Lock for a motor vehicle, in particular hood lock or panel lock

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and to a motor vehicle lock (1), in particular a hood lock, comprising a locking mechanism having a rotary latch (3) and at least one pawl (4) for latching a striker (8) at least in a locking position of the motor vehicle lock (1), and a torsion spring (7), wherein the torsion spring (7) interacts with the locking mechanism (3, 4) such that the striker can be moved out of the locking position by means of the torsion spring (7) at least in a supporting manner, wherein a different force can be introduced into the striker (8) by means of the torsion spring (7).

Description

[0001] P23029WO 1 January 15, 2024 Lock for a motor vehicle, in particular a hood or flap lock Description The invention relates to a lock for a motor vehicle, in particular a hood lock, comprising a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least one pawl for locking a lock holder at least in a closed position of the motor vehicle lock, a leg spring, wherein the leg spring interacts with the locking mechanism such that the lock holder can be moved out of the closed position by means of the leg spring, at least in a supporting manner. Locks or locking systems for motor vehicles are used where doors, flaps, or movable components on motor vehicles must be held in place to ensure safe driving of the motor vehicle. If the locking systems primarily serve to hold the movable components in their closed position,Today, more and more convenience features are becoming more important. It is particularly important for hatches to ensure secure closing and easy opening. Bonnets or hatches can be sealed with a seal, ensuring tightness against water or dirt, for example. A seal ensures that when the lock is closed, a counterpressure counteracts the locking mechanism as a securing element. P23029WO 2 January 15, 2024 Preferably, and generally, a lock holder is attached to the bonnet or hatch.which then interacts with the vehicle lock. The lock holder usually interacts with a locking mechanism of the associated vehicle door lock. Lock holder and vehicle door lock generally define the vehicle door locking mechanism. The lock holder, in conjunction with the locking mechanism in the vehicle lock, ensures a secure and reliable closure. In principle, the reverse is also possible. Due to the primary locking function of the lock holder in conjunction with the locking mechanism in the vehicle door lock, it is, on the one hand, a particularly safety-relevant component, which, on the other hand, is exposed to particular stresses, particularly in the event of an accident. In fact, the protection of vehicle occupants in a side impact depends significantly on how reliably the lock holder and the locking mechanism interacting with it are able to absorb the applied forces. This is because the primary factor here isthat the vehicle door remains closed so that safety devices provided in or on the vehicle door, such as brake assist, side airbags, side impact protection, etc., can have the desired effect. The locking mechanism contained in the vehicle lock has a pre-locking or holding or catch position and a main lock. For hood or hatch locks, a two-stroke operation is provided. With a first stroke, which acts on the vehicle lock, for example, via a Bowden cable, the lock holder is transferred from the main lock position (closed hatch) to a pre-locking or catch position. This secures the hatch againstthat if the Bowden cable is accidentally pulled, the hatch opens completely, thus endangering the driver or passengers. Only after a second pull on the Bowden cable is the hatch or hood fully released. A front hatch lock of the type described above is described in DE 296 00 386 U1. The front hatch lock interacts with a striker. The front hatch lock is usually located at the front end of a motor vehicle and interacts with a striker on a front hatch. The striker is pivotally mounted on the front hatch and can be pivoted from a normal position to an evasive position against the return force of a striker spring. This is done with the aid of an operating handle that can be operated by the user.when the striker is in a pre-locking position. The striker is then pivoted out of its path of movement and can pivot around the hook end. When the lock is closed, the striker, and in particular a web forming the end of the striker, slides along the control flank of the catch hook, which in the state of the art is firmly connected to the lock housing. The catch hook overruns the end of the control flank and is then retracted by the tensioned catch hook spring, so that it assumes a rear-engaging position relative to the locking flank. When the striker is further displaced, the latter enters the locking jaw of a rotary latch.which rotates during the further displacement of the striker and is secured in a locked position by a pawl. DE 102010 061 518 A1 discloses a front flap lock with a catch hook assigned to a lock housing for catching a striker, wherein the catch hook has a control flank and a locking flank located in the path of movement of the striker that can be deflected from its path of movement in such a way that, when the front flap is closed, the latter initially slides along the control slope of the catch hook, which is fixed in the catch position relative to the lock housing, and after overrunning the end of the catch hook, enters a pre-locking position behind the locking flank, and with a locking jaw of a rotary latch,In an open position of the rotary latch, the locking bar engages after further displacement of the front flap in the closing direction and is held in a locking position of the rotary latch secured by a pawl. The catch hook is firmly connected to the rotary latch and the rotary latch is pivotally locked in its open position by a spring-loaded ejector arm, which pivotal block is released by displacement of the ejector arm when the locking bar enters the locking jaw. The invention is based on the object of improving the locking technology of the front flap lock mentioned above. The problem is solved by the features of independent patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims. It is pointed out that the exemplary embodiments described below are not restrictive.Rather, any variation of the features described in the description and the subclaims is possible. According to claim 1, the object of the invention is achieved by providing a lock for a motor vehicle, in particular a hood lock, comprising a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least one pawl for locking a lock holder at least in a closed position of the motor vehicle lock, a leg spring, wherein the leg spring interacts with the locking mechanism in such a way that the lock holder can be moved out of the closed position by means of the leg spring, at least in a supporting manner, wherein a different force can be introduced into the rotary latch by means of the leg spring. The design of the lock according to the invention now creates the possibilityto achieve opening and closing with different forces on the rotary latch. When closing, it must be ensured that the lock holder safely reaches the main locking position. This can be made particularly difficult by the fact that a force from a seal counteracts the hood or flap. This sealing force must be overcome, while at the same time the hood or flap must be closed against the force of the leg spring. The design of the lock according to the invention now allows a modified, lower force to be provided in the lock, thus enabling easy closing. In contrast, when opening the lock, a high force is required to lift the hood, especially a large and long hood.to enable the operator to intervene. The different forces in the motor vehicle lock enable a targeted and situation-dependent provision of force by the leg spring. Advantageously, the leg spring can be brought into direct engagement with the rotary latch. Direct engagement of the leg spring with the rotary latch enables a direct interaction between the rotary latch and the lock holder. The force can be transmitted from the leg spring to the rotary latch without a transmission element, so that the force, which can be varied via the leg spring, can be introduced directly into the rotary latch and is available to the rotary latch. If the force of the leg spring is adjustable using a preload lever,This again allows for a variant of the invention. The preload lever interacts directly with the leg spring and is capable of adjusting the spring travel. In other words, the force provided by the leg spring can be varied using the preload lever. The leg spring has two legs,A first leg engages directly with the rotary latch, and a second leg engages with the preload lever. The leg spring is thus able to bear against the preload lever and transmit a force directly into the rotary latch. P23029WO 7 January 15, 2024 The preload lever is pivotally mounted in a lock case of the motor vehicle lock. By moving or pivoting the preload lever, the position of the second leg on the preload lever can be changed. This makes it possible to vary the force acting on the rotary latch. By shifting the contact point of the leg of the leg spring, the spring travel can be adjusted, thus influencing the force in the leg spring. With different spring travels,This means that with a different spring spread, a different force can be made available in the motor vehicle lock. The force is adjustable. It can also be advantageous if one leg of the leg spring rests against a bevel on the pre-tensioning lever. In order to provide a simple and therefore cost-effective design solution, a bevel is provided on the pre-tensioning lever. The second leg of the leg spring rests against this bevel. If the pre-tensioning lever mounted in the lock case is moved or preferably pivoted, the spring travel of the leg spring, i.e., the spread, changes. With a wide spread, a lower force is applied to the leg springs.whereas, when the legs are compressed, a high force is exerted on the leg spring. Consequently, pre-tensioning and un-tensioning of the leg spring can be achieved using the simplest design means. To secure the position of the pre-tensioning lever, the pre-tensioning lever can be positioned in at least one position using a blocking lever. The pre-tensioning lever is pivotally mounted in the lock case. The leg spring and the engagement of the second leg pre-tension the pre-tensioning lever. A blocking lever is used to hold the pre-tensioning lever in the different positions. If the pre-tensioning lever is moved into a pre-tensioned position, as described below using the rotary latch,The blocking lever is thus able to secure the pre-tensioning lever in the tensioned position or to block the movement of the pre-tensioning lever. The blocking lever is mounted in the lock case and can at least be brought into engagement with the pre-tensioning lever. In order to securely hold the blocking lever in the tensioned position, it can be advantageous if the blocking lever can be snapped into a recess in the pre-tensioning lever. This further structurally simple possibility of a secured interaction between the pre-tensioning lever and the blocking lever can be achieved, on the one hand, precise positioning and, on the other hand, secure holding of the pre-tensioning lever. If the blocking lever can be actuated by means of the rotary latch,This allows a further embodiment of the invention to be achieved. The rotary latch interacts with a pawl as described above and, together with the pawl, forms the locking mechanism. In the main locking position of the locking mechanism, the rotary latch is in its rest position in a maximally engaged position, regardless of an overtravel position during locking. If this position of the rotary latch, or rather the reaching of the main locking position, is used to pre-tension the pre-tensioning lever, the pre-tensioning lever can be pre-tensioned using the simplest of design means. The rotary latch is closed or moved to its main locking position, and at the same time, the pre-tensioning lever is moved into a tensioned position. In this pre-tensioning position, the blocking lever is then simultaneously actuated, in particular by a spring pre-tension.engaged with the pre-tensioning lever. The final closing in the main locking position is therefore used to pre-tension the leg spring. It can also be advantageous if the blocking lever has a first arm that can be engaged with the pre-tensioning lever and a second arm that can be engaged with the rotary latch. In this case, the rotary latch performs a dual function. On the one hand, the rotary latch interacts with the pawl in the sense of a locking mechanism and secures the hood or flap. On the other hand, the rotary latch also controls the pre-tensioning of the pre-tensioning lever by interacting with the blocking lever. The blocking lever can be moved out of engagement with the pre-tensioning lever by means of the rotary latch, thus releasing the pre-tensioning lever. The solution to the problem can also be provided by a method for closing motor vehicle locks,in which the rotary latch is acted upon by the force of a leg spring, and the leg spring is acted upon by a large force when the lock is opened and by a smaller force when the lock is closed. Consequently, easy closing and opening assisted by high force can be achieved. 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 one embodiment. The features shown can be implemented individually or in combination with other features of the description and the patent claims. It shows: Figure 1 shows a partially illustrated motor vehicle lock according to the invention in a side view in a closed position,that is, a main locking position. Figure 2 shows the lock according to Figure 1 in a lift-off position, that is, a pre-locking position. Figure 3 shows the lock according to Figure 1 in a further opened lift-off position, that is, a position extending beyond the pre-locking position during the opening process. Figure 4 shows the lock according to Figure 1 in a fully opened position. P23029WO 11 January 15, 2024. Figure 1 shows a motor vehicle lock 1 in sections. The lock 1 comprises a lock case, a rotary latch 3, a pawl 4, a blocking lever 5, a pre-tensioning lever 6, and a leg spring. A lock holder 8 is held by means of the rotary latch 3 and secured in its position.The illustrated position of the lock holder 8 corresponds to a closed position of a not-shown engine hood. The engine hood is held in the closed position by means of the lock holder 8 in interaction with the motor vehicle lock 1. The rotary latch 3 is pivotally received or mounted in the metal lock case 2, wherein the rotary latch 3 is pivotally mounted about an axis 9. The rotary latch 3 further comprises a bolt 10, wherein the bolt 10 interacts with a first leg 11 of the leg spring 7. The leg spring 7, and in particular the first leg 11, applies a force F to the rotary latch 3.which rotates clockwise with respect to the rotary latch 3. The rotary latch 3 is held or secured in the main locking position shown in Figure 1 by means of a pawl 4. For this purpose, the pawl 4 is spring-loaded in the direction of the rotary latch 3 by means of a spring (not shown). To hold or position the rotary latch 3, the pawl 4 engages with a first locking contour 12 in the main locking position 13 of the rotary latch 3. The blocking lever 5 interacts with the pre-tensioning lever 6 and blocks the pre-tensioning lever 6 in the main locking position of the motor vehicle lock 1. The blocking lever 5 secures the position of the pre-tensioning lever 6, so that pivoting of the pre-tensioning lever 6 in the counter-clockwise direction can be prevented. The blocking lever 5, like the pawl 4 and the rotary latch 3, is pivotally mounted in the lock case 2, for which purpose an axis 9, 14,15 is provided. The blocking lever 4 engages on one side in a recess 16 of the pre-tensioning lever 6 and secures the position of the pre-tensioning lever 6. The pre-tensioning lever 6, in turn, is spring-loaded via the second leg 17 of the leg spring 7 and, like the other movable components 4, 5, 6, is pivotally held in the lock case 2 by means of an axis 18. The leg spring 7 also applies a force F to the pre-tensioning lever, whereby the force F acts counterclockwise with respect to the pre-tensioning lever 6. In Figure 1, the spring 7 is maximally pre-tensioned and held between the bolt 10 and a bevel 19 of the pre-tensioning lever 6. In this position of the spring 7, a maximum force can therefore be exerted on the rotary latch 3. The pre-tensioning force on the rotary latch 3 supports the rotary latch 3 during the opening process described below. If the locking pawl is now moved out of its main locking position, as shown in Figure 2,for example, by means of a Bowden cable acting in the direction of arrow P1, the rotary latch 3 is released and is moved clockwise, in the direction of arrow P2, by means of the leg spring 7. However, the rotary latch 3 is not completely released but is held in an intermediate locking position 21 by means of a second locking contour 20 on the pawl 4, and this is true for as long as the Bowden cable or the pawl 4 is pulled. The lock holder 8 is therefore not released but is held in the inlet mouth 22 of the rotary latch 3. The leg spring 7 holds the rotary latch 3 in the partially open intermediate position, as shown in Figure 2. If the Bowden cable is subsequently released, i.e. the first pull on the Bowden cable is stopped, the pawl engages again with the first locking contour 12 into the pre-locking contour or pre-lock 23 of the rotary latch 3, as shown in Figure 3. It should now be noted thatthat the intermediate locking contour 21 on the rotary latch 3 engages with another arm 24 or a bolt 25 on the blocking lever 5. The intermediate locking contour 21 rests against the blocking lever 5 in Figure 3. It is also important that the leg spring 7 continues to be pre-tensioned by the second leg 17. In other words, the leg spring 7 continues to exert a large force on the rotary latch 3, so that opening of the hood is supported and facilitated. The blocking lever 5 is spring-loaded clockwise, i.e., in the direction of the rotary latch 3, by means of a leg spring (not shown). If, starting from Figure 3, the Bowden cable is actuated again, as shown in Figure 4,Thus, two movements occur simultaneously. On the one hand, the rotary latch 3 is released and can move unhindered clockwise in the direction of arrow P2, and on the other hand, the blocking lever 5 is moved and releases the pre-tensioning lever 6. The rotary latch 3 moves the blocking lever 5 counterclockwise, so that the other arm 26 of the blocking lever 26 is moved out of the recess 16 of the pre-tensioning lever 6. The second leg 17 now comes to rest against a stop 27 on the lock case 2. The bevel 19 on the pre-tensioning lever also rests against the stop 27 of the lock case 2. As soon as the rotary latch 3 has reached its end position,the lock holder is released and can be moved freely linearly along the line M. In other words, the lock holder 8 and the hood can be opened. This is where an advantage of the invention becomes apparent. In the open state of the motor vehicle lock 1, the spring 7 is maximally relaxed and exerts only a low force on the rotary latch 3. This offers the advantage that the hood can be easily closed and transferred to the main locking position. In contrast, the leg spring 17, starting from the main locking position, introduces a maximum force F into the rotary latch 3 and thus the lock holder 8, whereby the hood can be easily opened, lifted, and safely transferred to the pre-locking or catch position. In other words, the rotary latch is loaded with a high force F by the compressed spring 7, thus enabling assisted opening of the hood. In the open position of the hood and thus in the open,In the unlocked position of the motor vehicle lock 1, the spring 7 is maximally relaxed, so that the rotary latch 3 is subjected to only a slight counterforce F. The hood P23029WO 15 15 January 2024 can therefore be opened easily and closed with little resistance.

[0002] P23029WO 16 15 January 2024 List of reference symbols 1 Motor vehicle lock 2 Lock case 3 Rotary latch 4 Pawl 5 Blocking lever 6 Pre-tensioning lever 7 Leg spring 8 Lock holder 9, 14, 15, 18 Axle 10, 25 Bolt 11 First leg 12 First locking contour 13 Main locking 16 Recess 17 Second leg 19 Folded portion 20 Second locking contour 21 Intermediate locking contour 22 Inlet mouth 23 Pre-lock 24, 26 Arm F Force P1, P2, P3 Arrow M Line

Claims

P23029WO 17 January 15, 2024 Patent claims 1. Lock (1) for a motor vehicle, in particular a hood lock, comprising a locking mechanism with a rotary latch (3) and at least one pawl (4) for latching a lock holder (8) at least in a closed position of the motor vehicle lock (1), a leg spring (7), wherein the leg spring (7) interacts with the locking mechanism (3, 4) in such a way that the lock holder can be moved out of the closed position by means of the leg spring (7) at least in a supporting manner, characterized in that a different force can be introduced into the rotary latch (3) by means of the leg spring (7).

2. Lock (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the leg spring (7) can be brought into direct engagement with the rotary latch (3).

3. Lock (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the force (F) of the leg spring (7) is adjustable by means of a pretensioning lever (6).Lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pre-tensioning lever (6) is pivotally mounted in a lock case (2).

5. Lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a leg (17) of the leg spring (7) rests against a bevel (19) of the pre-tensioning lever (6). P23029WO 18 January 15, 2024 6. Lock (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the pretensioning lever (6) can be positioned in at least one position by means of a blocking lever (5).

7. Lock (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the blocking lever (5) can be latched into a recess (16).

8. Lock (1) according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the blocking lever (5) can be actuated by means of the rotary latch (3).

9. Lock (1) according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the blocking lever has a first arm (24) that can be brought into engagement with the pretensioning lever (6) and a second arm (26) that can be brought into engagement with the rotary latch (3). 10.Method for closing a motor vehicle lock (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the rotary latch (3) is acted upon by the force of a leg spring and the leg spring (7) is acted upon by a large force (F) when the lock (1) is opened and by a smaller force (F) when the lock (1) is closed.

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