Lock holder for a motor vehicle door lock

Abstract

The invention relates to a lock holder (1) for a motor vehicle door lock, having a lock holder plate (2) and a lock holder bracket (3) which is secured to the lock holder plate (2). The lock holder bracket (3) is formed with a locking pin (5), a central piece (6, 6'), and a connecting pin (7), and the lock holder bracket (3) is designed in at least two parts.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Lock holder for a motor vehicle door lock

[0003] The invention relates to a lock holder for a motor vehicle door lock comprising a lock holder plate and a lock holder bracket fastened to the lock holder plate, wherein the lock holder bracket is formed with a locking bolt, a center piece and a connecting bolt.

[0004] The lock holder typically interacts with a locking mechanism of a corresponding vehicle door lock. Lock holder and vehicle door lock generally define the vehicle door locking mechanism. The lock holder, in conjunction with the locking mechanism in the vehicle door lock, ensures secure and reliable locking of the corresponding vehicle door. For this purpose, the lock holder is usually attached to a vehicle body, for example, a B- or C-pillar of the corresponding vehicle body. The vehicle door lock, on the other hand, is located in the vehicle door to be locked. In principle, the opposite procedure can also be used.

[0005] Due to the primary locking function of the lock holder in conjunction with the locking mechanism in the vehicle door lock, it is, on the one hand, a particularly safety-relevant component, but, on the other, is subjected to particular stresses, particularly in the event of an accident. Indeed, the protection of vehicle occupants in a side impact depends largely on how reliably the lock holder and the interacting locking mechanism can absorb the applied forces. The primary factor here is that the vehicle door remains closed so that safety features provided in or on the vehicle door, such as side airbags, side impact protection, etc., can exert their desired effect.

[0006] The forces absorbed by the interaction between the motor vehicle door lock and the lock holder act directly between the locking mechanism contained in the motor vehicle door lock and the locking bolt of the lock holder bracket, which engages with the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism consists of a rotary latch and at least one pawl. Upon engagement of the rotary latch with the locking bracket of the lock holder during a closing movement of the door element, the pawl engages the rotary latch, preventing the door element from opening.

[0007] The locking mechanism can have a pre-lock and a main lock, which may be present in the door lock depending on the door element. Depending on the design of the locking mechanism, the respective locking position, i.e., main lock or pre-lock, can be equipped with an opening or closing moment, so that a blocking lever can be used to secure the locking position. To be able to absorb the high forces that occur in the event of an accident, the locking parts are made at least partially from a metallic material, mounted on metallic axles, and held on a metallic lock plate in the vehicle door lock.

[0008] Various approaches have already been pursued in the state of the art to further develop such lock holders so that they can absorb far greater forces than before in the event of a crash without causing tearing or general mechanical damage. In practice, material deformations and tearing are often observed in lock holders, particularly at the transition from the lock holder bracket to the lock holder plate.

[0009] Various approaches have been proposed to increase the forces that can be absorbed by the lock holder. For example, various approaches exist, such as equipping the lock holder or its lock holder bracket with different cross-sectional thicknesses, as described, for example, in EP 2 031 158 A2, or specifying an elongation of the lock holder with the aid of an indentation, as disclosed, for example, in DE 10 2010 021 677 A1. However, these approaches only inadequately reflect the loads actually occurring in practice and the deformation behavior of the lock holder typically associated with this in the event of a crash or extreme forces occurring. This is because it has been shown that the connection between the lock holder bracket and the lock holder plate is a particularly important factor.

[0010] DE 10 2014 006 857 A1 discloses a lock holder for a motor vehicle door lock, comprising a lock holder plate and a lock holder bracket attached thereto, wherein the lock holder bracket is formed with a locking bolt, a center piece, and a connecting bolt. To reinforce the connection between the lock holder bracket and the lock holder plate, the document proposes that the lock holder bracket be positively connected to the lock holder plate via at least one material-thickened area. To create the positive connection, the part of the lock holder bracket or the locking bolt and / or the connecting bolt that extends beyond the lock holder plate is compressed.As a result of the upsetting process, the lock holder plate is also equipped with a bulge, which ensures that the upsetting caps created on the underside of the lock holder plate as a result of the upsetting process can be spaced apart from the locking bolt on the one hand and the connecting bolt on the other hand in relation to the body.

[0011] The solutions known from the prior art have generally proven themselves, but are reaching their limits with recent developments in the automotive industry. The use of batteries in hybrid or electric vehicles increases the weight of the vehicles and thus also the loads incurred in an accident. The batteries present in motor vehicles increase the overall weight of the vehicles many times over, so that the loads on the locking mechanism and the lock holder incurred in an accident are also increased. Consequently, approaches must be found to increase the stability of the lock holder. This is where the invention comes in.

[0012] The object of the invention is to provide an improved lock holder for a motor vehicle door lock. In particular, the object of the invention is to improve the load-bearing capacity of the lock holder and increase the tensile strength of the lock and lock holder system.

[0013] The object is achieved according to the invention by the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention 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 and the subclaims are possible.

[0014] According to patent claim 1, the object of the invention is achieved by providing a lock holder for a motor vehicle door lock, comprising a lock holder plate and a lock holder bracket fastened to the lock holder plate, wherein the lock holder bracket is designed with a locking bolt, a center piece, and a connecting bolt, and wherein the lock holder bracket is designed in at least two parts. The design of the lock holder according to the invention now creates the possibility of designing the lock holder bracket so that it can be individually adapted to the loads, and in particular to the extreme loads, during an accident. The individual loads during an accident are particularly relevant to safety, since it must be ensured, especially in the event of an accident, that the doors, flaps, or hoods remain closed.The side doors are particularly important, as the vehicle's occupants must be protected. Only in combination with securely closing the door can other safety systems, such as brake assist, seat belts, and airbags, achieve their full effectiveness.

[0015] The stresses experienced during a crash are extremely high and are simulated through tensile tests during the design of the lock holder. In this tensile test, the lock holder is subjected to stress until it breaks. This allows us to determine whether the specified specifications are met and to identify weak points, allowing for a customized design of the lock holder. This is where the invention comes in, demonstrating a possibility for improving the load-bearing capacity of the lock holder.

[0016] As already indicated above, the lock holder according to the invention not only relates to a side door, but can also be used in the area of ​​a hood, tailgate, sliding door, cover, foldable seats, etc., in fact everywhere where pivoting or sliding components on the motor vehicle must be held securely in their position.

[0017] Basically, the lock holder has a lock holder plate that is designed as a base for the lock holder bracket and that preferably has at least two holes by means of which the lock holder can be fastened to the motor vehicle or to the movable component. The openings in the lock holder plate preferably have a conical countersink so that a flat surface can be achieved with the lock holder plate using suitable screws with a conical head. The lock holder plate can additionally have a bevel so that rivet heads of the lock holder bracket can be received in the bevel, thus in turn enabling a flat attachment of at least a portion of the lock holder plate to the body. The bevel then accommodates corresponding rivet heads of the lock holder bracket.

[0018] The lock holder bracket is preferably divided into three sections that serve different functions. Starting with a locking bolt, the lock holder bracket has a center piece and a connecting bolt. The locking bolt is the part of the lock holder bracket that engages with the locking mechanism and in particular the rotary latch. In other words, when a side door, for example, is closed, the rotary latch engages with a locking bolt attached to the vehicle and is rotated by means of the interaction and relative movement between the locking bolt and the rotary latch, allowing the rotary latch to reach its detent position. The locking bolt is preferably attached to the lock holder plate at a right angle, i.e., in the direction of a normal to the lock holder plate.A central section extends from the striker bar, essentially parallel to the lock holder plate, creating an engagement area for the rotary latch in the locking bolt. The connecting bolt is connected to the central section and extends from the central section to the lock holder plate. The connecting bolt can be straight or at least partially curved. A lock holder bar designed according to the invention offers the possibility of custom reinforcement of the locking bolt, since the locking bolt can be designed as a separate component and adapted to the requirements and, in particular, the loads in the event of an accident.

[0019] The lock holder bracket can be formed from a first part, forming the locking bolt, and a second part, forming the center piece and the connecting bolt. In other words, the locking bolt is a separate component that interacts directly with the locking mechanism and can be adapted to the interaction with the rotary latch. The interaction between the rotary latch and locking bolt is particularly important for the load-bearing capacity of the lock holder, since the force in an accident, as well as during a tensile test, is transmitted via the locking bolt to the rotary latch or locking mechanism, and vice versa.

[0020] It can also be advantageous if the locking bolt has a substantially cylindrical shape and is preferably designed as a lock holder bolt. A cylindrical basic shape of the locking bolt enables easy interaction between the rotary latch and the locking bolt. The rotary latch usually has an inlet mouth, whereby the inlet mouth is formed by a catch arm and a load arm. Catch arm is used because when the rotary latch first engages the locking bolt, the catch arm engages with the locking bolt. After that, when the rotary latch is closed or the rotary latch is locked in the main grate, the load arm interacts with the locking bolt in such a way that the tensile force or, in the event of a crash, the holding force is transmitted via the load arm. The load arm and the catch arm are designed as stamped parts which may have a plastic coating but which have flat surfaces that interact with the locking bolt.Thus, the cylindrical shape of the locking bolt, which is present at least in the engagement area of ​​the rotary latch, allows for easy engagement, turning and holding of the locking system.

[0021] It can also be advantageous if the middle piece has a flattened area and the flattened area can be connected to the locking bolt. A first part of the middle piece, in particular the part of the middle piece that is connected to the locking bolt, thus serves as a contact surface for the locking bolt, wherein an opening, in particular a bore, can be made in the flattened area into which the locking bolt can be inserted. If part of the locking bolt extends through the opening in the flattened area, the locking bolt can be riveted over the flattened area to create a secure and highly resilient connection between the middle piece and the locking bolt. The locking bolt is therefore permanently connected to the lock holder plate on one side and to the middle piece on the opposite side by means of forming.

[0022] If the lock holder bracket has at least a material compaction, its load-bearing capacity can be increased and thus safety in the vehicle enhanced. The lock holder bracket, i.e. the locking bolt, the center piece and the connecting bolt, are connected to the lock holder plate as a bracket. Thickening the lock holder bracket in the area of ​​the lock holder plate makes it possible to increase the load-bearing capacity of the lock holder bracket. By thickening the base area of ​​the locking bolt and, if applicable, the connecting piece, the contact surface on the fastening plate or the lock holder plate can be maximized. Maximizing the contact surface increases the resistance to bending stress. Bending stress can act on the locking bolt particularly in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle or in the vertical direction. A coordinate system is usually inserted into a motor vehicle for design purposes.The y-axis forms the vehicle's longitudinal direction, the x-axis a vehicle transverse direction, and the z-axis a vertical line relative to the motor vehicle or the vehicle's ground. The bending stress can be increased in particular in the y- and z-directions. In addition, the locking bolt can have a material thickening in the connection area to the center piece. As already explained above, the material thickening can enlarge the contact surface between the locking bolt and the center piece, in particular the flattened area of ​​the center piece, so that the bending load capacity can be increased. The material thickening in the area of ​​the center piece thus increases the bending load capacity. In addition, the material thickening can advantageously enlarge a contact surface when riveting the locking bolt, so that an additional contact surface is available for riveting or forming.

[0023] According to the invention, the material thickening on the locking bolt in the connection area to the center piece forms a contact surface for the rotary latch. The inventive design of the locking bolt, which additionally provides a contact surface for the rotary latch, allows the load-bearing capacity of the lock holder bracket to be significantly increased. As tests have shown, the engagement of the rotary latch results in a load distribution from the locking bolt to the rotary latch. Because the rotary latch is not engaged with the locking bolt exclusively via the load arm, but rather via the collar formed by the thickening, i.e. at least partially circumferential contact of the rotary latch with the locking bolt, the force can be transferred from the load arm to the catch arm. The load arm of the rotary latch is relieved and tensile strength in the x-direction, i.e. in the lateral direction of the vehicle, is improved.

[0024] While usually only the load arm rests on the locking bolt, with the load arm gripping the locking bolt, the crash collar designed according to the invention allows the contact surface between the rotary latch and locking bolt to be used for lateral force transmission between the rotary latch and locking bolt. In other words, the rotary latch also rests laterally on the crash collar, i.e. the thickened portion, which in particular can increase the tensile strength. The crash collar or thickened portion can be designed as a flat contact surface on the locking bolt. It can also be advantageous if the center piece and the connecting bolt are made as one piece and from a single wire. The one-piece design of the center piece and connecting bolt offers the possibility of cost-effective and, at the same time, precise production of the lock holder shackle.In particular, the two-part design of the lock holder bracket allows for individual adaptation to the engagement conditions between the rotary latch and the lock holder bracket. The lock holder bracket can thus be individually reinforced in the area where the locking bolt and rotary latch interact, further improving the force transmission between the rotary latch and the lock holder bracket.

[0025] Depending on the requirements and design of the lock holder bracket, the center piece and the connecting bolt can have different geometric cross-sectional shapes. While it is advantageous in the area of ​​the connecting bolt if the connecting bolt has a circular cross-sectional shape, it can be advantageous in the area of ​​the center piece if the cross-sectional shape can essentially be described as rectangular. In particular, the design of the cross-sectional shape allows the lock holder bracket to be individually adjusted to the loads occurring in the lock holder bracket. However, the spatial conditions in the interaction between the lock holder bracket and the vehicle lock can also play a role in the design of the cross-sectional shape of the center piece and the connecting bolt, since space is usually limited in vehicle locks.Thus, a flat shape of the center piece can advantageously influence the installation space in the vehicle lock, since a flat design of the center piece requires less space in the interaction between the vehicle lock and the center piece.

[0026] It can be stated that the individual design of the lock holder shackle makes it possible to adapt to the interaction between the rotary latch and the locking bolt, which in turn can increase the load-bearing capacity in the event of an accident. The individual design of the lock holder shackle can distribute the load and also increase the tensile strength of the lock holder shackle. The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings using an exemplary embodiment. However, the basic principle applies that the exemplary embodiment does not limit the invention, but merely represents an advantageous embodiment of the invention. The features shown can be implemented individually or in combination with other features of the description and the patent claims.

[0027] It shows:

[0028] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional view of a lock holder constructed according to the invention, with plastic support, lock holder plate and lock holder bracket,

[0029] Figure 2 is a side view of the lock holder designed according to the invention according to Figure 1,

[0030] Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a locking mechanism in interaction with the locking bolt and in particular the crash collar of the locking bolt,

[0031] Figure 4 shows a detailed view of the center piece and the connecting bolt as a separate component,

[0032] Figure 5 is a separate illustration of the locking bolt designed according to the invention, and

[0033] Figure 6 shows a separate representation of the lock holder plate in a side view.

[0034] Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional view of a lock holder 1 consisting of a lock holder plate 2, a lock holder bracket 3, and a plastic base 4. The lock holder bracket 3 has a locking bolt 5, a center piece 6, and a connecting bolt 7. In this exemplary embodiment, the lock holder bracket 3 is made in two parts, consisting of a separate locking bolt 5 and a separate, one-piece center piece 6 with a connecting bolt 7. The lock holder plate 2 has through-holes which additionally include a countersunk hole 10. The holes make it possible to connect the lock holder 1 to a car body and to the vehicle using screws. By selecting a suitable screw, for example one with a countersunk head, a flat surface can be achieved with the surface 11 of the lock holder plate 2.In addition, the lock holder plate 2 has a bevel 12, which allows rivet heads 13, 14, which will be described below, to be arranged at a distance from the vehicle body, so that the lock holder plate 2 can be fastened flatly to the vehicle body. In addition, a plastic base 4 is arranged at least partially around the lock holder plate 2. The plastic base can, on the one hand, represent a means for minimizing noise, and, on the other hand, centering means can be formed on the plastic base 4, for example.

[0035] Figure 2 shows a side view of the lock holder 1 according to Figure 1. The thickened portions 15, 16 on the locking bolt 5 and on the connecting bolt 7 are clearly visible, which increase the contact surface on the lock holder plate 2. Furthermore, a thickened portion in the form of a crash collar 19 is formed on the locking bolt 5, which, on the one hand, increases the contact surface on a locking mechanism 20 and, in particular, a rotary latch 21. The locking bolt 5 is connected to a flattened area 22 of the center piece 6, with the locking bolt 5 being connected by riveting to create a rivet head 23.

[0036] Figure 3 shows the basic structure of a locking mechanism 20. The locking mechanism 20 consists of a rotary latch 21 and a pawl 24. Both locking parts 21, 24 are each pivotably mounted in a motor vehicle lock about an axis 25, 26. The main locking position of the locking mechanism 20 is shown, with the pawl 24 and rotary latch 21 abutting one another in a main locking position 27. The rotary latch 21 has a catch arm 28 and a load arm 29. Also shown is part of a coordinate system designated y and z. The rotary latch 21 interacts with the locking bolt 5, with the crash collar 19, as a thickened portion, abutting the catch arm and load arm at least in some areas. It is clearly visible that the crash collar 19 or the thickened portion 19 on the locking bolt 5 extends beyond the catch arm 28 and the load arm 29. Thus, the locking bolt 5 is also capable of absorbing forces in the y- and z-directions.

[0037] Figure 4 shows the center piece 6' and the connecting bolt 7. Identical components are provided with the same reference numerals. If the center piece 6 is designed according to the embodiments of Figures 1 and 2 such that the flattened region 22 extends approximately centrally from the center piece 6 to the locking bolt 5, then in Figure 4 the flattened region 22 is essentially flat, i.e. arranged on one side towards the flattened end 30 of the center piece 6'. Depending on the requirements of the lock holder 1, the center piece 6, 6' can be individually adapted, whereby according to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the center piece 6 and the flattened side 31 can additionally provide a contact surface 31 for the load arm 29.

[0038] Figure 5 shows the connecting bolt 5 as a separate component, detached from the lock holder bracket 3 and the lock holder plate 2. The rivet heads 13, 23, which connect the locking bolt 5 to the lock holder plate 2 and the flattened area 22, can be seen. The thickened portion 16 enables an enlarged contact surface 18, and the crash collar 19 shown here enlarges the contact surface toward the rotary latch 21 as well as toward the rivet head 23 or the flattened area 22 of the center piece 6, 6'. The locking bolt 5 is essentially cylindrical and can have a radius 32 in the area toward the crash collar 19 or, as shown in Figure 5, form a flat contact surface 33 toward the rotary latch 21. Likewise, the indentation 16 or thickened portion 16, as shown in Figure 5, can be designed with sharp edges.

[0039] Figure 6 shows the lock plate 2 as a separate component. The bevel 12, which can serve as a receptacle for the rivet heads 13, 14 of the locking bolt 5 or the connecting bolt 7, is clearly visible. This makes it possible to connect the lock holder plate 2 flat to the body of a motor vehicle at a flat underside 34.

[0040] 1 lock holder

[0041] 2 lock holder plate

[0042] 3 lock holder brackets

[0043] 4 plastic base

[0044] 5 locking bolts

[0045] 6, 6' middle section

[0046] 7 connecting bolts

[0047] 8, 9 Hole

[0048] 10 Reduction

[0049] 11 Surface

[0050] 12 Bending

[0051] 13, 14, 23 rivet head

[0052] 14, 16, 17 Thickening

[0053] 17, 18, 31 , 33 contact surface

[0054] 19 Crash collar, thickening

[0055] 20 locks

[0056] 21 rotary latch

[0057] 22 flattened area

[0058] 24 pawl

[0059] 25, 26 axis

[0060] 27 Main Rest Area

[0061] 28 tentacle

[0062] 29 Load arm

[0063] 30 End

[0064] 32 radius

[0065] Y, Z load directions, coordinate system

Claims

Patent claims 1. Lock holder (1) for a motor vehicle door lock, comprising a lock holder plate (2) and a lock holder bracket (3) fastened to the lock holder plate (2), wherein the lock holder bracket (3) is formed with a locking bolt (5), a central piece (6, 6') and a connecting bolt (7), characterized in that the lock holder bracket (3) is formed in at least two parts.

2. Lock holder (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking bolt (5) is designed as a separate component.

3. Lock holder (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the lock holder bracket (3) is formed from a first part forming the locking bolt (5) and a second part forming the middle piece (6) and the connecting bolt (7).

4. Lock holder (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the locking bolt (5) has a substantially cylindrical shape and is preferably designed as a lock holder bolt.

5. Lock holder (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the central piece (6, 6') has a flattened region (22) and the flattened region (22) can be connected to the locking bolt (5), in particular a crash collar (19).

6. Lock holder (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the lock holder bracket (3) has at least one material thickening (15, 16, 17).

7. Lock holder (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the locking bolt (5) has a material thickening (16, 19) in the respective connection area.

8. Lock holder (1) according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the material thickening (15, 16, 17) forms a contact surface (33) for a rotary latch (21).

9. Lock holder (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the center piece (6, 6') and the connecting bolt (7) are formed in one piece and can be formed from a single wire.

10. Lock holder (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the center piece (6, 6') and the connecting bolt (7) have a different geometric cross-sectional shape.

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