Motor vehicle lock

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle tailgate lock, which is equipped with a locking mechanism (4, 5) substantially consisting of a rotary latch (4) and a pawl (5). Furthermore, an additional reinforcing element (9) couples the rotary pin of the rotary latch (4) to the rotary pin of the pawl (5) at a distance to a lock case (6). According to the invention, the reinforcing element (9) is additionally connected to a door panel (1) or a vehicle body component.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Motor vehicle lock

[0003] The invention relates to a motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle tailgate lock, with a locking mechanism consisting essentially of a rotary latch and a pawl, and with an additional reinforcing element which couples at least both axes of rotation of the rotary latch on the one hand and the pawl on the other hand at a distance to one another to form a lock case.

[0004] In the generic state of the art according to DE 20 2012 007 326 U1, the reinforcement element ensures, in particular, improved crash safety and reliably prevents malfunctions while maintaining a simple design. Such crash situations generally correspond to the locking mechanism performing or potentially performing an unintentional opening movement. As a result, there is a possibility that a motor vehicle door previously held by the lock holder may accidentally open and no longer protect the vehicle's occupants.

[0005] In fact, the accidental opening of a vehicle door means that safety features designed for this purpose, such as side airbags, side impact protection, etc., are no longer effective. Furthermore, when the vehicle door is open, the door in question can no longer contribute to the stiffening of the body. Accordingly, it is important to ensure, especially in the event of a crash, that the locking mechanism consisting of the rotary latch and pawl still securely holds the lock holder or a striker provided at this location.

[0006] The previously cited and generic prior art according to DE 20 2012 007 326 U1 has proven successful. The reinforcement element is typically a reinforcement plate arranged coplanar with the bearing plane of the locking mechanism. In this way, the reinforcement plate and the bearing plane for the locking mechanism, in conjunction with the bearing pins defining the respective rotational axes, define a supporting structure with a rectangular cross-section. With the help of this supporting structure, forces acting on the motor vehicle lock according to the invention, and in particular the lock case, in the event of a crash are absorbed particularly effectively and transmitted to the associated motor vehicle door or the motor vehicle body.

[0007] In fact, a lock holder or striker that interacts with the motor vehicle lock is usually provided on the body side, whereas the motor vehicle lock is located and attached in or on the associated motor vehicle door. The term "motor vehicle door" is to be interpreted broadly, so that it includes not only, for example, motor vehicle side doors or motor vehicle tailgates. Rather, the term "motor vehicle door" generally encompasses, within the scope of the invention, motor vehicle hoods, but also motor vehicle fuel caps, motor vehicle loading lids, or any other motor vehicle flaps in or on an associated motor vehicle.

[0008] The known procedures have proven successful, but still offer room for improvement. For example, the reinforcing element, typically designed as a reinforcing plate, ultimately stiffens the lock case and the bearing bolts that define the rotation axes. This defines the supporting structure mentioned above. This means that any forces absorbed by the reinforcing element are ultimately transmitted into the vehicle door via the bearing bolts and the lock case if the lock case is screwed to the vehicle door. The same naturally applies if the lock case is attached to a vehicle body, which is also possible. In this case, the associated vehicle door has the lock holder that interacts with the vehicle lock. As a result, forces acting on the reinforcing element are indirectly transmitted to the vehicle door orThe force is introduced into the motor vehicle body, namely via the bearing bolts or the lock case. This can result in a reduced effectiveness of the power transmission if, for example, one or both bearing bolts, in conjunction with any additional fastening bolts, are deformed during this process. As a result, a loss of strength, particularly in the event of a crash, or a loss of effective power transmission can be observed. The invention aims to remedy this situation.

[0009] The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a motor vehicle lock and in particular a motor vehicle tailgate lock in such a way that the force introduction into the motor vehicle door or motor vehicle body is improved, in particular in the event of a crash.

[0010] To solve this technical problem, the invention proposes, in a generic motor vehicle lock, that the reinforcing element not only couples the two axes of rotation of the rotary latch on the one hand and the pawl on the other hand at a minimum distance from the lock case, but is also connected to a door leaf or a body component.

[0011] According to the invention, the reinforcing element not only stiffens the lock case or the locking mechanism's rotational axes, typically defined by bearing pins, but also provides a connection to the door leaf or a body component. The former case corresponds to the motor vehicle lock according to the invention being fastened in or to a motor vehicle door. In this case, the reinforcing element not only stiffens the bearing pins defining the locking mechanism's rotational axes, and thus the lock case. The reinforcing element also ultimately ensures a coupling of the door leaf to the lock case, in addition to the already provided fastening of the lock case to the respective door leaf.In this way, any forces acting on the locking mechanism, particularly those observed in the event of a crash, are not only transmitted through the lock case into the door leaf, reinforced by the reinforcement element, but also directly into the door leaf in question via the reinforcement element. This further stiffens the door leaf in the area where the lock case is attached, and thus also the vehicle lock itself, preventing functional impairment of the locking mechanism located inside the vehicle lock even in the event of a crash.

[0012] A similar situation applies if, in addition to its stiffening function with regard to the lock case and the bearing bolts, the reinforcing element is alternatively supported on a body component or is connected to such a body component. The body component can be a frame of the vehicle body which supports the corresponding vehicle door. In this case too, the reinforcing element still ensures the stiffening of the lock case and the bearing bolts of the locking mechanism mounted in the lock case, on the one hand, and also ensures that forces acting on the locking mechanism are also transmitted directly via the reinforcing element into the body, on the other hand. In both cases, there is particularly effective force transmission in the event of a crash from the locking mechanism via the lock case into the door leaf or door frame.Body components, on the one hand, and additionally, and on the other, for further force transmission via the respective reinforcement element directly into the door leaf or body component in question. This provides a particularly reliable structure, even in the event of a crash, because it additionally stiffens the door leaf or body component. These are the key advantages.

[0013] To achieve this in detail, the reinforcement element is equipped with a locking plate arranged predominantly parallel to the lock case and a wing cover connected to the door leaf or the body component. This means that the reinforcement element is essentially composed of two different functional elements: the locking plate and the wing cover. While the locking plate typically stiffens the lock case by creating a rectangular supporting structure between the locking plate in question, the bearing bolts, and the lock case, which runs predominantly parallel to them, similar to the previously described prior art according to DE 20 2012 007 326 U1, the wing cover has the additional function of supporting or coupling the reinforcement element directly to the door leaf or the body component.

[0014] For this purpose, the wing hood is usually convexly curved in the closing direction of the associated vehicle door. Since the vehicle door is equipped with a door leaf, the closing direction of the door leaf corresponds to its closing direction. If a crash occurs in such a case, the vehicle door in question is usually subjected to additional stress in this closing direction, especially if it is a tailgate. This allows the forces associated with the crash situation, which predominantly run in the closing direction, to be absorbed particularly effectively by the wing hood, which is convexly curved in this direction and directly connected to the door leaf.

[0015] For this purpose, the wing hood is generally equipped with three wing arms, each of which runs predominantly at right angles to each other. In this context, it has proven particularly advantageous if the middle wing arm is designed with a longitudinal slot. Furthermore, the middle wing arm in question, or the longitudinal slot created at this point, typically has lateral reinforcing ribs. Furthermore, the design is usually such that the middle wing arm with the longitudinal slot is additionally curved like ribs compared to the two lateral wing arms. The previously mentioned reinforcing ribs are typically connected to the longitudinal slot, each at its edge in its longitudinal direction.

[0016] This provides a particularly effective force introduction. This is because the wing cover is convexly curved in the closing direction. If any crash forces act on the motor vehicle lock according to the invention in this closing direction, these are primarily absorbed by the wing cover in question, and in particular by the central wing arm with the longitudinal slot. As a result, the longitudinal slot can open due to deformation. At the same time, however, the two reinforcing ribs, each connected to the longitudinal slot at the edge in the longitudinal direction, ensure that the opening of the longitudinal slot is predominantly symmetrical to an imaginary line of symmetry. Furthermore, the reinforcing ribs prevent any deformation of the central wing arm as well as potential shearing.

[0017] Rather, there is a more or less uniform transfer of force from the door leaf or the tailgate in this example to the wing hood, and here primarily to the center wing arm with the longitudinal slot, which deforms as a result. Nevertheless, the center wing arm, in conjunction with the two side wing arms, ensures that the force associated with a crash is further absorbed by the locking plate connected to the wing hood or integral with it. It is then transferred via the bearing pins and the lock case to the lock holder captured by the locking mechanism, and thus to the body.

[0018] In any case, this results in a particularly rigid design of the door leaf, thus preventing any deformation of the locking mechanism in the event of a crash, which could allow the door leaf or the associated vehicle door or vehicle tailgate to open inadvertently. In this context, it has also proven useful if the longitudinal slot ends in a cross-section at the end. This allows for particularly effective deformations and, in particular, upward curvatures of the central leaf arm with the central longitudinal slot and the lateral reinforcing ribs. Further reinforcement measures are provided in such a way that additional reinforcing ribs are implemented in addition to the reinforcing ribs running along the edges in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal slot. These additional reinforcing ribs can be provided on the edges of the reinforcing hood in the area of ​​the two lateral leaf arms.These additional reinforcing ribs are usually found at least in the corresponding fastening areas, with the help of which the two side wing arms are fixed to the door leaf.

[0019] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle lock assembly comprising a door leaf and a motor vehicle lock of the described design. Furthermore, a body-side lock holder is provided in this context. The motor vehicle lock assembly according to the invention has a front cover for the motor vehicle lock and a hood-side receptacle for the lock holder. Furthermore, the design is such that the cover and the hood, as part of the hood-side receptacle, interlock when closed. For this purpose, the cover and the hood can each be formed as plastic injection-molded parts.

[0020] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing which merely represents an exemplary embodiment; in the drawings:

[0021] Fig. 1 the motor vehicle lock according to the invention in a perspective overview and

[0022] Fig. 2 shows the motor vehicle lock arrangement according to the invention with its individual parts.

[0023] The figures depict a motor vehicle lock, which, according to the exemplary embodiment, is designed as a motor vehicle tailgate lock. In fact, the motor vehicle tailgate lock in question is located inside a motor vehicle tailgate with a door leaf 1. The motor vehicle lock in question interacts with a body-side lock holder 2, which is only partially visible in Fig. 1 and is shown in full in Fig. 2. In principle, the motor vehicle lock, which will be described in detail below, can also be attached to a motor vehicle body or body 3, whereas the lock holder 2 is located on the door leaf 1. However, this is not shown.

[0024] As is usual, a motor vehicle lock has a locking mechanism 4, 5 consisting essentially of a rotary latch 4 and a pawl 5. These are best seen in the illustration in Fig. 2. The locking mechanism components 4, 5 in question, i.e. the rotary latch 4 and the pawl 5, are rotatably mounted in a metal lock case 6. Bearing pins 7, 8 ensure the rotatable mounting. The bearing pin 7, which rotatably mounts the rotary latch 4, defines the rotation axis of the rotary latch 4. In contrast, the bearing pin 8 ensures that the pawl 5 is rotatably mounted in the lock case 6 and a corresponding rotation axis is observed.

[0025] Both bearing bolts 7, 8 are each fixed, on the one hand, in the metallic lock case 6 and, on the other hand, in an additional reinforcing element 9. For this purpose, both bearing bolts 7, 8 can be riveted in the respective lock case 6 or the reinforcing element 9 or otherwise connected to the metallic structural component 6, 9 in question. In this context, the reinforcing element 9 ensures that the two axes of rotation of the rotary latch 4 and the pawl 5 are coupled to one another at a distance from the lock case 6. For this purpose, the reinforcing element 9 defines, at least in sections, a rectangular supporting structure which is composed of the metallic reinforcing element 9, the likewise metallic lock case 6, which is at least partially parallel to it, and the two bearing bolts 7, 8 connected to it.

[0026] According to the invention, the reinforcement element 9 is additionally connected to the door leaf 1 or a body component. This means that the reinforcement element 9 ensures, on the one hand, that the two bearing pins 7, 8 of the rotary latch 4 and the pawl 5 are coupled to the lock case 6. On the other hand, the reinforcement element 9 additionally ensures a direct coupling to the door leaf 1. If the illustrated motor vehicle lock is mounted in or on the body 3, the reinforcement element 9 alternatively couples the two bearing pins 7, 8 and the lock case 6 to the respective body 3.

[0027] According to the exemplary embodiment, however, the reinforcing element 9 ensures an additional force-locking connection not only of the lock case 6 to the bearing pins 7, 8, but also that the lock case 6 is additionally connected to the door leaf 1 via the reinforcing element 9. The invention is based on the finding that the lock case 6 is, on the one hand, directly connected to the door leaf 1 in question, for example, screwed, and is additionally indirectly connected to the door leaf 1 at another location via the reinforcing element 9. This can again be achieved via a screw connection at corresponding fastening areas 9a of the reinforcing element 9.

[0028] The invention is based on the further finding that the door leaf 1 of the motor vehicle tailgate realized at this location is largely rectangular or approximately rectangular in shape in the edge region in the area where the relevant motor vehicle lock is mounted. The metal lock case 6 is predominantly connected to a horizontally or largely horizontally extending leg 1a of the door leaf 1, whereas the fastening areas 9a of the reinforcing element 9 form a connection with the further leg 1b of the door leaf 1, which runs vertically or largely vertically.

[0029] In this way, the reinforcing element 9 not only ensures that the two bearing pins 7, 8 of the locking components 4, 5 are additionally stiffened by the lock case 6. The reinforcing element 9 also provides additional stiffening of the door leaf 1 in the edge area or in the fastening area of ​​the motor vehicle lock, because the reinforcing element 9 additionally couples, on the one hand, the largely horizontally extending leg 1a of the door leaf 1 and, on the other hand, the vertically or largely vertically extending leg of the door leaf 1. This means that the reinforcing element 9 runs like a kind of diagonal cross member between the two legs 1a, 1b. This additionally stiffens the door leaf 1 in this area.

[0030] For this purpose, the reinforcing element 9 initially has a locking plate 9b arranged and running predominantly parallel to the lock case 6. The locking plate 9b, in conjunction with the bearing pins 7, 8 fixed to the locking plate 9b of the rotary latch 4 on the one hand and the pawl 5 on the other hand, in conjunction with the lock case 6, ensures the rectangular supporting structure realized at this point, which stiffens the lock case 6 and the locking mechanism 4, 5 comparable to the prior art according to DE 20 2012 007 326 U1. In addition, the reinforcing element 9 is equipped with a leaf cover 9c connected to the door leaf 1 according to the exemplary embodiment. This leaf cover 9c ultimately provides the previously described stiffening of the corner area between the two legs 1a, 1b of the door leaf 1.

[0031] For this purpose, the wing hood 9c is equipped with three wing arms 10, 11, each running predominantly at right angles to one another. Two lateral wing arms 10 and a central wing arm 11 are provided. The central wing arm 11 is longitudinally slotted and, for this purpose, has a longitudinal slot 12. The longitudinal slot 12, in turn, has lateral reinforcing ribs 13. In fact, two reinforcing ribs 13 are provided, each of which is connected to the edge of the longitudinal slot 12 and each delimits the longitudinal slot 12 in its longitudinal extension at the edge or runs longitudinally along the edges of the longitudinal slot 12. Furthermore, it can be seen that the central wing arm 11 is highly curved like ribs compared to the two lateral wing arms 10.

[0032] The longitudinal slot 12, in turn, merges at its end into transverse slots 14. This results, particularly in the event of a crash, in the longitudinal slot 12 expanding predominantly symmetrically relative to a central plane of symmetry. The expansion occurs in a controlled and non-twisting manner, as ensured by the lateral reinforcing ribs 13. At the same time, this deformation of the central leaf arm 11 in the region of the longitudinal slot 12 is permitted by the respective transverse slots 14 at the end of the longitudinal slot 12. This is essentially due to the fact that forces associated with such a crash usually run in the closing direction of the door leaf 1. Corresponding forces are indicated by an arrow F in Fig. 2.

[0033] In any case, such a crash and the associated forces F in the direction indicated in Fig. 2 result in the central wing arm 11 expanding and possibly also arching upwards relative to the two lateral wing arms 10. This may occur along the already existing upward arch of the central wing arm 11 relative to the two lateral wing arms 10. Due to the provided longitudinal slot 11 in conjunction with the reinforcing ribs 13, this process does not result in the reinforcement element 9 twisting or tearing off as a whole. This still ensures that the wing hood 9c is and remains integrally connected to the locking plate 9b.As a result, the locking plate 9b can continue to ensure that the bearing pins 7, 8 of the rotary latch 4 and the pawl 5 remain in place and experience the desired stiffening relative to the lock plate 6. Any unintentional opening of the locking mechanism 4, 5 can thus be ruled out.

[0034] This is further enhanced by the fact that further and additional reinforcing ribs 15 are provided at the edges of the reinforcing hood 9, at least in the fastening areas 9a. These additional reinforcing ribs 15 ensure that the fastening areas 9a of the wing hood 9 do not deform, or only slightly, even in the event of a crash, and, in particular, that the wing hood 9 cannot be torn off. These are the key advantages.

[0035] The illustration in Fig. 2 also shows a motor vehicle lock assembly which, in addition to the door leaf 1 and the previously described motor vehicle lock, also shows the body-side lock holder 2 separately. The motor vehicle lock assembly has a front cover 16 of the motor vehicle lock, which is pushed on from the front via an inlet mouth 17 with the two locking components 4, 5. The front cover 16 in question corresponds to a hood 18 which surrounds the lock holder 2 fastened to the body 3. When assembled and in the closed position of the motor vehicle tailgate or door leaf 1, the cover 16 engages in the hood 18, largely or at least predominantly in a form-fitting manner. This additionally centers the motor vehicle lock relative to the motor vehicle body 3 and guides the motor vehicle tailgate during the closing process.

[0036] List of reference symbols

[0037] Door leaf 1 Leg 1a Leg 1 b Lock holder 2 Motor vehicle body 3 Rotary latch 4 Locking mechanism 4, 5 Locking mechanism components 4, 5 Pawl 5 Lock case 6 Structural component 6, 7 Bearing bolt 7, 8 Structural bolt 7, 8 Bearing bolt 8 Reinforcing element 9 Wing cover 9

[0038] Fastening areas 9a Locking plate 9b Wing cover 9c Wing arms 10, 11 Longitudinal slot 12 Reinforcing ribs 13 Cross slots 14 Reinforcing ribs 15 Cover 16 Inlet mouth 17 Cover 18

[0039] Arrow F

[0040] Forces F

Claims

Patent claims 1. Motor vehicle lock, in particular motor vehicle tailgate lock, with a locking mechanism (4, 5) essentially comprising a rotary latch (4) and a pawl (5), and with an additional reinforcing element (9) which couples at least both axes of rotation of the rotary latch (4) on the one hand and the pawl (5) on the other hand at a distance to a lock case (6), characterized in that the reinforcing element (9) is additionally connected to a door leaf (1) or a body component.

2. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 1, characterized in that the reinforcing element (9) is equipped with a locking plate (9b) arranged predominantly parallel to the lock case (6) and a wing cover (9c) connected to the door leaf (1) or the body component.

3. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 2, characterized in that the wing cover (9c) is convexly curved in the wing closing direction.

4. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the wing hood (9c) has three wing arms (10, 11) each running predominantly at right angles to one another.

5. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 4, characterized in that a central wing arm (11) is longitudinally slotted with lateral reinforcing ribs (13).

6. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the middle wing arm (11) is rib-like relative to the two lateral wing arms (10) are highly arched.

7. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the two reinforcing ribs (13) are each connected to a longitudinal slot (12) at the edge in the longitudinal direction.

8. Motor vehicle lock according to claim 7, characterized in that the longitudinal slot (12) opens into transverse slots (14) at the end.

9. Motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that additional reinforcing ribs (15) are provided on the edge side of the reinforcing hood (9c) at least in associated fastening areas (9a).

10. Motor vehicle lock arrangement, with a door leaf (1), a motor vehicle lock according to one of claims 1 to 9 and a body-side lock holder (2), characterized by a front cover (16) of the motor vehicle lock and a hood-side receptacle for the lock holder (2), the cover (16) and a hood (18) for the lock holder (2) engaging with one another in the closed state.

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