Car door locks

Abstract

The present invention relates to a motor vehicle lock (1), in particular a rear door lock, comprising a locking mechanism (2) consisting of a rotary latch (3) and at least one pawl (4, 5), the rotary latch (3) being capable of latching in a pre-latch position and a main latch position and comprising a pre-latch pawl (4) and a main latch pawl (5), the pre-latch element (17) of the locking mechanism (2) being formed by an angled region of a metal body (18) of the rotary latch (3), the angled region (17) being positionable to engage a closing pawl (25) of a closing device (23).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a motor vehicle lock having a locking mechanism consisting of a rotary latch and at least one pawl, wherein the rotary latch is latchable in a pre-latch position and a main latch position and includes a pre-latch pawl and a main latch pawl, and the pre-latch element of the locking mechanism is formed by an angled region of the metal body of the rotary latch.

[0002]

[0002] Automotive locks or locking devices are used when a pivoting or sliding component on a motor vehicle must be secured in place. To secure the component in place, the locking device cooperates with a latch holder, and the locking mechanism of the locking device is moved to a locked position by relative movement of the locking device with respect to the lock holder. The application fields of these locks include flaps, doors and sliding doors, but also, for example, seat back locks for rear bench seats inside vehicles. The present invention preferably relates to a lock for a rear door of a motor vehicle.

[0003]

[0003] To increase the convenience of the aforementioned locking devices, locking systems are designed as electrically operated locking systems. Electrically operated locking systems use an electric motor that allows the locking mechanism to be unlocked and thus allows the lock to be electrically opened. For example, when combined with an electric rear door, the operator can open the rear door via a radio remote control without manually intervening in the vehicle. In addition to the electrical unlocking of the locking mechanism, so-called closing devices are also used. The closing device allows the rear door or side door, once opened, to be moved to the final closed position by means of an electric support.

[0004] To provide this automatic closing process, the lock must be able to be moved to a final closed position. The lock according to the present invention comprises a locking mechanism including a rotary latch and at least one pawl. The rotary latch is pivotally mounted on a metal lock plate and can interact with a lock holder or lock holder bracket attached to the vehicle through the entrance area. When the lock, flap, or door is closed, the rotary latch moves from an open position to a first closed position by relative movement of the lock holder, which is usually permanently attached to the vehicle.

[0005]

[0005] In a first closed position, called the pre-latch position, a pawl engages with the rotary latch so that its movement is blocked. The rotary latch cannot be opened again without moving the pawl. Closing aids are used to move the rotary latch from this pre-latch position to the main latch position. These closing devices interact with a locking mechanism so that the rotary latch moves from the blocked pre-latch position to the main latch position. In other words, the rotary latch is electrically assisted to move further to its closed position. The closing device moves the rotary latch to the main latch position, where the pawl (or the same pawl) engages with the rotary latch and locks it in its main latch position. The rotary latch is then in its end position and the door or flap is in its final closed position.

[0006]

[0006] To ensure that the main latch position can be safely reached, the rotary latch is moved by the closing device to an overtravel position. By overtravel position, it is meant that the rotary latch is moved further into the closed position than is necessary for the main latch pawl to engage. By moving the rotary latch to the overtravel position, it is possible to ensure that the main latch pawl is securely locked or latched into the rotary latch. This is particularly necessary because the locking mechanism must ensure secure engagement of the main latch position even when the door or flap is electrically closed.

[0007] As mentioned above, the pawl must interact with the rotary latch to achieve the pre-latch and main latch positions. In this case, only one pawl can interact with the rotary latch, or, for example, two or more pawls can be used that interact with the rotary latch at different levels. It is also known that, for example, in the main latch position of the locking mechanism, an opening moment exists in the locking mechanism, which means a force that pushes the pawl out of the latched position. In this case, the pawl is further secured in the latched position by a latch or blocking lever to prevent the locking mechanism from being unlocked.

[0008]

[0008] DE 20 2008 015 789 U1 discloses a motor vehicle lock having an opening / closing device with a drive, a transmission element, and a drive pawl, a locking mechanism, and a stop for the locking mechanism, wherein the drive operates on the drive pawl via the transmission element to facilitate closing and / or opening the locking mechanism. Starting from a pre-latched position of the locking mechanism, the locking mechanism can be moved to a main latched position by a closing device. For this purpose, a transmission lever is provided that is pivotally mounted on the rotary latch shaft and supports the drive pawl. The drive pawl engages with a closing stop of the rotary latch to close the locking mechanism, and thus the rotary latch can be moved with the help of an external drive and a Bowden cable connected to the external drive. To separate the drive pawl from the rotary latch, an ejector lever is provided that acts directly on the drive pawl and moves it out of its engagement area with the rotary latch. Summary of the Invention

[0009]

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved lock for a motor vehicle. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a compact locking system having a high level of functionality with as few parts as possible.

[0010]

[0010] According to the invention, this object is achieved by the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. It should be noted that the exemplary embodiments described below are not limiting. Rather, any variant of the features described in the description and in the dependent claims is possible.

[0011]

[0011] According to the invention of claim 1, the object of the present invention is achieved by providing a vehicle lock including a locking mechanism having a rotary latch and at least one pawl, the rotary latch being lockable in a pre-latch position and a main latch position, a main latch pawl, and a pre-latch pawl, the pre-latch element of the locking mechanism being formed by an angled region of the metal body of the rotary latch, the angled region being engageable with a closing pawl of a closing device. The vehicle lock of the present invention allows for a compact vehicle lock that can provide high functionality with a reduced number of parts. In particular, by using the angled region of the metal body of the rotary latch as the pre-latch element and simultaneously as a means for implementing the closing device of the locking mechanism, additional components, moldings, and / or structural means for introducing a force to close the locking mechanism can be omitted.

[0012]

[0012] The closing device therefore interacts directly with the rotary latch, in particular with an engagement surface on the rotary latch that is also used to achieve the pre-latched position in the vehicle lock. The angled area on the rotary latch therefore has a dual function. On the one hand, the angled area can be used to achieve the first locking position when closing the locking mechanism, and at the same time, the closing pawl can access the angled area to achieve full closure and reach of the main latch position of the locking mechanism. As a result, a high level of functionality can be provided in the vehicle lock with a minimum of constructional means.

[0013]

[0013] The lock according to the present invention can be a lock for a rear door, a side door, a flap, or a cover, but can also be a lock for, for example, the seat back of a vehicle's rear bench seat. However, the present invention preferably relates to a rear door lock for an automobile. In contrast to sliding door locks, rear door locks have special requirements because they may be subjected to varying loads. For example, the rear door may be covered in snow, so when opening the rear door, especially when opening electrically, it is necessary to ensure that the lock is fully open until the loaded flap closes again. For example, when the rear door is covered in snow, the locking mechanism can be opened electrically, but the lock holder engaging the rotary latch does not allow any relative movement of the locking mechanism because the rear door remains in position due to the heavy load. In this case, the pawl or pawls must be kept out of engagement with the rotary latch. Keeping the pawls disengaged when the locking mechanism is unlocked is also called the snow load function.

[0014]

[0014] For the structure of the locking mechanism, see the introductory description. The rotary latch has a metal body that is pivotally mounted in the vehicle lock via a similarly metal axle. The pivot of the rotary latch, as well as one or more pawls, are held in a metal lock case. This basic metal structure of the vehicle lock ensures that pivoting or moving components on the vehicle are held securely even in extreme situations such as an accident. In the pre-latch and main latch positions, the metal areas of the pawls and rotary latch are in contact with each other to ensure secure latching, and in particular, positionally correct latching of the locking mechanism.

[0015] In accordance with the present invention, the metal body of the rotary latch is provided with an angled region that is at a 90° angle to the base surface of the rotary latch and extends beyond the flat extension of the rotary latch, thereby forming an integral component with the rotary latch and engaging the pre-latch pawl.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the closing latch is pivotally mounted on a stationary closing aid. The closing claw is mounted on the closing aid, which is located in a fixed position within the vehicle lock, so that it acts directly on an angled area of the metal body of the rotary latch and allows the transmission of the closing force from the pre-latch element to the main latch element. By connecting to the closing lever, it is possible to influence the closing force and, depending on the design of the closing lever, to influence the closing force. In particular, increased forces occur when the main latch position or the overtravel position is fully reached, and these forces continuously increase during the closing process.

[0017] This is particularly due to the seal arranged between the movable component and the body. To achieve a perfect seal against moisture and minimize noise, a seal, particularly a door or flap seal, is arranged between the component movably arranged on the vehicle and the body. The closing device must move the rotary latch against this sealing pressure, which occurs when the seal is compressed. The relative movement between the rotary latch and the lock holder introduces a closing force into the movable component. Here, a sealing pressure of up to 500 N can occur, which must be transmitted to the lock holder via the closing device and the locking mechanism. By advantageously mounting the closing latch on the closing lever, the force introduced into the locking mechanism can be varied depending on the size of the seal. In particular, the direct connection between the closing latch and the angled region ensures safe transmission of force to the rotary latch.

[0018] It would also be advantageous if the closure latch could be actuated by at least one locking mechanism component. To further reduce the number of components, the present invention proposes that the locking mechanism component itself can be engaged with the closure claw. As a result, no additional components are required to actuate, engage, or disengage the closure latch. As a result, closure of the vehicle lock can be achieved with as few components as possible. The locking mechanism component is actuated to unlock the locking mechanism, so that the closure latch can also move out of its engagement area with the rotary latch. This minimizes the number of components required for the vehicle lock, providing structural benefits as well as weight and cost advantages.

[0019] In a particularly advantageous manner, the closure claw can be actuated by a pre-latch claw. To open the locking mechanism, the pre-latch claw and the main latch claw must be disengaged from the rotary latch, and the rotary latch must be moved in the opening direction to release the lock holder. When the pre-latch claw is moved together with the release lever, the release lever can be used to move both the pre-latch claw and the main latch claw, disengaging the claws from the rotary latch. Here, when the pre-latch claw interacts with the closure claw, the closure claw can be moved by the pre-latch claw out of engagement with the angled region of the rotary latch or the path of movement of the angled region. The pre-latch claw therefore has an additional function, namely, the function of decoupling the closure device from the rotary latch.

[0020] In another embodiment of the present invention, the closing claw has a drive that protrudes into the travel area of the front latch claw. The pre-latch claw is typically flat in design, more preferably in a plane parallel to the angled region of the rotary latch. The main latch claw is positioned flush with the rotary latch, i.e., the body of the rotary latch, and also engages flush with the main latch element of the rotary latch. To achieve this, the pre-latch claw is positioned in a plane parallel to the main latch claw and the body of the rotary latch, but above the main latch claw and the body of the rotary latch. The pre-latch claw engages the angled region of the body of the rotary latch. Here, the angled region of the metal body of the rotary latch protrudes far beyond the body of the rotary latch, allowing both the pre-latch claw and the closing claw to engage the angled region. The closing claw is also advantageously pivotally mounted parallel to the pre-latch claw in the vehicle lock, but preferably pivotally movable in a plane at a distance. The drive is preferably arranged on the closure claw and is manufactured integrally therewith. As the closing force does not have to be transmitted to the rotary latch by the drive, the drive may alternatively be made from a plastic coating of the closure latch. Preferably, however, the closure latch is made integrally from a metallic material, preferably steel.

[0021]

[0021] The pre-latch pawl preferably has a driver profile for the closing pawl. The closing pawl can be moved out of the engagement area with the rotary latch by the pre-latch pawl. In the unlocked position of the locking mechanism, the main latch pawl and the pre-latch pawl are positioned away from the range of movement of the rotary latch so that the rotary latch can pivot freely. The driver profile on the pre-latch pawl holds the closing pawl at a distance from the angled area of the rotary latch, allowing free pivoting of the rotary latch or the angled area. Thus, the pre-latch pawl indirectly controls the closing process.

[0022]

[0022] This is also evident in the preferred embodiment, in which the closing pawl is held out of engagement with the rotary latch by the pre-latch pawl. The front pawl thus has the dual function of locking the locking mechanism in the pre-latch position and also controlling the position of the closing pawl relative to the rotary latch. This means that a vehicle lock with a closing function can be achieved with a minimum number of parts. The driver profile is designed so that when the pre-latch pawl is disengaged, the closing pawl also disengages from the engagement area with the rotary latch, in particular the beveled portion of the rotary latch.

[0023]

[0023] Advantageously, the pre-latch pawl can be operated independently of the main latch pawl. The pre-latch pawl has a driving function for the closing pawl. Furthermore, the pre-latch pawl can be operated independently of the main latch pawl and can move independently of the main latch pawl. When the main latch pawl contacts the rotary latch when the locking mechanism is closed, the main latch pawl is spring-suspended together with the pre-latch pawl toward the rotary latch. Here, when the bevel region of the rotary latch engages with the pre-latch pawl to achieve the pre-latch position of the locking mechanism, the pre-latch pawl can move independently of the main latch pawl toward the rotary latch, thereby, on the one hand, assuming the pre-latch position of the locking mechanism, and, at the same time, the closing pawl engages with the angled region of the rotary latch. Therefore, the start of the closing process coincides with the reaching of the pre-latch position. The closing latch is engaged with the angled region of the rotary latch so that the closing process can begin. By movement of the pre-latch pawl, the closing process may be interrupted in the sense that the drive on the closing pawl is disengaged from the angled region by the pre-latch pawl.

[0024] Advantageously, the pre-latch pawl also unlocks the locking mechanism and allows the closing pawl to be released from the engagement area with the rotary latch. The pre-latch pawl is used to unlock the locking mechanism not only from the pre-latch position but also from the main latch position. For this purpose, in this advantageous variant, the pre-latch pawl also acts on the main latch pawl. For this purpose, for example, an additional drive can be arranged on the pre-latch pawl so that the pre-latch pawl can move the main latch pawl from the engagement area with the rotary latch. The pre-latch pawl therefore has a central function in the vehicle lock. On the one hand, the pre-latch pawl controls and enables the closing process, and on the other hand, the pre-latch pawl can be used to initiate the unlocking of the locking mechanism. Thus, when the locking mechanism is closed, the pre-latch position can be assumed by the pre-latch pawl, the closing pawl can engage the rotary latch and interruption of the closing process can be initiated, and when the locking mechanism is opened, the closing pawl can be released from engagement with the rotary latch and the main latch pawl can be actuated, thus initiating full exposure of the rotary latch and moving the rotary latch and releasing the lock holder.

[0025]

[0025] The present invention will be described in more detail below based on preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present embodiments do not limit the present invention, and the principle that they are merely advantageous embodiments is applied. The illustrated features can be implemented individually or in combination with further features of the description and claims, individually or in combination. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a motor vehicle lock designed in accordance with the present invention in an open position, showing only the essential components of the motor vehicle lock according to the present invention. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 shows the vehicle lock according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1 in a pre-latched position. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the car lock according to the invention, showing the closing process. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows the closure device or closure jaws separated when the closure process is interrupted. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows the main latch position of the locking mechanism in a plan view of the motor vehicle lock according to FIG.

[0027] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0028] 1 shows a vehicle lock 1 in a plan view of the locking mechanism 2 in an open or unlocked position. The locking mechanism has a rotary latch 3, a pre-latch pawl 4 and a main latch pawl 5.

[0029] The lock mechanism components 3, 4, and 5 are pivotally mounted within a lock case 8 by means of axles 6 and 7. The lock case 8 has an entrance area 9 through which a lock holder (not shown) can interact with the rotary latch 3 in a known manner. The lock case 8 also has bevels 10 and 11, which allow the vehicle lock 1 to be fastened to the vehicle or to the vehicle body. For purposes of illustrating the present invention, only those components of the vehicle lock 1 essential for explaining the present invention are shown. The pawls 4 and 5 have extensions 12 and 13, which can engage with switch means 14 and 15, respectively. The switch means 14 and 15 are shown in FIG. 1 in their actuated positions. That is, the extension 12 of the pre-latch pawl activates the switch means 14, and the extension 13 of the main latch pawl 5 activates the switch means 15. In this modified embodiment, both switch means 14 and 15 are shown designed and actuated as microswitches.

[0030]

[0029] Figure 1 shows the unlocked position of the lock mechanism 2, allowing the rotary latch 3 to move in the direction of arrow P, i.e., counterclockwise. Movement of the rotary latch 3 is driven by a rotary latch spring (not shown) that loads the rotary latch 3 in the direction of arrow P, and by sealing pressure acting from the rear door on the vehicle lock and lock holder. In this open position, the rotary latch can release the lock holder, allowing the rear door to open. The shafts 6 and 7 of the lock mechanism 2 are housed within a lock case 8, which defines a recess 9 for allowing the lock holder to be inserted. Bevels 10 and 11 allow the vehicle lock 1 to be attached to the vehicle.

[0031] In addition to the locking mechanism described above, the motor vehicle locking device 1 also has a closing device 23, of which only the closing lever 24 and closing claw 25 are shown. The closing claw 25 is in the disengaged position, and an actuator 26 on the closing claw 25 engages with the pre-latch claw 4. To activate the closing claw 25, the pre-latch claw 4 has an actuator profile 27 with which the actuator 26 of the closing claw 25 engages. In this embodiment, the closing claw 25 is arranged above the pre-latch claw 4, and the actuator 26 extends in the direction of the pre-latch claw 4, allowing interaction between the actuator 26 and the actuator profile 27.

[0032]

[0031] The closing lever 24 is attached to the vehicle lock 1 so as to be rotatable about a shaft 28, which is fixed within the vehicle lock 1. This allows the closing lever 24 to rotate about the shaft 28 in the direction of arrow P4, thereby moving the closing claw 25. For this reason, the closing claw 24 is accommodated within the closing lever 24 so as to be rotatable about a shaft 29.

[0033] The closing lever 24 is shown in an initial position A, which is indicated by a dashed line. The initial position specifies the position of the closing lever 24, in which the closing pawl 25 is disengaged from the rotary latch 3 or the closing pawl 25 can engage the travel area of the rotary latch, in particular the pre-latch element 17. However, the closing pawl 25 is held by the drive 26 out of engagement with the pre-latch element 17 or the rotary latch 3, and interacts with the pre-latch pawl 4.

[0034]

[0033] Figure 2 shows the pre-latched position of the locking mechanism 2. For this purpose, the lock holder 16 moves relative to the vehicle lock 1, moving the rotary latch 3 clockwise to its latched position. Thus, the pre-latched position of the locking mechanism 2 is shown, with the pawl 4 resting on the pre-latch element 17 and holding the rotary latch 2 in its pre-latched position. It is clear that the pre-latch pawl 4 has engaged the closure pawl 25 with the pre-latch element 17. That is, in the pre-latched position of the locking mechanism 2, the closure pawl 25 can engage with the angled area, i.e., the pre-latch element 17 of the rotary latch 3.

[0035] 3 shows an intermediate position of the rotary latch 3, i.e., the position of the rotary latch between the pre-latch and main latch positions of the locking mechanism 2. This point is reached by applying a force F to the closure lever 24, causing it to move counterclockwise about axis 28. The closure pawl 25 receives the pre-latch element 17 therewith and moves the rotary latch towards its main latch position.

[0036] 3, when the control system detects that the closing process is to be interrupted, the pre-latch pawl 4 is moved about the axis 6 in the direction of the arrow P5, and the closing pawl 25 is disengaged from the pre-latch element 17. The closing process is interrupted and the locking mechanism 2 can be opened again. To separate the closing pawl 25 from the pre-latch element 17, the closing pawl 25 is disengaged from the pre-latch element 17 by means of the drive 26 and the control contour 27. The closing process can be interrupted and the vehicle lock can be opened.

[0037]

[0036] Figure 5 shows the main latch position of the locking mechanism 2. That is, Figure 5 shows the position of the rotary latch 3 after it has been fully closed by the closing device 23. The main latch pawl 5 abuts the main latch element 21 to block rotational movement of the rotary latch in the opening direction. The closing pawl 25 is positioned so that the locking mechanism is unlocked by moving the pre-latch pawl 4 counterclockwise around the axis 6 together with the driver 26, and the closing pawl 25 moves out of the engagement area with the pre-latch element 17 and disengages. The rotary latch 3 can also be fully unlocked and disengaged by driving the main latch pawl with the pre-latch pawl 4. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1... Car lock, 2...locking mechanism, 3...Rotary latch, 4...Pre-latch claw, 5...Main latch claw, 6,7,28,29...axis, 8...lock case, 9...Entrance area, 10,11...Bevel, 16...lock holder, 17...Pre-latch element, 18...Metal main body, 19...plastic casing, 21...Main latch, 22...Housing, 23...closing device; 24...Closing lever, 25...Closing claw part, 26...Drive unit, 27...Driver contour portion, P4(P5)...arrow, F...force.

Claims

1. A vehicle lock comprising a locking mechanism (2) consisting of a rotary latch (3) and at least one pawl (4), The lock (1) is characterized in that the rotary latch (3) is latchable in a pre-latch position and a main latch position and comprises a pre-latch pawl (4) and a main latch pawl (5), and the pre-latch element (17) of the lock mechanism (2) is formed by an angled region of a metal body (18) of the rotary latch (3), the angled region (17) being configured to engage with a closing pawl (25) of a closing device (23).

2. 2. The lock (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the closing pawl (25) is pivotally mounted on a stationary closing lever (24).

3. 3. The lock (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the closing claw (25) is actuatable by at least one locking mechanism part (4, 5).

4. A lock (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the closing claw (25) can be actuated by the pre-latch claw (4).

5. The lock (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the closing pawl (25) is releasable from engagement with the rotary latch (3) by the pre-latch pawl (4).

6. The lock (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the closing claw (25) has a drive (26) that projects into the movement area of the pre-latch claw (25).

7. Lock (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the pre-latch pawl (4) has a driver profile (27).

8. The lock (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the closing pawl (25) is releasable from engagement with the rotary latch (3) by the pre-latch pawl (4).

9. A lock (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the pre-latch pawl (4) is operable independently of the main latch pawl (5).

10. The lock (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the pre-latch pawl (4) is capable of unlocking the locking mechanism (2) and releasing the closing pawl (25) from the engagement area with the rotary latch (3).

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