Automotive locks, especially car door locks

Abstract

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

Description

Technical Field

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to an automotive lock having an electric drive device and a lock mechanism operable by the drive device, which substantially consists of a rotary latch and a pawl, particularly to an automotive door lock, preferably an electric lock, and the drive device is equipped with at least one epicyclic gear stage.

[0002]

[0002] Automotive locks, particularly automotive door locks and preferably electric locks, are characterized by particularly convenient operation. The lock mechanism consisting of a rotary latch and a pawl is not mechanically released (no longer released) in such automotive locks, but rather is released by an electric motor, which improves comfort, reduces the operating force, and overall maintains a particularly quiet operation. The unlocking process can be initiated, for example, by a sensor in the area of the outer door handle or during "keyless entry access".

[0003]

[0003] This provides the additional advantage that an aerodynamically optimized outer door of the vehicle can be used for this connection since the external door handle that is ultimately mechanically operated is no longer required. For this reason, such electric locks or automotive locks are increasingly being used together with an electric drive device for the lock mechanism consisting of a rotary latch and a pawl. An example of such an electric lock is disclosed in DE 101 00 008 A1.

[0004]

[0004] In this type of electric lock, it is actually important to ensure complete power transmission from the electric drive to the locking mechanism. Generally, the electric drive ensures that the pawl is lifted from engagement with the rotary latch. This requires a more or less large releasing force. For this reason, the aforementioned prior art by DE 101 00 008 A1 operates not only by a pawl lever operationally connected to the pawl, but also by a reduction gear as a component of the electric drive. This is because the electric motor used as a component of the electric drive at this point is limited in power for space and cost reasons.

[0005]

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

[0006]

[0006] Such evoroid gear stages are characterized not only by their compact design but also by their wide range of gear ratios. In fact, they can achieve not only a compact design but also a wide range of gear ratios.

[0007]

[0007] However, at this point, there is still a trend to reduce the size and weight of electric motors, and therefore a trend to reduce costs, so there is still a need for improvement. In this regard, a more optimized electric drive system is needed. Herein, the present invention aims to improve the situation.

[0008] overview

[0009]

[0008] The present invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such automotive locks, in particular automotive door locks, so as to maintain further optimization with respect to the overall operating force, and as a result, further cost and weight advantages can be claimed.

[0010]

[0009] To solve this technical problem, the present invention proposes that in a general automobile lock, particularly an automobile door lock, a latch element is positioned within an engagement area between a rotating latch and a claw, and the engagement element is mounted on the rotating latch and / or claw so as to be rotatable mostly within the lock mechanism plane.

[0011]

[0010] Accordingly, the present invention initially operates with an electric drive, which has already been optimized with respect to compactness and achievable gear ratios, and is particularly equipped with at least one evoroid gear stage. In addition, the engagement area between the rotary latch and the claw is further optimized with respect to the required release force, particularly during electric release. The contact area between the rotary latch and the claw is optimized with respect to the release force required to release the locking mechanism, which is due in particular to the latch element present in the engagement area between the rotary latch and the claw and the fact that the claw is largely rotatably mounted on the locking mechanism surface and on the claw and / or rotary latch. In fact, at this point, in contrast to the prior art, there is no (no longer) frictional motion between the claw and the rotary latch during the release process according to the present invention. Therefore, since the rotary latch and the claw are stamp components made of high-strength steel, such frictional motion would involve a large frictional force.

[0012]

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

[0013]

[0012] Here, the optimized release process of the locking mechanism, in conjunction with a specially designed electric drive unit having at least one evoroid gear stage, means that the electric motor can be further reduced in terms of its available power compared to previous embodiments. As a result, a more compact design can be achieved with less weight and cost compared to conventional methods.

[0014]

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

[0015]

[0014] With such evoroid gear stages, reduction ratios of 10:1 or more can be easily achieved. That is, more than 10 rotations of the electric motor or worm located on the output shaft are converted into only one rotation of the output pulley. In most cases, larger reduction ratios of 20:1, 30:1 or more can be easily achieved. This allows for relatively high torque to be applied to the pawl to release the locking mechanism, even when operating with a lightweight, small, low-power electric motor.

[0016]

[0015] In this regard, the output pulley generally has evoroid teeth on its outer circumference that are inclined with respect to its axis of rotation. In addition, the output pulley generally has an operating shape on the end face facing the operating lever that is related to the operating lever. That is, the output pulley performs rotational motion in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction about its axis of rotation, and these rotational motions are transmitted to the operating lever via the operating shape. The operating lever generally slides along the operating shape of the output pulley by a cam, so the operating lever can be actuated by a pivoting motion. In this regard, the operating shape is advantageously designed to be helical with a helical axis. It has been proven successful when the helical axis of the operating shape coincides with the axis of rotation of the output pulley.

[0017]

[0016] In this way, the helical axis of the operating outer shape and the rotation axis of the output pulley coincide with the end face of the output pulley facing the operating lever. As a result, the helical operating outer shape is designed to trace a three-dimensional helical line around the rotation axis of the output pulley. Since the front cam of the operating lever rests on the operating outer shape, the operating lever is gradually rotated as the cam moves along the aforementioned three-dimensional helical line.

[0018]

[0017] The operating lever typically interacts with the release lever that operates the claw, so the resulting pivoting motion of the operating lever is consequently transmitted to the release lever, which then, as a result, lifts the claw from engagement with the rotary latch. In this regard, since the pivotable latch element is located within the engagement area between the rotary latch and the claw, the aforementioned release process is particularly low frictional.

[0019]

[0018] In this regard, it has been shown to be useful when the actuation lever and release lever are mounted on the same axis. In principle, the actuation lever and release lever can also coincide and define the levers. This results in an overall compact design. The fact that the worm on the output shaft of an electric motor usually has multiple evoroid teeth also contributes to this. The evoroid teeth are chamfered so that at least one evoroid tooth on the output shaft always engages with the evoroid meshing portion on the outer circumference of the output pulley. At this point, it has been shown to be useful when the worm on the output shaft has up to three evoroid teeth. Of course, this applies only as an example.

[0020]

[0019] Furthermore, the subject of the present invention is the use of a latch element in the engagement area between a rotating latch and a claw in an automobile lock, as described in claim 10.

[0021]

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

[0022]

[0021] Here, the fact that the worm on the output shaft of the electric motor, the entire output pulley, and the operating and releasing levers are generally made of plastic has complementary and advantageous effects. This is because "plastic-plastic" friction is maintained between the head-side cam and the operating outer shape of the operating lever. Similarly, additional friction optimization is maintained between the evoroid teeth of the worm on the output shaft and the evoroid teeth on the outer circumference of the output pulley. These are the main advantages. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0023]

[0022] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to drawings showing only one embodiment.

[0023] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an automobile lock according to the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a detailed diagram of the locking mechanism.

[0024] Detailed explanation

[0025]

[0024] The figure shows an automobile lock, in particular an automobile door lock, which is a so-called electric lock, i.e., an associated locking mechanism 1, 2 consisting of a rotating latch 1 and a claw 2 that is electrically released. Furthermore, electric drive devices 3, 4, 5 are implemented. The electric drive devices 3, 4, 5 operate operating lever mechanisms 6, 7, which are used to lift the claw 2 from the latch engagement with the rotating latch 1 as shown in Figure 1.

[0026]

[0025] Therefore, the electric drive devices 3, 4, 5 are equipped with at least one epicycloid gear stage 4a, 5a. In relation to the exemplary embodiment, a single epicycloid gear stage 4a, 5a is realized. This is located between, on the one hand, the worm 4 as a component of the electric drive devices 3, 4, 5 on the output shaft of the electric motor 3 and, on the other hand, the output pulley 5 as an additional component of the electric drive devices 3, 4, 5. In fact, the worm 4 and the output pulley 5 are each equipped with an epicycloid tooth part 4a, 5a, and these tooth stages 4a, 5a define a single epicycloid gear stage 4a, 5a within the scope of this embodiment.

[0027]

[0026] For this purpose, the epicycloid tooth part 4a is placed on the output shaft of the electric motor 3 along the entire outer circumference and over the entire length of the worm 4. In contrast, the epicycloid tooth part 5a is provided on the outer circumference of the output pulley 5 and is inclined with respect to the rotation axis 8 of the output pulley 5. Further, the output pulley 5 is equipped with an operating outer part 5b on its end face that faces the operating lever mechanisms 6, 7. The operating outer part 5b is essentially spiral and, according to the exemplary embodiment, has a related spiral axis 8 that coincides with the rotation axis 8 of the output pulley 5. In fact, this design is such that the spiral operating outer part 5b with respect to the spiral axis or rotation axis 8 of the output pulley 5 draws an overall three-dimensional spiral line.

[0028]

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

[0029]

[0028] As a result, the claw portion 2 is lifted by the rotary latch 1 from the latch engagement shown in FIG. 1 in the closed state of the lock mechanism 1. The claw portion 2 moves about the common axis 9 together with the release lever 7 and the actuating lever 6. Next, the rotary latch 1 is spring-assisted to open and releases the previously captured locking pin (not shown). The associated vehicle door is opened.

[0030]

[0029] The worm 4 on the output shaft of the electric motor 3 has a plurality of epicycloid tooth portions 4a on its outer periphery and along its extension. The epicycloid tooth portions 4a are chamfered so that at least one of these epicycloid tooth portions 4a always engages with the epicycloid engagement portion on the outer periphery of the output pulley 5. According to an exemplary embodiment, the worm 4 has a maximum of three epicycloid tooth portions 4a on the output shaft of the electric motor 3. Of course, this applies only as an example. The reduction ratio achieved at this point can generally be a value exceeding 10:1, particularly a value exceeding 20:1, and more preferably a value of 30:1 or more.

[0031]

[0030] According to the present invention, as shown in Figure 2, the latch element 11 is designed to be positioned in the engagement area 10 between the rotary latch 1 and the claw portion 2. According to this embodiment, the latch element 11 is pivotably mounted on the rotary latch 1, that is, mainly on the locking mechanism surface straddled by the rotary latch 1 and the claw portion 2. As can be seen from Figure 2, for this purpose, the latch element 11 is inserted into the recess 1a of the rotary latch 1 together with the pivot bearing head 11a, and is therefore able to perform the corresponding pivoting motion. Therefore, when the claw portion 2 is lifted from the state in which it is latched to the rotary latch 1, the latch element 11 performs the pivoting motion shown in Figures 1 and 2, and the claw portion 2 can be lifted from the state in which it is engaged to the rotary latch 1 with particularly little friction.

[0032]

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

[0033] Locking mechanism 1, 2, Rotary latch 1, recess 1a, Nail part 2, Drive units 3, 4, 5, Electric motor 3, Warm 4, Drive pulley 5, Evoroid gear stage 4a (5a), Operating external part 5b, Operating lever mechanism 6, 7, Operating lever 6, Cam 6a, Release lever 7, Rotation axis 8. Axis 9, Engagement area 10, Retraction element 11, Swivel bearing head 11a, Guide extension 11b.

Claims

1. An automobile lock comprising an electric drive unit (3, 4, 5) and a locking mechanism (1, 2) which is operable by the electric drive unit (3, 4, 5) and consists substantially of a rotary latch (1) and a claw portion (2), The electric drive unit (3, 4, 5) comprises at least one evoroid gear stage (4a, 5a), and the latch element (11) is positioned in the engagement area (10) between the rotary latch (1) and the claw portion (2), and is mounted on the rotary latch (1) and / or the claw portion (2) so as to be rotatable mainly within the locking mechanism plane. The electric drive unit (3, 4, 5) has an output pulley (5), the output pulley (5) is equipped with an operating outer shape (5b) on the end face facing the operating lever (6) that transmits the rotational motion of the output pulley (5) to the operating lever (6), and the operating lever (6) is acted upon so that the operating outer shape (5b) traces a three-dimensional spiral line around the rotation axis (8) of the output pulley (5), for use as an automobile lock.

2. The electric drive unit (3, 4, 5) comprises an electric motor (3), and the evoroid gear stages (4a, 5a) are realized between a worm (4) on the output shaft of the electric motor (3) and the output pulley (5), as described in claim 1.

3. The automobile lock according to claim 2, characterized in that the outer circumference of the output pulley (5) is provided with evoroid teeth (5a) that are inclined with respect to the rotation axis (8) of the output pulley (5).

4. The automobile lock according to claim 3, characterized in that the operating outer shape (5b) is spiral in shape and includes a spiral shaft (8).

5. The automotive lock according to claim 4, characterized in that the helical shaft (8) of the operating outer shape (5b) coincides with the rotational shaft (8) of the output pulley (5).

6. The automotive lock according to claim 5, characterized in that the worm (4) has a plurality of evoroid teeth (4a) on the output shaft of the electric motor (3), and the plurality of evoroid teeth (4a) are chamfered such that at least one evoroid tooth (4a) engages with the evoroid teeth (5a) of the output pulley (5).

7. An automobile lock according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a release lever (7) is provided that interacts with the operating lever (6) and acts on the claw portion (2).

8. The automobile lock according to claim 7, characterized in that the operating lever (6) and the release lever (7) are mounted coaxially on a common shaft (9).

9. In the automobile lock according to claim 1, the use of the latch element (11) in the engagement area (10) between the rotating latch (1) and the claw portion (2), The device comprises an electric drive unit (3, 4, 5) and a locking mechanism (1, 2) operable by the electric drive unit (3, 4, 5), the electric drive unit (3, 4, 5) being equipped with at least one evoroid gear stage (4a, 5a), and the latch element (11) being mounted on the rotating latch (1) and / or the claw portion (2) primarily so as to be rotatable within the plane of the locking mechanism.

Images