Motor vehicle lock

Abstract

The invention relates to a lock (1) for a motor vehicle, in particular a tailgate lock, comprising a locking mechanism (2) consisting of a rotary latch (3) and at least one pawl (4, 5), wherein the rotary latch (3) can be latched in a pre-latching position and in a main latching position, a pre-latching pawl (4) and a main latching pawl (5), wherein a pre-latching element (17) of the locking mechanism (2) is formed by an angled region of a metal main body (18) of the rotary latch (3), and wherein the angled region (17) can be placed in engagement with a closing pawl (25) of a closing device (23).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Motor vehicle lock

[0003] The invention relates to a lock for a motor vehicle having a locking mechanism consisting of a rotary latch and at least one pawl, wherein the rotary latch can be locked in a pre-locking position and a main-locking position, a pre-locking pawl and a main-locking pawl, wherein a pre-locking of the locking mechanism is formed by an angled region of a metallic base body of the rotary latch.

[0004] Locks or locking devices for motor vehicles are used wherever pivoting or sliding components on the motor vehicle must be secured in their position. To secure the position of the components, the locking device works together with a lock holder, whereby a relative movement of the locking device to a lock holder moves a locking mechanism of the locking device into a locked position. Areas of application for these locks include, for example, hatches, doors, and sliding doors, but also, for example, backrest locks for rear seat benches in the motor vehicle interior. The invention preferably relates to a lock for a tailgate of a motor vehicle.

[0005] To increase the convenience of these locking systems, they are designed as electrically operated locking systems. Electrically operated locking systems utilize electric motors that unlock a locking mechanism, thus electrically opening the lock. In combination with a motor-operated tailgate, for example, the operator can open the tailgate remotely without having to manually intervene in the vehicle. In addition to electrically unlocking the locking mechanism, so-called closing devices are also used. These closing devices allow a tailgate, or even a side door, to be electrically assisted in moving it into its final closed position once it has been opened.

[0006] To enable this automatic locking process, the lock must be capable of being moved into its final locking position. The lock according to the invention comprises a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least one pawl. The rotary latch is pivotally mounted on a metal lock plate and can interact with a lock holder or lock holder bracket attached to the motor vehicle via an inlet area. When the lock, flap, or door is closed, the relative movement of the lock holder, which is usually permanently mounted on the motor vehicle, moves the rotary latch from an open position to a first closed position.

[0007] In a first closed position, known as the pre-locking position, a pawl engages the rotary latch in such a way that the movement of the rotary latch is blocked. Without moving the pawl, the rotary latch cannot be opened again. Closing aids are used to move the rotary latch from this pre-locking position to a main locking position. These closing devices interact with the locking mechanism in such a way that the rotary latch is moved from the locked pre-locking position to a main locking position. In other words, the rotary latch is moved further into its closed position with electrical assistance. The closing device moves the rotary latch into the main locking position, in which a pawl or the same pawl engages with the rotary latch and locks the rotary latch in its main locking position. The rotary latch is then in the end position and the door or flap is in its final closed position.

[0008] To safely reach the main locking position, the rotary latch is moved into an overtravel position by the closing mechanism. The overtravel position means that the rotary latch is moved further into the closed position than is necessary for the main locking pawl to engage. Moving the rotary latch into the overtravel position ensures that the main locking pawl securely engages or latches into the rotary latch. This is particularly important because, even with electrically assisted closing of the door or flap, the locking mechanism must still be securely locked in the main locking position.

[0009] As described above, to achieve the pre-locking position and the main locking position, a pawl must interact with the rotary latch. This can involve just one pawl interacting with the rotary latch, or two or more pawls can be used, interacting with the rotary latch, for example, at different levels. It is also known that, for example, in a main locking position of the locking mechanism, an opening moment occurs in the locking mechanism, whereby the opening moment refers to a force that forces the pawl out of the locking position. To prevent the locking mechanism from unlocking itself in this case, the pawl is additionally secured in the locking position by means of a locking or blocking lever.From DE 20 2008 015 789 U1 a lock for a motor vehicle is known with a closing and opening device having a drive, a transmission element and a drive pawl and with a locking mechanism and a stop for the locking mechanism, wherein the drive works with the interposition of the transmission element on the drive pawl in order to close the locking mechanism and / or facilitate opening. Starting from a pre-locking position of the locking mechanism, the locking mechanism can be transferred into a main locking position by means of the closing device. For this purpose a transmission lever is provided which is pivotably mounted on the rotary latch axis and which in turn supports the drive pawl. To close the locking mechanism, the drive pawl engages a closing stop of the rotary latch and is thus able to move the rotary latch with the aid of an external drive and a Bowden cable connected to the external drive.An ejector lever is provided to decouple the drive pawl from the rotary latch, whereby the ejector lever acts directly on the drive pawl and moves the drive pawl out of the engagement area with the rotary latch.

[0010] The object of the invention is to provide an improved lock for a motor vehicle. In particular, the object of the invention is to provide a compact locking system with high functionality and the smallest possible number of components.

[0011] 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. 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.

[0012] According to claim 1, the object of the invention is achieved by providing a lock for a motor vehicle, comprising a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least one pawl, wherein the rotary latch can be locked in a pre-locking position and a main locking position, a main locking pawl and a pre-locking pawl, wherein a pre-locking position of the locking mechanism is formed by an angled region of a metallic base body of the rotary latch, and wherein the angled region can be brought into engagement with a closing pawl of a closing device. The design of the motor vehicle lock according to the invention now creates the possibility of realizing a compact design of a motor vehicle lock in which high functionality can be achieved with a small number of components.In particular, by using the angled area of ​​the metallic base body of the rotary latch as a pre-lock and at the same time as a means of implementing a closing device for the locking mechanism, further components, moldings and / or constructive means for introducing a force to close the locking mechanism can be dispensed with.

[0013] The closing mechanism thus interacts directly with the rotary latch, and specifically with the engagement surface on the rotary latch, which is also used to achieve the pre-locking position in the vehicle lock. The angled area on the rotary latch therefore performs a dual function. On the one hand, the angled area allows for an initial locking position when closing the locking mechanism, and at the same time, the closing pawl can access the angled area to fully close the locking mechanism and reach its main locking position. Consequently, a high level of functionality can be achieved in the vehicle lock with minimal design resources.

[0014] The lock according to the invention can be a lock for a tailgate, a side door, a flap or cover, but also, for example, for a seat back of a rear seat bench of a vehicle. However, the invention preferably relates to a lock for a tailgate of a motor vehicle. Tailgate locks are subject to special requirements because, unlike sliding door locks, for example, they can be exposed to changing loads. For example, the tailgate may be subject to a snow load, so that when opened, and in particular when opened electrically, it must be ensured that the lock remains fully open until the loaded flap is closed again.For example, with a tailgate loaded with snow, it may happen that the locking mechanism is opened electrically, but the lock holder engaged with the rotary latch does not cause any relative movement in the locking mechanism because the tailgate remains in its position due to the heavy load. In this case, the pawl(s) must be kept out of engagement with the rotary latch. Keeping the pawl out of engagement with an unlocked locking mechanism is also referred to as the snow load function.

[0015] With regard to the structure of the locking mechanism, reference is made to the introductory explanations. The rotary latch has a metallic base body which is pivotally mounted in the vehicle lock via a metallic axis. The pivot axis of the rotary latch as well as that of the pawl or pawls is also held in a metallic lock case. This metallic basic structure of the vehicle lock ensures that the pivoting or movable component on the vehicle can be held securely even in extreme situations, such as an accident. In the preliminary and main detent positions, metallic areas of the pawl and the rotary latch lie against one another to ensure secure locking and, in particular, precise positioning of the locking mechanism.

[0016] According to the invention, an angled portion is provided on the metallic base body of the rotary latch, wherein the angled portion preferably has an angle of 90° to the base surface of the rotary latch and extends beyond the flat extension of the rotary latch. The angled portion thus forms a one-piece component with the rotary latch and engages with the pre-locking pawl.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the closing pawl is pivotally mounted on a stationary closing aid. The closing pawl acts directly on the angled area of ​​the metallic base body of the rotary latch and is mounted in a closing aid fixed in the vehicle lock in such a way that a closing force can be transferred from a preliminary detent to a main detent. The connection to the closing lever makes it possible to influence the closing forces and, with regard to the design of the closing lever, to influence the closing forces. Increased forces occur, particularly when the main detent position or the overtravel position is fully reached, and these forces continuously increase during the closing process. This is due in particular to the seal arranged between the movable component and the body.In order to achieve complete sealing with regard to moisture, but also to minimize noise, a seal, in particular a door or flap seal, is arranged between the component that is movable on the vehicle and the body. The closing device must move the rotary latch against this sealing pressure, which occurs when the seal is compressed. The relative movement between the rotary latch and the lock holder transmits the force required to close the movable component. Sealing pressures of up to 500 N can occur here, which must be transferred to the lock holder via the closing device and the locking mechanism. The advantageous mounting of the closing pawl on a closing lever means that the force transmitted to the locking mechanism can be varied depending on the size of the seal.In particular, the direct connection between the closing latch and the angled area ensures a secure transfer of force to the rotary latch.

[0018] It can also be advantageous if the closing pawl can be actuated by means of at least one locking part. In order to further reduce the number of components, the invention proposes that the locking parts themselves can be brought into engagement with the closing pawl. This means that no further components are required to actuate or engage or disengage the closing pawl. As a result, closing in the motor vehicle lock can be achieved with the smallest possible number of components. The locking parts are actuated to unlock the locking mechanism, so that the closing pawl can also be moved out of the engagement area with the rotary latch. This reduces the number of necessary components of the motor vehicle lock to a minimum, which offers advantages not only in terms of design, but also in terms of weight and cost.

[0019] In a particularly advantageous manner, the closing pawl can be actuated using the pre-engagement pawl. To open the locking mechanism, the pre-engagement pawl as well as the main-engagement pawl must be disengaged from the rotary latch so that the rotary latch can move in its opening direction and thus release the lock holder. If the pre-engagement pawl is now moved with a release lever, the release lever can be used to move both the pre-engagement pawl and the main-engagement pawl in order to disengage the pawls from the rotary latch. If the pre-engagement pawl now interacts with the closing pawl, the closing pawl can be moved out of engagement with the angled area or the movement path of the angled area of ​​the rotary latch using the pre-engagement pawl. The pre-locking pawl therefore has an additional function, namely the function of decoupling the closing device from the rotary latch.

[0020] In a further embodiment of the invention, the closing pawl has a driver, wherein the driver protrudes into a movement area of ​​the front pawl. The pre-engagement pawl is usually flat and more preferably in a plane parallel to the angled area of ​​the rotary latch. The main-engagement pawl is arranged in a plane with the rotary latch, i.e., the base body of the rotary latch, and also engages in the main detent of the rotary latch in a plane with the base body of the rotary latch. The pre-engagement pawl is arranged parallel to the main-engagement pawl and the base body of the rotary latch, but in a plane above the main-engagement pawl and the rotary latch. The pre-engagement pawl engages in the angled area of ​​the base body of the rotary latch.The angled area of ​​the metallic base body of the rotary latch protrudes far enough beyond the base body of the rotary latch that both the pre-engaging pawl and the closing pawl can engage in the angled area. The closing pawl is advantageously also pivotally mounted in the motor vehicle lock parallel to the pre-engaging pawl, but can preferably pivot in a spaced-apart plane. The driver is arranged on the closing pawl and is preferably made integrally with the closing pawl. Since no closing forces need to be transmitted to the rotary latch by means of the driver, the driver can alternatively be made from a plastic sheath of the closing pawl. However, the closing pawl is preferably made integrally from a metallic material, preferably steel.

[0021] The pre-engagement pawl preferably has a driving contour for the closing pawl. The closing pawl can be moved out of the engagement area with the rotary latch by means of the pre-engagement pawl. In the unlocked position of the locking mechanism, the main locking pawl and the pre-engagement pawl are spaced away from the movement area of ​​the rotary latch such that free pivoting of the rotary latch is possible. By means of the driving contour on the pre-engagement pawl, the closing pawl is held at a distance from the angled area of ​​the rotary latch such that free pivoting of the rotary latch or the angled area is also possible. The pre-engagement pawl thus indirectly controls the closing process. This is also evident in the preferred embodiment, in which the closing pawl can be held out of engagement with the rotary latch by means of the pre-engagement pawl.The front pawl thus has the dual function of enabling the locking mechanism to engage in the pre-locking position and, in addition, controlling the position of the closing pawl relative to the rotary latch. This allows a motor vehicle lock with a closing function to be realized using a minimal number of components. The driver contour is designed such that when the pre-locking pawl is disengaged, the closing pawl also disengages from the engagement area with the rotary latch, particularly the beveled edge of the rotary latch.

[0022] Advantageously, the pre-lock pawl can be actuated independently of the main pawl. The pre-lock pawl has a driving function for the closing pawl. Furthermore, the pre-lock pawl can be actuated independently of the main pawl and is capable of moving independently of the main pawl. When the locking mechanism is closed, the main pawl engages the rotary latch, and so is the pre-lock pawl, both spring-loaded toward the rotary latch. If the bevelled area of ​​the rotary latch engages with the pre-locking pawl so that a pre-locking position of the locking mechanism is achieved, the pre-locking pawl can move independently of the main locking pawl in the direction of the rotary latch, whereby on the one hand the pre-locking position of the locking mechanism is assumed and at the same time the closing pawl engages with the angled area of ​​the rotary latch.Once the pre-locking position is reached, the closing action is initiated. The closing pawl is now engaged with the angled portion of the rotary latch, allowing the closing action to begin. The closing action can be interrupted by moving the pre-locking pawl, which disengages the driver on the closing pawl from the angled portion.

[0023] Advantageously, the pre-engagement pawl also enables the locking mechanism to be unlocked and the closing pawl to be released from the engagement area with the rotary latch. The pre-engagement pawl also serves to unlock the locking mechanism, not only from the pre-engagement position, but also from the main engagement position. For this purpose, the pre-engagement pawl, in this advantageous embodiment, also acts on the main engagement pawl. For this purpose, for example, an additional driver can be arranged on the pre-engagement pawl so that the pre-engagement pawl can move the main engagement pawl out of the engagement area with the rotary latch. The pre-engagement pawl thus plays a central role in the motor vehicle lock. On the one hand, the pre-engagement pawl controls the closing process and enables the closing process, and on the other hand, the pre-engagement pawl can be used to initiate the unlocking of the locking mechanism.By means of the pre-locking pawl, the pre-locking position can be assumed when the locking mechanism is closing, the closing pawl can be brought into engagement with the rotary latch, and an interruption of the closing process can be initiated. When the locking mechanism is opened, the closing pawl can be brought out of engagement with the rotary latch, the main locking pawl can be actuated and thus a complete exposure of the rotary latch can be initiated in order to move the rotary latch and release the lock holder. The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings using a preferred exemplary embodiment. However, the principle applies that the exemplary embodiment does not limit the invention, but merely represents an advantageous embodiment. The illustrated features can be implemented individually or in combination with other features of the description as well as the patent claims.

[0024] It shows :

[0025] Figure 1 is a plan view of a motor vehicle lock designed according to the invention in an open position, wherein only the necessary components of the motor vehicle lock belonging to the invention are shown,

[0026] Figure 2 shows the motor vehicle lock according to the invention according to Figure 1 in a pre-locking position,

[0027] Figure 3 shows the motor vehicle lock according to the invention in a detailed view, showing the closing process,

[0028] Figure 4 shows the decoupled closing drive or the decoupled closing latch in case of an interruption of the closing process, and

[0029] Figure 5 shows the main locking position of the locking mechanism in a plan view of the motor vehicle lock according to Figure 1.

[0030] Figure 1 shows a motor vehicle lock 1 in a plan view of a locking mechanism 2 in an open, i.e., unlocked, position. The locking mechanism has a rotary latch 3, a pre-locking pawl 4, and a main-locking pawl 5. The locking mechanism parts 3, 4, 5 are pivotally mounted in a lock case 8 by means of axes 6, 7. The lock case 8 has an inlet region 9 through which a lock holder (not shown) can interact with the rotary latch 3 in a known manner. The lock case 8 also has bevels 10, 11 by means of which the motor vehicle lock 1 can be fastened to a motor vehicle or a body of the motor vehicle. To explain the invention, only a few components of the motor vehicle lock 1 that are essential to explaining the invention are shown. The pawls 4, 5 have extensions 12, 13, each of which can be engaged with a switching means 14, 15.The switching means 14, 15 are shown in Figure 1 in an actuated position, in other words, the extension 12 of the pre-locking pawl actuates the switching means 14 and the extension 13 of the main locking pawl 5 actuates the switching means 15. Both switching means 14, 15 are designed as microswitches in this embodiment and are shown actuated.

[0031] Figure 1 shows an unlocked position of the locking mechanism 2, so that the rotary latch 3 is able to move in the direction of arrow P, i.e., counterclockwise. The movement of the rotary latch 3 is achieved by a rotary latch spring (not shown), which loads the rotary latch 3 in the direction of arrow P, and by a sealing pressure exerted by a tailgate on the vehicle lock or lock holder. In this open position, the rotary latch is therefore able to release the lock holder, and a tailgate can be opened. The axes 6, 7 of the locking mechanism 2 are accommodated in the lock case 8, with an inlet area 9 forming a recess in the lock case 8 to allow insertion of the lock holder. The vehicle lock 1 can be mounted in the vehicle by means of the bevel 10, 11.

[0032] In addition to the locking mechanism already explained, the motor vehicle lock 1 has a closing device 23, wherein only a closing lever 24 and a closing pawl 25 of the closing device 23 are shown. The closing pawl 25 is in a decoupled position, wherein a driver 26 on the closing pawl 25 engages with the pre-locking pawl 4. To actuate the closing pawl 25, the pre-locking pawl 4 has a driving contour 27 into which the driver 26 of the closing pawl 25 engages. In this exemplary embodiment, the closing pawl 25 is arranged above the pre-locking pawl 4, and the driver 26 extends in the direction of the pre-locking pawl 4, so that interaction between the driver 26 and the driving contour 27 is possible.

[0033] The closing lever 24 is pivotably mounted in the motor vehicle lock 1 about its axis 28, with the axis 28 being fixedly arranged in the motor vehicle lock 1. Thus, the closing lever 24 is capable of pivoting about the axis 28 in the direction of arrow P4 and correspondingly moving the closing pawl 25. For this purpose, the closing pawl 24 is pivotably mounted in the closing lever 24 about the axis 29.

[0034] The closing lever 24 is shown in its initial position A, with the initial position indicated by the dot-dash line. The initial position denotes the position of the closing lever 24 in which the closing pawl 25 is decoupled from the rotary latch 3 or in which the closing pawl 25 is able to engage within the range of motion of the rotary latch and, in particular, in the pre-lock 17. However, the closing pawl 25 is held out of engagement with the pre-lock 17 or the rotary latch 3 by means of the driver 26 and in interaction with the pre-lock pawl 4.

[0035] Figure 2 shows the pre-locking position of the locking mechanism 2. A lock holder 16 moves relative to the motor vehicle lock 1 and moves the rotary latch 3 clockwise into its locked position. The pre-locking position of the locking mechanism 2 is shown, with the pawl 4 resting against the pre-lock 17 and holding the rotary latch 2 in its pre-locking position. It can clearly be seen that the pre-locking pawl 4 has brought the closing pawl 25 into engagement with the pre-lock 17. This means that in the pre-locking position of the locking mechanism 2, the closing pawl 25 is able to engage with the angled area, i.e., the pre-lock 17 of the rotary latch 3.

[0036] Figure 3 shows an intermediate position of the rotary latch 3, i.e., a position of the rotary latch between the pre-locking position and the main locking position of the locking mechanism 2. This point in time is reached by applying a force F to the closing lever 24, causing it to move counterclockwise around the axis 28. The closing pawl 25 carries the pre-locking position 17 with it and moves the rotary latch toward its main locking position.

[0037] If a control system now detects that the closing process, as shown in Figure 3, is to be interrupted, the pre-locking pawl 4 is moved in the direction of arrow P5 around axis 6 and the closing pawl 25 is disengaged from the pre-lock 17. The closing process is interrupted and the locking mechanism 2 can be opened again. To decouple the closing pawl 25 from the pre-lock 17, the closing pawl 25 is disengaged from the pre-lock 17 by means of the driver 26 and the control contour 27. The closing process can be interrupted and the vehicle lock can be opened.

[0038] Figure 5 shows the main locking position of the locking mechanism 2. That is, Figure 5 shows the position of the rotary latch 3, which the rotary latch assumes after it has been fully closed by means of the closing device 23. The main locking pawl 5 now rests against the main notch 21 and blocks the rotary movement of the rotary latch in the opening direction. The closing pawl 25 is located with the driver 26 in such a position that moving the pre-locking pawl 4 counterclockwise around the axis 6 enables the locking mechanism to be unlocked and the closing pawl 25 to be disengaged from the engagement area with the pre-lock 17. In addition, the pre-locking pawl 4 driving the main locking pawl along with it enables the rotary latch 3 to be completely unlocked and uncoupled.

[0039] List of reference symbols

[0040] 1 vehicle lock

[0041] 2 locking devices

[0042] 3 rotary latch

[0043] 4 pre-locking pawl

[0044] 5 Main locking pawl

[0045] 6, 7, 28, 29 axis

[0046] 8 lock case

[0047] 9 Inlet area

[0048] 10, 11 bends

[0049] 16 Lock holder 17 Pre-lock

[0050] 18 metallic base body

[0051] 19 Plastic sheathing

[0052] 21 Main rest 22 Housing

[0053] 23 Closing device

[0054] 24 closing levers

[0055] 25 Closing latch

[0056] 26 Driver 27 Driving contour

[0057] P4, P5 arrow

[0058] F Force

Claims

Patent claims 1. Lock (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a locking mechanism (2) consisting of a rotary latch (3) and at least one pawl (4), wherein the rotary latch (3) can be locked in a pre-locking position and a main locking position, a pre-locking pawl (4) and a main locking pawl (5), wherein a pre-lock (17) of the locking mechanism (2) is formed by an angled region of a metallic base body (18) of the rotary latch (3), characterized in that the angled region (17) can be brought into engagement with a closing pawl (25) of a closing device (23).

2. Lock (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the closing pawl (25) is pivotally movable on a stationary closing lever (24).

3. Lock (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the closing pawl (25) can be actuated by means of at least one locking part (4, 5).

4. Lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the closing pawl (25) can be actuated by means of the pre-locking pawl (4).

5. Lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the closing pawl (25) can be brought out of engagement with the rotary latch (3) by means of the pre-locking pawl (4).

6. Lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the closing pawl (25) has a driver (26) wherein the driver (26) projects into a movement range of the pre-locking pawl (25).

7. Lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the pre-locking pawl (4) has a driving contour (27).

8. Lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the closing pawl (25) can be held out of engagement with the rotary latch (3) by means of the pre-locking pawl (4).

9. Lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the pre-locking pawl (4) can be actuated independently of the main locking pawl (5).

10. Lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that by means of the pre-locking pawl (4) it is possible to unlock the locking mechanism (2) and to release the closing pawl (25) from the engagement area with the rotary latch (3).

Images