) into its disengagement position, characterized in that the blocking part (7) has a contour arrangement (10) with a pressing contour (11), and in that during the, in particular motor-driven, movement of the blocking part (7) in its release direction (12), a force, in particular compressive force, can be exerted by the blocking part (7) via its pressing contour (11) on the intermediate lever (6), owing to which a torque is produced on the intermediate lever (6) about its intermediate lever pivot axis (6a) in the deflection direction (9) thereof.

2. Motor vehicle lock according to Claim 1, characterized in that the contour arrangement (10) of the blocking part (7) has a blocking contour (13) via which, in the blocking position, the intermediate lever (6), which is in the basic position, is blocked against pivoting in the deflection direction (9) thereof, preferably in that the pressing contour (11) and the blocking contour (13) are spaced apart from each other and in particular face each other.

3. Motor vehicle lock according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a guide piece (14) of the intermediate lever (6) can be guided along the pressing contour (11) and / or along the blocking contour (13), preferably in that a common guide piece (14) can be guided along the pressing contour (11) and along the blocking contour (13).

4. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective force, owing to which the torque is produced on the intermediate lever (6) in the deflection direction (9) thereof, can be exerted on the intermediate lever (6) by the blocking part (7) during the, in particular motor-driven, movement of the blocking part (7) from the blocking position into the release position and / or from the release position into an end position.

5. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contour arrangement (10) of the blocking part (7) has a guide contour (15) via which the intermediate lever (6), in particular a guide piece (14) or the guide piece (14) of the intermediate lever (6), can be braked during the pivoting from its basic position into its deflection position after the blocking part (7) has passed from its blocking position into its release position, preferably in that the guide contour (15) and the pressing contour (11) are spaced apart from each other and in particular face each other and / or the guide contour (15) adjoins the blocking contour (13), or in that the intermediate lever (6) cannot be braked by the blocking part (7) during the pivoting from its basic position into its deflection position after the blocking part (7) has passed from its blocking position into its release position.

6. Motor vehicle lock according to one of Claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the contour arrangement (10) of the blocking part (7) has a closed guide slot (16) which forms the pressing contour (11) and the blocking contour (13), in particular also the guide contour (15).

7. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate lever (6) forms a toggle lever mechanism (19) together with the pawl (5).

8. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when the intermediate lever (6) is in the basic position and the blocking part (7) is in the blocking position, the blocking part (7) is in supporting engagement via a supporting surface, in particular via the blocking contour (13), with the intermediate lever (6), in particular via the guide piece (14), and the force action line (20) of the contact force between the intermediate lever (6) and the blocking part (7) runs through the blocking part pivot axis (7a).

9. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when the intermediate lever (6) is in the basic position and the blocking part (7) is in the blocking position, the blocking part (7) is in supporting engagement via a supporting surface, in particular via the blocking contour (13), with the intermediate lever (6), in particular via the guide piece (14), and the force action line (20) of the contact force between the intermediate lever (6) and the blocking part (7) runs past the blocking part pivot axis (7a) in such a manner that, owing to the forces transmitted to the intermediate lever (6), a torque is always produced on the blocking part (7) in a direction opposite to the release direction (12).

10. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when the intermediate lever (6) is in the basic position and the blocking part (7) is in the blocking position, the blocking part (7) is in supporting engagement via a supporting surface, in particular via the blocking contour (13), with the intermediate lever (6), in particular via the guide piece (14), and the force action line (20) of the contact force between the intermediate lever (6) and the blocking part (7) runs past the blocking part pivot axis (7a) in such a manner that, owing to the forces transmitted to the intermediate lever (6), a torque is always produced on the blocking part (7) in the release direction (12) thereof.

11. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when the lock latch (2) is in the locking position, in particular main locking position and / or pre-locking position, and the pawl (5) is in the engagement position, the pawl (5) is in supporting engagement via a supporting surface with the lock latch (2), and the force action line (23) of the contact force between the lock latch (2) and the pawl (5) runs through the pawl pivot axis (5a).

12. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the geometrical lock latch pivot axis (2a) of the lock latch (2) and / or the geometrical intermediate lever pivot axis (6a) of the intermediate lever (6) and / or the geometrical blocking lever pivot axis (7a) of the blocking lever (7) are / is fixed with respect to the housing, preferably in that the geometrical pawl pivot axis (5a) of the pawl (5) is arranged on the intermediate lever (6) and follows the movements thereof or is fixed with respect to the housing.

13. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lock latch (2) is pretensioned, in particular spring-pretensioned, in its opening direction (8) and / or the pawl (5) is pretensioned, in particular spring-pretensioned, counter to its disengagement direction (24) and / or the intermediate lever (6) is pretensioned, in particular spring-pretensioned, in particular via the pawl (5), in its basic position and / or the blocking part (7) is pretensioned, in particular spring-pretensioned, in its blocking direction, preferably in that one and the same spring (25) pretensions the pawl (5) and / or the intermediate lever (6) and / or the blocking part (7), in particular via one and the same spring leg or via different spring legs of the spring (25).

14. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a drive arrangement (21), in particular motorized drive arrangement (21) with an electric drive motor (22), is provided, said drive arrangement being configured to drive the blocking part (7) in its release direction (12) and / or counter to its release direction (12).

15. Motor vehicle lock according to Claim 14, characterized in that a blocking part drive shaft (27) which transmits a rotational movement from the drive arrangement (21), in particular from the drive motor (22), and with respect to which the blocking part (7) is arranged for conjoint rotation and which runs coaxially with respect to the geometrical blocking part pivot axis (7a) extends from the blocking part (7) along the geometrical blocking part pivot axis (7a) through a housing wall (28) of the motor vehicle lock (1) to the drive arrangement (21), preferably in that the housing wall (28) forms a partition between a wet side (29) and dry side (30) of the motor vehicle lock (1) .