Automobile lock assembly and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to an automotive lock assembly, in particular a vehicle bonnet lock assembly, comprising a mechanical module (1) and an electrical module (2). The mechanical module (1) has at least one locking mechanism (3, 4) and a locking mechanism (5). Further, the electrical module (2) comprises at least one electrical component support (6) and at least one electrical / electronic component (7) arranged on the at least one electrical component support (6). The electrical module (2) can be fixed to the locking housing (5) of the mechanical module (1). According to the invention, the electrical component support (6) of the electrical module (2) is releasably and electrically engaged without distortion in a corresponding latch opening (5a) of the locking housing (5) of the mechanical module (1) by means of a latch projection (6a) during the pivoting movement.

Description

Technical Field

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to an automotive lock assembly having a mechanical module and an electrical module, particularly an automotive bonnet lock assembly. The mechanical module has at least one locking mechanism and a lock housing, and the electrical module also comprises at least one electrical component support and at least one electrical / electronic component disposed on or in the electrical component support. The electrical module can be fixed to the lock housing of the mechanical module.

Background Art

[0002]

[0002] Lock systems for today's automobiles or automotive locks substantially consist of two assemblies or modules, specifically, the actual mechanical part of the lock as a mechanical module involved in locking the doors or hoods of the relevant automobiles, and an electrical module that supports, for example, an actuator and supplies the electrical energy required for the actuator. The actuator system can have an electric motor and a gear. Since the electric motor is controlled by a control device and its position is monitored, usually, the electrical module requires some additional sensors for position monitoring.

[0003]

[0003] For this purpose, the electrical module has at least one electrical component support. The electrical component support is used on the one hand for the electrical contact of individual electrical / electronic components, particularly actuators and sensors, and on the other hand functions as a mechanical support for the relevant components. For this purpose, the electrical component support can comprise, for example, a punched grid formed through plastic within a plastic support plate. Generally, one or more conductor track foils can also be used for electrical contact at this point. Combinations are also conceivable.

[0004]

[0004] Electrical / electronic components equipped electrical component support parts, and thus electrical modules, are usually installed inside the locking housing of a mechanical module or attached to the locking housing. This often requires various working steps as part of a preliminary procedure, for example, fixing the electrical component support part inside or on the locking housing and adjusting its electrical contact. As a result, in practice, soldering and screwing processes, as well as hot stamping processes in certain situations, are often required. All of these manufacturing processes not only require additional use of materials such as solder, but also take time and are therefore costly.

[0005]

[0005] An electromechanical assembly for a vehicle locking system, and thus an electrical module having an electrical component support part, is described as an example in the German Patent Application Publication No. 102012208078. For this purpose, a known electromechanical assembly has a switching device, and the number of operating times of the switching device is determined using an evaluation device.

[0006]

[0006] In the door lock module for a vehicle door according to European Patent No. 1087082, the electric door lock consists of a control unit and a mechanical part connected to the control unit. The electric control unit is connected to the mechanical part of the door lock via an intermediate lever. The intermediate lever is designed to be able to cope with the tolerances of both locking parts that must be taken into account when attaching the door lock to the end face of the associated motor vehicle door.

[0007]

[0007] In the context of general prior art according to German Utility Model No. 202015009935, the electrical component support part has a separate housing and can be attached to the outer surface of the associated vehicle lock. For this purpose, the electrical component support part is designed to interact with the holding means of the housing or the locking housing of the vehicle lock. The said holding means are clip, snap and / or latch connections. This has basically been found to be successful.

[0008]

[0008] However, the known general procedure according to German Utility Model No. 202015009935 also has two plug contacts where the electrical component support projects from an extension of the electrical component support, such that the connection between the electrical component support and the lock housing of the vehicle lock is ultimately effected by a vertical plug connection. When the two plug contacts are connected to the lock housing, the plug contacts engage corresponding sockets of the lock housing. An additional snap connection prevents the electrical component support from being detached from the lock housing.

[0009]

[0009] In practice, the known procedure raises the problem that the plug contacts protruding from the electrical component support must be accurately aligned with two sockets on or within the lock housing that hold the plug contacts during their respective connections. On the other hand, such plug contacts are relatively fragile and can be bent or, in the worst case, damaged during storage or assembly of the electrical component support. All of this can lead to installation delays and thus increased costs. The present invention seeks to improve this overall.

[0010]

[0010] The present invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a vehicle lock assembly so that it can be easily installed without the risk of damage.

[0011]

[0011] To solve this technical problem, a general vehicle lock assembly within the scope of the present invention is characterized in that the electrical component support of an electrical module engages, in the corresponding latch recess of the lock housing of a mechanical module, in a detachable and non-electrically connected manner during a pivoting movement using a latch projection, or vice versa.

[0012]

[0012] In the context of the present invention, on the one hand, the detachable connection between the electrical component support and, on the other hand, the locking housing is achieved at this point by forming a snap-in connection. The latch connection uses a latch projection on the electrical component support and a latch recess on or within the locking housing. In principle, this can also be reversed. In that case, the locking housing then comprises a latch projection which releasably engages in the latch recess of the electrical component support.

[0013]

[0013] Particularly important for the present invention and, in contrast to the general prior art according to German Utility Model No. 202015009935, the latch connection between the latch projection and the latch recess is designed to be established during a pivoting movement. This means that the connection by means of the latch connection between the electrical component support and the locking housing is effected by a pivoting movement, whereas in the general prior art, a strictly linear plug connection is used at this point only in the case of providing additional electrical contact between a plug contact and an associated socket.

[0014]

[0014] In contrast, the present invention functions without an electrical connection, i.e., there is no electrical connection between the electrical component support and the locking housing, and there is a purely mechanical detachable connection. This means that the electrical component support can be detachably coupled to the locking housing during the pivoting movement while the latch connection is being made, since no electrical connection is explicitly required during this process. This also eliminates malfunctions or damage of electrical connections that are not realized from the start. These are the main advantages.

[0015]

[0015] In a further preferred embodiment, the electrical component support comprises, in addition to the latch projection, a pivoting stop for engaging in a pivoting recess of the locking housing. This means that, in order to effect the pivoting movement when the electrical component support and the locking housing are joined, the electrical component support engages using the pivoting stop of the electrical component support within the associated pivoting recess of the locking housing. Also, usually, the latch projection and the pivoting stop of the electrical component support are substantially opposed to each other.

[0016]

[0016] In this regard, it has also been found useful for the latch protrusion and the pivoting stop to be arranged on the mounting flange of the electrical component support. The electrical component support also comprises a centering projection for ensuring that it can be properly fixed to the lock housing when latch-connected. The centering projection can be arranged on the mounting flange, preferably between the latch protrusion and the pivoting stop. Further, in this context, the centering projection is designed to engage with a related centering recess on the lock housing when the electrical component support is mounted.

[0017]

[0017] The subject matter of the present invention also provides a method for manufacturing the automotive lock assembly of the above-described embodiment. During the pivoting movement of the electrical component support relative to the lock housing, the latch protrusion of the electrical component support engages releasably and non-electrically with the latch recess of the lock housing. Further, the pivoting movement of the electrical component support relative to the lock housing is designed to be an arc movement. To achieve the arc or arc movement, the pivoting stops function as the centers of the respective arcs. The centering projections also ensure centering during this pivoting movement by gradually entering the centering recesses of the lock housing during the pivoting movement.

[0018]

[0018] As a result, an automotive lock assembly and a related method for its manufacture are described, both of which are characterized in particular by a particularly functional and simple design. Further, the absence of an electrical connection between the electrical component support and the lock housing enables the two components to be reliably joined during a pivoting movement, in particular a circular movement. Thereby, in particular, the centering projection engaging with the centering recess further centers the electrical component support relative to the lock housing during this process, making the installation particularly intuitive and simple.

[0019]

[0019] The lock housing can basically be a plastic housing surrounding the vehicle lock. However, in principle, the lock housing for attaching the lock mechanism functions as a lock housing or a corresponding part for the electrical component support part that can be detachably attached to the electrical component support part. Regarding that part, the electrical component support part usually comprises at least one electrical or electronic component arranged above or near the electrical component support part. This at least one electrical or electronic component may include one or more sensors, for example one or more switches, particularly microswitches.

[0020]

[0020] Furthermore, the electrical component support part has a plastic support plate into which a punched grid is fitted and which may be surrounded by a plastic injection molding process. Furthermore, the electrical component support part usually comprises a molded connection socket. The electrical / electronic component supported by the electrical component support part can be electrically coupled to the control part on the door or body side, for example via the connection socket. All that is required is for the plug to be inserted into the connection socket after the electrical component support part is fitted into the lock housing to provide the necessary electrical connection. These are the main advantages.

[0021]

[0021] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings showing only exemplary embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022]

Figure 1

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

Figure 2C

Figure 2D

Figure 3

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023]

[0022] The figure shows an automotive lock assembly, particularly an automotive bonnet lock assembly. This automotive bonnet lock assembly has a mechanical module 1 and an electrical module 2, which are designed and manufactured separately and then combined to form a bonnet lock, as will be described in more detail below.

[0024]

[0023] For this purpose, the mechanical module 1 comprises at least one locking mechanism 3, 4 consisting of a latch 3 and a claw 4 that interacts with the latch 3. In the example according to FIG. 1, the locking mechanisms 3, 4 are shown in the closed state. The locking mechanisms 3, 4 are rotatably mounted in a lock case 5 that functions as a lock housing 5 in an exemplary embodiment, and an electrical component support 6 is detachably attached to the lock case 5 as part of the electrical module 2 within the scope of the present invention. In this way, the mechanical module 1 and the electrical module 2 are combined to form the illustrated vehicle bonnet lock. This vehicle bonnet lock is used, for example, to close a hood (not shown) with respect to a vehicle body.

[0025]

[0024] The electrical component support 6 comprises at least one electrical / electronic component 7 disposed on or in the electrical component support 6. In the context of an exemplary embodiment, without limitation, the electrical / electronic component 7 is a sensor or switch 7 that can query the position of an ejector lever AH attached in axial alignment with the claw 4 according to the exemplary embodiment.

[0026] Of course, at this point, components 7 or sensors or (micro) switches 7 that are implemented can also be used to query and detect the positions of other components of the mechanical module 1. Here, the corresponding signals from the components or switches 7 are sent to a control unit 8 which is merely schematically shown. The control unit 8 is connected to the electrical component support 6 or the connection socket 10 realized at this point via a plug 9, and the plug 9 can be inserted into and brought into contact with the connection socket 10. According to an exemplary embodiment, the connection socket 10 is formed on the electrical component support 6 or forms a part of the electrical component support 6.

[0027]

[0026] Thus, according to an exemplary embodiment, the electrical component support 6 on which the electrical / electronic components 7 are arranged and the connection socket 10 together define an electrical module 2, and this electrical module 2 is combined with the mechanical module 1 as an assembled structural unit to form the illustrated automobile bonnet lock, as will be described in more detail below.

[0028]

[0027] In fact, according to an exemplary embodiment, the electrical module 2 can be detachably attached to the lock housing 5 of the mechanical module 1. For this purpose, according to an exemplary embodiment and the present invention, the electrical component support 6 of the electrical module 2 is detachably engaged with a corresponding latch recess 5a of the lock housing 5 of the mechanical module 1 by, for example, integrally formed latch protrusions 6a which can be particularly recognized in FIG. 3. Furthermore, in this context, as can be understood from a series of FIGS. 2A to 2D, the latch connection 5a, 6a thus realized between the latch protrusion 6a and the latch recess 5a is designed to be established during the pivoting movement process between the electrical component support 6 and the lock housing 5. Furthermore, in the context of an exemplary embodiment and according to the present invention, the connection between the electrical component support 6 and the lock housing 5 is realized in a non-electrically connected state, that is, at this point, only a mechanical connection between the electrical component support 6 and the lock housing 5 exists, and no additional electrical connection is made or required in this context.

[0029]

[0028] For this purpose, the electrical component support portion 6 includes a pivot stop portion 6b in addition to the latch protrusion 6a. As can be seen particularly from the transition portion from FIG. 2A to FIG. 2B, the pivot stop portion 6b serves to engage with the corresponding pivot recess 5b of the lock housing 5. Overall, for example, as shown in FIG. 2A, the latch protrusion 6a and the pivot stop portion 6b on the electrical component support portion 6 are designed to be substantially opposed to each other. The overall design also shows that the latch protrusion 6a and the pivot stop portion 6b are arranged on the fixed flange 6d of the electrical component support portion 6. The mounting flange 6d also has a centering protrusion 6c. Further, a mounting flange having the latch protrusion 6a, the pivot stop portion 6b, and the centering protrusion 6c is formed on the electrical component support portion 6.

[0030]

[0029] The centering protrusion 6c is not only arranged on the fixed flange 6d of the electrical component support portion 6, but also arranged between the latch protrusion 6a and the pivot stop portion 6b. In this way, the centering protrusion 6c can engage with the centering recess 5c of the lock housing 5 when the electrical component support portion 6 is attached to the lock housing 5.

[0031]

[0030] Therefore, the assembled state in FIG. 2D shows that the latch protrusion 6a on the electrical component support portion 6 is engaged with the latch recess 5a of the lock housing 5. The centering protrusion 6c of the electrical component support portion 6 is also engaged with the related centering recess 5c of the lock housing 5. Finally, during this process, the electrical component support portion 6 is arranged such that its pivot stop portion 6b comes within the related pivot recess 5b, and in this way, as can be seen from the transition from FIG. 2C to FIG. 2D, this integration is achieved by the fact that the electrical component support portion 6 can perform a pivotal movement or an arc movement with the pivot stop portion 6b as the center point.

[0032]

[0031] The lock housing or lock case 5 is made of metal, particularly high-strength steel, which typically also applies to the fastener 3, the pawl 4, and the ejector lever AH. On the other hand, the electrical component support 6 is usually made of plastic. The electrical component support 6 is typically a plastic injection-molded part. During the plastic injection molding process, the punched grid inside the electrical component support 6 that cannot be explicitly identified is wrapped in plastic and thus electrically insulated and protected from environmental influences. Nevertheless, the electrical / electronic component 7 can come into contact with the punched grid. The punched grid is also connected to the connection socket 10, thereby enabling a desired electrical connection with the plug 9 and ultimately the installed control unit 8.

[0033]

[0032] Figures 2A to 2D show the installation process or manufacturing process for combining the mechanical module 1 with the electrical module 2. Based on Figure 2A, the electrical component support 6 having the pivot stop 6b is first inserted into the associated elongated pivot recess 5b of the lock housing 5 for this purpose. This can be seen in the transition from Figure 2A to Figure 2B and ultimately in Figure 2C, which shows the final state in the insertion process of the pivot stop 6b into the pivot recess 5b.

[0034]

[0033] As shown in Figure 2C, as soon as the pivot stop 6b is placed at the base of the pivot recess 5b of the lock housing 5, the pivot stop 6b can be used as the center point of the pivoting movement of the electrical component support relative to the lock housing 5 of the electrical component support. This pivoting movement is indicated by an arrow in Figure 2C. During this pivoting movement, according to an exemplary embodiment, the electrical component support 6 is pivoted clockwise by approximately 45° along an arc of a circle centered on the said center point or pivot stop 6b. During this process, the centering projection 6c of the electrical component support 6 gradually enters into the mainly horizontal centering recess 5c of the lock housing 5, thereby centering and aligning the electrical component support 6 relative to the lock housing 5.

[0035]

[0034] At the end of this pivotal movement, as shown in FIG. 2D, the latch projection 6a of the electrical component support portion 6 can be engaged with the latch recess 5a of the lock housing 5. Here, the electrical component support portion 6 is aligned with the lock housing 5, and the automotive bonnet lock according to the exemplary embodiment is attached. For the electrical connection between the component 7 and the control unit 8, it is only necessary to insert the plug 9 into the connection socket 10.

Explanation of Signs

[0036] Mechanical module 1 Electrical module 2 Fastener 3 Lock mechanism 3, 4 Claw 4 Lock case 5 Lock housing 5 Latch connection 5a, 6a Latch recess 5a Pivotal recess 5b Electrical component support portion 6 Latch projection 6a Pivotal stop portion 6b Centering projection 6c Mounting flange 6d Projection 6c Component 7 Switch 7 Control unit 8 Ejector lever AH Plug 9 Connection socket 10

Claims

1. An automotive lock assembly, particularly a vehicle bonnet lock assembly, comprising a mechanical module (1) and an electrical module (2), wherein the mechanical module (1) has at least one locking mechanism (3, 4) and a lock housing (5), and the electrical module (2) further comprises at least one electrical component support (6) and at least one electrical / electronic component (7) disposed on or in the at least one electrical component support (6), and the electrical module (2) can be fixed to the lock housing (5) of the mechanical module (1). The automotive lock assembly, characterized in that the electrical component support (6) of the electrical module (2) engages in a detachable and non-electrically connected manner during the pivoting movement within the corresponding latch recess (5a) of the lock housing (5) of the mechanical module (2) using a latch projection (6a), or vice versa.

2. The automotive lock assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrical component support (6) comprises a pivoting stop (6b) for engaging in a pivoting recess (5b) of the lock housing (5) in addition to the latch projection (6a).

3. The automotive lock assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the latch projection (6a) and the pivoting stop (6b) on the electrical component support (6) are substantially opposed to each other.

4. The automotive lock assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the latch projection (6a) and the pivoting stop (6b) are disposed on a fixing flange (6d) of the electrical component support (6).

5. The automotive lock assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the electrical component support (6) further has a centering projection (6c).

6. The automotive lock assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that the centering projection (6c) is disposed between the latch projection (6a) and the pivoting stop (6b) on the fixing flange (6d).

7. The automotive lock assembly according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the centering projection (6c) engages in a centering recess (5c) of the lock housing (5) when the electrical component support (6) is attached.

8. An automotive lock assembly comprising a mechanical module (1) and an electrical module (2), in particular, preferably a method for manufacturing an automotive bonnet lock assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the mechanical module (1) comprises at least one locking mechanism (3, 4) and a lock housing (5), and the electrical module (2) comprises at least one electrical component support (6) and at least one electrical / electronic component (7) disposed on or in the at least one electrical component support (6), and then the electrical module (1) is attached to the lock housing (5) of the mechanical module (1), A manufacturing method, characterized in that the electrical component support (6) of the electrical module (2) engages in a detachable and non-electrically connected manner during the pivoting movement within a corresponding latch recess (5a) of the lock housing (5) of the mechanical module (1) using a latch projection (6a), or vice versa.

9. The manufacturing method according to claim 8, characterized in that the pivoting movement of the electrical component support (6) is performed as an arc movement centered on a pivoting stop (6b) of the electrical component support (6).

10. The manufacturing method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the electrical component support (6) is further centered during the pivoting movement by a centering projection (6c) of the electrical component support (6) protruding into a centering recess (5c) of the lock housing (5).

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