CAR LOCK, IN PARTICULAR CAR DOOR LOCK

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, with a locking mechanism consisting essentially of the locking mechanism components rotary latch and pawl, furthermore with at least one sensor for querying the position of the rotary latch and the pawl, and with at least one spring-loaded sensing element between the sensor and the associated locking mechanism component, wherein the sensing element is rotatable about an axis.

[0002] Detecting and assuming the different locking positions, and especially the main locking position, of a locking mechanism, particularly in vehicle door locks, is of particular importance. This is because the operation of safety components, such as side airbags or seatbelt pretensioners, is typically linked to the main locking position. This aspect becomes even more significant because vehicle doors are often equipped with a power closing mechanism, either for convenience or due to their weight, to provide motorized assistance with the otherwise manually initiated closing process.

[0003] A motor vehicle door lock with a closing drive is described, for example, in DE 10 2009 003 402 A1. In this case, a closing lever that engages the rotary latch is implemented. A closing lever switch is provided to determine the operating position of the closing lever. Furthermore, the operating position of the locking pawl can be detected using a locking pawl switch. In addition, the closing lever acts as a sensing element of the closing lever switch, scanning a control cam of the rotary latch.

[0004] This allows the operating position of the rotary latch to be determined. Based on the different switch positions, the respective operating state of the lock can be recorded and evaluated using a control unit. However, the associated design and circuitry effort is considerable due to the large number of switches that need to be monitored.

[0005] For this reason, the further and similar prior art according to US 5,785,364 employs a sensing element that actuates a switch. However, the switch, acting as a sensor, is ultimately only capable of detecting the position of the rotary latch. Additional position detection of the pawl is not possible. For this purpose, the sensing element has an arm that is actuated by the rotary latch to actuate the switch. Consequently, only limited conclusions can be drawn about the functional position of the individual locking components, and especially the pawl.

[0006] In the generic prior art according to DE 10 2019 107 572 A1, one variant uses a sensing element that is rotatable relative to an axis. This sensing element is not only spring-loaded but also features a pawl contour and a rotary latch contour for sensing the closed position of the pawl and the closed position of the rotary latch, respectively. Whenever at least one locking component deviates from its closed position, the sensing element activates the sensor.Furthermore, US 2012 / 292927 A1 discloses a motor vehicle door lock with a locking mechanism consisting essentially of the locking components rotary latch and pawl, with at least one sensor for querying the position of the rotary latch and the pawl, and with at least one spring-loaded key element between the sensor and the associated locking component, wherein the key element is rotatable about an axis.

[0007] The current state of the art has generally proven its worth, but still offers room for improvement. In fact, the interaction between the known key element and the associated spring is relatively complex and requires a specific and very particular spring geometry. This spring geometry must be essentially maintained and function reliably throughout the entire service life of the associated vehicle. This also applies to changing and potentially fluctuating temperatures, as well as humid environments. In practice, this can lead to functional impairments.

[0008] The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a motor vehicle lock, and in particular a motor vehicle door lock, in such a way that functional reliability is increased and, in particular, is also made available on long time scales.

[0009] To solve this technical problem, the invention proposes, in a generic motor vehicle lock and in particular a motor vehicle door lock, that the spring acting on the key element is mounted on the key element and is equipped with legs on both sides for interaction with the rotary latch on one side and a housing stop on the other.

[0010] The design of the sensing element is advantageously such that it is configured as a two-armed lever with a pawl lever arm and a rotary latch lever arm. The pawl lever arm typically features a pawl contour for sensing the pawl. In contrast, the rotary latch lever arm is designed to interact with the sensor.

[0011] In this way, the sensing element can detect the pawl using the pawl lever arm and the pawl contour provided there. The rotary latch, on the other hand, is detected by the spring. For this purpose, the spring is typically designed as a torsion spring with a rotary latch leg and a housing leg. Both legs are generally opposite each other with respect to a central coil section. Furthermore, the design is advantageously such that both legs are connected tangentially to the coil section and enclose an angle of approximately 180° between them.

[0012] The coiled section generally encloses a bearing collar of the sensing element. The bearing collar is typically engaged coaxially by the coiled section. Furthermore, the bearing collar is provided on the rotating arm of the sensing element. Accordingly, the spring is mounted on the respective rotating arm.

[0013] Furthermore, the design is usually such that the spring's rotating latch arm engages a guide slot on the sensing element. Since the sensing element is equipped with the rotating latch lever arm, which in turn interacts with the sensor, and since the interaction with the rotating latch is also carried out by the rotating latch arm, the guide slot in question is typically found on said rotating latch lever arm.

[0014] This means that the spring's pivot arm engages the guide slot on the sensing element, which is itself provided and implemented on the pivot lever arm. In this way, the pivot arm of the spring is simultaneously supported and guided within the guide slot on the sensing element. This allows the pivot arm to be easily used for circumferential scanning of the pivot. In fact, the pivot arm typically has an end lug that facilitates circumferential scanning of the pivot.

[0015] The described design allows the spring to be tensioned between the housing stop on one side and the rotary latch on the other as soon as the lug located at the end of the rotary latch arm comes into contact with the outer circumference of the rotary latch. This is typically the case when the rotary latch is closed or has not yet reached its fully open position. Only when the rotary latch is fully open can the rotary latch arm, or rather the lug at the end, no longer interact with the rotary latch, or rather, when the outer circumference of the rotary latch has moved sufficiently away from the rotary latch arm that it is now separated from it.

[0016] The opening process of the rotary latch, and thus of the entire locking mechanism, is generally linked to the sensor activated by the sensing element not transmitting a signal. This occurs when the rotary latch arm, which interacts with the sensor and is part of the sensing element, disengages from the sensor, which is typically fixed in a housing within the vehicle lock. For example, the sensor might be a Hall sensor that reacts to the approach of a permanent magnet to or within the rotary latch lever arm.

[0017] As long as the permanent magnet in or on the rotary latch lever arm and the Hall sensor are aligned, the sensor sends a signal to the associated control unit. This occurs when the rotary latch and the pawl are in their closed position. Any opening movement of the latch causes the key element to pivot around its axis, and simultaneously, the rotary latch arm, with its permanent magnet attached to it, moves away from the Hall sensor in this example. As a result, no further signal is sent to the control unit. Only when the latch has returned to its closed position after an opening operation, such that the pawl has not only engaged in any preliminary detent of the rotary latch but has entered a full detent, and thus the latch has reached its main closed position, is the sensor activated again.The locking mechanism's main closed position corresponds to the key element being pivoted around its axis to such an extent that the rotary latch lever arm, or the permanent magnet located there, is completely covered by the Hall sensor in this example. Of course, a reverse signal sequence can also be used, where the main closed position does not correspond to any sensor signal, while any deviation from this position triggers a signal.

[0018] This invention, with its compact and simple design, is able to reliably detect the secure engagement of the main closed position using the sensor. Any deviation from this position results in a missing signal. Because the rotary latch is scanned by the spring's rotary latch arm and the pawl by its contour on the sensing element, a functional solution for detecting both locking components is provided, which also does not require a specific spring contour. The same applies to the sensing element, especially since it is typically manufactured as an injection-molded plastic part. Consequently, reliable operation is maintained, and temperature or other environmental factors are irrelevant. These are the key advantages.

[0019] 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 motor vehicle lock according to the invention in the main latching position or main locked position, Fig. 2 an opening process starting from the functional position after the Fig. 1 , Fig. 3 the continuous opening process, Fig. 4 the locking mechanism of the motor vehicle lock in the fully open state, Fig. 5 a closing process starting from the open position of the locking mechanism after the Fig. 4 with the locking mechanism in the pre-locking position and Fig. 6 the locking mechanism in the main locking position according to the illustration in the Fig. 1 .

[0020] The figures depict a motor vehicle lock, which is not limited to a motor vehicle door lock, housed within a housing 1 that is only indicated. For this purpose, the motor vehicle lock / door lock has a locking mechanism 2, 3 consisting essentially of locking components 2, 3, namely a rotary latch 2 and a pawl 3. The illustrations show that the rotary latch 2 is equipped with a detent element 4 located in the engagement area between the two locking components 2, 3. According to the exemplary embodiment, this detent element is pivotably mounted on the rotary latch 2 within a locking plane. This locking plane is defined by the two locking components 2, 3 and, in the illustrations, coincides with the plane of the drawing.

[0021] One such embodiment of the locking mechanism 2, 3 with a detent element 4 arranged between the two locking mechanism components 2, 3 is described in detail by way of example in DE 10 2019 123 837 A1 of the applicant. In principle, however, a locking mechanism 2, 3 could also be used at this point in which a so-called carrier pawl is rotatably mounted on the locking pawl 3, as described in DE 10 2009 029 023 A1 of the applicant. In addition, embodiments entirely without a detent element 4 or carrier pawl are of course also provided and are included.

[0022] The motor vehicle lock according to the invention, and in particular the motor vehicle door lock, is furthermore equipped with at least one sensor 5, 6 for monitoring the position of the rotary latch 2 and the locking pawl 3. According to the exemplary embodiment, and without limitation, the sensor 5, 6 is designed in two parts, namely comprising, on the one hand, a Hall sensor 5 fixedly mounted in or on the housing 1, and, on the other hand, a permanent magnet 6 which is arranged on or in a sensing element 7 to be described in more detail below.

[0023] The sensor 5, 6 then sends a sensor signal to a control unit (not explicitly shown) when the Hall sensor 5 overlaps with the permanent magnet 6 or the permanent magnet 6 covers the Hall sensor 5. According to the exemplary embodiment, this is the case if and only if the locking mechanism 2, 3 has assumed its main closed position or main detent position, as described in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 6is shown. Any deviation from this main closed position or main detent position causes the permanent magnet 6 to move away from the Hall sensor 5, so that the relevant signal is no longer transmitted to the control unit in this case.

[0024] The previously mentioned sensing element 7 is designed to rotate about an axis 9. In the exemplary embodiment, the axis 9 is defined by a stationary bearing pin 9. For this purpose, the bearing pin 9 may be connected to the housing 1 or may, in principle, be an integral part of this housing 1, which is usually manufactured as an injection-molded plastic part. As already explained, the sensing element 7 is generally also made of plastic or is itself an injection-molded plastic part, so that a bearing collar 8 also generally constitutes an integral part of the sensing element 7.

[0025] Furthermore, the basic structure includes a spring 10, which is used to actuate the sensing element 7. The sensing element 7 is positioned between the sensor 5, 6 and the associated locking component 2, 3. It can be seen that the spring 10 is composed of three parts. Specifically, the spring 10 has a coiled section 10a, from which, according to the exemplary embodiment, two legs 10b, 10c extend.

[0026] According to the invention, the design is such that the spring 10 engages the bearing collar 8 with its coiled section 10a. This allows the spring 10 to be mounted on the sensing element 7. Furthermore, the spring 10, with its two legs 10b and 10c, interacts with the rotary latch 2 on one side and a housing stop 11 on the other.

[0027] In fact, the design is such that one leg 10b extending from the central coil section 10a of the spring 10 is configured as a housing leg 10b. The housing leg 10b rests against the housing stop 11 and is supported against it. According to the exemplary embodiment, the coil section 10a encloses the bearing collar 8 of the sensing element 7.

[0028] The other second leg 10c of the spring 10, in contrast, is designed as a rotary trap leg 10c. The rotary trap leg 10c can be used to scan the position of the rotary trap 2. For this purpose, the rotary trap leg 10c interacts with the rotary trap 2 on its outer circumference.

[0029] The exemplary embodiment shows that both legs 10b, 10c are opposite each other and each is tangentially connected to the central winding section 10a. Furthermore, the two legs 10b, 10c generally form an angle of approximately 180° between them.

[0030] To guide the rotary latch arm 10c, the rotary latch arm 10c of the spring 10 engages a guide slot 12 on the sensing element 7. Like the previously mentioned collar 8 on the sensing element 7, the guide slot 12 is also an integral part of the plastic sensing element 7. In this way, the rotary latch arm 10c is guided relative to the sensing element 7. Furthermore, the rotary latch arm 10c is equipped with an end lug 10d, which is designed and configured for circumferential scanning of the rotary latch 2.

[0031] The functionality is as follows. In the Fig. 1 The vehicle lock, or its locking mechanism 2, 3, is in the main locking position. This position is characterized by the fact that the pawl 3, with one arm 3a, rests against the locking element 4, and the rotary latch 2 engages in this main locking position. Another arm 3b of the pawl 3, on the other hand, rests against a pawl contour 13, which is part of the sensing element 7.

[0032] In fact, according to the exemplary embodiment, the sensing element 7 is designed as a two-armed lever with a pawl lever arm 7a and a rotary latch lever arm 7b. The pawl lever arm 7a has the pawl contour 13 for sensing the pawl 3. In contrast, the rotary latch arm 7b interacts with the sensor 5, 6, namely, according to the exemplary embodiment, it is equipped with the permanent magnet 6 as a component of the sensor 5, 6. For this purpose, the permanent magnet 6 may, for example, be embedded in a recess in the rotary latch lever arm 7b.

[0033] If the locking mechanism 2, 3 now moves from the main closed position or main detent position to the Fig. 1 If the latch is opened, this requires that the locking pawl 3, according to the exemplary embodiment, is acted upon about its axis 14, namely in a clockwise direction, as can be seen when transitioning from the Fig. 1 to Fig. 2This can be understood. As a result, the pawl arm 3b acts on the pawl contour 13 and ensures overall that during the transition from the Fig. 1 to Fig. 2 The key element 7 or the two-arm lever is thereby pivoted counterclockwise around its axis 9.

[0034] The pawl arm 7a of the sensing element 7 may be associated with a further housing stop 16, which may limit the opening movements of the pawl 3. The opening of the pawl 3 during the transition from the Fig. 1 to Fig. 2 This can be done manually, for example, by actuating the locking latch 3 via an operating lever chain (not explicitly shown) and a door handle (inside and / or outside). However, the locking latch 3 is usually actuated electromechanically, resulting in an electric opening mechanism.

[0035] Because the locking pawl 3 engages during the transition from the Fig. 1 to Fig. 2 Once the locking pawl arm 3a has been pivoted clockwise about its axis 14, it leaves the detent element 4 at the rotary latch 2. This results in the following: during the transition from the Fig. 2 to Fig. 3 The rotary latch 2 can pivot about its axis 15, specifically in a clockwise direction. Furthermore, during the transition from the Fig. 1 to Fig. 2 When the tactile element 7 is acted upon counterclockwise around its axis 9 – as described – the permanent magnet 6 leaves the position of the Hall sensor 5, so that, as a consequence, the sensor signal originally transmitted from the sensor 5, 6 to the control unit is no longer observed. The same applies in the operating position according to the Fig. 3. At the same time, it can be seen that the pivoting movement of the sensing element 7 about its axis 9 in a counterclockwise direction causes the pivoting lever 10c of the spring 10 to move "upwards" inside the guide slot 12 according to the exemplary embodiment. This is possible because the pivoting lever 10c of the spring 10 is elastically deformed in this process.

[0036] In the representation according to the Fig. 3 The rotary latch arm 10c of the spring 10, or the end-end nose 13, remains in contact with an outer circumference of the rotary latch 2. As the opening process of the rotary latch 2 progresses during the transition from the Fig. 3 to Fig. 4 It is now observed that the rotary latch 2 moves away from the spring 10 or the rotary latch arm 10c, and that the rotary latch arm 10c is in the fully open position of the locking mechanism 2, 3 within the frame of the Fig. 4 no longer rests against the rotary latch 2. The locking pawl 3 has, during the transition from the Fig. 3 to Fig. 4They essentially retain their position, so that overall, the key element 7 also remains in its position as already seen in the Fig. 2 has been taken over. This results in the sensor 5, 6 not sending a signal to the control unit. In fact, the key element 7 is held by the spring 10 in conjunction with the locking pawl 3, because although the rotary latch arm 10c moves during the transition from the Fig. 2 about the Fig. 3 to Fig. 4 The housing leg 10b has relaxed, but at the same time the housing leg 10b remains in contact with the housing stop 11. This holds the stylus element 7 in its position via the winding section 10a enclosing the bearing collar 8.

[0037] Starting from the fully open position in the Fig. 4 A closing process of the lock 2, 3 is then carried out based on the Figure 5 and Fig. 6 described. In fact, the closing process corresponds to the transition from the Fig. 4 to Fig. 5 This results in the rotary latch 2 being pivoted counterclockwise about its axis 15. For this purpose, a locking bolt (not explicitly shown) may engage in the open rotary latch 2 and, for the described counterclockwise pivoting movement of the rotary latch 2 about its axis 15 during the transition from the Fig. 4 to Fig. 5 ensure. In this process and according to the description in the Fig. 5 The pawl 3 with its pawl arm 3a can now move against a pre-latch of the rotary latch 2 or engage in this pre-latch, as shown in the Fig. 5 is shown.

[0038] In this process, an outer circumference of the rotary latch 2 may additionally come into contact with the rotary latch arm 10c of the spring 10. At the same time, however, the tactile element 7 is moved during the transition from the Fig. 4 to Fig. 5held unchanged in its position. This is ensured by the spring 10, which, through the rotary latch arm 10c, resting on the rotary latch 2 on one side and the housing arm 10b, resting on the housing stop 11 on the other, ensures that the key element 7 maintains its position according to the Figures 2 to 4 The situation remains unchanged. As a result, sensor 5, 6 still does not send a signal to the control unit (not shown).

[0039] Now the closing process of the lock 2, 3 proceeds from the Fig. 5 to Fig. 6 This corresponds to a further counterclockwise movement of the rotary latch 2 by the retracting locking bolt. This can be seen during the transition from the Fig. 5 to Fig. 6To understand this process, the pawl arm 3a eventually moves against the detent element 4, which is rotatably mounted on the rotary latch 2. The main detent or closed position of the locking mechanism 2, 3 is now reached, as it was at the beginning. Fig. 1 has been observed. At the same time, the transition from the Fig. 5 to Fig. 6This causes the rotary latch arm 10c of the spring 10 to be acted upon by the rotary latch 2 as it moves into the main closed position, such that the sensing element 7 is acted upon in a clockwise direction about its axis 9, allowing the pawl arm 7a with its pawl contour 13 to engage with the arm 3b of the pawl 3. This clockwise pivoting movement of the sensing element 7 results in the permanent magnet 6 on the rotary latch arm 7b of the sensing element 7 moving towards and overlapping the Hall sensor 5, so that the sensor 5, 6 now sends a signal to the control unit. That is, the signal from the sensor 5, 6 indicates that the main detent position or main closed position of the lock 2, 3 has been reached again, as was already the case in the starting point. Fig. 1 was. List of reference symbols

[0040] Housing 1 Locks 2, 3 Rotary trap 2 Locking latch 3 arm 3a arm 3b Latching element 4 sensor 5, 6 Hall sensor 5 Permanent magnet 6 Key element 7 pawl lever arm 7a Rotary latch lever arm 7b axis 9 Bearing collar 8 Bearing bolt 9 Feather 10 winding section 10a Case leg / leg 10b, 10c terminal nose 10d housing stop 11 Guide slot 12 pawl contour 13 axis 14 axis 15 housing stop 16

Claims

1. Motor vehicle latch, particularly a motor vehicle door latch, comprising a locking mechanism (2, 3) consisting substantially of the locking mechanism components (2, 3) catch (2) and pawl (3), further comprising at least one sensor (5, 6) for checking the position of the catch (2) and the pawl (3), and comprising at least one contact element (7), acted upon by a spring (10), between the sensor (5, 6) and the associated locking mechanism component (2, 3), the contact element (7) being designed to be rotatable about a pin (9), characterized in that the spring (10) is mounted on the contact element (7) and is equipped with legs (10b, 10c) on either side for interaction with both the catch (2) and a housing stop (11).

2. Motor vehicle latch according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring (10) is designed as a leg spring having a catch leg (10c) and a housing leg (10b).

3. Motor vehicle latch according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that both legs (10b, 10c) are opposite one another with respect to a central winding portion (10a).

4. Motor vehicle latch according to claim 3, characterized in that both legs (10b, 10c) are each connected tangentially to the winding portion (10a) and substantially enclose an angle of approximately 180° between them.

5. Motor vehicle latch according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the winding portion (10a) preferably coaxially encloses a mounting collar (8) of the contact element (7).

6. Motor vehicle latch according to any of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the catch leg (10b) of the spring (10) passes through a guide slot (12) on the contact element (7).

7. Motor vehicle latch according to any of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the catch leg (10c) is equipped with an end-side nose (10d) for sensing the catch (2) on the outer circumference.

8. Motor vehicle latch according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the contact element (7) is designed as a two-arm lever having a pawl lever arm (7a) and a catch lever arm (7b).

9. Motor vehicle latch according to claim 8, characterized in that the pawl lever arm (7a) has a pawl contour (13) for sensing the pawl (3).

10. Motor vehicle latch according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the catch lever arm (7b) interacts with the sensor (5, 6).