Motor vehicle lock, in particular motor vehicle door lock

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, which is equipped with a locking mechanism (2, 3) substantially comprising a rotary latch (2) and a pawl (3). Moreover, a locking element (5) is provided in order to block the locking mechanism (2, 3) when acceleration forces of a predefined magnitude occur, for example in the event of an accident. The locking element (5) interacts with a pin (6) on the locking mechanism (2, 3). According to the invention, the locking element (5) is designed as a recess (5) in a lock case (1) which supports the locking mechanism (2, 3) and into which the pin (6) penetrates when the locking mechanism (2, 3) is deflected due to acceleration.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Motor vehicle lock, especially motor vehicle door lock

[0003] The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, with a locking mechanism consisting essentially of a rotary latch and a pawl, and with a locking element for blocking the locking mechanism when acceleration forces of a predetermined magnitude occur, for example in the event of an accident, wherein the locking element interacts with a pin on the locking mechanism.

[0004] When motor vehicle locks, and in particular motor vehicle door locks with a locking mechanism consisting essentially of a rotary latch and pawl, are subjected to high acceleration forces in the event of a crash, it is particularly important to prevent unintentional opening of the locking mechanism. This is because the locking mechanism consisting of the rotary latch and pawl typically assumes its locked position during normal operation of the associated motor vehicle. Various measures are known in the state of the art to ensure that this locked position is maintained even in the event of a crash.

[0005] For example, according to the teaching of DE 10 2013 211 050 A1, an anti-rotation device is provided to prevent the locking mechanism from opening due to impact or impulse. For this purpose, the anti-rotation device can have one or more locking fingers and / or locking stops associated with a blocking lever or release lever. The blocking lever ensures that the pawl is locked in its detent position. The release lever, on the other hand, can be used to open the locking mechanism.

[0006] The anti-rotation device is designed in such a way that the locking lever is blocked in the event of a shock-induced or impulse-induced movement. Blocking the locking lever prevents the locking mechanism from being accidentally opened, as this requires the locking lever to be lifted from its position blocking the pawl. This is technologically relatively complex.

[0007] Another approach, according to the generic prior art described in EP 2 633 140 B1, involves deflecting a locking element due to the acceleration forces observed, for example, during an accident. The locking element engages the locking mechanism and holds it in place even after the acceleration forces have ceased, until an actuating lever mechanism applies pressure to the locking mechanism again. This provides a functional crash lock while simultaneously enabling the vehicle door lock to be operated smoothly and easily after the crash.

[0008] For this purpose, the locking element is constructed in two parts, with a locking pawl and a ground lever. The locking pawl and ground lever are rotatable and mounted on the same axis. This design, too, requires a relatively complex construction, as it also requires the ground lever and locking pawl. Furthermore, malfunctions cannot be completely ruled out.

[0009] Fundamentally, it must be considered that such motor vehicle locks, and especially motor vehicle door locks, are often intended to fulfill their function for years, if not decades. As a result, an effective crash lock may need to continue to function reliably even decades later. This is not always guaranteed due to possible contamination, corrosion, etc. The invention aims to remedy this situation.

[0010] The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing a motor vehicle lock and in particular a motor vehicle door lock of the type described above in such a way that an effective crash lock can be realized in a simple manner while taking into account a functional and durable construction.

[0011] To solve this technical problem, the invention proposes, in a generic motor vehicle lock and in particular a motor vehicle door lock, that the locking element is designed as a recess in a lock case supporting the locking mechanism, into which the pin is inserted when the locking mechanism is deflected due to acceleration.

[0012] The invention is based, first of all, on the realization that an additional locking element or a supplementary blocking pawl including a mass lever, as in the generic prior art according to EP 2 633 140 B1, is fundamentally unnecessary. This is because the function of the mass lever including the blocking pawl is ultimately performed by a locking element. The locking element can be the rotary latch and / or the pawl as a component of the locking mechanism.

[0013] Since the locking element in question is equipped with the pin arranged thereon, any deformation or displacement of the locking element in question caused by acceleration forces will cause the pin provided on the locking element to enter the recess. This blocks the locking element in question and consequently prevents the locking mechanism from opening accidentally.

[0014] As soon as the corresponding and acceleration-induced deflection of the locking mechanism is completed, the locking mechanism or the locking element equipped with the pin can return to its undeflected normal position. This also corresponds to the pin leaving the recess in the lock case supporting the locking mechanism. As a result, the locking mechanism is free again and is no longer blocked. This means that once the acceleration forces have ceased, normal functionality of the

[0015] Locking is to be expected.

[0016] At the same time, unintentional openings are effectively prevented when high acceleration forces occur. These high acceleration forces lead to the deformation or displacement of the locking element equipped with the pin, so that the pin provided on the locking element in question enters the recess in the lock case, thereby blocking the locking element in question. This then applies in the same way to the entire locking mechanism in its closed position. All of this is achieved in a strikingly simple manner, i.e., without the blocking pawl and mass lever used in the generic state of the art. Rather, their function is ultimately taken over by the locking element equipped with the pin.

[0017] As a result, not only can a simple design be expected, but also long-term functionality. This is because the locking mechanism of the motor vehicle lock according to the invention is moved regularly, so that any sticking, corrosion, etc., cannot occur at this point, purely due to its design. This is where the key advantages lie.

[0018] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the design is such that the pin and the locking element equipped with it are manufactured separately from one another. As a result of the separate production, the locking element and the pin are subsequently combined with one another. This can be achieved and implemented according to the invention by connecting the pin to the locking element in question. Various options have proven advantageous here. For example, the pin can be riveted, welded, screwed or otherwise connected and coupled to the locking element, preferably permanently. In a particularly preferred and cost-effective variant, the pin and the locking element are manufactured together. In this case, the pin can be stamped into the locking element or generally integrated.For example, the locking element may be subjected to a stamp which defines the pin by deep drawing or stamping it into the locking element.

[0019] As already explained, the locking element equipped with the pin can be the pawl, the rotary latch, or both. Typically, the pin is arranged on the rotary latch. The invention is based on the knowledge that the rotary latch is typically equipped with a load arm and a catch arm, which form an inlet opening between them for the locking bolt to retract and be caught therein. The motor vehicle lock is usually located in or on an associated motor vehicle door, whereas the locking bolt is mounted on the body.

[0020] If high acceleration forces occur, for example in a crash, the locking bolt caught in the inlet mouth of the rotary latch ensures that the locking bolt moves, for example, in a longitudinal direction in relation to the associated vehicle. As a result, the rotary latch is also displaced in this longitudinal direction. As the rotary latch is typically equipped with the relevant pin on its load arm, the overall design can be such that if the rotary latch is displaced in the relevant longitudinal direction, the pin engages in the recess. This can mostly be done with a form-fitting connection. In fact, the procedure is usually such that both the pin and the recess are polygonal. For example, the pin and the recess may each be triangular. This is of course only an example and is by no means mandatory. I.e.The pin and the recess are generally arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle when installed. If a crash or head-on collision occurs, resulting in increased acceleration forces acting in this longitudinal direction, the locking bolt is moved relative to the rotary latch equipped with the pin. As a result, the rotary latch also experiences at least a slight movement in this longitudinal direction.

[0021] Since the rotary latch is equipped with the pin arranged on it, its movement in this longitudinal direction corresponds to the pin engaging in the recess in the lock case. For this purpose, the recess is arranged in such a way that the pin can engage with it when the locking mechanism is in the closed position, but otherwise (i.e. outside of the closed position) no interaction is observed. This occurs as long as the acceleration forces act on the locking bolt and thus also on the rotary latch. Once the increased acceleration forces have ceased, the rotary latch and its pin can then be removed from the recess or move back to its normal position and the normal functionality of the locking mechanism is then restored. These are the main advantages.

[0022] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing which merely represents an exemplary embodiment; in the drawings:

[0023] Fig. 1A and 1B show the motor vehicle lock according to the invention in the form of a motor vehicle door lock in different views and

[0024] Fig. 2A and 2B show two different embodiments of the rotary latch in the illustrated motor vehicle lock.

[0025] The figures depict a motor vehicle lock, which, according to the exemplary embodiment, is a motor vehicle door lock. This lock is reduced to the elements essential to the invention. Thus, in Fig. 1A, a lock case 1, generally made of high-strength steel, is shown, in which a locking mechanism 2, 3 consisting of a rotary latch 2 and a pawl 3 is mounted. The locking mechanism 2, 3 can interact with a locking bolt 4.

[0026] In the illustration according to Fig. 1A, the overall design is such that the lock case 1 is connected to a motor vehicle door (not shown in detail). The locking bolt 4, on the other hand, is located on the body side, i.e., is connected to a motor vehicle body (not shown), for example, screwed to it. Furthermore, the design is such that the locking bolt 4, in the schematic sectional illustration according to Fig. 1B, moves in a longitudinal direction X in the event that the motor vehicle equipped with the motor vehicle lock or motor vehicle door lock in question impacts an obstacle in said longitudinal direction X. In this case, high and acceleration-related inertial forces occur in said longitudinal direction X, which are illustrated in Fig. 1B by the corresponding arrow X.

[0027] In order to realize and implement a blocking of the locking mechanism 2, 3 in such a crash, for example in the event of an accident, a locking element 5 is provided according to the invention. Furthermore, the locking mechanism 2, 3 is equipped with a pin 6, which interacts with the locking element 5, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0028] In fact, the locking element 5 within the scope of the invention is a recess 5 in the lock case 1 supporting the locking mechanism 2, 3. Consequently, the pin 6 can enter the recess 5 in question upon acceleration-induced deflection of the locking mechanism 2, 3. This applies at least when the locking mechanism 2, 3 assumes its closed position - as shown. Specifically, and in accordance with the exemplary embodiment, the pin 6 is arranged on the rotary latch 2, as the two exemplary embodiments in Figs. 2A and 2B illustrate. In principle, however, the pawl 3 can also be equipped with such a pin 6. Furthermore, it is within the scope of the invention to equip both the pawl 3 and the rotary latch 2 with their own pin 6, although this is not shown.

[0029] Based on the exemplary embodiment, it can be seen that the pin 6 and the locking element 2, 3 equipped with it, specifically the rotary latch 2, can be manufactured separately and combined with each other. This can be seen in Fig. 2B in the variant shown there. At this point, it can be seen that the pin 6 is manufactured separately from the rotary latch 2 and combined with it. This can be achieved by riveting or welding the pin 6 to the rotary latch 2, or coupling it in some other way, as already described in the introduction.

[0030] In the alternative variant shown in Fig. 2A, the pin 6 and the respective locking element 2, specifically the rotary latch 2, are formed as a single piece. In this case, the pin 6 and the respective locking element or rotary latch 2 are manufactured together. This can be achieved by stamping the pin 6 into the rotary latch 2.

[0031] The pin 6 is not only provided on the rotary latch 2 in the exemplary embodiment. In addition, the design is such that the pin 6 is arranged on a load arm 2a of the rotary latch 2. In fact, the rotary latch 2 has the aforementioned load arm 2a on the one hand and an additional catch arm 2b on the other, which define an inlet mouth 7 for the locking bolt 4 caught therein in the closed position according to Fig. 1A. The locking bolt 4 lies on the load arm 2a in the closed position of the locking mechanism 2, 3. It can be seen that during an acceleration-induced deformation or movement of the rotary latch 2 in the longitudinal direction X, as shown in Fig. 1B, the pin 6 and the recess 5 largely engage with one another in a form-fitting manner. For this purpose, the pin 6 and the recess 5 are polygonal in the exemplary embodiment. With reference to Fig. 2A and Fig.1A shows that at this point, both the pin 6 and the recess 5 are triangular, which is of course only an example and is in no way restrictive. Furthermore, the design is such that, when installed in a motor vehicle (not shown), the pin 6 and the recess 5 are arranged in the longitudinal direction X of the motor vehicle, as can be clearly seen from the illustration in Fig. 1B.

[0032] The rotary latch 2, like the pawl 3, can be made of high-strength steel. To create the pin 6 by stamping in the variant shown in Fig. 2A, the rotary latch 2 can be deformed using a corresponding deep-drawing die, which ensures that the pin 6 protrudes from a surface of the rotary latch 2 on the load arm 2a. This surface of the rotary latch 2 is the one that, in the event of a crash, is deformed or moved in the longitudinal direction X toward the lock case 1 supporting the locking mechanism 2, 3. This is ensured by the locking bolt 4, which is also displaced in the relevant longitudinal direction X and captured by the locking mechanism 2, 3 in the closed position.

[0033] As soon as the corresponding acceleration-related forces are eliminated, the rotary latch 2 can again assume its normal functional position as shown in Fig. 1 B, so that in this normal position, there is no longer any blockage caused by the pin 6 engaging in the recess 5. This allows the locking mechanism 2, 3 to be opened easily during normal operation and after a crash. This represents the main advantages.

[0034] Lock case 1 Rotary latch 2 Locking element 2 Load arm 2a Catch arm 2b Locking mechanism 2, 3 Pawl 3 Locking bolt 4 Locking element 5 Recess 5 Pin 6 Inlet opening 7 Longitudinal direction X Arrow X

Claims

Patent claims 1. Motor vehicle lock, in particular motor vehicle door lock, with a locking mechanism (2, 3) essentially consisting of a rotary latch (2) and a pawl (3), and with a locking element (5) for blocking the locking mechanism (2, 3) when acceleration forces of a predetermined magnitude occur, for example in the event of an accident, wherein the locking element (5) interacts with a pin (6) on the locking mechanism (2, 3), characterized in that the locking element (5) is designed as a recess (5) in a lock case (1) supporting the locking mechanism (2, 3), into which recess the pin (6) engages when the locking mechanism (2, 3) is deflected due to acceleration.

2. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 1, characterized in that the pin (6) and the locking element (2) equipped therewith are manufactured separately from one another and combined with one another.

3. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 2, characterized in that the pin (6) is connected to the locking element (2), for example riveted, welded, screwed or otherwise connected to it.

4. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pin (6) and the locking element (2) are manufactured together.

5. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 4, characterized in that the pin (6) is embossed into the locking element (2).

6. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the pin (6) is arranged on the rotary latch (2) as a locking element (2).

7. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 6, characterized in that the pin (6) is provided on a load arm (2a) of the rotary latch (2).

8. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the pin (6) and the recess (5) largely engage in a form-fitting manner.

9. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 8, characterized in that the pin (6) and the recess (5) are polygonal, for example triangular.

10. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the pin (6) and the recess (5) are arranged in the installed state in a motor vehicle in its longitudinal direction (X).

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