Locking device for automobile locks

Abstract

The present invention relates to a closing device for a lock for a motor vehicle door, in particular to a closing assistant for a lock for a motor vehicle door. According to a basic design, said closing assistant comprises a lock mechanism (1, 2) consisting essentially of a rotary latch (1) and a claw (2). Furthermore, an electric motor (5) and a transmission device (6, 7, 8, 9) downstream of the electric motor (5) are implemented. The transmission device (6, 7, 8, 9) preferably operates on the rotary latch (1) at least during the closing movement. According to the invention, a handle (10) is provided which is mounted on the lock housing (4) for mechanically interrupting the closing movement, said handle abutting against a force flux element (8) which is selectively engaged and disengaged as a component of the transmission device (6, 7, 8, 9).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a closing device for a motor vehicle lock, in particular a lock closing assistant device for a motor vehicle door, comprising a locking mechanism consisting essentially of a rotary latch and a pawl, further comprising an electric motor and a transmission device following the electric motor, the transmission device preferably acting on the rotary latch at least during the closing process.

[0002]

[0002] Closing devices for motor vehicle locks, in particular lock closing aids for motor vehicle doors, have been used for some time, for example according to the general prior art in accordance with DE 198 28 040 A1. In this case, an electric motor is provided which rotates a control disk via a motor shaft and a screw. In this connection, the rotary latch has a stop element which interacts with the control disk during the closing process. In this case, the transmission device is defined by the motor shaft, the control disk and the pin placed thereon. As a result, the term "transmission device" should be interpreted broadly within the scope of the present application, i.e. the transmission device is typically in the broadest sense to the effect of ensuring the transmission (or gear reduction) of the rotational movement of the motor shaft of the electric motor.

[0003]

[0003] This can be achieved and carried out by the combined effect of the control disk and the screw associated with the pin. In addition, other embodiments of the transmission device are also conceivable.

[0004]

[0004] Thus, a further equally common prior art according to DE 10,2019107845 A1 works with the help of an electric drive on the traction mechanism, which exerts the necessary closing force on the rotary latch via the closing claw. In order to realize and implement pinch protection at this point, voltage and / or current pulses are generated during the closing process. As a function of this, the controller can switch off the electric drive. Furthermore, the drive can be reversed in this case.

[0005]

[0005] As a result, an effective pinch protection can be realized and implemented. However, the design is complicated. However, such a pinch protection is practically essential in such a closing device in order to avoid damage. This is essentially explained by the fact that during the closing process of the rotary latch, the locking bolt captured by the rotary latch is also acted on in a closing sense. The locking bolt is usually connected to the associated vehicle door, so that the closing movement of said vehicle door corresponds directly to this. In the process, for example, if the operator's fingers get into the gap between the vehicle door and the vehicle body, pinching can occur.

[0006]

[0006] In addition, it is essentially necessary for such a closing device to provide for the interruption of the closing actuation mechanism. An emergency unlocking corresponds to this. With the help of such an emergency unlocking, for example, a user can unlock the associated vehicle lock and open it. This is particularly important for trunk lid locks equipped with a closing aid, since if there is a person in the trunk or rear compartment of the vehicle, the trunk lid cannot be opened in the example case unless the emergency unlocking is functioning.

[0007]

[0007] At the same time, the required effectiveness must of course be provided unaltered and the closing device must be able to overcome the reaction forces that arise during closure, in particular due to the door rubber being compressed between the associated vehicle door and the vehicle body.

[0008]

[0008] The present invention is therefore based on the technical problem of further developing such a closing device, so that an equally effective, structurally simple and cost-effective embodiment is provided for emergency unlocking and emergency opening.

[0009]

[0009] In order to solve this technical problem, a general closing device for motor vehicle locks is characterized within the scope of the present invention by the fact that a handle attached to the lock housing mechanically interrupts the closing movement and thus is provided for emergency unlocking, and which handle abuts on a force flux element which can be selectively engaged and disengaged as a component of the transmission device.

[0010]

[0010] In contrast to the prior art, for example according to DE 10,2019107845 A1, according to the present invention, the emergency unlocking is realized purely mechanically, and complex sensor-based solutions are obviously omitted. Here, the handle ensures that the flow of force from the electric motor via the transmission to the rotary latch is interrupted very simply and purely mechanically, without interrogation of sensors. This is because the handle ensures that the force flux elements are disengaged as components of the transmission. The handle can typically be operated from inside the vehicle or from the trunk and is generally designed and configured as an emergency unlocking handle. As a result, the vehicle lock according to the present invention is emergency unlocked so that the vehicle lock can be opened subsequently or in one operation. The same applies to the advantageously equipped trunk lid. This is because the opening and closing device for a vehicle lock according to the present invention is generally an opening and closing device for a trunk lid lock, or the subject of the present invention is such a trunk lid lock.

[0011]

[0011] In contrast, the unactuated state of the handle corresponds to an engaged force element compared to the transmission device, so that a force can be exerted from the electric motor via the transmission device to the rotary latch, thus enabling the closing movement in the first place. In contrast, the disengaged state of the force element corresponds to a mechanical interruption in the process of emergency unlocking, so that the associated vehicle door can be opened.

[0012]

[0012] In this connection, the design is also such that the handle is accessible when the door belonging to the vehicle lock or the vehicle door is open or also from the inside of the vehicle, so that the user can ensure emergency unlocking by pressing the handle. Overall, the design and the mechanical connection of the handle are realized in a particularly simple and advantageous manner, since the handle is attached to the lock housing.

[0013]

[0013] At this point, a rotatable mounting of the handle on the associated locking housing is usually used. This can be realized and implemented in a particularly simple manner, in that both the locking housing and the handle are usually made of plastic. This results in favorable friction conditions, low costs and minimal weight.

[0014]

[0014] In addition, the design is usually advantageously set up so that the handle not only abuts on a selectively engageable and disengageable force flux element as a component of the transmission device, but also directly or indirectly against the pawl. The invention is based on the finding that the mechanical interruption of the force flux via a transmission from the electric motor to the rotary latch for mechanical interruption of the closing process further corresponds to an unhindered opening of the associated vehicle door if the pawl is lifted from the rotary latch during the mechanical interruption process.

[0015]

[0015] In other words, the supplementary or additional direct or indirect action on the pawl during the mechanical interruption of the closing process ensures that the pawl does not inadvertently fall onto the rotary latch and, for example, impede the opening process of the associated vehicle door following the mechanical interruption of the closing process, which can instead be opened or moved as required without being hindered by an operator.

[0016]

[0016] This can be attributed to the fact that the force exerted by the electric motor via the transmission to the rotary latch, interrupted during the mechanical interruption of the closing process or in the case of the above-mentioned emergency unlocking, first allows the rotary latch to move unhindered. This is also held against the corresponding vehicle door, which can also move without resistance in this case, since it normally engages with the locking bolt in the rotary latch. In order that the movement of the locking bolt and therefore of the rotary latch is not hindered here, the handle generally and additionally ensures that the claw is lifted and therefore cannot fall on the rotary latch or that the rotary latch is not hindered in its opening movement introduced by the operator. These are the main advantages.

[0017]

[0017] In terms of design, it has been demonstrated that the handle is designed with several arms. The handle usually has at least one element arm and one claw arm. The force flux element is generally abutted by the element arm. In contrast, in this context, the claw arm ensures an additional abutment of the claw. The handle usually also has an abutment arm. The handle can be acted upon by the operator via the abutment arm and can, for example, be rotatably pivoted relative to the locking housing which acts as a bearing.

[0018] In this connection, it has further proved to be useful if the handle is designed in one piece. This can be realized in a particularly simple manner, in that the handle is advantageously a plastic injection-molded part. However, it is also possible to design the handle in multiple parts. In this case, the procedure is usually such that the abutment arm and the claw arm, which represent components of the handle, are connected in a rotatably fixed manner to a further second component, generally in the form of an element arm, during installation of the handle and during mounting in the lock housing. For this purpose, corresponding tooth and counter-tooth formations can be connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0019]

[0019] The handle is usually designed to be used to apply a linear force to the force flux element. The linear impact on the force flux element ensures in a simple way that the force flux element blocks the release of forces in the transmission. For this purpose, the force flux element is typically a gear element, which usually assumes an engaged position as part of the transmission when the handle is not loaded and is therefore integrated into the force flux of the transmission. On the other hand, the disengaged position of the force flux element or gear element corresponds to the disengagement of the gear element from its adjacent gear, whereby the release of forces inside the transmission is blocked.

[0020]

[0020] In principle, however, the force flux element may additionally or alternatively be a coupling element. Here, the coupling element, like a gear element, can be transferred from its engaged state to a disengaged state. For this purpose, the coupling element is generally acted on linearly by a handle. The engaged position of the coupling element corresponds, for example, to the fact that a connection between gears of a transmission device is established with the help of the coupling element. On the other hand, if the coupling element assumes its disengaged position, the associated mechanical connection is interrupted.

[0021]

[0021] Generally, the force flux element or gear element is pretensioned in its engaged position with the aid of a spring, i.e. the spring ensures that the force flux element assumes the engaged position. The force of the spring must be overcome with the aid of a handle in order to move the force flux element to the disengaged position.

[0022]

[0022] The spring can be, for example, a helical spring surrounding a pin provided on the force flux element. Alternatively or additionally, the component can, however, also be designed as a leaf spring. In this connection, according to a particularly preferred embodiment, it has proven successful if the spring abuts both the force flux element and the handle. In this case, the (single) spring ensures that the force flux element is pretensioned in the direction of its engagement position. At the same time, the (single) spring ensures that the handle assumes its non-abutted base position.

[0023]

[0023] Thus, when acting on the handle for mechanical interruption of the closing process or for emergency unlocking, the handle must act against the force of a (single) spring, on the one hand to displace it relative to the locking housing and, on the other hand, to disengage the force flux element and, more generally, to lift the claw part relative to the rotary latch.

[0024]

[0024] As a result, a closing device is provided which allows emergency unlocking of the associated motor vehicle lock and, in principle, also allows an effective interruption of the closing process, while for this purpose, in a surprising design, a simple and cost-effective mechanical solution is provided. For this purpose, a force-flux element which can be selectively engaged and disengaged is provided as a component part of the transmission device. The same applies to the handle which is mounted on the lock housing. This allows the handle to be easily adapted to different designs of lock housings and to specific requirements. Additional devices such as sensors, motors, etc. are obviously not necessary. Instead, a simple mechanical solution is provided. These are the main advantages.

[0025]

[0025] The invention will now be explained in more detail with the aid of drawings which show exemplary embodiments only, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows an overview of a latch device according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows the closing device according to FIG. 1 with an open housing in two different embodiments. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows the closing device according to FIG. 1 with an open housing in two different embodiments. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a closure device with an open housing, which is also a variant.

[0027] Detailed Description

[0028]

[0026] In the figures, a closing device for a motor vehicle lock or a motor vehicle door lock is shown, which is only partially shown. This is advantageously a trunk lid lock. The closing aid for a motor vehicle door lock is therefore explained in more detail and shown in the figures. For this purpose, the basic design of the vehicle door lock has a locking mechanism 1, 2, which essentially consists of a rotary latch 1 and a claw 2, which can only be seen in rudimentary form in FIG. 1. The locking mechanism 1, 2 is rotatably mounted in a metal lock case 3. A lock housing 4 made of plastic provides the housing of the motor vehicle lock or motor vehicle door lock shown.

[0029]

[0027] The closing device comprises, in particular, an electric motor 5 and a transmission device 6, 7, 8, 9 following the electric motor 5. To this end, the transmission device 6, 7, 8, 9 consists of a first transmission element 6 meshing with the output shaft of the electric motor 5 and a second transmission element 7. The two transmission elements 6, 7 can be gears arranged offset to one another according to the exemplary embodiment. Here, the force flux element 8 is of particular importance, which is a gear element in the context of the description of figures 1 to 3. In contrast, in the variant according to figure 4, the force flux element 8 is designed as a coupling element.

[0030]

[0028] The force flux element 8 is a component of the transmission device 6, 7, 8, 9 and connects the first transmission element 6 and the second transmission element 7 to the output transmission element 9, which according to an exemplary embodiment is a drive pawl which acts directly or indirectly on the rotary latch 1. That is to say, by a rotational movement of the output gear element or drive pawl 9, starting for example from a pre-latch position, the rotary latch 1 is pivoted into the main latch position, so that the vehicle door (not shown) is closed. For this purpose, the gear mechanism 6, 7, 8, 9 acts on the rotary latch 1 at least during such a closing process. In addition, a continuous force is observed here from the electric motor 5 via the transmission devices 6, 7, 8, 9 to the rotary latch 1. In principle, however, the closing device or transmission device 6, 7, 8, 9 can also act on a locking bolt (not shown).

[0031]

[0029] In fact, the vehicle door is equipped, not explicitly shown, with a closing bolt fixed to the door, which is captured by the rotary latch 1 (in the pre-latch position) and follows the aforementioned closing movement of the rotary latch 1 from the pre-latch position to the main latch position, thereby closing the corresponding vehicle door and closing the gap between the vehicle door and the vehicle body. If necessary and the associated vehicle lock, in particular the trunk lid lock, has to be unlocked in an emergency and therefore the associated trunk lid has to be opened, the invention provides an emergency unlocking as described below.

[0032] According to the invention, a handle 10 mounted on the locking housing 4 is provided for mechanically interrupting the closing process. As a component of the transmission device 6, 7, 8, 9, the handle 10 acts on the force flux element 8, which can be selectively engaged and disengaged as described above. In fact, the handle 10 generally operates linearly on the force flux element 8, ensuring that in the disengaged state, indicated by the dashed and dotted lines, the mechanical connection between the force flux element 8 on the one hand or the upstream transmission element 6, 7 and the driving claw 9 on the other hand is interrupted. For this purpose, the handle 10 is actuated counterclockwise about its axis 11 relative to the locking housing 4, as shown in FIG. 2. In fact, a bolt or pin is provided in or on the locking housing 4, which bolt or pin defines the axis 11 for rotatably mounting the handle 10 to the locking housing 4. Here, the bolt or pin can represent a component of the locking housing 4 designed as a plastic injection-molded part.

[0033]

[0031] In this way, the force flux element 8 is transferred from a typically engaged state shown by a solid line to a disengaged state shown by a dotted line. In the disengaged state of the force flux element 8, the force output from the electric motor 5 to the rotary latch 1 via the transmission devices 6, 7, 8, 9 is cut off. This allows the rotary latch 1 and the locking bolt captured by the rotary latch 1, and therefore the vehicle door, to be moved forwards or backwards in an emergency, thereby unlocking and opening the door.

[0034]

[0032] To ensure that pawl 2 does not inadvertently engage rotary latch 1 during this process, in an exemplary embodiment, handle 10 not only ensures that force flux element 8 is disengaged, as described above, but rather handle 10 is further configured to abut, indirectly or directly, against pawl 2, whereupon pawl 2 is lifted off rotary latch 1.

[0035]

[0033] For this reason, the handle 10 according to the present embodiment is equipped with a number of arms, at least one element arm 10a and one claw arm 10b. The abutment arm 10c is also visible. The operator's hand normally grasps the abutment arm 10c and ensures that the handle 10 performs a counterclockwise movement, shown in FIG. 2, about its axis 11 relative to the locking housing 4. This disengages the force-flux element 8 on the one hand and lifts the claw 2 from the rotary latch 1 on the other hand. As a result, in the mechanical interruption of the closing process described above, the rotary latch 1 and the locking bolt captured by it and, consequently, the associated motor vehicle door can be moved back and forth without force and, in particular, opened.

[0036]

[0034] The handle 10 can be designed as a whole in one piece, as shown in FIG. 4. In principle, a multi-part design corresponding to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 is also conceivable. In this case, one part of the handle is formed together by the claw arm 10b and the abutment arm 10c, while the other part of the multi-part, in this case two-part, handle 10 is defined by the element arm 10a. Here, both parts of the multi-part or two-part handle 10 can be coupled in a rotatably fixed manner to one another during assembly on the locking housing 4. For this purpose, a pin connected to one component of the handle 10 engages in a rotatably fixed manner with the other component of the handle 10. At the same time, an opening in the locking housing 4 is pierced to define the shaft 11.

[0037] 1 to 3 and 4, it can be seen that the force flux element 8 is pretensioned in its engaged position, indicated by solid lines, by springs 12, 13. In the exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 2, the springs 12, 13 are helical springs 12 which surround a guide pin 8a of the force flux element 8. In practice, the force flux element 8 is guided in its linear direction via the guide pin 8a so that, in the disengaged state, it is designed to be able to pass through a corresponding opening 3a provided in the locking casing 3.

[0038]

[0036] In contrast, the spring 13 according to the variant of Fig. 3 is a leaf spring 13. In both cases, the springs 12, 13 ensure that in each case the force flux element 8 is pretensioned in the direction of the engaged state shown in solid lines. That is to say, in order to disengage the force flux element 8 into the position shown in dotted lines, the force of the associated spring 12, 13 must be overcome with the aid of the handle 10.

[0039] 4, only a single spring 12 in the form of a helical spring 12 is realized. In this case, the single or helical spring 12 ensures that, on the one hand, the force flux element 8 is pretensioned in the direction of its engaged position and, on the other hand, the handle 10 is pretensioned in the direction of its undeflected base position. This allows for a particularly compact and cost-effective design.

[0040]

[0038] In the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 4, it can be seen that the handle 10 exerts a linear force on the force flux element 8, here designed as a coupling element, in order to be able to mechanically interrupt the closing process. In Fig. 4, the engaged state is shown in solid lines, and the disengaged state in dotted lines. In this connection, the coupling element or force flux element 8 ensures that the second transmission element 7 and the drive claw 9 are mechanically coupled to one another in their engaged state. To this belongs the engaged state shown in solid lines. The electric motor 5 can thus act on the rotary latch 1 via the transmissions 6, 7, 8, 9, as explained at the beginning, and approach and butt against it.

[0041]

[0039] For mechanical interruption of the illustrated closing aid and therefore for emergency unlocking, the handle 10 on the butt arm 10c is actuated (counterclockwise) by the operator, so that the force flux element 8 or the coupling element is consequently disengaged. This interrupts the force output from the electric motor 5 via the transmissions 6, 7, 8, 9 to the rotary latch 1, which can then be pivoted while being captured by the locking bolt. At the same time, the claw arm 10b of the handle 10 ensures that during this process the claw 2 cannot latch with the rotary latch 1, but is rather lifted off of it.

[0042] Explanation of symbols

[0043] 1...Rotary latch, 2...Claw part, 1, 2...lock mechanism, 3…Lock case, 4…Lock housing, 5...electric motor, 6, 7, 8, 9...Transmission device, 6, 7…Transmission elements, 8...Flux element 8a…Guide pin, 9...output side transmission element, 10…Handle, 11...axis, 10a...element arm, 10b…Claw arm, 10c…butting arm, 12, 13…Spring, 12...spiral spring, 13...Leaf spring.

Claims

1. A closing device comprising a locking mechanism (1, 2) consisting of a rotary latch (1) and a claw (2), an electric motor (5) and a transmission device (6, 7, 8, 9) that drives the electric motor (5), Preferably, the transmission device (6, 7, 8, 9) operates at least during the closing movement of the rotary latch (1), A closing device for a motor vehicle lock, in particular a closing auxiliary device for a motor vehicle door lock, characterized in that a handle (10) for mechanically interrupting the closing operation is attached to the lock housing, and the handle abuts against a force bundle element (8) that can be selectively engaged and disengaged as a component of the transmission device (6, 7, 8, 9).

2. 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the handle (10) is further designed to abut directly or indirectly against the claw (2).

3. 3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the handle (10) is designed with multiple arms, comprising at least an element arm (10a) and a claw arm (10b).

4. 4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the handle (10) is provided with a butting arm (10c).

5. 5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the handle (10) has a one-piece or multi-part design.

6. 6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the handle (10) abuts the force flux element (8) in a straight line.

7. 7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the force flux element (8) is pretensioned in its engagement position by means of springs (12, 13).

8. 8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the springs (12, 13) abut both the force flux element (8) and the handle (10).

9. 9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the springs (12, 13) are designed as helical springs (12) or leaf springs (13).

10. 10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the force flux element (8) is designed as a toothed wheel element and / or as a coupling element.

11. A lock for a motor vehicle, in particular a lock for a motor vehicle door, preferably a lock for a motor vehicle trunk lid, characterized by a closing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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