Motor vehicle lock

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock with a locking mechanism unit (2) for receiving the locking elements latch (3) and locking pawl (4) and with a functional unit (6) which has a functional housing (7) for receiving at least one functional element (8) and preferably for covering at least a part of the locking mechanism unit (2), and with a cover (9) which covers at least a part of the functional unit (6).It is proposed that at least one fixing arrangement (10, 11) be provided, wherein, during the manufacture of the motor vehicle lock (1), the cover (9) and the functional housing (7) can be mounted on the locking unit (2) by assembly movements in opposite assembly directions, and the assembly of a component of the cover (9) and functional housing (7) is accompanied by the creation of a fixing engagement between this component with the respective other component and / or the locking unit (2) by the fixing arrangement (10, 11).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a motor vehicle lock according to claim 1 and a method for mounting such a motor vehicle lock according to claim 14.

[0002] The vehicle lock in question is used for all types of locking elements on a motor vehicle. These include, in particular, side doors, rear doors, tailgates, trunk lids, and hoods. These locking elements can also be designed in the style of sliding doors.

[0003] The known motor vehicle lock (DE 100 44 613 A1), from which the invention is based, has a locking mechanism unit with the usual locking elements "latch" and "latch". The latch interacts with a locking wedge or the like, which is usually arranged on the motor vehicle body, while the motor vehicle lock is arranged on the locking element, in this case the side door.

[0004] The familiar vehicle lock also includes a functional unit that provides a locking mechanism. This locking mechanism allows, among other things, the generation of the locking states "locked" and "unlocked".

[0005] The familiar automotive lock has an L-shape, formed by the locking mechanism on one side and the functional unit on the other. The locking mechanism includes a so-called "catch bearing," which provides an entry point for the locking wedge or similar component. The lock latch projects into this entry point, allowing it to engage with the locking wedge or similar component.

[0006] To cover the locking mechanism and the functional unit, the standard automotive lock is typically equipped with housing components. Securing these housing components in a simple manner presents a challenge, particularly with regard to minimizing manufacturing costs.

[0007] Document GB2178475A reveals a motor vehicle lock.

[0008] The invention is based on the problem of designing and further developing the known motor vehicle lock in such a way that a technically simple realization of a lock housing is possible.

[0009] The above problem is solved in a motor vehicle lock with the features of claim 1.

[0010] The essential consideration is that the mounting of the cover to the locking mechanism unit and the mounting of the functional housing to the locking mechanism unit can, in principle, be accomplished by parallel and, in particular, opposing mounting movements relative to the locking mechanism unit. The term "relative to the locking mechanism unit" here means that the mounting movements are relative movements between the cover and the locking mechanism unit, and between the functional housing and the locking mechanism unit. It is irrelevant which of these components is actually moved, as long as the respective relative movement is performed.

[0011] Because the assembly movements have an identical orientation, the overall assembly process is simplified. In particular, the low number of degrees of freedom simplifies the automation of the assembly process.

[0012] Furthermore, it is essential for the proposed solution that the arrangement is such that the assembly of a component of the cover and functional housing is accompanied by the creation of a fixing engagement between this component and the respective other component and / or the locking unit by means of at least one fixing arrangement.

[0013] The proposed solution uses the assembly of one component simultaneously for fixing at least one other component, thus reducing the effort required to fix the respective components to each other and / or to the locking unit.

[0014] In the particularly preferred embodiment according to claim 2, the assembly movements in question are linear movements, at least as far as the production of the respective fixing engagement is concerned. This is particularly advantageous for simplified automated assembly.

[0015] The proposed solution is particularly advantageous for application to an L-shaped vehicle lock according to claim 4, since it readily allows for assembly movements that are oriented transversely to one of the legs of the vehicle lock. Such assembly movements are particularly well suited for use as a locking movement for securing housing components.

[0016] Preferably, the fixing arrangement according to claim 6 comprises a fixing element and at least one fixing counter-element associated with the fixing element, wherein, during the assembly described above, the fixing element and the at least one fixing counter-element engage with each other in a fixing manner. Depending on the fixing requirements between the cover, functional housing, and locking mechanism unit, fixing elements and associated fixing counter-elements can be provided at different positions of the vehicle lock. Further preferred claims 10 and 11 describe preferred embodiments for the fixing elements and fixing counter-elements.

[0017] In the particularly preferred embodiment according to claim 10, the fixing element is a fixing pin that engages in corresponding fixing counter-elements, in particular fixing eyes. Here, the fixing element generally acts as a locking bolt. Accordingly, according to claim 12, it is preferably provided that the holding force applied by the fixing arrangement exclusively causes a shear force on the fixing pin. This allows the fixing pin to be specifically designed to absorb shear forces, which, with a suitable geometry of the fixing pin, is possible with minimal material usage.

[0018] In the further preferred embodiment according to claim 11, the fixing element is a fixing clamp that interacts with corresponding fixing projections. Such a fixing clamp can be flexibly positioned. This applies in particular to the arrangement of the fixing clamp in the area of ​​an outer surface of the vehicle lock. The construction inside the vehicle lock can thus be carried out independently of the fixing clamp.

[0019] According to a further teaching as claimed in claim 14, which has independent significance, a method for assembling the proposed motor vehicle lock is claimed.

[0020] Essentially, according to the further teaching, the cover and the functional housing are mounted on the locking unit by assembly movements in parallel, in particular opposite, assembly directions, which simplifies the assembly, especially with regard to its automation.

[0021] Furthermore, according to the teaching, it is essential that the assembly of a component of the cover and functional housing creates a fixing engagement between this component and the other component and / or the locking mechanism unit by means of the aforementioned fixing arrangement. Thus, the assembly movement serves not only to position the cover or the functional housing, but also to fix the cover, functional housing, and / or locking mechanism unit in place. This dual effect of one and the same assembly step leads to a further simplification and acceleration of the assembly of the vehicle lock. This is particularly relevant in the case of automated assembly.

[0022] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing that illustrates only one embodiment. The drawing shows Fig. 1 shows a proposed motor vehicle lock in its fully assembled state in a perspective view; Fig. 2 shows the motor vehicle lock according to Fig. 1 in a partially disassembled state in a perspective view, Fig. 3 the cover of the motor vehicle lock according to Fig. 1 In its disassembled state, in a perspective view, Fig. 4 shows a part of the functional unit of the motor vehicle lock according to Fig. 1 in its disassembled state in a perspective view and Fig. 5 a part of the locking mechanism unit of the motor vehicle lock according to Fig. 1 in its disassembled state, shown in a perspective view.

[0023] The motor vehicle lock 1 shown in the drawing can be associated with any locking element of a motor vehicle not shown in the drawing. Examples of such a locking element were given in the introductory part of the description.

[0024] The motor vehicle lock 1 is equipped with a locking unit 2 for receiving the locking elements latch 3 and locking pawl 4. It is provided that the latch 3 can be brought into a closed position in which it is held by the locking pawl 4 and in which it interacts in the usual manner with a locking wedge or the like.

[0025] The locking mechanism unit 2 has a backplate 2a to which a bearing dome 3a for the latch 3 and a bearing dome 4a for the pawl 4 are attached. The backplate 2a rests against a catch bearing 2b, which serves as a housing for the latch 3 and the pawl 4. The catch bearing 2b also has an entry opening 5 for the locking wedge or the like, into which the latch 3, as shown in Fig. 1 The rear plate 2a has a cutout corresponding to the inlet opening 5.

[0026] The locking unit 2 is equipped with a reinforcing plate 2c, which is shown in the illustration according to Fig. 2 The reinforcement plate 2c extends essentially parallel to the back plate 2a and accommodates the bearing domes 3a, 4a associated with the lock latch 3 and the locking pawl 4.

[0027] The vehicle lock 1, in addition to the locking unit 2, has a functional unit 6 which serves to implement various lock functions, in particular the implementation of different locking states such as "locked" and "unlocked". This will be explained further below.

[0028] The functional unit 6 has a functional housing 7, which serves to receive at least one functional element 8 and preferably to cover at least part of the locking unit 2. The functional element 8 can be any type of lever, actuating element, drive, or the like. Fig. 4 One such functional element 8 is shown by way of example as a drive, which may be a central locking drive or the like.

[0029] The vehicle lock 1 further comprises a cover 9 that covers at least part of the functional housing 7. In principle, the cover 9 can also accommodate the aforementioned functional elements. However, this is not provided for in the illustrated and thus preferred embodiment.

[0030] The primary focus here is on fixing the cover 9, functional housing 7, and locking unit 2 to each other. For this purpose, a fixing arrangement 10, 11 is provided, which is designed in a special way.

[0031] In detail, it is first proposed that, during the manufacture of the motor vehicle lock 1, the cover 9 and the functional housing 7 can be mounted on the locking unit 2 by parallel, here and preferably opposite, assembly movements 16, 17 relative to the locking unit 2, as shown in Fig. 2 shown.

[0032] It is further proposed that the assembly of a component of cover 9 and functional housing 7 is accompanied by the creation of a fixing engagement between this component and the respective other component and / or the locking unit 2 by means of the fixing arrangement 10, 11. The term "assembly" in this context is always to be understood in connection with the manufacture of the vehicle lock 1, and not with the attachment of the vehicle lock 1 to the associated locking element.

[0033] This results from the representation according to Fig. 2 , that the assembly movement (16) of the cover 9 and the assembly movement 17 of the functional housing 7 are at least during the production of the fixing engagement are linear movements, which in particular simplifies automated assembly,

[0034] In a manner known per se, the motor vehicle lock 1 has a locking mechanism by which the motor vehicle lock 1 can be brought into the locking states "locked" and "unlocked", wherein the locking mechanism is provided at least partially, here and preferably substantially, by the functional unit 6.

[0035] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows that the illustrated and thus preferred motor vehicle lock 1 essentially has an L-shape, wherein the locking unit 2 forms a first leg 12 of the motor vehicle lock 1 in a locking leg plane 13 and the functional unit 6 forms a second leg 14 of the motor vehicle lock 1 in a functional leg plane 15. Preferably, the two leg planes 13, 15 enclose an angle α with each other, which is approximately 90°. In other applications, the angle α can be in a range between 80° and 130°. In particular, when the motor vehicle lock 1 is used for sliding doors, an angle α of preferably 120° is provided.

[0036] Here, and preferably, the assembly movements 16, 17 of the cover 9 and the functional housing 7 are arranged relative to the locking unit 2 transversely to the functional leg plane 15. During these assembly movements, the fixing engagement between the cover 9, the functional housing 7, and the locking unit 2 is achieved by the fixing arrangement 10, 11. Accordingly, it is further preferably the case that the cover 9, the functional housing 7, and the locking unit 2 each have a part of the fixing arrangement 10.

[0037] Preferably, two fixing arrangements 10, 11 are provided, the fixing effect of each being generated by the assembly movements 16, 17 described above. Both fixing arrangements 10, 11 comprise a fixing element 10a, 11a and at least one corresponding fixing element 10b, 10c or 11b, 11c. The assembly movements 16, 17 result in the establishment of the fixing engagement between the fixing element 10a, 11a and the at least one corresponding fixing element 10b, 10c or 11b, 11c, as will be explained in detail below. Depending on the design, the fixing engagement can be a positive-locking engagement and / or a force-locking engagement.

[0038] It can also be advantageous for the production of the fixing engagement to involve elastic or plastic deformation of the fixing element 10a, 11a and / or the counter-fixing element 10b, 10c, 11b, 11c in order to prevent unwanted loosening of the fixing engagement. This can be achieved through elastic compliance of the components involved in the fixing engagement or by equipping these components with plastically deformable sections, in particular with compression ribs or the like.

[0039] The fixing action is preferably reversible, meaning it can generally be released. To prevent unwanted loosening, the measures described above or other measures, such as welding the involved housing components, are preferably employed. However, it is also possible for the fixing action between cover 9, functional housing 7, and locking unit 2 to be irreversible, thus eliminating the need for such additional measures.

[0040] In general, the fixing element 10a, 11a and the at least one fixing counter element 10b, 10c, 11b, 11c are arranged on one of the components cover 9, functional housing 7 and locking unit 2.

[0041] Here, and preferably, the fixing element 10a, which is associated with the fixing arrangement 10, is located on the cover 9, with a fixing counter-element 10b being arranged on the locking unit 2 and a fixing counter-element 10c on the functional unit 6, here on the functional housing 7. The fixing element 10a is designed as a fixing pin, as will be explained below.

[0042] The fixing element 11a associated with the fixing arrangement 11, on the other hand, is designed as a fixing clamp and is also located on the cover 9. In turn, a fixing counter element 11b is arranged on the locking unit 2 and a fixing counter element 11c on the functional unit 6, here and preferably on the functional housing 7.

[0043] In principle, the fixing counter element 10b, 11b assigned to the locking unit 2 can be arranged on the catch bearing 2b, as shown in Fig. 5 as shown. Alternatively or additionally, a fixing counter element can be arranged on the rear plate 2a or on the reinforcement plate 2c of the locking unit 2.

[0044] The relevant parts of the fixing arrangement 10, 11 are preferably injection-molded onto the cover 9, the functional housing 7, and the locking unit 2 using a plastic injection molding process. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the relevant part of the fixing arrangement 10, 11 is designed as a molded portion of a cover, a functional housing, and a part of the locking unit, each of which consists at least partially of a plastic material.

[0045] The cover 9 is preferably designed in a plate-like form. Because the force flow of the holding force applied by the fixing arrangement 10, 11 runs exclusively in the area of ​​the fixing element 10a, 11a and the at least one fixing counter-element 10b, 10c, 11b, 11c, the plate-shaped section of the cover 9 can be designed to be mechanically weak and therefore cost-effective. It serves only to cover the functional unit 6 and to position the fixing elements 10a, 11a.

[0046] Fig. 3 Figure 1 shows that the fixing element 10a of the fixing arrangement 10 is a fixing pin that engages in at least two, here exactly two, fixing counter-elements 10b, 10c, here and preferably in fixing eyes 10b, 10c. The fixing element 10a, designed as a fixing pin, is aligned along the assembly direction 16 of the cover 9. During the assembly movements 16, 17, the fixing element 10a, designed as a fixing pin, first engages in the fixing counter-element 10c on the functional housing 7 and then in the fixing counter-element 10b on the locking unit 2.

[0047] According to the sectional view Fig. 1 It can be seen that the holding force applied by the fixing arrangement 10 exclusively exerts a shear force on the fixing pin. Thus, the fixing element 10a acts, as mentioned above, as a locking pin for the functional housing 7 and the locking unit 2. The holding force applied by the fixing arrangement 10 via the fixing element 10a, which is designed as a fixing pin, acts here, and preferably transversely, to the mounting direction 16 associated with the cover 9.

[0048] Accordingly, the fixing element 10a, designed as a fixing pin, can be realized with minimal material usage. In particular, it is proposed that the fixing element 10a, designed as a fixing pin, be configured as a hollow profile, the cross-section of which, in a particularly preferred embodiment, is essentially rectangular, here and preferably square. Other geometries of the fixing element 10a, designed as a fixing pin, are conceivable.

[0049] According to the sectional view Fig. 1 It can further be seen that the fixing element 10a, in its assembled state, is connected to the components functional unit 6, functional housing 7, and cover 9. In particular, the fixing element 10a, designed as a fixing pin, penetrates the components functional unit 6 and functional housing 7, at least partially.

[0050] The fixing element 11a of the fixing arrangement 11 is designed as a fixing clamp, while the fixing counter-elements 11b, 11c are each fixing projections with which the fixing clamp 11a engages to produce the fixing engagement in at least a form-fitting, preferably also a force-fitting, engagement.

[0051] In both of the fixing arrangements 10 and 11 shown above, the holding force applied by each fixing arrangement 11 is essentially oriented transversely to the locking mechanism leg plane 13. The fixing arrangements 10 and 11 thus ensure that the cover 9, the functional housing 7, and the locking mechanism unit 2 cannot move relative to each other in a direction transverse to the locking mechanism leg plane 13. Therefore, it is only necessary to provide additional support for these components along the locking mechanism leg plane 13, for example, by the measures mentioned above.

[0052] In the illustrated and thus preferred embodiment, in addition to the proposed fixing arrangements 10, 11, the lid 9 is equipped with at least one snap hook 9a ( Fig. 3 ), which is locked to the functional housing 7 ( Fig. 1This allows these two components 7, 9 to be fixed to each other in a particularly simple way.

[0053] According to a further teaching, which has independent significance, the method for assembling the proposed motor vehicle lock 1 is claimed. Essential here is, firstly, the fact that the cover 9 and the functional housing 7 are mounted on the locking unit 2 by assembly movements in parallel, in particular opposite, assembly directions. Furthermore, it is essential that the assembly of a component of the cover 9 and functional housing 7 creates a fixing engagement between this component and the respective other component and / or the locking unit 2 by means of the fixing arrangement 10, 11.

[0054] The proposed method assigns two functions to the assembly movement 16 of the cover 9: firstly, the function of covering part of the functional unit 6, and secondly, the function of fixing the cover 9, the functional housing 7, and the locking unit 2 together. This simplifies the manufacture of the vehicle lock 1, which in turn facilitates the automated manufacture of the vehicle lock 1.

[0055] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the mounting of the cover 9 and the functional housing 7 is provided by mounting movements 16, 17 transverse to the functional leg plane 15, wherein in the course of these mounting movements 16, 17 the fixing engagement between cover 9 and / or functional housing 7 and / or locking unit 2 is produced by the fixing arrangement 10, 11.

[0056] It should be noted that various sequences are conceivable for the assembly movements 16, 17 of the cover 9 and functional housing 7 relative to the locking unit 2. In principle, the assembly movements 16, 17 can take place simultaneously. Preferably, however, the assembly movement concerning the functional housing 7 is performed in a first step. This relative movement between the functional housing 7 and the locking unit 2 can occur with the locking unit 2 or the functional housing 7 in a fixed position. For example, it is conceivable that the locking unit 2 is attached to the functional housing 7 via a type of rail 18 using assembly movement 17, and that the cover is then attached to the functional housing 7 using assembly movement 16.Here, the aforementioned fixing engagement between cover 9, functional housing 7 and locking unit 2 only comes about with the assembly movement 16 concerning cover 9.

Claims

1. Motor vehicle lock with a ratchet-and-pawl mechanism unit (2) for receiving the closing element consisting of lock latch (3) and pawl (4), and with a functional unit (6) which has a functional housing (7) for receiving at least one functional element (8) and preferably for covering at least part of the ratchet-and-pawl mechanism unit (2), and with a cover (9) which covers at least part of the functional unit (6), wherein the ratchet-and-pawl mechanism unit (2) comprises a back plate (2a) and a reinforcing plate (2c), wherein a bearing dome (3a) for the lock latch (3) and a bearing dome (4a) for the pawl (4) are attached to the back plate (2a), and wherein the reinforcing plate (2c) extends essentially parallel to the back plate (2a) and accommodates the bearing domes (3a, 4a) associated with the lock latch (3) and the pawl (4), wherein at least one fixing arrangement (10, 11) is provided, and wherein, within the context of producing the motor vehicle lock (1), the cover (9) and the functional housing (7) can be mounted on the ratchet-and-pawl mechanism unit (2) by means of parallel, in particular opposed mounting movements (16, 17) relative to the ratchet-and-pawl unit (2), characterized in that the mounting of one component out of the cover (9) and functional housing (7) is associated with the production of a fixing engagement between said component and the respective other component and / or the ratchet-and-pawl mechanism unit (2) by means of the fixing arrangement (10, 11) .

2. Motor vehicle lock according to Claim 1, characterized in that the mounting movement (16) of the cover (9) and / or the mounting movement (17) of the functional housing (7) at least during the production of the fixing engagement are linear movements.

3. Motor vehicle lock according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the motor vehicle lock (1) has a lock mechanism by means of which the motor vehicle lock (1) can be brought into different closing states, in particular into the closing states of "locked" and "unlocked", and in that the lock mechanism is at least partially, preferably substantially, provided by the functional unit (6).

4. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the motor vehicle lock (1) is substantially L-shaped, and in that the ratchet-and-pawl mechanism unit (2) forms a first limb (12) of the motor vehicle lock (1) in a ratchet-and-pawl limb plane (13) and the functional unit (6) forms a second limb (14) of the motor vehicle lock (1) in a functional limb plane (15), preferably in that the two limb planes (13, 15) enclose an angle (α) which is between 80° and 130°, preferably 90°, with each other.

5. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mounting movements of cover (9) and functional housing (7) relative to the ratchet-and-pawl mechanism unit (2) are provided transversely with respect to the functional limb plane (15).

6. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover (9), the functional housing (7) and the ratchet-and-pawl mechanism unit (2) each have part of the fixing arrangement (10, 11).

7. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing arrangement (10, 11) has a fixing element (10a, 11a) and at least one mating fixing element (10b, 10c, 11b, 11c) assigned to the fixing element (10a, 11a), and in that the mounting of the cover (9) or of the functional housing (7) is associated with the production of the fixing engagement between the fixing element (10a, 11a) and the at least one mating fixing element (10b, 10c, 11b, 11c), preferably in that the fixing engagement is a form-fitting and / or force-fitting engagement.

8. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing element (10a, 11a) and the at least one mating fixing element (10b, 10c, 11b, 11c) are arranged on one of the components out of the cover (9), functional housing (7) and ratchet-and-pawl unit (2), preferably in that the fixing element (10a, 11a) is arranged on one of the components out of the functional housing (7) and cover (9), and in that at least one mating fixing element (10b, 10c, 11b, 11c) is arranged on the ratchet-and-pawl mechanism unit (2).

9. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mating fixing element (10b, 10c, 11b, 11c) assigned to the ratchet-and-pawl mechanism unit (2) is arranged on a catch bearing (2b), on a back plate (2a) or on a reinforcing plate (2c) of the ratchet-and-pawl mechanism unit (2).

10. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing element (10a, 11a) is a fixing pin which enters into at least two mating fixing elements (10b, 10c, 11b, 11c), in particular into fixing eyes, preferably in that the fixing pin is designed as a hollow profile, preferably in that the fixing pin is designed to be substantially rectangular, in particular square, in cross section.

11. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing element (10a, 11a) is a fixing clip and the mating fixing elements (10b, 10c, 11b, 11c) are fixing projections with which the fixing clip comes into at least form-fitting engagement in order to produce the fixing engagement.

12. Motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining force applied by the fixing arrangement (10, 11) brings about exclusively a shearing force on the fixing element (10a, 11a), in particular on the fixing pin.

13. Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining force applied by the fixing arrangement (10, 11) is oriented substantially transversely with respect to the ratchet-and-pawl mechanism limb plane (13).

14. Method for mounting a motor vehicle lock according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (9) and the functional housing (7) are mounted on the ratchet-and-pawl mechanism unit (2) by mounting movements in parallel, in particular opposed, mounting directions, and the mounting of one component out of the cover (9) and functional housing (7) produces the production of a fixing engagement between said component and the respective other component and / or the ratchet-and-pawl mechanism unit (2) by means of the fixing arrangement (10, 11).

15. Method according to Claim 14, characterized in that the mounting of the cover (9) and of the functional housing (7) is provided by mounting movements (16, 17) transversely with respect to the functional limb plane (15), and in that, during said mounting movements (16, 17), the fixing engagement between cover (9) and / or functional housing (7) and / or ratchet-and-pawl mechanism unit (2) is produced by the fixing arrangement (10, 11).

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