Motor vehicle lock

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, which is equipped with a locking mechanism (1, 2) substantially comprising a rotary latch (1) and a pawl (2). An actuation lever chain (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) is also provided, comprising an associated door handle (7) and an electromotive drive (9, 10, 11). As well as a security unit (5, 6; 12, 13), wherein the electromotive drive (9, 10, 11) acts on both the locking mechanism (1, 2) for the purpose of electrical opening and on the security unit (5, 6; 12, 13), and at least temporarily acts upon same during the electrical opening. According to the invention, the locking mechanism (1, 2) can be opened via a two-stroke actuation of the door handle (7) in addition to the electromotive drive (9, 10, 11), wherein the two-stroke actuation is disabled during the electrical opening.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Motor vehicle lock

[0003] The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, with a locking mechanism consisting essentially of a rotary latch and a pawl, furthermore with an operating lever chain with an associated door handle and with an electric motor drive, and with a security unit, wherein the electric motor drive acts both on the locking mechanism for electrical opening and on the security unit and at least temporarily loads the latter (the security unit) during electrical opening.

[0004] The motor vehicle lock is preferably a motor vehicle door lock, although the aforementioned motor vehicle lock does not necessarily have to be used in connection with or on a motor vehicle door. In principle, other applications in or on the motor vehicle are also conceivable, for example, in connection with a motor vehicle hatch or the like. With such motor vehicle locks, and especially motor vehicle door locks, the aim is generally to equip the frequently used electric motor drive with as many functions as possible. This can be attributed to the fact that electric motor drives are typically expensive to construct.

[0005] For example, the state of the art according to WO 2019 / 076399 A1 involves equipping the electric motor drive with a drive element that directly or indirectly acts on the locking mechanism. Furthermore, the drive element interacts with at least one other element depending on its position, which is a coupling element of an additional mechanical actuating lever chain. This already provides a compact, cost-effective, and functionally efficient design.

[0006] The further state of the art according to WO 2021 / 115537 A1 is such that the drive unit or electric motor drive enables simultaneous locking and unlocking or opening of the locking mechanism. The locking unit generally prevents manual opening of the locking mechanism. This provides a motor vehicle lock with a simplified design and a small number of components. Furthermore, a cost-effective and structurally simple solution is realized.

[0007] The prior art used to define the generic type, according to the unpublished patent application DE 10 2021 128 868, involves securing the released safety unit at least temporarily with the aid of an actuating element that interacts with the electric motor drive. This occurs in the opening direction of the electric motor drive. In the opposite opening direction of the drive, the safety unit is selectively transferred to the secured or released positions.

[0008] The entire state of the art discussed above has fundamentally proven itself. This is because the security unit's assumption of the "secured" position, at least temporarily during electrical or electromotive opening, ensures that any action on the door handle is ineffective with respect to the locking mechanism. This prevents any collisions or functional impairments between the electric motor drive and the operating lever chain, and indifferent functional positions of the operating lever mechanism or the operating lever chain are also not observed. However, problems can arise with the known procedure if the electric motor drive is defective or fails. In such a case, an associated motor vehicle door or tailgate cannot be opened or can only be opened with additional devices. The invention aims to remedy this situation.

[0009] 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 emergency operation is also possible and in particular a manual opening of an associated door or flap is provided.

[0010] To solve this technical problem, a generic motor vehicle lock and in particular a motor vehicle door lock is characterized in the context of the invention in that the locking mechanism can be opened by two-stroke operation of the door handle in addition to the electric motor drive, wherein the two-stroke operation is designed out or ineffective during the electric or electric motor opening.

[0011] This means that, according to the invention, the described motor vehicle lock, and in particular the motor vehicle door lock, can typically and usually be opened by an electric motor or electrically. This is ensured by the electric motor drive, which for this purpose acts directly or indirectly on the pawl as a component of the locking mechanism. This lifts the pawl from its locking engagement with the rotary latch. The rotary latch usually opens with spring support and releases a previously trapped locking bolt. The corresponding motor vehicle door can then be opened.

[0012] In the event that the electric motor drive has failed because it is defective, the associated battery voltage is too low, or following an accident, the motor vehicle lock according to the invention can now also be opened manually. This is done via a two-stroke operation of the door handle, even if the electric motor drive has failed. This two-stroke operation is typically carried out in the sense of a so-called "override." This means that an additional unlocking of the associated motor vehicle lock is generally not necessary. Rather, the two-stroke operation takes place in such a way that a clutch ora coupling element is closed, so that upon a second stroke of the door handle via the closed coupling element, the actuating lever chain, which is also closed, can be acted upon in such a way that the pawl is again released from its locking engagement with the rotary latch. This allows the locking mechanism to be opened manually, independently of the electric motor drive.

[0013] In this context, the two-stroke operation ensures that, for example, an accidental and possibly unintentional actuation of the door handle does not immediately result in the door opening. Rather, manual door opening requires a deliberate and double actuation in the sense of the two-stroke operation.

[0014] To ensure that the door handle is not subjected to pressure during electrical or electromotive opening, for example, and this does not result in a collision between the operating lever chain with the end door handle on the one hand, and the electromotive drive or the locking mechanism actuated by it on the other, the invention additionally provides for the two-stroke actuation to be designed during electrical opening. This means that the door handle can generally be subjected to pressure during the electrical opening process, without the locking mechanism opening at this point and without it ever being possible for this to happen. This is because the two-stroke actuation cannot be implemented during the electrical opening process. A further factor in this regard is that the security unit is typically in its "secured" state during electrical or electromotive opening.As a result, the operating lever chain is additionally interrupted and the previously mentioned coupling element cannot be transferred into its state which closes the operating lever chain.

[0015] In this way, any mechanical collisions between the operating lever chain on the one hand and the electric motor drive and the locking mechanism actuated by it on the other hand are fundamentally and completely avoided. At the same time, flawless functionality is ensured because the safety unit, which is typically "secured" and only temporarily "unsecured," interrupts the operating lever chain during electrical opening. Additionally, the two-stroke operation is designed so that the door handle can be actuated, but not in the sense of a two-stroke operation to close the operating lever chain and open the locking mechanism. All of this is achieved while taking into account a functionally reliable, simple, and cost-effective design. These are the key advantages.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment, an at least two-part coupling element is arranged between the electric motor drive and the door handle. In this case, the at least two-part coupling element is usually composed of a first coupling lever of the coupling element and a second coupling lever of the coupling element. The first coupling lever of the coupling element is usually connected directly or indirectly to the door handle. With an indirect connection to the door handle, the first coupling lever and the respective door handle could, for example, be coupled to one another in an articulated manner. However, a rigid or flexible connecting means is usually provided between the first coupling lever and the door handle. The flexible connecting means is usually a Bowden cable. This indirectly connects the respective first coupling lever to the door handle.The further second clutch lever of the clutch element, on the other hand, is connected to a transmission lever that interacts with the electric motor drive.

[0017] The invention proposes two basic approaches to connecting the two clutch levers. In a first variant, both clutch levers are coupled or interact with each other via a control contour that moves along a guide track. The control contour can be provided on the second clutch lever, which is connected to the transmission lever.

[0018] In a further second variant, the invention proposes that both clutch levers interact with each other via an additional third clutch lever. This third clutch lever, in turn, is connected to the second clutch lever, usually by means of a joint.

[0019] Since the second clutch lever of the clutch element is actuated by the transmission lever, which in turn interacts with the electric motor drive, the design is further such that the transmission lever is equipped with at least a first and a second transmission contour. The first transmission contour is designed to act on the second clutch lever. The second transmission contour of the transmission lever, in contrast, is actuated by an actuating element. The actuating element, in turn, interacts with the electric motor drive, as will be explained in more detail below and with reference to the description of the figures.

[0020] The (two-part) coupling element arranged between the electric motor drive and the door handle not only functions as a securing unit or represents a component thereof within the scope of the invention. At the same time, it can be used to activate or deactivate the two-stroke operation of the door handle. The electric motor drive is then also advantageous and is usually equipped with a one-way return spring. This return spring ensures that with its help the electric motor drive is moved back to its starting position, particularly when reversing after an electric motor opening process. Finally, it has proven particularly advantageous if the operating lever chain is designed as an inside operating lever chain and the door handle is designed as an inside door handle. In this way, the motor vehicle lock according to the invention can usually be operated electrically or.Open by electric motor, both from the inside and the outside. Mechanical redundancy is typically and advantageously realized only via an internal actuation. Of course, it is also within the scope of the invention to alternatively realize the mechanical redundancy via an external actuation. Mechanical redundancy via an internal actuation as well as an external actuation is also possible. In all of these cases, however, this requires the previously described two-stroke actuation of the respective door handle.

[0021] In this way, the overall procedure is such that, as is generally the case, the door handle or an additional exterior door handle is actuated for electrical opening. Initially, and as is usual, a switch associated with the door handle or exterior door handle, or generally a sensor, is actuated. The sensor activation causes the electric motor drive to start up and the pawl to release from its locking engagement with the rotary latch during the electrical opening process. During this process, the security unit is at least temporarily actuated during the electrical opening process and generally returns to its original position after the electrical opening process.

[0022] If the security unit is in its "unlocked" functional state prior to electrical opening, it will at least temporarily return to its "locked" position during electrical opening, which corresponds to a broken operating lever chain. This eliminates any pressure applied to the door handle during electrical opening. After the electrical opening process is completed, the security unit returns to its original "unlocked" functional position after temporarily assuming the "locked" position.

[0023] After the electric motor has been opened, the electric motor drive is usually reversed. This reversing action cancels any clutch engaged in conjunction with the operation of the door handle, or any closed state of the clutch element. This disables the two-stroke operation of the door handle, and the locking mechanism cannot be opened manually.

[0024] After the electrical opening process is completed, the electric motor drive is reversed. The safety unit is returned to the initial "unlocked" position described in the example. The coupling element is closed, so that, in principle, after the electrical opening process is completed, the locking mechanism can be opened via the two-stroke operation of the door handle.

[0025] The return spring associated with the electric motor drive ensures that the electric motor drive reverses beyond its initial position back toward its initial position. The electric motor drive is now in its initial position. Should the electric motor drive fail in this initial position, the locking mechanism can now be opened manually using the described two-stroke operation of the door handle. This is achieved regardless of the position of the safety unit, whether it is "unlocked" or "locked." With the two-stroke operation, the safety unit is effectively overridden by the "override." This is where the key advantages lie. The invention is explained in more detail below using a drawing that represents only one exemplary embodiment; it shows:

[0026] Figures 1 to 8 show the motor vehicle lock in a first variant in different functional positions and

[0027] Figures 9 to 12 show a second variant also in different functional positions.

[0028] The figures depict a motor vehicle lock having a locking mechanism 1, 2 consisting of a rotary latch 1 and a pawl 2. The locking mechanism 1, 2 is shown in its entirety only in Fig. 1. Furthermore, an operating lever chain 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 is provided, which, according to the exemplary embodiment, is designed as an internal operating lever chain 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Furthermore, a release lever 8 can be seen, which serves to electrically or electromotorically release the pawl 2.

[0029] According to the exemplary embodiment, the operating lever chain 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 is composed of an operating lever or interior operating lever 3 and a door handle 7 which acts on the operating lever or interior operating lever 3 and which, according to the exemplary embodiment, is an interior door handle 7. In addition, the operating lever chain 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 includes a first coupling lever 4 and a second coupling lever 5. Within the scope of the variant according to Figures 1 to 8, a further third coupling lever 6 is realized and provided, which is not reflected in the exemplary embodiment according to Figures 8 to 12.

[0030] Both variants share an electric motor drive 9, 10, 11, which, according to the exemplary embodiment, is equipped with an electric motor 9, with the aid of which a worm gear 10 can be set in rotation. Furthermore, an actuating contour 11 can be seen on the worm gear 10, which, in the exemplary embodiment, serves to actuate the release lever 8 and, overall, to ensure the electrical or electromotive opening of the locking mechanism 1, 2, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0031] The further basic structure also includes a safety unit 5, 6, which, according to the embodiment in Figures 1 to 8, is composed of the second clutch lever 5 and the third clutch lever 6. In the embodiment according to Figures 9 to 12, the function of the third clutch lever 6 is ultimately assumed by a control contour 12, which can be moved along a stationary guide track 13. In this case, the control contour 12 on the second clutch lever 5 and the stationary guide track 13 assume the alternative function of the safety unit 5, 6 and 12, 13, respectively.

[0032] The overall design is such that the electric motor drive 9, 10, 11 operates both on the locking mechanism 1, 2 for electrical opening and on the safety unit 5, 6; 12, 13 and at least temporarily acts on the safety unit 5, 6; 12, 13 in question during the electrical or electromotor opening.

[0033] According to the invention and of particular importance is the fact that the locking mechanism 1, 2 can be opened in addition to the electric motor drive 9, 10, 11 by a two-stroke operation of the door handle 7. This two-stroke operation is deactivated or ineffective during electrical opening. In fact, during the two-stroke operation of the door handle 7, the overall result is that, starting from the basic position as shown in Fig. 1, the operating lever or internal operating lever 3 there is pivoted counterclockwise about its axis when the door handle 7 is acted upon, thereby moving the first coupling lever 4 in the right-hand part of Fig. 1 downwards. For this purpose, the first coupling lever 4 of the coupling element 4, 5,

[0034] 6, according to the exemplary embodiment, is indirectly connected to the door handle 7. According to the exemplary embodiment, the indirect connection is implemented via a Bowden cable, with the aid of which the door handle 7 operates on the first clutch lever 4. In principle, however, the door handle 7 can also be directly connected to the first clutch lever 4, although this is not shown.

[0035] If the security unit 5, 6 there is not in the "secured" or "child safety lock on" state shown in Fig. 1, because the security unit 5, 6 according to the exemplary embodiment is a child safety lock, the locking mechanism 1, 2 can now be opened with a second stroke of the door handle or interior door handle 7. However, this requires that the security unit 5, 6, which is in the "secured" or "child safety lock on" position in Fig. 1, assumes its "unsecured" or "child safety lock off" position. The functional state shown in Fig. 8 corresponds to this.

[0036] Since in the “unlocked” position of the safety unit 5, 6 the third coupling lever 6 has been pivoted clockwise around its axis during the transition from Fig. 1 to Fig. 8, the first stroke of the door handle

[0037] 7 the first clutch lever 4 with its release contour 4a is brought into engagement with the pawl 2. A second stroke of the door handle 7 now corresponds in the middle illustration of Fig. 1 to the pawl 2 being pivoted clockwise over the release contour 4a and thereby releasing the rotary latch 1. This can be understood in a comparable way in the transition from Fig. 1 to Fig. 2, where, however, not a manual opening process of the locking mechanism 1, 2 but rather an electrical opening process is shown. The mode of operation is as follows. As already explained, the motor vehicle lock according to the invention is in its basic position in Fig. 1. The same applies to the electric motor drive 9, 10, 11 and the worm gear 10. The two-stroke operation is basically engaged or possible.The safety unit 5, 6 is in its functional position “secured” because the third coupling lever 6 ensures that when the door handle 7 is acted upon, the trigger contour 4a passes the pawl 2 and cannot act upon it.

[0038] When moving from Fig. 1 to Fig. 2, an electrical or electromotor-driven opening process can now be understood. This corresponds to an outside door handle (not explicitly shown in the exemplary embodiment) activating a sensor or switch, which in turn is queried by a control unit (not shown). The sensor actuation causes the control unit to actuate the electric motor 9, so that this motor rotates the worm gear 10 counterclockwise in the middle illustration during the transition from Fig. 1 to Fig. 2. As a result, the actuating contour 11 on the front of the worm gear 10 moves against the release lever 8 and, via the release lever 8 as a whole, ensures that the pawl 2 pivots clockwise during the transition from Fig. 1 to Fig. 2. The clockwise movement of the pawl 2 now corresponds to the pawl 2 engaging its latch with the rotary latch 1 in the position shown in Fig.1. As a result, the rotary latch 1 opens, spring-assisted, in a clockwise pivoting motion around its axis, releasing a previously trapped locking bolt. The corresponding door can be opened.

[0039] If the door handle 7 is actuated during the described electrical opening process, as shown in Fig. 3, this causes the first coupling lever 4 to move downward. At the same time, the securing unit 5, 6, starting from the "secured" position according to Fig. 1, has at least temporarily assumed its "unlocked" functional position. This can be attributed to the fact that the counterclockwise rotation of the worm gear 10 for electric motor opening is accompanied by a counterclockwise pivoting movement of a transmission lever 14 during the transition from Fig. 1 via Fig. 2 to Fig. 3. For this purpose, the transmission lever 14 is equipped with a first transmission contour 14a and a second transmission contour 14b. The first transmission contour 14a acts on the second coupling lever 5.

[0040] In fact, the counterclockwise movement of the transmission lever 14 in connection with the electrical opening process of the locking mechanism 1, 2 during the transition from Fig. 1 via Fig. 2 to Fig. 3 corresponds to the said second coupling lever 5 being moved “upwards”, so that in this way the third coupling lever 6, which is connected in an articulated manner to the second coupling lever 5, is thereby pivoted clockwise about its axis. As a result, the first coupling lever 4, which according to the exemplary embodiment is connected on the one hand to the door handle 7 and on the other hand in an articulated manner to the actuating lever 3 or interior actuating lever 3, can pivot or be moved with its release contour 4a in the direction of the pawl 2. However, since there is no longer any guidance of the first coupling lever 4 by the third coupling lever 6, the two-stroke actuation is designed overall. I.e., the first coupling lever 4 with its release contour 4a cannot interact with the pawl 2 and lift it from its engagement with the rotary latch 1.

[0041] If we now move on from Fig. 3 to Fig. 4, the worm gear 10 is reversed during this transition. In Fig. 3, the pawl 2 is lifted by an electric motor from its engagement with the rotary latch 1, and the desired electrical opening occurs. Following this, the electric motor drive 9, 10, 11 is reversed. This corresponds to a clockwise pivoting movement of the worm gear 10 during the transition from Fig. 3 to Fig. 4. At the same time, the actuating contour 11 leaves the release lever 8. The safety unit 5, 6 is in its temporary position "unlocked" or "child safety lock off", as is also fundamentally shown in Fig. 8, and this is temporary. Since the two-stroke operation is designed at the same time during the electrical opening process, the locking mechanism 1, 2 can therefore be manually operated by actuating the door handle 7 during this process of the electrical orThe electromotive opening does not affect the locking mechanism 1, 2. This therefore remains unaffected.

[0042] When moving from Fig. 4 to Fig. 5 and then to Fig. 6, it can be seen that the worm gear 10 has been reversed beyond its initial position as shown in Fig. 1. This tensions a return spring 15 assigned to the worm gear 10 and only indicated at this point, which, following Fig. 6, ensures that the worm gear 10 as a whole is returned to its initial position as shown in Fig. 1. At the same time, when moving from Fig. 5 to Fig. 6, the safety unit 5, 6 returns to its original position of “secured” or “child safety lock on”. Corresponding to this is that the third clutch lever 6 can interact with the first clutch lever 4, as can also be seen in the illustration in Fig. 7.As a result, the first coupling lever 4 with its release contour 4a cannot be moved toward the pawl 2 and is consequently unable to interact with the pawl 2 or to release it from its engagement with the rotary latch 1. This is only possible by an "override" by overcoming the safety unit 5, 6 or the third coupling lever 6.

[0043] As already explained, the transmission lever 14 is equipped with at least the first transmission contour 14a and the second transmission contour 14b. The first transmission contour 14a acts on the second clutch lever 5, while the second transmission contour 14b is acted upon by an actuating element 16. For this purpose, the actuating element 16 is designed with multiple arms and is acted upon by a further contour (not expressly shown) on the back of the worm gear 10 of the electric motor drive 9, 10, 11.

[0044] Figures 9 to 12 show a modified embodiment. Here, the transmission lever 14 and the actuating element 16 acting on the transmission lever 14 can be seen. The transmission lever 14 operates with the first transmission contour 14a on the second clutch lever 5. The second clutch lever 5 is equipped with the control contour 12, which can interact with the stationary guide track 13 or can be moved along the guide track 13.

[0045] Fig. 9 shows the securing unit 12, 13 formed in this way in the "secured" state. Furthermore, the two-stroke actuation is engaged in this case. Fig. 10 again shows the "secured" state of the securing unit 12, 13, this time with the two-stroke actuation disengaged. In both cases, the securing unit 12, 13 ensures that the locking pawl 2 cannot be lifted from its locking engagement with the rotary latch 1 when the operating lever 3 is actuated using the door handle 7.

[0046] If, on the other hand, the security unit 12, 13 is designed or is in its "unlocked" or "child safety lock off" state as shown in Figures 11 and 12, the first coupling lever 4 can act on the pawl 2 when the door handle 7 is acted upon via the operating lever 3 and lift the pawl 2 off from its latching engagement with the rotary latch 1. In this case, the second coupling lever 5 rests laterally against the first coupling lever 4. Consequently, during a first stroke of the door handle 7 (following an electrical opening process), the first coupling lever 4 as a whole can fall in relative to the pawl 2, so that during the second stroke of the door handle 7, the pawl 2 is ultimately lifted off its engagement with the rotary latch 1 and the locking mechanism 1, 2 is thus opened manually.

[0047] List of reference symbols

[0048] 1 rotary latch

[0049] 2 pawls

[0050] 1 , 2 locking mechanisms

[0051] 3 operating levers or internal operating levers

[0052] 4 first clutch lever

[0053] 4a Trigger contour

[0054] 5 second clutch lever

[0055] 6 third clutch lever

[0056] 7 Door handle

[0057] 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 operating lever chain

[0058] 8 release levers

[0059] 9 Electric motor

[0060] 10 Worm gear

[0061] 11 Actuating contour

[0062] 9, 10, 11 electric motor drive

[0063] 12 Control contour

[0064] 13 Guideway

[0065] 5, 6; 12, 13 fuse unit

[0066] 14 transmission lever

[0067] 14a first transfer contour

[0068] 14b second transfer contour

[0069] 15 Return spring

[0070] 16 Control element

Claims

Patent claims 1. Motor vehicle lock, in particular motor vehicle door lock, with a locking mechanism (1, 2) essentially consisting of a rotary latch (1) and a pawl (2), furthermore with an operating lever chain (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) with an associated door handle (7) and with an electric motor drive (9, 10, 11), and with a security unit (5, 6; 12, 13), wherein the electric motor drive (9, 10, 11) works both on the locking mechanism (1, 2) for electrical opening and on the security unit (5, 6; 12, 13) and at least temporarily loads the latter during electrical opening, characterized in that the locking mechanism (1, 2) can additionally be opened by two-stroke operation of the door handle (7), wherein the two-stroke operation is designed during electrical opening.

2. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 1, characterized in that an at least two-part coupling element (4, 5, 6) is arranged between the electric motor drive (9, 10, 11) and the door handle (7).

3. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 2, characterized in that a first coupling lever (4) of the coupling element (4, 5, 6) is connected directly or indirectly to the door handle (7).

4. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that a second coupling lever (5) of the coupling element (4, 5, 6) is connected to a transmission lever (14) interacting with the electric motor drive (9, 10).

5. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that both coupling levers (4, 5) interact with each other via a control contour (12) movable along a guide track (13).

6. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that both coupling levers (4, 5) interact with each other via a further third coupling lever (6).

7. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the transmission lever (14) is equipped with at least a first transmission contour (14a) and a further second transmission contour (14b), wherein the first transmission contour (14a) acts on the second coupling lever (5) and the second transmission contour (14b) is acted upon by an actuating element (16).

8. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 7, characterized in that the electric motor drive (9, 10, 11) interacts with the actuating element (16).

9. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the electric motor drive (9, 10, 11) is equipped with a unidirectional return spring (15).

10. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the operating lever chain (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) is designed as an internal operating lever chain (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) and the door handle (7) is designed as an internal door handle (7).

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