Lock holder for a motor vehicle door lock

Abstract

The invention relates to a lock holder (1) for a motor vehicle door lock comprising a lock holder plate (2), a locking bolt (3), a center piece (4) and a connecting bolt (5), the lock holder (1) comprising a separate locking bolt (3) and a separately formed connecting bolt (5).

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 plate, a locking bolt, a center piece and a connecting bolt, wherein the lock holder has a separate locking bolt.

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

[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 concern here is that the vehicle door remains closed so that safety features provided in or on the vehicle door, such as brake assist, side airbags, side impact protection, etc., can exert their desired effect.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 is engaged with the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is formed from a rotary latch and at least one pawl, whereby after engagement of the rotary latch with the locking bracket of the lock holder during a closing movement of the door element, a pawl engages in the rotary latch and prevents the door element from opening. The locking mechanism can have a preliminary detent and a main detent, which may be present in the door lock depending on the door element. Depending on the design of the locking mechanism, the respective detent position, i.e. main detent or preliminary detent, can be equipped with an opening or closing moment, so that a blocking lever can be used to secure the detent position.In order 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. Various approaches have already been pursued in the prior art to further develop such lock holders so that they can absorb far greater forces than before in the event of a crash, without tearing off or general mechanical damage occurring or potentially occurring. In practice, material deformations and tears are often observed in the lock holder, particularly at the transition from the lock holder bracket to the lock holder plate.

[0006] In order to increase the forces that can be absorbed by the lock holder, various approaches have been proposed. For example, there are various approaches to 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 to specify an elongation of the lock holder with the help of an indentation, as disclosed, for example, in DE 10 2010 021 677 A1. However, this only inadequately reflects the loads that actually occur in practice and the deformation behavior of the lock holder that is usually associated with a crash or when extreme forces occur. This is because it has been shown that the connection between the lock holder bracket and the lock holder plate is a particularly important point.

[0007] 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, the lock holder bracket being 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.

[0008] The solutions known from the prior art have generally proven themselves, but are reaching their limits with newer developments in the automotive industry. The use of batteries in hybrid or electric vehicles increases the loads on the vehicle door lock in the event of an accident. The batteries present in the vehicle increase the overall weight of the vehicle many times over, so that the loads on the locking mechanism and the lock holder in the event of 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.

[0009] 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 to increase the tensile strength of the lock and lock holder system.

[0010] The object is achieved according to the invention by the features of independent patent 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 desired variations of the features described in the description and the subclaims are possible.

[0011] According to 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, a locking bolt, a center piece, and a connecting bolt, wherein the lock holder has a separate locking bolt, and wherein the lock holder additionally has a separately formed connecting bolt. The inventive design of the lock holder now creates the possibility of designing the lock holder bracket so that it can be individually adapted to the loads, in particular the extreme loads, during an accident. The individual loads during an accident are particularly relevant to safety, since it must be guaranteed, especially in the event of an accident, that the doors, flaps, or hoods remain closed. The side doors in particular are of great importance, since the occupants of the motor vehicle must be protected.Only in combination with the secure locking of the door can other safety systems such as brake assist, seat belts, airbags, etc. be fully effective. The inventive design of the lock holder, and in particular the separate design of the connecting bolt, allows the lock holder to be adapted to the vehicle manufacturer's specifications by individually adapting the connecting bolt.

[0012] Particularly in the event of an accident, the locking system, consisting of the vehicle lock and lock holder, is subjected to extreme stresses. These stresses are simulated during the locking system's release, including through tensile and tear tests. In the tensile test, the lock holder is subjected to stress until it breaks, both to determine whether the specified specifications are met and to identify weak points. The inventive design of the lock holder now makes it possible to customize the lock holder to suit the loads.

[0013] As already indicated above, the lock holder according to the invention not only applies to a side door, but can also be used in the area of ​​a hood, tailgate, sliding door, cover, folding seats, etc. Its use is conceivable wherever pivoting or sliding components on the motor vehicle must be held securely in place.

[0014] The lock holder generally has a lock holder plate. The lock holder plate is typically screwed to the body or the movable component using two screws, allowing the lock holder and the vehicle lock to interact. The lock holder plate can also have a bevel so that any rivet heads of the other components of the lock holder can be accommodated in the bevel, enabling a flush attachment of at least a portion of the lock holder plate to the body. The bevel then accommodates the corresponding rivet heads of the other components of the lock holder.

[0015] The lock holder further comprises a locking bolt, a center piece, and a connecting bolt. These components together form a bow shape, so that these components can also be referred to as lock holder bows. According to the invention, the components—lock bolt, center piece, and connecting bolt—are designed as separate components and connected to one another during assembly. The arrangement of the locking bolt, the center piece, and the connecting bolt, which can be described as a bow shape, forms an opening through which a locking mechanism of a motor vehicle lock can interact with the lock holder. A locking mechanism arranged in the motor vehicle lock, consisting of a rotary latch and at least one pawl, is moved relative to the lock holder in such a way that the rotary latch can move around the locking bolt, after which a pawl subsequently locks the rotary latch in its engaged position.

[0016] Depending on the application of the vehicle lock or lock holder, a pre-locking position and / or a main locking position can be adopted here. In the locking position, the rotary latch encloses the locking bolt. If extreme stress occurs on the locking system in one of these locking positions, the rotary latch moves over the locking bolt until it comes into contact with the center piece of the lock holder. Depending on the force acting on the locking system, the loaded side door, for example, must withstand the tensile forces and prevent the side door from opening. Due to the increased or continuing increase in demands on the locking system, the lock holder must be adapted to these increased requirements.The inventive design of the lock holder with a separate locking bolt and a separate connecting bolt allows for individual adaptation to increased and ever-increasing loads. A further increase in the operational reliability of the locking system can be achieved if the locking bolt and / or the connecting bolt has an enlarged cross-section in the contact area with the lock holder plate. The enlarged cross-section allows the contact surface of the locking bolt or connecting bolt to be enlarged towards the lock holder plate. This can increase the overall load-bearing capacity of the lock holder and thus the safety of the motor vehicle. 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 increasing the cross-section in the base area of ​​the locking bolt and / or the connecting bolt, the contact surface on the fastening plate or lock holder plate can be maximized. Maximizing the contact surface increases resistance to bending stress. Bending stress can act on the locking bolt particularly in the transverse direction of the vehicle and / or in a vertical direction. Typically, a coordinate system is inserted into a motor vehicle for design purposes. The x-axis represents the vehicle's longitudinal direction, the y-axis a transverse direction, and the z-axis a vertical line relative to the vehicle or the vehicle's ground. The bending stress can thus be increased, particularly in the y- and z-directions.

[0017] It has proven particularly advantageous if the locking bolt and / or the connecting bolt have a cross-sectional area that continuously increases towards the contact area. Typically, the locking bolt is cylindrical, i.e., the locking bolt has a circular cross-sectional shape. Likewise, according to the invention, the connecting bolt is round, i.e., the connecting bolt also has a circular cross-sectional shape. At least the locking bolt has an engagement area for the rotary latch, wherein the engagement area for the rotary latch has a uniform diameter. In other words, the engagement area for the rotary latch is provided with a uniform diameter.Starting from the engagement area and viewed in the direction of the lock holder plate, the cross-sectional shape continuously enlarges according to the invention, resulting in a conical enlargement of the projection area when viewed from above onto the locking bolt and / or the connecting bolt. In other words, the locking bolt and / or the connecting bolt is cylindrical at least in some areas and, in turn, conical at least in some areas. The enlargement, i.e., the conical area of ​​the locking bolt or the connecting bolt, extends in such a way that the contact surface of the locking bolt and / or the connecting bolt enlarges toward the lock holder plate.

[0018] In a further embodiment of the invention, the center piece is flat, at least in a mounting area toward the locking bolt and / or the connecting bolt. Flat in this context means that the center piece has a cross-sectional shape that can be described as rectangular in the mounting area. The flat or rectangular design of the center piece in the mounting area toward the locking bolt and / or the connecting bolt enables easy installation of the center piece, with cold forming preferably being used to connect the center piece to the locking bolt and / or the connecting bolt. This also allows for individual adaptation to the load-bearing capacity of the lock holder.Depending on the requirements of the lock holder, the connection area of ​​the center piece can be flat and the area between the mounting areas can be round or oval, for example, in order to achieve additional stabilization of the lock holder as a whole.

[0019] However, it can also be advantageous if the center piece is flat, so that the center piece as a whole has a rectangular cross-sectional shape. An overall design of the center piece in the form of a rectangular cross-sectional shape is advantageous from a structural and manufacturing point of view. On the one hand, a flat center piece is easy and cost-effective to produce, and on the other hand, this can simplify handling of the center piece. The center piece can then be punched out as a sheet metal strip, for example, and can also be referred to as a mounting plate. Holes can then be inserted into the mounting plate or the center piece, for example, whereby the holes can serve to accommodate the locking bolt or the connecting bolt, so that, for example, cold forming of extensions through the mounting plate is possible.

[0020] If the locking bolt has a material thickening in an assembly area to the center piece, an advantageous embodiment of the invention is achieved. The material thickening can enlarge a 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 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 the locking bolt. 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 to be increased.

[0021] 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 through the load arm, but rather, according to the invention, via the collar formed by the thickened portion, i.e., at least partially, the rotary latch rests circumferentially on the locking bolt, the force can be additionally transferred from the load arm to the catch arm of the rotary latch. The load arm of the rotary latch is relieved, and tensile strength in the x-direction, i.e., in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, is improved. 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 can be used to convert the contact surface between the rotary latch and locking bolt into a lateral force transmission between the rotary latch and locking bolt.In other words, the rotary latch also rests flat on the side of the crash collar, i.e. the thickened portion, which in particular increases the tensile strength. The crash collar or the material thickening can be designed as a flat contact surface on the locking bolt. As already explained above, the design of the material thickening on the locking bolt as a collar can further increase the strength of the locking system. The design of a collar on the locking bolt means that not only the center section is available as a contact surface for the rotary latch, but that the rotary latch rests on the collar at least in part along its entire circumference. This provides load distribution across the contact area of ​​the rotary latch on the collar of the locking bolt. Depending on the size of the collar, the contact surface on the rotary latch can be adjusted and thus adapted to requirements.Depending on the load to be absorbed, i.e., the requirements to which the locking system may be subjected, the collar can have different diameters. The collar is preferably formed around the circumference of the locking bolt, which is also cylindrical, i.e., has a uniform diameter at least in some areas. The collar forms a flat contact surface for the rotary latch.

[0022] Advantageously, the collar and / or the rotary latch has a plastic coating in a contact area of ​​the rotary latch on the collar. A plastic coating offers the advantage of minimizing noise should interaction occur between the rotary latch and the collar during operation of the motor vehicle. Shocks and / or vibrations in the motor vehicle can cause the rotary latch to rest on the collar of the locking bolt, thus causing interaction between the rotary latch and the collar. By at least partially coating the collar and / or the rotary latch in the contact area with plastic, easy interaction between the friction partners can be achieved and noise emissions can be prevented. Another advantageous embodiment of the invention can be if the locking bolt and / or the connecting bolt is designed as a rivet bolt.The locking bolt and / or the connecting bolt can be formed as separate components and connected to the lock holder plate and the center piece. A preferred joining method is cold forming the locking bolt and / or the connecting bolt, which ensures sufficient strength in the lock holder. The riveting process can also be easily integrated into the lock holder manufacturing process.

[0023] The locking bolt and / or the connecting bolt can be manufactured as individual parts, for example as stamped parts. The locking bolt and / or the connecting bolt in the form of a rivet bolt have a bevel at least at the end and before riveting, which can serve as a contact surface on the lock holder and / or the center piece. The lock holder plate and center piece are then provided with corresponding bores so that the components designed as rivet bolts can be easily connected to the center piece and the lock holder plate. The contact surfaces on the rivet bolts then simultaneously form the counterbearings for cold forming, i.e., riveting. The lock holder produced according to the invention has increased bending strength in the y- and z-directions and increased tensile strength in the x-direction of the motor vehicle and can thus meet the requirements of automobile manufacturers.In particular, the increased requirements for tensile strength and flexural strength can be met overall. Finally, the locking bolt and the connecting bolt can also be designed symmetrically. Symmetry offers the advantage of enabling cost-effective production and simplifying assembly.

[0024] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment and the accompanying drawings. However, the principle applies that the exemplary embodiment does not limit the invention, but merely represents an advantageous embodiment of the invention. The features presented can be implemented individually or in combination with other features of the description and the patent claims.

[0025] It shows:

[0026] Figure 1 is a side view of a lock holder designed according to the invention,

[0027] Figure 2 is a detailed view of the components of the lock holder designed according to the invention according to Figure 1, and

[0028] Figure 3 is a plan view of the lock holder designed according to the invention according to arrow III in Figure 1 in interaction with a locking mechanism.

[0029] Figure 1 shows a side view of a lock holder 1 designed according to the invention. The lock holder 1 has a lock holder plate 2, a locking bolt 3, a center piece 4, and a connecting bolt 5. Also shown is a rotary latch 16 as part of a locking mechanism 7. The rotary latch 6 is engaged with the locking bolt 3, so that the exemplary embodiment represents, for example, a main locking position of the locking mechanism 7 in interaction with the lock holder 1.

[0030] It can be clearly seen in Figure 1 that the rotary latch 6 rests against a collar 8 on the locking bolt 3. The rotary latch 6 comes into contact with the collar 8 by means of a load arm 9 and a catch arm 10. Consequently, the inventive design of the locking bolt 3 provides a contact area 11, 12 for the rotary latch 6, which clearly shows that a flat contact of the rotary latch 6 on the collar 8 is possible. This allows a load distribution from the rotary latch 6 to the collar and consequently to the locking bolt. Without the collar 8, the rotary latch 6 would rest against the center piece 4, whereby only the load arm 9 could be accommodated to transmit a force in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle, i.e. in the x-direction of the motor vehicle.By using a collar 8 on the locking bolt 3 according to the invention, a load distribution can be achieved, which in turn leads to an increase in the strength of the locking system consisting of the motor vehicle lock and the lock holder 1.

[0031] Furthermore, it can be seen that the locking bolt 3 and the connecting bolt 5 have different, i.e., changing, diameters. The continuously increasing diameters on the locking bolt and the center piece enable an enlarged contact area 13, 14 on the locking bolt and connecting bolt 5. In other words, the locking bolt 3 and connecting bolt 5 are reinforced in the base area 15, 16 in order to maximize the contact surface of the bolts on the lock holder plate 2. By maximizing the contact surface 13, 14, the resistance of the bolts 3, 5 to bending stress increases, particularly in the y- and z-directions of the motor vehicle.

[0032] In Figure 2, the individual parts of the lock holder 1 are shown as separate components. Identical components are provided with the same reference numerals. The locking bolt 3 has a collar 8, whereby the collar 8 also serves as a counter-bearing for riveting the locking bolt 3 to the center piece 4. The initial shape 17, 18, 19, 20 of the rivet bolts 3, 5 is shown as a dashed line in Figure 2. The rivet bolts 3, 5 or the locking bolt and the connecting bolt 5 can be connected in their initial shape 17, 18, 19, 20 to the lock holder plate 2 and the center piece 4. For this purpose, the bores 21, 22, into which the initial shapes 17, 18 can be inserted, are also shown as a hidden line in the center piece 4. Likewise, there are two bores 23, 24 in the lock holder plate, into which the initial shapes 19, 20 of the rivet bolts 3, 5 can be inserted.As can be clearly seen, the lock holder plate 2 has a shoulder 25 so that the rivet heads 26, 27 can be accommodated in the shoulder 25.

[0033] Figure 3 now shows the interaction of the locking mechanism 7 with the lock holder 1. The locking mechanism 7 is shown in a main locking position, wherein a pawl 28 locks the rotary latch 6 in the main locking position. The function of such locking mechanisms 7 in interaction with a lock holder 1 is known without restriction. According to the invention, in interaction with the locking bolt 3 and in particular the projection 29 of the collar 8 via the catch arm 10, a load distribution can be achieved from the rotary latch 6 to the lock holder 1. The load distribution between the catch arm 10 and load arm 9 thus enables an increase in the load capacity of the locking system and an overall

[0034] Increasing the tensile strength and / or flexural strength of the

[0035] Lock holder 1.

[0036] List of reference symbols

[0037] 1 lock holder

[0038] 2 lock holder plate

[0039] 3 locking bolts

[0040] 4 Middle piece

[0041] 5 connecting bolts

[0042] 6 rotary latch

[0043] 7 locking devices

[0044] 8 collars

[0045] 9 Load arm

[0046] 10 tentacle

[0047] 11, 12, 13, 14 Investment area

[0048] 15, 16 sockets

[0049] 17, 18, 19, 20 Initial form

[0050] 21, 22, 23, 24 bore

[0051] 25 paragraph

[0052] 26, 27 rivet head

[0053] 28 pawl

[0054] 29 Overhang

Claims

Patent claims 1. Lock holder (1) for a motor vehicle door lock comprising a lock holder plate (2), a locking bolt (3), a center piece (4) and a connecting bolt (5), wherein the lock holder (1) has a separate locking bolt (3), characterized in that the lock holder (1) has a separately formed connecting bolt (5).

2. Lock holder (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking bolt (3) and / or the connecting bolt (5) has an enlarged cross-section in a contact area (13, 14) with the lock holder plate (2).

3. Lock holder (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking bolt (3) and / or the connecting bolt (5) has a cross-sectional area which continuously increases towards the contact area (13, 14).

4. Lock holder (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the central piece (4) is flat at least in a mounting area to the locking bolt (3) and / or to the connecting bolt (5).

5. Lock holder (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the central piece (4) is flat, so that the central piece (4) as a whole has a rectangular cross-sectional shape.

6. Lock holder (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the locking bolt (3) is in a The mounting area to the center piece (4) has a material thickening (8).

7. Lock holder (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the material thickening (8) forms a contact surface (11, 12) for a rotary latch (6).

8. Lock holder (1) according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the material thickening (8) is designed as a collar (8).

9. Lock holder (1) according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the collar (8) and / or the rotary latch (6) has a plastic sheath in the contact area (11, 12) of the rotary latch (6) on the collar (8).

10. Lock holder (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the locking bolt (3) and / or the connecting bolt (5) is designed as a rivet bolt.

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