Lock for a motor vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle door lock

Abstract

The invention relates to a lock (1) for a motor vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle door lock (1), having a locking mechanism (2) with a rotary latch (4) and a pawl (3); an actuation lever (11, 12), by means of which the locking mechanism (2) can be unlocked; and a locking lever (20), by means of which the locking mechanism (2) can be prevented from unlocking on the basis of the effect of a pulsed vehicle acceleration (F), wherein the locking lever (20) can be brought into direct engagement with the pawl (3).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Lock for a motor vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle door lock

[0003] The invention relates to a lock for a motor vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, comprising a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and a pawl, an actuating lever, wherein the locking mechanism can be unlocked by means of the actuating lever, and a locking lever, wherein unlocking of the locking mechanism can be prevented by means of the locking lever depending on the action of an impulse-like vehicle acceleration.

[0004] Today's motor vehicles are increasingly being integrated with occupant safety systems designed to protect the vehicle's users in the event of an accident. These safety systems can be integrated directly into the vehicle's lock or locking system. This eliminates the need for additional systems that might be located in the door handle, for example. The lock therefore has an additional function: to prevent the lock from being opened in the event of an accident. This can occur, for example, if a door handle is actuated by a sudden acceleration of the vehicle following an accident, so that an opening movement is transmitted from the door handle to the locking system. Integrated safety systems have been developed to prevent the lock from being opened in this case.

[0005] A motor vehicle lock typically incorporates locking mechanisms consisting of a rotary latch and a pawl. The locking mechanism in the lock interacts with a lock holder, which is attached either to the vehicle body or to the door, hatch, sliding door, etc. The relative movement between the lock holder and the rotary latch causes the rotary latch to pivot, while at the same time the pawl, usually spring-loaded, engages with the rotary latch. Depending on the design, there are single- or two-stage locking mechanisms, which can then have a pre-locking and / or a main locking position. The pawl is preferably spring-loaded to engage the rotary latch.To unlock, i.e., to release the pawl from the rotary latch, the pawl must be disengaged from the rotary latch using an operating lever, which moves the rotary latch from the locked position into an open position. The rotary latch is usually moved by a spring element and / or due to a tensile load resulting from the lock holder in combination with a door seal.

[0006] The operating lever can be an internal or external operating lever, for example. The locking mechanism can be unlocked using the operating lever.

[0007] DE 10 2014 001 490 A1 discloses an inertia-based actuation system for a release mechanism for unlocking a locking mechanism. An actuation lever interacts with a clutch lever pivotally mounted on a release lever. A spring mounted on the actuation lever engages the clutch lever, thus enabling the clutch lever to engage when the actuation lever is actuated. In the engaged state, a locking mechanism can be unlocked using a release lever. Additionally, a locking lever is provided, which can be used to disengage the clutch lever, as well as in the event of an inertia-related accident.

[0008] DE 103 45 104 A1 can be regarded as the prior art of this type. This document discloses a motor vehicle door lock which is equipped with a locking mechanism, furthermore with at least one operating lever for triggering the locking mechanism and with a locking lever which blocks the operating lever at predetermined vehicle accelerations. In this way, the locking lever in its triggered position prevents unintentional opening of the locking mechanism. The locking lever is arranged on a trigger lever and slides past a guide surface. The locking lever rests against the guide surface under spring tension. If, in the event of impulsive vehicle acceleration, a force acts on the motor vehicle lock, the locking lever is deflected and reaches an end stop arranged on the guide surface. This end stop prevents movement orblocks the movement of the release lever, preventing unintentional opening of the vehicle lock.

[0009] The safety systems known from the state of the art have generally proven themselves. However, the demands placed on these safety systems are constantly increasing. Electromobility in vehicles, in particular, requires the use of larger and increasingly larger batteries. These large batteries increase the weight of the vehicles, which leads to greater impulses in the event of an accident. To cope with these higher weights and the increasing impulsive vehicle accelerations in the event of an accident, solutions must be provided to provide safety systems that protect the occupants even in these cases. This is where the invention comes in.

[0010] The object of the invention is to provide an improved lock for a motor vehicle. Furthermore, the object of the invention is to provide a mass-based actuation system for a motor vehicle lock that ensures secure locking of the lock even in the event of an increased impulse and prevents unintentional opening of the lock.

[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, the subclaims, and the drawings are possible.According to claim 1, the object of the invention is achieved by providing a lock for a motor vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, comprising a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and a pawl, an operating lever, the locking mechanism being unlockable by means of the operating lever, and a locking lever, the locking lever being able to prevent unlocking of the locking mechanism in response to the action of a pulse-like vehicle acceleration, and the locking lever being able to engage directly with the pawl. The inventive design of the motor vehicle lock now creates the possibility of providing a motor vehicle lock with which unlocking of the locking mechanism can be prevented independently of the operating lever chain.Direct access to the pawl ensures that the locking mechanism remains closed, i.e., locked, in the event of acceleration of the operating lever. This is independent of the inner or outer operating lever, since the operating levers can unlock the locking mechanism independently of one another. If the locking lever is brought into direct engagement with the pawl using the inventive design, the locking mechanism itself is secured by the locking lever; the movements of the operating levers thus have no influence on the unlocking of the locking mechanism in the event of an accident.

[0012] When, according to the invention, a lock for a motor vehicle is referred to, this refers to locking systems used in motor vehicles. This can be a locking system or motor vehicle lock for hoods, side doors, sliding doors, tailgates, covers, or other locking systems in motor vehicles, in fact, anywhere where pivoting or displaceable components must be securely positioned and held during operation of the motor vehicle. The invention preferably relates to motor vehicle door locks. This is because in the event of an accident, and in particular a side impact on the motor vehicle, forces are generated that cause movement of both the outside and inside door handles. A coordinate system is usually inserted into the motor vehicle, with the vehicle's longitudinal direction being referred to as the x-direction, the vehicle's transverse direction as the y-direction, and the vertical as the z-direction.A side impact therefore causes an impulse-like force in the y-direction to act on the motor vehicle. If, in the event of an accident or a side impact, an impulse is exerted on the motor vehicle, a door handle, in particular an exterior door handle, can be accelerated and, if the door is unlocked, cause the locking mechanism to unlock. The invention counteracts this unintentional opening of the lock by counteracting this impulse when the force in the y-direction acts on the motor vehicle and moving the locking lever towards the pawl. Since in this case the locking lever is moved due to mass inertia, the locking lever can also be referred to as a mass inertia lever.

[0013] The lock has a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and a pawl. In the present case, the invention relates to a lock with a locking mechanism consisting of a rotary latch and a pawl. The rotary latch and pawl preferably interact directly, but can also interact with the pawl via a connector or connecting link. The connector can be arranged on one side of a lock case and be firmly connected via an axis to the rotary latch connected to an opposite side of the lock case.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lock has an external operating lever and an internal operating lever, with the external operating lever and the internal operating lever acting directly on the pawl. The present lock according to the invention is structurally simple in that it dispenses with intermediate lever mechanisms, such as a release lever. The internal operating lever and external operating lever are pivotally mounted in the motor vehicle lock and are pivotally mounted, for example, directly in a lock case or indirectly via an axle in the motor vehicle lock. Additionally, a locking lever can be provided, with the locking lever being able to disengage the external operating lever.For this purpose, the external operating lever can be slidably mounted in the bearing point and can be disengaged from the pawl by moving it using the locking lever.

[0015] In a further embodiment, the locking lever is pivotally mounted in the lock, particularly in the lock case. The lock has a lock case, which is preferably L-shaped. A first leg of the L-shape carries the locking mechanism and is preferably arranged along a door rebate, for example in a side door of a motor vehicle. This arrangement enables the rotary latch to interact with a lock holder arranged, for example, on a B-pillar of a motor vehicle. Another leg of the lock case extends at right angles to the first leg and serves to mount the interior operating lever and the locking lever. The exterior operating lever is preferably pivotally and displaceably mounted on the first leg, i.e., the leg that carries the locking mechanism. The lock case is preferably formed integrally from sheet steel.The inclusion of the locking lever in the first leg of the lock case allows for the locking lever to be mounted and engaged with the locking mechanism or pawl with minimal structural effort. This allows for a structurally simple design with the fewest possible components.

[0016] It can be advantageous if the locking lever can be held in an initial position by means of a spring element, in particular a leg spring. The locking lever is pivotally mounted in the lock case and is mounted, for example, by means of a pivot axis in the lock case. If the locking lever is mounted on the pivot axis, the locking lever can be positioned in the vehicle lock using the spring element. In addition to positioning the locking lever, the leg spring or spring element has another task. The leg spring holds the locking lever in its initial position. If the vehicle lock, and thus the vehicle, is subjected to an impulse, the mobility of the locking lever can be adjusted using the spring element. In particular, the spring element can be used to adjust the impulse at which the locking lever or the inertia element engages with the pawl.The leg spring is thus a functional element that adjusts the release force for the locking lever to engage the locking mechanism. A leg spring is preferred for this purpose because it is easy to integrate or adapt into a pivoting component.

[0017] The leg spring can rest on the lock case on the one hand and on the locking lever itself on the other. In the event of impulsive vehicle acceleration, the locking lever can pivot into the movement range of the pawl. This inventive lock design enables the locking lever to follow the impulse directly. In particular, the pivoting bearing in combination with the spring element makes it possible for the pivoting movement to be initiated depending on the impulse. In any case, the pivoting movement can follow the impulse directly, so that a delay-free movement and thus a delay-free locking of the locking mechanism can be enabled and adjusted even in the event of large, impulsive vehicle accelerations. Furthermore, the pivoting bearing offers a structurally simple solution for accommodating the locking lever.

[0018] Advantageously, the locking lever can have at least one stop surface, wherein the stop surface can be brought into engagement with the pawl. The locking lever interacts directly with the pawl. If the locking lever now has a stop surface, the depth of engagement of the locking lever into the pawl can be limited or adjusted. The stop surface also offers the advantage that secure engagement with the pawl can be achieved. If the stop surface rests against the pawl, the locking lever blocks the movement of the pawl. Preferably, the stop is arranged at an axial end of the locking lever and formed integrally with the locking lever as an extension of the locking lever. The locking lever therefore has at least one shoulder, wherein the shoulder defines the width of the depth of engagement into the pawl.On the one hand, the stop surface can define the engagement conditions in the pawl, but the stop surface can also serve as a stop surface in the initial position of the locking lever.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an advantage arises when a locking cylinder is arranged on the lock in such a way that the external operating lever can be actuated by means of the locking cylinder. The external operating lever is pivotally mounted in the motor vehicle lock. A locking cylinder arranged on the motor vehicle door interacts with the external operating lever directly or via a slide. By means of the slide, the external operating lever can be moved from a locked position to an unlocked position. For this purpose, the slide arranged on the locking cylinder interacts with a bevel on the external operating lever, so that the pivoting movement of the locking cylinder results in a linear movement of the external operating lever. The external operating lever can therefore be moved into an unlocked and a locked position by means of the locking cylinder.In the unlocked position, the external operating lever is disengaged from the locking pawl. This again demonstrates the simple design of the vehicle lock and thus the advantage of providing a high level of functionality in the vehicle lock using the simplest construction methods.

[0020] If the external operating lever is positioned by a compression spring or held in an initial position by the compression spring, another embodiment of the invention can be achieved. The compression spring can hold the external operating lever in its initial position. The compression spring offers a structurally advantageous means for stabilizing the initial position of the external operating lever. Thus, with the simplest design, a motor vehicle lock can be provided that, in combination with the locking lever, offers high functionality and crash safety.

[0021] It can also be advantageous if the pawls engage with each other by means of a spring element, in particular a tension spring. The pawl can be connected to the pawl via a spring element or indirectly to the rotary latch via the connector. The tension spring can, on the one hand, hold the pawl in contact with the rotary latch or the connector, and, on the other hand, the tension spring can serve to open the rotary latch or move the rotary latch in the opening direction. The tension spring thus has a dual function. On the one hand, the tension spring serves to position the pawl and, on the other hand, to support the movement of the rotary latch.

[0022] The inventive design of the motor vehicle lock makes it possible to provide a high degree of security in the motor vehicle lock using the simplest construction methods. In particular, the motor vehicle lock can be adapted to the increased demands of the automotive industry, particularly the associated higher weights of electric and hybrid vehicles. The locking lever can be adapted to the specific requirements of the motor vehicle as a simple construction in combination with a spring element.

[0023] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings using a preferred embodiment. However, the principle applies that the embodiment does not limit the invention, but merely represents an advantageous embodiment. The features presented can be implemented individually or in combination with other features of the description and the patent claims.

[0024] It shows:

[0025] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional view of a mechanism of the motor vehicle lock,

[0026] Figure 2 is a detailed view of the motor vehicle lock according to Figure 1 with a locking lever, wherein the locking lever is shown out of engagement with the locking mechanism, and Figure 3 is a view of the locking lever in the motor vehicle lock, wherein the locking lever is shown in a blocking position.

[0027] Figure 1 shows a motor vehicle lock 1 in a three-dimensional view, with only the components of the lock necessary for explanation being shown. The motor vehicle lock has a locking mechanism 2 with a pawl 3 and a rotary latch 4. The rotary latch 4 is arranged outside a lock case 5 and is firmly connected to a connector 7 via an axle 6. All components, rotary latch 4, axle 6 and connector 7, are made of steel and are permanently connected to one another. The pawl 3 interacts with the connector 7 so that one or two detent positions can be realized in the locking mechanism 2. The connector 7 and thus the rotary latch 4 are connected to one another via a spring element 8. The spring element 8 is preferably designed as a tension spring so that the pawl 3 is spring-loaded in the direction of the connector 7 in the motor vehicle lock 1.The locking mechanism 2 and in particular the pawl 3 and the rotary latch 4 are pivotally or rotatably mounted in the lock case 5. The lock case 5 is L-shaped, with the locking mechanism 2 being mounted on a first leg 9 and a second leg 10 extending at right angles to the first leg 9.

[0028] To unlock the locking mechanism 2, either the inner operating lever 11 or the outer operating lever 12 can be moved. The outer operating lever 12 is pivoted clockwise in the direction of arrow P1 around the axis 13, and the inner operating lever 11 is moved around the axis 14 in the direction of arrow P in order to contact the pawl 3 and disengage it from the rotary latch 4 or the connector 7. Using the locking lever 14, the outer operating lever 12 can be moved linearly in the direction of arrow P3, whereby a shoulder 15 on the outer operating lever 12 disengages from the pawl 3, so that actuation of the outer operating lever 12 does not unlock the locking mechanism 2. The outer operating lever 12 itself is held in its initial position shown in Figure 1 by means of a compression spring.The interior operating lever 11, in turn, is spring-loaded by a leg spring 17, with the spring preload acting clockwise, so that the interior operating lever 11 rests spring-loaded against a bevel 18 of the lock case 5. Actuation of the interior operating lever 11 in the direction of arrow P2 must therefore occur against the force of the leg spring 17. The actuation or locking of the motor vehicle lock 1 occurs by a movement of the locking lever 14 by a pivoting movement of the locking lever 14 in the direction of arrow P4, wherein the locking lever 14 is in turn pivotably received in the further leg 10 of the motor vehicle lock 1. A pivoting movement of the locking lever 14 in the direction of arrow P4 causes a linear movement of the exterior operating lever 12 in the direction of arrow P3.

[0029] Figure 1 also shows a bearing point 19 in which a locking lever 20 can be pivotally mounted. In this embodiment, the bearing point is formed integrally from the lock case 5, thus providing a structurally advantageous mounting for the locking lever 20. The function of the locking lever 20 is explained in the following Figures 2 and 3.

[0030] Figure 2 shows an enlarged view of the motor vehicle lock in the area of ​​the bearing point of the locking lever 20. Identical components are provided with the same reference numerals. The locking lever 20 is pivotally mounted about an axis 21 in the motor vehicle lock 1. In Figure 2, the locking lever 20 is shown in its initial position, so that actuation of the external actuation lever 12 causes the locking pawl 3 to pivot in the direction of arrow P4, i.e., clockwise. The shoulder 15 interacts with the locking pawl 3, so that the locking pawl 3 is released from engagement with the connector 7. Figure 2 shows that the locking pawl 3 bears against an engagement surface or latching surface 22 on the connector 7, so that the rotary latch 4 is held in a latching position.Actuation of the external operating lever 12 consequently disengages the rotary latch 3 from the connector 7 by pivoting the locking pawl 3 in the direction of arrow P4. This pivoting movement is initiated by the shoulder 15 in the locking pawl 3. The locking lever 20 lies outside the pivoting range 23 of the locking pawl 3.

[0031] If, for example, an accident causes a force F to act on the motor vehicle lock 1 through a pulse-like acceleration, the inertia of the locking lever 20 causes the locking lever 20 to move in the direction of arrow P5, causing a stop 24 to bear against the pawl 3. An impulsive movement, for example of an outside door handle, would result in a movement of the outside operating lever 12 in the direction of arrow P1 if the motor vehicle lock 1 were unlocked, causing the pawl 3 to be lifted off the rotary latch and, in particular, the connector 7. This pivoting movement of the rotary latch 3 is prevented by the locking lever 20 in the position shown in Figure 3. Depending on the position of the stop 24 at the axial end of the locking lever 20, an overlap 26 results between the pawl 3 and the locking lever 20.

[0032] The movement of the locking lever 20 is due to inertia and acts against the force of a spring element 27, wherein the spring element 27, as shown in the exemplary embodiment, is preferably a leg spring 27. The movement of the locking lever is due to inertia and counteracts the force F from the impulsive acceleration, for example, from the impact of another motor vehicle, wherein the locking lever 20 is to be designed with respect to the mass moment of inertia and the spring element 27. In any case, the locking lever 20 prevents an unintentional opening of the locking mechanism 2, whereby the locking mechanism 2 remains locked regardless of any movement of the inner operating lever 11 and / or the outer operating lever 12.

[0033] The locking mechanism 2 is locked by the locking lever 20, independently of the movement of the actuating levers 11, 12. Thus, a motor vehicle lock 1 can be set with great security and depending on the required pulse-like acceleration, i.e. the multiple of the acceleration due to gravity in the motor vehicle lock, by adapting the mass of the locking lever 20, the overlap 26 and the spring constant of the spring element 27 to the requirements.

[0034] List of reference symbols

[0035] 1 vehicle lock

[0036] 2 locking devices

[0037] 3 pawl

[0038] 4 rotary latch

[0039] 5 lock case

[0040] 6, 13, 21 axis

[0041] 7 connectors

[0042] 8, 27 spring element

[0043] 9, 10 legs

[0044] 11 Internal operating lever

[0045] 12 external operating levers

[0046] 14 locking lever

[0047] 15 paragraph

[0048] 16 compression spring

[0049] 17 torsion spring

[0050] 18 Bending

[0051] 19 storage location

[0052] 20 locking levers

[0053] 22 Rest area

[0054] 23 Swivel range

[0055] 24 stops

[0056] 25 axial end

[0057] 26 Coverage

[0058] P1, P2, P3, P4, P5 arrow

[0059] F Force

Claims

Patent claims 1. Lock (1) for a motor vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle door lock (1), comprising a locking mechanism (2) with a rotary latch (4) and a pawl (3), an actuating lever (11, 12), the locking mechanism (2) being able to be unlocked by means of the actuating lever (11, 12), and a locking lever (20), the locking mechanism (2) being able to be prevented from being unlocked by means of the locking lever (20) as a function of the action of a pulse-like vehicle acceleration (F), characterized in that the locking lever (20) can be brought into direct engagement with the pawl (3).

2. Lock (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the external operating lever (11) and the internal operating lever (12) act directly on the pawl (3).

3. Lock (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking lever (20) is pivotally mounted in the lock (1), in particular in a lock case (5).

4. Lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the locking lever (20) can be held in an initial position by means of a spring element (27), in particular a leg spring (27).

5. Lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the locking lever (20) can be pivoted into a movement range, in particular a pivoting range (23), of the locking pawl (3) in the event of a pulse-like vehicle acceleration.

6. Lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the locking lever (20) has at least one stop surface (24), wherein the stop surface (24) can be brought into engagement with the locking pawl (3).

7. Lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a locking cylinder is arranged on the lock (1) in such a way that the external operating lever (12) can be actuated by means of the locking cylinder.

8. Lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the external operating lever (12) can be positioned, in particular held in its initial position, by means of a compression spring (16).

9. Lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the locking pawl (3) engages with the rotary latch (4) by means of a spring element (8), in particular a tension spring (8).

10. Lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the rotary latch (4) has a connector (7).

Images