Car Locks

Abstract

The present invention relates to a lock (1) for a motor vehicle, in particular a rear door lock, comprising a locking mechanism (2) having 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, the rotary latch (3) having a main latch pawl (5) and a pre-latch pawl (4), 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 capable of engaging a closing pawl of a closing device.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a motor vehicle lock, particularly a motor vehicle side door lock, comprising a locking mechanism having a rotary latch and at least one pawl, wherein the rotary latch is capable of latching in a pre-latch position and a main latch position and comprises a main latch pawl and a pre-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 latch holder. Fields of application for these locks include rear doors, doors and sliding doors, and also, for example, locks for the back of rear seats inside a vehicle. The present invention preferably relates to a rear door lock for a motor vehicle.

[0003]

[0003] To increase the practicality of the above-mentioned locking devices, the locking systems are designed as electrically operable locking systems. Electrically operated locking systems use an electric motor that allows the locking mechanism to be unlocked and thus the lock to be opened electrically. 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 even a side door, once opened, to be moved to its final closed position with electrical assistance.

[0004] To provide this automatic closing process, the lock must be able to be moved to a final closed position. A vehicle lock according to the present invention includes 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 latch holder or latch holder bracket attached to the vehicle via an insertion area. When the lock or rear door or front door is closed, the rotary latch moves from an open position to a first closed position due to the relative movement of the latch holder, which is typically fixed to the vehicle.

[0005]

[0005] In a first closed position, called the pre-latch position, the 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 the 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 blocks it in its main latch position. The rotary latch is then in its end position and the door or rear door is in its final closed position.

[0006]

[0006] To ensure that the main latch position can be reached, the rotary latch is moved by the closing device to an overtravel position. The overtravel position is a position in which 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 engaged with the rotary latch. This is therefore necessary, in particular, because the locking mechanism must ensure secure engagement of the main latch position even when the door or rear door 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 two or more pawls can be used, which interact with the rotary latch, for example, on different planes. It is also known that, for example, in the main latch position of a locking mechanism, there is an opening moment on the locking mechanism. The opening moment in this case refers to the 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 unlocking itself.

[0008]

[0008] A locking mechanism having a pre-latch pawl and a separate main latch pawl that interact with the pawl at a distance from each other in parallel planes is known, for example, from DE 10 2007 003 948 A1. The locking mechanism also has an opening moment in the main latch position, and the main latch pawl is secured in that main latch position by a latch or blocking lever. When the main latch pawl engages with the rotary latch in the plane of the metal body of the rotary latch, the pre-latch pawl acts on a bolt positioned on the rotary latch to achieve the pre-latch position of the locking mechanism.

[0009]

[0009] The general state of the art is embodied in DE 10 2012 207 443 A1. This document discloses a motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle side door lock, having a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and a pawl, where the rotary latch can be blocked in a pre-latch position and a main latch position, and the pre-latch element of the locking mechanism is formed by an angled region of the metal body of the rotary latch. This angling of the metal body allows the pre-latch element to be realized by the metal body of the rotary latch itself. Providing the pre-latch element on the rotary latch by the metal body itself has the advantage that it is not necessary to form an additional bolt and to attach the bolt to the rotary latch.

[0010]

[0010] Locking systems and / or locks known from the prior art have basically proven their worth. Starting from the prior art, the aim of locking system developers and the automotive industry itself is always to provide improved locking systems. The available space in the vehicle, the weight of the locking system, and the noise behavior play a decisive role. As mentioned above, electromagnets and closing aids are used to increase the practicality of operation for the vehicle user. Additional functions require a more complex structure of the locking system, thus increasing the number of components, which consequently increases the costs and affects the weight of the locking system. This is where the present invention comes in. Summary of the Invention

[0011]

[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved lock for a motor vehicle, and in particular to provide a compact locking system having a high level of functionality and as few components as possible.

[0012]

[0012] According to the present 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.

[0013]

[0013] According to the invention of claim 1, the object of the present invention is achieved by providing a vehicle lock, comprising a locking mechanism including a rotary latch and at least one pawl, the rotary latch being latchable in a pre-latch position and a main latch position, the main latch pawl and the pre-latch pawl, and 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 the closing pawl of the closing device. The design of the vehicle lock according to the present invention allows for a compact design of the vehicle lock, achieving a high level of 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 for closing the locking mechanism can be omitted.

[0014] In this way, the closing device interacts directly with the rotary latch, and in particular with the engagement surface on the rotary latch that is also used to implement the pre-latch position in the vehicle lock. Therefore, the angled area on the rotary latch has a dual function. On the one hand, the angled area is used to implement the first latched position for closing the lock mechanism, and at the same time, the closing pawl can engage the angled area to achieve full closure and reach the main latched position of the lock mechanism. As a result, a high level of functionality can be provided for the vehicle lock with minimal design resources.

[0015] The lock according to the present invention can be a lock for a rear door, a side door, a rear door, or a roof, but can also be a lock for, for example, a seat back of a vehicle's rear seat bench. The present invention preferably relates specifically to a rear door lock for an automobile. In contrast to sliding door locks, for example, rear door locks have special requirements because they may be subjected to varying loads. For example, the rear door may be stressed by snow loads. Therefore, when the rear door is opened, especially when opened electrically, the lock must ensure that it remains fully open until the loaded rear door is closed again. For example, when the rear door is stressed by snow loads, the locking mechanism can be electrically opened, but the latch 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 pawl disengaged when the locking mechanism is unlocked is also called the snow load function.

[0016]

[0016] For the structure of the locking mechanism, please refer to the introductory description. The rotary latch has a metal body that is pivotally mounted to the vehicle lock via a metal axle pin. The pivot of the rotary latch, as well as the pivot of one or more pawls, are held in a metal lock case. This basic metal structure of the vehicle lock can ensure that rotating or moving components on the vehicle can be securely held 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 locking, especially the correct positioning of the locking mechanism.

[0017] In accordance with the present invention, an angled region is provided on the metal body of the rotary latch, preferably at a 90° angle relative to the base surface of the rotary latch and extending beyond the flat extension of the rotary latch, so that the angled region forms an integral component with the rotary latch and engages the pre-latch pawl.

[0018]

[0018] In another embodiment of the invention, each pawl is assigned a separate switch device. In order to enable a reliable evaluation of the pawls of the locking mechanism, two switch devices, in particular microswitches, are provided in the car lock, each capable of detecting the position of a lock pawl. This is particularly advantageous for the electrical operation of vehicle locks, since it allows reliable opening and closing of the lock and reliable detection of the position of the pawls.

[0019] In an advantageous development of the invention, the pre-latch pawl is movable independently of the main latch pawl. On the one hand, the independent movement of the pre-latch pawl ensures that the pre-latch position is reached reliably. On the other hand, the pre-latch pawl can be used to realize additional functions.

[0020]

[0020] Reliable attainment of the pre-latch position is also advantageous because if the main latch position is not reached, for example if an object is lodged in the open area of ​​the rear door, the rear door can be reliably held in place even while the vehicle is moving.

[0021]

[0021] A further advantage of the independence of the pre-latch pawl's movement arises when the movement of the pre-latch pawl can activate the main latch pawl, especially when the movement of the locking mechanism in the unlocking direction can activate the main latch pawl. In this case, the pre-latch pawl has an additional function: to move the main latch pawl out of the engagement area of ​​the rotary latch. Thus, the pre-latch pawl not only functions as a means for blocking the movement of the rotary latch, but also as a means for keeping the main latch pawl out of engagement with the rotary latch. This is particularly advantageous, for example, when the aforementioned snow load acts on the vehicle. Therefore, the forced retraction of the main latch pawl by the pre-latch pawl can ensure reliable unlocking of the locking mechanism even in extreme situations.

[0022] A further embodiment of the present invention is achieved when the pre-latch pawl is movable independently of the main latch pawl during movement of the locking mechanism in the locking direction. This ensures, on the one hand, that the main latch pawl is forced against the rotary latch, preferably by spring suspension, and, on the other hand, that the pre-latch pawl can move over the main latch pawl and drop into the pre-latch element. Thus, the main latch pawl slides along the rotary latch as it moves in the closing direction, spring-suspended and resting against the outer contour of the rotary latch. The pre-latch pawl can also spring-suspended and rest against the pre-latch element of the rotary latch and drop into the pre-latch element when the rotary latch is in the appropriate position. As the rotary latch moves further in the closing direction, the pawl extension ensures that the pre-latch pawl moves further into the engagement area with the rotary latch. Then, when the rotary latch reaches its main latch position during the closing operation, the main latch pawl can enter the main latch position of the rotary latch, and at the same time the pre-latch pawl slides along the pre-latch element and rests against it by means of the extension. Retraction on the pre-latch pawl allows the locking mechanism to unblock and the lock can then be opened.

[0023]

[0023] When the locking mechanism is unlocked, both switch devices can be activated. For this purpose, the pre-latch pawls, like the main latch pawls, each have a separate extension that can be set to engage with the respective switch device. The switch devices are arranged in the vehicle lock so that both switch devices, preferably designed as microswitches, are activated in the open position of the locking mechanism. This has several advantages. On the one hand, the precise positioning of the pawls makes it possible to immediately detect that the lock is in an open state. A further advantage is that the switch devices are activated only when the locking mechanism is in the open position. The time that the vehicle lock is open is significantly shorter than the time that the vehicle lock is in the closed position. This is simply because a moving or parked vehicle is preferably parked or operated with the front and rear doors closed. This shortens the time that the switch devices must be activated, thereby reducing the load on the switch devices.

[0024]

[0024] A further advantage of the design change arises when, in the pre-latch position of the locking mechanism, the switch device assigned to the pre-latch pawl is deactivated. Since the pre-latch pawl can freely pivot relative to both the rotary latch and the main latch pawl, the position of the locking mechanism and / or the latched position can be unambiguously detected. If the main latch pawl is spring-suspended relative to the rotary latch in the pre-latch position and the switch device of the main latch pawl is simultaneously activated, a switch signal can be generated by the main latch pawl. The pre-latch pawl releases the switch device in the pre-latch position. In other words, the extension of the pre-latch pawl is no longer in contact with the switch device. This electrical circuit allows unambiguous detection of the pre-latch element in the locking mechanism.

[0025]

[0025] It is also advantageous if both switch devices are inactive in the main latch position of the locking mechanism. As already mentioned above, a switch position in which both switch devices are inactive offers the advantage that the switch devices are exposed to low loads during their useful life. Furthermore, the switch positions of both switch devices can be used to unambiguously determine whether the main latch position has been reached, thereby reliably determining the main latch position. To activate the switch devices, both the pre-latch pawl and the main latch pawl may have extensions that can be installed and engage with the switch devices. The extensions can be designed so that the switch devices are activated only when the pre-latch or main latch position is reached. For example, incorrect engagement of the main latch pawl will not result in the switch device being activated in the main latch position. A main latch pawl that is only partially in position will not release the switch, thereby avoiding the risk of reporting a false closure. A false closure occurs when the main latch pawl is only partially engaged, and as a result, the main latch can be disengaged when the vehicle is operated. This is prevented by the design of the extensions located on the main latch pawl, particularly the extensions that interact with the switch device.

[0026]

[0026] Advantageously, the pawls can be mounted on the same shaft. The pawls are safety-relevant components and must meet requirements even under extreme loads, i.e., in the event of an accident, the locking pawls must keep the vehicle locked. For this purpose, the pawls are pivotally mounted on a metal shaft, which is housed in a locking plate. Furthermore, a reinforcing plate can be provided between the shaft of the pawl and the shaft of the rotary latch, stabilizing the entire locking mechanism. The shared mounting of two pawls on one shaft has the advantage that a compact design of the vehicle lock can be achieved.

[0027] It is also advantageous if the switch devices are arranged in different planes in the lock, spaced apart from one another. Arranging the switch devices in different planes allows for a simple design of the pawls and a compact design of the corresponding extensions for the interaction of the pawls with the switch devices. This allows for a compact vehicle locking device and simplifies the design of the locking pawls. The pawls themselves only require a radial extension to be able to engage with the switch devices.

[0028]

[0028] The present invention will be described in more detail below by means of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the principle applies that the exemplary embodiments do not limit the present invention, but are merely advantageous embodiments of the present invention. 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]

[0029] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a motor vehicle lock constructed in accordance with the present invention in the form of a rear door lock in an unlocked position. [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 shows a vehicle lock according to the present invention in the main latch position.

[0030] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0031]

[0030] Figure 1 shows a plan view of a vehicle lock 1 with its lock mechanism 2 in an open state. The lock mechanism includes a rotary latch 3, a pre-latch pawl 4, and a main latch pawl 5. The lock mechanism components 3, 4, and 5 are pivotally mounted to a lock case 8 via shafts 6 and 7. The lock case 8 includes an insertion area 9 through which a latch holder (not shown) can interact with the rotary latch 3 in a conventional manner. The lock case 8 also includes brackets 10 and 11, which allow the vehicle lock 1 to be fastened to a vehicle or the vehicle body. For purposes of illustrating the present invention, only some of the components of the vehicle lock 1 essential for explaining the present invention are shown. The pawls 4 and 5 include extensions 12 and 13, which can be engaged with and set by switch devices 14 and 15, respectively. The switch devices 14 and 15 are shown in their actuated positions in Figure 1. In other words, the pre-latch pawl extension 12 actuates switch device 14 and the main latch pawl 5 extension 13 actuates switch device 15. In this embodiment, both switch devices 14, 15 are shown designed and actuated as microswitches.

[0032] 1 shows the unlocked position of the lock mechanism 2, with the rotary latch 3 movable in the direction of arrow P, i.e., counterclockwise. The movement of the rotary latch 3 is achieved by a rotary latch spring (not shown) that biases the rotary latch 3 in the direction of arrow P and by the sealing pressure acting on the vehicle lock and latch holder from the rear door. In this open position, the rotary latch can release the latch holder, allowing the rear door to be opened.

[0033]

[0032] Figure 2 shows the pre-latch position of the locking mechanism 2. After the vehicle lock 1 is opened, for example after the rear door is closed, the latch holder 16 engages the vehicle lock 1, in particular the rotary latch 3, in the direction of arrow PI. This causes the rotary latch 3 to move in the direction of arrow P2. The pre-latch pawl 4, like the main latch pawl 5, is spring-suspended and rests against the rotary latch 3. When the pre-latch position is reached, the pre-latch pawl 4 can enter the pre-latch element 17 of the rotary latch 3, as shown in Figure 2. The pre-latch element 17 is integrally formed from the metallic body of the rotary latch 3 and is designed as a bevel in this embodiment.

[0034]

[0033] The metal body 18 of the rotary latch 3 is largely surrounded by a plastic sheath, for example to allow for guidance of the pawls and to allow a low-noise interaction between the pawls 4, 5 and the rotary latch 3. A low-noise interaction is also made possible by a plastic casing 19 on the rotary latch 3 with the latch holder 16; for example, additional recesses can be provided on the pawls 3, and in particular in the plastic casing 19, to allow for noise damping in the interaction between the rotary latch 3 and the latch holder 16.

[0035] The pre-latch pawl 4 is spring-suspended and can move towards the rotary latch 3, but also independently of the main latch pawl 5. Thus, when the rotary latch is moved in the closing direction P2, for example by the latch holder 16, the pre-latch pawl 4 can drop unhindered into the pre-latch element 17.

[0036]

[0035] Figure 3 shows the closed position of the vehicle lock 1, with the main latch position of the lock mechanism 2 shown. The main latch pawl 5 drops into and rests against the main latch 21. The main latch can be seen clearly in Figure 2.

[0037] 3, it can also be seen that the switch devices 14, 15 have been released from the extensions 12, 13. The switch devices 14, 15 are therefore unloaded. The switch devices 14, 15 can be held in electrical contact within a plastic housing 22 (shown diagrammatically) of the vehicle lock 1.

[0038] 3 , the vehicle lock can be opened by moving the pre-latch pawl 4 around the shaft 6 in the direction of arrow P. The movement of the pre-latch pawl 4 causes the main latch pawl 5 to engage with the pre-latch pawl 4. This reliably unlocks the locking mechanism 2 and prevents the opening locking mechanism 2 or the opening rotary latch 3 from accidentally engaging the pre-latch element 17. In this way, independently moving the pre-latch pawls 4 reliably unlocks the locking mechanism 2 and prevents the pre-latch pawl 4 from accidentally falling into the pre-latch element 17.

[0039]

[0038] Overall, the vehicle lock 1 according to the present invention allows for a compact vehicle lock and provides high functionality with a minimum of structural resources. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1... Car lock, 2...locking mechanism, 3...Rotary latch, 4...Pre-latch claw, 5...Main latch claw, 6,7...axis, 8...lock case, 9...insertion area, 10,11...bracket, 12,13...extension part, 14, 15...switching device, 16...Latch holder, 17...Pre-latch element, 18...Main body, 19...plastic sheath, 20...recess, 21...Main latch position, 22...plastic housing, P, P1, P2, P3...arrows.

Claims

1. A lock (1) for a motor vehicle, in particular for a side door lock or a rear door lock of a motor vehicle, comprising a locking mechanism (2) with a rotary latch (3) and at least one pawl (4, 5), The rotary latch (3) is capable of being latched in a pre-latch position and a main latch position and comprises a main latch claw (5) and a pre-latch claw (4), and the pre-latch element (17) of the locking 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 claw of a closing device.

2. 2. A lock (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each pawl (4, 5) is assigned to a separate switch device (14, 15).

3. 3. A lock (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pre-latch pawl (4) is movable independently of the main latch pawl (5).

4. The lock (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the main latch pawl (5) is operable by movement of the pre-latch pawl (4), in particular by movement of the locking mechanism (2) in the unlocking direction.

5. The lock (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that when the locking mechanism (2) moves in the locking direction, the pre-latch pawl (4) is movable independently of the main latch pawl (5).

6. The lock (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that when the locking mechanism (2) is unlocked, both switch devices (14, 15) are activated.

7. The lock (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that in the pre-latching position of the locking mechanism (2), a switch device (14) assigned to the pre-latching pawl (4) is inactive.

8. A lock (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that in the main latch position of the locking mechanism (2), both switch devices (14, 15) are inactive.

9. A lock (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the claws (4, 5) are mounted on the same shaft (6).

10. Lock (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the switch devices (14, 15) are arranged in different planes in the lock (1) at a distance from each other.

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