Car Locks

Abstract

The present invention relates to a lock for a motor vehicle, in particular a lock for a motor vehicle door, with a locking mechanism (1, 2) substantially comprising a rotary latch (1) and a pawl (2). It also provides an electric drive (8, 9, 10) having an electric motor (8), which selectively biases a coupling element (7) of an operating lever chain (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) into an "engaged" and "disengaged" position by means of an actuator (10). According to the invention, a disconnecting element (11) is assigned to the actuator (10) to ensure a temporary disconnection of the actuator (10) in order to switch off the electric motor (8) following a movement of the actuator (10) and a subsequent reversal of the actuator (10).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lock for a motor vehicle, particularly a lock for a motor vehicle door, which includes a locking mechanism consisting essentially of a rotary latch and a pawl, and an electric drive device with an electric motor, the electric drive device selectively biasing a coupling element of an operating lever chain to an "engaged" or "disengaged" position by means of an actuator.

[0002]

[0002] Automobile locks of the above-mentioned design, in particular automobile door locks, are used in different variations and in various positions in and on automobiles. In fact, this includes rear door locks, hood locks, fuel filler flap locks, and seat locks. However, in general, the automobile locks in question, in particular automobile door locks, are mounted on the side doors of the automobile.

[0003]

[0003] Electric motor opening drives are often used here, which are increasingly being used for comfort and acoustic reasons. With the help of such electric opening drives, a locking mechanism consisting of a rotary latch and a pawl in the closed position can be opened by lifting the pawl out of locking engagement with the rotary latch with the help of the electric drive. This causes the rotary latch to open with the help of a spring, releasing the previously captured locking bolt and therefore the associated vehicle door.

[0004]

[0004] However, in the event of a crash or failure of the power supply to the electric drive for opening the locking mechanism, emergency measures or so-called emergency operation or even emergency access are required. To do this, procedures often involve moving the operating lever chain to its "unlocked" position in the event of emergency access or in the event of a crash, so that, for example, rescuers can open the associated vehicle door. This process is often referred to as "temporary crash redundancy (TCR)" because the operating lever chain is typically mechanically closed for emergency access and then often returns to its open, and therefore locked, state.

[0005] This means that the operating lever chain in question is generally open and therefore "locked" during normal operation, and therefore the locking mechanism cannot be engaged using the operating lever chain during normal operation. Rather, in such cases, electrical opening is ensured by an electric drive. However, in the event of an emergency operation and associated emergency access, such as during a collision, the operating lever chain is mechanically closed. This is generally ensured by a coupling element, which in such a case is shifted to an "engaged" position corresponding to the closed configuration of the operating lever chain. As a result, arriving rescuers can, for example, mechanically open the locking mechanism via the thus-closed operating lever chain. However, if the coupling element is "disengaged" during normal operation, resulting in the operating lever chain being "locked," the operating lever chain cannot open the locking mechanism when engaged.

[0006] Such an approach has proven fundamentally successful, as evidenced by the general document DE 10 2019 132 764 A1. There, an electric drive is implemented that acts on a safety element. With the help of the safety element, the safety element can be controlled to assume its safe position. In addition to this electric drive, an electric opening drive is additionally implemented. This leads to a structurally complex design, as such electric drives are expensive.

[0007]

[0007] In contrast, the present invention addresses the technical problem of achieving structural simplification compared to the prior art, and in particular the technical problem of creating the possibility of enabling the electric drive to perform additional functions in addition to acting on the coupling element.

[0008]

[0008] In order to solve this technical problem, within the scope of the present invention, motor vehicle locks in general, and in particular motor vehicle door locks, are characterized in that the actuator is assigned a blocking element which ensures that following movement of the actuator, the actuator is temporarily blocked in order to switch off the electric motor, and then reverses the actuator and thus the electric opening drive.

[0009] The implemented blocking element allows for easy differentiation and separation of the individual functional states and the corresponding actuator movements that can be realized with the aid of the electric drive. In fact, the vehicle lock in question generally assumes a locked state during normal operation in which the associated operating lever chain is open. In this case, the actuator ensures that the link element of the operating lever chain assumes its "disengaged" position. The operating lever chain is open.

[0010] For example, if the electric drive in question is also intended to be used to open the locking mechanism using the electric motor, this generally requires first unlocking. For this purpose, the actuator may be actuated by the electric drive starting from a basic position, or a spring may be used to pre-tension the actuator in the "unlock" direction of the operating lever chain.

[0011]

[0011] As soon as the actuator, and therefore the operating lever chain, is in the "unlocked" state, so that the coupling element is "engaged" after previously being in the "disengaged" state during normal operation, a movement of the actuator can be carried out to open the locking mechanism by the electric motor. This can be ensured, for example, by a signal from a sensor that informs a control unit acting on the electric drive that the actuator, and therefore the operating lever chain, has assumed its "unlocked" position. The sensor in question can also be assigned to the coupling element that is transferred from the "disengaged" position to the "engaged" position during normal operation.

[0012]

[0012] During the movement of the actuator following the "unlocked" state, the locking mechanism is opened by the electric motor. For this purpose, an electric drive having an electric motor generally acts on the actuator in the opposite direction to the actuation direction used to assume the "unlocked" position. This movement of the electric drive and therefore of the actuator by the electric motor continues until an additionally provided blocking element ensures temporary blocking of the actuator. As soon as the corresponding position of the actuator is reached, the actuator is securely held and blocked by blocking of the actuator by a blocking element, which usually interacts directly with the actuator. The same applies to the electric motor acting on the actuator, so that the actuator experiences blocking or "runs into blocking".

[0013]

[0013] The electric motor or control unit is typically assigned a sensor that detects, for example, an increase in the current consumption of the electric motor during such a blocking movement, so that the process of blocking the actuator by the incoming blocking element results in the electric motor being switched off as a whole.

[0014]

[0014] As a result of this stopping of the electric motor, the spring assigned to the electric drive can ensure that the actuator is reversed and at the same time the disconnecting element swings out or moves away from its disconnecting position relative to its disconnecting position. At the end of this process, the electric drive returns to its basic position. The disconnection of the actuator is time-limited, i.e., temporary, i.e., only while the disconnecting element is in the disconnecting position relative to the actuator.

[0015]

[0015] During the movement of the actuator for electrically opening the locking mechanism in the exemplary case, the coupling element is generally and simultaneously acted upon by the actuator and changes from its "engaged" position to its "disengaged" position, so that at the end of the actuator movement the operating lever chain returns to its initial "locked" position.

[0016]

[0016] Overall, the interaction between the actuator and the shut-off element allows for a complete functional separation when the actuator is energized to unlock the actuating lever chain on the one hand and to open the actuating lever chain using the electric motor on the other hand. All this is achieved by considering a simple and compact design, since only the actuator and the shut-off element interact. These are the main advantages.

[0017] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the blocking element and the actuator are each mounted so as to be rotatable about an associated axis, the axes being arranged primarily parallel to one another and spaced apart from one another. Furthermore, the phase design is appropriately selected so that the blocking element is arranged adjacent to the blocking contour of the actuator. The blocking element is generally designed as a blocking lever with at least a blocking arm and a control arm.

[0018] The shut-off arm advantageously has a pin which interacts with the contour of the actuator. The interaction between the pin and the contour allows the shut-off lever or the shut-off element to directly interact with the actuator or its contour to ensure the aforementioned temporary shut-off of the actuator in order to switch off the electric motor. The contour in question is usually designed as a U-shaped web. A pin provided on the shut-off arm of the shut-off lever can swing into the U-shaped web through an opening in the U-shaped web and temporarily shut off the actuator. In this connection, one corner of the U-shaped web usually ensures the temporary shut-off of the actuator when the pin abuts against the actuator in order to switch off the electric motor.

[0019] This means that as soon as the pin enters the relevant corner of the U-shaped web, the actuator blocks its movement via a blocking element or a blocking lever. The same applies to the electric motor driving the actuator. The resulting blocking of the electric motor results in the actuator being switched off and subsequently reversing, as already explained.

[0020] For this purpose, the blocking element is equipped with an associated spring, in particular a ramp spring, which supports the movement of the blocking element in the sense that when the actuator moves in the "unlock" direction, the blocking element swings its pin against the actuator's profile and swings it again against the profile after the actuator's movement is complete. For this purpose, the ramp spring in question is usually arranged on an additional spring arm of the blocking lever.

[0021] This means that the shut-off lever typically has three arms, namely the shut-off arm supporting the pin, the control arm mentioned above, and finally the spring arm to which the cantilever spring is connected. The control arm supports the pivoting movement of the shut-off element or the shut-off lever, respectively, both when pivoting the shut-off lever in and out relative to the actuator profile.

[0022] The actual reversal of the actuator following its movement is usually initiated by a spring. For this purpose, the electric drive has a spring in question for reversing the actuator. The spring may be integrated into the gearbox or else into the electric drive with the electric motor.

[0023]

[0023] As a result, firstly, a motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, is provided and implemented which, in principle, opens up the possibility of directly and temporarily, i.e., for a limited time, deactivating the electric drive or the actuator actuated by it, by means of an electric motor in a simple manner, i.e., with the aid of a deactivation element or deactivation lever. In this way, the electric drive can ultimately be used for at least two functions: on the one hand, to selectively shift the coupling element of the operating lever chain into the "engaged" and "disengaged" positions, and on the other hand, to ensure that the locking mechanism is opened by the electric motor. These are the main advantages. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024]

[0024] In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with the aid of drawings which show exemplary embodiments only. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows an automobile door lock according to the present invention in the form of an automobile door lock. [Figure 2A]FIG. 2A shows an electric drive with an actuator and a blocking element in different functional positions during the transition from a "locked" initial position to an "unlocked" end position in FIG. 2D. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B shows the electric drive with the actuator and the blocking element in different functional positions during the transition from the "locked" initial position in FIG. 2D to the "unlocked" end position. [Figure 2C] FIG. 2C shows the electric drive with the actuator and the blocking element in different functional positions during the transition from the "locked" initial position in FIG. 2D to the "unlocked" end position. [Figure 2D] FIG. 2D shows the electric drive with the actuator and blocking element in the "locked" initial position. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A shows the subject matter according to FIG. 2A during the movement of the control element up to the disconnection of the electric motor in FIG. 3D. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B shows the subject matter according to FIG. 2B during the movement of the control element up to the disconnection of the electric motor in FIG. 3D. [Figure 3C] FIG. 3C shows the subject matter according to FIG. 2C during the movement of the control element up to the disconnection of the electric motor in FIG. 3D. [Figure 3D] 2D during the movement of the control element up to the disconnection of the electric motor. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows the reversal of the actuator and the pivoting of the blocking element in transition to the initial position according to the diagram of FIG. 2A followed by the blocking position according to FIG. 3D.

[0025] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0026] The drawings show a motor vehicle lock, which according to an exemplary embodiment is a lock for a motor vehicle door. Said lock has a locking mechanism 1, 2, shown only in Figure 1, which essentially consists of a rotary latch 1 and a pawl 2. The rotary latch 1 and the pawl 2 are shown only diagrammatically in cross section in Figure 1, in particular in the closed state. To open the locking mechanisms 1, 2, a release lever 3, also shown there, must move clockwise about its axis, as shown in Figure 1.

[0027] The release lever 3 is part of an operating lever chain 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. In addition to the release lever 3, the operating lever chain 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 comprises an internal operating lever 4, an external operating lever 5 and, according to an exemplary embodiment, a transmission lever 6 acting on a connecting lever 7 or connecting element 7 designed as a connecting slide 7 linearly attached to the internal operating lever 4.

[0028] The transmission lever 6 can be actuated by electric drives 8, 9, 10. For this purpose, the electric drives 8, 9, 10 have an electric motor 8, a downstream gearbox 9 and an actuator 10 which can perform a pivoting movement clockwise and counterclockwise about its axis, as indicated by the double arrow in Figure 1. A blocking element 11 assigned to the actuator 10 is also essential for the following discussion.

[0029] According to this exemplary embodiment, and without limitation, the electric drives 8, 9, 10 are designed as TCR drives and, in addition to or simultaneously, as electric motor release drives. Of course, this is merely an example and is by no means required. The electric drives 8, 9, 10 can likewise be used for other combined functions or positioning movements. The "TCR on" position corresponds to the transmission lever 6 not acting on the coupling element 7 or coupling slide 7, which assumes an exposed position relative to the internal operating lever 4. This means that in this case, the (spring-supported) coupling slide 7 protrudes beyond the front side of the internal operating lever 4. By pivoting the internal operating lever 4 counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 1, the release lever 3 can act via the coupling element or coupling slide 7 and perform the clockwise movement shown in FIG. 1 to open the locking mechanisms 1, 2. However, this is not shown in detail.

[0030]

[0029] This means that in the "TCR on" position of the electric drives 8, 9, 10 according to the present embodiment, emergency access to the operating lever chains 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or the locking mechanisms 1, 2 acting on them is possible. In principle, the electric drives 8, 9, 10 can also be called locking drives, which in the described example control the operating lever chains 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 to their "unlocked" position by the electric drives 8, 9, 10 acting on the transmission lever 6 so that it assumes its "unlocked" position or the coupling element 7 assumes its "engaged" position. As mentioned above, this is not reflected in FIG. 1. Here, the coupling element 7 assumes its exposed position relative to the internal operating lever 4.

[0031]

[0030] Rather, FIG. 1 shows the functional state "TCR off" of the electric drives 8, 9, 10. In this state, the electric drives 8, 9, 10 bias the coupling element 7 against the biasing force of the spring. Alternatively, it can be said that the operating lever chain 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 is in its "locked" position, and the coupling element 7 assumes its "disengaged" functional position. In this case, the transmission lever 6 ensures that the coupling element 7 assumes its retracted position shown in FIG. 1 relative to the internal operating lever 4 against the force of the spring acting on the coupling element 7. As a result, the counterclockwise movement of the internal operating lever 4 shown in FIG. 1 does not lead to the opening of the locking mechanisms 1, 2, since the internal operating lever 4 performs an idle movement relative to the release lever 3.

[0032]

[0031] In contrast, when the external operating lever 5 is rotated clockwise around a common axis with the release lever 3, as shown in Figure 1, it acts on the release lever 3 and can initiate the clockwise movement of the release lever 3 required to open the locking mechanisms 1 and 2. The function described here may be part of a "child protection" function. Of course, other positions and functions are also possible.

[0033] According to the present invention, it is particularly important that the actuator 10 is assigned not only the aforementioned shut-off element 11. Rather, the shut-off element 11 ensures a temporary shut-off of the actuator 10 as a whole, as will be explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 2A-4. As a result of this shut-off of the actuator 10, and thus of the electric motor 8, the electric motor 8 is switched off. This is because the electric motor 8, and thus the electric drives 8, 9, 10, are operated by a control unit (not explicitly shown) that detects an increase in current consumption as a result of the shut-off of the electric motor 8. This increased current consumption is interpreted as a shut-off and the electric motor 8 is switched off. Switching off the electric motor 8 now allows the actuator 10 to be reversed, as will be explained in more detail below. This is because the switched-off electric motor 8 offers virtually no mechanical resistance to such a reversing movement of the actuator 9. As a result, the spring 16, indicated only by an arrow in FIG. 4 as a component of the electric drives 8, 9, 10, ensures the desired reversal.

[0034]

[0033] Now, starting from the basic position of the motor vehicle lock shown in Figure 1, which is shown in Figure 2A in reduced scale with the actuator 10 and the disconnecting element 11, this includes the state shown in Figure 1, namely "TCR off" or "locked". The coupling element 7 is therefore "disengaged" and the operating lever chains 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 are mechanically interrupted or released. This is ensured by the electric drives 8, 9, 10.

[0035] The unlocking priority that can be seen during the transition from Fig. 2A to Fig. 2B corresponds here to the fact that the actuator 10, starting from the functional position in Fig. 2A, performs a counterclockwise movement as shown in Fig. 2B, which causes the shut-off lever 11 to pivot towards the actuator 10. In fact, the shut-off element 11 according to the exemplary embodiment is designed as a shut-off lever with at least one shut-off arm 11a and one control arm 11b. Furthermore, according to this exemplary embodiment, a spring arm 11c is also realized, on which a spring 12, in particular a canted spring 12, acts. The shut-off element 11 is therefore designed as a three-arm shut-off lever 11.

[0036] 2A to 2B, the pivoting movement of the actuator 10 in the "unlocking" direction is accompanied by the above-mentioned counterclockwise movement of the actuator 10, so that the end of the actuator 10 can act on the control arm 11b, which generally ensures that during this process the disconnecting element or disconnecting lever 11 is pivoted counterclockwise in the direction of the actuator 10. The actuator 10 can then be acted on, or generally acted on, by the force of a spring in the unlocking direction or, as in the exemplary embodiment, by the corresponding energization of the electric motor 8 as a component of the electric drives 8, 9, 10.

[0037] 2B to 2C, as counterclockwise movement of actuator 10 continues, blocking arm 11a of blocking element 11, together with pin 13 at its end, eventually drops into blocking profile 14 of actuator 10. Blocking profile 14 is a U-shaped web around which pin 13 pivots through opening 15 to temporarily block actuator 10. It can be seen that blocking element 11 is disposed generally adjacent blocking profile 14 or U-shaped web 14.

[0038]

[0037] During the transition from Figure 2C to Figure 2D, the pin 13 on the blocking arm 11a finally reaches the stop 14a of the U-shaped web 14, as a result of which the actuator 10 reaches its end position in the sense of "unlocked" or "TCR on" or "engaged" of the coupling element 7.

[0039] Following this "unlocked" state, which can also be detected by the sensor and transmitted to the control unit, the control unit ensures that the electric drives 8, 9, 10 are biased in the direction of movement of the actuators for opening of the locking mechanisms 1, 2 by the electric motors. As mentioned above, the movement of the actuator 10 can be carried out with the help of springs or electric drives 8, 9, 10 according to the sequence of Figures 2A to 2D.

[0040] 2D and 3A, after reaching the "unlocked" position in Fig. 2D, the actuator 10 is urged by the electric motor in a counterclockwise direction to open the locking mechanisms 1 and 2. This is because, when the actuator 10 is moved counterclockwise from the initial position according to Fig. 1, the actuator 10 moves to the operating arm 3a of the release lever 3 via the pin 10a shown in Fig. 1, and the release lever 3 can be rotated clockwise as shown in Fig. 1 to open the locking mechanisms 1 and 2.

[0041]

[0040] The pivoting movement of the actuator 10 in the counterclockwise direction, starting in Figure 3A, results in the shutoff element or shutoff lever 11 being pivoted clockwise around its axis during the transition to Figure 3B. During further gradual counterclockwise movement of the actuator 10 around its axis, initiated by the action exerted by the electric drives 8, 9, 10, finally, in the further series of views according to Figures 3C and 3D, the shutoff arm 11a, at the end of which, in the representation according to Figure 3D, the pin 13 is arranged, reaches the corner of the profile or U-shaped web 14. The actuator 10 can now no longer be pivoted counterclockwise around its axis by the electric drives 8, 9, 10, and the actuator 10 is shut off. The same applies to the electric motor 8.

[0042] Such a disconnection of the actuator 10 is accompanied by an increased current increase to the electric motor 8, which can be detected by a control unit, not explicitly shown as an example, which interprets this current increase as a disconnection of the electric motor 8 and switches it off.

[0043] As a result, the actuator 10 can be acted upon by the already mentioned spring 16, i.e. in the sense of pivoting clockwise about its axis, as shown in Figure 4 and by the arrow therein, since the electric motor 8 or the electric drives 8, 9, 10 are switched off and can (no longer) act on the actuator 10, so that the actuator 10 can pivot more or less freely and can only be acted upon by the spring 12, i.e. in the clockwise direction.

[0044]

[0043] This means that the actuator 10 is temporarily blocked by the blocking element 11, i.e. when the pin 13 penetrates into the corner of the U-shaped web 14 on the actuator 10, at this point ensuring a temporary, i.e. time-limited, blocking of the actuator 10 and thus the electric motor 8.

[0045]

[0044] Starting from Figure 4, the reverse clockwise movement of the actuator 10 by the spring 12 shown therein will eventually cause the actuator 10 to again reach its basic position as shown in Figure 2A and thus again be able to complete the actuation process described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] Locking mechanism 1, 2, Rotating latch 1, Claw part 2, Release lever 3, Actuating arm 3a, Operating lever chain 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, Internal operating lever 4, External operating lever 5, Transmission lever 6, Coupling lever / coupling element 7, electric motor 8, Gearbox 9, Actuator 10, Pin 10a, Drive units 8, 9, 10, blocking element 11, blocking arm 11a, Control arm 11b, Spring arm 11c, Inclined spring 12, Pin 13, Shielding outer part 14, Stop part 14a, Web 14, opening 15, Spring 16.

Claims

1. A lock for a motor vehicle, in particular a lock for a motor vehicle door, having a locking mechanism (1, 2) essentially consisting of a rotary latch (1) and a pawl (2), and having an electric drive device (8, 9, 10) with an electric motor (8), 1. A lock for a motor vehicle, comprising: an electric drive (8, 9, 10) for selectively biasing a coupling element (7) of an operating lever chain (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) into the "engaged" and "disengaged" positions by means of an actuator (10); and a blocking element (11) for ensuring a temporary blocking of the actuator (10) for switching off the electric motor (8) following a movement of the actuator (10) and a subsequent reversal of the actuator (10).

2. 2. A lock for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the blocking element (11) and the actuator (10) are each mounted rotatably about axes extending substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other.

3. 3. A lock for a motor vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the blocking element (11) is arranged adjacent to a blocking profile (14) of the actuator (10).

4. 4. The lock for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the blocking element (11) is designed as a blocking lever (11) with at least one blocking arm (11a) and a control arm (11b).

5. 5. A lock for a motor vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that the blocking arm (11a) has a pin (13) which interacts with a blocking profile (14) of the actuator (10).

6. 6. A lock for a motor vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that the blocking profile (14) is designed as a U-shaped web (14) through which the pin (13) pivots, opening (15) for temporarily blocking the actuator (10) and therefore the electric motor (8).

7. 7. A lock for a motor vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that one corner of the U-shaped web (14) ensures a temporary disconnection of the actuator (10) when the pin (13) abuts against the actuator (10) and switches off the electric motor (8).

8. A lock for a motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the blocking element (11) has an associated spring (12), in particular a canted spring (12).

9. 9. A lock for a motor vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that the spring (12) is arranged on another spring arm (11c) of the disconnecting lever (11).

10. A lock for a motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the electric drive (8, 9, 10) comprises a spring (16) for reversing the actuator (10).

Images