Car lock

Abstract

The present invention relates to a lock for a motor vehicle, in particular a lock for a motor vehicle door, equipped with a locking mechanism (1, 2) consisting essentially of a rotary latch (1) and a pawl (2). An electric drive (3, 4) is provided for unlocking at least the locking mechanism (1, 2). In addition, a manually loadable emergency actuation element (11) is provided for unlocking the locking mechanism (1, 2) in the event of an emergency, said emergency actuation element (11) being at least partially arranged outside the lock housing (7, 8, 9) and acting on the locking mechanism (1, 2) by means of at least one transmission element (12) for performing the emergency release operation. According to the invention, the emergency actuation element (11) in combination with the transmission element (12) is coupled to a trigger lever (5) via at least one through hole (13) in the lock housing (7, 8, 9).

Description

Technical Field

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to an automotive lock, particularly a lock for an automotive door, comprising a locking mechanism substantially consisting of a rotary latch and a pawl, an electric drive device for at least releasing the locking mechanism, and a manually operable emergency actuating element for emergently releasing the locking mechanism. The emergency actuating element is arranged outside the lock housing and operates by interposing at least one transmission element in the locking mechanism for emergency release.

[0002]

[0002] Today, automotive locks, particularly locks for automotive doors, are increasingly equipped with an electric drive device for at least releasing the locking mechanism for reasons of convenience. For this reason, such automotive locks are also referred to as electric locks. Thus, the locking mechanism is usually not mechanically coupled to the outer door handle, for example, to release the locking mechanism. Instead, when the outer door handle is actuated, a sensor is actuated, which is used via a control unit to actuate the electric drive device, which releases the locking mechanism. For this purpose, the electric drive device usually acts directly or indirectly on a trigger lever. The trigger lever is usually used to lift the pawl out of the latching engagement with the rotary latch when the locking mechanism is closed. Thereby, the lock bolt previously captured by the rotary latch is released. The corresponding vehicle door can be opened accordingly.

[0003]

[0003] Such electric locks have proven in practice to be effective in themselves by requiring virtually no force from the operator against the external door handle and by being gentle and quiet in operation. However, in order to ensure their operation, sufficient electrical energy must be supplied to the electric drive unit. The problem at this point is that the main energy source, usually located inside the vehicle in the form of one or more batteries, may be completely or partially discharged after a long period of non-operation or due to a malfunction. As a result, it becomes impossible to unlock the vehicle. Nevertheless, various approaches have been pursued in the prior art to enable emergency operation.

[0004]

[0004] For example, DE102019127109A1 describes an automotive lock with emergency action, which includes an emergency energy source for emergency action of a lever chain. For this purpose, the lever chain has an emergency action lever, which is inoperable in its normal position and is moved by an emergency action drive to at least its operating position to close the emergency action lever chain. This is intended to provide a simple and cost-effective emergency action of the lever chain. However, the design effort required for the electric drive and the emergency energy source is not significant. Furthermore, malfunctions due to an emergency power supply that is at least partially discharged cannot be completely ruled out.

[0005]

[0005] In further prior art by WO2019 / 076402A1, this procedure is implemented in a car door lock where an operating lever chain for emergency release of the locking mechanism is implemented. There is also a control element that directly or indirectly blocks the operating lever chain during normal operation and releases it for emergency release. The control element is equipped with an electric motor with a drive element. Furthermore, the control element can optionally disconnect or disconnect a flexible connecting element for coupling the operating lever chain to the handle. In this case as well, an additional electric drive unit will eventually be implemented, connected to the operating lever chain for emergency operation, which increases the design complexity.

[0006]

[0006] In the common prior art described in U.S. Patent No. 2011 / 0107800A1, a locking cylinder is provided on the outside of the locking housing and is implemented as an emergency operating element. A key inserted into the locking cylinder can be used to emergency release the locking mechanism as an alternative to an electric drive. For this purpose, the locking cylinder is coupled to a trigger lever via a connecting rod.

[0007]

[0007] The prior art has been generally and fundamentally proven, for example, in relation to achieving emergency operation of a locking mechanism in the event of failure of the electric drive or the automotive battery or main energy source that powers it. However, complex solutions with their own drive force, operating lever chain and emergency power supply are often prevalent in this location. When the common prior art uses an emergency operation element that is manually operated on the outside of the locking housing, the fundamental problem in this location is that moisture or dirt can penetrate into the inside of the locking housing through the connecting rod as a transmission element and associated forced release and reach the electric drive. This may cause damage to the electric drive.

[0008]

[0008] For cost and weight reasons, such electric drive systems often operate with parts or gears made of plastic. Dirt or moisture penetrating the locking housing at this point can cause abrasive damage to such plastic gear wheels, potentially leading to permanent malfunction or even complete failure. The present invention seeks to improve this as a whole.

[0009] overview

[0010]

[0009] The present invention is based on the technical challenge of further developing automotive locks, particularly automotive door locks, that take into account a simple, functional, and cost-effective design, and that ensure lasting functionality even on a long-term scale.

[0011]

[0010] To solve this technical problem, the present invention proposes that in this type of automobile lock, particularly an automobile door lock, an emergency operating element is connected to a transmission element and coupled to a trigger lever, and at least one through hole is interposed in the lock housing.

[0012]

[0011] The through-hole of the lock housing can be designed and implemented so that neither dirt nor moisture can penetrate the lock housing. This is further applicable to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention in which the through-hole has at least one seal. Furthermore, this has proven particularly advantageous when the through-hole is located within the dry room housing component of the lock housing. It is also advantageous when an emergency operating element extends at least partially through the through-hole.

[0013]

[0012] In fact, a particularly preferred modification of the present invention is provided in which the lock housing is divided into a dry room housing component and a wet room housing component. The locking mechanism is located in the wet room housing component, while the electric drive is located in the dry room housing component of the lock housing. A trigger lever for electrically releasing the locking mechanism, typically actuated by the electric drive, can be designed as two components as a result of this particular arrangement, with one lever component of the trigger lever located in the dry room housing component of the lock housing, where it interacts with the electric drive. On the other hand, another second lever component of the trigger lever is located in the wet room housing component of the lock housing, and acts directly or indirectly on the claw portion to lift it from engagement with the rotary latch and release the locking mechanism. Both lever components are rotatably fixed and coupled to each other and typically engage with a seal via a rotary through-hole, the seal separating the dry room housing component and the wet room housing component of the lock housing and ensuring a seal against dust, moisture, etc.

[0014]

[0013] As a result, the dry room housing component of the lock housing is already protected from the ingress of dirt and moisture by its design. According to the present invention, this also applies in consideration of an additional emergency operating element provided. This is because the emergency operating element is coupled to a trigger lever connected to a transmission element via a through hole located within the dry room housing component of the lock housing. This allows the emergency operating element to be operated by interposing the transmission element to the lever component of the trigger lever located within the dry room housing component of the lock housing.

[0015]

[0014] The lever component is sealed to the corresponding lever component of the wet room housing component of the locking housing, and the emergency operating element, including the transmission element, operates the trigger lever or the lever component of the trigger lever in the dry room housing component of the locking housing through a similarly sealed through-hole in the locking housing, so the sealing design of the entire dry room housing component of the locking housing, and especially the dry room housing component, is observed. Since the electric drive unit is located in the relevant dry room housing component of the locking housing, its function is not impaired even on a long time scale. This is true even if the individual or all of the gear wheels, worm gears, etc., which are components of the electric drive unit, are manufactured entirely or partially from plastic. Furthermore, moisture kept away from the dry room housing component of the locking housing does not jeopardize the permanent function of the electric motor located there, even on a long time scale.

[0016]

[0015] The dry room housing component and the wet room housing component of the lock housing are defined on the one hand within the housing shell and on the other within the housing cover, each formed from plastic and separated from each other by a dividing wall, which generally has only the aforementioned rotary feedthrough and is coupled so that the two lever components of the trigger lever are rotatably fixed and sealed. These are the main advantages.

[0017]

[0016] In a more advantageous embodiment, the through-hole of the locking housing is designed as a rotary / sliding through-hole. This means that the emergency operating element can be operated by rotating and / or pushing a transmission element on the trigger lever. This is because the through-hole allows both rotational and sliding motion in this situation. A combination of rotational and sliding motion is also possible for emergency operation or emergency release of the locking mechanism and is configured according to the present invention.

[0018]

[0017] By another method, the transmission element can be connected to the trigger lever in question. In this regard, it is also possible that the transmission element is molded onto the trigger lever, and both together form a structural unit or integrated component. It has also proven advantageous if the transmission element is designed as a transmission lever mounted inside or on top of the locking housing. For example, the transmission element can be designed as a linearly retractable slider mounted inside the locking housing, which, when actuated with the help of an emergency operating element, acts the lever for emergency release of the locking mechanism.

[0019]

[0018] However, alternatively, the transmission lever in question can also be mounted on the outside of the locking housing. In this case, the transmission lever is typically designed to reach a through-hole in the locking housing. A similar sealed rotary through-hole can be achieved, as in the case of a trigger lever, where the two lever components provide a torsion-preventing coupling through the dividing wall between the dry-room housing component and the wet-room housing component of the locking housing.

[0020]

[0019] The emergency operation element itself can be a rigid element designed, for example, as a pin or slider. Basically, the emergency operation element can also be designed to be flexible. In this case, the emergency operation element is a cable or Bowden cable, not limited to but as an embodiment. In principle, the two modifications described above can also be combined with each other. In this case, the emergency operation element is designed with a rigid component in the form of a pin or slider and also has a flexible component in the form of a cable or Bowden cable.

[0021]

[0020] As a result, an automotive lock, particularly an automotive door lock, is obtained that provides a functionally reliable, durable, simple, and cost-effective emergency operation system. This is because the emergency operation element is located on the outside of the lock housing, for example, behind a door panel cover or exterior mirror, and can be easily operated manually by the user in the event of a failure of the electric drive. The emergency operation element operates a transmission element and thus operates the lock mechanism for emergency release, and is coupled to the transmission element in question by interposing at least one through-hole in the lock housing, thus enabling a complete seal of the lock housing. This is particularly true for the dry room housing component of the lock housing where the electric drive and at least one lever component of the trigger lever are located. These are the main advantages. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0022]

[0021] The present invention will be described in more detail below using drawings that show only exemplary embodiments. These are shown in the following figures. [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the automotive lock according to the present invention in a first modified example in which the housing cover has been removed. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a further second embodiment having a representation equivalent to that of Figure 1. [Figure 3A] Figure 3A shows a modified example of the third embodiment in a different figure. [Figure 3B]FIG. 3B shows a modification of the third embodiment in a different figure. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A shows a further design modification again in a different figure. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B shows a further design modification again in a different figure.

[0023] [Detailed Description]

[0022] The drawings show a vehicle lock not limited to a lock for an automobile door. For this purpose, the vehicle lock or the lock for an automobile door has a lock mechanism 1, 2 substantially consisting of a rotary latch 1 and a claw portion 2 shown only in FIG. 1. In addition, the basic design includes electric drive devices 3, 4, which act on a trigger lever 5 and lift the claw portion 2 out of the latching engagement with the rotary latch 1 in the closed state of the lock mechanism 1, 2.

[0024]

[0023] The electric drive devices 3, 4 are substantially composed of an electric motor 3 and a drive wheel 4 or a gear wheel driven on the output side by the electric motor 3. According to this embodiment, the drive wheel 4 has a three-dimensionally extending spiral outer shape on the surface facing the trigger lever 5. As a result, when the drive wheel 4 rotates, the trigger lever 5 attached to the drive wheel 4 pivots about its axis 6 via the outer shape portion, opening the lock mechanism 1, 2, that is, in the counterclockwise direction shown in FIG. 1. Thereby, in the state where the lock mechanism 1, 2 is closed, the claw portion 2 is lifted from the engagement with the rotary latch 1, and the lock bolt engaged with the rotary latch 1 is released. The automobile door, which is part of the lock for an automobile door and not shown, is opened by an electric motor.

[0025]

[0024] To initiate the electric release of the locking mechanisms 1, 2, a control unit (not shown) is usually provided which acts on an electric motor 3 and queries a sensor. The sensor can be a switch on the outer door handle. When the outer door handle is operated, the actuation of the switch ensures that the control unit interprets this as an opening signal and thus activates the electric motor 3 to rotate the drive wheel 4 so that the trigger lever 5 rotates in the counterclockwise direction shown in FIG. 1 as described above. Of course, this applies only as an example. This is because the electrical or electric release of the locking mechanisms 1, 2 can be carried out without a sensor, for example, according to a question / response dialog by an identification element on the user side of the control unit.

[0026]

[0025] The illustrated lock for an automobile door is housed as a whole within locking housings 7, 8, 9, which are accommodated within the locking housings 7, 8, 9. The locking housings 7, 8, 9 have a housing shell 7 and a housing cover 9, which can be shown particularly in FIG. 3B. The housing shell 7 and the housing cover 9 are separated from each other by a partition wall 8. In this way, the housing shell 7 connected to the partition wall 8 forms the housing parts 7, 8 of the wet room. Furthermore, it is possible to recognize the housing parts 8, 9 of the dry room of the locking housings 7, 8, 9 which are defined by the partition wall 8 and connected to the housing cover 9 and are described.

[0027]

[0026] It can be seen that the locking mechanisms 1 and 2 are mainly located in the wet room housing parts 7 and 8. The wet room housing parts 7 and 8 of the locking housings 7, 8 and 9 are not protected from environmental influences and moisture, as an inlet mouse is realized at this point into which a locking bolt (not shown) enters to interact with the rotating latch 1 of the locking mechanisms 1 and 2. In contrast, the dry room housing parts 8 and 9 of the locking housings 7, 8 and 9 are substantially sealed against such environmental influences. This is due to the fact that the trigger lever 5 has a lever part in the dry room housing parts 8 and 9, as seen in Figure 1. This lever part is non-rotatably coupled to another lever part of the trigger lever 5 in the wet room housing parts 7 and 8. The trigger lever 5 is sealed by passing through a sealed rotating through-hole 10 in the dividing wall 8, which is the only connection between the wet room housing parts 7 and 8 and the dry room housing parts 8 and 9 of the locking housings 7, 8 and 9. This prevents moisture and dust that enter the wet room housing parts 7 and 8 from reaching the dry room housing parts 8 and 9. In this way, the electric drive units 3 and 4 are permanently protected from environmental influences, and their functional reliability is also provided over a long period of time.

[0028]

[0027] The basic structure of the automobile door lock according to the present invention also includes a manually operated emergency operating element 11. As can be seen from the various exemplary embodiments in Figures 2, 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B, the emergency operating element 11 is located at least partially outside the lock housings 7, 8, and 9. The emergency operating element 11 is operated by interposing at least one transmission element 12 to the emergency release lock mechanism 1, 2. The transmission element 12 is connected to the trigger lever 5. In the modification shown in Figure 1, the transmission element 12 and the trigger lever 5 are designed to form an integrated component 5, 12. In contrast, the transmission element 12 in the modification shown in Figure 2 is a slider mounted on the lock housings 7, 8, and 9 and connected to the trigger lever 5. The modifications shown in Figures 3A and 3B use a transmission lever mounted on the outside of the lock housings 7, 8, and 9 as the transmission element 12. The exemplary embodiments shown in Figures 4A and 4B are equivalent.

[0029]

[0028] What is decisive and essential to the present invention is the fact that the emergency operating element 11 is connected to the transmission element 12 and coupled to the trigger lever 5 through at least one through hole 13 in the lock housings 7, 8, and 9. In the modified form of Figure 1, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the emergency operating element 11 can proceed so as to at least partially penetrate the through hole 13. In this case, the through hole 13 is designed with or without a seal so that in any case a tight closure of the lock housings 7, 8, and 9 is observed in the area of ​​the through hole 13. However, as observed in the exemplary embodiments by Figures 3A and 3B, in principle, the through hole 13 can also have an additional separate seal 14.

[0030]

[0029] Furthermore, the through-hole 13 is provided inside the dry room housing components 8 and 9 of the lock housings 7, 8 and 9. As a result, dust and moisture cannot enter the dry room housing components 8 and 9 of the lock housings 7, 8 and 9 through the through-hole 13.

[0031]

[0030] The through-hole 13 may be a sliding through-hole, as shown in the exemplary embodiments in Figures 1 and 2. However, as shown in Figures 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B, a rotary through-hole, such as the through-hole 13, is also possible in principle at this location. In connection with this, a combination of rotary and sliding through-holes is also possible.

[0032]

[0031] If the transmission element 12 is designed as a transmission lever mounted on the outside of the locking housings 7, 8, and 9, the procedure is carried out to engage the transmission lever with the through hole 13 according to the exemplary embodiments shown in Figures 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B. As a result, the transmission lever or transmission element 12 can be easily coupled and operated with the emergency operating element 11 on the output side and on the outside of the locking housings 7, 8, and 9.

[0033]

[0032] The emergency operation element 11 can be strictly designed as a pin or slider, for example, as shown in Figure 1. Furthermore, variations are possible in which the emergency operation element 11 can be flexibly designed as a cable or Bowden cable, for example, as shown in detail in the exemplary embodiments in Figures 2, 3A, 3B and 4A, 4B.

[0034]

[0033] The emergency operating element 11 can be operated manually. For this purpose, the emergency operating element 11 may be located behind a cover and become accessible after the cover is partially loosened. The cover may be an interior door cover, an exterior cover, an exterior mirror cover, etc., as long as it is ensured that the manually operated emergency operating element 11 is accessible in the event of a failure of the electric drive units 3 and 4 and is operable by the user for the emergency release of the locking mechanisms 1 and 2.

[0035] [Explanation of Symbols]

[0036] 1, 2... Locking mechanism, 1... Rotary latch, 2... Nail area, 3,4...Drive system, 3… Electric motor, 4... Drive wheel, 5... Trigger lever, 5,12…Component parts, 6...axis, 7, 8, 9... Housing for locking, 7,8…Wet room housing parts, 8,9…Dry room housing parts, 7…Housing shell, 8…dividing wall, 9…Housing cover, 11…Emergency action elements, 12... Communication elements, 13... Through hole.

Claims

1. A locking mechanism (1, 2) consisting essentially of a rotating latch (1) and a claw portion (2), At least an electric drive unit (3, 4) for releasing the locking mechanism (1, 2), A manually operated emergency operating element (11) for emergency release of the locking mechanism (1, 2), In an automobile lock, particularly an automobile door lock, The emergency operating element (11) is located at least partially outside the lock housing (7, 8, 9) and is operated by at least one transmission element (12) on the lock mechanism (1, 2) for emergency release, and the emergency operating element (11) is connected to a trigger lever (5) connected to the transmission element (12) via at least one through hole (13) in the lock housing (7, 8, 9), An automobile lock characterized in that the electric drive unit (3, 4) acts on the trigger lever (5) to lift the claw portion (2) from latch engagement with the rotating latch (1) when the lock mechanism (1, 2) is closed, and the through hole (13) has at least one seal (14).

2. The automobile lock according to claim 1, characterized in that the emergency operating element (11) operates the transmission element (12) through the through hole (13).

3. The automotive lock according to claim 2, characterized in that the through hole (13) is located in the drying chamber housing (8, 9) of the lock housing (7, 8, 9).

4. The automobile lock according to claim 3, characterized in that the through hole (13) is designed as a rotating / sliding through hole.

5. The automobile lock according to claim 4, characterized in that the transmission element (12) is connected to the trigger lever (5).

6. The automobile lock according to claim 5, characterized in that the transmission element (12) is configured as a transmission lever attached to the lock housing (7, 8, 9).

7. The automobile lock according to claim 6, characterized in that the transmission element (12) is mounted on the outside of the lock housing (7, 8, 9) and passes through the through hole (13).

8. The automobile lock according to claim 7, characterized in that the emergency operating element (11) is rigidly designed, for example, as a pin or a slider.

9. The automotive lock according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the emergency operating element (11) is designed to be flexible, for example, as a cable or a Bowden cable.

Images