Motor vehicle lock

Abstract

The present invention relates to a motor vehicle lock (1) having a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least one pawl, an electric drive (7) and a gear mechanism (8) arranged downstream of the electric drive (7), a lock housing (2) with at least one housing cover (14), a cover cap (4) and a housing shell (3), wherein at least one dry space (5, 6) can be formed in the lock housing (2) by means of the housing cover (14) and the cover cap (4), and a printed circuit board (9) arranged in the dry space (5, 6), wherein at least one electrical contact (11, 12) from the printed circuit board (9) to the electric drive (7) can be provided, and wherein the electrical contact (11, 12) between the printed circuit board (9) and the electric drive (7) can be arranged in the housing cover (14).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Motor vehicle lock

[0003] The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle side door lock, comprising a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least one pawl, an electric drive, in particular an electric motor and a gear connected downstream of the electric motor, a lock housing with at least one housing cover, preferably a lock housing with a cover cap and a housing shell, wherein at least one dry space can be formed in the lock housing and a printed circuit board arranged in the dry space, wherein at least one electrical contact from the printed circuit board to the electric drive can be provided.

[0004] Motor vehicle locks are used wherever movable components on the vehicle, such as doors, hatches, covers, and / or sliding doors, must be held or secured in place. The primary function of the locks is to securely hold the movable component in place even in extreme situations, thus protecting the operator or user of the vehicle from injury. Such locks are also used in areas subject to environmental influences and thus potentially exposed to moisture, dust, and / or other environmental influences.

[0005] The locking mechanism area, in particular, comes into contact with moisture or can even be directly affected by moisture. In addition to the purely securing function of holding the moving component, the lock increasingly takes on additional tasks. In addition to the purely mechanical holding of the moving component, the lock can also contain electronics that are particularly susceptible to moisture. For example, the electronics can serve to control a motor located in the vehicle lock and supply it with the necessary electrical power, or the vehicle lock can contain switching devices, which can be used, for example, to query the positions of functional components in the vehicle lock.

[0006] DE 10 2009 027 415 A1 discloses a lock for a motor vehicle that offers protection against external influences such as dust, moisture, or tampering. The lock comprises a lock housing and a housing cover for the lock housing. A circumferential slot remains between the lock housing and the cover, allowing moisture to penetrate the lock. To protect the internal components of the lock, it is proposed to wrap the lock, at least partially, several times with an adhesive film to reliably and permanently protect the lock from external influences.

[0007] To protect the circuit board and / or other electronic components in the motor vehicle lock from moisture penetration, the motor vehicle lock can be divided into a dry area and a wet area. Such a lock is known, for example, from EP 2 754 799 A1. The circuit board and the other electronic components are arranged in a moisture-tight manner between a cover cap and a lock cover.

[0008] In addition to the influence of direct moisture, automotive locks are also subject to significant temperature fluctuations. Automotive locksmiths must therefore cover temperature ranges from -40°C to +80°C to function properly in all climates. Temperature influences can also affect humidity, and especially during extreme temperature fluctuations, moisture can escape from the air, potentially affecting electronic components.

[0009] DE 102 59 465 A1 discloses an actuator in which pressure differences occur inside the actuator due to the movement of the actuating means. The actuator can also be arranged in the wet area of ​​a motor vehicle, so that the internal components, as well as the actuating means, must be tightly sealed. To compensate for these pressure differences and at the same time prevent moisture from entering the actuator, the document proposes providing a vent hole that is moisture-impermeable and simultaneously permeable to air. For this purpose, a membrane is inserted into the vent hole through which pressure equalization can take place, but which is also made of a semi-permeable plastic material that prevents moisture penetration.

[0010] From the unpublished DE 10 2021 119 652.3, a lock for a motor vehicle is known, comprising a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least one pawl, a lock housing with at least one housing cover, and a circuit board arranged inside the lock housing. The circuit board is arranged in a dry space separate from the locking mechanism. Separating the circuit board allows the electronics to be protected from moisture.

[0011] Electronic and electrical components, such as motors and circuit boards, must be protected from moisture, as described above, to ensure full functionality throughout the vehicle's service life. The solutions described above have generally proven successful, but can be improved. The connection of the electric drives is particularly critical, as the contacting conductor tracks may be exposed, at least in some areas. If the conductor track is directly connected to a circuit board, electrical contact must be ensured, while the circuit board must be protected from moisture. Overall, the design solutions to date have not been convincing. This is where the invention comes in.

[0012] The object of the invention is to provide an improved design solution for contacting an electric drive. In particular, the object of the invention is to provide a structurally simple and reliable seal for the connection between the electric drive and the circuit board.

[0013] The object is achieved according to the invention by the features of independent patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims. However, it should be noted that the exemplary embodiments described below are not limiting; rather, any possible variations of the features described in the description, the patent claims, and the drawings are possible.

[0014] According to the patent claim, the object of the invention is achieved in that a motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle side door lock, is provided, comprising a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least one pawl, an electric drive, in particular an electric motor and a gear connected downstream of the electric motor, a lock housing with at least one housing cover, preferably a lock housing with a cover cap and a housing shell, wherein at least one dry space can be formed in the lock housing and a printed circuit board arranged in the dry space, wherein at least one electrical contact from the printed circuit board to the electric drive can be provided and wherein the electrical contact between the printed circuit board and the electric drive can be arranged in the housing cover.The inventive design of the motor vehicle lock now creates the possibility of arranging the electrical contact between the circuit board and the electric drive in the motor vehicle lock in such a way that a sealed connection between the electric drive and the circuit board can be realized. The housing cover is essentially used to create the sealed connection. The housing cover therefore has a multiple function. On the one hand, the housing cover serves to tightly close and / or cover the lock housing, and on the other hand, the housing cover serves according to the invention as a carrier for the conductor tracks. The sealed feedthrough is therefore provided by the housing cover. This provides an improved option for creating a dry space and results in further design freedom for the developer of the motor vehicle lock.

[0015] When referring to a lock for a motor vehicle within the meaning of the invention, this encompasses all locking systems used to secure a movable component in the motor vehicle. These locking systems comprise a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least one pawl, wherein the rotary latch can be engaged with a lock holder and the pawl can hold the rotary latch in at least one detent position. Such a lock can be used, for example, in a side door, a hatch, a hood, and / or a sliding door, to name just a few examples of the use of the motor vehicle lock according to the invention.

[0016] If the vehicle lock is used in a side door, for example, two locking positions are required in the locking mechanism. When the side door is closed, the locking mechanism first moves into a pre-locking position and then into a main locking position for complete closure. The rotary latch can be secured in the locking position by means of a pawl or a pawl and a blocking or locking lever, depending on whether a closing or opening moment occurs in the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is mounted on a metal lock case in the vehicle lock and can be additionally secured in the axle mounts by means of a reinforcement plate.

[0017] In order to protect the locking mechanism and the other functional components contained in the motor vehicle lock from dirt and / or moisture and to provide receptacles or storage locations for the functional components of the lock, the lock has a lock housing with at least one housing cover. In addition to the housing cover, a cover cap can be located in the lock, particularly in cases where the motor vehicle lock contains weather-sensitive components. This cover cap then has the task of creating a wet area and a dry area in the motor vehicle lock. This makes it possible to arrange the wetness or moisture-sensitive components separately in the motor vehicle lock and provide additional security in the motor vehicle lock. Such moisture-sensitive components include, for example, electronic components, a circuit board or an electric motor.These components located inside the lock housing are particularly sensitive to moisture, as moisture ingress can impair their functionality. However, it is fundamentally possible to create a dry space by combining a lock housing and a lock cover.

[0018] The circuit board is arranged in a drying chamber that is at least separate from the locking mechanism. The drying chamber is characterized in that at least no direct moisture can penetrate into the drying chamber. According to the invention, the drying chamber for accommodating the circuit board can be formed by a cover cap as an intermediate layer and the housing cover. In addition, however, further drying chambers can also be located in the motor vehicle lock. Thus, in addition to the drying chamber for the circuit board, there can be a drying chamber for, for example, an electric drive, a microswitch, i.e., electrical or electronic components. However, the additional drying chamber can also contain, for example, a transmission connected downstream of the electric drive.

[0019] Advantageously and in one embodiment of the invention, the housing cover has a parting line, wherein the parting line forms at least part of a dry space boundary. The parting line forms a sealing surface between the dry space for the printed circuit board and the electrical component(s) connected to the printed circuit board. While the contacting of the electrical drive with the printed circuit board is mostly described above, it is of course also conceivable according to the invention for multiple electrical contacts to be present between the printed circuit board and the electrical components through the parting line. In other words, multiple electrical contacts can be present that pass through the parting line and extend through the parting line in the housing cover. The parting line can then engage, for example, with a seal on the cover plate, so that a dry space can be formed.A key feature of the invention is that the electrical contact extends through the housing cover, making contact with the circuit board on the one hand and the electrical components on the other. The electrical contact thus extends through the joint.

[0020] If the electrical contact in the housing cover is durable, particularly if it is form-fitting, then a further design variant can be implemented which in turn has its own significance. By holding the electrical contact in the housing cover, the assembly of the housing cover can be made easier. In addition, the secure fixing or holding of the electrical contact ensures that proper contact can be made between the circuit board and the electrical drive or the electrical components when the cover is assembled. The form-fitting can be achieved, for example, using locking elements so that the electrical contact is held securely and firmly in the housing cover. The electrical contacts can be inserted into the housing cover as conductor strips and / or as conductor track structures.

[0021] It can also be advantageous and represent a further embodiment of the invention if the electrical contacts extend through an opening in the housing cover, in particular an opening in the region of the parting line. If an opening is made in the housing cover through which the electrical contacts extend, then a favorable and effective sealing of the feedthrough for the electrical contacts is possible. The opening is preferably located in the region of the parting line of the cover and is accessible from an outer surface of the motor vehicle lock and the housing cover. If the electrical contacts are mounted in the housing cover and, for example, held in a form-fitting manner in the housing cover, the electrical contacts are visible through the opening.Even if only one opening is described here, it is of course also conceivable that if there are several electrical contacts on the circuit board leading to electrical components, there are also two or more openings in the housing cover.

[0022] The openings extend, at least in part, toward an outer surface of the lock housing. The openings are thus visible from the outside when the motor vehicle lock is closed, allowing both the correct position of the electrical contact to be checked and, at the same time, the electrical contact to, for example, the electric drive and / or the circuit board to be checked. This combines the advantage of securely conducting the electrical contact through the housing cover with the ability to verify the functional reliability and fit of the electronic contact.

[0023] It is also advantageous, and a further design variant, if the opening can be filled with a sealing compound. The opening can be easily sealed from the outside. The sealing compound can be introduced into the opening in a liquid and / or viscous form, for example, to securely seal the passage between the dry chamber and the electric drive or electrical component. This provides a simple design means for providing a sealed passage through the housing cover.

[0024] To fill the joint, it can be advantageous to have an opening in the housing cover, as described above. However, it is also conceivable to omit the opening in the cover and leave the joint below the housing cover. The joint can be arranged in a lock housing recess, i.e., a filling area surrounding the joint, thus providing a potting trough for filling.

[0025] In a further embodiment of the invention, an elastic seal is arranged in the housing cover, with the electrical contact in particular extending through the seal. In this embodiment, which can of course also be combined with the other solutions for sealing the electrical contact, the seal is, for example, inserted into the housing cover or, for example, formed with a material fit as a two-component component with the housing cover. The electrical contact can therefore be inserted into the housing cover, thereby immediately creating a sealed connection. The electrical contact can be designed in such a way that, for example, electrical contacts extend from the circuit board, reach through the seal in the cover and form the electrical conductor tracks orThe electrical contacts contact each other, so that the seal is provided in the area of ​​the protruding contact tabs on the circuit board. However, it is also conceivable for the electrical contacts or conductor tracks in the housing cover to extend through the seals present in the housing cover. One, two, or more seals can be provided through which the conductor tracks are routed; however, it is also conceivable for only one seal to seal the electrical contacts in the housing cover.

[0026] Advantageously, the elastic seal can be arranged in the dry chamber itself. In this variant of the invention, the elastic seal is located, for example, on the housing cover in such a way that the electrical contact extends through the seal, or, for example, contact tabs are provided on the circuit board in the dry chamber that extend through the seal in the housing cover. In either case, the elastic seals enable a sealed electrical contact to be achieved via the conductor tracks in the housing cover.

[0027] By injecting the electrical contact into the housing cover according to the invention, an additional and independent embodiment of the invention can be provided. The housing cover carries the electrical conductors or the electrical contact, with the conductors being injected into the housing cover directly during its manufacture. This allows for reliable sealing directly during the production of the housing cover.

[0028] When speaking of electrical contacting within the meaning of the invention, this includes electrical conductor tracks, for example in the form of lead frames and / or individual conductor strips. The electrical contacting is therefore not limited to a single conductor track, but can also be implemented, for example, as a combined conductor track structure.

[0029] It can be advantageous for the conductor track to be connected to the circuit board by means of a clamping and cutting connection. This design variant results in an advantageous, easy-to-contact solution that ensures secure contact with the conductor track. In particular, when the clamping and cutting connection extends towards the cover, the clamping contact tabs can ensure secure contact with the conductor track. It is also possible to easily create a sealing connection through, for example, an elastic seal using the clamping contact tabs. Preferably, the electrical contact or the conductor track is realized away from the circuit board towards an electrical drive, in particular an electric motor. This makes it possible to provide a structurally favorable and sealing means for contacting the electric motor.

[0030] In addition to connecting the circuit board via clamping and insulation displacement connections, it is also conceivable to connect the conductor tracks via spring-loaded contacts. The spring-loaded contacts can then be arranged on the circuit board, for example, so that the conductor tracks engage with the spring-loaded contacts during insertion or assembly.

[0031] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings using exemplary embodiments. However, the principle applies that the exemplary embodiments do not limit the invention, but merely represent advantageous embodiments. The features presented can be implemented individually or in combination with other features of the description and the patent claims.

[0032] It shows:

[0033] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional view of a motor vehicle lock in the area of ​​an electric drive and a dry area, wherein an electrical contact between the circuit board and the electric drive is additionally shown detached from a housing cover, and

[0034] Figure 2 shows a detailed view of an electrical contact,

[0035] Figure 3 shows an electrical contact inserted into the housing cover, with an additional opening formed in the housing cover,

[0036] Figure 4 is a plan view of the housing cover according to Figure 3 in a plan view of the motor vehicle lock housing,

[0037] Figure 5 is a transparent representation of the embodiment according to Figure 4 with an opening in the housing cover, and

[0038] Figure 6 shows an alternative embodiment as a combination of a seal by means of an opening and an elastic seal.

[0039] Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional view of a portion of a motor vehicle lock 1 in an opened configuration. The lock housing comprises a housing shell 3 and a cover cap. The cover cap 4 forms an intermediate layer in the housing shell 3, allowing the formation of first and second drying chambers 5, 6. An electric drive with a downstream gear 8 is arranged in the first drying chamber 5. A printed circuit board 9, on which electronic components 10 can be arranged, is located in the second drying chamber 6. The electric drive 7 is connected to the printed circuit board 9 via conductor tracks 11, 12. Figure 1 shows the motor vehicle lock 1 with a circumferential seal 13 arranged on the housing shell 3. The circumferential seal 13 protects the motor vehicle lock 1 from external influences, but also separates the drying chambers 5, 6.The present motor vehicle lock 1 is thus equipped with at least two drying chambers 5, 6.

[0040] In Figure 1, the conductor tracks 11, 12 are shown as electrical contacts 11, 12 detached from a housing cover 14, not shown. The electrical contacts 11, 12 connect the electric motor 7 to contacts 15, 16 on the printed circuit board 9. The electrical contacting of the conductor tracks 11, 12 with the printed circuit board 9 is shown in an enlarged and three-dimensional view in Figure 2. The electrical contacting of the conductor tracks 11, 12 is effected via clamping contacts 15, 16 on the printed circuit board 9. In other words, the electrical contacting of the conductor tracks 11, 12 with the printed circuit board 9 is carried out by inserting the conductor tracks 11, 12 into the insulation displacement contacts 15, 16. As explained above, it is also conceivable to connect the conductor tracks 11, 12 to the circuit board 9 via bent, elastic spring contacts.Figure 2 also shows a sealing joint 17, wherein, for example, an elastic sealing means 13 can be inserted into the joint 17 in a form-fitting manner.

[0041] Figure 3 shows the housing cover 14 in a three-dimensional view and in a view of an interior 18 of the housing cover 14. The housing cover 14 can be connected to the lock housing 2 or the housing shell 3 via recesses 19, which correspond to or interact with screws 20. It is of course also conceivable for the housing cover 14 to be connected to the lock housing 2 by means of clips and / or snap-in connections and / or screws 20. Figure 3 shows the conductor tracks 11, 12, wherein the conductor tracks 11, 12 are inserted into the lock cover 14. The lock cover 14 has ribs 21, by means of which the conductor tracks 11, 12 can be held in a form-fitting manner in the housing cover 14. The conductor tracks 11, 12 are inserted in sections into a recess 22 in the housing cover 14, wherein the conductor tracks 11, 12 extend into a region of slot-shaped openings 23, 24.The conductor tracks 11, 12 can be connected to the contacts 15, 16 on the printed circuit board 9 via the slots 23, 24. The conductor tracks 11, 12 thus bridge a separating joint 25, which can be molded into the housing cover 14 or formed integrally with the housing cover 14. Figure 3 also shows a contact surface 26, which acts as a sealing surface toward the seal 13. The separating joint 25 is also designed such that the separating joint 25 also rests on the seal 13, so that the dry spaces 5, 6 can be insulated by means of the separating joint 25.

[0042] Figure 4 shows the housing cover 14 shown in Figure 3 in a position mounted on the lock housing 2. A lock case 27 can also be seen in some areas, wherein the lock case 27 can be used to provide a locking mechanism bearing for the motor vehicle lock. An opening 28 and the recess 22 are clearly visible in Figure 4. The conductor tracks 11, 12 and the contacts 15, 16 can be seen through the opening 28. This ensures secure contact between the conductor tracks in the motor vehicle lock and with the electrical contacts 15, 16, and at the same time provides a means for testing the electrical contact between the conductor tracks 11, 12 and the contacts 15, 16.After mounting the housing cover and checking that the conductor tracks 11, 12 are fully and correctly contacted, the opening 28 can then be closed by means of a plug or a liquid sealant or a hardening sealant.

[0043] Figure 5 shows the assembled state according to Figure 4 with a transparent housing cover 14. The conductor tracks 11, 12 can be seen, whereby the conductor tracks 11, 12 supply the electric motor 7 with electrical energy via the printed circuit board 9. If a lock housing cover 14 carrying the conductor tracks 11, 12 is used, the conductor tracks 11, 12 are first inserted into the housing cover 14 and held there in a force-fitting, form-fitting, or material-fitting manner. Only after the conductor tracks 11, 12 have been inserted into the housing cover is the housing cover 14 connected to the lock housing 2, thus establishing electrical contact with the electric drive 7. After the cover 14 has been mounted using the screws 20, a visual inspection of the electrical contact with the printed circuit board 9 is carried out, and finally, the opening 28 is filled or sealed.

[0044] Figure 6 shows an alternative embodiment as a combined seal for the electrical lines 11, 12. Identical components are provided with the same reference numerals. The conductor tracks 11, 12 are also inserted into the housing cover 14 and held there, in accordance with the exemplary embodiment described above. In addition to the sealing option using the recess 22 in the housing cover 14, additional seals 29, 30 are arranged in the region of the slots 23, 24 in the lock cover 14. This allows for an additional seal to be provided, which in turn ensures tightness with respect to the circuit board 3 and the dry space 6. The inventive design of the lock housing 2, 3, 14 enables improved contact between the electrical drive 7 and a dry space and the electrical drive.In particular, it is possible to provide electrical contact into a dry room 6, whereby functional reliability can be ensured by safety measures in the form of a visual inspection.

[0045] List of reference symbols

[0046] 1 vehicle lock

[0047] 2 lock housings

[0048] 3 Housing shell

[0049] 4 cover cap

[0050] 5, 6 Drying room

[0051] 7 electric drive

[0052] 8 gearboxes

[0053] 9 Circuit board

[0054] 10 electronic components

[0055] 11 , 12 Conductor track, electrical contact

[0056] 13 Seal

[0057] 14 Housing cover

[0058] 15, 16 contacts

[0059] 17 Sealing joint

[0060] 18 Inside the housing cover

[0061] 19 Recess

[0062] 20 screw

[0063] 21 rib

[0064] 22 Deepening

[0065] 23, 24 slots

[0066] 25 Separation joint

[0067] 26 contact surface

[0068] 27 Lock case

[0069] 28 Opening

[0070] 29, 30 Seal

Claims

Patent claims 1. Motor vehicle lock (1), in particular a motor vehicle side door lock (1), comprising a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least one locking pawl, an electric drive (7), in particular an electric motor (7) and a gearbox (8) connected downstream of the electric motor (7), a lock housing (2) with at least one housing cover (14), a cover cap (4) and a housing shell (3), wherein at least one dry chamber (5, 6) can be formed in the lock housing (2) by means of the housing cover (14) and the cover cap (4), a circuit board (9) arranged in the dry chamber (5, 6), wherein at least one electrical contact (11, 12) from the circuit board (9) to the electric drive (7) can be provided, characterized in that the electrical contact (11, 12) between the circuit board (9) and the electric drive (7) can be arranged in the housing cover (14).

2. Motor vehicle lock (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the housing cover (14) has a separation joint (25) wherein the separation joint (25) forms at least a part of a dry room boundary.

3. Motor vehicle lock (1 ) according to claim 2, characterized in that the electrical contacting (11 , 12) extends through the separation joint (25).

4. Motor vehicle lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the electrical contacting (11 , 12) in the housing cover (14) is durable, in particular positively lockable.

5. Motor vehicle lock (1) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the electrical contacting (11 , 12) extends through an opening (28), in particular a recess (22) of the opening (28), in the housing cover (14), in particular at an opening (28) in the area of ​​the separation joint (25).

6. Motor vehicle lock (1 ) according to claim 5, characterized in that the opening (28) extends at least partially towards an outer surface of the lock housing (2).

7. Motor vehicle lock (1 ) according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the opening (28) can be filled by means of a sealant.

8. Motor vehicle lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that an elastic seal (29, 30) is arranged in the housing cover (14) and that in particular the electrical contacting (11, 12) extends through the seal (29, 30).

9. Motor vehicle lock (1 ) according to claim 8, characterized in that the seal (29, 30) is arranged in the dry room (6) of the circuit board (9).

10. Motor vehicle lock (1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the electrical contacting (11 , 12) is injected into the housing cover (14).

11. Motor vehicle lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the electrical contacting (11 , 12) can be designed as a conductor track (11 , 12).

12. Motor vehicle lock (1 ) according to claim 11 , characterized in that the conductor track (11 , 12) can be connected to the circuit board (9) by means of a clamping connection (15, 16).

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