Automobile locks, particularly automobile door locks

Abstract

The invention relates to a lock for motor vehicles, in particular a lock for motor vehicle doors, preferably an electric lock, equipped with an electric drive (3, 4, 5) and a locking mechanism (1, 2), the locking mechanism being actuatable by the drive (3, 4, 5) and essentially consisting of a rotary latch (1) and a pawl (2). The drive (3, 4, 5) comprises at least one evoloid gear stage (4a, 5a). According to the invention, in the engagement area (10) between the rotary latch (1) and the pawl (2) a latch element (11) is arranged which is mounted on the rotary latch (1) and / or on the pawl (2) so that it can pivot mainly in the plane of the locking mechanism.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lock for a motor vehicle, in particular a lock for a motor vehicle door, preferably an electric lock, having an electric drive and a locking mechanism operable by the drive, essentially consisting of a rotating latch and a pawl, the drive being equipped with at least one Evoroid gear stage.

[0002]

[0002] Motor vehicle locks, in particular motor vehicle door locks and preferably electric locks, are characterized by a particularly convenient operation. The locking mechanism consisting of a rotary latch and a pawl is not (and is no longer) opened mechanically in such motor vehicle locks, but rather by an electric motor, which not only increases comfort and reduces the actuation forces, but also preserves an overall particularly quiet operation. The opening process can be initiated, for example, by a sensor in the area of ​​the exterior door handle or during a "keyless entry access".

[0003]

[0003] This offers the additional advantage that aerodynamically optimized exterior doors of the vehicle can be used for this connection, since finally no mechanically operated exterior door handle is required. For this reason, such electric locks or car locks are increasingly used with an electric drive for the locking mechanism consisting of a rotary latch and a pawl. An example of such an electric lock is disclosed in DE 101 00 008 A1.

[0004]

[0004] In this type of electric lock, it is important to ensure a perfect power transmission from the electric drive to the locking mechanism. In general, the electric drive ensures that the pawl is lifted out of engagement with the rotary latch. This requires a more or less large opening force. For this reason, the above-mentioned prior art according to DE 101 00 008 A1 works not only with a pawl lever operatively connected to the pawl, but also with a reduction gear as a component of the electric drive. This is because the electric motor used as a component of the electric drive at this time has limited power for reasons of space and cost.

[0005]

[0005] In the general prior art according to DE 10,2019126570 A1, in connection with a drive assembly for a lock for a motor vehicle having an actuating lever mechanism for triggering the locking mechanism and a main drive acting on the actuating lever mechanism, there is already an approach to realise an additional auxiliary drive for emergency unlocking / emergency opening of the locking mechanism. For this purpose, the auxiliary drive comprises a gearbox providing a high gear ratio. At least one gear stage of the gearbox is designed as an evoroid stage.

[0006]

[0006] Such an evoloid gear stage is characterized not only by a compact design, but also by a large gear ratio spread. In practice, not only a compact design but also a large gear ratio can be realized.

[0007]

[0007] However, at this point, there is still a need for improvements, since there is still a trend to reduce the size and weight of electric motors, and therefore also to reduce their costs. In this connection, there is a need for further optimized electric drives. Now, the present invention aims to improve the situation.

[0008] overview

[0009]

[0008] The present invention is based on the technical task of further developing such motor vehicle locks, in particular motor vehicle door locks, in such a way that further optimization in terms of operating force is maintained overall, so that cost and weight advantages can be further asserted.

[0010]

[0009] In order to solve this technical problem, the present invention proposes that in a general automobile lock, and in particular in an automobile door lock, a latch element is arranged in the engagement area between the rotating latch and the claw portion, and the engagement element is pivotally mounted on the rotating latch and / or the claw portion, mostly within the plane of the lock mechanism.

[0011]

[0010] Thus, the invention initially operates with an electric drive, which is already optimized with respect to compactness and achievable gear ratios, in particular equipped with at least one evoroid gear stage. In addition to this, the engagement area between the rotary latch and the claw is further optimized with respect to the required opening force, in particular during electrical opening. The contact area between the rotary latch and the claw is optimized with respect to the opening force required to open the locking mechanism, in particular due to the latch elements present in the engagement area between the rotary latch and the claw and being pivotally mounted to a large extent on the claw and / or the rotary latch at the locking mechanism face. Indeed, at this point, in contrast to the prior art, there is (no longer) a frictional movement of the claw and the rotary latch against each other in the course of the opening process according to the invention. Such a frictional movement is therefore accompanied by high frictional forces, since the rotary latch and the claw are usually stamped components made of high-strength steel.

[0012]

[0011] In contrast to this, the present invention provides a latch element provided in the engagement area between the rotary latch and the pawl, which latch element is also mounted on the rotary latch or the locking pawl so as to be pivotable, mostly within the locking surface. As a result, during the opening process of the locking mechanism and the lifting of the associated pawl from engagement with the rotary latch, a rolling movement occurs between the pawl and the rotary latch instead of a frictional movement. This is because during this process, the latch element provided in the engagement area is pivoted, so that the pawl can be lifted from engagement with the rotary latch with a significantly reduced force compared to the existing prior art. This preserves the friction-optimized opening process of the locking mechanism.

[0013]

[0012] Here, the friction-optimized opening process of the locking mechanism as a whole, in conjunction with a specially designed electric drive with at least one Evoroid gear stage, means that the electric motor can be further reduced in terms of its available power compared to previous embodiments, resulting in a more compact design with less weight and cost compared to conventional methods.

[0014]

[0013] In fact, this procedure is such that the electric drive usually has exactly one evoloid gear stage. For this purpose, the electric drive usually comprises an electric motor and an output pulley, and an evoloid gear stage is realized between a worm on the output shaft of the electric motor and the output pulley. That is, at this point, only a single evoloid gear stage is advantageously used, i.e. between, on the one hand, the worm on the output shaft of the electric motor and, on the other hand, the evoloid meshing on the outer circumference of the output pulley.

[0015]

[0014] With such an Evoroid gear stage, reduction ratios of 10:1 or more can be easily realized. That is, 10 or more revolutions of the electric motor or worm arranged on the output shaft are converted into only one revolution of the output pulley. In most cases, reduction ratios of 20:1, 30:1 or even more can be easily realized. This allows the claws to be provided with a relatively high torque for opening the locking mechanism, even when operated with a light, small, low-power electric motor.

[0016] In this connection, the output pulley is generally equipped with evoloid teeth on its outer circumference, which are inclined with respect to its axis of rotation. In addition, the output pulley generally has, on its end face facing the actuating lever, an actuating profile for the associated actuating lever. That is to say, the output pulley executes a rotational movement in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction about its axis of rotation, which is transmitted to the actuating lever via the actuating profile. The actuating lever can be acted on by a pivoting movement, since the latter generally slides along the actuating profile of the output pulley by means of a cam. In this connection, the actuating profile is advantageously designed to be helical with a helical axis. It has proven successful when the helical axis of the actuating profile coincides with the axis of rotation of the output pulley.

[0017]

[0016] In this way, the helical axis of the operating contour and the rotation axis of the output pulley coincide with each other on the end surface of the output pulley facing the operating lever. As a result, the helical operating contour centered on the rotation axis of the output pulley is designed to describe a three-dimensional helical line. Since the front cam of the operating lever rests on the operating contour, the operating lever is gradually rotated when the cam moves along the above-mentioned three-dimensional helical line.

[0018]

[0017] The actuating lever normally interacts with a release lever which actuates the pawl, so that the pivoting movement of the actuating lever thus produced is consequently transmitted to the release lever which in turn lifts the pawl out of engagement with the rotary latch. In this connection, the above-mentioned opening process is particularly low-friction, since a pivotable latch element is provided in the engagement area between the rotary latch and the pawl.

[0019]

[0018] In this connection, it has proven useful if the actuating lever and the release lever are mounted on the same axis. In principle, the actuating lever and the release lever can also coincide and define the lever. This allows for an overall compact design. It also contributes to this that the worm on the output shaft of the electric motor usually has several evoloid teeth. The evoloid teeth are chamfered so that at least one evoloid tooth on the output shaft always engages with an evoloid mesh on the outer circumference of the output pulley. At this point, it has proven useful if the worm on the output shaft has a maximum of three evoloid teeth. Of course, this applies only as an example.

[0020] The subject of the invention is also the use of a latch element in a motor vehicle lock, in particular in a motor vehicle door lock, in the engagement area between a rotary latch and a pawl, as defined in claim 10.

[0021]

[0020] As a result, a motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, is provided and realized with an optimal opening ratio compared to the prior art. In fact, an electric drive operates with at least one Evoroid gear stage and is realized between the rotary latch and the pawl, i.e. in the engagement area of ​​the pivotable latch element. As a result, an electric drive with a high reduction ratio is possible and a friction-optimized engagement area between the rotary latch and the pawl is obtained.

[0022]

[0021] Here, the fact that the worm on the output shaft of the electric motor, the entire output pulley and the actuating and release levers are generally made of plastic has a complementary and advantageous effect, since a "plastic-plastic" friction is maintained between the head-side cam of the actuating lever and the actuating profile. Similarly, an additional friction optimization is maintained between the evoloid toothing of the worm on the output shaft and the evoloid toothing on the outer circumference of the output pulley. These are the main advantages. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023]

[0022] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings which show only one embodiment.

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a motor vehicle lock according to the invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of the locking mechanism.

[0024] Detailed Description

[0025] In the figures, a motor vehicle lock, in particular a lock for a motor vehicle door, is shown, which is a so-called electric lock, i.e. the associated locking mechanism 1, 2 consisting of a rotary latch 1 and a pawl 2 is electrically opened. Furthermore, electric drives 3, 4, 5 are implemented which operate actuating lever mechanisms 6, 7, by means of which the pawl 2 is lifted out of the latching engagement shown in FIG. 1 with the rotary latch 1.

[0026]

[0025] For this purpose, the electric drives 3, 4, 5 are equipped with at least one evoloid gear stage 4a, 5a. In connection with the exemplary embodiment, a single evoloid gear stage 4a, 5a is realized. This is between, on the one hand, the worm 4 as a component of the electric drive 3, 4, 5 on the output shaft of the electric motor 3 and, on the other hand, the output pulley 5 as an additional component of the electric drive 3, 4, 5. In fact, said worm 4 and the output pulley 5 are each equipped with evoloid teeth 4a, 5a, which tooth stages 4a, 5a define within the scope of the present embodiment a single evoloid gear stage 4a, 5a.

[0027]

[0026] For this purpose, the evoloid toothing 4a is placed on the output shaft of the electric motor 3 along the entire circumference and over the entire length of the worm 4. In contrast, the evoloid toothing 5a is provided on the circumference of the output pulley 5 and is inclined with respect to the axis of rotation 8 of the output pulley 5. The output pulley 5 is also equipped at its end face with an actuating profile 5b facing the actuating lever mechanism 6, 7. The actuating profile 5b is essentially helical and has an associated helical axis 8 which, according to an exemplary embodiment, coincides with the axis of rotation 8 of the output pulley 5. In fact, the design is such that the helical actuating profile 5b relative to the helical axis or axis of rotation 8 of the output pulley 5 describes, as a whole, a three-dimensional helical line.

[0028]

[0027] The actuating lever mechanism 6,7 is substantially composed of an actuating lever 6 and a release lever 7 which interacts with and acts on the claw 2. The actuating lever 6 is equipped with a front cam 6a which slides along or is acted upon by a helical actuating contour 5b. Thus, with the clockwise movement of the output pulley 5 about the rotation axis 8 shown in FIG. 1, the cam 6a moves along a three-dimensional helical line or actuating contour 5b and the actuating lever 6 pivots clockwise about its axis 9. Since the actuating lever 6 and the release lever 7 are mounted coaxially with each other and on a common axis 9, the actuating lever 7 follows the clockwise movement of the actuating lever 6, thus totally ensuring that the claw 1 also pivots in the clockwise direction shown in FIG. 1. This is because the release lever 7 is non-rotatably coupled to the actuating lever 6.

[0029]

[0028] As a result, the pawl 2 is lifted by the rotary latch 1 out of the latched engagement shown in Fig. 1, in the closed state of the locking mechanism 1 as shown. The pawl 2 moves together with the release lever 7 and the actuating lever 6 about a common axis 9. The rotary latch 1 then spring-assisted opens, releasing the previously captured locking pin (not shown). The associated vehicle door is then opened.

[0030]

[0029] The worm 4 on the output shaft of the electric motor 3 has a number of evoloid teeth 4a on its circumference and along its extension. The evoloid teeth 4a are chamfered so that at least one of these evoloid teeth 4a always engages in an evoloid mesh on the circumference of the output pulley 5. According to an exemplary embodiment, the worm 4 has a maximum of three evoloid teeth 4a on the output shaft of the electric motor 3. Of course, this applies only as an example. The reduction ratio achieved at this point can generally be greater than 10:1, in particular greater than 20:1, and even more preferably greater than 30:1.

[0031] According to the invention, according to the representation in Fig. 2, a latch element 11 is designed to be arranged in the engagement area 10 between the rotary latch 1 and the claw 2. According to this embodiment, the latch element 11 is pivotally mounted on the rotary latch 1, i.e. mainly on the locking mechanism surface straddled by the rotary latch 1 and the claw 2. From the representation in Fig. 2 it can be seen that for this purpose the latch element 11 is inserted with its pivot bearing head 11a into the recess 1a of the rotary latch 1 and can therefore perform a corresponding pivoting movement. When the claw 2 is lifted out of its latched engagement with the rotary latch 1, the latch element 11 thus performs the pivoting movement shown in Figs. 1 and 2, which allows the claw 2 to be lifted out of its engagement with the rotary latch 1 in a particularly friction-free manner.

[0032]

[0031] For this purpose, the latch element 11 can have a guide extension 11b, which protrudes against the locking mechanism surface and ensures additional axial and / or radial guidance of the latch element 11. The associated guide extension 11b can, for example, be designed as an embossing. Furthermore, a casing or a component part of the rotary latch 1 may provide an axial fixation of the pivotable latch element 11, but this is not shown in detail. [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] Locking mechanism 1,2, Rotating latch 1, Recess 1a, Claw part 2, Drive unit 3, 4, 5, Electric motor 3, Warm 4, Drive pulley 5, Evoroid gear stage 4a(5a), Working profile 5b, Operating lever mechanism 6, 7, Actuating lever 6, Cam 6a, Release lever 7, Rotation axis 8. Axis 9, Engagement area 10, Detent element 11, Slewing bearing head 11a, Guide extension 11b.

Claims

1. A lock for a motor vehicle, in particular a lock for a motor vehicle door, preferably an electric lock, comprising an electric drive (3, 4, 5) and a locking mechanism (1, 2) operable by said drive (3, 4, 5), the locking mechanism essentially consisting of a rotary latch (1) and a pawl (2), 4. A lock for a motor vehicle, comprising: a drive device (3, 4, 5) having at least one evoloid gear stage (4a, 5a); and a latch element (11) arranged in an engagement area (10) between the rotary latch (1) and the pawl (2) and pivotably mounted on the rotary latch (1) and / or the pawl (2) primarily in the plane of the lock mechanism.

2. 2. The lock for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the electric drive (3, 4, 5) comprises an electric motor (3) and an output pulley (5), and the evoloid gear stage (4a, 5a) is realized between a worm (4) on the output shaft of the electric motor (3) and the output pulley (5).

3. 3. A lock for a motor vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that the outer periphery is provided with evoloid teeth (5a) inclined with respect to the axis of rotation (8) of the output pulley (5).

4. 4. The lock device for a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the output pulley (5) is provided with an operating outer portion (5b) of the operating lever (6) on an end surface facing the operating lever (6).

5. 5. A lock for a motor vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that the actuating profile (5b) is helical with a helical axis (8).

6. 6. Lock according to claim 5, characterized in that the helical axis (8) of the working profile (5b) coincides with the rotation axis (8) of the output pulley (5).

7. 7. The lock for a motor vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that the worm (4) has a plurality of evoloid teeth (4a) on the output shaft of the electric motor (3), the plurality of evoloid teeth (4a) being chamfered so that at least one evoloid tooth (4a) engages with a peripheral evoloid meshing portion of the output pulley (5).

8. 8. A vehicle door lock according to claim 1, further comprising a release lever (7) which interacts with the actuating lever (6) to act on the claw portion (2).

9. 9. A lock for a motor vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that the actuating lever (6) and the release lever (7) are mounted coaxially on a common axis (9).

10. The use of a latch element (11) in an engagement area (10) between a rotary latch (1) and a pawl (2) in a motor vehicle lock, in particular in a motor vehicle door lock, preferably an electric lock, comprising:

1. Use comprising an electric drive (3, 4, 5) and a locking mechanism (1, 2) actuable by said drive (3, 4, 5), essentially consisting of a rotary latch (1) and a pawl (2), said drive (3, 4, 5) being fitted with at least one evoloid gear stage (4a, 5a), said latch element (11) being pivotally mounted on said rotary latch (1) and / or said pawl (2), primarily in the plane of the locking mechanism.

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